Choosing the right fill: how not to spoil the warm floor

Why is the system on water more effective when you still can't do without antifreeze

Water underfloor heating is a low-temperature heating system that provides an optimal level of comfort in a country house. Novice developers often face the dilemma of what to pour into the underfloor heating branches so that they spend less money and have no problems in the future. Water? Antifreeze? And if antifreeze, what kind? Ethylene glycol or propylene glycol? Our portal has collected answers to these questions and will help you make an informed choice.

1. What happens if you pour water from a well into the warm floor?

One of the FORUMHOUSE members has a problem.

Kardinale

I have a warm floor installed. I poured water from the well. After the heat in summer, the water bloomed. Some kind of mucus inside. The system works, but I want to flush it. And most importantly, how to avoid this in the future?

We advise:

Flush the system.
Remove all ferrous metal components and replace them with copper, stainless steel, etc.
Pour reverse osmosis water into the closed system.
Optional sludge separator.

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Do not pour water from a well, as well as distilled water, into the warm floor, since the pH value of distilled water decreases after contact with air when filling the system. As a result: the acidity level of the distilled water increases and acid corrosion can occur. Pour into warm specially prepared heat carrier or demineralized water.

2. Why can't you pour water from a well into the underfloor heating system?

Due to its chemical composition, well water is not suitable for heating systems. The water for the heating system is pre-prepared. Water preparation depends on the elements of the heating system. If there are aluminum radiators, then a low alkalinity of water is needed. If there is a steel heat exchanger, then iron in water is especially dangerous.

3. And what are the disadvantages of water as a heat carrier for a warm floor?

The main disadvantage of water as a heat carrier is that it freezes at subzero temperatures.

But, this disadvantage does not apply to permanent residences.
Agree if force majeure has happened, for example, the electricity is turned off or the boiler has broken down, you will not sit back and wait for the house and all utilities freeze.

A water heat-insulated floor is a heat-inertial system that works as a heat accumulator and retains heat for a long time.

4. What is antifreeze?

Antifreeze is a chemical solution that, unlike water, does not freeze at temperatures below 0 degrees Celsius.

When water freezes, it expands and can rupture heating pipes, radiators, damage plumbing, for example, a siphon under a sink or a toilet bowl.

Antifreeze, depending on the chemical composition, will not freeze at temperatures below -30... -65 ° C. At lower temperatures, the substance does not solidify, but turns into a jelly-like form.

5. What types of antifreeze are there?

Two main types of antifreeze are used for the heating system:

Ethylene glycol.
Propylene glycol.

6. How do they differ from each other? I heard that ethylene glycol is poisonous, is it true?

Ethylene glycol is a hydrocarbon-based chemical called a dihydric alcohol. Ethylene glycol is a clear, slightly oily, odorless, colorless liquid.

Ethylene glycol, according to the degree of impact on the human body, belongs to the substances of the 3rd hazard class. Ingestion of ethylene glycol into the body can be fatal. Ethylene glycol vapors are also dangerous, especially with prolonged inhalation.

Propylene glycol, like ethylene glycol, is a colorless and viscous liquid. But, unlike ethylene glycol, propylene glycol is not a toxic substance! It is used in perfumery and in the food industry as an additive for E-1520. The use of propylene glycol is approved in most EU countries.

7. Why is antifreeze for a heating system better than water, and what is worse?

We have already said above that antifreezes, when the heating system freezes, will not freeze, which means they will not damage the engineering system of a country house. Perhaps this is where their pluses end. Let's compare the physical and chemical properties of propylene glycol and water.

The specific heat of propylene glycol is 2483 J / (kg * K). Heat capacity of water 4183 J / (kg * K).
T. That is, the heat capacity of propylene glycol is almost two times lower than that of water.

The thermal conductivity of propylene glycol is 0.218 W / (m * K). Thermal conductivity of water - 0.6 W / (m * K).
T. That is, the thermal conductivity of propylene glycol is three times less than that of water.

The water circulating in the heating system will store and give off more heat than antifreeze, which means that the “on-water” system is more efficient.

8. What other disadvantages do antifreeze have?

Antifreezes are sold in the form of concentrates, which the consumer dilutes with water on their own, or, in the form of solutions, ready for use in the heating system.

Antifreezes are corrosive to metal parts of the heating system. Also in the system it is better to use gaskets made of glycol-resistant materials - paronite or Teflon. To prevent accelerated corrosion, inhibitors are added to antifreezes - silicate or carboxylate additives.

Antifreeze can contain:

anti-foaming agents;
surface restoration additives;
absorbents.

Antifreezes, due to the lower surface tension coefficient than water, have a greater fluidity. This can lead to leaks in the heating system at the connections.
Note!

The density and dynamic viscosity of propylene glycol is greater than that of water and you will need a more powerful circulation pump.

Have you learned something new? Like it!

If gas heating is planned, read what should be the furnace according to the rules. And if the construction is only planned, find out how to prepare to avoid long-term construction. In the video about the underfloor heating system without electricity.