Glycol

[JohnMo]

1 hour ago, Marvin said:

heater

The heater in the crankcase is there to keep oil temperature higher than refrigerant dew point, to stop oil dilution. That is it's sole purpose 

[ProDave]

6 hours ago, JohnMo said:

Here is one sensible review on glycol 

https://renewableheatinghub.co.uk/do-air-source-heat-pumps-really-need-glycol/

So the summary of that is it does not happen often, and if it does freeze your house insurance will cover it.  They don't cover the long power cut situation.

 

Sorry I don't want to be having the "you know it gets cold why did you not put antifreeze in" argument with my house insurer.  Not have the long period without heating while we argue.

 

What's this antifreeze must not be harmful in case it leaks into the drinking water?  NO different to any normal boiler that has some form of inhibitor.  Is that also potable just in case?

[JohnMo]

All this stuff is down to personal preference, risk profile etc, no right or wrong answer 

29 minutes ago, ProDave said:

What's this antifreeze must not be harmful in case it leaks into the drinking water?

Two sorts of glycol, the stuff you put in the car - highly poisonous. The stuff you put in heating systems not poisonous.

 

30 minutes ago, ProDave said:

Is that also potable just in case

Yep

[sharpener]

58 minutes ago, JohnMo said:

Two sorts of glycol, the stuff you put in the car - highly poisonous. The stuff you put in heating systems not poisonous.

 

Four sorts

 

Stuff you put in your car - ethylene glycol based, highly toxic

 

Stuff you put in your heating system : 

• if ethylene glycol based (Fernox EG), highly toxic
• if EG based but with detox inhibitor (Hydratech Thermox DTX) then not toxic
• If propylene glycol based (Sentinel X600) then inherently non-toxic.

[Nickfromwales]

11 hours ago, Marvin said:

A concern would be the starting up of the ASHP if it was frozen.

If it freezes, the joints all pop off everywhere and it loses pressure, ergo, it won’t start back up due to it then locking out.