Protecting Your Villa's Heating System Before Winter — The Complete Guide

How to protect your home's heating system before winter?

Does your home sometimes take a long time to heat up in the cold, does it make a rumbling noise from the package, or does the system pressure drop quickly? These are signs that your system is not properly protected before winter. With a 4-step pre-winter program — including water analysis, antifreeze/antiboil injection, corrosion protection top-up, and physical inspection — you can prevent freezing, corrosion, and costly breakdowns. In this guide, you'll learn step-by-step how to prepare your home's heating system for winter.

Why does the villa heating system need protection before winter?

The villa heating system usually remains unused during the warm seasons. During this time:

• The circulating water stagnates in the pipes
• Dissolved oxygen attacks the metals
• Water salts gradually precipitate
• Local corrosion accelerates in the presence of humidity and fluctuating temperatures

When the system is turned on in the cold of winter, these hidden damages appear as pressure drops, leaks or even burst pipes.

Four essential steps before winter

1. Analyze the quality of the circulating water (especially after summer)

• The pH of the water should be between 8.5 and 10
• High hardness indicates the risk of deposits on the heated walls
• The presence of a red or cloudy color is a warning of iron corrosion

Practical tip: If your villa is located in hard water areas (such as Alborz or Zagros), the risk of deposits is much higher.

2. Injecting or adding antifreeze and anti-boil

Antifreeze is not just for preventing frost. In villas used on warm winter days, anti-boil is also vital — as the temperature inside the package can reach over 100 degrees.

Usage guidelines based on minimum regional temperatures:

Technical tip: Antifreeze should also be anti-corrosion, anti-foam and anti-scaling — not just plain antifreeze. (What is Mitreh antifreeze?)

3. Multi-metal anti-corrosion finish

Villa systems are usually a combination of copper (pipes), steel (radiators) and cast iron (package). An effective anti-corrosion formulation should be able to protect all three metals at the same time.

If you use automotive anti-corrosion, the copper may be damaged.

4. Physical inspection of the system

• Set the system pressure to 1.5 bar
• Check the expansion tank for leaks
• Clean the strainers and air vents
• Clean the radiators of dust (even a thin layer of dust reduces heat transfer by 10%)

❓❓❓ Common questions from villa owners (and practical answers) ❓❓❓

❓ Does a villa that is only used during the holidays need antifreeze?

Yes. Even if it is a week of severe cold, the water in the pipes will freeze and cause the pipe or package to burst. The antifreeze should protect at least up to the lowest historical record temperature in the area.

❓ Can I use plain water or car antifreeze?

No. Plain water causes corrosion. Car antifreeze is usually based on ethylene glycol and is not suitable for copper systems. It also lacks antifoam and anti-scaling agents.

❓ When should I perform the protection operation?

Late autumn (November to December) — before the night temperature drops below 5 degrees. In cold regions (such as Dizin or Saveh), this should be done by mid-October.

Conclusion: One week of summer = a trouble-free winter

Spending 30 minutes in the fall to analyze and inject chemicals can prevent winter repairs costing tens of millions. Your villa is only a place of peace when its systems are properly maintained.

If you are not sure about the type of water or the exact temperature of your area, use a professional consultation or water analysis. This small decision can add years to the life of your heating system.

If you need expert advice to identify the type of sediment or the optimal selection of chemicals, Abrizan Company specialists, with more than 20 years of experience in advanced laboratories, are ready to provide customized solutions to various industries.