How does a hydronic heating system work? Closed heating system in a private house: types and diagrams of a closed heating system. Types of water heating systems

How does a hydronic heating system work?  Closed heating system in a private house: types and diagrams of a closed heating system.  Types of water heating systems
How does a hydronic heating system work? Closed heating system in a private house: types and diagrams of a closed heating system. Types of water heating systems

Water heating is considered the most reliable and simple system used for heating a home. Everything is very simple: the water is heated by a boiler, then it goes through pipes to the radiators in the rooms, gives off heat and returns to the boiler. The circulation process of water is maintained using a device such as a circulation pump.

Water heating system

The water heating system is a closed circuit consisting of a boiler that acts as a heat generator, pipeline system and batteries. Water or antifreeze circulates constantly through this system. The fuel to heat the water can be coal, firewood, kerosene or natural gas, electricity, converters, etc.

Water heating

In addition to the above components, which include water system heating, this also includes devices designed to regulate the system - expansion tank for removing excess water or liquid such as antifreeze that appears in the event of heating, thermostats, circulation pump, pressure gauge, shut-off, automatic air vent, safety valves.

A variety of pipes can be used for water heating:

  • Steel, stainless steel and galvanized steel. When installing such pipes, they are welded. Steel pipes– susceptible to corrosion. Galvanized steel and stainless steel do not have this disadvantage, and when installing them it is better to use threaded connections.

  • Copper. Such pipes are reliable, they can withstand very high temperatures, high pressure. Connect copper pipes high-temperature soldering with silver-containing solder. They can be well hidden in the walls of your home. Note that copper pipes are the most expensive; they are used mainly in the construction of exclusive facilities.

  • Polymer (metal-plastic, polyethylene, polypropylene, aluminum-reinforced pipes). Such pipes are quite convenient to install. Metal-plastic ones are durable and resistant to corrosion, they do not allow sediment to be deposited on the surface inside. They are mounted using press or threaded connections no welding. But such pipes have a high thermal expansion coefficient. Therefore, if there was only hot water for a long time, after which cold water began to flow, then such pipes may leak. Therefore, if the boiler operation is temporarily stopped in winter time and defrosting heating systems will be damaged.

Polymer pipes

The choice of pipe material that will be used by certain hydronic heating systems must necessarily be agreed upon with the designers, taking into account such factors as the likelihood of alternative or emergency heating of the building, preferences and financial capabilities. Experts have proven that copper pipes are the most reliable, so to build a long-lasting water heating system it is necessary to use just such pipes.

Installation steps for a water heating system

A water heating system must be planned based on the location of its main element - the boiler. The boiler itself is installed before planning the pipework. If the boiler is bulky, then a concrete pedestal 4-5 cm high is made for it. The stand can also be made of a sheet of iron with asbestos on top. Immediately after the pedestal is ready, the boiler is connected to the chimney, and all connections are covered with clay (but not cement!).

Boiler room of a private house

Remember that in the room where the boiler will be placed there must be good ventilation– either natural or forced. The ventilation opening can be equipped with louvres to help regulate air flow.

The boiler piping is done only with metal pipes.

Only after you have maintained the distance specified in the manual, you can conduct the pipeline using metal-plastic pipes, but the connections to the boiler should only be metal pipes. The pipes introducing water into the boiler must have the same diameter as those exiting. Adapters must not be used!

Types of water heating systems

The classification of water heating systems implies their division into single-circuit and double-circuit. The first type serves only to heat the premises. A two-circuit system is made not only for heating rooms, but also for heating water.

Practice shows that the installation of two single-circuit systems is often used: one of them heats the premises, and the second heats the water. At the same time, if it is summer outside, then you can use only one system, but remember that 25% of the boiler power is spent to heat water for domestic needs.

Schemes of water heating systems imply the use of three pipe layout options: one-pipe, two-pipe, and collector.

Single-pipe wiring is simple: here the heated water from the boiler flows sequentially from one battery to another. Therefore, the last battery in the chain will be cooler than the first. Typically, such a system is widespread in apartment buildings. Such a system is quite difficult to manage, because without special techniques it is simply impossible to block the access of the coolant to one of the radiators, since access to all the others will be blocked.

Single-pipe wiring

Two-pipe wiring assumes a principle of operation of water heating in which temperature regime indoors it is easier to adjust. To each heating device in in this case two tubes are supplied - with hot and cold water. Thus, pipes are also capable of being routed in a star shape - a pipe with hot water, but leaves with a cold one. In this case, the temperature of each battery is the same.

There is also a collector or beam distribution. In this case, two pipes are supplied from the collector to each heating device - forward and return. A collector is a device that collects water. Due to the versatility of collector systems, the operating principle of a water heating system can be hidden wiring pipes This scheme makes it possible to regulate the system and install special electric motors that maintain a given temperature in the rooms.

Collector (radial) wiring

The advantage that this water heating scheme brings is that the temperature in each room can be very easily adjusted, installation is relatively simple, and damaged sections of pipes can be replaced without disturbing the entire system.

Advantages and disadvantages of water heating

Among the advantages provided by a water heating system are the following:

  • Cost-effectiveness in material consumption.
  • Enough high level heat capacity. After all, the heat capacity of water is 4 thousand times higher than that of air heated to the same temperature.
  • Comfortable temperature.

As with any heating system, it is worth highlighting several disadvantages:

  • Labor-intensive installation and operation compared to other systems.
  • The need for constant monitoring of the operation of the heat generator.
  • In case of long-term departure, it is necessary to remove water. After all, if the water is not drained from the pipes, then in case low temperatures it will freeze, causing the pipeline to burst. In addition, the air pipeline is subject to corrosion processes quite quickly.

Installation of water heating is possible only during construction or major renovations.

If you need to heat several rooms at once, then one of the solutions with which this can be achieved is water heating. Although there are now many types of room heating, this one is traditional way is the most practical, widespread and accessible.

Types of water heating

During operation of this type of heating, water is heated, which moves through the pipes and heats the rooms.

There are several types of such systems:
  • With natural circulation. In this case, the system operates due to different densities of cold and hot water. Heating is carried out from below and, according to the laws of physics, natural circulation of water occurs through the pipes.

  • Combined system. Here the two previous options are used simultaneously.

In addition, water heating may differ in the pipe installation scheme:
  • Single-pipe or single-circuit, here the coolant moves through the pipes sequentially, so the temperature in radiators located closer to the boiler will be higher than those located further away.

  • Two-pipe, it makes it easier to regulate the temperature and in turn can be: star-shaped, loop, collector.

To heat water in such a heating system, boilers are used that run on fuel:
  • Solid (coal, briquettes).
  • Liquid (diesel fuel).
  • Electricity.
  • Combined devices.
System design

The design of the water heating system is quite simple, but it works effectively, which explains the popularity of this heating method.


Water heating consists of the main elements:
  • Boiler, it is used to heat water or antifreeze.
  • Expansion tank, during heating the water expands and it needs to go somewhere.
  • A pipe system, they can be steel, copper, metal-plastic or plastic, from which a closed heating circuit is created.
  • Devices that radiate heat into the room can be ordinary steel or bimetallic, etc. radiators, but now they often install heated floors.
  • A pump is necessary to pump water through the system.
  • Thermometer and pressure gauge, these devices are necessary to control the temperature and pressure of the liquid in the system; they can be built into the boiler or installed separately.
Operating principle

Some people call water heating steam, but this is incorrect. Steam heating is a separate species heating, it uses steam as a coolant, and in our case, water or another liquid coolant.

Regardless of the type, the operating principle of such heating will be the same. While the heating device is operating, water or other coolant is heated. After this, due to forced or natural circulation, the heated coolant begins to circulate through the pipes and heats the rooms. Heat can be released into the room either through heating radiators or through a heated floor system. The cooled coolant is returned through the pipe system to heating device, and the whole process repeats again.

Application area

Water heating is used both for heating multi-storey and private houses. In addition, it is used for heating offices, shops, industrial enterprises. This solution allows you to significantly save on the fuel used - electricity, coal or gas, etc.

This heating method is most often used in residential areas where people are constantly present. This is explained by the fact that it provides a comfortable temperature change mode, since there are no sudden changes during system operation. In addition, water or antifreeze have a high heat capacity, which allows them to cool for a long time and maintain heat, even when the boiler is not running.

Do not think that water heating is an ideal heating system. Installation of such a system is quite complicated, so if you do not have the appropriate skills, you will not be able to do it yourself. It is necessary to control the operation of the boiler so that it does not go out, with the exception of electric boilers, in which this process is automated.

When the system for a long time is not used, it is recommended to drain water from it, especially in winter period, otherwise you can defrost pipes and radiators. It is necessary to control that no air jams, since corrosion appears in these places.

If such a system is made by professionals and is properly operated, then it is capable of maintaining a comfortable temperature for living in any room.

Features of choice

When choosing this home heating system, you first need to decide on the source that will heat the coolant. If there is main gas pipeline, then it is better to use a gas boiler. A good alternative is an electric boiler, but you can also install solid fuel equipment or something that runs on liquid fuel. It all depends on which energy carrier will be the cheapest and most accessible in your region. You can connect several heat generators in parallel, which will operate in turn, depending on the availability of a particular type of fuel.

When choosing a circulation system, and it can be natural or forced, you need to take into account your requirements for the heating system and what your financial capabilities are. If water heating occurs in solid fuel boiler or furnaces with a water circuit, natural circulation of the coolant is often used. When using gas or electric heating, then it is better to use a forced water or antifreeze circulation system.

When choosing pipes, there are several options: metal, plastic and metal-plastic. For natural circulation, pipes must be installed with a slope; for this, metal pipes are better suited, but you must have special skills to install them. Metal-plastic and plastic pipes They can also be laid with a slope, but they are not designed for temperatures exceeding 95 degrees, so they are usually used to create forced circulation systems.

For connection metal-plastic pipes They use special couplings, so they can be easily installed with your own hands. To install plastic pipes, you need to purchase a special soldering iron; it is inexpensive and easy to work with.

When choosing a radiator, you need to take into account the way it is connected, it can be from above, from below, from one or different sides.

Advantages and disadvantages

Water heating with forced or natural circulation is most often used; let’s look at their advantages and disadvantages.

Advantages of a system with forced circulation of water or antifreeze:
  • You can automatically control the heat flow from the radiators and thus set the temperature in each room separately.
  • It is more economical, since the ability to regulate the temperature in each room separately leads to a reduction in the energy consumption required to heat water in the system.
  • It is possible to use plastic pipes, and this allows you to speed up the installation of the entire system and reduce the cost of materials.
  • Plastic pipes are hidden in the wall or placed above the baseboard, so they do not spoil appearance rooms.

The main disadvantage of such a heating system is that it requires electricity to operate, otherwise the pump will not work.

If we talk about the natural circulation of the coolant, then such a heating system is completely autonomous, since it does not require electricity to operate.

Disadvantages of a heating system with natural water circulation:
  • The water temperature cannot be adjusted in radiators.
  • Excessive fuel consumption.
  • We need to install pipes large diameter, and this increases the cost of such a heating system.
  • Pipes placed on the walls do not look very attractive.
  • This heating system is not compatible with heated floors.

Although there are many ways to heat a home, water heating has remained the most effective, practical and affordable for many years. Modern industry periodically introduces new or improved heat generators, pipelines and generators, resulting in efficiency this method heating increases and its cost decreases.

The climate of Russia does not allow the operation of any buildings without heating systems. The coolant (a substance for transferring heat throughout the room) can be water, antifreeze or air. Heating where water is the coolant is called water heating. Water heating is the most common type of heating. This is due to the availability of water (water intake to the house must be done in any case), as well as convenient operation, safety and reliability of water heating.

Although it is worth noting that water heating is more suitable for homes permanent residence. In winter, the water heating system requires constant operation or additional systems preventing the water heating system from freezing.

Water heating device

Heating is the process of heating indoor air, which compensates for heat loss in the house due to lower temperatures outside.

Heating of the house occurs due to the movement of coolant throughout the room. In the case of water heating, the coolant, heated water, moves through a pipeline and enters heating radiators, which, when heated, release heat into the premises.

The general layout of the heating system is as follows. The water is heated in the heat generator. Under its own pressure or under the influence of circulation pumps, water moves along a closed circuit of the heat pipeline. During its circulation, the water cools, transferring heat to the room, and returns back to the heat generator. This process is repeated as long as the water heating system is turned on and all its components are working properly.

Heat generators in a water heating system

3. Pressure gauge;

4. Hot coolant “riser”;

5. Hot water coolant main;

6. Thermostat;

7. Heating radiator;

8. Return (cooled) coolant line;

9. Drain coolant;

10. Water supply;

11. Radiator water valve;

12. Hot water supply main (DHW);

13. Small thermal circuit main;

14. Safety valve;

15. Circulation pump;

16. Automatic valve for bleeding (release) air from the system.

Single-circuit and multi-circuit water heating systems

Houses can have not one, but several independent heating circuits. For example, separately for radiators at home, separately for heated floors, separately for the boiler. Or separately for two halves of the house. Such water heating systems are more complex to install, but are more effective for high-quality home heating.

Single-pipe and two-pipe water heating systems

There is also a difference between single-pipe and two-pipe water heating systems. IN single pipe system The radiators are connected to the heating system in series, in two pipes in parallel.

That's all about the basic principles of water heating! Warmth for your home.

Several visually designed drawings of water heating systems:

Closed, double-circuit closed water heating system with DHW boiler with Expansomat

Closed, double-circuit closed water heating system

Heating in the house is complex device. Until recently, almost everywhere a system was used in which the coolant naturally circulated through it. But this system has many flaws, and significant increases in gas and electricity tariffs have made it expensive. Yes, that's it more people I started installing it at home, which we will talk about later.

Differences in the operation of systems with natural and forced circulation

Heating using circulation pump takes into account all the disadvantages of its analogue with natural movement coolant: in it you can increase the length of the pipeline, regulate the temperature regime and obtain uniform heating of the entire home. To understand what its improvements are related to, you need to consider the work of each of them.

The principle of heating operation with natural circulation

It is carried out as follows: the coolant enters the radiators due to the temperature difference between hot and cold water. When the fluid from the boiler is heated, hot water becomes lighter due to a decrease in density. So, it moves up the supply riser, and then flows through the pipes down to the heating devices, passing through them and giving off heat, then returns along the “return” to the boiler.

Principle of forced circulation system

Such a heating system has the following principle of operation: heating is carried out by introducing a pump into the system, which increases the pressure of the coolant. This makes it possible to connect heating with any radiators and pipelines.

It allows you to expand the possibilities of natural heating, create several options for its connection and simplify the device. When using a pump, there is no need for large diameter pipes, which are necessary for natural circulation. This only improves the appearance of the heating junction.

The forced system provides automatic temperature control; thanks to this function, you can create more comfortable conditions existence. Its only drawback is its dependence on electricity.


The operating principle of the heating system is based on the use of a circulation pump:


It allows you to expand the possibilities of natural heating, create several options for its connection and simplify the device. When using a pump, there is no need for pipes with a large diameter, which is the main condition for natural circulation. This only improves the appearance of the heating junction.

Thus, the operation of a closed system is similar to heating based on natural circulation, but it is more productive, since the pump built into it provides high speed coolant and thereby guarantees accelerated heating of the entire home.

Connecting system radiators

The radiator is connected in the usual way: the pipeline with hot water is located at the top, and with cold water at the bottom of the outlet. For small house Pipes with a diameter of 20 inches are suitable, and if the structure is large, then you need to install pipes with a diameter of 25.

Control taps are installed on each battery, which are necessary for uniform heating of all radiators. Naturally, the heating devices closest to the boiler heat up faster and stronger, and the very last ones may be a little warm. To avoid this, close the valves on the front radiators in time, and the coolant flows directly into subsequent heating devices.

The sequential connection of radiators leads to one single pipe, most often it is laid below the heating devices.


With this scheme, the coolant leaves the heating boiler heated to a certain temperature; it fills each of the connected radiators. This feature has a huge disadvantage - the temperature of the last batteries can be significantly lower than those located closer to the boiler. Another flaw in this wiring is the impossibility of adjusting the temperature if it is missing. It is a jumper with a tap that is installed on the incoming and outgoing pipelines.

In such a system it is impossible to shut off one of the radiators. Single pipe connection installed in multi-apartment buildings, completed in the last century. This scheme was often chosen because of its ease of installation and savings on pipes, because they are needed in half as much as with a two-pipe scheme.

Some craftsmen, in order to eliminate its shortcomings, perform independent tie-ins into the main pipe, and thereby heat additional areas(balconies, loggias) or insulate cool rooms. More details about the single-pipe design -.

If it is used, two lines are installed simultaneously to each radiator: incoming and return. The parallel method of supplying coolant ensures heating of one radiator. Each battery in such a system can be easily disconnected from the pipe if necessary; this is convenient for repairs, as well as for adjusting the heating of the room. For these purposes, a thermostat or a regular tap is installed at the radiator inlet.


There are modern automatic two-pipe systems that regulate and control the temperature themselves. Their disadvantages include: complex installation and the need for large quantities pipes

The two-pipe distribution system can be vertical or horizontal. Each of them is divided into several varieties.

Horizontal schemes

There are three of them:
  1. T upika. Is the simplest. In it, the temperature of the radiators depends on their distance from the boiler. The farther the battery is from it, the worse it heats. The circuit becomes longer, and there is no way to control the temperature.
  2. Star-shaped . When using it, two pipes are supplied to the boiler - with cold and with hot water. In this case, the temperature in the batteries is the same, but the length of the pipeline increases.
  3. Collector . The most effective. In its case, each battery has its own pipe through which coolant flows, thereby ensuring uniform heat distribution. It has significant disadvantages - high labor costs and the need to purchase numerous materials.

Vertical schemes

They come with two types of wiring:
  • Lower . Each room has two pipes. In general, there is a common riser that supplies coolant to all floors, and then it is connected to the radiator at the top, and from it the cooled water descends again to the first floor.
  • Upper . Assumes the location of the riser vertically from the boiler to the attic or technical floor. It is where pipes are laid for each radiator located on top floor. Then from each of them pipes descend to the batteries located on lower floors. As a result, only one pipe is supplied to the room.
Comparing horizontal and vertical system we can conclude that its first type is more economical: with it, the riser with the coolant is moved outside the living space and is located on the flights of stairs or in the corridor. In the rooms there are only pipes leading to the radiators. To eliminate air locks in the batteries, each of them needs a hole through which the air accumulated in the battery sections can be discharged. It is often used in private homes where there is an extended heating main.

A vertical heating connection scheme is protected from such air problems, but it is more expensive. It is used in multi-storey buildings, while the riser from it passes through the ceilings on all floors.

The circulation pump can operate effectively in any of the above heating schemes. The forced circulation of coolant created by it can ensure uniform heating of the entire home, regardless of the location of the radiators relative to the boiler.


Read more about two-pipe system heating - .

Advantages of the pumping system and its disadvantages

Availability in heating circuit pump gives the system several significant advantages:
  • Easy installation . This advantage is significant compared to the natural system. The fact is that when installing a circulation pump, there is no need for complex installation upper pipeline, there is no need to weld pipes, maintaining an angle of 300 and install main risers of large diameters.
  • Uniform and rapid heating of the home . Unlike natural circulation, in which the heating of radiators depends on the distance to the boiler, when using the pump version, the coolant enters all batteries at the same time, and if any dissonance occurs, it can be adjusted.
  • Heating a large area . This can be done if you choose a collector-type pipe layout. This ensures uniform heating of the radiators, no matter what distance they are from the boiler. Therefore, it is possible to extend the pipeline system to the required length without fear of losing heat during transportation due to its large length.
  • Possibility of using antifreeze . It will provide the system with frost protection.
  • Heating adjustment . It is carried out over separate sections of the network. Using the provided control valves, entire sections of the pipeline can be closed. Due to this, you can change the network layout and redo its connection diagram.
  • Extending the service life of equipment . Boiler devices in a closed system practically do not suffer from temperature differences; it is less noticeable at the inlet and outlet of the boiler.
  • Possibility of introducing additional elements into the system. The presence of a circulating pump makes it possible to install “warm floors”.
  • There is no need to adjust the water in the system. By including a pump and an expansion tank with a membrane in the heating circuit, and making it closed, we were able to reduce the evaporation of liquid from the system.
TO weaknesses forced heating systems include:
  • Electrical operation . The system’s dependence on the presence of a foreign resource results in the failure of everything heating equipment in the absence of energy.
  • Cost of the pump and its components . The device itself is inexpensive, but for its operation you need to purchase special adapters, taps and other parts.

Operation and diagram of a forced heating system (video)

The video below describes the principle of operation combined systemperfect option for arranging heating, and also shows the device two-pipe version. With it, there is no need to adapt to the system and place pipes at a certain distance; the pipeline can be installed anywhere: on the floor, walls and even on the ceiling.


A pump circulation system takes into account all the disadvantages of heating with the natural movement of coolant. This is an improved type, and now only it is used in the construction of new houses. In this case, there are two schemes with forced circulation: one- and two-pipe. They differ not only in the number of pipes, but also in their distribution and the pressure of the built-in fittings.

On the territory of our state, the most popular type of home heating is water heating, as the traditional and most rational option. Its high popularity is due to the relatively affordable price of the materials from which the system is assembled and the fuel, which in most cases is played by natural gas.

How does it work?

The operating principle of water heating is remarkable for its simplicity. This type of heating is characterized by a closed system, the main elements of which are pipes, radiators and a heating boiler.
The heat generator heats up the coolant (water, glycol solution), which, in turn, flows through pipes to radiators installed in heated rooms.

Hot batteries warm up the air due to heat transfer, and the rooms are equipped with comfortable temperature. Once cooled, the liquid is returned to the boiler, where its temperature rises and the cycle repeats over and over again.

Circulation type

As mentioned earlier, water heating operates by moving coolant through the system. Now we will look existing species water circulation, which have fundamental differences that must be taken into account when choosing a scheme.

Natural (gravity)

In this case, the heating process consists of different densities of hot and cold coolant.


The heated liquid loses its density and decreases in weight, so it is pushed upward, flowing through the pipeline. Having given off heat and lowered the temperature, the water becomes denser, sinks down and goes back into the boiler.

To the advantages natural system water heating can be attributed to its autonomy, since it does not require electricity, and a very simple design.

If we talk about the disadvantages, then an impressive number of pipes with a large diameter will be required, otherwise the process of gravity will be disrupted, and modern radiators with a small cross-section simply will not be able to dock with the main line. Also, when installing the pipeline, it is necessary to ensure a slope of 2°, which will facilitate the correct operation of the system.

Forced

Water flows through the pipeline using a circulation pump. The excess coolant mass that forms after heating is discharged into the expansion tank (in most cases closed design), which prevents liquid evaporation.


This rule especially applies to those cases when glycol compounds are used as a coolant. Pressure in forced heating systems must be controlled using a pressure gauge.

The advantages of such a water heating system are very obvious and consist in a small volume of coolant with a low flow rate of pipes, the diameter of which is inferior to the previous option.


Also here it becomes possible to set the desired heating temperature for radiators, which can be of absolutely any type. The disadvantage is the dependence on the power supply, without which the pump cannot operate.

Equipment

Water heating will be reliable and efficient only if all its parts are correctly selected and the installation is carried out correctly. In this case, the elements of the system must interact with each other and match each other by type.

Boiler

Selecting the main one heating device determined by the fuel that will be used to heat the house. According to their type, boilers are:


  • gas;
  • electrical;
  • liquid and solid fuel;
  • combined.

The most economical devices are rightfully considered to be those that operate on natural gas, however, they require a highway and constant monitoring by special services.

Complete independence from the central power system can be achieved using solid or liquid fuel, but will have to come to terms with concerns about the procurement and storage of energy resources.

An electric boiler is the least popular, as it consumes a lot of energy and, as a result, incurs high heating costs. In this case, it is better to install radiators that directly convert electricity into heat.


The power of the unit is selected according to the area of ​​the room that will be heated using a water heating system. The selection is made using an average ratio of 1 kW:10 m², while the height of the walls should be no more than 3 m. You also need to take into account the degree of thermal insulation of the room, the size window frames and the presence of third-party heat consumption points.

Highways

Traditional circuit pipes, which are easily susceptible to corrosion, are increasingly giving way to products that do not have such significant drawback. They were replaced by samples made of galvanized metals and stainless steel.

Copper parts, resistant to sudden changes in pressure and temperature, are rightfully considered the most reliable option. They do not rust and are easily hidden in the wall. Their only drawback is high price material that is considered a representative of the premium segment.


Metal-plastic pipes have a long service life. They have excellent strength, are resistant to corrosion, and do not accumulate sediment on internal walls, their installation is simple, and installation work is carried out quickly.

The disadvantage is the high coefficient of linear expansion during temperature changes, which can lead to damage.

Wiring

Water heating of a private house can be installed in different ways, depending on what types of functions are assigned to it. There are two schemes:

  1. Single-circuit.
  2. Double circuit.

One circuit

The first type is designed only for heating the room. It includes a single-circuit air exhaust boiler, single-pipe wiring and batteries with required quantity sections.

To ensure the supply of hot water, which is used for household needs, two such structures can be installed simultaneously. So, one of them will heat the house, and the second will be solely responsible for the hot water supply. This practical solution, since in the warm season there is no point in heating the home in order to obtain warm water for the shower or kitchen.

This design is very easy to assemble and affordable. It is suitable for houses with small area(up to 100 m²). This explains its popularity among owners small dachas. Single-circuit water heating can be improved by installing a circulation pump, temperature controllers on batteries and two-pipe wiring.

Two circuits

This wiring principle provides for the simultaneous supply of hot water and heating of the area. Suitable for houses where no more than 4 people live.


It is worth considering that tap or softened water is suitable here. Hard fluid from the well can damage the system equipment and therefore cannot be used.

System type

Having become familiar with the methods of coolant circulation through the mains, it is worth knowing that the circuit of a water heating system can be single-pipe, double-pipe or collector. Let's look at all three options in more detail.

One pipe

In this case, the water moves sequentially from radiator to radiator, losing temperature along the way, making each subsequent battery colder.


This negatively affects the achievement of a comfortable climate in the rooms.

Two pipes

For such a scheme it is more typical high-quality heating premises. It provides for the installation of two pipes that are connected to each radiator. One of them supplies the batteries with hot coolant, and the second takes the cooled water back to the boiler, so heat loss will be minimal.

Most effective option, at which mandatory element is a collector that separately supplies a pipe with hot water to each heating element. Another pipe returns the cooled coolant back.


Taking into account this feature, it is possible to carry out repairs and set the temperature of each radiator separately, without taking the entire circuit out of service. Unfortunately, here the pipe consumption increases significantly and it becomes necessary to install a manifold cabinet.

Distinctive characteristics

If we compare with air and electric heating, then water heating has firmly taken a leading position due to many factors. First of all, this affordable price for materials, work and operation of the system, including payment for the energy resource spent, which other types of home heating cannot boast of.

Here we can note high heat transfer heating elements that contribute to uniform heating of rooms and establishment of a comfortable climate. It is also important that the coolant can be heated using any type of fuel, which is impossible with electric heating.

All work on installing a water system can be easily done with your own hands and this is also a huge plus. With air routes, things are more complicated and, most likely, you will have to turn to specialists for help.