To heat a private home, an autonomous heating system is often used. Compared to an apartment, the requirements and approach to choosing radiators change somewhat.
The choice of heating devices is influenced by the absence of high pressure in the system, the ability to control the quality of the coolant and eliminate the presence of water hammer. Considering all these aspects, figure out which radiators to choose for heating a private country house, quite simple.
In the event of an emergency shutdown of the boiler, the heated cast iron battery will cool down for a long time and will not allow the coolant temperature to drop quickly.
It is not advisable to install bimetallic models for a private home. Radiators of this type were originally developed for connection to central heating.
Alternatively you can use aluminum batteries, which have a lower cost than their bimetallic counterparts. At the same time, the heat transfer of radiators is in no way inferior to devices made of two metals.
Provided lower and top connection, the ability to operate in one and two-pipe system heating.
The disadvantage of steel batteries is the susceptibility of the structure to corrosion. Another disadvantage is the inability to add power if there is an error in the calculations, as is the case with cast iron or bimetallic contractions. Place batteries in rooms with high humidity prohibited.
As practice has shown, for a private country house it is better to use aluminum, cast iron, steel and copper batteries.
When connecting, it is necessary to take into account the peculiarities of connecting batteries. Heat transfer decreases as sections are added. Therefore, for heating, several radiators with an equal number of “fins” are installed.
When determining which brand of radiator is better, you should take into account consumer reviews and the quality of the product itself. Below is the popularity ranking. The list is compiled in descending order of popularity.
All these brands are popular and have many positive reviews. Thanks to the thoughtfulness of the design, connecting heating radiators in a private home is quick and practically effortless. The product has a service life of at least 15 years and is provided with a manufacturer's warranty.
You can choose other models based on facilities, building features and technical aspects.
Methods of connecting heating radiators in a country house affect the heating efficiency. The main disadvantage of a system with forced coolant circulation is that it cannot work during a power outage. The problem is solved by connecting a generator or installing a bypass. Systems with natural circulation are ineffective and require strict adherence to slopes.
There are two options for connecting radiators - upper and lower. With natural circulation, the first method is used. The coolant is supplied through the upper outlet. The bottom connection is used for closed systems with high pressure.
With proper installation, the heating system is assembled sequentially, starting from connecting the radiator closest to the heating source, and ending with the last heating device.
Antifreeze is not suitable for cast iron and steel batteries. For the first, the weak point is the connections between sections. Under the influence of antifreeze, the gaskets become deformed and leak. Steel batteries are sensitive to the quality of the coolant. The use of antifreeze reduces the service life.
For aluminum, copper and bimetallic batteries You can use any type of coolant.
For a private home, it is better to use steel, cast iron and aluminum radiators. The high cost of bimetallic batteries and the lack of high pressure in autonomous systems makes their installation for heating a country house impractical.
But right choice can be done if you have an idea about each individual material. Only in this case can we say that you are now really making the right purchase. What are the features of each specific material?
Central heating system
Before you come to the question of how to choose heating radiators for an apartment, it is worth understanding that a lot depends on the heating system itself. Today the majority apartment buildings served thanks to central system heating. Its arrangement has many advantages and, at the same time, disadvantages. If in your room the radiators for heating are connected to a single central system, then new units must be selected taking into account the peculiarities of their structure.
What is a central heating system?
In fact, this is a central heating unit, the main task of which is to generate heat. This heat will be transferred through the main lines to the apartments and then returned back. The circulation itself will be carried out in a closed circle due to the functioning of the pumps. Depending on the amount of equipment placed, the operation of such a central system can be excellent. However, pumps can create a load that is equal to 15 working atmospheres. This means that when choosing a heating unit, you need to pay attention not only to the technical characteristics of the system, but also to the parameters of the unit itself. There are all kinds of heating batteries in the apartment on the market; finding the right one is not difficult.
The variety of the market can often confuse buyers, and they choose the wrong model that could fully satisfy their requirements. In order to avoid this, you need to have an idea of the materials and structural features of each model. There is a high probability that after studying the nuances, you will be able to qualitatively change your choice in the completely opposite direction.
Carefully read the instructions and data sheet. It must indicate the maximum permissible pressure.
The central heating system itself operates using different pressures. And its differences will create corresponding water hammer, which will negatively affect the efficiency of heat transfer and the service life. At the same time, the water temperature will not be enviably constant. You may experience the batteries alternating between cold and hot. Thus, utility workers are trying to speed up heating in order to reach the average monthly norm.
In addition, changes in pressure and temperature negatively affect the condition of radiators. Do not forget that any central heating system does not exclude the absence of accidents. Sometimes it will be necessary to technically drain the water. This is why the radiator must withstand various conditions operation.
First of all, you should pay attention to the quality of the coolant. Most of the models that are presented on modern market, are produced in the European Union. The water quality standard in these countries is higher than in Russia, so materials can quickly deteriorate when interacting with low-quality water. Considering that the Russian heating system contains a large amount dirty water with stones, debris, lime, rust, the materials will quickly wear out. The inner shell becomes thinner, which reduces its service life.
An advantage is the fact that the manufacturer provides a 10-year warranty on its products. Considering the above, you can be sure that the radiator in this case will serve you for at least 20 years.
The most efficient heating radiators are definitely not made of aluminum.
The declared figure may not withstand the pressure inside the radiator, because European devices are designed only for 12 atmospheres. This may result in cracks and breakages.
However, if you decide to purchase aluminum batteries at any cost, then you need to purchase a special conical tip for the coolant. It will allow you to increase the coolant pressure in this system.
Shut-off valves
But at the same time, aluminum radiators have strict requirements regarding the quality of the coolant. They can function efficiently only if the indicator is equal to 6 units. However, domestic coolants cannot boast of such figures.
Aluminum structures are very fragile, so it is quite possible for one person to install them. However, in this case, you need to take into account some features. For example, when connecting the battery to heating system Under no circumstances should copper, brass or other fittings be used. Unfortunately, when interacting with other types of metal, corrosion formations can appear on aluminum. The structures will be secured using the coupling threaded connection method.
Coupling threaded connection
Remember that your central heating system contains large amounts of oxygen. Keep in mind that when oxygen reacts with aluminum, it gradually transforms into the state of hydrogen gas. This becomes the main reason for the terrible, incomprehensible sounds that often come from batteries. This is the result of the formation of air pockets.
Unfortunately, air jams are very dangerous and can paralyze the system. Therefore, your radiator must have a special tap that will allow it to function as an air regulator.
Mayevsky crane
Aluminum also has low inertness. This will provide the highest heat transfer compared to other materials. The heat dissipation is approximately 200 W, taking into account the distribution into just one section of 6 parts. The volume of each section can be about 400 ml of water. The aluminum battery is designed for temperatures up to 120 degrees. The maximum mark in gentle conditions reaches 90 degrees Celsius.
The distance between the top and bottom of the device is approximately 350 / 500 mm. However, if your apartment allows it, you can order devices with non-standard sizes from the manufacturer.
Custom sizes aluminum radiators
Aluminum radiators retain heat well. Modern batteries made from this material performed well in urban environments. Therefore, you can choose for yourself an effective device that will regulate optimal temperatures.
Aluminum batteries can be expanded by adding additional sections. But this must be done within reasonable limits, otherwise you will lose all the heat.
Aluminum batteries have a smooth surface
Another way to speed up heat transfer is to manufacture each section separately. A special metal alloy is prepared for this in order to find good tightness for each individual section. Production tests made it possible to create a pressure of 25 atmospheres, which may indicate a large margin of safety for a particular product.
In order to increase heat transfer, you need to choose radiators with a smooth surface, which simultaneously provides best care behind the devices.
At the same time, additional impurities will be released into the radiator, which helps to increase the reliability of the material and increase protection against corrosion.
Extrusion technology
Extrusion technology involves squeezing out a product section from a material. Special clamps are used for this. The sections are then connected to finished design. While operating a finished unit, reducing or increasing its size, you will feel the difference.
Positive aspects of buying an aluminum battery.
Disadvantages of the product.
Also pay attention to devices with anode coating. They are made from a high-quality alloy of silicon and aluminum compounds. And the device itself is covered with an anode.
Anodic coating of aluminum radiators
Thanks to this production, aluminum changes its structure and its resistance to corrosion increases. Such a battery can withstand various water hammers and poor quality water.
All produced sections will be assembled into a common structure, and reliable seals will be used.
The internal surface of such radiators is very smooth and can withstand pressure of 25 atmospheres.
But when purchasing anode batteries, you need to be especially careful. In my own way appearance they are practically no different from aluminum radiators. However chemical composition There are different types of such batteries, and often ordinary aluminum is sold under the guise of anode products.
What types of batteries are there for heating an apartment? Steel batteries differ from each other not only in their appearance, but also due to their design.
For example, two types of such batteries are known.
Steel radiator
They can be tubular, the most common type, or they can be panel.
Let's consider each individual type in order to understand the main nuances when purchasing.
Basically, such radiators consist of ribbed plates. They are produced by adopting non-ferrous casting. Inside there is a special sealed tank, which is carefully sealed. It ends with a coolant, which
increases heat transfer.
Hot air stays in the room much longer.
But at the same time there are many other nuances in such batteries.
Panel steel radiator
The ribbed shape will provide the greatest heat transfer efficiency. Consider the air circulation that occurs indoors. Steel has good thermal conductivity, just like cast iron. In order to have time to warm up a cold room, it will take 2 times less money and time, since it warms up faster than cast iron. Such good performance is achieved for a reason, but through thermal radiation.
The steel battery is designed for operating pressure, which is equal to 11 atmospheres.
It is suitable for central heating system.
After the buyer has assembled the panel, the entire structure must be coated with a special protective paint. This provides reliable protection from receiving chemical or technical damage.
The radiator is designed to withstand temperatures up to 90 degrees Celsius. However, when severe cold occurs, it can withstand temperatures of 110 degrees Celsius.
Convection ensures high performance
It is also encouraging to know that water quality can remain mediocre. Such radiators are absolutely insensitive to impurities in water, and function completely calmly for a long time, even if the water is heavily polluted.
Steel is susceptible to corrosion, but its threshold is 9.5 units.
Important! Steel radiators do not need to be left without water for a long time.
Unfortunately, upon contact with air masses they will be subject to corrosion.
Steel radiators are classified into several types. Basically, belonging to one type or another depends on the number of panels.
Type 10 is rightfully considered one of the most accessible and effective.
However, the absence of a convector has a positive effect on the heat transfer of such panels.
At the same time, depending on their design, radiators vary greatly in size. For example, the length of the product varies from 400 mm to 500 mm. And the height varies from 200 to 900 millimeters. This discrepancy in parameters will allow you to choose the ideal model specifically for your room, both for a standard room and for a non-standard one.
At the same time, picking up similar products you need to pay attention to the type of fastening. It can be lateral and bottom. The type of connection directly depends on the pipe layout.
The heating circuit also plays an important role. If there is bottom connection, then at the same time the efficiency of heat transfer decreases, however, the pipes are well disguised and do not spoil the appearance of the room. They can be hidden under the floor covering.
Steel radiator design
Let's look at the advantages of steel radiators.
Now let's look at the disadvantages that also exist.
The disadvantages of such batteries are the price. They also manifest themselves when they are used in rooms with autonomous heating. Large structures allow large amounts of water to pass through them. This means that the heat exchanger will turn on very often to maintain temperature regime. Unfortunately, this greatly affects energy consumption and economical use. If the apartment has a central heating system, then such moments do not occur.
Feedback on purchasing a steel battery:
My name is Marina. My husband and I built a house that needed heating. At first we wanted to save money and buy aluminum batteries. But they turned out to be not the most effective. Then the choice fell on steel. We were attracted by the price and reviews on the Internet. We were very pleased. The quality is excellent. Plus, the house is warmed up in minutes.
Also, the internal surface of the steel structure will be made of a special protective coating. As a result, there will be an increased risk of mechanical damage due to interaction with abrasive substances in water. Therefore, if there are impurities in your central heating system, then such a steel structure, unfortunately, will not serve you for very long.
Pipes can be hidden under the floor
Simultaneously steel structure will not withstand water hammer, which often occurs when operating a central heating system.
If you notice that the system often encounters shocks, it is better to opt for cast iron batteries.
How to understand that water hammer often occurs in the heating system? To do this you need to listen to the sounds. If you hear murmurs, clicks and crackles, this means that water hammer still occurs.
Comparing tubular and panel radiators, you can see that they also consist of a number of separate sections. The sections are made in the form of a fraction. By welding, these are glued together very tightly.
You can purchase tubular batteries ready-made, assembled form. However, it will be possible to increase them by replacing sections if it is necessary to remove the failed part.
In order for the batteries to provide heat to the premises, you will need to try to calculate the power of your unit before purchasing. This should be done based on the number of pipes, as well as the area of the room.
Tubular steel radiator
Continuity of pipe connections is a disadvantage and at the same time an advantage. On the one hand, there is no possibility of increasing battery power. On the other hand, the absence of connections will eliminate the possibility of leaks during accidents. This will affect the lifespan of the product.
Taking into account the low operating pressure found in tubular batteries, it is better to equip the design with gearboxes. They will allow you to avoid severe shocks due to temperature changes.
If we compare floor and panel structures with tubular models, we can understand that the latter are highly resistant to corrosion. However, the whole point is actually in the protective coating, which is made of polymer materials. This protective coating is applied to the inside of the unit.
The reducer helps smooth out pressure drops
A wide variety of tubular batteries allows you to select units for any type of premises. You can select them according to size, parameters, appearance. Their length will directly depend on the power.
It is worth highlighting a variety of design solutions that will allow you to choose optimal model. There are floor, corner, wall, horizontal and vertical models. Some can even be located in the very center of the room. This option will allow you to quickly warm up the room and visually divide it into two zones.
Tubular radiator design
Let's look at the pros and cons of these options. Pros:
The downside is the high sensitivity to various water hammers.
In addition, a slightly reduced heat transfer should be noted.
The tubular steel radiator can be given any shape
We conclude that for multi-storey buildings with a central heating system, experts do not recommend choosing such radiators.
This radiator was considered something unusual just a few years ago. Today, these models combine the advantages of both cast iron and aluminum structures. This radiator is ideal for installation in rooms where there is central heating. The biggest disadvantage of such structures is the relatively high cost.
Radiators STOUT
Thanks to the optimization that was achieved thanks to high power, as well as thanks to the logistics scheme, the material allows us to maintain affordable prices for all similar radiators. It is the market leader.
Heating devices were developed for the Russian market with the purpose of operation in every region of the country. At the same time, radiators can withstand pressure up to 50 atmospheres. They work very effectively with temperatures up to 135 degrees Celsius. The manufacturer provides a 10-year warranty.
Each buyer is free to choose the number of sections for himself - from 4 to 14.
Bimetallic radiator design
In order to produce radiators from metal material, two metals are used at once. It is an alloy of steel and aluminum. In order to increase technical properties, manufacturers can add silicon - it increases durability.
Bimetallic radiators were previously used only in industrial premises. For some reason, there was previously an opinion that these heaters are harmful to human health. But it turned out that this is not at all the case. In fact, bimetal copes well with its tasks, and numerous studies have confirmed that units made from it are not at all dangerous.
Let's get acquainted with the design of a bimetal radiator.
In fact it consists of two components. This is a core made of steel. It is through it that your coolant circulates. The core has a very important function. It accumulates energy and transfers it to another part of the device, which is made of aluminum. This heat exchanger distributes heat in the apartment.
The aluminum casing does not come into contact with the liquid, which is often very high temperature. This task is inherent in alloy steel. In this case, the outer part is covered with paint, which has a protective coating. All this together gives the design a modern and stylish look.
Such products combine strength and high heat transfer. Therefore, manufacturers are trying to produce very highly efficient devices that will quickly warm up the room. In this case, there is no need to be afraid that a pressure drop will occur.
As for the operation of the steel core, it can withstand operating pressure that reaches 40 atmospheres. In factory conditions, bimetallic radiators are necessarily tested for strength; if the device does not pass this test, it is removed from production.
Bimetallic radiator with copper core
In general, bimetallic devices can withstand pressure of 50 atmospheres.
Some models of bimetallic radiators are made not of steel, but of special copper. This is an excellent solution for autonomous heating systems. The fact is that antifreeze is sometimes added to the coolant. And this means that steel product will quickly collapse. But copper can withstand this.
The outer radiator panel itself looks like a ribbed structure, and this directly affects the efficiency of heat transfer.
It is also worth noting that this design is very light in weight. Therefore, installation will not take much effort and, accordingly, time.
The inside of the structure must be covered with a specialized layer for protection. For this purpose, polymers are used to protect the radiator from various mechanical influences and the influence of abrasive substances. Unfortunately, these substances are directly contained in the water that is supplied to modern radiators.
Sectional model of a bimetallic radiator
Standard sizes of bimetallic radiators are available for sale. Their center distance varies from 20 to 80 mm. When calculating the required number of sections, it is imperative to focus on this parameter.
Also, batteries made of bimetal can be divided into two more types. These are monolithic and sectional. Monolithic structures are much more expensive, but the price is determined technical features. The operating efficiency of such devices is much higher. They have no joints, various connections. This allows you to prevent leaks and various ruptures. At the same time, reliability increases. The nuance of such a product is that it has a solid core that cannot be cut.
Let's consider the pros and cons of such products.
Despite all these advantages, the only disadvantage of these radiators lies in high cost. However, if you purchase a radiator for a long service life, then this cost will be conditional.
Bimetallic products are very expensive. This is, of course, an unpleasant moment. But just imagine that you are solving the indoor heating problem for yourself forever. We think it's worth it.
If you want to install bimetal batteries in rooms where there is an individual heating system, the pressure does not exceed 10 atmospheres, and the operating temperature will be regulated manually, then purchasing a bimetallic radiator will become an unprecedented luxury. But if we are talking about apartments central heating, then this is an ideal option.
Important! Keep in mind that before purchasing it is important to understand the difference between aluminum and bimetallic radiators. The fact is that the appearance of these radiators is very similar to each other, and there is a high risk of confusion. And unscrupulous sellers often, in pursuit of profit, pass off one type of radiator after another.
To do this you will have to look inside, also read technical documentation, which is issued specifically for this type of product.
To keep your house and apartment warm and cozy during the cold season, it is important to properly design and install the heating system. And the radiator is one of the important components. It is thanks to properly selected equipment that the efficiency of the heating system can be ensured.
But among the rich assortment of batteries presented by such manufacturers as Prado, Conrad, Global Style, Tenrad, Viadrus, Konner and others, it’s difficult to navigate, isn’t it?
You don't know how to avoid mistakes when choosing and what points you should pay attention to first? We will help you understand this issue - in the article we will talk in detail about the criteria for choosing radiators for a private house and apartment, which are of paramount importance.
We will also consider the types of equipment and their features. We will provide recommendations for buyers, adding to them clear photos and useful videos.
The variety of heating radiators on the market is truly amazing. And it is especially difficult for an untrained user to make the right choice.
Therefore, within the framework of our article, we will try to consider in detail the types of heating devices, paying attention to their key characteristics, and give recommendations for choosing suitable option, based on living conditions, type of heating system and the specific requirements of the owner.
Heating devices used in the water circuit differ in design, material of manufacture, technical characteristics, design. Next, we’ll talk in more detail about the types of radiators and their features.
The most commonly used materials for heating appliances are:
When choosing a radiator, it is better to give preference to proven brands with a good reputation, including:
As you can see, many manufacturers produce more than one type of radiator, which differ in material and other characteristics.
But sometimes it is difficult to distinguish an aluminum radiator from a bimetallic one, the cost of which is much higher. This is what an unscrupulous seller can take advantage of. Therefore, before purchasing, you can conduct a test, for example, with a magnet - a magnet will always be attracted to the bimetal.
In contact with
Classmates
A radiator, a device also known as a battery, is an essential part of the heating system of any home or apartment. This device is present in every room and heats it. Everyone would like the chosen battery to work well for a long time and be pleasing to the eye. However, there are a huge number of models that differ in material, appearance, price, manufacturer, etc. To make it easier for you to navigate this diversity, below we will tell you which heating radiator is better to choose.
First, you need to understand which material will be preferable. There are several main types of radiators on the market now:
Cast iron
Batteries made of cast iron are the cheapest. In addition, they last much longer than others and do not rust. But a number of disadvantages do not allow us to definitely choose this material: heavy weight, low heat transfer, and the need to regularly repaint the batteries.
Steel
If you are thinking about how to choose heating radiators for a private home, then take a closer look at this type. They fit well into the interior of the rooms, perform the heating function well and are slightly more expensive than cast iron ones. It is only worth remembering that such batteries are vulnerable to water hammer and oxygen.
Copper
The copper battery is a solid pipe large diameter(up to 3 cm), which does not include any other metals. The pipe is complemented by copper ribs and a wooden screen, providing visual appeal. Copper radiators conduct heat better than others, which is due to natural properties metal They heat up within a couple of minutes thanks to a small number water in the housing and low inertia. This is why many people prefer copper batteries, since a home heating system with them will not require such a huge amount of water as, say, with cast iron ones.
Copper is also one of the most resistant metals, because it is not afraid of low water temperatures, corrosion, aggressive external influences, etc. Accordingly, when asked about which heating radiators to choose for an apartment located in a high-rise building, we can confidently say that copper ones are 100% suitable. A significant advantage is also that the copper device itself protects itself from damage to the coolant, because an oxide layer forms inside it after some time of operation.
Aluminum
Batteries made from a metal such as aluminum are among the most popular. Among the advantages of this type are light weight, sufficient strength, beautiful design. Due to the fact that the radiator consists of sections, it is possible to select the optimal number of sections necessary to heat a room of a given size. Such a device can be chosen for installation in an apartment, as well as in a house with autonomous system heating. Manufacturers produce aluminum radiators designed specifically for each of the two main systems existing in our country. One type is able to withstand high atmospheric loads, while the other, on the contrary, operates at low pressure. But there are also disadvantages: it is aluminum radiators that require more care during operation. However, servicing these radiators is easily possible using a special valve (or Mayevsky tap).
Bimetallic
This is the name given to radiators consisting of steel pipe and coated with aluminum. The combination of the properties of these two metals provides greater resistance to pressure and water quality. Accordingly, this type is also possible to choose for both apartments and houses. The problem is high difficulty such a design, which affects the manufacturing process and, as a consequence, the price of the device.
Criterion No. 1. Type of heating system
This factor is paramount when choosing a battery, because different levels of water pressure in two heating systems lead to the need to choose different types devices. In Russia there are centralized and autonomous heating systems. What is the difference?
IN centralized system The water pressure is quite high and at the same time inconsistent. This is due to the fact that all batteries are connected to one pipe and are turned on one after another. When starting the heating, the centrifugal pump turns on abruptly, which can lead to water hammer and damage to certain materials. In general, a centralized system does not spare the devices connected to it. The coolant in it is hard water, which damages metals. In addition, during periods of no heating, metals are subject to corrosion. To decide which heating radiator is best to choose for an apartment, first of all you need to look at the pressure level at which this or that type of device will function. To heat apartment buildings, you need a radiator operating at a pressure of up to 10 atmospheres. It must also be resistant to water hammer and the negative chemical effects of water.
The best choice for a central heating system would be:
The battery is made of cast iron, since it can withstand pressure up to 15 bar, is resistant to pressure surges and does not rust.
Steel radiators are most often used for heating private houses. This is facilitated by the temperature and pressure indicators to which they are adapted. They can withstand pressures of up to 10 atmospheres and coolant temperatures of up to 110 degrees.
Of course, over time the figures may increase slightly. You can find out about this in the passport of the specific heating device you want to choose.
You can also install a steel panel-type radiator in an apartment building or other premises that are connected to a centralized heating system.
The heating devices we are talking about are made from high-quality sheet steel, which ensures greater stability. Inside, the design provides a number of recesses and channels for proper water circulation. Steel plates are used to provide additional air movement.
Also, to choose a heating radiator for a room, you need to know what types exist.
According to the type of connection, steel batteries are divided into two groups:
Batteries with bottom connection. They are called universal. In addition to such batteries, various thermal heads and valves are made that help adjust the radiator to specific room conditions.
Radiators with side connections.
Based on their power, they can also be divided into groups:
10 – the first digit indicates the number of panels (in in this case– 1), and the second – on the fins. This radiator consists only of a heating panel, that is, it has neither a convector nor a grille. Such batteries can be chosen for a nursery or other similar room. They are characterized by the absence of convection and dust accumulation.
11 – has one panel, but in addition to it there is also ribbing on the back side. Thanks to this, this device heats up somewhat faster. At the same time, convection appears, and dust accumulates on the radiator faster.
20 – a device with two rows of panels, without a convector. The air exits through the grille. Due to the presence of a second panel, the power of such a radiator is much superior to previous types.
21 – a battery with two panels and fins between them. The top of such a device is usually covered with a casing.
22 – the design of such a battery consists of two steel panels, each of which has a separate convector, as well as a casing on the outside. Is the most popular model.
30 – radiator with three internal panels without convectors. There is a grill on top.
33 – radiator with the highest power rating due to three steel panels. The fins are also triple. The top of the radiator is covered with a casing.
All heating batteries discussed above are of the convector type. This means that they heat not only due to the temperature of the radiator itself, but also due to air circulation, which also distributes heat in the room. This greatly increases the efficiency of heating devices compared to those in which heating is not supported by convection.
In addition, the design of these radiators provides for the presence of holes through which air is sucked from the room and released back already heated.
Steel heating device It is better to choose for a private house with an autonomous system. When connected to a central system, it will receive a load for which it is not designed, which will lead to a reduction in the expected service life by almost half.
It is also worth remembering that panel-type models are not intended for use in heating systems that do not have pumps and operate only due to the natural circulation of the coolant. There is a high probability that in this system the battery will not produce required quantity heat.
What do you need to consider to choose a quality steel radiator?
Firstly, check whether this model has certificates of quality and compliance. This will protect you from purchasing a fake, which in the future will show a very low quality of heating the room.
Secondly, inspect the device for damage, cracks, etc. The seams should be smooth and the valves should be easy to turn.
Most of us have been accustomed to cast iron heating radiators since childhood. They were installed in most Russian apartments back in the days of the Soviet Union. Then the decision to install cast iron batteries on a mass scale was the only correct one, since this material combines high power and an affordable price with a fairly long service life. Cast iron heats apartments without failure for several decades. Also, many owners of private houses preferred to choose this material, proven over the years.
To this day, cast iron heating appliances remain one of the most popular. Even on the Internet, the question “which heating radiator to choose?” forums often recommend this. It can be assembled from several sections using nipples with gaskets to obtain required size. Cast iron batteries can withstand pressure up to 10 atmospheres. More modern models with pressure testing they have an increased pressure threshold - up to 20 atmospheres. Also, cast iron heating radiators can withstand water temperatures of up to 130 degrees. Thus, they get along well with traditional central heating systems. The main advantage of cast iron is also its low price, especially compared to the most modern materials.
Of course, cast iron batteries also have disadvantages. First of all, this is the heaviest weight among all types of radiators. Because of this, difficulties arise with the installation of devices. Externally, all cast iron radiators also do not look very aesthetically pleasing. However, this can be corrected by using gratings, but they will require additional space. Therefore, owners of small apartments prefer compact batteries with their own design. Another disadvantage is the possibility of defective cast radiator construction, which in the future will lead to coolant leaks. It can be said that the low cost of a cast iron battery is rarely a factor that can outweigh the significant advantages of devices made from other materials. After all, these advantages relate to the quality of heating, appearance and reliability of the design.
In general, any heating device that is made of two types of metal can be called bimetallic. For example, there are batteries made of copper coated with aluminum. Manufacturers are prompted to choose one or another combination of metals by the desire to combine their properties.
Although this is true, it is still customary to call a certain group of devices bimetallic, which are made of steel and coated with aluminum on the outside. It is this combination that is considered the most successful for the manufacture of a heating device.
What distinguishes these two metals?
The combination of steel and aluminum in the manufacture of a heating battery gives a combination of two remarkable properties:
Maximum internal strength;
Good thermal conductivity and uniform heating of the entire radiator.
Of course, this manufacturing method is more complicated and more expensive than if only one metal is used for the entire structure. Thus, one section of a bimetallic radiator can cost up to 700 rubles.
How to choose bimetallic heating radiators for an apartment?
There are now several large manufacturers of such devices on the market. The variety often confronts buyers with the difficult task of choosing which bimetallic radiators to choose. As a rule, the percentage of defects among products from different manufacturers is equally small and is easily detected upon inspection.
There are two main factors to consider:
Center-to-center distance of the liner.
Number of sections.
The center distance for bimetallic heating radiators can vary from 2.5 to 5 cm. Which model should you give preference to?
Let's think logically, based on the properties that distinguish models with smaller or larger interaxial liner distances.
If you need to decide which bimetallic heating radiators to choose to quickly replace an old cast-iron battery, then take a similar one with a distance of 5 cm.
If you want to replace the battery with a more compact one and are willing to spend money on adapting your connection, then choose any model with a small center distance. But do not forget that similar heating requires more such sections.
Aluminum batteries are produced by adding silicon to the base metal. This allows us to make them much more durable and resistant to external influences. To prevent the inner surface in contact with water from rusting, it is often coated with a polymer. The thickness of such a coating reaches 50 microns.
In general, models of heating batteries can differ radically from each other in size, design and other properties. The following classifications will help you decide which aluminum heating radiator to choose:
In general:
Panel, consisting of two plates welded together;
Tubular, the body of which consists of tubes;
Cast, manufactured by one-piece casting;
Extrusion, the design of which includes three elements bolted together. When assembling such models, it is important to take care of the tightness of the joints, for which special silicone gaskets are used.
By dimensions:
Radiators standard size 40 by 58 cm.
Low, the height of which can be up to 15 cm. Such heating devices will come in handy if there is no room in the room for standard ones. In this case, you can compensate for the level of heat transfer by increasing the width. Minimum height low radiator - 2 cm. Such models are also called plinth models.
Tall. In this case, on the contrary, the small width is compensated by an increase in height to several meters. Such heating batteries are suitable for rooms with high ceilings. There they will not take up much living space and will warm the air well. Companies produce models of this type in various design solutions, including, for example, towel holders. This makes them a beautiful and useful addition to a room's design.
If you want to choose such a radiator, the included thermostatic valve may be an additional advantage. A thermostat is attached to such a valve, which allows you to change the temperature in the apartment by adjusting the heating strength.
To choose an aluminum device, you can focus on several objective criteria:
Manufacturer. Which heating radiator manufacturer should you choose? It could be a European, Russian or Chinese company. Often pushes to choose the latter low price(about 50% lower than European prices). European models are preferred by wealthy people who are accustomed to focusing on quality. However, Russian manufacturers do not always lag behind foreign ones.
Dimensions. As we have already said, aluminum radiators can be up to 5 cm high. Such (standard) heating radiators can be chosen for an ordinary apartment. They fit easily into their dimensions and provide sufficient heat. Devices with a smaller height are made for apartments with non-standard windows, under which a regular radiator simply will not fit.
Heat dissipation. Each radiator model may have a different heat transfer level than the standard. If we talk about devices of standard height, then German radiators have the highest heat transfer. Next come Chinese and Russian manufacturers.
Price. Depending on which company you choose for an apartment heating radiator, what its heat output and size will be, you can end up with a completely different cost.
Here are a few useful tips, how to determine the quality of a particular model by appearance and other understandable factors:
First- pay attention to how much the radiator weighs. Divide its weight by the number of sections. Each of them must weigh at least 1 kg. Lower weight (for Chinese companies it can drop to 650 g per section) a priori means low quality. Experts recommend avoiding such devices.
Second– try to bend the radiator fins with your hands. If you select high-quality model, then the shape will never change under such a weak influence. Accordingly, the quality of the material, which bends easily, leaves much to be desired. Such batteries are also not worth taking if you do not want to face the problem of constant leakage.
AQUALINK® radiators can operate both with autonomous and centralized heating systems. Aluminum batteries, like bimetallic ones, have a number of features that adapt them to the specifics of Russian heating systems. The undoubted advantages of this brand also include high heat transfer and low inertia. The combination of these qualities ensures that the AQUALINK® battery will quickly heat the room up to desired temperature. The number of sections can vary from 4 to 12, so that you can choose the size of the radiator for any room. If you are still not sure which company to choose a heating radiator for your apartment, then take a closer look at AQUALINK®, a brand that, among other things, has a quality certificate in the GOST R system.
The last thing I would like to say is that now you can easily choose a radiator on the Internet. On the manufacturers' websites you can inspect the models, get acquainted with their characteristics and order delivery of the selected radiator directly to your home. A good online heating equipment store has online consultants who will help you make your choice and provide certificates of conformity. The SantekhStandard company will help you decide on the choice of equipment and place an order. You just need to contact us by phone:
In our educational program for you, we tried to cover in as much detail as possible one of the fundamental issues in the design of water heating systems. What types of radiators are there, what are their fundamental differences and what type is right for you, what to look for when purchasing.
To understand how a particular type of radiator will behave in a particular heating system, you need to understand a number of aspects of the operation of liquid heating. In particular, the heat conversion chain from the heating source to the direct air in the room is important.
Heat transfer occurs the faster, the higher the contact area of two bodies with different temperatures and the greater the difference between these temperatures. Therefore, the optimal option is when water of extremely low temperature enters the boiler heat exchanger, so that most of the heat from the combustion products will be literally “absorbed” into the coolant.
In reality, this approach is used only in those systems where the power of the heating unit is not regulated, as is the case with solid fuel boilers. Most modern heating equipment has a fairly flexible automation system, which allows you to quickly reach a balanced operating mode. In this case, the boiler delivers exactly as much energy as the system’s radiators are capable of dissipating.
This is the main misconception of novice designers: it is most obvious that the radiator should heat the air, although in fact its main task is to cool the coolant. The heat transfer rate can be easily adjusted by forced convection and its local adjustment. Therefore, when choosing and calculating the number of heating radiators, the main task is to compensate for heat loss in the premises, and not to struggle with balancing the heat exchange circuit.
The high efficiency of modern radiators is due to the first factor influencing the rate of heat transfer - surface area. Numerous fins made of thermally conductive material provide very rapid cooling of the coolant, the effect is enhanced by the high speed of air flow passing through the radiator.
The undisputed leader in this regard is bimetallic and aluminum radiators. In addition to numerous channels for air flow, they have a bend at the top of the ribs, which allows you to effectively redirect the air flow to the center of the room and loop it around. Therefore, this type of radiator is installed mainly under windows with wide sills or inside technological niches.
Panel panels have a slightly less efficient convection ability. steel radiators. From one to three ribbed panels provide high-quality heat transfer, but the heated air is directed predominantly vertically. Cast iron radiators have the lowest heat transfer. Among old-style batteries, the best performance in this regard is characterized by sections with oblique internal inserts; modern cast-iron radiators are slightly superior to them. But as you will see later, cast iron has other advantages.
Let us consider in more detail the option of operating the system at average temperatures of the coolant, when it does not have time to cool down to the level of the air in the room. In this case, both the upper and lower parts of the radiator will have a small temperature difference, and the boiler will only slightly heat the coolant.
Massiveness cast iron radiators allows operation in this mode. Heated to 50-60 ºС, they manage to give off enough heat to the room air and at the same time provide stable heating without noticeable changes. This is the main difference from the operating mode of aluminum radiators: they operate in a cyclic mode, either warming up the room at maximum power, then quickly cooling down.
Cast iron and steel radiators have one more interesting feature: they transfer heat not only by convection, but also by direct radiation. However, to heat such a mass of metal takes time, sometimes quite a long time. In terms of the speed of reaching the operating mode and the amount of heat released per unit of time, cast iron radiators are inferior to other types. It is beneficial to install them in a private house with good insulation, but when connected to a centralized heating system, cast iron will not provide any tangible benefit. Considering the fact that in apartments the number of sections and the space for their installation are very limited, it is better to give preference to steel or metal.
An additional limitation when choosing heating radiators is always the quality of the coolant and technical specifications systems. Aluminum ones are not suitable for replacing old radiators in an apartment; they are simply not designed for pressures above 6-8 atm. At least bimetallic ones are suitable as a replacement, but it is better to give preference to steel ones. They can be confidently called the most unpretentious among other varieties.
The quality of water or other coolant also greatly limits the use of aluminum radiators. You must be sure that the water does not contain high concentrations of dissolved ions. It is also important to exclude any manifestation of electrical emissions, which is possible when grounding/neutralizing metal elements heating water supply. Under such conditions, aluminum corrodes extremely quickly, which is accompanied by pronounced gas formation and airing of the system.
Cast iron batteries are not at all sensitive to aggressive substances, and fairly wide flow channels allow a significant content of mechanical impurities. Steel radiators can be somewhat susceptible to the deposition of undissolved particles on the internal walls, so the water for them must be filtered and softened.
The heat transfer and the potential ability to regulate the flow locally depend on how much volume passes through the radiator per unit time. Cast iron radiators require a slightly larger throughput pipelines than for steel and aluminum ones. And this means deliberately overestimating the boiler power and the size of the expansion tank.
Large displacement and power reserves remain a reasonable investment until a certain time. In this mode, the heating system consumes its operating resource much more slowly, there is a slight increase in the efficiency of the heating unit, and the high intrinsic heat capacity smoothes out temperature differences. However, it is not worth increasing the internal volume of the system indefinitely, at least because of the unwanted inertia of the system; moreover, the ultimate task remains to heat the air in the room, and not the water in the pipes.
The modern method of calculating the heating system implies reverse order calculations. First, it is determined how many radiators need to be installed to replenish heat loss, and then a heating boiler is selected for a certain total power. In this case, the calculation in each room should be carried out using a redundancy factor from 1.1 to 1.5, depending on climatic conditions, features of insulation and density of radiators.
Note that power dissipation values are entirely relative. This is how the manufacturer indicates how much heat the radiator is capable of dissipating in principle, as if it were connected to an ideal heating system. In fact, operating modes always differ from ideal ones and therefore special corrections should be taken, noting the actual temperature level from the design one. The indicated values for the heated area also take into account the convection capacity of the radiators.
When choosing radiators, it is also necessary to take into account the installation conditions: whether it will be possible to fit a heat exchanger with the required dissipation power into the available space. For convenience, here we can introduce the concept of energy density: it will be highest for aluminum radiators, followed by bimetal, then steel, and cast iron batteries are the least profitable. Assessing the possibility of placing a certain type of radiator is quite simple, since they are well standardized.
The simplest problem is with bimetallic and aluminum radiators. They are assembled from sections, each of which has a set indicator of power dissipation, displacement and heated area. Standard width sections - 80 mm, height can vary from 13.5 to 117.5 cm in increments of about 10 cm. There are six types of sections depending on the number of flow channels (columns). There is a directly proportional relationship between the size of the section, its thermal and convection efficiency.
In addition to dimensions, steel radiators have an additional two-digit marking. The first is the number of dissipating panels, the second is the number of heat exchange coils. Depending on this, the depth of the radiator changes: from 47 to 155 mm. Steel radiators are not assembled from sections, and therefore their length is determined individually for each product in the range from 40 cm to 3 meters. The height of steel radiators can be either 300mm or 500mm, with rare exceptions.
Cast iron radiators have the least clear standardization in terms of dimensions. Some manufacturers adhere to the dimensions generally accepted for aluminum and bimetallic radiators; some products correspond to the dimensions of sections of old cast iron batteries: 90x580 mm with a depth of 90 or 140 mm.
