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Bypass boiler tankless hot water coil while still running the boiler to heat the home?

arcticman
arcticman Member, Email Confirmation Posts: 26

For several years we have been completely shutting down our home in Alaska while we snowbird in Arizona. For the first couple of seasons we used compressed air to purge all the domestic water lines, toilets and appliances. Then drained the boiler and used compressed air to blow all water out of the zones.  This has worked out fine.  We did switch to pumping RV antifreeze thru the domestic water system a few years ago because it was easier and faster than using compressed air.

This year we want to keep the house heated but as an extra precaution continue to protect the domestic water system in case the boiler fails.

Option 1

Install plumbing to bypass the tankless water heater and use RV antifreeze for the domestic water system. 

Will leaving water in the closed tankless heater be a problem?

How would you plumb the bypass? (See pics)

Option 2

Use compressed air to purge all the water out of the domestic water system.

Will leaving no water in the tankless heater be a problem?

Thanks in advance

Well McLain P-WTGO-5

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Comments

  • pecmsg
    pecmsg Member Posts: 6,581

    I use compressed air to blow out all the water lines. It takes a few hours with a small compressor.
    I use propylene glycol in all the drain p-traps.

    arcticman
  • Jamie Hall
    Jamie Hall Member Posts: 26,515

    Just to add — leaving the tankless coil empty isn't going to hurt anything.

    Br. Jamie, osb
    Building superintendent/caretaker, 7200 sq. ft. historic house museum with dependencies in New England
    arcticman
  • HydronicMike
    HydronicMike Member Posts: 170

    if you’re shutting off your domestic water, you should have a low water cutoff on the boiler. I add alarm contacts to it and your primary, or a wifi thermostat to warn you if something isn’t working correctly.

  • arcticman
    arcticman Member, Email Confirmation Posts: 26
  • Jamie Hall
    Jamie Hall Member Posts: 26,515

    Not surprised… but may I note that if something happens while the domestic water is shut off and the boiler runs dry, you will have a problem. You might consider adding one… a good bit cheaper than a fire or explosion…

    Br. Jamie, osb
    Building superintendent/caretaker, 7200 sq. ft. historic house museum with dependencies in New England