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[loneryder]

I'll be leaving home and CB 5036 for Jan.-Mar.  I plan on leaving the heat pump on set about 50. Should I leave the pumps running even though the fire will burn out? Leaning toward leaving them on.

[Sloppy_Snood]

Yes leave them on but you're leaving in the middle of the winter so this might be the time to drain some of the boiler water and add anti-freeze on continuous cycling.  The pro's will chime in shortly I'm sure.

[RSI]

I would drain it and fill the lines with RV antifreeze. If you are in an area that isn't too much below freezing the whole time them you may be better off just letting the pumps running. If you do leave it full of water with the pumps running, you could plug the chimney with insulation so you don't lose as much heat from it.

[fireboss]

If you drain it, you should drain the lines and save money on the ani freeze! And have a pice of mind knowing it won't freeze!

[RSI]

If you know you got all the water out, that would be best. I just like to put rv antifreeze in them because it doesn't cost that much and then you know there is no trapped water in the lines that might freeze. If the pump is outside, that should be filled with antifreeze or removed and put in a heated area. Water can get trapped in the rotor area and could destroy the pump if frozen hard.

[mlappin]

If you know you got all the water out, that would be best. I just like to put rv antifreeze in them because it doesn't cost that much and then you know there is no trapped water in the lines that might freeze. If the pump is outside, that should be filled with antifreeze or removed and put in a heated area. Water can get trapped in the rotor area and could destroy the pump if frozen hard.

 

We fill all our AG pumps with RV antifreeze, keeps from having to replace $600-1200 pumps and in our case the antifreeze displaces any oxygen which cuts down on corrosion from being exposed to 28% nitrogen 6 months out of the year.

[loneryder]

Are you guys saying drain it and put 200 gal of RV antifreeze in it. The pumps are hot when running so if I put some insulation over them, I'm thinking they will be ok.  They are on the boiler and the interior piping and heat exchangers are in a under ground basement.

[Drivebymashing]

Wouldnt the circulating from the pump keep the water from freezing? Assuming the power doesnt go out? If you did a 50/50 mix like on a vehicle thats a ton of antifreeze!!