Summer is the best time to replace radiators. Before you start buying and installing, you should figure out which heating battery is better in order to make the right choice. There are several types of devices, each of which has significant advantages over others. However, they have disadvantages and they also need to be taken into account. In order not to make a mistake with the choice, several factors should be considered: cost, durability, strength and efficiency.
Tubular steel radiators
When choosing which radiators are best, buyers often look at the cheapest options. This category includes tubular steel radiators. In their appearance, they are similar to traditional cast iron, but thinner and even elegant. The design consists of two collectors connected vertically by steel tubes, welding is performed by a laser, so the seams are almost invisible. The advantages of tubular steel include resistance to the impact of hardwater, as well as ease of care: no sharp corners or complex curves make dusting extremely easy.
However, the product has significant drawbacks. Compared to other radiators, steel pipes are characterized by the lowest heat transfer, so the cost of heating increases significantly. In the area of welding seams, leaks form over time, so this type of product cannot be called durable. For this reason, tubular radiators are not recommended for use in apartment buildings: in the event of an accident, the amount of damage can be enormous. Also, this system is not able to withstand pressure drops and therefore is unsuitable for modern realities.
Panel steel radiators
This kind of home heating batteries can handle pressure of 6-9 atmospheres, so it is intended only for private or low-rise buildings with an independent heating system. The design includes two steel sheets with a thickness of 1.2-1.5 mm, welded together. The shape of the sheets provides for the presence of longitudinal recesses, which increase the area of the battery and improve heat transfer performance. Due to this, the convection of air masses is greatly enhanced.
Low-carbon steel, which is used for the production of this type of radiator, is resistant to corrosion. Also, the metal goes through the process of degreasing, then phosphating, powder painting and special heat treatment. After such procedures, corrosion resistance increases.
To the main advantagespanel steel radiators include: low thermal inertia, light weight and a wide range of designs, and the disadvantages are the inability to tolerate pressure drops and small application possibilities.
Aluminum Radiators
Aluminum radiators are one of the best metal batteries today, due to their high heat dissipation rates, beautiful appearance and low weight. This type of device is produced in two ways: by casting and extrusion.
In the first option, a solid block is created without intermediate connections, so the device is reliable. In the second case, individual elements are formed from an aluminum profile, which are then connected into a section by welding. Additional gaskets and seals increase tightness. If the production process was carried out without violations, the welded device is not inferior in reliability to the monolithic one, however, cast radiators are still more practical. The advantages of the extrusion method include great variability: the buyer has the opportunity to arrange sections and choose the desired size. This is especially important when you need to get a custom length radiator.
When choosing which battery is better, you should pay attention to the advantages of aluminum. This metal heats up quickly and also quickly releases heat, so it saves up to 35% of fuel compared to other types of radiators. Already after 10-15 minutes after turning on the heating, the set temperature is set in the room. The minimalist design makes the batteries almost invisible, so the heating system does not spoil the interior. Aluminum structures are equally easy to fit into the environment of an office, apartment or private house. Radiators have a compact size and light weight, so the installation of radiators is possible on any wall.
Disadvantages are typical mainly for welded devices. Rubber seals have a shorter service life than metal, so they quickly become unusable and the batteries begin to leak. For the same reason, do not add antifreeze or other chemicals to the water.
Pressure drops can also destroy welds, so only cast solid blocks can be used in a central heating system. In addition, water contaminated with solid abrasive particles erases a thin protective layer on the inner surface of the metal over time, and the corrosion process begins in the batteries. In this case, the service life of aluminum is reduced.
Bimetal radiators
Bimetallic radiators are more reliable than aluminum ones, as they are based on strong steel pipes. Steel easily tolerates pressure surges up to 10 atmospheres, as well as the presence of solid particles in water, and aluminum fins quickly heat up and give off heat to the room. Thus, an ideal balance of structural strength and heating speed is achieved. Bimetallic devices are lightweight, so the installation of radiators does not require the use of special brackets, and the process itself is quite simple. The laconic design allows you to fit the bimetal into anyinterior and not disturb the aesthetics of the situation.
However, in addition to the advantages, such radiators also have disadvantages. Steel can react chemically with some other substances. If they get into the water that fills the pipes, gas formation will occur and the battery may burst. To avoid this outcome will allow the installation of air valves. Another major downside is the cost. Bimetallic radiators are much more expensive than all other options, therefore, despite their excellent consumer properties, they are not leaders in sales.
Cast iron radiators
Cast iron radiators consist of several similar sections, the number of which in one block may be different. Structures are made section by section, and then connected with nipples and sealed with heat-resistant gaskets. The structure is available in a variety of widths, heights and depths, so the customer can choose from a design that fits almost any space.
Positive characteristics include excellent resistance to water quality. Neither the presence of chemicals nor solid particles can compromise the integrity of the inner protective layer. Cast iron is a chemically passive metal, therefore it does not react and does not corrode. When water is drained from radiators in summer, they will not rust from the inside. The allowable pressure for cast iron is at least 9 atmospheres, so the batteries are ideal for use in city apartments, and the periodoperation is at least 50 years. At the same time, the cost of cast-iron heating batteries is approximately comparable to aluminum and significantly lower than the price of bimetallic devices.
It is customary to attribute its slow heating to the disadvantages of cast iron. However, this metal also cools much more slowly. Cast iron has a lot of weight, so delivery, bringing into the house and subsequent installation is a rather serious problem: not every installer will take on such a task. Another disadvantage is the appearance: bulky and clumsy metal radiators are far from an aesthetic ideal, but the modern design of cast iron radiators can please the eye with a concise, streamlined shape.
Features of mounting cast iron radiators
Since the cast-iron radiator of the heating system has a significant weight, it is necessary to use strong brackets. Such radiators can only be mounted on solid walls made of concrete or brick. For other situations, a foot-mounted system is available.
Floor convector
Overview of radiators would be incomplete without floor convectors. This is a relatively new engineering structure, which is mounted directly under the floor. The design consists of a heat exchanger, housing and protective grille. This type is often used in commercial buildings where panoramic windows coming from the floor are installed, for example, in airports, shopping centers, swimming pools. The pluses include a compact size, while the minuses are relatively low efficiency and high maintenance costs.
Plinth convectors
The height of this type of convector is only 20-25 cm, and the depth is 10 cm.
Electric radiators
Such radiators are used in cases where it is impossible to use a centralized or autonomous gas heating system. The cost of operating such devices is quite high, however, they have some undeniable advantages. Electric batteries are distinguished by a simple installation process, high fire safety and the possibility of programming. Electric heating batteries can be oil, water and infrared, they are extremely convenient in autonomous rooms.
Designer radiators in the interior
The heating system can perform not only direct functions, but also decorate the interior. Stylish and unusual batteries can decorate the environment, because they look like real art objects. The size and type of heating batteries in this case can be completely different.
Which batteries are better to put in an apartment and a private house
In a private house where an autonomous system is equipped, it is easier to decide which heating battery is better: both steel and aluminum models are suitable here. In centrally heated city apartments, pressure surges often occur in pipes, so it is not recommended to install steel options, as well as aluminum ones,made by extrusion. Bimetallic and cast iron batteries can be used without restrictions.
It is not easy to decide which radiator is better. Each type has its own advantages, however, and disadvantages should be taken into account.
