Choosing a heating device is a serious matter; not only the temperature in the room during winter depends on it, but also the reliability and long-term use of batteries under different conditions. You need to know the technicians. capabilities of heating products produced various materials and their main differences affecting the validity of the choice in any given case.
At the moment, according to the responses of professionals and users, two types of batteries are considered more effective - bimetallic and aluminum.
These products have many similar features, but they also differ. Therefore, almost all buyers of this category of products are concerned about which ones. the data is considered to characterize the selection of batteries of these types and what characteristics should be focused on in order to make the right selection in favor of this or that product.
Before making comparisons, you need to better understand the performance capabilities of aluminum and bimetallic batteries
The body of such products is made of aluminum or its alloys. To produce products, they use the casting method or a press at high temperatures. Cast sections are the highest quality and most reliable. Aluminum batteries are equipped with ribs between sections and vertical panels in front, this allows for the highest thermal output, while thermal energy comes from both radiation and convection. 
Aluminum radiators are not large and have many shapes. Traditionally, the segments are packaged in 2-3 sections and assembled into a heating battery of suitable volumes. Silicone or paronite gaskets are installed at the joints to isolate the joints. To connect the individual parts, bronze or brass nipples are used. 
Those. The characteristics of aluminum radiators are good and not quite. The advantages of such products are:
The disadvantages of aluminum batteries include:
Analyzing the properties listed above, it is clear that these radiators should not be used in central heating, since aluminum devices are in no way adapted to work at high pressure and poor quality coolant.
The name of these products suggests that their main feature, compared to other batteries, is the use of two different metals in the production of the frame. Radiators of this type are iron pipes, according to which the heated liquid circulates, they are compressed with the external components made from aluminum or its alloy. Due to this unique individuality, bimetallic products retain excellent heat transfer characteristics due to aluminum and increased strength to iron parts.
The use of a steel core will reduce the number of defects to a minimum heating battery, made from only 1 aluminum.
Here are the main characteristics of batteries made using two metals:
Poor qualities of bimetallic devices. The narrow clearance of the iron core can lead to rapid contamination and the high price of the products (on average thirty percent more expensive than similar aluminum ones). Bimetallic radiators are similar in appearance to aluminum radiators; their outer part is made of the same material.
It can be seen from the features of aluminum batteries and those made from 2 alloys, their constant use in the same criteria is not possible. In particular, aluminum products are not suitable for central heating applications due to their inability to withstand dangerous pressure surges and sensitivity to water quality. 
This means that of these two radiators, only bimetallic devices are suitable for central heating. Aluminum products are suitable for low-power heating systems and perform well independent systems heating, in which place the temperature of the circulating water is comparatively low.
Radiators of the bimetallic system are also quite good in individual building heating systems, especially if there are solid fuel boilers; these batteries have greater solar inertia compared to aluminum ones, and therefore can smooth out fluctuations in temperature. heat carrier.
When choosing a suitable device in the presence of an autonomous boiler, it is necessary to take into account the differences between aluminum radiators and bimetallic ones, taking into account not just one characteristic, but their complex. Devices made from two metals are more expensive and have lower heat transfer, but they are 2 times more durable.
Heating batteries save people from the cold in winter.
This happened with the old cast iron “accordions”, the same thing happens with the stylish designs of the new generation.
When it comes to replacing heavy ribbed cast iron products, consumers often wonder what the difference is bimetallic radiators from aluminum or steel structures.
To win the attention and love of consumers, manufacturers modernize and improve heating radiators every year. Miracle alloys, convectors, new colors and painting methods, a combination of metals and elegant shapes are used. With such a variety of choices, customers willy-nilly wonder how bimetallic heating radiators differ from aluminum, steel or cast iron counterparts. To understand, you should familiarize yourself with their manufacturing technology, weaknesses and strengths.
Manufacturers paid attention to aluminum due to its following properties:
The first thing that distinguishes aluminum radiators from bimetallic ones is their technical parameters. Among the advantages, the following points can be noted:
Such a number of positive features have found a response in the hearts of consumers, but before installing a similar model in place of a cast-iron analogue, it is worth carefully studying their disadvantages, since this type of radiator is not suitable for all types of heating systems.
If you look for what the difference is between bimetallic and aluminum radiators, then most of all it is noticeable in the advantages of the former, which the latter lack.
| Specifications | Aluminum radiator parameters | Bimetallic radiator |
| Quality of coolant in the heating network | The acidity of the carrier should not exceed 8 Ph, otherwise the product is subject to corrosion, which significantly reduces its service life. | The structure of this type of heaters is such that the coolant comes into contact exclusively with the steel core, which is not afraid of increased acidity water. |
| Pressure level | Aluminum radiators are quite strong, but not strong enough to withstand strong water hammer from a centralized heating network. Their indicator ranges from 7 to 12 atmospheres, which makes them ideal option for autonomous systems. | These products can withstand pressure up to 40 atmospheres, and some panel models - up to 100 atmospheres, which makes them the best candidates for installation in houses with centralized heating. |
| Life time | On average, manufacturers give aluminum radiators a warranty of 10 to 15 years, provided they are used in a suitable environment. As a rule, when installing them in an apartment with central heating, the “life” of such a product rarely exceeds 7-8 years. | Bimetallic radiators receive a warranty period of 20-25 years from manufacturers, which, if correct connection and operation is extended to 50 years or more. |
| Conclusion: | Aluminum radiators have their place in autonomous heating systems with the ability to control the quality of the coolant. In such conditions, it is possible to use special filters. The pressure in such a system rarely exceeds 7 atmospheres, which corresponds to their parameters. | Radiators of this type are durable, durable and suitable for “survival” in the aggressive environment of the city heating network. |
Despite all their differences, these radiators are very similar in appearance, and this is not surprising: the body of the bimetallic device is made of aluminum. The rest of their difference lies in the particular structure of the battery made of two types of metals.
Sometimes consumers do not know how to distinguish bimetallic radiators from aluminum ones externally. This is easy to do, just lift each of them. Aluminum structures lightweight, while analogues made of two metals weigh significantly more. This is due to the peculiarities of their structure.
The basis of this type of battery is a core made of steel or copper. It is he who deals with the coolant and pressure in the heating system. Since neither stainless steel nor copper are afraid of increased acidity of water and pressure drops, they take on all the “blows” of the city heating network.
Both horizontal and vertical collectors of the bimetallic radiator completely protect the aluminum case from contact with the media, which gives finished product such durability.
In turn, such a property of aluminum as high heat transfer puts this type of radiator in first place in terms of quality and speed of heating the room. Receiving heat from the core, the body warms up and releases it to the environment. If a very high level of heat transfer is required, then you should pay attention to radiators with copper collectors, but their price is one of the highest on the thermal technology market.
If we talk about the disadvantages of batteries made of two types of metals, then this is their cost. Otherwise, these are the only batteries today, besides cast iron analogues, that can be combined with centralized system heating
Steel was the first to replace cast iron, and products made from it have gone through their own path of quality evolution. To understand which one is better - a steel or bimetallic radiator, you should know the difference in their structure. Steel is not a metal with a high level of heat transfer, so it was chosen as a material for air heaters due to its ability to withstand both high pressure in the network and the quality of its coolant. This combines both types of radiators, since in bimetallic structures Steel manifolds are most often used, but the presence of an aluminum body makes them different. Any comparison of steel and bimetallic radiators in terms of heat transfer will always be in favor of the latter. Aluminum heats up quickly and releases heat for a long time, making it ideal for use in heating devices, where he does not have to deal with coolant.
Thus, comparing steel, aluminum and bimetallic heating radiators, we can come to the conclusion that the latter, although very expensive, in terms of their technical parameters are most suitable for a centralized heating system.
Steel can be replaced with cast iron, but you should be prepared that more sections will be required. Aluminum is good for use in autonomous heating systems, where you can control the quality of the coolant and the pressure in the pipes. To summarize, we can say that each type of radiator is good in its place.
Bimetallic batteries today occupy one of the leading places in popularity. They are inferior in this position, probably, only to the usual cast-iron radiators, and even then, most likely, only due to the extreme prevalence of the latter, the adherence of many consumers to established traditions, and a kind of “inertia of thinking.”
Bimetallic radiators are increasingly being chosen for installation in the heating circuit of both a private house and a city apartment, since they, unlike aluminum and steel, have a pronounced resistance to increased pressure loads and temperatures. However, when choosing these heating devices, it is very important not to run into low-quality fakes or purchase products from a manufacturer that has not yet passed the test of time. Therefore, let's consider the question formulated in this way: “bimetallic rating of manufacturers” - since this selection criterion plays far from a secondary role.
It is very difficult to give an accurate assessment of all bimetallic radiators on sale. Therefore, the publication will consider only a few companies, but they have already gained indisputable authority with the quality of their products.
Before moving on to considering the products of various manufacturers, a few minutes of attention should be paid to the design of these heating devices. It’s worth figuring it out, if only so as not to purchase aluminum batteries at the cost of bimetallic ones, since they look very similar in appearance, but the performance is at a completely different level, and the difference in price is considerable.
Their outer heat exchange casing has almost the same shape and is made of the same material - aluminum. But that's where the main similarities end.
Bimetallic battery models can be divided into two parts - internal, made of steel, and external, heat-exchange, made of aluminum - hence the name. The steel vertical channels of each section consist of pipes that are connected by welding in the lower and upper parts with horizontal sections of larger diameter, which form collectors when assembling the battery. All this pipe steel structure intended for coolant circulation.
Sections can be assembled into a single battery using a threaded coupling connection, less commonly used factory welding. Depending on the type of this connection, the battery can be sectional, collapsible, or a block one-piece design. A single block may include several (for example, 3÷4) sections, but if necessary, it is quite possible to add the required number of sections to it or assemble a battery from several such blocks.
Steel channels are distinguished by much higher resistance to aggressive components of the central coolant heating system than all-aluminum batteries. Therefore, the permissible acid-base indicator (pH) of the coolant can lie in an extended range, from 5 to 11 units - aluminum batteries have never even dreamed of such indicators.
The internal steel tubes are a kind of “skeleton” of the bimetallic radiator, which makes the entire structure more rigid and durable. Steel, especially if it has a protective coating, or if high-quality stainless steel is used for the manufacture of channels, is inert to corrosive processes, and the connection of such pipes can withstand increased pressure.
This type of battery has excellent heat transfer, and this is due to the fact that steel is capable of accumulating and retaining heat when warming up, and an aluminum outer casing with a sufficiently large area, due to the high thermal conductivity of this metal, effectively transfers thermal energy to the premises.
You might be interested in information on how it is calculated
Almost all modern designs of bimetallic devices are equipped with additional ribs - “petals”, which form convection channels. And the more there are, the larger area heat exchange and the higher the heat transfer from the heating device. Moreover, these elements are configured in such a way that convection currents warm air heading towards the room.
High-quality bimetallic radiators must be designed for a pressure of at least 40 bar, therefore, when choosing them, you must pay attention to this parameter Special attention. It is usually indicated as used when testing products. You shouldn’t be surprised at such a high figure - such pressure may well be caused by water hammer in the central heating system.
By the way, bimetallic radiators fully reveal their operational capabilities precisely under conditions of high pressure and heating temperature, therefore they are preferable for central heating systems. And if this type of battery is planned for an autonomous system, then you will have to install a powerful water pump in it, which will create the necessary coolant circulation pressure.
You might be interested in information about what
The Russian market offers products from various manufacturers, both domestic and foreign, and their products differ in their characteristics and price levels. To give an idea of these parameters, a number of models of bimetallic radiators manufactured by different companies will be considered below.
And it’s worth starting with the most affordable option.
"WARMA" is a Russian-Chinese company that produces sectional cast bimetallic radiators. Production facilities are located in China, but they are equipped with high-quality European equipment, and technical control manufactured products are carried out by Russian specialists.
These products fully comply with GOST 31311-2005 and all other standards of the Russian central heating system.
Bimetallic batteries “WARMA” are designed for installation in autonomous circuits of private houses and high-rise apartments connected to heating plants.
WARMA BIMETALL models are produced in two versions - WB350 and WB500. They differ in the center distance and, accordingly, in some other operational parameters. The main characteristics of these batteries are summarized in the table below.
The steel core of these radiators is made of carbon steel - its vertical channel has a wall thickness of 2 mm and an internal diameter of 20 mm, and the thickness of the steel of the horizontal collector sections of the sections is 4 mm.
The manufacturer declares the following technical and operational characteristics of its products:
| Name of parameters | Radiator model “WARMA BIMETALL”, numerical parameters | |
|---|---|---|
| WB350 | WB500 | |
| Working pressure, atm. | 25 | 25 |
| Test pressure, atm. | 40 | 40 |
| 130 | 180 | |
| 110 | 110 | |
| Hydrogen index, pH | 6-10,5 | 6-10,5 |
| Section volume, l | 0.17 | 0.23 |
| Section weight, kg | 1.45 | 1.64 |
| Center distance, mm | 350 | 500 |
| Section height, mm | 410 | 560 |
| Section depth, mm | 80 | 80 |
| Section width, mm | 80 | 80 |
| 1 | 1 | |
| Radiator color | White | White |
| Guarantee | 10 years | 10 years |
To make it easier for the consumer to decide on the number of WARMA radiator sections needed to heat the room certain area, the manufacturer provides tables indicating the recommended solution.
Model WB350 with a height of 410 mm, a depth of 80 mm and a center distance of 350 mm, made up of batteries from different quantities sections and are assembled with the following heating capabilities:
| Number of sections in the battery, pcs | Radiator width, mm | Heat dissipation from battery, W. | Room area, m² |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 | 320 | 520 | 5÷6 |
| 5 | 400 | 650 | 6÷7 |
| 6 | 480 | 780 | 8 |
| 7 | 560 | 910 | 9 |
| 8 | 640 | 1040 | 10 |
| 9 | 720 | 1170 | 11÷12 |
| 10 | 800 | 1300 | 13 |
| 11 | 880 | 1430 | 14 |
| 12 | 960 | 1560 | 15÷16 |
The WB500 model, having a height of 560 mm, a depth of 80 mm and an interaxial distance of 500 mm, composed of a one-piece structure, also of a different number of sections, has greater heat transfer, which is:
| Number of sections in the battery, pcs. | Radiator width, mm | Heat dissipation from battery, W. | Room area, m² |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 | 320 | 720 | 7 |
| 5 | 400 | 900 | 9 |
| 6 | 480 | 1080 | 10÷11 |
| 7 | 560 | 1260 | 12÷13 |
| 8 | 640 | 1440 | 14 |
| 9 | 720 | 1620 | 16 |
| 10 | 800 | 1800 | 18 |
| 11 | 880 | 1980 | 19÷20 |
| 12 | 960 | 2160 | 21÷22 |
In order not to return to this issue again, it should immediately be noted that this approach to determining the number of radiator sections based only on the area of the room is very approximate. It does not take into account many other features of the room and the way the batteries are installed. Therefore, in the appendix to this article we will provide a convenient universal calculator that allows you to calculate the number of sections of a radiator of any brand with high accuracy.
The cost of one section of the “WARMA” radiator is approximately 450÷500 rubles for the WB300 model, 600÷630 rubles. for model WB500. Price levels, of course, may vary slightly depending on different regions countries.
Radiators "Könner"
“Könner” - despite the clearly German-language name, a Russian company is registered under this trademark. Its products (again - completely Russian development) is in no way inferior in quality to other European analogues, as it is designed on the basis of modern technologies and taking into account the characteristics of the regions of Russia. Könner's main production facilities are located in China.
The company began its work producing cast iron batteries about 25 years ago, but responded sensitively to market demands and launched the development and production of more modern heating devices. Thus, already at the beginning of the 2000s, aluminum and bimetallic radiators of their own design began to arrive in Russian construction stores. For this short term The products have become quite popular due to their affordable prices and high quality.
The company's engineers, knowing the special specific conditions of the Russian central heating system, improved and adapted specifications devices whose design was taken as a basis. That is why these radiator models compare favorably with other foreign analogues. Due to their reliability, Könner radiators are suitable for installation in both central and autonomous heating systems.
Heating devices of this brand have high anti-corrosion characteristics, have good resistance to baric loads, and can easily withstand water hammer. Radiators owe their reliability to durable pipes vertical pipes and a horizontal collector, which are made of high-alloy steel and are the backbone of the structure. Die-cast aluminum housing with a large contact area provides excellent heat dissipation.
The high quality of Könner products is confirmed by international ISO certificates and full compliance with domestic GOST 31311-2005, section “Heating Appliances”. Products from this manufacturer have repeatedly taken first place in the Russian Federation in terms of consumer demand.
The technical characteristics of these products are presented in the table:
| Name of parameters | “Könner” radiator model, numerical parameters | |
|---|---|---|
| 350 | 500 | |
| Working pressure, atm. | 30 | 30 |
| Test pressure, atm. | 44÷45 | 44÷45 |
| Heat transfer of one section, W. | 140 | 190 |
| Maximum coolant temperature, ˚С | 110 | 110 |
| Hydrogen index, pH | 7-9,5 | 7-9,5 |
| Section volume, l | 0.14 | 0.18 |
| Section weight, kg | 1.35 | 1.75 |
| Center distance, mm | 350 | 500 |
| Section height, mm | 413 | 560 |
| Section depth, mm | 80 | 80 |
| Section width, mm | 80 | 80 |
| Inlet diameter, inch | G 1" | G 1" |
| Radiator color | White | White |
| Guarantee | 15 years | 15 years |
Bimetallic radiators "Könner" go on sale in sectional and block versions. The block can include from 4 to 12 sections. The price for one section averages from 400 to 500 rubles. It is more profitable to purchase a block version - prices for a block decrease as the number of sections increases, and can even be less than 400 rubles per section.
"TENRAD" - a company producing radiators, was established in 2005 in Germany in the city of Dresden. The enterprise was organized by young talented engineers working in the design of heating systems.
Like many other companies, the production of these heating devices, due to favorable conditions on the labor market, was placed in the PRC. The TENRAD radiator manufacturing plant is equipped with its own chemical-technological laboratory, state-of-the-art metal casting complexes "Farm New Brass", robotic manipulators developed by the German company "Kuka" and body painting lines made in Switzerland. All this equipment turned a small factory into a high-tech enterprise, in no way inferior to leading European factories. The production of radiators is carried out under the watchful supervision of German technologists from the parent company TENRAD.
The walls of the TENRAD VM radiator collector on horizontal channels have a thickness of 3.6 mm, and on vertical channels - 1.8 mm. The fins, installed in three rows, create two convection gaps in the upper part of the radiator, through which heated air enters the room. The radiators are coated with high-quality paints and varnishes in two layers, and the outer one consists of sprayed epoxy polyester, which meets the requirements of SanPiN 2.1.2.729-99 and standards RD 52.04.186-89, which establish the hygienic safety of materials. In addition, TENRAD VM products comply with GOST 31311-2005, which confirms their adaptation to Russian heating systems.
Prices for bimetallic radiators TENRAD
bimetallic radiators TENARD
The technical characteristics of these devices are as follows:
| Name of parameters | Radiator model “TENRAD VM”, numerical parameters | |
|---|---|---|
| VM350 | VM500 | |
| Working pressure, atm. | 24 | 24 |
| Test pressure, atm. | 36 | 36 |
| Heat transfer of one section, W. | 120 | 161 |
| Maximum coolant temperature, ˚С | 120 | 120 |
| Hydrogen index, pH | 5÷11 | 5÷11 |
| Section volume, l | 0.15 | 0.22 |
| Section weight, kg | 1.22 | 1.45 |
| Center distance, mm | 350 | 500 |
| Section height, mm | 400 | 550 |
| Section depth, mm | 77 | 77 |
| Section width, mm | 80 | 80 |
| Inlet diameter, inch | G 1" | G 1" |
| Radiator color | White | White |
| Guarantee | 50 years | 50 years |
The average cost of TENRAD VM radiators is from 620 to 720 rubles per section, but can vary up or down, depending on the region of the country. You can purchase batteries already assembled into blocks of 4÷12 sections.
Radena is an Italian company whose office, design bureau and testing laboratories are located in Italy, but the products themselves are manufactured again in China, at the WANGDA Group plant, under the close supervision of Italian specialists.
This brand of radiators has decent quality and good adaptation to Russian heating networks, so it’s difficult to find negative reviews about them. The products have been presented on our market since 2010, and during this time they have gained wide popularity, despite the relatively high price. This is explained by the fact that buyers are attracted by the quality and reliability of these radiators.
The model range is presented in three names - with different center distances: 150, 350 and 500 mm.
The design features of these radiators include the following:
This brand of radiators is one of those products that are characterized by increased thermal conductivity and durability. All manufacturing materials fully comply with European environmental standards.
This table presents the technical characteristics of different-sized Radena models:
| Name of parameters | Radena radiator model, numerical parameters | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Bimetall CS 150 | Bimetall CS 350 | Bimetall CS 500 | |
| Working pressure, atm. | 25 | 25 | 25 |
| Test pressure, atm. | 40 | 40 | 40 |
| Heat transfer of one section, W. | 120 | 135 | 185 |
| Maximum coolant temperature,˚ C | 110 | 110 | 110 |
| Hydrogen index, pH | 6.0 ÷ 10.5 | 6.0 ÷ 10.5 | 6.0 ÷ 10.5 |
| Section volume, l | 0,1/0,13 | 0.16 | 0.22 |
| Section weight, kg | 0,88/1,19 | 1.43 | 1.85 |
| Center distance, mm | 150 | 350 | 500 |
| Section height, mm | 241 | 403 | 552 |
| Section depth, mm | 120 | 85 | 85 |
| Section width, mm | 74 | 80 | 80 |
| Inlet diameter, inch | G 1" | G 1" | G 1" |
| Radiator color | white | white | white |
| Guarantee | 15 years | 15 years | 15 years |
All surfaces of these radiators, both internal and external, undergo special anti-corrosion treatment before painting. They are then dipped into a paint bath, then dried thoroughly before undergoing a second step where a top layer of high-strength epoxy coating is sprayed on.
The price of Radena radiators with different center distances may vary not only depending on this parameter, but also on the region where they are purchased. So, “CS150” - 420÷500 rubles; “CS350” - 600÷800 rubles; “CS500” - 645÷ 850 rubles.
"Rifar" is a widely known domestic manufacturer, specializing in the production of aluminum and bimetallic batteries. Bimetallic heating devices are equipped with an internal monolithic collector made of steel and housed in an aluminum housing. Batteries are produced with bottom and side connections, in three sizes.
Production facilities are located in Russia, in the city of Gai, Orenburg region. The equipment of automated lines, from beginning to end of the entire technological chain, is at an ultra-modern level.
Heating appliances of this brand meet European and Russian quality regulatory documents GOST 31311-2005, TU 4935-004-41807387-10. This version of radiators is primarily intended for installation in multi-storey residential and administrative buildings, as they have high strength and performance characteristics suitable for domestic heating systems.
Technical and operational characteristics of Rifar Monolit radiators look like this:
| Name of parameters | Radiator model “Rifar Monolit”, numerical parameters | |
|---|---|---|
| 350 | 500 | |
| Working pressure, atm. | 98 | 98 |
| Test pressure, atm. | 148 | 148 |
| Heat transfer of one section, W. | 134 | 196 |
| Maximum coolant temperature, ˚С | 135 | 135 |
| Hydrogen index, pH | 7÷9 | 7÷9 |
| Section volume, l | 0.18 | 0.21 |
| Section weight, kg | 1.5 | 2 |
| Center distance, mm | 350 | 500 |
| Section height, mm | 415 | 577 |
| Section depth, mm | 100 | 100 |
| Section width, mm | 80 | 80 |
| Inlet diameter, inch | G 1", optional 1/2" and 3/4" | G 1", optional 1/2" and 3/4" |
| Radiator color | White | White |
| Guarantee | 50 years | 50 years |
The average price for domestic Rifar Monolit radiators is quite high and is approximately 715 - 850 rubles, but it can also vary and be different for individual regions.
In terms of color quality and design, the models in this series are more aesthetically pleasing than those of the Rifar Monolit, however, they are significantly inferior to them in their technical and operational characteristics. Therefore, the manufacturer gives a guarantee for these products for only 10 years, and estimates the operating period at 25 years.
Radena bimetallic radiators
It should be noted here that the manufacturer clearly warns that this battery option is more suitable for autonomous heating systems, since all indicators are designed specifically for it. For example, “Rifar Base Venti” radiators require clean coolant, which can only be provided in autonomous system. In addition, testing and operating pressure of these heating devices is several times lower than that of Rifar Monolit.
So, the main technical and operational characteristics of this line are as follows:
| Name of parameters | Radiator model “Rifar Base Venti, numerical parameters | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| 200 | 350 | 500 | |
| Working pressure, atm. | 20 | 20 | 20 |
| Test pressure, atm. | 30 | 30 | 30 |
| Heat transfer of one section, W. | 104 | 136 | 204 |
| Maximum coolant temperature, ˚С | 135 | 135 | 135 |
| Hydrogen index, pH | 7÷8.5 | 7÷8.5 | 7÷8.5 |
| Section volume, l | 0.16 | 0.18 | 0.2 |
| Section weight, kg | 1.02 | 1.36 | 1.92 |
| Center distance, mm | 200 | 350 | 500 |
| Section height, mm | 261 | 415 | 570 |
| Section depth, mm | 100 | 90 | 100 |
| Section width, mm | 80 | 80 | 80 |
| Inlet diameter, inch | G 1" | G 1" | G 1" |
| Radiator color | White | White | White |
| Guarantee | 10 years | 10 years | 10 years |
The cost of radiators in this line is quite high, ranging from 725 to 900 rubles per section, but can also vary.
The Fondital company was founded in 1970 in the city of Weston in the Italian province of Brescia, and since its inception it has been engaged in the design and production of heating systems. Over the years of work and constant development, the small enterprise has turned into a large company with several large production facilities. Today Fondital is one of the world leaders in the development and manufacture of devices and components for heating systems. This manufacturer mainly produces aluminum radiators as heat exchange devices, but its product range also includes a bimetallic model, which is quite popular among consumers.
The bimetallic model “Fondital” has a name that speaks for itself - “Alustal”, and is intended for installation in central system heating of multi-storey buildings.
"Fondital-Alustal" is characterized by the following technical and operational indicators:
| Indicator name | Numeric parameter values |
|---|---|
| Working pressure, atm. | 40 |
| Test pressure, atm. | 60 |
| Heat transfer of one section, W. | 190 |
| Maximum coolant temperature, ˚С | 110 |
| Hydrogen index, pH | 7-10 |
| Section volume, l | 0.14 |
| Section weight, kg | 1.23 |
| Center distance, mm | 500 |
| Section height, mm | 559 |
| Section depth, mm | 80 |
| Section width, mm | 97 |
| Inlet diameter, inch | G 1" |
| Radiator color | White |
| Warranty from installation | 20 years |
Radiators “Fondital-Alustal” can be block-based, and the batteries offered for sale can include from 4 to 14 sections, to which additional blocks or individual sections can be added. The devices are quite expensive: average cost one section in different regions of the country is 740÷950 rubles.
The manufacturer provides a guarantee for free elimination of all types of defects in production for a period of 20 years from the date of installation. However, such a guarantee only applies if the installation is carried out by a qualified technician in compliance with all installation conditions specified by the manufacturer in the product passport.
The Italian company “Global” was created in 1971 and, we can say that it was at the very origins of the development and production of aluminum radiators. Having come a long way from a small workshop where assembly was done by hand to industrial automated workshops, today the Global company produces not only aluminum versions of heating devices, but also four models of bimetallic radiators of different sizes.
The company has its own testing laboratory, in which all raw materials entering the enterprise are subject to strict quality control. We are constantly developing new models and improving technical and performance characteristics already existing product samples. The Global company received certification for the production of radiators according to the European standards ISO 9002 and ISO 9001-2000, and in 1996, the products of this manufacturer were certified in the GOST system of the Russian Federation. Year after year, the demand for heating appliances from this company is growing, which indicates high consumer confidence in products bearing the “Global” logo.
The main characteristics of bimetallic radiators produced by the company are shown in the table:
| Name of parameters | “Global” radiator model, numerical parameters | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| "Style" 350/500 | "Style Extra" 350/500 | "Style Plus" 350/500 | "Sfera" 350/500 | |
| Working pressure, atm. | 35 | 35 | 35 | 35 |
| Test pressure, atm. | 52 | 52 | 52 | 52 |
| Heat transfer of one section, W. | 125/168 | 120/171 | 140/185 | 119/165 |
| Maximum coolant temperature, ˚С | 110 | 110 | 110 | 110 |
| Hydrogen index, pH | 6.5 ÷ 8 | 6.5 ÷ 8 | 6.5 ÷ 8 | 6.5 ÷ 8 |
| Section volume, l | 0,16/0,18 | 0,17/0,21 | 0,17/0,19 | 0.16÷0.20 |
| Section weight, kg | 1,50/1,87 | 1,42/1,87 | 1,50/1,94 | 1,40/1,87 |
| Center distance, mm | 500/350 | 500/350 | 500/350 | 500/350 |
| Section height, mm | 425/575 | 418/568 | 425/575 | 418/568 |
| Section depth, mm | 80 | 80 | 95 | 80 |
| Section width, mm | 80 | 80 | 80 | 80 |
| Inlet diameter, inch | G 1" | G 1" | G 1" | G 1" |
| Radiator color | 8 colors | 8 colors | 8 colors | 8 colors |
| Guarantee | 20 years | 20 years | 20 years | 20 years |
The color range of GLOBAL bimetallic radiators is wider, but the coloring of released models is often carried out at the request of consumers, and the standard color for batteries remains glossy white.
Bimetallic radiator “GLOBAL STYLE PLUS” 500 - 7 sections in basic color
All radiators undergo a two-stage painting process. The first stage involves immersing the products in a special bath and is called anaphoresis. The second stage involves spraying a dye based on the prepared surfaces. epoxy resins with the addition of coloring pigment.
As you can see from the table above, GLOBAL produces four models of bimetallic radiators, named “Style”, “Style Extra”, “Style Plus” and “Sfera”. Each of the models is available in two versions - with center distances of 350 and 500 mm. The table also shows the difference in some parameters of radiators from this manufacturer - this makes it easier to navigate when choosing batteries for specific conditions.
Please note the warranty period is 20 years. This once again indicates that the manufacturer is completely confident in the quality of its products.
The price of GLOBAL radiators is quite high (the highest of all those discussed in this publication), but they are justified by the reliability, durability and efficiency of the devices. Thus, the average cost of one section of a heating device starts from 800 and reaches 1200 rubles. More information about the price can be found at this link
The often practiced method of calculation, based on 100 W of thermal energy per square meter of area, is not accurate - each of the rooms has its own characteristics, which also need to be taken into account. Therefore, we will take the liberty of offering the reader a more accurate algorithm, which is implemented in the program of the calculator located below.
A few brief explanations on the calculations:
— If a calculation is selected for a non-separable radiator model, then the result should be taken into account "A"- this is the required total radiator power for a given room, expressed in kilowatts.
You may be interested in information about what to consider when choosing
— If the goal is to calculate the number of sections of a collapsible radiator, then after selecting this path an additional field will appear in which you must enter the nameplate power of one section of the selected model (in watts). The result is taken from the point "B"- this is the required number of sections, rounded up to the nearest whole number.
Heating systems
The importance of thermal comfort for human health, human performance and mood cannot be overestimated. In order to create fairly comfortable conditions in places of residence, humanity has invented a great variety of devices and systems. The most common method used for heating a home today is a conventional heating system based on supply hot water from the central heating network to heating radiators.
There are eight main types of batteries used in heating systems. We will consider this entire list, and also formulate some tips for selecting radiators that can be used as part of various heating systems.
Heating radiators will not leak if, when choosing them, you proceed from how adapted they are to existing operating conditions, and what kind of restrictions on their use are imposed in each case.
The main difficulties accompanying the operation of heating radiators include:
- corrosion that forms on internal surfaces;
- corrosion of a chemical and electrochemical nature;
- hydraulic shocks;
- formation of gases in aluminum radiators.
In our country, as a rule, the heating system is single-pipe, in which the devices are connected in series. Based on this, to ensure the required level of heat transfer in devices connected in this way, it is necessary to ensure significant mass consumption of coolant per unit time, which causes an increase in characteristics, both in terms of pressure and temperature. Another disadvantage of a single-pipe system is the difficulty of adjusting it, since changing the operating parameters of one device entails corresponding changes in the functioning of others. A two-pipe heating system does not have this drawback. The existence of a single-pipe system requires the use of heating devices that have a significant margin of safety and sufficiently low hydraulic resistance.
Also one of significant moments During operation of a radiator heating system, it is a requirement that it be permanently filled with water. Corrosion processes occurring in a system filled with air are much more intense. The heating system should be started smoothly, with a gradual increase in the pressure present in it (circulation pumps are turned on using frequency converters). Failure to comply with this requirement when starting the system often leads to significant water hammer, which easily destroys the radiator.
2. Tubular steel radiators. Interest in such radiators is determined by a fairly high level of design approach and the hygiene inherent in these devices. In our country you can find steel radiators of the brands Zehnder, Arbonia, Kermi, as well as radiators from some manufacturers from Italy. There are no pressure-related problems for tubular radiators, but the metal thickness does not exceed 1.5 mm, which, unfortunately, does not provide grounds for long-term optimism regarding their use in modern urban homes. Domestic tubular steel radiators with an internal polymer anti-corrosion coating and a design superior to that of the best European manufacturers have practically no restrictions on their use.
3. Cast iron radiators for heating systems. They are almost completely immune to the low quality of the coolant, which is the determining factor in the rather warm attitude towards them on the part of domestic consumers. If we take into account the presence on our market of cast iron heating radiators of the DemirDokum (Ridem), Ferroli brands, which have high casting quality and a perfect design with very affordable price, then interest in cast iron radiators will continue to remain high. The design of local radiators, as well as their construction, has also changed radically in the last few years.
But, unfortunately, cast iron radiators, including domestically produced radiators, can hardly withstand hydraulic shocks, and this must be taken into account when installing them. Unlike imported ones, domestic radiators necessarily require broaching before installing connections between sections. In addition, they require additional painting.
4. Aluminum heating radiators. Beautiful aluminum casting, sectional design, low weight, and high degree of heat transfer attract both specialists and individual users.
Heating radiators made of aluminum are manufactured in two versions:
- cast aluminum radiators, where each segment is cast as a single part;
- extrusion-type radiators, where each section includes three elements mechanically connected to each other. To seal the joints, sealing elements or adhesive joints are used. Most often, the installation of sections is carried out in the form of blocks, including 2, 3 or more sections.
There are models that take into account the specifics of our heating systems and are designed for high pressure. On the market in our country there are mainly products from Italian manufacturers, such as Fondital, Global, Sira (Alux), IPS.
The main difficulty when using aluminum radiators is the need to maintain a constant pH value (this is how the acidity of coolants is indicated) in a relatively narrow range, which is quite problematic in urban areas, and even in autonomous heating also difficult to achieve. The second difficulty is the formation of gases in aluminum radiators, which can cause constant airing of the heating system if it has not been designed taking this into account. The strength parameters of extruded and cast radiators are quite comparable. It is also necessary to be quite careful about the presence of antagonistic metals inside the heating system.
5. Bimetallic heating radiators. Despite, say, their “aluminum” appearance, it is still necessary to bring them into a separate group of radiators, which have miraculously taken root in our country. The Italian plant Sira has been producing radiators of this type for more than 30 years, but in Russia they have been in use for almost 15 years. Thanks to the design of these heating radiators, protected by a Sira patent, the safety margin is many times greater than all probable pressures available in the system, and the contact between the coolant and aluminum is reduced to almost zero.
It should also be noted that the original joint assembly of the heating sections allows minimizing labor costs and physical effort during their assembly and disassembly with high reliability of connections. Radiator RS-Bimetal, which is new development Sira company, embodies the latest technological and design approaches. New versions of bimetallic radiators (Global, Santekhprom, Bimex) are currently being tested under real operating conditions in our country.
6. Convectors built into the floor. Current architectural approaches with glass walls exclude the use of traditional heating devices. For this reason, in the last decade there has been a sharp increase in both the demand and supply of built-in heating devices. In Russia, these convectors are represented by the Mollenhof and Jaga brands. They have similar technical specifications. Their heat exchangers are made of copper pipes and have aluminum fins.
7. Skirting-type convectors. These heating devices are placed not only under window openings. They are mainly located along the perimeter of external wall structures, occupying a small area (up to 10 cm in depth and up to 20-25 cm in height).
Their use is typical of North American heating systems. In our country, American devices with copper pipes and aluminum fins have been sold for almost 10 years.
8. Convectors with steel pipes and steel fins (station wagon). It is currently the most widely used heating device in new buildings. What is attractive about it, first of all, is its rather low price (without thermostat). Of course, these devices have a very high degree of survivability, but their rather outdated design and low heat transfer lead to their replacement en masse.
