Urgent Glycol Question
There's no glycol in my heat pump system at the moment. The installers were going to add it after I'd finished decorating. Everything took ages and we ended up in a wrangle. Last night I remembered its still in two containers under the stairs. I kept the pump running on and off overnight last night as a precaution. Is that necessary? Do I need to worry?
I think you were wise to run the pump as a precaution, if the image is your garden, then very wise! In the south east, we have had an overnight low of 1 degree C. but our system has anti-freeze valves and we keep the heat pump on 24/7 anyway.
I take it you do not have anti-freeze valves at the back of the heat pump? I also imagine that this is a temporary precaution and your installers are returning soon to mix in the glycol for you? Regards, Toodles.
Toodles, he heats his home with cold draughts and cooks his food with magnets.
It probably isn’t a major issue as unless the heat pump actually loses power it will run the pump to stop freezing.
As toodles points out quite a few of us run without antifreeze but use anti frost valves. Some even don’t bother using them for the reason I mention above.
House-2 bed partial stone bungalow, 5kW Samsung Gen 6 ASHP (Self install)
6.9 kWp of PV
5kWh DC coupled battery
Blog: https://thegreeningofrosecottage.weebly.com/
Heatpump Stats: http://heatpumpmonitor.org/system/view?id=60
@toodles yes, it was a temporary solution. I usually set it right back temp wise at night to avoid noise but when I saw the snow I remembered the glycol and did a panic Google. According to forecast we had only -1 last night but plenty of settling snow.
@bontwoody thanks. I'm probably having some adjustments made to piping so I will ask about anti frost valves. My midnight Google suggested glycol might make it more expensive to run, but I guess it's also expensive to fix if it breaks!
@lokisam Yes the glycol reduces the amount of heat the fluid can hold. There is an interesting debate on whether anti frost valves are necessary and the type of water treatment required if no glycol. Personally I have valves and just use tap water in mine.
House-2 bed partial stone bungalow, 5kW Samsung Gen 6 ASHP (Self install)
6.9 kWp of PV
5kWh DC coupled battery
Blog: https://thegreeningofrosecottage.weebly.com/
Heatpump Stats: http://heatpumpmonitor.org/system/view?id=60
Posted by: @bontwoodyPersonally I have valves and just use tap water in mine.
Same here
And yes when the temp drops low enough even when its off the heat pump runs the water pump every hour by the looks of it:
above 7 deg
6deg or lower seems to be the trigger point for the pump to run
“Anything worth doing, is worth doing right.”
@irmartini always good to see what I thought was happening does 😂
House-2 bed partial stone bungalow, 5kW Samsung Gen 6 ASHP (Self install)
6.9 kWp of PV
5kWh DC coupled battery
Blog: https://thegreeningofrosecottage.weebly.com/
Heatpump Stats: http://heatpumpmonitor.org/system/view?id=60
Posted by: @lokisamI'm probably having some adjustments made to piping so I will ask about anti frost valves.
Read this Topic which discusses anti-freeze valves and glycol.
Either strategy has deficiencies which need consideration before you start waving cash in front of an installer.
Save energy... recycle electrons!
I've only just noticed that when it runs the pump its using DHW circuit, which makes sense as the DHW temp is likely to be hotter than the central heating circuit especially once its been off for a few hours.
“Anything worth doing, is worth doing right.”
- 22 Forums
- 2,047 Topics
- 44.7 K Posts
- 12 Online
- 3,274 Members
Join Us!
Trusted Installers
Struggling to find a reliable heat pump installer? A poor installation can lead to inefficiencies and high running costs. We now connect homeowners with top-rated installers who deliver quality work and excellent service.
✅ Verified, trusted & experienced installers
✅ Nationwide coverage expanding
✅ Special offers available
Latest Posts
-
RE: Yes, the "zoning with ASHP" topic again...
James, On your question: Please explain why a highe...
By HarryRea , 1 hour ago
-
RE: Commencing on an ASHP Installation Process
I think you may very well be right and of course A2A ca...
By JamesPa , 3 hours ago
-
-
RE: Renewables & Heat Pumps in the News
Yes, it's far too much money. DESNZ will no doubt wis...
By Transparent , 9 hours ago
-
That all sounds very believable. Presumably mixing of ...
By JamesPa , 12 hours ago
-
RE: Battery sizing - How low can you go!
@bontwoody Hope this is legible
By ChandyKris , 17 hours ago
-
RE: Agile: average import cost vs other tariffs?
@old_scientist We are with SSEN and our G99 application...
By Toodles , 1 day ago
-
RE: Solar Power Output – Let’s Compare Generation Figures
Yes. Storing the solar generation within the home is gr...
By Transparent , 2 days ago
-
RE: ASHP Ecodan L9 error - No Heating but Hot Water
@phoenix15, @heacol cover your area… I’d strongly recom...
By Mars , 2 days ago
-
RE: Warm weather and heat pumps.
@editor Oh nothing right now because $ needed for struc...
By Lucia , 2 days ago
-
RE: Potentially more choice including air to air heat pump grants
@jeff Such documents are far too wordy for my ‘daily re...
By Toodles , 2 days ago
-
RE: Getting the best out of a heat pump - is Homely a possible answer?
@grahaml I cannot agree that it is a small percentage o...
By benson , 3 days ago
-
RE: Samsung Gen6 16kW tribulations
@emceed, can you please give us an update on your syste...
By Mars , 4 days ago
-
What's the problem you are trying to solve. The answer...
By JamesPa , 6 days ago
-
Good luck. For what it is worth my system was very def...
By JamesPa , 7 days ago
-
RE: Massive Electricity Cost for Running My Air Source Heat Pump
I agree @mark-h The Building Regs are now very readable...
By Transparent , 1 week ago
-
RE: Help me understand my Mitsubishi Ecodan system
@carpenterstation When changing settings in the ser...
By RobS , 1 week ago
-
RE: Ecodan Legionella cycle - immersion heater problem
Thanks for letting us know @clockworks I admire your ...
By Transparent , 1 week ago
-
RE: Revised version of MCS-020 (noise standards for heat pumps)
As you say this is no change, which I personally think ...
By JamesPa , 1 week ago