Antifreeze in pipes?
#1
11-17-06, 08:37 AM
Antifreeze in pipes?
I had a brand new boiler installed this year. I constantly lose power in the winter months and have had the pipes freeze and cause a lot of damge in my house. My friend, an HVAC guy, said he would put antifreeze in the pipes for me. I asked the guy who installed the boiler, he said no, it's not good for the system and would decrease the life of the boiler. What do you think?
#2
11-17-06, 02:02 PM
Originally Posted by debiderin
.. asked the guy who installed the boiler, he said no, it's not good for the system and would decrease the life of the boiler. What do you think?
#3
11-17-06, 02:29 PM
Super Moderator
My experience with glycol is a good one.
I maintained a pair of larger commercial electric boilers and was required to inspect the inside of the boiler every year for scaling and sediment.
After ten years the insides were as clean as when new with virtually zero sediment.
Commercially glycol use is becoming quite common.
It is used where hot water heating is used to warm up outdoor air that is below freezing temps.
Glycol saves many a coil from freeze-up when something goes wrong.
This sounds exactly like what you would acomplish if you converted.
I also belive that the heat transfer qualities of glycol are a bit better that straight water but you would have to check on that.
You need to be sure it is inhibited propylene glycol that gets put in as the other kind available is food grade and not good for boilers.
Just to be sure though you should email the boiler mfr, describe your situation and ask if it is ok.
I maintained a pair of larger commercial electric boilers and was required to inspect the inside of the boiler every year for scaling and sediment.
After ten years the insides were as clean as when new with virtually zero sediment.
Commercially glycol use is becoming quite common.
It is used where hot water heating is used to warm up outdoor air that is below freezing temps.
Glycol saves many a coil from freeze-up when something goes wrong.
This sounds exactly like what you would acomplish if you converted.
I also belive that the heat transfer qualities of glycol are a bit better that straight water but you would have to check on that.
You need to be sure it is inhibited propylene glycol that gets put in as the other kind available is food grade and not good for boilers.
Just to be sure though you should email the boiler mfr, describe your situation and ask if it is ok.
#4
11-17-06, 06:43 PM
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Glycol
It sounds like, short of an auto start generator, glycol is your best bet. My personal experience with glycol is 180º from Greg's. I would not use that stuff on a bet. Your money is far better spent on a generator. Glycol in the system is not going to keep the domestic pipes from freezing. Only heat will go that.
