One after another, economic crises hit the planet, which, coupled with a rapidly declining amount of resources, creates a need to develop and use energy-saving technologies. This trend has not bypassed heating systems that strive to maintain or even increase their efficiency with significantly lower resource consumption. Let's figure out what the new technologies for heating a private house, apartment and industrial premises are, having decomposed the heating system into four main components: a heat generator, a heater, a heating system and a control system.
The boiler heating system is the most productive, although the most expensive (after electric heaters) of all modern autonomous heating technologies. Although the boiler itself is an invention with ancient history, modern manufacturers have managed to modernize it, increasing efficiency and adapting it to different types of fuel. So, there are three main (fuel-burning) types of boilers - solid fuel, gas, liquid fuel. Electric boilers that are somewhat out of this classification, as well as combined, or multi-fuel ones, combine the qualities of two or three varieties at once.
Solid fuel boilers
An interesting trend is a return to the traditions of the past and active use solid fuel: from ordinary firewood and coal to special pellets (granules pressed from wood by-products) and peat briquettes.
Solid fuel boilers are divided by type of fuel into:
The classic ones “accept” any kind of solid fuel without any problems, they are as reliable and simple as possible (in fact, this is the oldest heat generator in the history of mankind), and they are cheap. Among the shortcomings: "capriciousness" in relation to wet fuel, low efficiency, the inability to adjust the temperature of the coolant.
A pellet boiler is a heating device that uses waste wood compressed into small pellets. They are distinguished by high efficiency, long work on one load, extremely convenient system loading pellets (fall asleep from a bag or package), the ability to configure the boiler. The only significant drawback is rather expensive granules for heating, the price of which ranges from 6900 to 7700 rubles per ton, depending on the ash content and calorific value.
The next type is pyrolysis heating boilers operating on pyrolysis gas extracted from wood. The fuel in such a boiler slowly smolders, and does not burn out, due to which it gives off noticeably more heat. Advantages: high efficiency and reliability, heat transfer adjustment, up to half a day of operation without reloading. The only drawback is the need to connect to the mains, due to which, during power outages, the house can be left without heat.
Standard long-burning boilers are loaded with any type of solid fuel, with the exception of wood: coke, brown and hard coal, peat briquettes, pellets. There is another variety, designed specifically for working on wood and slightly different device. Advantages: work up to five days on oil products and up to two days when loaded with wood. Disadvantages: relatively low efficiency, the need for constant cleaning.
gas boilers
Main gas is the most economical of all types of fuel, and boilers running on it are considered the most convenient to use and maintain. This is explained by their fully automated operation and absolute safety, for which many sensors and controllers are responsible. They have no drawbacks as such, although they need a gas pipeline or a constant supply of new cylinders.
Oil boilers
It cannot be said that such heating systems are innovative, but they have been consistently in demand for decades and are therefore worthy of mention. The main types of liquid fuel: diesel fuel and liquefied propane-butane mixture. Advantages over solid fuel: almost complete automation of work. Disadvantages: the extremely high cost of heating, second only to electricity.
Electric heating
Differs in the widest variety of heating systems and separate devices. These are electric convectors (which in turn are floor, floor and wall), and electric boilers, and fan heaters, and infrared heaters, and oil radiators, and heat guns, and the well-known warm floor. Their common and so far insurmountable drawback is the extremely high cost of heating. The most economical of them are infrared radiators and underfloor heating.
Heat pumps
These heating systems are modern in the full sense of the word, despite the fact that they appeared back in the 80s. Then they were available only to wealthy people, but now many have adapted to collect them by hand, thanks to which they are slowly but surely gaining popularity. In a very simplified way, the principle of their work is to extract heat from the air, water or earth outside the house and transfer it to the house, where the heat is transferred either directly to the air, or first to the coolant - water.
solar systems
Another rapidly developing technology is solar heating systems, better known as solar panels.
Advantages:
Flaws:
Thermal panels
They are thin rectangular (usually) plates fixed on the wall. The back side of such a plate is covered with a heat-accumulating substance that can heat up to 90 degrees and receive heat from heating element. Power consumption is only 50 watts per 1 square meter, unlike older electric fireplaces requiring at least 100 watts for the same area. Heating occurs due to the convection effect.
In addition to efficiency, thermal panels differ in:
There is only one drawback - thermal panels become unprofitable in the spring and early autumn when the dwelling needs only a little heating from evening to morning.
Monolithic quartz modules
The unique development of S. Sargsyan - candidate of technical sciences. Externally, the plates are very similar to thermal panels, but the principle of their operation is based on a high heat capacity. quartz sand. The heating element transfers the sand thermal energy, after which it continues to heat the home, even when the device is unplugged. Savings, as in the case of thermal panels, is 50% of the cost of standard electric heaters.
PLEN - film radiant electric heaters
This innovative heating system has a device as simple as it is ingenious: a power cable, heating elements, a dielectric film and a reflective screen. The heater is mounted on the ceiling, and the infrared radiation it produces heats objects below. They, in turn, transfer heat to the air.
The main advantages of PLEN:
Thermal hydrodynamic pumps
These devices, also known as cavitation heat generators for heating systems, generate heat by heating the coolant according to the principle of cavitation.
The coolant in such a pump rotates in a special activator.
At the points of rupture of an integral mass of liquid, as a result of an instantaneous decrease in pressure, bubbles-caverns appear, bursting almost instantly. This causes a change in the physicochemical parameters of the coolant and the release of thermal energy.
Interestingly, even with the current level of scientific and technological development, the process of cavitation power generation is poorly understood. A clear explanation of why the increase in energy is greater than its costs has not yet been found.
Air conditioning as a heater
Almost all modern models of air conditioners are equipped with a heating function. Oddly enough, the air conditioner has three times the efficiency of standard electric heaters: 3 kW of heat from 1 kW of electricity versus 0.98 kW of heat from 1 kW of electricity.
Thus, an air conditioner for heating in winter is able to replace a switched off heating or a failed electric fireplace for a short time. However, due to the fact that heating elements are not used in air conditioners, their efficiency drops with every degree of temperature outside the window. In addition, severe frost overloads the device, and operation in this mode can lead to breakdown. The best option will use the air conditioner in the off-season.
Convectors
Since the convector heating system is an extremely broad concept, and almost every modern heating device uses the convection effect, we will make a reservation in advance that we are talking here only about individual water and electric convectors. They are a ribbed heater placed in a metal case.
The air circulating between the fins of the device heats up and rises, and in its place air masses are drawn in, which have already cooled down during this time.
This endless circulation is called convection. According to the heat source, convector heaters are divided into water and electric, and according to the location - into underfloor, floor and wall. Also, any of them can work on the principle of either natural convection or forced (with a fan).
Although the types of convectors and the features of each of them are a topic for a separate article, the general advantages of using these heaters can be distinguished:
So which is better financially?
As a conclusion to this section, let's compare the cost of heating on different types of fuel: wood, pellets, coal, diesel fuel, propane-butane mixture, ordinary main gas and electricity. With average prices for each type of fuel and with an average duration of the heating season of 7 months, during this time you will have to spend:
The leader is obvious.
Heating appliances
First of all, modern heating radiators are bimetallic and aluminum models. However, there is a stable demand for both steel and cast iron products, which is due to the new approach of manufacturers to the manufacture of outdated, it would seem, heating appliances. Let us briefly describe the advantages and disadvantages of each type.
Aluminum
The most popular in the post-Soviet space for the price / quality ratio (cheaper than bimetallic, in many respects more reliable than steel and cast iron).
Advantages:
- the best heat transfer among all analogues;
- expensive models withstand pressure up to 20 bar;
- little weight;
- the simplest installation.
Disadvantages: poor corrosion resistance, especially noticeable at the junction of aluminum with other metals;
Bimetallic
Generally recognized as the best type of radiators. The name was given due to the combination of steel (inner layer) and aluminum (casing) in its design.
Advantages:
Disadvantages: high price.
Steel
Poorly suited for multi-storey buildings and centralized heating systems in general, and all their own best properties manifest in private homes, fit perfectly into heating systems industrial premises in plants and factories. You can read more about steel heating radiators.
Advantages:
- heat transfer above average;
- rapid onset of heat transfer;
- low cost;
- aesthetic look.
Flaws:
Cast iron
It should be understood that modern cast-iron heating radiators are no longer bumpy and heavy remnants of the past, which “decorated” almost every house during the Soviet era. Modern manufacturers have significantly improved their appearance, making them almost indistinguishable from bimetallic or aluminum models. Moreover, the fashion for the so-called is expanding, the shapes and patterns of which bring the atmosphere of the beginning of the 20th century into the house.
Advantages:
Disadvantages: huge weight and resulting installation difficulties (often require special support legs).
Heating system
Most modern country houses use a horizontal heating system, the main difference of which from vertical wiring is the partial (less often complete) absence of vertical risers.
In Russia, this variety is especially popular. horizontal system, as a single-wire heating system (or single-pipe).
It assumes the natural movement of water without a circulation pump. From the heating device, the coolant flows through the riser to the second floor of the building, where it is distributed to radiators and transmission risers.
Water circulation without a pump is made possible by changing the density of hot and cold water.
A single-pipe system has several advantages over a two-pipe system:
Control system
Additional benefits can be provided by the heating system controller - a miniature computer device capable of:
How to choose the best radiators
Russia is in such climate zone where heating systems are used for a long time. Sometimes housing is heated even for six months. Therefore, experts recommend a more careful approach to the choice of heating devices.
The modern market offers a huge number of models designed for different operating conditions. Often it is the technical features that become the fundamental criteria that you should focus on when buying. But there are still a lot of additional nuances, which we will talk about.
Existing Requirements
All heating systems have one purpose - they are designed to create comfortable living conditions in winter time of the year. The temperature in the room should be at least 18–20 degrees, but this is not the only condition that a heating device must meet. Let us designate other criteria and requirements, on the basis of which one can judge the efficiency of the heating device and the degree of its perfection.
Criteria classification
All criteria are conditionally divided into several groups:
- Sanitary and hygienic. There are standards that limit the maximum surface temperature. Appliances should have the smallest horizontal area, which does not allow a large amount of dust to accumulate. The shape of the installation must allow for easy cleaning, removal of dust and other contaminants, and cleaning of nearby surfaces.
- Economic. Any installation must guarantee an optimal ratio of price and efficiency, minimizing the costs of manufacture, metal use and maintenance during operation.
- Architectural and construction. AT recent times great attention is paid to ergonomics and versatility of devices. They should fit well into existing stylistic concepts and occupy a small amount of space.
- Assembly and production. Any unit must have sufficient strength and reliability. And its installation should not require the involvement of a super-professional workforce.
- Operational. Modern heating installations should be able to regulate heat transfer, provide sufficient heat and water resistance when operating within the maximum allowable technical parameters.
- Thermotechnical. Maximization Matters heat flow, which gives the coolant per unit area of the room.
It is almost impossible to find a heating device that would meet all these requirements, since there are no ideal designs. Therefore, manufacturers are still experimenting in this direction, offering modified installations to potential buyers. This explains the wide range of such products. Each species meets one of the above requirements. Therefore, when choosing a unit, it is necessary to focus on priority criteria.
For example, for medical institutions, the sanitary and hygienic component is important, for design interiors - architectural and construction. And in the domestic sphere, most often they pay attention to installation, production and operational requirements, so other indicators may be a little worse. To understand the priorities in more detail, it is necessary to study the classification of modern heating appliances.
Types of heat transfer
All heaters, taking into account the method of transferring heat flow, can be divided into two large groups:
- convective systems.
- Radiant modes.
Convective appliances transfer heat by moving air masses. From school course Physicists know that air, when heated, rises, there it cools down and falls down. Convection systems consist of installations that heat the air in the room and create natural convection processes in it.
Radiant systems transfer heat using infrared radiation. They act similarly to a natural source of heat - the sun, which does not heat the air, but objects. Accumulating heat, they then give it to the surrounding space.
Technical features of the convective system
Types of electric convectors
Most a prime example convective heating method - autonomous and central heating systems. They use various radiators as heating devices.
According to the material of manufacture and the form of construction, they are divided into:
- for sectional batteries.
- Tubular.
- Panel.
- plate models.
What are the advantages and disadvantages of each type?
Sectional
Sectional batteries are separate heating units, consisting of a different number of sections, which determines the power of the heater. Sectional radiators can be made from different materials. The most common- these are cast-iron models, but relatively recently analog products made of steel, aluminum or bimetal have appeared. For higher efficiency, they are made in the form of ribs and channels, have different heights and widths of the ribs, as well as a manufacturing design.
Almost all of them require a large amount of coolant. Some have significant limitations for use, but they all have one thing in common - the convection way of functioning. To understand where and how a particular device can be used, you should pay attention to the technical features of each.
Cast iron sections
Cast iron heating appliance
Pig-iron radiators - the most ancient heating device which lives the second life today. The design familiar from childhood is outdated, so cast-iron radiators began to fit poorly into modern interiors. Manufacturers have not been able to find the best alternative so we made some concessions. O nor changed shape front panel, rounded the corners, reduced the size of the sections, added automation and made a convex three-dimensional ornament for each section. As a result, the devices have changed outwardly, so buyers again turned their attention to them.
Cast iron is the only metal that today is ideally suited to the conditions and features of the operation of a central heating system. It is resistant to corrosion and unpretentious to the quality of the coolant. Cast iron, although it heats up slowly, gives off most of the heat by radiation, heating the room more evenly over its entire height.
Almost all products are designed for an internal system pressure of 9 atmospheres. But they have a large margin of safety, and long-term use of devices has shown that they are able to function effectively even at an operating pressure of 15 atmospheres. The hydraulic resistance of cast iron is minimal, so batteries from it can be used where natural circulation is provided.
Despite extensive modernization, manufacturers have not yet succeeded in eliminating another drawback. Cast iron products are still heavy, with each section weighing an average of 8 kg. Therefore, it is difficult to transport cast-iron radiators and install them alone. Cast iron appliances are still difficult to clean and many people don't like their rough surface.
aluminum sections
The very first receiver of cast iron products was aluminum sectional radiators. New devices are devoid of the disadvantages of cast iron products, but they have completely different disadvantages that are also worth mentioning. But first about the good.
aluminum radiator
Aluminum installations have improved technical indicators:
- High level of heat transfer and ideal surface plane.
- Improved convection transfer method.
- The small weight of each section - up to one and a half kilograms against eight.
- Reduced volume of used coolant - 0.25 liters of water is consumed to fill one section.
- Rapid heating of the room.
- Possibility of installation of automatic units that regulate the mode of operation of each section.
- Wide operating pressure range.
Given these technical features, one could call aluminum batteries ideal heating appliances, if not for one BUT. Brittle metal is very sensitive to the pH of the coolant. If it even slightly exceeds the permissible limits, aluminum begins to break down from the inside and becomes porous, like a sponge. Therefore, any water hammer will provoke a leak.
When using parts made from other metals, electrochemical corrosion occurs, which can also lead to utility accidents. Therefore, the use of the described products is permissible only in autonomous systems where it is possible to control the quality of the supplied water and use cleaning filters.
Bimetal sections
Bimetallic heating radiators
An alloy of two metals was supposed to be a compromise between reliability, ease of operation and efficiency. Manufacturers managed to create a good alternative to cast iron products. Externally, bimetallic sections are similar to aluminum radiators. They have all their advantages and at the same time are devoid of many disadvantages.
Technologists have figured out how to eliminate the contact of the coolant with fragile and capricious aluminum. In bimetallic radiators, water moves through steel pipes that are installed inside an aluminum casing. Steel is a durable material that can withstand working pressures up to 30–45 atmospheres. At the same time, the entire product weighs not much more than aluminum models.
There are no restrictions on the use of bimetallic products today. From the inside, steel parts are coated with special polymer compounds that prevent the development of corrosion phenomena. The only drawback of such radiators is the high price compared to other products. And it is this circumstance that is hindering the growth of bimetal popularity.
Tubular appliances
Radiators in the interior
Tubular batteries are different from sectional design. They are made in the form of vertical curved tubes connected to each other from below and from above using collectors. The efficiency of heat transfer is influenced by various factors - the size of the model, its height, width and diameter of the tubes.
Three types of tubular batteries can be found on sale:
- Steel products.
- Tubular convectors.
- Towel dryers.
All of them differ from each other in mass design features which are also worth mentioning.
Steel tubular radiators
The technical features of steel tubular instruments are well known. The height of the products can be both 0.3 and 3 meters. The wall thickness of the pipes also varies. For example, for Russian manufacturers it is 2mm. The device is designed for a pressure of 10-12 atmospheres, but domestic producers produce models that can withstand a working pressure of 15–22 atmospheres. The method of heat transfer is dominated by the radiative rather than the converter mechanism.
The smoothness of the curves and the absence of corners make it easy to wash the device, so the tubular steel radiator is the most hygienic model of all. She has one drawback - low corrosion resistance. The fact is that steel is subject to oxygen oxidation, so it is necessary that the radiator be filled with water all the time. It is extremely difficult to ensure this condition where the central heating system operates. Indeed, for the summer, public utilities drain water from common system. Therefore, tubular models cannot be used in apartment buildings.
Note! There are no tubular steel batteries absolutely resistant to corrosion. But Russian products are made taking into account domestic operating conditions, and European models do not differ in the large thickness of the pipe walls. Also, European manufacturers do not process the internal parts of the parts, while Russian tubular devices are coated from the inside with special polymer compounds that increase their service life.
Tubular convectors
Steel tubular convectors
Radiator convectors are a new generation of heating devices. In cross section, in such models, the tubes look like a donut. The pipe has double walls, between which the coolant flows. This design made it possible to double the heat transfer of the devices. At the same time, the efficiency of the process increases due to heat transfer by the device walls, as well as due to the creation of a converter flow, which is formed between the inner walls of the pipes.
Ease of maintenance, beautiful appearance, a completely new design - these are the main advantages of the described device.
Towel dryers
It is worth mentioning separately another type of tubular heaters - heated towel rails. They perform two functions at once - they heat the bathroom and dry towels.
You can connect heated towel rails to central heating by mounting them in the heating cycle. In our country, this element is connected to DHW system, so the device often fails. And all because the steel from which these devices are made is afraid of oxidation processes. When connected to a hot water supply, water enriched with calcium, iron and other impurities enters the radiator, which gradually leads to the “overgrowth” of pipes. As a result, heated towel rails quickly become unusable.
Note! When connected to a heating cycle, this does not happen. Therefore, when choosing a model, you should pay attention to the features of its connection. On sale there are models made of different materials. More than others, heated towel rails made of black or stainless steel, stranded, aluminum or brass are common. Experts recommend purchasing stainless steel models.
Often, non-ferrous metals require compatibility with the materials from which other elements of the system are made. For example, in order for copper heated towel rails to function well and for a long time, it is necessary to connect copper pipes and fittings to them, and this is a very expensive pleasure. If you do not follow this rule, it will not be possible to prevent abrasive wear.
If the model is connected to the DHW system, it is worth choosing double-circuit products. They have a longer service life. Hot water flows through one circuit and heats the other. In this case, the dryer tubes do not come into contact with the aggressive medium of the coolant, do not overheat and do not experience system pressure.
Panel batteries
The name itself speaks of the design of such devices. rectangular shape acts as a heating source. In this case, the circulation of the coolant occurs between the steel sheets having vertical channels, which increases usable area installation.
AT ready-made such an assembly may contain several panels welded together. They are placed parallel to each other and covered with a special powder enamel, and the upper and side parts are closed with decorative inserts.
The technical features of this model are as follows:
- The installation is light in weight.
- The products on sale are different sizes and different from each other in width and height.
- The device has a slight inertia.
- 75% of the heat is transferred using the converter method.
- The working pressure for each model is different, so it is necessary to choose a device, taking into account precisely this value.
All of the above indicators can be attributed to positive aspects. But such a choice also has disadvantages. The first is a little water pressure. The maximum figure is 10 atmospheres, so panel radiators are very sensitive to water hammer. But this is not the main thing.
The inner surface of the panels is not protected by anything, therefore, when interacting with oxygen, the steel quickly becomes rusty and “loses weight”. This means that panel devices for heating can only be used in autonomous systems that are constantly filled with water.
Plate batteries
steel radiator
Lamellar radiators are convectors in their purest form, the main advantage of which is reliability. The design is always closed on top with an aluminum case, so you can’t get burned on such batteries. Their heat transfer is 95%. Thermal inertia is negligible.
But the plate device has more disadvantages than advantages. This is an unpresentable appearance, and low heat transfer, and the need to maintain a high temperature of the coolant. In addition, due to the low intensity of heat convection, the room warms up inefficiently.
But modern manufacturers are trying to improve such models, struggling with their negative aspects. Specialists managed to achieve good success in this direction. Firstly, now copper tubes are used to make the base, on which copper and aluminum plates are mounted. Secondly, modern models have original design, which fits perfectly into popular stylistic concepts. And this circumstance is very popular with those who dream of exclusive interiors.
Such a disadvantage as uneven heating of the room easily turns into a virtue where the ceiling height exceeds standard sizes. Large front halls, lobbies, exhibition stained-glass windows, indoor pools, loggias and winter gardens- used here today wall models, linear varieties, as well as devices built into the floor.
The operating pressure in plate batteries is 16 atmospheres. There are exclusive copies in which the working pressure reaches 37 atmospheres.
So far, manufacturers have not been able to eliminate another drawback of the described option - poor compatibility with operating system, as well as difficulties in caring for the device.
Technical features of the radiant system
Movement of heat in a radiant system
A radiant system differs radically from a convective one. It makes no sense to describe the technical features, since their study is the lot of specialists. But let's take a closer look at the advantages of this heating method and outline the main types of devices.
Positive points
- Radiant heaters have an efficiency of 95%, which is explained by the direct conversion of electricity into heat. For comparison, this figure is 50% for converter systems. It is impossible to believe the claims of manufacturers that they were able to achieve 100% of indicators in this regard. This is against the laws of physics. The efficiency of any device mounted on the wall will drop by 30%. In addition, he "eats" usable space and warms the air that is under the ceiling. And a person “uses” the already cooled air, which tends to the battery.
- A radiant device heats up a room much faster. Even when it is turned off, the room cools down for a long time. And all this happens due to the fact that it is not the air that is heated, but objects, which then themselves give off heat.
- The absence of convection eliminates the movement of air masses, as well as temperature differences. As a result, no
- Heating modes in radiant heaters can be controlled by adjusting the temperature and creating more comfortable conditions.
- The described installations always work silently. In addition, any unit is easy to mount, move to a convenient place, and also dismantle.
- Modern models consume 30% less electricity.
Types of devices
There are two types of radiant devices:
- long wave models.
- Infrared heaters.
They differ from each other in different intensity of heating of the heating element. At infrared heaters the heating element heats up to 800 degrees, and for long-wave ones - only up to 250 degrees. But the second variety is fireproof, does not burn oxygen, heats the room evenly and creates very soft comfortable heat.
Other varieties
Which underfloor heating is better
There are several more types of heating devices that cannot be attributed to either converter models or radiant devices. This is a "warm floor" system and radiant films.
Warm floor
In terms of efficiency, warm floors occupy an intermediate stage between convectors and radiant systems. So far, this is the most expensive heating option, moreover, it is complex and time-consuming. To install underfloor heating, it is necessary to open the floor, make a screed, lay electric heating mats or a pipeline for hot water.
Therefore, in addition to the cost of the elements themselves, complex and time-consuming finishing work will have to be included in the final price. Moreover, the described system is not mobile, the dismantling and transfer of the main elements is impossible without further overhaul.
Emitting films
Emitting films are the latest know-how that is just beginning to appear in Russia. They can be a worthy alternative warm floors, but so far the capacity of products is extremely limited.
In addition, the efficiency of the devices is much lower than that of long-wave heaters. Therefore, while radiating films are not very popular. But the future lies with them, and experts are sure of this.
Generalization on the topic
We have given a detailed classification of existing heating devices, designated them technical advantages, as well as the features of the operation of each. From this information it can be seen that so far there are no perfect designs that could be called universal and effective.
But modern production is able to provide consumers with a huge range of products, making it possible to choose an installation taking into account individual requirements. Until recently, it was difficult to find a couple of alternative options. Today is just a listing. existing models can demonstrate the enormous possibilities of modern heating systems.
It is impossible to imagine heating a room without heating devices, which are presented on the market in a fairly wide range. species diversity. In order to choose the most suitable option, a number of factors must be taken into account.
What are
The classification of heating devices is carried out according to the following criteria:
- Heat carrier type. May be liquid or gaseous.
- Manufacturing material.
- Specifications. This refers to the size, power, features of the installation and the presence of adjustable heating.
When choosing the best option, it is necessary to build on the features heating system home and operating conditions. In this case, the entire list of requirements and standards regarding heating devices must be observed. Along with the power of products, the specifics of their installation are of great importance. In the absence of gas supply and the possibility of arranging water heating, there is still an option with electric heaters.
Water heating system device
Water heating is the most common way to heat buildings. This explains the presence on sale of a significant variety of varieties of heating devices for water circuits. The reasons lie in good level efficiency of these products, as well as reasonable purchase, installation and maintenance costs. The designs of these heating devices are very similar to each other. The core of each of them is a cavity: hot water circulates through it, heating the surface of the battery. Next, the convection process comes into play, transmitting heat to the entire room.
Radiators for water heating systems can be made from the following materials:
- Cast iron.
- Become.
- aluminum.
- Combinations of materials (the so-called "bimetallic batteries").
Each of these types of heating devices has its own specifics. In each specific case, it is necessary to take into account the area of \u200b\u200bthe heated room, installation features, the quality and type of coolant used (for example, antifreeze is used in some cases). To regulate the power of the batteries, it is possible to increase or detach the sections. It is desirable that the length of one radiator does not exceed 1.5-2 meters.
Cast iron batteries
The cast-iron type of heating devices is one of the most common options for completing domestic centralized systems. It was preferred to other varieties mainly because of its cheapness. In the future, devices of this type began to be gradually replaced by devices with a higher heat transfer coefficient (for cast-iron batteries, it is only 40%). Currently, cast iron radiators are mainly equipped with old-style systems. Concerning modern interiors, then in them you can find designer cast-iron models.
The strengths of the device of heating devices include a significant surface area through which energy is transferred from the coolant to the surrounding space. Another notable advantage is the durability of cast iron batteries: they can last 50 years or more without problems. There are also disadvantages, and there are many of them. Firstly, the coolant is used in very large volumes (up to 1.5 liters per section). Cast iron warms up slowly, so you have to wait until, after turning on the boiler, heat begins to flow into the rooms. Repairing such batteries is not easy, and in order to minimize the likelihood of breakdowns, they have to be cleaned every 2-3 years. Installation work is complicated by the large weight of the radiators.
Aluminum batteries
Aluminum devices have a very high heat dissipation, which allows you to bring the power of one section up to 200 watts. This is quite enough for full heating of 1.5–2 m 2 of living space. The advantages of aluminum batteries include their low cost and low weight, which greatly simplifies installation work. In terms of service life, aluminum appliances are almost two times inferior to their cast-iron counterparts (they can last no more than 25 years).
Bimetallic batteries
The strength of bimetallic structures are special convection panels that increase the quality of air circulation. In addition, devices of this type can be equipped with special regulators, with which you can increase or decrease the flow rate of the coolant. Installation work in its simplicity resembles the installation of aluminum radiators. Each of the sections has a power of 180 W, providing heating of 1.5 m 2 area.
In some cases, the use of water-type heating devices meets with serious difficulties. For example, bimetallic radiators cannot be installed in systems where antifreeze is used as a coolant. These anti-freeze liquids that protect pipes from freezing can have a destructive effect on the inside of batteries. You should also take into account the high cost of this heating option.
Electric types of heaters
In cases where problems arise with the organization of water heating, it is customary to use electric heaters. They are also represented by several varieties, differing from each other in power and method of heat transfer. The most significant disadvantage of household heating appliances of this kind is the high cost of consumed electricity. This often requires the laying of new wiring, designed for increased loads. If the total power of all electric heaters exceeds 12 kW, the technical standards provide for the organization of a network with a voltage of 380 V.
Convection type of heaters
For electric heaters convection type is characterized by the ability to heat rooms at high speed, which is facilitated by circulating currents of warm air. The lower part of the devices is equipped with special holes for suction of air flows, for heating of which heating elements are used (warm air exits through the upper notch). The power of modern heaters of this type ranges from 0.25-2.5 kW.
Oil coolers
Oil heaters also use the principle of convection. Inside the apparatus, special oil is poured for heating with a heating element. To regulate the heating, a thermostat is often used, which turns off the power when the desired temperature is reached. Oil powered devices are characterized by high inertia. This is manifested in the slow heating of the device and in the same slow cooling after the power supply is cut off.
The surface temperature is usually heated to 110-150 degrees, which requires compliance with safety rules. Such a device must not be installed close to flammable surfaces. Oil radiators are equipped with a convenient adjustment of the heating intensity, designed for 2-4 operating modes. Keeping in mind the power of one section (150–250 kW), select optimal model for heating a particular room is not at all difficult. The maximum power of such a device is limited to 4.5 kW.
infrared heating
The choice of infrared heaters brings the following dividends:
- Energy saving up to 30% when compared with conventional electrical appliances.
- Oxygen in the air does not burn.
- The room heats up in minutes.
Classify infrared devices according to the method of transmitting waves. In new heating devices, the transmission of radiation to the surrounding space is carried out thanks to resistor conductors installed on a special film. The power of warm mats can reach 800 W/m2. Film heaters are convenient because they can be used to organize underfloor heating.
As for carbon emitters, the waves in them are emitted by spirals from a sealed transparent flask. The power of such devices is in the range of 0.7-4.0 kW. The power of carbon heaters is an order of magnitude higher, which provides for more stringent fire safety measures.
Gas heating
In order to save money, you can use gas heaters. Their simplest variety is gas convector, which is switched to the main gas pipeline or cylinder with liquefied propane. The burner of the device is completely protected from contact with the surrounding atmosphere: in this case, a special tube is used to supply oxygen, which is brought outside through a hole in the wall. These devices are characterized by high power (at least 8 kW) and low cost of operation. Among weaknesses gas heaters we can highlight the mandatory registration with regulatory agencies, the need for effective ventilation and the need for regular cleaning of nozzles.
The heating system includes several key components: boilers, radiators, pipes, control and safety devices. Together, they should form an effective system for transferring heat from the heated coolant to the air in the room. This function is performed by heating devices of heating systems: gas, electric. What is their peculiarity and how to choose the optimal model for a particular heat supply?
Purpose of heating devices
In the vast majority of cases, the heating of the air in the premises of the house occurs due to the transfer of heat from the surface of the heating elements - radiators, batteries. They may differ structurally, have a different design and method of raising the temperature on the surface. So, steel appliances heating Kermi are designed to complete the water system.
However, despite all the variety of types, there are several key features these heating elements. All types heating appliances heating systems can be classified according to the following criteria:
- Used coolant– hot water, electric or gas heating element;
- Production material: steel, cast iron, aluminum or bimetal construction;
- Performance: rated power, dimensions, installation method and the ability to adjust the intensity of heating.
The choice of a particular type directly depends on the specific heat supply scheme. Bimetallic heating devices are installed for the water system. In rare cases - when using hot steam as a coolant. The wrong choice can significantly reduce the efficiency of heating. Therefore, it is necessary to consider the design features and technical qualities that devices for space heating possess.
Regardless of the type of radiator or any other heating device, it must be in harmony with the overall interior of the room. It is important to pay attention to the design of the structure.
Types of devices for water heating
The largest range of heating devices have water heating systems. This is explained high efficiency operation of such heat supply schemes, as well as optimal maintenance costs.
All heating appliances for this type of house have a similar design. Inside there are channels through which the coolant flows. Heat from it is transferred to the surface of the radiator (batteries) and then by natural convection to the air in the room.
The main difference that characterizes convector heating devices is the material of manufacture. It is he who largely determines the design of the heating element. There are currently 4 types of radiators:
- cast iron;
- Aluminum and bimetallic;
- Steel.
Each of them has a number of functional and operational features. They are selected depending on the calculated indicators - each type of heater for water heating systems must correspond to the characteristics of the heat supply.
An important factor is the type of coolant used. For many bimetallic heating devices, the use of antifreeze is prohibited.
Cast iron batteries
These are one of the first heating components that were used in heating systems. The choice of manufacturing material is due to the relative cheapness, and most importantly, the high heat capacity of cast iron.
This type of heating device for the heating system is currently not very popular. The reason for this is the lowest coefficient of thermal conductivity. However, to create classic interior designer cast-iron radiators are often used in the room.
It should also be borne in mind that it would be impractical to consider them as convector heating devices. The design does not provide additional plates that contribute to better circulation of air masses. In addition, it is important to know such features of the operation of cast-iron radiators:
- Large volume of coolant. On average, this figure is 1.4 liters. This contributes to the rapid cooling of hot water, but is effective for a small heating system;
- Cast iron appliances for room heating are difficult to repair and disassemble at home;
- Great inertia of heating. The rise in surface temperature is much slower than with electric heating appliances.
Despite this, in many old-style houses this type of radiator is still installed. Replacement is carried out only by the tenants themselves at their own expense.
Cast iron radiators must be cleaned of accumulated dirt and lime scale at least once every 3 years.
Steel and bimetal heating appliances
For changing cast iron structures came modern steel and bimetallic heating appliances. Their main difference from the above models is a relatively small channel for the coolant.
However, this does not affect the decrease in heat transfer. Thanks to the applied modern materials with a high heat transfer coefficient, when installing Kermi radiators, the inertia of the entire system is significantly reduced. In addition to this factor, other features of the operation of steel and bimetallic radiators for water heat supply should be taken into account:
- The presence of convection panels to improve air circulation over the surface of the radiator;
- Possibility of installation of heat regulation and metering devices;
- Affordable cost and easy installation, which you can do yourself.
However, with these positive qualities, you need to know the specifics of the operation of a particular model of a steel or bimetallic radiator. First of all, these are the requirements for the composition of the coolant.
When choosing a battery, you should clarify whether it is collapsible or not. This will help to independently regulate the number of sections in a particular heating device.
Electrical heating appliances
If the installation of a full-fledged water heat supply is impractical or impossible, electric heaters are installed for heating. They differ from traditional autonomy and compactness. In addition, there are several types of electrical appliances that have a different principle for generating heat. The main disadvantage electric heating are high costs to the energy carrier. To minimize this, you need modern appliances accounting for heating - multi-tariff electricity meters. In the evening and at night there are preferential tariffs for electricity consumption.
The electrical wiring in the house must be adapted to the maximum loads from electric heaters for heating.
Heating convectors
If there is no autonomous (centralized) heating in a house or apartment, electric heaters are most often installed. Outwardly, they are similar to standard radiators, but have significant differences in design.
Almost all electrical heating appliances are used as a heating element heating elements. Inside is an element with a high electrical resistance. When current passes through it, electrical energy is converted into heat. For greater efficiency, heating elements are connected to heat exchange plates made of steel or aluminum alloy.
There are several types of electrical heating appliances for the home:
- Convection. The design is designed for relatively fast heating of the air in the room due to the movement of flows through special slots located at the top and bottom of the structure;
- Oily. To increase the hot surface area inside the radiator is filled with a liquid with a high energy intensity. The temperature rise is much slower than those described above. However, even after the electric heater has been switched off, its surface remains hot for some time.
Almost all models are equipped with modern control systems. An obligatory element is an electronic thermostat, which has a temperature sensor for automatic control of the heating of the convector. Also, the safety of operation was not left without attention. When the appliance is tilted, it activates circuit breaker. There are special models of heating radiators designed to work in wet rooms - bathrooms, kitchens. They have a moisture resistant body.
However, for the heat supply of a large house, it is not advisable to install electric convector heating radiators due to the high consumption of electricity. In this case, it is best to mount a more economical heating PLEN or IR heaters.
If the total power of electric convectors exceeds 9 kW, a three-phase power supply with a voltage of 380 V will be required.
Infrared home heating
To increase the efficiency of maintaining a comfortable temperature in the room, electric heaters are installed that emit heat waves in the IR range. Their principle of operation is not to heat the air, but the surface of objects that have fallen into the zone of action.
The undoubted advantage of this technique is the reduction of energy costs. This is explained by the fact that the consumption of IR heaters is 20-30% less than that of similar models with heating elements.
Currently, there are 2 types of heating devices of the heating system operating in the IR range:
- Film heaters. Resistor conductors are applied on the surface of the polymer film, which emit infrared waves when passing through them. electric current. They can be mounted both as a warm floor and on the ceiling of a room - PLEN;
- Carbon heaters. A carbon spiral is placed in a special sealed glass flask. When the device is turned on, it generates infrared waves that heat objects. For efficiency, such devices are equipped with a reflector made of stainless metal or aluminum.
It is noteworthy that the latter type of devices for heating rooms can be installed anywhere in the room. They are often used to maintain normal temperature outside the home in a specific area.
However, for these IR heating devices of a private house there are a number of restrictions on their use. First of all - you can not close the surface of the film. This can lead to overheating and failure.
Gas heating of the air in the room
Analyzing the efficiency of the above devices, it remains topical issue to reduce heating costs. Therefore, as an alternative, it is recommended to consider gas heating appliances. These include not only traditional boilers, but also other, no less productive designs.
The simplest type of this type of heater is considered to be a gas convector. It can be connected both to the main gas and to a liquefied gas cylinder. The burner is located in a housing that does not come into contact with the air in the room. The supply of oxygen to maintain the combustion process occurs through a two-channel pipe. Through it, carbon monoxide is removed.
If a mobile radiator model is needed, Catholic gas heating appliances are of particular interest. They have a slightly different way of working. The gas flows from a matrix of small nozzles to the ceramic surface where it ignites. As a result, a catalytic reaction occurs, which is the main source of heat.
What should be considered when choosing a gas heater?
- Be sure to follow the safety rules. Before connecting the device to the gas line, you must read the instruction manual;
- Organization of carbon monoxide removal. The most common consequence of a malfunctioning heater is an excess of CO2 in the room;
- Periodic cleaning of nozzles from accumulated soot.
It must be remembered that all heating devices must be adapted to specific operating conditions. First of all, this applies to safety regulations and compliance with the operating mode.
In the video you can see an example of making an IR heater with your own hands:
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