On hot summer days, coolness is vital for us to feel comfortable. The same can be said about the frosty winter days, when, on the contrary, we already need warmth so as not to freeze and not get sick. Yes, comfort and coziness are needed regardless of the season. How to provide them in winter?
To do this, you need the right heating connection, and the system must not only work efficiently, but also be economical. Achieving this balance is not as easy as it might seem. But, as you know, nothing is impossible yet, fortunately, does not exist.
No wonder the heating system is important among other utilities of any construction site. In this regard, it is necessary not only to correctly select heating devices, but also to make their correct connection. How to connect the heating battery correctly? To begin with, it does not hurt to understand how these devices are arranged and what types they are.
Types of appliances
There are different models of heating appliances, includingelectrical. But since the topic of the article affects the water heating system, we will consider the corresponding models. And these are, as a rule, radiators, which can be:
- cast iron;
- aluminum;
- bimetallic;
- steel.
Each model has its pros and cons, which you should be aware of when deciding how to properly connect the heating battery.
Cast-iron batteries are considered one of the first to be used in the central heating system since the days of the USSR. They are inexpensive due to cheap production, and cast iron itself has a high heat capacity. Currently, few people use such devices due to the low coefficient of thermal conductivity. However, various decorators use cast iron radiators to create classic interior designs.
Aluminum radiators have been used in the heating system since the 80s of the XX century. At present, there is no doubt about the reliability of such devices.
Bimetal heating radiators are a good alternative to cast iron or aluminum batteries. In this case, a seemingly completely incompatible combination of aluminum and iron is used. Basically it is a steel base enclosed in an aluminum shell. There may also be different combinations, which is rare.
Gradually, steel radiators replaced outdated cast-iron appliances. Their difference lies in the design: a small channel is provided for the circulation of the coolantsize. However, this does not affect the efficiency in any way, since modern materials with a high heat transfer coefficient are used. This allows you to achieve a significant reduction in inertia when connecting the heating system.
They are easy to manufacture, and for this reason their final cost is not so high. They are available to all consumers of almost any income. With different dimensions, the devices are suitable for any type of room, harmoniously fitting into the overall interior.
Advantages and disadvantages of heating appliances
Before you install a heating radiator with your own hands, you should learn about the advantages and disadvantages of the devices listed above.
Cast iron radiators. Practically not amenable to repair and disassembly at home. Such devices heat up more slowly than their electrical counterparts. They also require a large amount of coolant. Due to the considerable weight, several people are required to transport the installation of cast-iron radiators.
Nevertheless, there are also advantages - the lowest cost among analogues, an impressive service life (half a century or more), they heat the air well in a room with high ceilings, and when the heating system is turned off, they retain heat for quite a long time. This connection of the heating battery is relevant for families with a limited budget.
Aluminum radiators. The lightness of the metal allows you to endow the devices with a number of advantages:
- easy installation and transportation;
- despite being compactdimensions, batteries have high heat dissipation;
- does not heat up for long;
- heat adjustable;
- optimum price-performance ratio;
- attractive design;
- external coating endures aggressive effects of various external factors;
- due to convection, dust does not accumulate between the sections.
Now it's time to list the disadvantages. If water hammer occurs in the heating system, this can cause serious damage to the battery structure. To avoid such problems, manufacturers increase the working pressure to 16 atmospheres.
For such a heating connection, only a high-quality coolant is required, otherwise electrochemical corrosion cannot be avoided. Most residential buildings are characterized by a centralized heating system, where it is not possible to choose a coolant. Therefore, corrosion cannot be ruled out.
Bimetallic radiators. Their advantages are as follows. They are also light in weight, which greatly simplifies the process of installation and transportation. Such batteries do not need to be masked in many ways, since their design is quite attractive and able to fit into any interior. There is no need to clean the inside during the entire period of operation. Batteries are easy to care for, just dust them regularly.
If necessary, several sections can be added to the heating device in the house, or, conversely, part of the battery can be removed. Lotit won't take time. Shut-off valves, which are usually always present, allow you to adjust the temperature regime in accordance with the need. As for the minuses, with the right choice of such heating probes and proper installation, you can not find any flaws at all.
Steel radiators. They have a high thermal efficiency due to the optimal ratio of the heat transfer mechanism: convection and radiation. Due to their low thermal inertia, batteries are ideal for use in many modern automatic heating systems. At the same time, thermostats can be installed in the devices for more efficient operation of the entire system. Like some analogues, the design of steel structures does not hurt the eyes and is able to surprise even the most ardent aesthetes. Do-it-yourself installation of a heating radiator is not difficult. But most importantly, steel batteries are inexpensive, especially the panel type.
These were strengths, but, unfortunately, not without flaws, which, fortunately, are not so many:
- Such heating devices have low corrosion resistance.
- Radiators are designed for low pressure, and therefore the occurrence of water hammer in the heating system can lead to rupture or swelling.
Knowing the advantages and disadvantages of these devices, you can avoid mistakes when buying them for a private house or apartment.
Varieties of systems
To connect the appliance correctlyheating, it is important to understand which heating system is used. All work will be carried out by specialists, however, the owner of an apartment or private property should know which system is used or will be implemented.
Single pipe system
This connection scheme is the simplest and, as a rule, is widespread among residential multi-storey buildings. The coolant is fed through the pipe to the radiators and, having passed through them, returns back through it.
It is worth noting that when it moves from one heater to another, its temperature decreases. That is, the first radiator on the coolant path will be the hottest. In this regard, each subsequent device must have a lower power.
Main Benefits:
- low cost and low material consumption;
- easy installation;
- installation of the system does not require special layout rooms;
- attractive appearance.
Serious deficiencies:
- difficult to carry out hydro- and heat calculation;
- large heat loss;
- The system must be pressurized.
Sometimes in such a heating system, difficulties may arise regarding the circulation of the coolant. In this case, the problem can be solved by installing pumping equipment.
Two-pipe system
This scheme involves the parallel connection of heating devices, and, as a rule, it includes the connection of a heating boiler. It is mainly relevant forprivate houses. Through one pipe, the coolant enters each radiator, and through another pipeline, in a cooled state, it is discharged back. A characteristic advantage is the uniform heating of all heaters connected to the system. In addition, with the help of a special valve, which is placed in front of the radiator, it is possible to regulate the intensity of the coolant.
What are the pros and cons? First of all, the possibility of using automatic temperature controllers. The two-pipe heating system is easy to maintain. And if errors or shortcomings were made during installation, they are corrected without causing damage to the system.
A characteristic disadvantage is the high cost of installation. In addition, compared to a one-pipe system, it takes much longer to connect heating from two pipes.
Connection Methods
To connect purchased heating radiators, there are several ways to connect:
- Side (one-sided).
- Diagonal (cross).
- Lower.
Every owner of any property needs to know this along with piping.
Side connection
When connected sideways, the inlet and outlet pipe(s) are installed on the same side. In this case, the supply is usually located at the top, while the return is at the bottom. Due to this, all sections of each battery in the system evenly warm up. In this case, it is worth considering the scheme of the heating system. If usedone pipe, then the number of radiator sections should not exceed 12. Otherwise, you should choose another connection method.
Diagonal connection
This connection of the heating battery is ideal when using heaters that have a large number of sections. In this case, the supply is also located at the top, and the return is at the bottom, with only one difference - pipes are supplied from opposite sides. Here, a large radiator area warms up, and work efficiency is significantly increased.
Besides, heat losses are no more than 2%. As a result, maximum heat transfer rates are achieved.
Lower connection
This method is referred to as Leningradka and is relevant for heating systems where the pipeline is hidden under the floor. The coolant inlet and outlet are connected from below and from opposite ends. Despite the more aesthetic appearance, there is a downside to the coin - low efficiency. Heat loss can be as high as 12 to 14%.
This deficiency can be compensated by installing special valves, due to which air will be discharged from the heating system, which will increase the power of the batteries. In order to be able to quickly install or repair batteries, taps are installed on the outlet and inlet pipelines.
Installation of appliances
Regardless of the choice of heating system scheme: one-pipe, two-pipe, and the connection method - one-way, bottom, diagonal connection, batteries are alwayslocated under the windowsill. Thus, the path for cold air is blocked by a kind of thermal screen. And for it to work effectively, it is necessary to comply with some requirements regarding distances:
- from the floor to the radiator should be at least 100-120 mm;
- about the same distance should be maintained from the battery itself to the windowsill;
- between the wall and the heater there should be a gap of 20 mm, a little more is better, but not less.
When connecting heating, do not forget about the requirements provided by manufacturers. All this is highly recommended not to be ignored in order to avoid serious consequences.
