Antifreeze Question

gehring_3

I have a friend (in a cold northern climate) who just had a new Buderus HW boiler installed. One of the zones feeds some radiant under the floor on the lower level. The other zones feed conventional basebord upstairs.

The contractor advised against using any antifreeze of any kind saying that the properties in the antifreeze will, over the long haul, actually lessen the life of the boiler due to added corrosion, etc.

What is your professional opinion of that? Any thoughts on the pros and cons of antifreeze? Any particular brands of antifreeze that are less corrosive?

Thanks

hr

Use it only if

you really need the protection! Of course snowmelts and other outside installations dictate it.

Unless the home is left unattended for long periods in the winter, and all the piping is within the heated structure, you probably do not need it.

If you go with antifreeze it needs to be "hydronic" type, needs to go in a cleaned system, and needs a yearly check, in my opinion, to assure it is still good.

IF it is checked, and the inhibitors kept up, and a leak free system, hydronic glycol should last years, 10, 20, maybe more depending on the system use and temperatures.

DowFrost HD, Nobel No-Burst, and Hercules seem to be the best brands to considers.

Pumps and expansion tanks may need to be upsized, check into that before you dump it in

If you use a boiler with an aluminum HX you will need a special antifreeze for aluminum (not automotive) beprepared to pay a bit more for AL glycols.

hot rod

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Dan_15

Hot Rod is correct

Antifreeze that is rated for hydronic systems and properly maintained can be used in Buderus Boilers without any adverse effects. Thanks Hot Rod!!!

Firedragon_4

I also agree and make sure

that the freeze-point is not only checked preferably with a refractometer, but also the missing link.

You're contractor's statement is not totally incorrect and may have some merit since most of the systems I've seen on insurance claims were never checked for Ph once a year with the freeze-level.

After a while the non-toxic anti-freeze can become some of the nastiest acid you've ever seen picking up the supposedly inert chemicals in an air-free environment, yeah right!