The efficiency of the entire heating system of a dwelling depends on the correct selection of a radiator and its connection. It is from the surface of the radiator that the process of heating the air takes place. Therefore, before giving preference to any of the existing species, you must carefully familiarize yourself with their characteristics, advantages and disadvantages.
Until recently, massive cast-iron products were installed in most residential premises, which were repeatedly cleaned and painted during operation. Modern appliances are classified by design, shape, material of manufacture, the possibility of adjusting the temperature, and a pleasant design with a decorative grille for a heating battery can serve as an interior decoration. In order to choose the most suitable option, you should read the reviews and carefully study the installation process.
Types of heating batteries
All existing structuresradiators can be divided into four groups:
- panel;
- tubular;
- sectional type;
- convectors.
The first are flat rectangular panels with vertical passages through which warm water circulates. They are made mainly of steel by cold stamping. They are small, light, have a high heat dissipation. The process of installing the "panels" is simple. The attractive design of such structures allows them to decorate any interior.
Important! Such radiators are not suitable for use in an individual heating system, as they can leak during the draining of water, and also have a low operating pressure.
Tubular radiators are presented in the form of curved steel pipes connecting the upper and lower manifolds. This type is the most powerful and easy to use. At the same time, tubular radiators are the most expensive.
Materials for the manufacture of sectional radiators are cast iron, aluminum and steel. Individual sections are assembled in any quantity. The classic version of sectional heating are cast-iron heaters. Thermostats for radiators can be installed on all devices.
Convectors are heating devices that consist of a pipe and metal plates. The air that comes from the coolant is heated, passing through the plates. Convector pipes are made of copper or steel. The heat flow of these systems can be regulated by a special valve.
The design of the convector can be mounted on the floor andcover yourself with a grill on the radiator.
Characteristics of cast iron batteries
Cast-iron batteries are widely distributed both in private houses and in apartments. This type of radiator has earned the trust of many citizens, as it passed a pressure test of 15 atm during manufacture and a working pressure of 9 atm.
Models in new design are currently being released.
The advantages of cast iron radiators include:
- possibility of using any coolant;
- contaminated and hard water can be used in such radiators;
- as a result of working with low quality water, heat transfer and thermal conductivity do not decrease;
- cast iron radiators cool down for a long time and are also resistant to corrosion;
- service life is over 40 years;
- closed radiators are able to withstand high pressure and high temperature (up to 130 °C);
- when selecting, you can adjust the number of sections.
Among the cons are:
- heavy weight (about 7kg/section);
- long heating;
- dimension;
- need for regular painting;
- small heat transfer area;
- difficulty in cleaning.
Aluminum batteries. Features, advantages and disadvantages
Among the huge selection of radiators, aluminum ones occupy one of the first places in the popularity rating. Due to the design features, you can choose the most optimal number of sections. A set of independent sections allows you to select the necessary parameters for a particular building with highaccuracy.
All aluminum radiators can be divided into 2 types:
- European type (standard). This type is ideal for individual heating systems;
- Reinforced.
The advantages of aluminum radiators include:
- high heat dissipation (up to 190 W);
- good endurance and wear resistance;
- increased heat transfer area;
- light weight;
- ease of installation;
- interesting design and compact size of radiators.
The disadvantages of such radiators include:
- need to maintain an acceptable level of acidity (pH < 7, 5);
- increasing the impact of corrosion when combining aluminum radiators and copper pipes;
- If an automatic air vent is not installed, the radiator section may collapse
Despite a number of drawbacks, aluminum radiators can last up to 25 years (with proper installation and proper care)
Bimetallic radiators. What's special
Bimetallic radiators consist of a steel pipe and an aluminum body. Water, in turn, moves through the pipe. This eliminates its contact with aluminum.
Heat from the pipe is transferred to the aluminum panels.
Important! When installed in a central heating system, radiators should be equipped with an automatic or manual air vent.
To plusesbimetal radiators include:
- ability to withstand pressure drops;
- great heat dissipation;
- stylish design;
- possibility of uniform heating of a large area and installation of a thermostat for heating radiators;
- durability;
- light weight.
Cons include:
- high cost;
- Possibility of overheating at connection points (if installed incorrectly).
Steel heating systems. Advantages and disadvantages
For individual heating systems, steel radiators are considered more suitable. According to individual parameters, you can choose a radiator for any room. They consist of plates and channels through which water moves.
The advantages of steel panel radiators are:
- light weight;
- high heat dissipation;
- small size radiators;
- fast heating;
- possibility of placing on the floor;
- affordable in price range.
The cons are:
- low pressure operation only;
- water hammer sensitivity;
- corrosion sensitivity;
- also they should not be left without water for more than two weeks.
Steel tubular radiators are a steel tube construction. They contain a small amount of water.
Pipes can be vertical or horizontal.
The advantages of such systems include:
- fast heating;
- wide model and size range;
- easy to clean;
- not traumatic.
Cons of steel tubular radiators:
- corrode quickly without a protective coating;
- comparatively high cost.
Copper radiators. Should I install them in the house?
This species is considered the leader among all others. Despite the high cost, many still install heating batteries from this material. The key feature is the color of copper - the darker it is, the more intense the radiation.
The advantages of copper radiators include:
- high thermal conductivity;
- green material;
- strength and durability;
- high radiator service life (about 50 years);
- resistance to all chemical reactions and corrosion.
On the modern market, copper and aluminum alloy radiators are made, they are also effective, but unstable to low-quality water and pressure drops.
Subtypes of radiators. Where else are tubular systems used?
One of the subspecies of tubular radiators, which are made of brass, copper and steel, is a heated towel rail. There are several types:
- water;
- electric;
- combined.
The first ones are connected to the hot water supply system. The second one works autonomously, butare less popular due to high energy costs. The latter type is the most optimal and popular option.
How to choose a radiator for your home
The external characteristics of the radiator does not affect its performance. Therefore, when choosing a radiator, you should be guided by its technical characteristics. For selection follows:
- First of all, the design capacity is determined.
- Next, determine the pressure (depending on whether the system is closed or centralized).
- You should also pay attention to the acidity of the water.
- Do not forget about the features of installation, operation, possible breakdowns and options for improvement.
- After all the technical specifications are taken into account, you can proceed to the selection of the radiator design.
Heating batteries for the home. Which is better?
Having studied all the recommendations for choosing and technical characteristics of all types of radiators, we can say:
- For installation in a room with central heating (for example, in multi-storey buildings), it is better to choose cast iron or bimetal radiators.
- Steel systems are also suitable for low-rise or private houses.
- Aluminum radiators are best installed in closed systems where you can check the quality of the water supplied.
How to properly install and connect batteries
By replacing heating devices with newer ones, you can significantly improve the quality of space heating. It depends on the characteristics of the batteriesthroughout the heating system.
To carry out work, you should:
- Pick up tools.
- Make measurements and calculations.
- Learn connection rules.
- Purchase necessary supplies.
- Connect the heating battery.
Battery installation diagram can be:
- Diagonal. In some cases, it is used for the installation of multi-section water heating batteries. A distinctive feature is the connection of pipelines. In this case, the supply must be connected to the upper part on one side of the radiator, and the return flow must be connected to the lower part (only from the opposite side). With this connection, the water will move under the pressure of the heating system. To remove air from the system, special taps are installed. The disadvantage of this system is the inability to repair the installation, since the installation of central heating batteries in the above way does not provide for the possibility of removing them without leaving the system.
- Lower. The above type of wiring is used when the pipelines are mounted in the floor or under the plinth. This method is the most aesthetic. In this case, the branch pipes are located below and directed vertically to the floor.
- Side one-sided. The essence of this connection of the heating battery is to fasten the supply pipe to the upper entrance, and the return pipe to the lower one. Important! This connection provides maximum heat transfer. If the pipelines are installed incorrectly, then the power will drop by about 10%. According to the rules for installing batteries, in case of uneven heating of sections, an extension of the coolant flow should be installed in them.
- Parallel. In this case, the connection to the heating battery is made through the pipeline system, which is connected to the supply riser. Water leaves through communications connected to the return. Valves, which are installed at the inlet and outlet of the radiator, make it possible to repair and remove the batteries without disturbing the system. The negative point of such a connection is the need to maintain high pressure in the system. It is better to entrust the installation in a parallel way to specialists.
To ensure normal air circulation and heat exchange, the following distances should be maintained:
- for proper air circulation, it is necessary to make an indent of about 5-10 cm from the radiator to the window sill;
- the gap between the bottom of the battery and the floor must be at least ten centimeters;
- the distance from the wall to the radiator should be between two and five centimeters.
If reflective insulation is to be installed, longer brackets should be selected.
Features in the installation are:
- If old heaters are being replaced with new ones, the old ones are first dismantled. In apartment buildings, for this, you should contact the Housing Office with a request to drain the water from the heating system.
- Next, you should mark up for mounting new radiators.
- After the previous operation, a bracket is installed and a wall-mounted radiator with a regulator is mounted. Important! When installing the bracket, make sure that it is securely fastened and strong. You can check the strength by pressing the bracket with great force.
- When installing shut-off valves, pay special attention to threaded connections.
The cost of a heating battery depends on the material of manufacture, the number of sections and many other parameters. The price of 8 sections of aluminum or bimetallic batteries is about 2500 rubles. A steel radiator 600 × 400 mm costs about 2000 rubles. The price of cast iron batteries is from 350 rubles / section. When choosing one or another type, the above recommendations and individual parameters should be taken into account.
