How comfortable living in a private house will be depends largely on the quality of the heating system. To date, there are several ways to assemble such structures. The simplest and at the same time quite effective is the so-called "Leningradka" - a single-pipe system. How to mount it with your own hands, and we'll talk later in the article.
Advantages and disadvantages
The advantages of such a design as a one-pipe forced circulation heating system include, first of all, ease of installation, efficiency and not too high cost. The disadvantage of such structures is not particularly high efficiency when used in buildings of a large area, as well as uneven heating of radiators on different floors.
What are the varieties
In private homes, you can usually see only two types of structures such as a single-pipe heating system with forced circulation of a closedtype:
- Vertical. In this case, the coolant from the boiler first rises to the highest floor. Here it passes through all the radiators. Next, water or antifreeze goes down to the lower floor, after which the cycle repeats. Then the coolant flows down the riser even lower, etc.
- Horizontal. Such one-pipe systems are installed in one-story buildings. In this case, the coolant simply passes through all the radiators of the house in series and returns through the return pipe to the boiler.
Leningradka design
One-pipe heating system with forced circulation consists of the following elements:
- Heating boiler. It can work on gas, solid or liquid fuel, as well as from the mains. In country houses, the first variety is usually used. The advantage of this equipment is primarily considered to be cost-effective. An electric boiler is cheaper, but you will have to pay much more for its operation. Models operating on liquid or solid fuels are usually installed in areas where gas pipelines and electrical networks are not connected.
- Highways. It is also a very important element of such a design as a one-pipe forced circulation heating system. The diameter of the pipes in this case may be smaller than with the natural movement of the coolant. Lines for such heating systems can be used steel, polypropylene, metal-plastic or copper.
- Radiatorsheating. Batteries in private homes can be used steel, cast iron, aluminum or bimetallic. It is better to choose the second or last variety. Each radiator must be equipped with a Mayevsky tap.
- Expansion tank. This element is designed to reduce the pressure in the pipeline when the coolant is heated. When the water expands, the "extra" part simply enters this container.
- Circulation pump. Sometimes the coolant in the heating system circulates naturally - due to the difference in temperatures in the direct and return pipes. But in our time, homeowners prefer to use forced circulation options. In this case, the movement of the coolant occurs as a result of the operation of the pump. When using it, pipes of much smaller diameter can be installed, which often saves certain amounts. The disadvantages of systems with forced circulation include only their dependence on electricity. However, when it is turned off, the design can be transferred to the natural mode. Alternatively, you can always use a portable generator.
- Stop valves. Among other things, the design of such systems includes various kinds of taps, valves, as well as thermal valves.
Composing a project
When drawing up a diagram of such a design as a one-pipe forced circulation heating system, the following factors are taken into account:
- Power of the boiler. The calculation of this indicator is usually trustedspecialists. The fact is that in order to choose the most suitable equipment in this case, a very large number of various factors should be taken into account. Approximately, the calculation is based on the fact that for heating every 10 m2 1 kW of unit power is required.
- Number of radiators. This indicator can also depend on various factors. The specific power of one section of the battery is indicated in its passport. 100 kW are needed for 1 m2 of the room area.
- Location and pipe material.
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Power of the circulation pump. The first indicator for water is determined by the formula:
Qpu=Qn: 1, 163 x Dt [m3/h], where Qn is the amount of heat consumed in kilowatts, and Dt is the temperature difference in the return and supply pipelines.
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Expansion tank volume. You can also calculate it yourself. This is done using the formula:
V=e x C: (1 - Po/Pmax) x k, where e is the expansion coefficient of water,С - volume of coolant in the system in liters, Р
0 - initial air pressure in the tank, P
max- limiting pressure in the heating system, к - tank fill factor).The last indicator and the limiting pressure are determined by special tables.
Installing the boiler
The boiler in such a design as a one-pipe forced circulation heating system is installed below the location of the mains and heating radiators. Most often it is located in the basement of the room. Install this unitshould be on level ground. On sale there are also suspended models. First of all, the chimney is connected and brought out into the street. Connection to the gas main is trusted only by specialists. It is impossible to do this on your own according to the regulations.
Installation of heating radiators
Continue the installation of such a design as a one-pipe forced circulation heating system, the diagram of which was presented above, by installing batteries. Radiators are usually hung under the windows. Previously, markings are made on the wall along the width and length of the radiator. Next, the brackets are attached. The battery is hung on them. It should be located in such a way that its lower edge does not reach the floor by at least 10 cm. The same distance should remain between its upper edge and the window sill. Distance to the wall - 5 cm.
Installation of pipelines
At the next stage, the main and risers are attached to the walls. The supply pipe must be higher than the return pipe. Fastening to the walls is done with brackets. Pipes are connected to each other by fittings. It is not recommended to make too many bends in the line. This will reduce the speed of the coolant, and therefore the quality of the entire structure.
Single-pipe heating system with forced circulation "Leningradka": connectionradiators
After the lines are laid, they start connecting the radiators. In this case, diagonal and lower schemes are usually used. In the first case, the coolant is supplied through one of the upper radiator pipes. Withdrawal - through the bottom on the opposite side. In the second, both pipes are connected from below. The installation is done on the bypass. In the future, this will allow you to regulate the air temperature in the rooms, selectively turning off the radiators. In addition, with this connection, it is possible to repair or replace batteries without stopping the operation of the entire system.
Installing other items
The expansion tank is mounted on the supply pipe in the immediate vicinity of the boiler itself. The pump is installed on the return pipe. The fact is that hot water of a direct line can damage the elements of its design. They put the pump on a bypass equipped with three taps. A filter for the coolant is mounted in front of it. This structural element prevents scale or sludge from entering the device. The safety valve can be installed anywhere in the pipeline. In this case, only the convenience of its use matters. A drain cock is installed at the lowest point of the pipeline.
At the final stage, the supply and return lines are connected to the corresponding nozzles of the boiler.
As a result of all these actions, a very efficient single-pipe heating system with forcedcirculation. You can see a photo of a similar design below.
Filling coolant
After the system is assembled, it is tested. Water is pumped into the main by a submersible pump at a pressure slightly higher than the working one, until it begins to flow from the Mayevsky taps in the heating radiators. After that, they are closed and all connections are inspected for tightness. If there are no leaks, the heating system assembly work can be considered completed.
Reviews about "Leningradka"
Most owners of private houses have a very good opinion about this system. Especially flattering reviews about it come from the lips of the owners of not too large buildings. In this case, such a system functions very effectively. Many private traders are also attracted by the low cost of such structures and, of course, the possibility of self-assembly.
The owners of country houses do not like it too much, only that the coolant reaches the farthest extreme radiators in such designs already quite chilled. Therefore, in the rooms in which they are installed, it is sometimes cool.
As you can see, the installation of such a design as a one-pipe forced circulation heating system (which has excellent reviews) is not too difficult. You can install it in a few days. It works, subject to all the required assembly technologies, subsequently for a long time and efficiently.
