Which room batteries are better. Which heating radiators are better: choose which radiators to install in an apartment and a house

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 upon primary 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 from 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

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Repairs in apartments of the old stock often require a complete replacement of all heating radiators. Cast-iron monsters of the Soviet period cannot be eternal, besides, their efficiency leaves much to be desired. A natural question arises: which heating radiators are best for an apartment? The price of the product is not the only selection criterion. Here it is important to think over everything to the smallest detail - from the aesthetic component to practicality and economy.

Comfortable temperature in the house depends on the choice of heater

Which heating radiators are better to put in an apartment: types, disadvantages and disadvantages

Heating appliances are made of various materials, each of them reacts in its own way to pressure and temperature. So, the types of heating batteries in the apartment:

Steel convector batteries

These are panels and between which metal plates are installed. The coolant circulates in the panels. It is believed that these devices have the highest heat dissipation.

Such devices are very popular among owners of country houses. Steel heaters are produced in the Czech Republic, Italy, Finland. They differ in the number of sections and metal ribs

Positive aspects of steel radiators:

• good heat dissipation;
• low power consumption;
• low inertia;
• environmental friendliness;
• democratic price.

Disadvantages of steel batteries:

• tendency to form rust;
• instability to water hammer.

It is the last minus that is a significant obstacle to the installation of a steel heater in a multi-storey building. When deciding which radiators are best for an apartment, steel heaters should be considered last.

Cast iron batteries

These products are considered the cheapest and most durable.

Cast iron in modern or retro style is produced in England, France and Turkey.These radiators can withstand up to twelve bar pressure and coolant temperatures up to one hundred and ten degrees. Thus, water hammer and boiling water in the heating system are not terrible for them.

Advantages of cast iron heating systems:

• half a century of operation;
• resistance to temperature and pressure of centralized heating systems
• long-term heat retention, slow cooling.

Flaws:

• heavy weight, which requires particularly strong fasteners;
• long warm-up period;
• a large amount of coolant used;
• fragility.

Aluminum heaters

When solving the problem “How to choose heating radiators for an apartment with central heating”, unfortunately, products made of light and durable aluminum should be excluded from the list. These batteries have the best thermal conductivity and an attractive exterior. But they are completely unsuitable for use in a central heating system due to instability to water hammer.

Aluminum heaters are available in lithium and extrusion and can withstand pressures as low as 16 bar.

Therefore, if the apartment is equipped with its own boiler, these radiators are hard to find better.

Advantages:

Disadvantages of aluminum heaters:

• short service life - up to fifteen years;
• weak convection;
• chemical instability of the material;
• inability to withstand water hammer.

Bimetallic products

At first glance, these batteries are very similar to aluminum ones. Their body is made of this light metal, and the interior is made up of steel elements.

Bimetallic heaters are produced in Russia and Italy.On sale you can find pseudo-bimetallic products, additionally reinforced with steel verticals. They are less resistant to corrosion, but are characterized by increased heat transfer.

Advantages of bimetallic products:

• high heat transfer;
• resistance to water hammer;
• ease of installation;
• aesthetics.

Minuses:

• high price.

Which radiators are better: aluminum or bimetallic?

There can be only one answer to this question: of course, bimetallic heaters are the best choice. They not only combine all the advantages of aluminum and steel products. These batteries are distinguished by increased strength and resistance to water hammer, which often threatens central heating systems and is the main cause of numerous accidents in heating networks.

Helpful information! Bimetallic devices withstand pressure up to twenty atmospheres!

Choice and calculation

So, how to choose heating batteries (radiators) for an apartment in an apartment building:

• Instruments must maintain a pressure of at least 15 atmospheres.
• Heaters must withstand water hammer.
• The design of the device must be resistant to corrosion and chemical attack.
• The heat transfer performance of the device should be studied.

Aesthetics of the device is not the last selection criterion

• Batteries can't last forever, but the longer they last, the better.

How to calculate the number of radiators

For the calculation it is necessary to measure the area of ​​\u200b\u200bthe room. This is a problem for a third grader: you need to multiply the width by the length. For example, a standard room 3x5 m = 15 sq. meters of area.

To heat an apartment located in central Russia, an average of 41 W of thermal energy per square meter is required. Multiply 15 by 41 and get 615 watts. For our own peace of mind, we will round the figure to 650.

Each modern battery has technical documentation that indicates its thermal power. It remains only to choose the right number of sections. The proposed calculation option is very conditional and does not take into account the features of a particular apartment. Therefore, we suggest using the calculator below.

What are the best heating radiators for an apartment: the price of products and manufacturers

Despite the fact that the choice of heating devices on the domestic market is very wide, there are undoubted leaders among manufacturers who have earned an impeccable reputation:

• Smart (China);
• Kermi (Germany);
• Purmo (Finland);
• Rifar (Russia);
• Royal (Italy);
• Global (Italy).

To solve the problem of which heating radiators are better for an apartment, the price of the product is not decisive, but remains an important factor. Below are the most popular battery models.

Table 1. Overview of popular radiator models

Image	Model	Material	Mount type	Heat transfer, W	Average price, rub.
	Monolit 500 Rifar	bimetallic	wall	1960	6890
	STYLE 500 PLUS Global	bimetallic	wall	1140	6991
	RS 500 Bimetal Sira	bimetallic	wall	2010	8450
	Thermo 500 Revolution Royal	aluminum	wall	1448	3704
	Alum 500 Rifar	aluminum	wall	1464	3840
	RAP Thermal 500	aluminum	wall	1288	3120
	22 500 FTV(FKV) Kermi	steel	wall	1930	5332
	22 500 Compact Purmo	steel	wall	1470	4119
	2180 Arbonia	steel	wall	780	8132
	500 STI Nova	cast iron	wall	1200	6470

When the construction work in the house is completed, the question arises of how to arrange the heating system so that the house is warm. The main unit of the heating system is, of course, heating radiators. Their choice must be approached with particular seriousness, because the strength, durability and reliability of your system depends on it.

The downside is the prohibitively high price, which is beyond the reach of the middle class. You can buy cheap models of bimetallic radiators, but only the name remains of the qualities.

It is not advisable to use bimetallic radiators for a private house due to the high cost. They have the greatest strength, but the local network of the heating system does not have high pressure, so the advantage of this radiator is useless in this case.

By structure, radiators are divided into tubular, sectional, convector and panel.

Steel radiators

All batteries have their drawbacks, which are functional in nature. The convector radiator is durable, economical, safe and quite beautiful. The only negative is the high price, because they are made from high-quality and expensive materials.

Correctly give preference to one or another type of radiators will help such a characteristic as power. It's easy to calculate: in a room with a ceiling height of 300 cm and one window, 100 watts will be needed to heat one square meter. When the room has two external walls, add another 20%. If there are two external walls and two windows, add 30%. When the window exits to the north side - 10% should be thrown. An important factor will be the installation of radiators, because no matter how good you buy batteries, if they are installed incorrectly, there is still zero sense from this. Heat loss

1. Batteries must be placed under the windows
2. their length must correspond to the length of the window, or at least half the length
3. in the corner room, you can install an additional pair of radiators along the outer wall
4. it is better to mount heating risers in the corners. This will ensure their heating and the ability to avoid blackening of the wall and the formation of mold.
5. they must always be available.

When choosing heating radiators, you should rely on the technical characteristics of the radiators and the heating system itself, as well as the budget. With proper study, you can always find a middle ground for yourself.

No matter what high-quality batteries are in the apartment, sooner or later there comes a time when they have to be replaced with new appliances. And immediately the problem is - which heating radiators are better to choose for an apartment? Another case when there is a desire to install new batteries is if the apartment has long had old cast-iron "accordions" that do not want to fit into the interior created by the owners.

The modern market offers a wide range of radiator models made of various materials and having a completely aesthetic appearance. Comparing the design of modern appliances with rough cast-iron batteries or inefficient and low-quality convectors that were previously installed in apartments, of course, I want to see such novelties in my possessions.

Criteria for choosing radiators

It is necessary to approach the choice of modern radiators with all responsibility, since not all of their varieties are suitable for installation, for example, in a central heating system. Some types have characteristics that are designed for a clean coolant and a certain maximum load, so they simply will not be able to withstand water hammer, which, alas, is not uncommon in our utility networks. Other radiators, on the contrary, in an autonomous heating system will not show all their potential.

In addition to the selection of radiators according to performance indicators, it is necessary to correctly calculate the number of sections in the batteries for each individual room, otherwise their efficiency will be very low, and the apartment will not be comfortable enough.

So, the effect of installing new heating devices will be expectedly high, given all their operational nuances and following all the recommended technological installation rules.

To date, several different types of radiators are produced, differing in the material of manufacture and design:

1. Cast iron batteries, both old models and improved, with an elegant modern or retro design.
2. Steel radiators - tubular and panel.
3. Bimetal heaters made of two types of metal.
4. Aluminum of various quality levels.

When choosing batteries for installation in an apartment, the following criteria must be considered:

• The maximum pressure in the central heating system in the local heating network, and the possible limit for which the vending radiators are designed..
• The maximum temperature and features of the composition of the coolant in the system, as well as the endurance of radiators to these effects.
• Material for the manufacture of devices and its main physical characteristics.
• Battery design.
• Required radiator power - based on this parameter, the number and size of sections required for efficient space heating are calculated. These calculations are made based on the recommendations of building codes and regulations, and can be carried out in various ways, which will be discussed later in the article.

To begin with, you can give a small table, which, although briefly, but quite informatively characterizes the main types of heating radiators. Well, then consider the main types in more detail.

Types of radiators	Pressure limits: working (Rb), test pressure testing (Op), destruction (Rz), bar			Limitation chemical composition coolant by pH (hydrogen indicator)	Corrosive action: oxygen (Ok), stray currents (Bt), electrolytic pairs (Ep)			Section power at h=500 mm; t=70°С, W	Warranty, years
	Rb	Op	Rz		OK	Bt	Ep
tubular or panel steel	6÷10	15	18:25	6.5÷9	Yes	Yes	weak	85	1
cast iron type MS÷140	10÷12	12÷15	20÷25	6.5÷9	No	No	No	160	10
aluminum	10÷15	15:30	30÷50	7÷8	No	Yes	Yes	175÷199	3÷10
bimetallic	35	50	75	6.5÷9	Yes	Yes	weak	199	3÷10
anodized aluminum	15:20	25÷75	100	6.5÷9	No	No	No	216,3	30

Types of heating batteries and their main characteristics

Cast iron radiators

Cast iron radiators are "long-lived", but do not lose their relevance today, especially since they acquire an elegant appearance and improved performance. Batteries of domestic and foreign production are on sale, and there are certain differences between them - about them a little later.

• Batteries made of this material have not lost their demand, despite the fact that other, more modern heating devices have appeared, primarily due to the technical characteristics of cast iron. It is not subject to corrosion, radiators are not afraid of water hammer, as they have fairly thick walls. Another advantage of cast iron over other materials from which radiators are made today is its high heat capacity, that is, the ability to maintain temperature for a long time, even when external heating is turned off.
• It is also positive that cast-iron batteries will function perfectly not only in an autonomous system with a high-quality coolant and controlled pressure, but also in a central heating system. True, it is worth immediately making a reservation about that. That it is undesirable to install them in autonomous systems that work with electric boilers - operation can turn out to be too expensive in terms of high power consumption.
• Cast iron radiators, for example, which are quite suitable for installation in an autonomous open-type heating system, where the coolant is inevitably saturated with oxygen. For cast iron, this is not scary - the material is not subject to oxygen corrosion.
• The thick walls of cast iron heaters not only keep the temperature of the coolant longer, but also increase the resistance of the batteries to abrasive wear.

• If the old batteries had one standard size range, and for the proper heating of the room it was necessary to select a radiator exclusively by varying the number of sections, today devices with different power parameters are produced. This expands the possibilities of a comprehensive selection of the right radiators, both in terms of the required power and the design of the premises.
• In order to install old cast-iron batteries, it was necessary to drive brackets into the wall, which means damaging its finish. Modern batteries are produced both in a hinged version and in a floor version, with reliable legs. The latter are simply installed on the floor near the walls, and connected to the heating circuits.

• Many modern models of cast iron radiators do not have to be periodically painted, as was the case with older battery options. They go on sale ready for installation, and already have a treated and painted surface, which does not need to be refreshed with a layer of paint annually. To care for these devices, you only need a damp, soft cloth, which is used to brush off or wipe off dust. You can also notice that the absolutely smooth surfaces of modern batteries are fundamentally different from the rough sections of the old model, so dust is practically not collected on them.

• Some cast-iron battery models are produced in very original design styles, which allows them to fit into any interior, even modern, even executed under the "retro". It is possible to choose heating devices in such a way that they will also become a decorative element of the design of the room, complementing and transforming it.

The main disadvantage of all radiators made of cast iron is their heavy weight. If you plan to hang them on brackets, the latter must be securely fixed in the wall - and not every partition is even able to withstand such a load. In addition, to lift and hang such a battery, you will definitely need an assistant.

Cast iron radiators of domestic and foreign manufacturers

On the Russian market, you can find both domestic and imported cast-iron radiators. European countries — Germany, Italy, the Czech Republic, Spain and others — present their products in a fairly large assortment. These products differ significantly from Russian ones in some characteristics:

• Unlike traditional domestic MS-140 or MS-90, foreign products have smoother, well-finished outer surfaces, and the original retro versions are decorated with molding in the form of floral relief ornaments.

• Imported products have a higher thermal power with small dimensions. So, for example, with the same heat transfer, the volume of filling the domestic battery section with a coolant is 1.3 liters, and the Czech production is only 0.8 liters. Therefore, this option will be more compact and accurate.
• Foreign products have internal perfectly smooth cavities, which contributes to the normal circulation of the coolant, without high hydraulic resistance, and prevents the formation of deposits of dirt and scale on the walls of the channels.
• Domestic batteries go on sale with primed surfaces and require painting, while imported ones are immediately ready for installation.

• The "minus" of foreign products is their very high cost, several times higher than the price of Russian-made batteries.

In fairness, it must be said that the production of more modern cast-iron batteries is gradually being established in our country. In addition, excellent cast-iron radiators of European quality are also produced in neighboring Belarus at the Minsk Heating Equipment Plant.

Conclusion: for the conditions of an apartment, cast-iron radiators are quite applicable, especially when connected to a central heating system, of course, taking into account their characteristic shortcomings.

Prices for cast iron radiators

cast iron radiator

Steel radiators

Modern steel radiators differ both in their construction and design. They are usually made in the form of panels or pipes arranged together, which is why such heaters are called tubular or panel. To understand their design and characteristics, you need to consider each of the types of batteries separately.

Panel steel radiators

Panel radiators consist of two steel sheets, which are given the desired shape by stamping. Then the blanks are welded into a hollow panel and, if necessary, equipped with special convector elements - in order to create a vertical directed movement of heated air, thereby forming a kind of thermal curtain from the cold coming from the window.

The coloring of such a battery occurs after the assembly of all elements into a common structure. The paint is applied using a special technology that ensures the strength and durability of the coating.

Prices for heating radiators ELSEN

Heating radiators ELSEN

In order for steel batteries to last as long as possible, the protective paint layer must be applied evenly. Therefore, when purchasing this type of device, special attention should be paid to the coating, since steel sheets can be susceptible to corrosion in damaged areas that are not protected by paint.

Panel batteries are designed for a coolant having a temperature of up to 85 ÷ 95 degrees, as well as for a standard pressure created in a centralized heating system.

The number of panels and heat exchange convector "accordions" can be different

This type of heating device usually has its own classification, which is based on the number of panels and convection heat exchangers in the finished assembly. An example is shown in the table:

Panel radiators can vary quite a lot not only in the number of panels, that is, in the depth of the structure, but also in other dimensions. Their length can be from 400 to 3000 mm, and the height usually varies from 200 to 900 mm.

In addition, panel batteries are produced with a bottom or side connection. The choice for this parameter is made depending on how the piping of the heating circuit is located.

Panel heating radiators have their advantages and disadvantages, which you should definitely familiarize yourself with before making a decision to purchase.

The positive aspects of panel radiators include the following:

• Relative ease of installation of devices in the heating circuit. The radiator has a one-piece construction, and it does not need to be assembled from separate sections.
• Panel radiators tend to warm up quickly. A sufficiently large area of ​​the panel itself and the fins of heat exchangers-convectors contributes to efficient heat transfer, so the room warms up quickly enough.
• The compact size and aesthetic appearance make it possible to fit such a radiator into almost any interior.
• To fill an autonomous system with panel radiators installed in it, a fairly small amount of coolant is required.

Panel radiators also have their own significant disadvantages, which include the following:

• They are reliable at normal pressure in the central heating system, but are not designed for powerful water hammer, which often occurs when the system is filled with coolant before the start of the heating season. Panels may simply not withstand such a test. Therefore, if they are chosen for installation in an apartment, it is necessary to use a special device to protect against excessive intra-system pressure - a reducer that will smooth out the load on the panels by taking the blow.
• The internal surfaces of the panel often do not have an anti-corrosion coating, although they are in direct contact with the coolant, and the durability of their use will depend on its quality. As you know, in the central heating system, the coolant is often not of high quality, and may contain very active impurities that contribute to metal corrosion. Therefore, as a rule, a panel type of a radiator cannot be used in such conditions for a long time, since steel unprotected surfaces are not resistant to aggressive environments.

Based on the above considerations, conclusion that the installation of panel steel radiators in apartment conditions with a central heating system is undesirable.

Tubular steel batteries

Unlike panel radiators, tubular ones consist of several sections, but "tightly" fastened together by welding. Therefore, they also do not need to be assembled, since they are purchased ready-made, representing a complete structure from a certain number of sections. Therefore, in order for heating to be efficient, it is necessary to calculate the required total power required for a specific area before purchasing such radiators, and from these considerations select the optimal model.

Batteries of this type are designed for an internal system pressure of 8 ÷ 10 atmospheres, so it would be useful to install a reducer, since water hammer when filling the central system with a coolant can lead to emergency situations.

Steel radiators have a wall thickness of only 1 ÷ 1.5 mm, so the coolant quickly heats them up, and the metal begins to transfer heat into the room. However, it should be noted that thin walls are also a weak side of such batteries, as they are easily susceptible to mechanical damage.

Tubular structures are more resistant to the aggressive environment of low-quality coolant than panel structures, since they usually have an internal protective coating of polymeric materials. Therefore, they are less exposed to corrosive influences and, accordingly, with other normal parameters of the system, they can last longer.

Tubular radiators can have a variety of, sometimes even "unexpected" dimensions. So, their height is from 200 to 2500 mm, depth - from 100 to 250 mm, and the width can vary widely depending on the need for total thermal power.

Tubular radiators are produced in a wide variety of design solutions, they can be wall and floor. Moreover, they are installed both near the wall or window, and even in the middle of the room. For installation in the center of the room, radiators are used that have a height equal to the height of the ceiling, taking into account the supporting legs. This option is used when the room needs not only to be heated, but also divided into separate zones.

• Some battery designs are equipped with wooden panels mounted on top, and, in fact, are a bench designed for different needs, depending on the location of the heater. For example, if it is installed in the hallway, it can be used as a shoe stool, as it will be convenient to sit on it. In the evening, shoes can be placed on a wooden surface to dry.

Since tubular batteries are produced in various colors and in various, even sometimes unexpected design delights, they can be matched to any interior design.

The disadvantages of batteries with a tubular design include only two main points, but quite serious, negatively affecting the efficiency and safety of the apartment heating system:

• Sufficiently low heat transfer, leading to an increase in energy costs if the batteries are installed in an autonomous heating system. The design heats up quickly, but it also tends to cool down quickly, so the heating boiler will work almost constantly, with short interruptions. The conclusion is that it is unprofitable to install them in the autonomous heating system of a private house.
• The elements of the radiator are connected by welding, the seams of which will become a weak point in the event of water hammer. Therefore, mounting them in an apartment circuit connected to a central heating system is also undesirable. If they are nevertheless chosen due to a suitable design, then it is necessary to install a gearbox that will take the load from a sharp pressure drop on itself.

Conclusion from what has been said : Tubular steel batteries, despite their visual appeal, are far from ideal. The installation of such radiators in an autonomous system will lead to unnecessary energy costs, and in the central heating system - to an increased risk of accidents.

Aluminum radiators

Aluminum batteries have an aesthetic appearance, but it must be said right away that, according to their technical characteristics, they are not very well suited for installation in a central heating system.

For autonomous heating systems, the best choice is high-quality aluminum radiators

Aluminum radiators are very popular among homeowners with autonomous heating due to their elegant appearance and high heat output. In an autonomous system with a stable pressure and a high-quality coolant, aluminum heaters can last from 15 to 25 years - these are the periods that manufacturers usually indicate in the technical data sheet as the minimum.

Radiators are designed for internal system pressure up to 15 atmospheres and coolant temperature of 80÷90 degrees. They have excellent power (heat dissipation), reaching up to 200 ÷ 210 W, and at the same time, the volume of each of the battery sections is only 450 ml with a weight of 1 ÷ 1.5 kg. The sections are fastened with the help of a threaded coupling.

Aluminum batteries can vary in size. So, the standard distance between the lower and upper axis of the radiator can be 500, 350 and 200 mm. If desired, you can find or order devices with a non-standard distance of 700 or more millimeters.

The drawing shows a 500 mm center connection with a total stack height of 573 mm.

This type of battery is made from an alloy of aluminum and silicon additives that give the metal additional strength, but in two different ways - extrusion and casting.

Prices for aluminum radiators ROMMER AI

Aluminum radiators ROMMER AI

When using casting technology for the manufacture of parts, each section of the battery is cast separately by filling a special mold with a prepared alloy. This manufacturing technique guarantees the tightness of each section.

• Batteries produced by casting technology are designed for pressure in the heating system up to 16 atmospheres. During factory tests (pressure testing), the coolant is usually supplied under a higher load, which reaches up to 25 atmospheres, which indicates that the manufacturer provides consumers with an additional margin of safety for their products. Molded heatsinks come in a variety of shapes, but generally they have a smooth outer surface that allows for higher heat dissipation.

• The second, manufacturing method, according to extrusion technology, consists in forming sections by forcing the melt through special nozzles that set the configuration of the products. As a rule, the so-called secondary aluminum, a product of scrap processing, acts as a raw material here. The quality of the metal is certainly worse, since the composition of the alloy is not so balanced, the presence of impurities is not excluded. Such aluminum turns out to be more brittle, more prone to oxygen corrosion.

The finished sections are assembled into a common structure, which during operation cannot be increased by extension or reduced - a ready-assembled battery comes from the factory, which is a finished product. Such radiators also cannot be repaired - this should be taken into account when planning a purchase. Conditions of high pressure in the system, low-quality coolant, the likelihood of water hammer - clearly not for such radiators. True, the price of such heat-exchange devices is significantly lower than for cast ones.

• Another type of aluminum radiators is produced, but already with a high degree of purification of the feedstock and with anodic oxidation of surfaces. They are often referred to as anodic. During the manufacture of the original alloy, aluminum changes its structure several times - this process is carried out to achieve maximum resistance of the material to any type of corrosion. Therefore, such batteries are not afraid of the aggressive environment of any coolant.

Anode radiator sections are manufactured using injection molding technology and then assembled using threaded couplings and reliable seals. Such products can, if necessary, be disassembled, for example, to remove a damaged section, or extended to obtain the required total heat output.

The internal surfaces of the batteries, made of anodized aluminum, are perfectly smooth, which contributes to the unhindered circulation of the coolant. The working pressure of such radiators is much higher than that of conventional aluminum ones, and can reach up to 20 ÷ 25 atmospheres.

Externally, anode batteries do not differ from ordinary aluminum ones, but their cost is much higher. Therefore, when purchasing this version of radiators, it is imperative to check the product passport, which is always attached to such high-quality products.

All aluminum batteries have common "pros" and "cons", which you also need to know if you decide to choose this type for installation in an apartment.

So, the advantages of aluminum radiators include the following qualities:

• High heat dissipation.
• Light weight, which greatly simplifies the stages of transportation and installation work.
• Variety of sizes to choose from.
• Aesthetic appearance that allows you to "introduce" such radiators into the interior of any style.
• Relative safety of operation. When hitting even and smooth aluminum surfaces, it is more difficult to get injured than, for example, angular cast-iron batteries - this quality is especially important if small children live in the apartment.
• Aluminum batteries are excellent "friends" with thermostatic devices - this allows you to accurately control the temperature. This quality is especially important if an autonomous heating system is created in the apartment, since the devices for thermoregulation of radiators contribute to saving on energy consumption.

The negative aspects of these heating devices are the following factors:

• High risk of gas formation in the internal channels of the structure (applies to conventional, non-anodized aluminum batteries, cast or extruded).
• Possible leakage at the connection of sections without the possibility of repair - for extruded radiators made of recycled aluminum.
• Heat concentration in the area of ​​the fins of the device elements.

Some possible problems that arise during the operation of aluminum batteries can be bypassed. So, for example, in order to prevent gases from accumulating inside the structure, it is recommended to install a special air vent for each radiator.

General conclusion: If aluminum batteries will be installed in an apartment with an autonomous heating system, then any will do, based on the financial capabilities of the owners and taking into account all the above disadvantages. If the apartment is connected to central heating networks, it is recommended to choose only radiators made of anodized aluminum - it is more resistant to aggressive environments, high temperatures, and pressure drops in the system.

Bimetal radiators

Bimetallic radiators are currently the most popular of all types of modern batteries, second only to traditional cast iron batteries.

These heaters are produced according to the combined principle - they are assembled from parts made from two different materials, which, in fact, is clear from the name. So, the outer part of the battery is made of aluminum, which has maximum heat transfer, and the internal channels for the circulation of the coolant are made of high-quality steel alloy that is not subject to corrosion. Aluminum external surfaces have a protective enamel coating, which gives the radiators an aesthetic appearance.

Of course, if you plan to purchase a non-separable radiator, which is a one-piece structure, then divide by the specific power of the section Pc- is not necessary, that is, this part is simply excluded from the formula. The resulting value will show how much total radiator power is needed for this room.

However, these formulas will be valid only for standard average conditions. Therefore, when calculating the radiator by the area or volume of the room, it is important to take into account the correction factors that are determined by the minimum winter temperature in the region of residence, the location of the room, the quality of the wall insulation, the number and type of windows, the presence of a door to the street or balcony. Moreover, even the location of the batteries and the scheme of their insertion into the heating circuit can be of considerable importance for calculating the thermal power.

There is probably no point in listing all the correction factors and giving a rather cumbersome calculation formula in this article. It is better to invite the reader to use a convenient calculator, which already contains the main dependencies.

Calculator for calculating the required heat output of heating radiators

For the calculation, it will be enough to indicate the requested data. The calculator will allow you to determine the number of sections of the selected type of radiator. If the calculation is made only to determine the total thermal power required for high-quality heating of the room (for example, to select non-separable models of steel or aluminum batteries), then the field with the requested specific nameplate power of one section is left blank.

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