Repair Design Furniture

How to choose the right heating radiators for an apartment. Which heating batteries are better to choose for an apartment. What to look for when choosing radiators

The radiator is an important part of the home heating system. Its thermal conductivity and aesthetics affect the appearance of the room and comfort. Price is also an important factor. This is especially true for apartments. We will try to tell you in this article how to make the right choice of a heating radiator for an apartment.

Heating system and radiator compatibility

There is a wide range of heating radiators on the market:

  • steel;
  • aluminum;
  • cast iron;
  • Copper;
  • bimetallic devices.

The choice of a particular radiator depends on various parameters of the entire heating system. The allowable temperature, pressure in the system and the composition of the coolant are taken into account, as well as heat transfer and inertia, which must correspond to the indicators of the heating system of an apartment building.

Popular life hacks for home and summer cottages on the portal https://build-experts.ru, building tricks and recommendations from experienced foremen.

Important! Heating radiators for open systems of apartment buildings differ from those designed for closed heating systems of private (individual) houses. If the radiator does not match your heating system, not only rapid wear is possible, but also a complete failure of the radiator.

How to choose a radiator?

First of all, when buying a battery, you should pay attention to its technical and operational characteristics, and only then to the cost or appearance.

Regardless of the country of manufacture, it must be clearly understood that not every battery can withstand the operating conditions of our heating networks: fluctuations in pressure and temperature, poor quality of water supplied to the pipes (coolant) and others. For example, in high-rise buildings for a single-pipe open heating system, the design temperature is 105 ° C, and the pressure is 10 atmospheres. But, despite this, the limits of these parameters can go off scale, and heating radiators of foreign manufacturers that do not have the necessary margin of safety may simply not withstand a water hammer.

Note! Before buying a radiator, it is necessary to take into account the allowable temperature and pressure of the coolant in the heating system. These data are indicated in the passport of the heating device.

The heat dissipation of the heating battery is also important. The efficiency of air heating depends on this indicator, which is also determined by the design of the radiator. For example, the heat transfer of aluminum is higher than that of steel, and copper gives off heat better than cast iron. However, relying only on these technical parameters is also not entirely correct. It is necessary to comprehensively evaluate all the advantages and disadvantages of each element of the heating system before buying the best heating radiators for the apartment in which you live.

Heating radiator options

Consider the most common types of heating batteries on the market

Cast iron radiators

Cast iron batteries have been used in domestic heating systems for over a hundred years. They have shown excellent resistance to corrosion, are sufficiently durable, have good heat dissipation and are able to withstand pressure and temperature drops in the system. Almost ideal option for operation in the territory of the countries of the former USSR.

Cast iron radiators are able to retain heat for a long time, even after an emergency shutdown of the system. These batteries withstand both poor water quality in the system and water hammer. They are not affected by rust or air pockets, compared to appliances made from other materials. All these advantages make cast-iron radiators an ideal option for a heating battery for an apartment.

The disadvantages of cast-iron radiators include high inertia, unsightly design and bulkiness. The inertia makes these batteries unsuitable for heating systems with thermoregulation.

The exception is modern models in retro style, with monograms, patinated, painted to look like copper, bronze or brass, which fit perfectly into the interior, being both a heating device and an art object.

Aluminum radiators

Sectional radiators made of aluminum are very popular today. Light weight, aesthetic appearance, high heat dissipation, these batteries are good for arranging heating systems in apartments and houses.

Thanks to the sections, you can dial any length of the radiator, and ease of installation is another indisputable plus. This type of batteries is not inertial, which makes it possible to install them in systems with temperature controllers. In addition, a large amount of coolant (water) is not required.

A significant disadvantage of aluminum batteries, experts consider susceptibility to corrosion at high concentrations of alkali in water, as well as a tendency to form air bubbles inside the structure and the risk of leakage between sections.

Steel radiators

In the heating systems of houses and offices, you can often find batteries made of steel. They may look different:

  • Type-setting panel from separate sections;
  • One-piece rectangular construction;
  • tubular construction.

The advantages of steel batteries are in an affordable price, inertia, attractive appearance, excellent heat dissipation and corrosion resistance.

However, steel batteries are not capable of withstanding water hammer in excess of 25 atmospheres, which makes them unacceptable for use in high-rise apartment buildings. In addition, steel is quite sensitive to the presence of oxygen in the coolant.

The optimal pressure for the normal operation of steel batteries ranges from 6 to 16 atmospheres and depends on the thickness of the steel and the design of the device. The operating temperature must not exceed 110°C. Heat transfer is carried out by convection and radiation through the walls of the device and the grate located in the upper part of the radiator.

Bimetallic radiators

Bimetal radiator consists of aluminum fins and steel piping. This type of battery is optimally suited for operation with our city district heating networks. In this design, hot water circulates through seamless steel pipes, welded together by a method that prevents corrosion and destruction of the metal. And aluminum, in turn, due to its high thermal conductivity, perfectly transfers heat from the core to the room.

The radiator is able to withstand pressure in the system up to 40-50 atmospheres. Modern designs have a fairly attractive appearance. Thus, in a bimetallic radiator, the properties of steel and aluminum are combined in the best way as heating devices.

Among the advantages, one can also point out that bimetallic batteries contribute to the turbulent distribution of air masses (with eddies). Thus, there is no local overheating of the air, the formation of a positive ionization field in the heater zone. Bimetallic heaters can serve for about 20 years and come to the retail network already painted, which simplifies their maintenance.

The disadvantages of bimetallic heating devices include their rather high cost, as well as the tendency to accumulate slag deposits along the inner walls over time and sensitivity to the presence of oxygen in the coolant. They also distinguish the resistance that occurs at the interface between the two metals, which reduces the efficiency of heat transfer as a whole.

Copper radiators

Copper heating radiators are made of seamless copper pipe. The design consists of a pipe with a diameter of about 28 mm, complemented by copper fins and a wooden casing. The efficiency of air heating is achieved due to the high thermal conductivity of copper, which is 2 times higher than that of aluminum and 5-6 times higher than that of steel and cast iron. Copper has a low inertia and can be used in systems equipped with thermostats.

Despite the fact that copper batteries require less coolant, they heat up in 3 minutes. In this case, there is no need to drive large masses of hot water through copper batteries (for example, as is the case with cast iron appliances).

The advantages of copper are undeniable:

  • Corrosion resistance;
  • Plastic;
  • It is not subject to wear when exposed to an aggressive environment;
  • Plastic;
  • High efficiency at low coolant temperature;
  • Suitable for installation in apartments of multi-storey buildings.

Interesting! After the first 90 hours of operation of copper radiators, an oxide layer forms on the inner surface, which subsequently protects the battery from mechanical and chemical damage from poor quality hot water.

Almost the only drawback is the high price of copper heating appliances.

Calculation of the power of heating radiators for an apartment

For a normal microclimate in a living room, the heating radiator should not overlap 70-75% of the width of the window opening. Then the cold air from the window and the warm air from the battery mix freely and move around the room, without fogging the windows. Therefore, instead of 5-6 powerful sections, it is better to put 8-10 sections with less power, but occupying the required area under the window.

To find out the required power of the radiator, it is necessary to multiply the area of ​​\u200b\u200bthe room by 100 watts. If:

  • If the room has 1 window or outside door and 2 outside walls, then the battery power is increased by 20%;
  • 2 windows and 2 external walls - by 30%;
  • The window faces north or northeast - by 10%;
  • Battery in a niche - by 5%;
  • The radiator is closed by a panel with slots - by 15%.

Heating radiators are usually used as heating devices in apartments and private houses, and the first question that arises when installing heating systems is which batteries are better to install in an apartment? The answer to this question depends on many factors, and in order to thoroughly understand it, it is necessary to consider the features of the device and the operating conditions of all types of radiators currently on the market.

To date, there are four most popular types of radiators:

  • cast iron;
  • aluminum;
  • steel;
  • Bimetallic.

Based on the difference in shape and material, each type of radiator has its own characteristics, and it is they that determine their use.

Cast iron radiators

The familiar bulky cast-iron batteries, painted with paint, are a thing of the past. To replace them, modern varieties of cast iron radiators appear in stores, which have not only an attractive appearance, but also reliability, proven for decades.

Features of cast iron radiators:

  • Working pressure from 6 to 10 atm., test - up to 18 atm.;
  • Can work in systems with any pipes;
  • Can be used for a long time in central heating systems with a pH value of 7-9;
  • The partitioned structure allows you to select the required number of sections, and in the case of reconstruction, add or remove them.

Cast iron radiators have a number of advantages. They are little susceptible to corrosion - as a result of the primary interaction with water, a black insoluble precipitate forms on their inner surface, which prevents the penetration of oxygen dissolved in water to the metal. The destruction of cast-iron pipes from the inside, with proper operation, is extremely slow. Outside, the radiators are covered with resistant paint and are reliably protected from destruction. Cast iron radiators have extremely low gas formation, they do not boil, do not require constant air bleeding.

One of the main disadvantages of cast iron batteries is their heavy weight, which makes them difficult to install. The disadvantages of cast-iron radiators can also be attributed to inertia - cast iron heats up slowly and cools slowly, so it is impossible to quickly control the air temperature in a room with cast-iron radiators.

Steel radiators

Steel radiators have the form of a ribbed plate, inside of which there is a hermetically welded circuit filled with a coolant. The large area of ​​the radiators and the ribbed surface shape provide good heat dissipation and convection conditions for warm air. The material - steel, has almost the same thermal conductivity as cast iron, but the wall thickness of steel batteries is less, so they warm up faster. Steel radiators are designed for operating pressures from 6 to 10 atm.

Advantages of steel radiators:

  • The shape and appearance allow you to successfully fit steel radiators into any modern interior;
  • Steel radiators, like cast iron ones, with proper water treatment in central heating systems serve 15-25 years;
  • Can be used in systems with any pipes. Both in one-pipe and in two-pipe;
  • They are low cost and easy to install.

Before installing steel radiators, it is necessary to produce - a closed circuit does not allow to build them up and change the thermal characteristics.

Under pressurized conditions, steel panel radiators may lose their tightness. Therefore, you should not use them in houses with more than 5 floors - the system in them is designed for a pressure of more than 6-8 atmospheres.

Aluminum radiators

Aluminum radiators have a neat, compact and modern appearance, they are also sold in the form of stacked sections, so you can choose the optimal number of them, determined by calculation. The height of aluminum radiators is also different, so they can be placed in convenient places in the room. The working pressure of aluminum radiators is from 6 to 12 atm., Test - up to 25 atm.

The advantages of aluminum radiators are obvious:

  • Have a modern look
  • Heat dissipation is high compared to other radiators and can reach 200W per section;
  • Aluminum radiators are much lighter than other types of batteries, due to this they are easy to mount;
  • You can choose the required number of sections;
  • On the outside, they are protected by a polymer coating that protects the radiators from damage.

The main disadvantage of aluminum radiators is that they can only be used for a long time in closed systems with strict pH control of the coolant. Do not use pipes and fittings made of other metals. Aluminum is an extremely active metal, and when interacting with copper and brass forms a galvanic couple, which can cause electrochemical corrosion and the appearance of surface currents. Therefore, to implement coolant supply systems for aluminum radiators, it is better to use plastic pipes, and ground the radiators themselves.

In addition, when in contact with fresh, oxygenated water, aluminum reacts, the product of which is hydrogen gas. Gas bubbles entering the system cause unpleasant sounds. Because of this feature, when installing aluminum radiators, it is imperative to provide a gas exhaust system and install a Mayevsky crane.

Based on these features, we can conclude that aluminum radiators, despite their low price and excellent heat dissipation, should not be installed in city apartments with centralized heating. If it is impossible to control the quality of the coolant, one cannot be sure of their long service life.

Bimetal radiators

As the name implies, these radiators are made of two metals - steel and aluminum, while using the advantages of both of these metals. The internal circuit that conducts the coolant in bimetallic radiators is made of steel, which allows them to be used in systems with any pressure and with various types of pipes and fittings. The outer plates, which transfer heat into the space of the room, are made of aluminum and, due to its high thermal conductivity, perfectly heat the room.

Advantages of bimetallic radiators:

  • High working pressure - up to 35 atm.;
  • Resistance to corrosion at any quality of the coolant;
  • Low inertia - radiators quickly heat up, cool down just as quickly, and by controlling the supply of coolant, you can quickly reduce or increase the temperature in the room;
  • Attractive appearance;
  • Light weight, easy installation;
  • Sectioned design, allowing you to select the desired number of ribs.

The disadvantages include, perhaps, the higher price of bimetallic radiators. What is soon compensated by their reliability and long service life. It should also be noted that when installing bimetallic radiators, it is imperative to observe the distances to the wall, floor and window sill - it must be at least 4 cm.

Summing up, we can say: for installation in an apartment with central heating, it is better to choose cast-iron or bimetallic radiators, and for low-rise buildings - also steel. Aluminum radiators are best used in closed systems connected to a heating boiler, that is, where it is possible to check the quality of the coolant.

Carrying out repair work, people often face the task of replacing old batteries with modern, highly efficient counterparts. Naturally, the question arises - how to choose the most efficient heating radiators which of them is best to install in the apartment. The answer will depend on many components, the main of which are the area of ​​\u200b\u200bfuture heating, the type of intended device, its operating conditions, etc. Nowadays, the building materials market offers a wide range of heaters made from different raw materials and for various needs.

Central heating system: main characteristics

For apartment radiators there are special requirements, as they will become part of the district heating, which has its own specifics of work. All such systems have similar operating conditions - the heat carrier flows through the heating mains from a CHP or boiler house to a multi-storey building, where, with the help of a pump and other equipment, it is distributed through internal pipelines that deliver it directly to the dwelling.

The district heating system has its own underwater rocks and major disadvantages:

  1. Fluctuations in temperature indicators (either rapid heating, then cooling);
  2. The possibility of sudden pressure drops - water hammer;
  3. Low coefficient of heat transfer to the batteries, as a result, insufficient heating of the premises and uneven temperature of the latter (some are hot, others are cooler);
  4. Seasonal draining of the coolant from the system;
  5. Poor water quality - the presence of aggressive components, oxygen, sludge, hardness, acidity, etc.

All of the above, over time, leads to increased wear of equipment. And in a situation where a water hammer occurs, the connections themselves batteries may start to leak or even burst, causing a lot of trouble. Also, due to a non-ideal coolant, which, when circulating, can carry plaque, particles of rust, lime and other debris, the channels and pipes of the radiators are clogged. The result of this will be shortage of paid heat resource, as well as increased corrosion reactions inside the heaters, which significantly reduces their shelf life.

Important! To minimize all these risks, you need to correctly select heating devices.

Selection Options

The main point for which worth paying attention, when selecting radiators is material from which they are made. Different alloys will behave differently under the same operating conditions. At the moment, the market is ready to offer four main types of heating equipment:

  • cast iron;
  • aluminum;
  • steel;
  • bimetallic.

For each type of heater, the manufacturer prescribes its technical characteristics:

  • operating pressure;
  • maximum allowable pressure;
  • design feature (sectional, tubular or panel);
  • water volume;
  • recommended hardness and temperature of the coolant;
  • warranty period of the device.

Most of the products on the market made according to the requirements of the EU states, the quality of heating networks, which, at times, surpasses domestic ones. Therefore, be sure to consider this fact when buying. For example, the pressure indicator in our centralized heating systems is 11-16 atmospheres for high-rise buildings and 5-10 atmospheres in standard 5-storey Khrushchev houses. The operating temperature of the supplied fluid ranges from 65-90 °C. Choosing heating equipment, based on these data, you protect yourself from possible emergencies.

Video. Which radiators to choose

The main products on the market can be divided into several of the most popular categories:

Aluminum

This type of battery is primarily has a beautiful aesthetic appearance, correct and ergonomic shape, as well as excellent technical characteristics. They are quite compact, can be sold in separate typesetting sections. This is very convenient, because by making the right calculations, you can choose the size that optimally heats your room. Aluminum radiators are available in different heights and can be placed in any convenient corner of the room. The standard operating pressure at which the heater is most dissipates heat efficiently, is 6-12 atmospheres, the maximum allowable, with sharp jumps up to 25 atmospheres.

The advantages of such equipment include:

  • Excellent modern design;
  • The increased heat transfer coefficient, depending on the wall thickness, can be up to 200 W per section of a standard size;
  • The low weight of the devices, which simplifies their installation, even with your own hands;
  • By a set of elements, you can choose the required size that meets your requirements;
  • Excellent powder coating that prevents damage.

The main disadvantage of such batteries, according to consumer reviews, is their ability to long-term operation only in closed cycle systems, with strict monitoring of the level of coolant hardness. Such networks must be made from the same material as the radiators, since aluminum, in contact with brass and copper parts, can start electrochemical reaction processes. Modern systems are recommended to be implemented using plastic pipes, and the heaters themselves are securely grounded.

Important! Another phenomenon inherent in aluminum batteries ispossible unpleasant sounds . They can appear after the interaction of the metal with a liquid abundantly saturated with oxygen, as a result of which hydrogen is released. Because of this feature, eachequip the radiator with a Mayevsky crane.

Taking all of the above into account, we can say that heaters made aluminum, despite a number of positive properties, in city apartments better not to mount.

Video. What is the difference between aluminum radiators and bimetallic ones?

Bimetallic

This type of equipment is made from an alloy of two metals - soft aluminum and hard steel. The design of such batteries suggests that their inner part, which is in contact with the coolant, made of steel, and the outer aluminum. This one-stop solution allows the use of this type of heaters in systems with any (within reasonable) pressure and with different types of connections and main pipes.

The advantages of such products:

  • Increased wear resistance and resistance to corrosive reactions, with any composition of the coolant;
  • Permissible pressure up to 35 atm.;
  • Good external data;
  • Light weight and ease of attachment;
  • Weak inertia - increased heating capacity, have excellent heat transfer performance;
  • Equipped with taps for adjusting the intensity of supply of the heat carrier;
  • Type-setting type of a design allowing to choose the device of a necessary configuration.

Essential There are no flaws in these products., except perhaps a higher cost compared to competitors. But it is justified, first of all, by reliability and a longer service life. This type of radiators by popularity occupies leading positions in most ratings dedicated to heating appliances.

Important! When installing such products,instructions must be followed from the manufacturer, as well as adhere to the technical distances from the wall, window sill and floor - at least 4 cm.

Cast iron

The good old cast iron is known to almost every inhabitant of our country, due to its widespread use in the former USSR. Times are changing, and bulky, standard shape and painted with ordinary paint, batteries are gone. In their place come modern analogues, made from the same cast iron, but made with other technologies, according to the new aesthetic requirements.

Cast iron batteries

Advantages of heaters made of cast iron:

  • Are operated in any systems of heating, with all types of pipe production;
  • Can work for a long time in district heating networks, with low quality of the coolant, the pH of which is in the maximum allowable range of 7-9;
  • Working pressure of products 7-10 atmospheres, maximum 18 atm.;
  • They have a sectional type-setting design, which allows you to change the size to suit your needs.

Cast iron heaters have a number of undeniable advantages and unique qualities. The main one of which is that they practically do not undergo the process of corrosion. This is due to the fact that during the initial contact with water, a thin layer of insoluble black precipitate forms on the alloy, which serves as an obstacle to the active oxygen contained in water entering the metal. The destruction of the structure of cast-iron elements from the inside, of course, occurs, but extremely slowly. From the outside, they are covered with modern powder paint, specially designed to withstand large temperature differences. In such batteries, the processes of gas formation are insignificant, due to which there is no seething and there is no need for constant bleeding of air masses.

Against the backdrop of all the positive aspects, there are also negative ones - these are huge weight leading to installation complexity, and high inertia. Due to the latter, the heating of cast iron is rather slow, as well as cooling, so it is impossible to quickly adjust the temperature of a room equipped with such heaters.

Steel or tubular

Batteries made from this material are universal and budget solution equip the heating system in a modern way. They are presented in the form of two plates, inside which a heat carrier passes in steel tubes of a welded contour. Radiators of this type have different sizes and a ribbed surface that provides excellent convection qualities and increased heat transfer. The metal has the same thermal conductivity as cast iron, however, with some difference - its thickness is several times less than that of cast iron products. Due to this, they warm up much faster. This type of radiators is designed for operation at operating pressure up to 10 atmospheres.

Advantages of steel products:

  • Variety of shapes and modern design, allow you to place such batteries in any interior;
  • Long period of operation, subject to proper water treatment;
  • Are applied in systems with any kind of pipes;
  • Relatively low cost and easy installation.

An important nuance before buying steel radiators is their correct and correct calculation, in view of the fact that they are implemented in certain sizes and build up as sectional ones, they will not work.

Also, it should be noted that in conditions of prohibitively high pressure surges, steel panels, may leak and leak. Therefore, their use in buildings with more than five floors is not recommended.

Tubular radiators are a type of steel batteries, they only differ from panel radiators in a special design. There are various shapes and designs. They have all the above characteristics of steel products.

How to calculate

There are certain rules by which calculate compensation for heat loss premises and, accordingly, find out the necessary thermal power of the devices in order to compensate for losses and create comfortable conditions for a person.

For the calculation itself, you can use the following formula:

K=S*100/Pc,

where K is the number of sections, S is the estimated area of ​​heated square meters, Pc is the heat transfer power of one section of the battery (this value is indicated by the manufacturer in the product passport). Such the calculation is applicable for aluminum, bimetallic and cast iron heating appliances.

For steel non-separable steel-type radiators, it is customary to take the power value from the passport. The heater is selected at the rate of 100W per 1 m2. That is, if the area of ​​the room, for example, is 20 m2, then you will need a 2 kW radiator, or two panels of 1 kW each.

Thermal power of 1 section of the battery according to the passport, W Room area, m2
10 12 14 16 18 20 22
140 8 9 10 12 13 15 16
150 7 8 10 11 12 14 15
160 7 8 9 10 12 13 14
180 6 7 8 9 10 12 13
190 6 7 8 9 10 11 12
200 5 6 7 8 9 10 11

Counting the number of sections

Electrical

Sometimes the use of centralized heating is impossible for a number of reasons - this may be a breakthrough in the heating main, economic unprofitability, etc. In such a situation, many consumers pay attention to electric batteries. And not without reason, they a lot of advantages- they are easy to operate, economical, perfectly adjustable, both mechanical and remote, and also have an acceptable cost. In many countries of Western Europe, residents have long moved away from central heating systems in favor of individual electric heating networks. To date, the market is represented variety of heating devices using electricity, the most popular of which are fan heaters, oil and infrared radiators, as well as convectors.

Results

Choosing new batteries for the apartment, don't save too much, as this in the future may result in big trouble, in the form of a flood. Therefore, the problem of selecting heating equipment of this type, come with full responsibility, collect all the necessary information, consult with experts. Buy products only from well-known and trusted brands that can reliably provide you and your loved ones with warmth.

Video. 10 mistakes when replacing radiators

Radiator

One of the most important indoor equipment of the room, which creates warmth and comfort in any home.

The radiator selection process consists of two stages:

  1. The choice of the type of the device itself.
  2. Calculation of thermal power and the number of radiator links.
Modern water heating radiators come in different types depending on the material of manufacture and design.
When choosing a radiator, experts advise paying attention, first of all, to the material of the sections, since it is this material that affects the heat transfer of the future battery, its weight and durability.

1 Types of radiators


Advantages:
  • high heat transfer
  • large flow area of ​​intercollector tubes
  • high working pressure 10-16 atmospheres
  • elegant design
  • light section weight
  • optimal price
Flaws:
  • Possible corrosion in heating systems where an ethylene glycol-based carrier is used as a heat transfer medium.
  • There is a need to remove air from the upper manifold using a vent valve.
  • The least durable place of aluminum radiators is threaded connections of sections (compared to steel ones).
Among others, aluminum radiators have established themselves as the most efficient heating devices that are used in private houses, offices and apartments of houses of various heights.


Advantages:

  • high heat dissipation
  • resistance to low quality coolant,
  • high working pressure (from 20 atmospheres),
  • durability (service life - up to 20 years),
  • small volume of coolant in the section,
  • elegant design.
  • Also, these radiators of the Monolith series can be used in steam heating systems.
Flaws:
  • high price (15–20% more expensive than aluminum radiators),
  • smaller flow area than aluminum radiators,
  • the hydraulic resistance of bimetallic radiators is greater than that of steel ones, therefore, in heating systems where this type of radiators is installed, more energy is required to pump the coolant
Bimetallic radiators have proven themselves and cope with long-term high-pressure loads, successfully endure hydro- and pneumatic shocks.
Experts advise their use where additional reliability is required - in apartment buildings and high-rise office buildings. In private houses and cottages, such radiators are used less frequently, due to the low pressure in closed heating systems (up to 2 atmospheres), their use may not be appropriate.


Advantages:

  • high heat transfer
  • elegant design
  • relatively budget heating option
  • low operating pressure (from 6 to 8.7 atmospheres)
Flaws:
  • rusts when draining coolant
  • does not withstand pressure during hydraulic tests
  • does not react well to oxygen entering through the piping system
A steel radiator is the best option for heating a country or private house. The fact is that a steel radiator “cannot stand” a centralized heating system, which is most often found in apartment buildings. It is also not recommended to install steel heating radiators in damp rooms.

IMPORTANT! If the quality of the coolant is low, or its effect on aluminum is unknown, then it is better to use either bimetallic or steel radiators.
Advantages:
  • high thermal inertia (keep warm for a long time)
  • high wear resistance
  • durability (service life - about 50 years)
  • working pressure (10 - 15 atmospheres)
  • ease of use
  • low cost
Flaws:
  • prolonged heating
  • do not allow you to quickly change the temperature and intensity of heating
  • large mass of the radiator
  • low heat transfer
  • the need for coloring
  • do not have convection, they give off heat only around themselves, due to this, the room warms up more slowly and unevenly.
Cast iron radiators continue to be bought and successfully used in central heating systems and natural circulation systems. It is not recommended to use cast iron radiators for autonomous heating.

IMPORTANT! The final decision in favor of one or another type of radiator should be made based on the main characteristics of the heating system for which the heater is intended.
  • central or individual heat supply of the house;
  • operating and test pressure in the heating system;
  • type of heat supply system - one-pipe or two-pipe;
  • maximum temperature and PH of the coolant.

2 Calculation of thermal power and number of radiators

Having decided on the type of radiator, you need to pay attention to the thermal power, the value of which depends on the particular room.
The amount of power consumed depends on a number of indicators:

  • room size;
  • the number of external walls of the room and windows;
  • type of house (brick, panel);
  • window type (wooden, plastic).
Selection of heating radiators by thermal power

The calculation of heat transfer is given for a room with a standard ceiling height of up to 3 meters and window sizes of up to 1.5 by 1.8 m.
In the general case, for ease of calculation, with good thermal insulation of the room, you can take one section of the radiator for 1.5-2 square meters. m. area of ​​the premises.

Thermal power for all types of radiators is different:
cast iron radiator - 80–150 W (for one section);
steel radiator - 450-5700 W (for the entire radiator);
aluminum radiator - 190 W (for one section);
bimetallic radiator - 200 W (for one section).
The power of the radiator, sectional or solid, is indicated in the technical specifications provided by the manufacturer. The optimum temperature of the coolant, water, under such conditions should be 70 ° C.

IMPORTANT! Whatever the choice of radiator, according to experts, special attention should be paid to the two most important points: the features of the heating system and proven manufacturers whose equipment quality will not be in doubt.

3 Complex purchase

Consumables: ball valves, tees, jumpers (bypass), extension pipes, brackets, plugs, fittings.
Sealants: silicone, linen or thread.
Paints and varnishes: primer, paint for metal surfaces, patina.
Fastening tools: anchor bolts, dowels, union nuts.