Maintaining a comfortable temperature in the house is one of the key problems that owners of houses and apartments periodically have to face. Choosing a heating system only solves half the problem. How well the heat will be supplied and distributed in the house largely depends on the installed radiators. Some are accustomed to the more common name – batteries.
Those who are faced with drawing up a heating plan for the first time need to take into account various points, including the features of a particular room. The current variety of radiators exists for a reason. Various manufacturers provide a choice of batteries depending on the coolant used, the expected load, the required amount of heat, and other points. It is not surprising that for a country cottage with its boiler and an apartment in the city center, the quantity and quality of radiators used will differ significantly.
An additional important requirement is the number of battery sections for individual rooms. If you set more than necessary, the room will be too hot, and if you set less, maintaining a comfortable temperature will become impossible. To obtain the maximum effect, it is necessary to take into account the individual operational aspects of various radiator models and adhere to the recommended installation rules.
Classification of radiators and features of a particular type
The quality of air heating and the period of maintaining a given temperature depend largely on the batteries, or more precisely, the metal used, size, number of sections, and location. In many ways, the characteristics of heat supply and distribution depend on the material used to create the radiators.
The following types of batteries are distinguished based on:
- cast iron
- become
- aluminum
- bimetal
- copper
- plastic
Cast iron radiators are considered classics and were the first to be used in the creation of steam and water heating systems. Some architects used batteries as the main element of the interior, so they covered their surface with a variety of designs. But most often the sections were hidden in special niches. A similar approach was also implemented during the construction of buildings during the Soviet period.
Modern manufacturers have moved away from this approach, combining attractive appearance and excellent functionality. Cast iron has good heat transfer, and due to its high density, it can withstand critical pressure shocks of up to 30-35 atmospheres. Water hammers of such power are rare even in general-purpose heating networks, but they still happen periodically, so you don’t have to worry about flooding your house or the neighbors of the lower apartments.
Cast iron batteries warm up slowly and also gradually release the resulting heat. The rule remains valid even when using water from contaminated coolants. Due to its thoughtful design, it is possible to periodically clean radiators from internal dirt. Additionally, some manufacturers provide the ability to reduce or increase the number of sections. If maintained properly, batteries will last at least fifty years and can therefore be considered a long-term investment.
One of the few weaknesses of cast iron products is the fastening points. Gaskets used between sections may leak water over time. Most often, paronite is used for these purposes, which after a few years loses its density, so it is necessary to update it. Additionally, cast iron has a large weight, and if sections are not intended to be installed directly on the floor, it is necessary to use reinforced brackets that can withstand the weight of the battery.
Not inferior in popularity to cast iron radiators
Steel
Their key advantage is their lighter weight. One of the few disadvantages is that in the absence of an anti-corrosion coating, the steel may become covered with corrosion spots, and the surface begins to deteriorate.
Steel batteries are designed for a maximum coolant temperature of 90 degrees. Depending on the production format, there are:
- panel
- tubular
Selected depending on taste preferences and further comfort during use. You cannot disassemble panel radiators to replace a separate section, while tubular radiators allow you to carry out this operation as needed.
Both types are distinguished by a high level of heat transfer. Unlike cast iron radiators, steel ones heat up faster. But they also cool down almost immediately as soon as the heat supply stops. After the end of the heating season or if desired, there is no need to drain the water from the system, otherwise, the inner surface of the batteries will begin to rust due to contact with air.
Aluminum radiators are considered a budget subtype of steel radiators. The production process uses the extrusion method, in which a molten alloy with various additives is poured into a mold. After hardening, a solid structure is obtained, with connection points and internal channels, so the batteries cannot be even partially repaired.
Among the key advantages of aluminum radiators are fast heating, low weight of sections, and ease of installation. Aluminum is protected from corrosion by an oxide film that forms after anodic oxidation. To connect to steel pipes, special couplings must be used. To extend the life of aluminum radiators, it is recommended to monitor the quality of the coolant, so they are rarely used for initial connection or replacement in central heating systems. Otherwise, the channels become clogged with various deposits.
Bimetallic radiators
are made from alloys of two metals – aluminum and steel. The batteries are based on steel tubes for coolant input and output; transverse tubular channels covered with aluminum plates are also characteristic.
The combination of two materials immediately provides owners with a double advantage from use – when heated, the steel transfers heat to the aluminum, which quickly warms up and heats the air around it. The main advantage of the design is especially its manufacturing, where the weaker material does not come into contact with water, thereby extending the life of the heating system.
Copper batteries stand out separately on the market. Their approximate service life is about thirty years. But if you follow the rules of use, they can work twice as long. Various deposits are practically not fixed inside copper tubes, so radiators can be connected even to old systems with low-quality coolant used. The material perfectly resists corrosion. Additionally, copper copes with water hammer up to 36 atmospheres without harm to the structure. One of the few features of copper radiators is the high cost of the products.
It is also worth highlighting a new product on the market for heating system models – plastic batteries. They have a smaller list of advantages – they are practically unable to withstand water hammer and are designed to operate up to 3 atmospheres. In this case, the maximum temperature of the coolant should not exceed 80 degrees. But due to their lightness and ease of connection, as well as their stylish appearance, they become an alternative to the usual metal batteries.
Which batteries to choose for an apartment and which for a private house?
Both owners of private houses and apartment buildings may face difficulty in choosing radiators for a heating system. But when purchasing, you need to consider the installation location. In an apartment and a private house, operating conditions differ, so the same type of radiators cannot be used in both locations.
When choosing batteries for an apartment, it is recommended to pay attention to several nuances:
- the estimated budget that you can allocate for updating the heating system in your apartment;
- The power of the radiators is determined depending on the area of the apartment, otherwise, it will not be possible to maintain the optimal temperature;
- installation of batteries is carried out in places with intense heat outflow, traditionally these are niches in the walls, places under windows, bathrooms, kitchens, and storage rooms;
- It is recommended to find out the current pressure of the heating network – the batteries must withstand the given power; for Soviet heating networks the figure rarely exceeds 10 atmospheres; in modern buildings, a minimum of 15 atmospheres is used;
- It is necessary to find out the parameters of the water in the heating system – if it is of low quality, it is recommended to install radiators with a coating that resists the effects of corrosion, adhesion, and abrasives.
For apartment buildings, it is allowed to use cast iron or aluminum batteries. They are designed to work in networks with a pressure of up to 30 atmospheres, which is relevant both for new houses and those built more than forty years ago. Some modern models, for example, plastic ones, are simply not able to cope with such operating pressure and will burst during operation.
Before choosing a specific model, it is recommended to familiarize yourself with its technical characteristics. This way you can find out if they are suitable for local water coming from the boiler room. Some suppliers do not monitor its quality, so various chemical impurities can move through the pipes along with the liquid, which clogs the channels and settles on the walls of the radiators, causing the formation of chips and corrosion stains.
Therefore, for installation in an apartment building, it is recommended to install copper, cast iron, and bimetallic models.
When implementing a heating plan in a private house, first of all, you need to pay attention not to the quality of the coolant, but to the materials used in the construction process of the building. The choice of radiators and the overall energy efficiency of the house will largely depend on this. In addition, the owner of the building will be able to independently monitor the quality of the supplied water and change it as necessary.
Most often, the following is used as cladding and wall construction:
- natural and artificial stone
- brick
- foam block
- tree
The first four groups can be characterized as masonry building materials, which are distinguished by their high fire resistance and moisture resistance. Therefore, when creating a water heating system, you can install steel,
Aluminum
In wooden houses, the installation of a water heating system is not recommended. Otherwise, when there are breaks, the tree becomes saturated with moisture and becomes unusable. Therefore, if it is impossible to use another heating system, you should treat the installation sites of the batteries with special impregnations or line the walls with stone or brick.
How to calculate the number of radiator sections and the total number of batteries?
High-quality heating of the room is possible only with a correctly drawn-up plan. It is possible to obtain a comfortable temperature as a result by calculating the thermal power. The calculations take into account the area of the room that needs heating and the location where the sections are installed. The approximate level of heat loss depends on the latter:
- under a shelf or window sill – no more than 5%;
- in a niche – about 7-8%;
- screen partially covering the battery – no more than 10%;
- completely covered sections – up to 25%.
Building codes require the installation of batteries in apartment buildings that provide a power of at least 60–100 W per square meter, subject to warm winters (up to −10…-15 degrees). In case of prolonged cold weather, the radiator power per 1 sq. m should be at least 150–200 W.
The range of indicators means that the minimum ones can be used if there are walls with insulation, and the maximum ones are better used if they are ordinary concrete. Each type of material has its heat loss standards. You need to start with the material of the walls. In addition, heat loss is also affected by the number of windows, number of stories, and location of the room (corner and non-corner). The more sources of heat loss, the greater the percentage of additional power that needs to be provided.
For example, the area of the room is 16 square meters. The room is a corner on the first floor, there are 2 windows. The walls are brick. According to the standards, 1 square meter will require 95 W of power. 16 multiplied by 95 – it turns out 1520 W. Next, we take data from the technical characteristics of the radiator (bimetallic, aluminum, cast iron). For example, the manufacturer stated that the power of one section is 125 W. Divide 1520 by 125, and we get 12.6 pieces. It’s better to round to 13.
- material, thickness, and insulation of walls
- number of windows
- ceiling heights
- number of stories
- heating system coolant temperature, etc.
Some data can be found in the technical documentation for your home. You can also use standard heat loss indicators for various types of materials. Next, you need to build on this value and take into account the technical characteristics of the radiators. Aluminum and bimetallic sections are considered the most productive; they are capable of generating about 180–190 W. Next comes cast iron (120 W). If it is important to save space, choose aluminum or bimetallic ones.
You also need to remember that the manufacturer indicates maximum data without taking into account the characteristics of your heating system. If the coolant in it, for example, does not heat to 90 degrees Celsius, the power value per section will be lower. Therefore, it is recommended to clarify the parameters of your heating system in advance and, if necessary, make adjustments.
conclusions
The choice of radiators for a heating system is one of the main tasks, which determines how comfortable and high-quality the room will be heated. It is enough just to take into account the characteristics of a particular building and the advantages of batteries.
