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How to fill water in an open and closed heating system? How to fill the heating system.

The work of the heating system is a well-coordinated mechanism, the reliability and efficiency of which depends on its components. The main one is the coolant - the liquid, which provides the transfer of heat energy from the boiler to the house. For this you need to fill in correctly closed system heating with water or coolant. What is the specificity of this procedure and how to do it correctly?

Periodicity of coolant replacement

During the heating season, even initially the quality coolant gradually loses its properties. This is due to the periodic change in its temperature, resulting in the precipitation (for water) or the change in the viscosity of the substance (synthetic coolants). If the heating system is not filled in time, the following negative moments can occur:

Reducing the efficiency in heating. This is a consequence of a decrease in the efficiency of heat transfer due to the presence in the liquid of external elements - calcareous sediment and rust.
The probability of failure of the heating boiler, radiators and shut-off valves. Only by filling the heating medium with a heat carrier can such problems be avoided. This is due to the gradual saturation of water with oxygen, resulting in increased foaming and significantly accelerated corrosion processes on the inner surface of the steel elements of the system.

Timely filling of the closed heating system with water can be different in time. All depends on the composition of the coolant and the temperature regime of the boiler. For distilled water, the optimal replacement frequency is 1 year, i.e. before each heating season. In the case of using heat transfer media based on ethylene glycol, propylene glycol or glycerin, the service life is from 3 to 7 years. It depends on the concentration of chemical components - the more they are in the total volume, the longer the liquid will serve.

However, before you fill the closed heating system with water, you need to determine the type of coolant - this will be normal H2O or improved fluids.

In order to fill or add antifreeze to the heating system of a double-circuit boiler, you need to know whether it can be done. Boiler manufacturers indicate the solutions by which the heating system can be filled.

Water or coolant: choose the optimal filling system

The optimum composition of the liquid must be determined by the parameters of the heating system. Often the heating system is filled with water, as it has a number of significant advantages. Determining is the affordable cost - often take simple tap water. However, this is fundamentally wrong. A large number of metal and alkali elements will contribute to the formation of build-up on the internal walls of pipes and radiators. This leads to a reduction in the flow diameter, an increase in hydraulic losses in some sections of the main line.

But how correctly to fill the closed system of heating with water to avoid such troubles? Specialists recommend using distilled water. It is maximally purified from impurities, which affects the better on its physical and operational properties.

Energy intensity. The water accumulates heat well, so that it can later be transferred to the room;
The minimum viscosity index. This is important for closed heating systems with forced circulation and affects the power of the centrifugal pump;
As the pressure in the pipes rises, the boiling point shifts to a greater extent. Those. in fact, the process of transition from liquid to gaseous state occurs at a temperature of 110 ° C. This makes it possible to use high-temperature heating modes.

But if there is a possibility of exposure to negative temperatures, then water, as a liquid for filling heating systems, is unacceptable. In this case, antifreeze should be used, in which the crystallization threshold is much lower than 0 ° C. The best option - solutions of propylene glycol or glycerin with special additives. They belong to the class of harmless substances and are used in the food industry. The best technical qualities are based on ethylene glycol. Until recently, they filled closed heating systems. However, they are extremely harmful to humans. Therefore, despite all their positive qualities, antifreeze based on ethylene glycol is not recommended.

But how can I fill the heating system with water or antifreeze? If there is no chance of exposure to a low temperature, the best choice there will be water. Otherwise, it is recommended to use solutions of a special coolant.

Car antifreeze can not be poured into the heating system. This will not only lead to a breakdown of the boiler and the failure of the radiators, but it will also be hazardous to health.

Technology of water drainage, cleaning of heating pipes

Before filling the heating system of a double-circuit boiler, it is necessary to drain the old coolant. This procedure is mandatory and, despite its seeming simplicity, must be performed according to a certain technological scheme. First you need to turn off the heating and wait until the water temperature drops to room temperature. Only after this it is possible to correctly fill the closed heating system with distilled water.

Then, a drain cock opens at the lowest point of the system. After waiting for the water to drain, you need to open the Maevsky crane, which is at the top of the contour. This is necessary to stabilize the pressure in the pipes. After completing these operations, you must flush the system. This is done before the heating system in the private house is filled. To do this, you must use special tools and equipment. A pump is connected to the heating circuit, which pumps the flushing liquid into the heating system. It acts destructively on the deposits in the pipes. After several cycles of passage, contaminants are removed with the liquid.

The used liquid must not be drained into the sewer system. It must be collected in sealed containers, which are subsequently disposed of by special companies.

Filling methods - built-in mechanism and pumps

How to fill the heating system in a private house - using the built-in water connection with a pump? It directly depends on the composition of the coolant - water or antifreeze. For the first option, it is sufficient to pre-flush the pipes. The instruction for filling the heating system consists of the following items:

It is necessary to make sure that all the shut-off valves are in the right position - the drain valve is also closed as safety valves;
The Maevsky crane at the top of the system should be open. This is necessary to remove air;
The water is filled until the water from the tap of Mayevsky, opened earlier, flows. After that it overlaps;
Then it is necessary to remove excess air from all the heating appliances. An air valve must be installed on them. To do this, leave the system filling cock open, make sure that the air out of the particular device is exhausted. As soon as the water flows from the valve, it must be closed. This procedure should be done for all heating appliances.

After the water has filled in the closed heating system, the pressure parameters must be checked. It should be 1.5 bar. In the future, pressing is performed to prevent leaks. It will be discussed separately.

Filling of heating with antifreeze

Before you start the procedure for adding antifreeze to the system, you need to prepare it. Usually, 35% or 40% solutions are used, but for saving it is recommended to purchase concentrate. Dilute it should be strictly according to the instructions, and only using distilled water. In addition, it is necessary to prepare hand pump for filling the heating system. It is connected to the lowest point of the system and by means of a manual piston the coolant is pumped into the pipes. During this it is necessary to monitor the following parameters.

Air outlet from the system (Maevsky crane);
Pressure in the pipes. It must not exceed 2 bar.

The whole further procedure is completely analogous to the above. However, it is necessary to take into account the peculiarities of the operation of the antifreeze - its density is much higher than that of water. Therefore, special attention should be given to calculating the pump power. Some formulations based on glycerin can increase the viscosity coefficient with increasing temperature.

Before refilling antifreeze, it is necessary to replace the rubber gaskets at the joints on the paronit. This will significantly reduce the likelihood of leakage.

Automatic filling system

For two-circuit boilers it is recommended to use the automatic filling device for the heating system. It is an electronic control unit for adding water to the pipes. It is installed on the inlet pipe and works completely in automatic mode.

The main advantage of this device is the automatic maintenance of pressure by the method of timely addition of water to the system. The principle of the device is as follows: a pressure gauge connected to the control unit, gives a signal of a critical drop in pressure. The automatic water supply valve opens and remains in this state until the pressure stabilizes. However, almost all automatic water filling devices of the heating system have a high cost.

A budget option is to install a non-return valve. Its functions are completely analogous to the automatic filling of the heating system. It is also installed on the inlet pipe. However, the principle of its operation is to stabilize the pressure in the pipes with a water make-up system. If the pressure in the pipeline falls, the pressure of the tap water will act on the valve. Because of the difference, it will automatically open until the pressure stabilizes.

In this way, it is possible not only to feed heating, but also to fully fill the system. Regardless of the apparent reliability, it is recommended to visually monitor the flow of the coolant. When filling the heating with water, the valves on the devices for the release of excess air must necessarily open.

Before filling the heating system with coolant, it is necessary to check the tightness of all joints and connections. For this, pressing is done - creating excess pressure in the pipes, i. E. artificially created a situation of destabilization of the system.

This can be done in two ways - by injecting air or a coolant. This is always done before the heating system of the dual-circuit boiler is filled. This procedure can be carried out using a mechanical (electric) pump or by connecting water supply. The latter option is not recommended, since it will be very difficult to control the process. The order of execution is as follows:

Preliminary visual inspection of joints and joints;
Connection of the mechanism to the inlet branch pipe of the system;
Creation of excess pressure, the value of which should exceed the norm by 1.5 times.

It is mandatory to check the condition of the heating elements. In the event of leakage, the process immediately stops and can begin only when the defect is eliminated.

Quality control of heating filling

Before filling the closed heating system with water, it is necessary to make sure that all protective elements are present. These include the Mayevsky cranes, bypasses, and control devices - thermometers and manometers. They are necessary not only to control the pressure in the pipes during the supply of the coolant, but also are the main safety measures during the heating operation. This is how you can properly fill the radiator with water.

During the correct filling of the closed system with water, the following parameters should be monitored:

Pressure. Manometers should be installed in the key places of the system - the extreme heat radiators, and the highest point. After the final air outlet, the pressure on all manometers should be the same;
Absence of leaks.

Only in this way can you achieve a stable pressure. However, the main verification process occurs during the boiler start-up. The temperature expansion of water at the maximum operating mode should not affect the integrity of the pipelines of the heating elements.

If the open heating system is filled in a private house, the order of work is slightly different. The peculiarity is that the pressure in the pipes is equal to the atmospheric pressure. Therefore, the main element of control is expansion tank, installed above the rest of the heating appliances.

In this case, the order of filling the heating system is as follows:

The old coolant is drained and the pipes are cleaned.
A Maevsky crane opens on all heaters.
The flow of liquid to fill the heating system can be carried out through the return pipe.
Once all the air is out of the system - check the water level in the expansion tank. It should be filled by 2/3.

It is noteworthy that with the help of a hand pump used to fill the heating system, it is also possible to add a coolant.

For open system heating is not allowed to exceed the pressure. Otherwise, it may lead to an incorrect temperature operation.

How to supplement the coolant

In addition to the instructions for filling the heating system, you need to know the correctness of the procedure for adding coolant. This situation can occur 2 or 3 times during the heating season. It is important in time to determine that the volume of water fell below the critical. Depending on the type of heating, there are different orders for filling the heating system.

Closed heating system

The main indicator is the reduction in the level of pressure in the pipes. For a timely control, several pressure gauges are installed in the system. One of them is located immediately after the hot coolant out of the boiler. Also, install a pressure gauge on the upper air valve. The pressure drop in the system is a consequence of two factors - the occurrence of an emergency (leakage) or natural evaporation of the liquid. If this process happens very quickly - most likely a breakthrough occurred. A gradual decrease in pressure indicates a second factor.

The method of adding liquid completely repeats the procedure for filling with water any closed heating system. To do this, you can use hand pumps to fill the heating system (antifreeze), or use the connection of the central water supply.

It is recommended to fill the open water heating system with an expansion tank. This can be done even with a relatively high water temperature in the pipes. This method has several advantages - monitoring the level of the coolant in the system during pouring and improving circulation due to the difference in water density.

There is a danger of failure of the boiler or radiators if additional filling of the system open heating The coolant occurs when the boiler is running. Therefore, this procedure is recommended when the water in the pipes of room temperature is reached.

After installing a new heating system for the first time in it pour water specialists. They check the tightness of the system, the correct connection and operation of the boiler equipment. You can peek and learn how to fill water in the heating system, because in the future you may need to perform the procedure yourself.

Periodically, it is necessary to fill the heating medium with any heating system. It is troublesome, and expensive each time to call specialists. Therefore, you have to manage this work on your own. We will consider how to fill the heating system with water so that all the conditions of a functioning functioning are met.

In such heating systems, water circulates naturally (not under pressure). At their upper point, an expansion tank is installed in which the coolant is in contact with air. In this capacity comes excess water, expanding when heated. The air from the system also descends here. It is in the tank and pour water, although it can be done through the bottom of the system, if it has a corresponding connector.

We will describe in more detail how correctly to fill water in the heating system, if it is open. Remove the lid from the tank and pour in water using a bucket or hose. The water level in the reservoir is determined by the indicator.

From the top of the tank comes a drain pipe, connected to the sewer system, through which excess fluid is drained.

Pour water into the system to gradually, in batches, giving time for the release of air bubbles. When it ceases to merge into pipes, the system can be considered filled. Now we need to lower the air remaining in the radiators, opening the Mayevsky cranes. Under them put a basin and unscrew the taps. As soon as the water is pouring into the tank, the cranes are spinning. After descent from radiators of air it is necessary to add water in a tank. When the work is completed, you can turn on the boiler. Now it is clear how to fill the heating system with water, which is open.

Closed Systems

These are systems in which the liquid does not come into contact with air outside the system. Have a pump for forced circulation water and a surge tank with a membrane. More details about the heating system with pump circulation we already wrote. The tank is a sealed container that is internally divided into two parts by a rubber membrane. In the lower part of it there is a coolant, and in the upper part - air under pressure of one and a half atmosphere. It presses on the membrane, as a result of which a constant pressure of 1.5 atm is set in the system.

We will tell you how to fill a closed heating system without errors. It is better that the work performed by two people. One will fill the water, and the second will monitor the descent of the air from the pipes. But if this is not possible, you can just turn on the water under a slight pressure. Pipes in this system have a small slope upward from the boiler, to the top point. At this point, install a valve through which air is vented.

Before filling the closed heating system with water, the valve should be opened and replaced with a basin.

Further, the pipes should have a slight slope down to the bottom point. At this point, a tap is installed to remove water from the system. Here there is a branch pipe for pumping water into it (usually located just below the boiler). It is equipped with check valve, which allows water to enter inside, but prevents its flow outward. If the nozzle is fed water pipe with a crane, you just need to open it. If there is no such line, another way is how to fill the heating system: using a flexible hose. It must be connected to a water supply system (for example, to an ordinary tap in the kitchen) and to a branch pipe. The pressure in the water supply system should be slightly higher than the pressure of the heating system.

When the pipes and heating radiators are filled with a coolant, and the water starts draining from the valve at the top of the system, it should be closed. Then you need to drain the air from the batteries (Maevsky cranes). The water is blocked when, after a full descent of air, its pressure on the manometer built into the boiler reaches one and a half atmospheres (or more, if the boiler's passport provides for greater pressure in the system).

In the double-circuit boilers, there is a water heating water make-up module. It contains a water tap. Therefore, there will be no problems with how to fill the heating system of a double-circuit boiler, for it is easy to do. It is enough to open the tap (at the bottom of the boiler). Through it, there will be a filling of the house heating system with water. Although modern boilers are equipped with automatic air-discharge systems, they do not eliminate all air from the system. Therefore, the installation of the valve at its upper point is mandatory.

When starting a gas boiler, another important procedure is performed. Remove the front cover from the boiler, find a cylindrical circulation pump for pumping, which in the middle has a removable cover. Turn on the boiler, set the working temperature on it. The pump starts to gurgle due to the presence of air. It must be eliminated. To do this, lightly (not completely) unscrew the lid with a screwdriver, until water starts to pour from inside. As soon as this happens, twist it back. Wait 2-3 minutes and repeat the procedure a couple of times. When the operation of the device becomes quiet, the electric ignition will turn on. The boiler will start to supply heat in the operating mode. Once again they look at the pressure in the system, and if necessary, they briefly open the make-up tap.

This completes the filling of the closed heating system with water, and it remains to perform additional debugging. It is that with the help of the control valves on the radiator pipes, it is possible to tighten the heat supply to the batteries that are located near the boiler slightly and to increase its supply to the long radiators. Now there will be no hitching with how to properly fill the closed system of heating with water, and you can do this work yourself quickly and efficiently.

Instead of water

The question arises: what to fill in the heating system of a private house instead of water in order to improve the operational properties of the coolant? Antifreeze is often used for these purposes. It does not freeze even at temperatures below zero degrees. Due to this property pipes and radiators will not burst if the room is very cold. If there is a desire to use antifreeze, small diameter pipes and panel radiators should be installed to reduce required amount this coolant (it is much more expensive than water).

In addition, filling the heating system with this liquid is troublesome. It can not be pumped from a water pipe. And when using a hose, some amount of antifreeze will spill. In addition, if the system is closed, it is impossible to fill the coolant through the tank.

The problem is solved like this:

System make-up

In order for the closed heating system to work efficiently, it must maintain a constant working pressure. And it depends on the volume of fluid circulating in the pipes and radiators. Its leaks are inevitable, no matter how tight the knots and the places of their connection. Therefore, a constant replenishment of the heating system of a private home with a coolant is required. It is produced through make-up valves mounted in a place with a minimum fluid pressure (usually before the pump).

These devices come with a mechanical and automatic supply of coolant. If the house is small, has a low-power heating system, a mechanical valve is enough. In this case, the pressure drops are extinguished using the rubber membrane of the tank. But to prevent an accident, the consumer will have to constantly monitor the pressure in the system. This need is not necessary after installing the automatic valve (if it comes with the boiler, another one is not needed) with a manometer. With this device, there is no question of how to properly fill the heating system with water, without violating the balance of the coolant pressure.

To fill the heating system with water did not cause permanent trouble, it did not take much time, it is necessary to install modern equipment (two-pipe closed system). More details about the two-pipe heating system can be read. We need to approach the filling process responsibly, and then the house will be warm and comfortable for many years.

Heating of the home with the use of a liquid coolant is the most popular. Reliability of the operation of heating systems consisting of sets of equipment and pipelines depends on the thermal carrier and its characteristics. The task of the coolant is to transfer the maximum amount of heat energy at minimum costs.

Replacement of one type of heat carrier by another is done to improve the efficiency of the heating system. But before you upload or replace a new coolant into the system, you must choose the heat carrier itself.

The cheapest coolant is water. But the use of water is not always justified. Water should be used in heating systems that are not susceptible to corrosion. The use of water as a heat carrier has certain reservations. This coolant must be treated with distillation, this will protect the heating system from the formation of scale in it. The use of water that freezes at zero temperature can destroy pipes in the event of an emergency shutdown.

The injection of special "frost-free" as a coolant allows to ensure the high-quality work of the heating system of the housing. The market of manufacturers of antifreeze for heating offers different types of thermal carriers manufactured on different bases and possessing certain characteristics on which their final price depends.

Basic requirements for the heat carrier:

The degree of viscosity of the thermal carrier when the temperature changes;
The inertness of the antifreeze in relation to other materials;
The thermal carrier should not be corrosive and be safe for residents in terms of toxicity and ignition;
Thermal conductivity of the material;
The price of the thermal carrier should correspond to its payback by the period of operation.

Popular antifreezes for heating

Antifreezes based on ethylene glycol fall into two categories depending on the freezing point: -30 ° C and -65 ° C. This type is cheap and resistant to colds.

Antifreeze based on ethylene glycol has a significant drawback - high toxicity, limiting the conditions for its use. Ethylene glycol, which manufacturers for the purpose of warning of danger paint in red, does not apply to open heating systems.

Propylene glycol, colored green by manufacturers, is safe to operate. The heating medium has a freezing point of -35 ° C and can be used in systems with an open expansion tank.

Antifreeze, based on glycerin, is safe to use and has a freezing point of 30 ° C. In comparison with ethylene glycol and propylene glycol, it has a number of advantages and can successfully replace them:

protects the components of corrosion and does not damage parts and components;
in comparison with heat carriers based on ethylene glycol and propylene glycol, with a service life of not more than 5 years, glycerin-based antifreeze has a longer service life of up to 8 years;
the liquid is sold in a diluted form, ready for use;

Fact! Antifreeze on the basis of glycerin can be used in heating systems as a replacement for a different type of heat carrier, without flushing the pipes.

H2_3

Before you pour antifreeze into the heating system with your own hands, you need to correctly calculate how much liquid you need, how much to buy it. To perform the calculations, it is necessary to calculate the volume of the entire heating system.

There are special tables that allow you to accurately calculate how much it is necessary to fill the "unfrozen" before initial operation or to replace one non-freezing liquid with another, from calculations made for one running meter of the pipe. Using such calculations and knowing the diameter of the pipes, it is possible to calculate how much coolant is required per 10 m of the system. It remains to be clarified how much "ice-free" it is necessary to fill in for filling the battery section. Adding all the data, you can get the total amount of antifreeze necessary to fill the system. The uniform formula is not present - pouring depends on diameter of pipes and volume of radiators.

On the container in which the thermal carrier is sold, in most cases, there are data on the antifreeze being sold and its density. Such data allow us to calculate how much water should be added to the liquid that will serve as a heat carrier.

To fill the ice-free with your own hands, you need to have a pump or special equipment that allows you to perform purging and washing procedures from used residues. For work on pouring you will need: a screwdriver, pliers, a wrench, hoses for heat carrier injection, fixing clamps and sealing tape.

Injection of a closed or open system consists of the following steps:

Before you can download a new non-freezing fluid for replacement, you need to drain all the amount of used liquid or water through a special branch pipe, opening the drain cock. In the event that the liquid does not self-drained, it is removed using circulating pump;
If the coolant is replaced with another one (with the exception of glycerin liquids), a preliminary flushing of the system is necessary;
Then a new antifreeze is poured using the hose and the circulating pump. Two hoses are used for the injection procedure. The first hose is fixed on the drain pipe and outlet of the pump with fixing of the ends with clamps. The second hose is used to feed the antifreeze from the tank to the pump;
After the hoses are installed, the pump starts, which takes the heat carrier from the tank and fills the heating system. During work on pouring antifreeze into the system, it is necessary to ensure that the end of the hose dropped into the canister is below the liquid level, this is necessary to prevent air and liquid from getting into the system during the antifreeze intake. The air that gets in together with the liquid forms stoppers, which will interfere with the heating operation;
For unhindered loading of the heat carrier, a "Maevsky crane" or a special plug is opened, which will allow air to escape unhindered when filling cavities with liquid. After the plug starts to flow with a thin stream of poured antifreeze, the filling stops, and the plug closes.

Filling with antifreeze yourself is not a difficult task. Getting to work on the injection of coolant, you need to decide on the choice of coolant, how much it is needed, have the equipment necessary for the work - the pump and tools.

The advantages of a closed heating system in front of the open are very substantial. Since the coolant in a closed system is completely isolated from the atmosphere, corrosion is virtually eliminated. Warming up such a system is faster and more efficient.

During the initial start-up of the heating system or during operation, the system needs to be filled with a coolant. For an open system, this process does not cause difficulties. Filling a closed heating system with water or another coolant has its own characteristics, which we will consider in this article.

Heat carrier in closed heating system must always be under pressure. In the cold state, this is 1-2atm. When warming up, the pressure will rise. If the pressure exceeds the maximum allowable - the overpressure valve (emergency pressure valve) will be activated. Expansion tanks for such systems are also manufactured closed type.

Of course, there are a lot of types of closed-type heating systems and there are various nuances of this procedure when filling with a coolant. But let us consider the general principle of this process.

Filling the heating system with water must be produced under pressure. If the system has a side-feed in the water pipe, then the process is quite simple. On all heat radiators, as a rule, are cranes for bleeding air - the cranes of Majewski. We open them and if there are cranes in front of the radiators, we open the make-up tap, not too much and fill the system. When water from the Mayevsky cranes starts to leak, we close them. The latter is usually filled with a radiator at the highest point of the heating system. Having typed the necessary pressure 1 - 1.5 atm. close the make-up tap and check for leaks. Leakage eliminate and start the heating pump and boiler.

As we warm up, we look at the pressure of the coolant and bleed more air from each radiator. As far as this, if the pressure drops, we add water to make-up. The process can be repeated several times until all of the air is removed. We give the system a few hours to work, we control the leaks and the uniformity of warming up all radiators.

The coolant in the system can be not only tap water, but also a special liquid. Such systems are filled with external pumps. Otherwise, the whole process is similar.

With proper operation of the closed heating system, there should be no pressure surges (built-in pressure gauge in the boiler or pipes allows monitoring). The system should be heated quickly and evenly without any extraneous sounds and noises (gurgling, tapping, clapping).

Annually after the end of the heating season, the autonomous water circuits, which diligently supplied the owners with heat, are released from water or the antifreeze replacing it. With the onset of the first cool days, the heating system is filled again with the coolant necessary for its operation. With the order of performance of this difficult work and necessary equipment It is worth reading to avoid making mistakes.

Because of fluidity and high heat capacity, to transfer heat from the boiler to consumers, use liquid coolants, among which the first place is occupied by water.

It is used to fill even the most capacious heating systems. It is generally available and inexpensive, which determines the widest scope.

The most popular and widely used type of coolant for heating systems is water, which attracts low cost and general availability

As evacuated from natural reservoirs or wells, and tap water has many impurities and mineral inclusions. When boiling, the impurities settle on the walls of the boiler scale and form similar growths on the pipes. These deposits are extremely harmful to systems with the latest modifications of heating units. Therefore, water must be pre-cleaned, boiled or, if the means allow to buy distillate.

The second drawback of water is its ability to contain oxygen, which causes corrosion of the metal. Because of the high mineralization combined with the oxygen released during heating, water is not recommended to be changed in heating circuits more often than once a year.

The good qualities of water as a coolant are the optimum viscosity and heat capacity. It accumulates and gives heat better than antifreezes by 15-20%. Yields to them in fluidity, so it does not seep through the seals of the plug-in connections of the system, in viscosity, so that it moves faster through the pipes.

Calculation of the volume of coolant for filling

To correctly fill your own heating system, you need to determine it in liters. The volume of the coolant can be calculated without any problems. For this it is necessary to summarize

V sist. heating. = V of the boiler + V crankcase + V radiant. + V pipes

The useful volume of the boiler is usually indicated by the manufacturer in the technical documentation for the equipment produced by him. Capacity of sectional radiators too. If such information can not be found, then there are average indicators:

V of one section of the radiator depending on the material of the case:

The table shows the averaged data on the volume of water in the radiators. The actual volume will differ depending on the dimensions of the appliance

The total volume of the radiator is multiplied by the number of sections.

V rassh.pachka closed type before buying is selected so that its useful volume is equal to or slightly higher than the volume of water, taking into account the temperature expansion. Hence, this parameter must also be known.

According to a simplified scheme, the volume of the expansion tank membrane construction is calculated by multiplying the water volume in the system by a factor of 0.03 (+)

For open type heating systems with expansion tank, freely communicating with the atmosphere, the volume is adopted according to the actual dimensions.

Volume in pipes:

V pipes = 0.786 × D 2 × L

where D is the internal diameter of the pipes, L is the length of the pipes.

The volume of the system will then be:

V system = V pipe + V boiler + V expansion tank + V consumers.

Where V consumers, this is the sum of the volumes, boiler and other devices. Their volumes can be found from the technical documentation or calculated. The estimated volume is tediously increased by 15 -20 percent, i.е. multiplying by 1.15 or 1.20.

The easiest way to determine the volume of water in the heating pipeline will be provided by a table with the already available data (+)

A more time consuming way is to fill the system with tap water and then drain it by measuring the volume with a counter or measuring containers.

Sometimes tap water is used, but this greatly reduces the heating time. By saving the ruble, we lose thousands. It is better in this case to pass water through special membrane or chemical cation filters.

To fill the heating, we also need the adapter hoses and pump for pumping the liquid.

Dependence of the technique of pouring from the cause

The reasons for filling affect the sequence of work. If this is a new system, then we check it visually and conduct tests, pressurize with excess pressure, pumping air or liquid about 2-2.5 atmosphere (norm 1.25 part of working pressure, but not less than 2 atmospheres). On the manometer we control the absence of pressure drop.

To fill small heating circuits, you can take a car pump instead of a compressor. Sometimes it is carried out by pressing directly with a liquid, using centrifugal pump, after connecting the expansion tank to the system. At small volumes, a manual pump with a liquid compartment can be used.

For refueling a small heating circuit, the coolant is better to rent a hand pump with devices for monitoring the state of the system being filled

If we carry out periodic cleaning of the system with the replacement of water, it is necessary first to drain the liquid, having prepared a place or container for it. After waiting for the coolant to cool down, relieve the excess pressure by unscrewing the nipple. At the top, we open the valve or the Mayevsky valve to communicate with the atmosphere. At the bottom point, gradually open the drain valve. With a sudden opening, water hammers occur, leading to damage. You have to be careful here.

Draining the coolant, we fill the system with washing liquid and with the help of the pump we ensure its circulation.

Washing with chemical additives dissolves scum, sediments and rust, the pieces of which are filtered through a filter and deposited in a storage container

Then washed clean water with additives and neutralizer, designed to neutralize the additives of the first wash.
After these operations, as in the first case, the crimping of heating is carried out. The identified leaks and weakened places are usually in places of welding and threaded connections.

Cast-iron batteries are equipped with connecting gaskets, which eventually dry out, coarsen and, when cooled, flow. They should be replaced and an additional tightening of the batteries. After the repair work, again pressurized and if the result is positive, go to the next stage.

Multiple crimping of the autonomous heating network makes it possible to verify that after the flushing and other operations the circuit has remained in working order

Filling of heating with water occurs through the bottom point with the top open. Having connected the electric pump, we pump water through the tap into the system. And the crane is open halfway or less to prevent a hydrostatic attack. Gradually the system is filled, which confirms the noise from the movement of water and a slight gurgling. We finish when the water starts to flow from the upper point.

Then we begin to bleed the air from the connected consumer devices, the boiler, boilers, the expansion tank with the membrane and the batteries with the help of existing valves and valves. Next to the top point of the system we connect a transparent hose, which is lowered into a container with a coolant. Having switched on the pump, we also fill up the heating until the water from the clear hose in the container flows without air bubbles.

If possible, after, you can loop the pumping system with a hose, and drive the coolant several times. This will provide additional degassing. Finally, the air is pumped through the expander's membrane, providing the necessary pressure for the operation of the heating circulating pump, which is switched on for running without heating.

To fully check the quality of filling the system, it is necessary to turn on heating and heating in a trial order, determine the absence of air plugs and the uniformity of heating with a thermal imager or an infrared temperature meter.

In the completion of the work, it is necessary to check the temperature supplied by the heating system. The initial temperature of the coolant should be such that the building can warm up

Simultaneously, with the help of cranes or modern temperature controllers, installation and adjustment of the temperatures in the rooms is carried out. The efficiency of thermal insulation is also evaluated. It is necessary to provide a stock of purified water and the means of its refilling into the system, in order to avoid losses for evaporation. All these actions are designed to ensure trouble-free operation of heating for the winter period.

Rules for making heating make-up

Recently, not only in private homes, but in apartments began to arrange individual heating. Typically, two-loop boilers with a make-up module are installed. And it will be easier to learn how to make more water than to call a master, for this:

We open the faucet at the bottom of the boiler, then at the top of the system the air vent valve and when the water appears close it and the make-up tap.
Turn on the boiler and if the pump can hear a murmur and gurgling, then remove the outer shell from the boiler and find it.
Weaken, but do not unscrew the screws with a screwdriver, to bleed air out of it until moisture appears. The pump has a lid screwed for this. Although the instructions say that these boilers have automatic air vent devices, they can not remove it all.

Especially during the first start-up of heating, it is necessary to gradually, gradually generate heating of the coolant to avoid damages from water hammering. You can not immediately turn on the boiler at full capacity. When heating is stopped, it is also important to slowly lower the temperature.

This is especially important for long heating networks that have significant deformation, thermal expansion. From this expansion or contraction, holding fixtures or forms, voltages are generated that discharge spasmodically, transferring the impact of the liquid.

The fluid, depending on the cross-sections, can increase the impact force and produce destruction elsewhere, usually at bends. And if there is a resonance, the loads increase at times and the pipes even break from the fastenings. Begin to "play" and "dance".

With a rapid filling of liquids, in pipes, due to air plugs, there are also pressure peaks that are discharged by water hammers. That's where the recommendation comes from to drain and fill the heating slowly, opening the tap for a quarter or half. Resonance phenomena, depending on the size, weight, fastenings, thickness of deposits and other factors, change. This imposes additional restrictions. We must not rush and be careful.

That is why the design of heat networks of enterprises and apartment buildings experts make allowance for many factors. The heating of individual houses is done according to standard designs.

Water has many advantages. But that it freezes and thaws the pipes, at negative temperatures, limits its use

Technical progress and cheapening of smart home equipment allows using the smartphone to monitor and change the heating parameters remotely. The main thing is to be within the coverage area of cellular communication and the Internet. This further expands the possibilities of using water, because you can take timely measures and prevent its defrosting.

Having equipped the heating system with devices for remote control it is possible to control its operation by means of GSM at a distance

Other amenities, such as a rise in the temperature in the room before the arrival and an economical mode during the departure, are attached.

The choice of water for heating, it is advisable, if a backup heating system is provided. If heating in winter is used intermittently or there is a possibility of turning off and defrosting the equipment, it is best to use non-freezing liquids. For example, in a country house with short winter visits typical of a winter holiday.

Filling with antifreeze coolant

Before you figure out how to fill various heating systems with non-freezing fluids or antifreeze, you need to understand their varieties.

For the normal operation of heating systems antifreeze (anti-against, freeze-freeze) should be:

non-toxic, excluding the possibility of the slightest threat to people;
non-flammable, and their vapors are explosion-proof;
inert to the materials of which the heating system is made;
have a specific heat of not less than its calculated value;
to be fluid.

In the "pure" form, antifreezes are aggressive, capable of destroying pipelines, boilers and heating appliances. To reduce or even eliminate the negative properties of non-freezing liquids, they are diluted with water in the proportions indicated by the manufacturer of the formulations.

Antifreezes are produced in two variants, which are distinguished by the freezing point. This concentrated agent is -65 ° C and diluted -30 ° C

Use and additives: anticorrosive, stabilizing, cleaning, anti-foam and others. The less water, the lower the freezing point and the higher the cost. When diluting the antifreeze, you usually need to add the additives that come with the kit. Additives work at a certain concentration.

Without a complex of additives, formulations can not be used, since they provide the specified parameters. For the same reason, it is not recommended to mix different heat carriers, especially with different bases. Their service life is drastically reduced.
Antifreezes have an increased viscosity, they can not be used in heating with natural circulation.

The average shelf life of organic coolants is 3 to 5 years, through which the additives lose their properties and the liquid becomes aggressive. When replacing the old antifreeze must be pumped out and transported for disposal, which further increases costs.

Once upon a time, cars used water for cooling, but now it's a rarity. Now in the world more than 70 percent of heating systems run on water, but the percentage is constantly decreasing. The reason restraining the widespread use of antifreeze is both their high cost, and the increased requirements for equipment, toxicity and the need for their disposal. Exhausted antifreeze, for more complete removal is merged in a pre-heated to 45 degree state.

Now the main equipment is designed for water and producers who value their reputation, often indicate that they do not guarantee work on antifreeze. Or indicate the permitted type of antifreeze under certain conditions. It's dangerous to experiment.

Non-freezing compounds are critical to overheating. In them begins the disintegration and formation of gases, solid deposits. There are air jams, stoves in the boilers and equipment failure. At temperatures of 80 degrees and higher steam formation begins, therefore modern boilers have heating up to 75 degrees, supported by automatics. If it is exceeded, an emergency boiler shutdown occurs. With organic coolants, the temperature is reduced to 70 degrees.

It is undesirable to use antifreezes in gravitational heating systems. They have too much viscosity for spontaneous movement through the pipes. From the open expansion tank, the liquid will evaporate freely, causing a regular replenishment of the volume and releasing caustic volatiles

For the safe operation of the heating circuit with antifreeze, automatic control is necessary, which switches off the heating unit when the temperature rises. If there is no such device in the heating system, antifreeze as a coolant should not be used.

Typically, the technical documentation for boilers and equipment indicates the type of coolant. The use of another coolant removes the responsibility from the manufacturer and terminates its warranty service.

For refueling heating systems, coolants are produced based on - ethylene glycol, propylene glycol and glycerin.

Cheapest ethylene glycol

The disadvantage is toxicity, a dose of 100 - 250 grams is lethal to humans. Has a third class of danger according to GOST. Toxic in the same way and couples. The permissible MPC is 5 milligram / cc. meter. Therefore, in open heating systems can not be used. It is also forbidden for double-circuit boilers, since a leakage of funds into the hot water supply line is possible.

To exclude this, craftsmen make the pressure of the water pipe higher than the heating. But even this does not give a full guarantee and can cause, with damages, failure of the boiler. Use ethylene glycol is allowed only for closed heating systems.

Fill the heating circuit with antifreeze based on ethylene glycol followed by gloves and a respirator. The liquid is toxic, if it gets on the skin, it can cause burns.

Leaks and breakthroughs in heating are very likely. If the system is filled with an inexpensive but toxic agent based on ethylene glycol, leaks can create a danger to the health of home owners. Relatively low price is the reason for the application. Health can not be bought, as antifreeze. So the choice is yours.

Ethylene glycol has a 1.5 to 3 times greater penetrating ability and aggressiveness to seals.

Increased fluidity of antifreeze requires the use of paronit or Teflon seals and special sealing pastes and seals in detachable joints. Standard options for water circuits do not fit

Car antifreezes, antifreezes, to use categorically it is impossible, as containing more toxic additives.

For glycol coolants:

the maximum temperature should not be more than 70 degrees, which further increases the size of the batteries;
viscosity is 40-60% higher and for pumping it takes 1.5 to 2 times more engine power and minimizes bends, bends and increased pipe size;
volume expansion when heated by 140-150% more, is required for the same amount, increased volume of the expansion tank;
density is 15 - 20% higher, the strength characteristics increase.

The construction of a new system designed for the use of synthetic coolants, respectively, costs 1.3 - 1.5 times more expensive than the construction of a water analogue. On the considerable cost of the most unfrozen liquid, too, do not forget.

Water rework is also not used, as the service life is shortened and as a result is more expensive. Also glycol mixtures are aggressive to zinc, appealing exfoliation and sludge, completely clogging the pipes. In old designs, galvanized pipes are common.

Nevertheless, when taking into account the above drawbacks, ethylene glycol is still used. It is necessary to fill in the systems only after all the equipment of the heating system has been adapted for refueling with antifreeze agents.

A special feature is the need to locate equipment for refueling, impervious coatings, to prevent the entry of glycol into the living quarters and careful monitoring of the connections of the adapter hoses. Although this, neat wizard, do when refueling any antifreeze.

Specificity of the use of propylene glycol

Recently, actively replacing other types of coolants, although its physical and technical parameters almost does not differ from ethylene glycol and requires almost the same change in equipment of heat systems.
It is classified according to GOST to the second class of danger and also requires recycling. The MPC vapor is 7 milligrams per cubic meter. meter.

Antifreezes of this group are produced on the basis of pharmacological propylene glycol, which does not exert such harmful effects on organisms as the previous version

Advantages of this antifreeze coolant:

relatively environmentally friendly and harmless to people. This is the main reason why now many manufacturers recommend it for single-circuit and double-circuit boilers;
it has lubricating properties, which facilitates the operation of pumps;
at full evaporation of water does not freeze, keeping fluidity;
corrosion activity is very low, but with additives is still improving;
at the strait it is enough to wash off with water and wipe.

There are disadvantages to the liquid on polypropylene glycol. it
the cost of it, which is 1.5 - 2 times higher than ethylene glycol, because it is produced mainly abroad. The fluid is aggressive
to metal pipes, is not compatible with pipelines constructed from galvanized pipes, because When in contact with zinc, the additives of the formulation lose their properties. At a temperature above the allowable, decomposition begins with formation of gases, foam and solid insoluble precipitate.
Despite all these shortcomings, it is considered one of the best coolants.

Feature of glycerin coolants

The same harmless as propylene glycol, at acceptable temperatures. They were historically used for this purpose beforehand, getting glycerin from fat. The strait is not dangerous. The advantage is the price, which is lower than that of propylene, remaining above ethylene glycol. Therefore, it is used by falsifiers to dilute polypropylene glycol.

Non-freezing liquid based on glycerin belongs to the category of elite. It is safe for others and the environment. Filling of such antifreeze can be carried out in the same way as filling the system with water

Even some European manufacturers add it to about 10%, so you need to be careful and read the composition. On the other hand, in the European Union, as the main component of the coolant, glycerol is not used.

Glycerin has a broader to 105 degrees, limiting temperatures. The danger class is two.

Disadvantages:

when exceeding the maximum temperatures during decomposition, a toxic gas with an unpleasant odor is released;
when evaporated, becomes gel-like, cecahs and decomposition begin, the evaporation must be regularly compensated by adding a distillate;
have increased viscosity and require larger diameter pipes;
easily foams, which is partly removed by additives;
it has an increased penetrating power and requires the use of paronit and Teflon pads.

Has a significant corrosive activity, and has long been rejected by automakers. Due to modern additives, this decreases and is reduced to nothing. Yes, even with proper operation.

Glycerin coolants, however, are recommended to a greater extent than ethylene glycol for their harmlessness and with a set of additives work satisfactorily in heat networks. The trouble is that in the pursuit of money, produce products without a full set of additives or completely without them. You need to be careful when buying.

In a special form can be attributed heating systems with electrode boilers, in which the heat carrier is also a heating element. Heating occurs when the current flows through the solution when it is ionized.

In addition to the above, the solution must have a calculated electrical resistivity of the order of 3.5-4 KΩ cm. To do this, use an aqueous solution or propylene glycol solution with additives, which create the necessary electrical characteristics.

Video about refueling heating systems heating systems

The video clearly shows the process of filling the heating circuit and setting the expansion tank:

Common for all coolants is the gradualness when starting the system. The temperature should be increased slowly, stepwise, not only because of the coolant, but also additives, which with temperature also change their properties. The process of filling systems with both water and antifreeze is similar, but the requirements for work quality and safety when refueling with antifreeze are increasing. Exhausted antifreeze, require a one-time container and removal for disposal.