Heating medium for heating: characteristics and description

The most common in most countries today are heating systems with a liquid coolant. They represent a whole complex of heating equipment, which can be complicated or simple.

In the latter case, the system is an open heating circuit. If it is a complex system, 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

Heat carrier for heating, unfortunately, can 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 decompose the quality of the shelves, it should be noted that a good heat carrier must transfer the maximum heat for a short time along the perimeter of the site. The heat loss in this case should be minimal. It should have a low viscosity, because this figure will affect the rate of pumping and the value of efficiency. The heat carrier should not cause corrosion of the components and mechanisms of the system, otherwise there will be restrictions when choosing them. Among other things, it must be safe for humans, do not exceed the standards for temperature, toxicity and fire.

From consumers, you can hear another important factor that affects the choice, it is expressed in value. If the coolant seems expensive, but will have excellent characteristics, then only a limited number of consumers will be able to choose their choice.

Description of water as a coolant

Water is a heating medium for heating, which has 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, releasing heat in an amount of 20 kcal until it reaches 70 ° C. Choose this coolant for the reason that it differs from synthetic substances with environmental and toxicological properties.

Why choose water

Water is safe for humans, and if leakage does not cause much trouble. Its deficiency can be easily replenished by adding the missing volume of liquid to the system. If we compare this coolant with others, then it has no competitors in value, because a cheaper liquid can not be found.

Tips for the specialist in water use

Water is a heating medium for heating, which should not be used as usual, because it is rich in salts and oxygen, which causes corrosion and scale.

In order to ensure trouble-free operation of the system, the water must be softened, one of two existing methods can be used for this. 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 begins to heat. In the process, carbon dioxide will be removed, as well as salts that will be deposited at the bottom of the vessel. But persistent magnesium and calcium compounds will remain in the water.

The named heating medium for heating can be softened also chemically, using reagents. To do this, experts advise the use of calcined soda, sodium orthophosphate and hydrated lime, which will eliminate insoluble salts in the water - they simply fall out in the form of sediment. At the next stage, the water will only need to be filtered out, which will remove the residues of the substances.

The perfect solution

If you choose a heat carrier for heating at home, then the ideal option will be distilled water, as the only negative of which is the need to purchase it.

You can use rainwater, which differs from tap water, artesian and well. If you decide to use the specified liquid, then the characteristics of the coolant, namely the temperature regime, will play an important role. As soon as the temperature in the building drops below 0 ° C, the liquid will freeze, and this can cause the system to malfunction.

Characteristics of antifreeze

With the onset of cold weather, it is possible to use the so-called unfrozen frost, which is filled with pipes. They will not burst even at low temperatures, which is very important for owners of private real estate, which is used irregularly. Antifreeze is designed for operation over a wide range of temperatures, 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 is lowered, it will not freeze, but will become gel-like. As soon as the temperature rises, the liquid will return to its original state, without losing any properties.

It is noteworthy that antifreeze does not pose a threat to the heating circuit. In order to exclude foci of corrosion and to relieve the internal surface of the pipes from scale, manufacturers add special inhibitors to it.

What to remember when choosing an antifreeze

Due to these additives, the period of operation of the heating system is increased by several years. But nevertheless it is necessary to remember that antifreeze is not a universal liquid, and additives can be used only for certain materials. This is due to the fact that some of them destroy polymer pipes, while others cause corrosion of the electrochemical type.

For reference

If, when choosing the coolant of heating radiators, you prefer antifreeze, then you need to remember that the average period of its operation is 5 years, and this equals 10 seasons. After the end of this period, the volume of the coolant must be replaced. Some manufacturers recommend using antifreeze for 3 years.

Comparison of antifreeze with water

Quite often, property owners decide the question of what kind of coolant for a country house heating system to choose. In most cases, antifreeze and water are compared.

The first has an increased viscosity and requires the equipment of the system to be equipped with a powerful circulating pump, which can cause additional costs. Among other things, the antifreeze has a lower heat capacity (to be precise, it is 15% less). This indicates that the amount of heat given out will not be as impressive as in the case of water.

Antifreeze - a coolant for the heating system, which provides for the need for more careful sealing of detachable joints. And with the arrangement of the system it will be necessary to install radiators, whose volume is 50% larger than those used for water. Scheme of heating equipment, where antifreeze will be used, requires a closed expansion tank, because during heating will be marked increased expansion.

Many experts note also the toxicity of this liquid, this characteristic can be attributed, for example, to ethylene glycol. This ingredient will be present in the described substances, which implies the need for single-circuit boilers. Therefore, before filling the system with antifreeze, you should consider the question of installing a capacious expansion tank and more powerful pumping equipment.

Radiators should be voluminous, the pipes must be chosen in such a way that they have a more impressive diameter. When forming detachable joints, it is necessary to use qualitative seals, for example, paronit or Teflon gaskets. When diluting the antifreeze, it is necessary to use exclusively distilled water, and each additional pouring of the substance will require the complete flushing of the system, including boiler equipment.

Additional features of antifreeze

Before choosing this coolant and filling the heating system, it is necessary to study its characteristics. For example, the choice and influence of the additives and the possible interactions of the substance with the components of the heating system, which can be made of cast iron, plastics, non-ferrous metals or rubber, should influence the choice.

The temperature of the heating medium must also be taken into account, as each manufacturer indicates this parameter for its product. It is important to take into account also the service life, as well as safety for nature and human health. If you use water as a coolant, the system is equipped according to a traditional closed or open type scheme.

Conclusions about the choice of coolant

The heat carrier for a country house heating system can be difficult to choose. It is important to consider the temperature during the cold season. If the thermometer's column does not drop below +5 ° С, it is recommended to prefer water, which is cleaned before impurities from impurities.

If the temperature level is rather low, then for the heating system it is better to choose an antifreeze. Alternatively, you can use water that is drained from the pipes before leaving the owners, 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 heating equipment at the design stage, because the systems for antifreeze and water differ.

Conclusion

The temperature of the heating medium in the heating system is not the only factor that will influence the choice. It is important to take into account also the possibilities of heating boiler equipment. There are some limitations that manufacturers make to liquids for boiler equipment. These norms can not be called critical, but one should listen to wishes. After all, sometimes an incorrect choice of coolant leads to failure of heating boilers or some of their components.