ECR UTICA BOILERS UB95M-200, Installation, Operation & Maintenance Manual

Xii -  water treatment & freeze protection

leak will become obvious if boiler pressure decreases when 

make up valve is closed.

All system leaks must be repaired immediately. Constant 

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introduction of make up water will introduce dissolved 

oxygen, resulting in accelerated boiler corrosion.

It is recommended that Primary/Secondary piping be used 

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with any of the recommended antifreeze solutions found in 

this manual. See the 

Piping & Wiring Diagram Appen-

dix

.

water chemistry:

This boiler is designed for a closed loop hydronic heat 

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system ONLY! This boiler is not suitable for natural gravity 

type installations, or any other open type system.

System fluid pH must be maintained between 7.0 and 8.0.

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Maintain water hardness below 7 grains hardness.

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Filling with chlorinated fresh water should be acceptable 

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since drinking water chlorine levels are typically less than 5 

ppm. Do not fill boiler with water containing chlorine and 

chloride ions levels greater than 100 ppm.

Do not use inhibitors or other additives that are not spe-

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cifically approved by the antifreeze manufacturer for this 

product.

Consult the antifreeze manufacturer if any of the above are 

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outside the stated ranges.

cleaning the hydronic system:

NOTICE

IMPORTANT: Do not mix different manufacturers’ prod-

ucts. Doing so will void the warranty of the boiler.

Consideration MUST be given to cleaning the heating system, par-

ticularly in retrofit situations where a new boiler with an aluminum 

heat exchanger is being installed in an existing piping system.
All existing systems must be cleaned and flushed according to the 

antifreeze manufacturer’s recommendations. 
Systems that have antifreeze that is not recommended by the boiler 

manufacturer must be completely flushed to ensure no unapproved 

antifreeze remains according to the recommended antifreeze manu-

factures recommendations.  Evidence of an alternate antifreeze in the 

system may void the boiler warranty.
In older systems obviously discolored, murky or dirty water; or a pH 

reading outside the boiler manufacturer’s stated acceptable range 

(pH 7.0 to 8.0) are indications that the system should be cleaned or 

treated.

Measure total capacity of the system including the piping, tanks, 

1. 

boiler, collector plates, etc. The most accurate method of mea-

suring fluid capacity is to fill the system and then completely 

drain it, volumetrically measuring the fluid drained.
Thoroughly flush the system with clean water to remove any 

2. 

sediment or contaminants. Sludge and iron oxide deposits can 

cause rapid breakdown of inhibitors.
Cleaning fluid – Flushing with clean water is preferred. If clean-

3. 

ing fluid is used, only use cleaner specifically approved for use 

with aluminum boilers. Use only cleaning fluids and the proce-

dure recommended by the antifreeze manufacturer.

freeze protection

Aluminum Safe Antifreeze, Treatments and Additive 

Guidelines:

Antifreeze, if required, must be one of the antifreeze manufacturers 

listed in this manual. See the “Recommended Aluminum Antifreeze 

& Inhibitor Suppliers” section of this manual for a list of boiler 

manufacturer approved products.

Always clean system prior to using antifreeze, refer to the 

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Cleaning the Hydronic System section of this manual for 

details.

Only use the antifreeze manufacturers’ products outlined in 

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this document.

Use of antifreeze must be in accordance with local plumb-

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ing codes.

Dispose of old antifreeze and boiler system water in accor-

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dance with local authorities.

Antifreeze will raise the pH of the hydronic solu-

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tion in a heating system above the recommended 

level due to the corrosion inhibitors in the anti-

freeze.

  The solution must be treated to maintain a pH 

within the boiler manufacturer’s recommended level to 

avoid damage to the heat exchanger. Follow antifreeze 

manufacturer’s instructions for details on how to adjust the 

pH.

If the system has leaked for some reason, the water and 

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antifreeze chemistry will need to be adjusted. To avoid 

damage to the boiler, check the pH and chemistry of the 

boiler solution and consult the antifreeze manufacturer for 

recommendations.

It is recommended that a pH reading is taken annually, and 

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adjusted as necessary. Follow antifreeze / inhibitor manu-

facturer’s instructions for details on how to adjust the pH.

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