How to Prepare your Water Systems for the Winter Weather

With winter around the corner, it’s time to ensure your closed water circuits such as low pressure hot water (LPHW), closed condenser loop and chilled water systems are ready for the cold snap.

Protect your chilled water systems from frost

In order to protect, maintain efficiency and extend the life of your closed water circuits, it’s important to test your system’s glycol levels. If pipework is exposed to the elements without supplementary trace heating, operating your chilled water system without essential glycol protection can leave it prone to freezing.

The recommended glycol concentration level is greater than 25 per cent for chilled water circuits. Operating your system below a 25 per cent glycol concentration can not only reduce your frost protection but also increase the likelihood of bacterial activity.

Protect your heating systems from suspended solids

All types of closed water circuits, including heating systems, can be negatively affected by the presence of suspended solids. These solids can take the form of corrosive matter, sludge or debris which can cause high energy consumption and poor heat transfer. Suspended solids will:

• Provide a source of nutrients for microbes
• Increase erosion within essential components
• Increase the risk of microbiological influenced corrosion (MIC)
• "Mop up" expensive corrosion inhibitors
• Decrease efficiency of heat exchange surfaces

Side stream filtration is the recommended method to reduce levels of suspended solids, therefore protecting systems from unnecessary inefficiencies and ultimately, metallurgical failures. The ‘Water Treatment for Closed Heating and Cooling Systems (BG50/2013)’ guide, published by the British Services Research and Information Association (BSRIA), states "Side stream filtration can be used to help maintain a low concentration of suspended solids in the circulating water following pre-commissioning cleaning and reduce the risk of solid deposition and under-deposit corrosion in areas of low flow. In addition to the longer term benefits of early installation of side stream filtration.”

You can purchase CSF-CRS Sidestream Filtration Units on our online shop here. 

If you would like to arrange a complementary survey and glycol test, or for more advice on how to protect your water systems during winter, please contact us.