The most common in most countries today are heating systems with liquid coolant. They represent a whole complex of heating equipment, which can be complex or simple.
In the latter case, the system is an open heating circuit. If we are talking about a complex system, then it involves a heat exchanger, pumping stations, boiler rooms and piping systems. Features of the circulating fluid will affect the operation of the equipment, so it is important to choose the right coolant.
What should be the coolant
The heat carrier for heating, unfortunately, may not be ideal. This indicates that any of the materials known today can be successfully operated only under certain conditions. Thus, one of the important circumstances is the temperature, in violation of which the substance can change its qualitative characteristics, and with it the system simply ceases to function.
If you put the qualities on the shelves, it should be noted that a good coolant should transfer maximum heat in a short time along the perimeter of the site. In this case, heat losses should be minimal. It should have a small viscosity, because this indicator will affect the pumping speed and the value of the efficiency. The coolant must not cause corrosion of the components and mechanisms of the system, otherwise there will be restrictions when choosing them. Among other things, it should be safe for humans, not exceed the norm for temperature, toxicity and fire.
From consumers you can hear another important factor that affects the choice, it is expressed in cost. If the coolant seems expensive, but will have excellent characteristics, then only a limited circle of consumers will be able to turn its choice in his direction.
Description of water as a coolant
Water is a heat carrier for heating, which is characterized by the highest heat capacity among all liquids. Water has a high density. Thus, a kilogram of water heated to 90 ° C will cool in the radiator, generating heat in an amount of 20 kcal until it reaches 70 ° C. This coolant is chosen for the reason that it differs from synthetic substances in environmental and toxicological properties.
Why choose water
Water is safe for humans, and with a leak it will not cause much trouble. Its deficiency can be easily filled by adding the missing volume of liquid to the system. If we compare this coolant with others, then it has no competitors in cost, because you simply can’t find a cheaper liquid.
Water expert advice
Water is a heat carrier for heating, which should not be used in its usual form, because it is rich in salts and oxygen, which causes corrosion and scale.
In order to ensure trouble-free operation of the system, water must be softened, for this you can use one of two existing methods. The first is thermal, the second is chemical. In the first case, water must be boiled. To do this, it is placed in a metal tank and begin to heat. In the process, carbon dioxide will be removed, as well as salts, which will be deposited at the bottom of the vessel. But persistent compounds of magnesium and calcium will remain in the water.
The named heat carrier for heating can also be softened chemically using reagents. To do this, experts advise using soda ash, sodium orthophosphate and slaked lime, which will eliminate the insoluble salts in the water - they simply precipitate. At the next stage, the water will only need to be filtered out, which will eliminate residual substances.
The perfect solution
If you choose a heating medium for heating your home, then distilled water will be an ideal option, the only disadvantage of which is the need to purchase it.
You can use rainwater, which differs from tap, artesian and well. If you decide to use the specified liquid, then the characteristics of the coolant, namely the temperature regime, will play a big role. As soon as the temperature in the building drops below 0 ° C, the liquid will freeze, and this can cause a malfunction of the system.
Characteristics of antifreeze
With the onset of cold weather, you can use the so-called non-freezing, with which pipes are filled. They do not burst even at low temperatures, which is very important for owners of private real estate, which are used irregularly. Antifreeze is designed to operate at a wide temperature range, ranging from -30 ° C and above. On sale you can find antifreeze, which can be used up to -65 ° C.
If you need to equip the heating of a country house, the coolant can be represented by antifreeze. When the critical temperature drops, it does not freeze, but becomes gel-like. As soon as the temperature rises, the liquid will return to its original state, without losing its properties.
It is noteworthy that antifreeze does not pose a threat to the heating circuit. In order to exclude foci of corrosion and rid the inner surface of pipes of scale, manufacturers add special inhibitors to it.
What to remember when choosing antifreeze
Thanks to these additives, the period of operation of the heating system is extended by several years. But still, it must be remembered that antifreeze is not a universal fluid, and additives can only be used for certain materials. This is due to the fact that some of them destroy polymer pipes, while others contribute to the occurrence of corrosion of the electrochemical type.
For reference
If, when choosing a coolant for heating radiators, you prefer antifreeze, it must be remembered that the average term of its operation is 5 years, which is 10 seasons. After this period, the volume of coolant must be replaced. Some manufacturers even recommend using antifreeze for 3 years.
Comparison of antifreeze with water
Quite often, property owners decide which heat medium to choose for heating a country house . Moreover, in most cases, antifreeze and water are compared.
The first has a high viscosity and suggests the need to equip the system equipment with a powerful circulation pump, which can cause additional costs. Among other things, antifreeze has a lower heat capacity (to be precise, it is 15% less). This indicates that the amount of heat transferred will not be as impressive as in the case of water.
Antifreeze is a coolant for the heating system, which provides for the need for more thorough sealing of detachable joints. And when arranging the system, it will be necessary to install radiators, the volume of which is 50% more compared to those used for water. The scheme of heating equipment, where antifreeze will be used, requires a closed expansion tank, because during heating there will be increased expansion.
Many experts also note the toxicity of this fluid, this characteristic can be attributed, for example, to ethylene glycol. This ingredient will be present in the composition of the substances described, which suggests the need for single-circuit boilers. Therefore, before filling the system with antifreeze, you should consider installing a spacious expansion tank and more powerful pumping equipment.
Radiators must be voluminous, pipes must be selected so that they have a more impressive diameter. When forming detachable joints, it is necessary to use high-quality seals, for example, paronite or teflon gaskets. When diluting antifreeze, it is necessary to use exclusively distilled water, and each subsequent filling of the substance will imply the need for a complete flushing of the system, including boiler equipment.
Additional features of antifreeze
Before choosing this coolant and filling the heating system, its characteristics should be studied. For example, the purpose and composition of additives, as well as possible interactions of the substance with the components of the heating system, which can be made of cast iron, plastic, non-ferrous metals or rubber, should influence the choice.
The temperature of the heating medium must also be taken into account, since each manufacturer indicates this parameter for his product. It is also important to take into account the service life, as well as safety for nature and human health. If you use water as the heat carrier, then the system is equipped according to the traditional scheme of closed or open type.
Conclusions about the choice of coolant
It is quite difficult to choose a coolant for the heating system of a country house. It is important to consider the temperature in the cold season. If the thermometer does not fall below +5 ° C, it is recommended to prefer water, which is cleaned of impurities before pouring.
If the temperature level is quite low, then for the heating system it is better to choose antifreeze. As an alternative solution, you can use water, which is drained from the pipes before the owners leave, but in this case you may encounter corrosion due to the humidity of the air that will fill the radiators and empty pipes.
It is important to choose the type of equipment for heating at the design stage, because the systems for antifreeze and water differ from each other.
Conclusion
The temperature of the coolant in the heating system is not the only factor that will affect the choice. It is important to consider the possibilities of heating boiler equipment. There are some restrictions that manufacturers impose on liquids for boiler equipment. These standards can not be called critical, but the wishes should be heeded. Indeed, sometimes the wrong choice of coolant leads to failure of heating boilers or some of their components.