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Winterizing your heating or cooling loops is a necessity when trying to keep your systems running efficiently and prohibit costly replacement. One of the most common precautions taken in colder climates is the addition of glycol to the system. Glycol is an anti-freeze that is added to water systems to reduce the freezing point and minimize the risk damaging pipe freezing. It’s typically used in heating loops that are subjected to freezing weather, however, it does not transfer heat as well as plain water, which has a negative effect on the efficiency of the system. Glycol is also commonly used in cooling loops that are shut down during the winter and have piping exposed to the outside.
 
There are two types of glycol that can be used in your system: ethylene glycol and propylene glycol. Ethylene glycol provides superior performance but is toxic to humans and animals. Unfortunately, it has a sweet smell and taste that attracts animals, which can cause significant health issues. Propylene glycol is less toxic but also less affective. This is the preferred glycol used in businesses concerned with safety such as schools, churches or food plants. Visually, ethylene glycol is fluorescent pink while propylene glycol is usually a fluorescent yellow or green.

No matter which glycol you use in your system, a State® water treatment program is still required. Overtime, glycol breaks down and becomes corrosive to metals. Even if you use glycol that’s infused with an inhibiter, the inhibitors themselves also break down and leave the metal in your system unprotected. The rate of breakdown increases if oxygen, elevated temperatures, iron and corrosion by-products are present.

When we discuss which water treatment program is appropriate for your system, you’ll need to know the amount of water going through the heating/cooling system and the components. Higher volume systems may need a Nitrite/ Molybdate-based chemical while lower volume systems will be safe with just a nitrite-based corrosion inhibitor. You will also need to know if there are aluminum components. If there are any aluminum parts, you’ll need a product that includes Silicate.