Keeping RODI unit in basement during winter.

[Qbmafia444]

I live in New York City where it gets quite cold during winter. I am contemplating moving my unit to the basement but I am worried about the unit freezing possibly. My basement is not heated or anything. I plan on placing it near my water heater thinking maybe that will help. I’m looking for feedback regarding this or any examples of any.

 

[lapin]

They can freeze and crack. My suggestion is to get a seed heating mat and place it on the wall with the unit. When it gets freezing cold, plug it in and drape a towel over the whole thing. This should raise the temp 10 degrees.

 

[cmoore806]

how cold does it get in your basement? If you have pipes down there, have they ever frozen?

 

[NS Mike D]

freezing is. basement is generally unheard of. The surrounding ground acts as insulation. I recall when I build my outdoor pond years ago, that somewhere between 2 - 3ft would not freeze so the fish could remain in the ponds over winter.

Secondly, furnace and water heaters generate sufficient heat to keep the basement from freezing over. If you have exposed pipes, that's a good indication that freezing was never a concern

 

[NS Mike D]

A space heater on an inkbird would alleviate any worries. Set it to turn on at 35° and off at 40°. I'd bet it would never turn on, but at least you know you are good and using an inkbird as the thermostat would save money. Put a cheap gardening thermometer there so you can monitor the ambient air with a quick trip to the basement so you will know if you are heading t freezing well in advance. (or one with a wireless remote unit to save you a trip)

 

[mike550]

Picking up on what @cmoore806 and @NS Mike D have offered. I can’t imagine a basement that gets to 32 or below for a sustained length of time. But I get the concern.

A few thoughts. If you’re making RODI in the basement the flow will lower the risk of freezing — and it also means you have water pipes in the basement. when you’re done with the unit let it drain a bit so if the water does start to freeze you’ll have room for expansion. Not sure what ice will do to your filter media. If you’re storing RODI water a small heater and circulating pump is a great idea. You don’t have to keep it too warm just keep it above 32. If you’re storing saltwater then you can go a few degrees lower since it’s freezing point is lower.

 

[TriggerFinger]

My unit is hooked to a basement spigot and I don’t have trouble with freezing anything. My home plumbing is in the basement too. I do get lower output from my unit when it’s cold outside. Moving the unit to a warmer part of the house won’t help because the source water is still cold. I don’t think you will have any problems

 

[Spieg]

I have my RODI filter and storage/mixing station in my unheated basement. It gets chilly but never gets cold enough to freeze (even when sub-zero outside, basement never gets below 50*).

 

[Qbmafia444]

Wow thank you everyone for the helpful info. I appreciate it