A glycol change for your Alde heating system is something most people don’t think about, or if they do, they may just assume a top up is required. Glycol also comes in a range of colours which can be quite confusing!
What does glycol do for my heating system?
The glycol liquid has several important properties that both protect your heating system and ensure normal operation.
- Frost protection “antifreeze”; Glycol protects the liquid in the heating system (not the fresh water) from freezing at freezing temperatures
- Corrosion protection, lubricates and protects pipes and convectors
- Bacteria protection, prevents bacterial growth in the heating system
Why does glycol come in different Colours?
How do you know which colour glycol you should be using? Colour is not a definitive way of telling apart the different types of product, and in fact glycol can lose it’s pigmentation in some cases.
For reference:
Blue – common in UK market heating systems. Manufacturer’s recommended life of 2 years
Orange: used mainly in the European market, specifically in caravan and motorhomes
Pink: normally ethylene glycol or glycerine based, manufacturer’s recommended life of 5 years
Green: Used in older heating systems and should not be used anymore
How often does the glycol need to be changed in the heating system?
It depends on the quality of glycol that the heating system is filled with. Glycol is a consumable and must be replaced before the protection ends (lubricating and anti-rust). With a good quality glycol it is sufficient to change every five years, while glycol of lower quality should be changed every two years. So it pays in the long run to use a good quality glycol.
If you are unsure when the glycol was last replaced, check your service journal which is in a plastic docket on the boiler itself (not the header tank). If you’re still unsure, email us on info@caravanservicingdevon.co.uk or message via our contact page.
