The best heating radiators for an apartment. How to choose heating radiators depending on the heating system and basic parameters. Advantages of this type of heating system

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Radiator - a device also known as a battery, is the most important part heating system any house or apartment. This device is present in every room and heats it. Everyone would like the chosen battery to work well for a long time and be pleasing to the eye. However, there are a huge number of models that differ in material, appearance, price, manufacturer, etc. To make it easier for you to navigate this diversity, below we will tell you which heating radiator is better to choose.

Which heating radiators to choose

First, you need to understand which material will be preferable. There are several main types of radiators on the market now:

Cast iron

Batteries made of cast iron are the cheapest. In addition, they last much longer than others and do not rust. But a number of disadvantages prevent us from clearly choosing this material: heavy weight, low heat transfer, the need to regularly repaint the batteries.

Steel

If you are thinking about how to choose heating radiators for a private home, then take a closer look at this type. They fit well into the interior of the rooms, perform the heating function well and are slightly more expensive than cast iron ones. It is only worth remembering that such batteries are vulnerable to water hammer and oxygen.

Copper

A copper battery is a single large-diameter pipe (up to 3 cm), which does not contain any other metals. The pipe is complemented by copper ribs and a wooden screen, providing visual appeal. Copper radiators conduct heat better than others, which is due to natural properties metal They heat up within a couple of minutes thanks to the small amount of water in the body and the low inertia rate. This is why many people prefer copper batteries, since a home heating system with them will not require such a huge amount of water as, say, with cast iron ones.

Copper is also one of the most resistant metals, because it is not afraid of low water temperatures, corrosion, aggressive external influences, etc. Accordingly, when asked about which heating radiators to choose for an apartment located in high-rise building, we can say with confidence that copper ones are 100% suitable. A significant advantage is also that the copper device itself protects itself from damage to the coolant, because an oxide layer forms inside it after some time of operation.

Aluminum

Batteries made from a metal such as aluminum are among the most popular. Among the advantages of this type are light weight, sufficient strength, and excellent design. Due to the fact that the radiator consists of sections, it is possible to select them optimal quantity required to heat a room of one size or another. Such a device can be chosen for installation in an apartment, as well as in a house with an autonomous heating system. Manufacturers produce aluminum radiators designed specifically for each of the two main systems existing in our country. One type is able to withstand high atmospheric loads, while the other, on the contrary, operates at low pressure. But there are also disadvantages: it is aluminum radiators that require more care during operation. However, servicing these radiators is easily possible using a special valve (or Mayevsky tap).

Bimetallic

This is the name given to radiators consisting of a steel pipe and coated with aluminum. The combination of the properties of these two metals provides greater resistance to pressure and water quality. Accordingly, this type is also possible to choose for both apartments and houses. The problem is the high complexity of such a design, which affects the manufacturing process and, as a consequence, the price of the device.

Which is the best heating radiator to choose: 5 criteria

Criterion No. 1. Type of heating system

This factor is paramount when choosing a battery, because different levels of water pressure in two heating systems lead to the need to choose different types of devices. In Russia there are centralized and autonomous heating systems. What is the difference?

In a centralized system, the water pressure is quite high and at the same time inconsistent. This is due to the fact that all batteries are connected to one pipe and are turned on one after another. When heating starts centrifugal pump turns on abruptly, which can lead to water hammer and damage to certain materials. In general, a centralized system does not spare the devices connected to it. The coolant in it is hard water, which damages metals. In addition, during periods of no heating, metals are subject to corrosion. To decide which heating radiator is best to choose for an apartment, first of all you need to look at the pressure level at which this or that type of device will function. To heat apartment buildings, you need a radiator operating at a pressure of up to 10 atmospheres. It must also be resistant to water hammer and the negative chemical effects of water.

The best choice for the system central heating will be:

The battery is made of cast iron, since it can withstand pressure up to 15 bar, is resistant to pressure surges and does not rust.

• How to choose a steel heating radiator

  Steel radiators are most often used for heating private houses. This is facilitated by the temperature and pressure indicators to which they are adapted. They can withstand pressures of up to 10 atmospheres and coolant temperatures of up to 110 degrees.

  Of course, over time the figures may increase slightly. You can find out about this in the passport of the specific heating device you want to choose.

  You can install a panel-type steel radiator in apartment building or another room that is connected to a centralized heating system.

  The heating devices we are talking about are made from high-quality sheet steel, which ensures greater stability. Inside, the design provides a number of recesses and channels for proper water circulation. Steel plates are used to provide additional air movement.

  Also, to choose a heating radiator for a room, you need to know what types exist.

  By connection type steel batteries are divided into two groups:

  Batteries with bottom connection. They are called universal. In addition to such batteries, various thermal heads and valves are made that help adjust the radiator to specific room conditions.

  Radiators with side connections.

  Based on their power, they can also be divided into groups:

  10 – the first digit indicates the number of panels (in in this case– 1), and the second – on the fins. This radiator consists only of a heating panel, that is, it has neither a convector nor a grille. Such batteries can be chosen for a nursery or other similar room. They are characterized by the absence of convection and dust accumulation.

  11 – has one panel, but in addition to it there is also ribbing on the back side. Thanks to this, this device heats up somewhat faster. At the same time, convection appears, and dust accumulates on the radiator faster.

  20 – a device with two rows of panels, without a convector. The air exits through the grille. Due to the presence of a second panel, the power of such a radiator is much superior to previous types.

  21 – a battery with two panels and fins between them. The top of such a device is usually covered with a casing.

  22 – the design of such a battery consists of two steel panels, each of which has a separate convector, as well as a casing on the outside. Is the most popular model.

  30 – radiator with three internal panels without convectors. There is a grill on top.

  33 – radiator with the highest power rating due to three steel panels. The fins are also triple. The top of the radiator is covered with a casing.

  All heating batteries discussed above are of the convector type. This means that they heat not only due to the temperature of the radiator itself, but also due to air circulation, which also distributes heat in the room. This greatly increases the efficiency of heating devices compared to those in which heating is not supported by convection.

  In addition, the design of these radiators provides for the presence of holes through which air is sucked from the room and released back already heated.

  It is better to choose a steel heating device for a private house with an autonomous system. When connected to a central system, it will receive a load for which it is not designed, which will lead to a reduction in the expected service life by almost half.

  It is also worth remembering that panel-type models are not intended for use in heating systems that do not have pumps and operate only by natural circulation coolant. There is a high probability that in this system the battery will not produce required quantity heat.

  What do you need to consider to choose a quality steel radiator?

  Firstly, check whether this model has certificates of quality and compliance. This will protect you from purchasing a fake, which in the future will show very low quality of heating the room.

  Secondly, inspect the device for damage to integrity, cracks, etc. The seams should be smooth and the valves should be easy to turn.

  How to choose cast iron radiators: pros and cons

  Most of us have been accustomed to cast iron heating radiators since childhood. They were installed in most Russian apartments back in the days of the Soviet Union. Then the decision to install cast iron batteries on a mass scale was the only correct one, since this material combines high power and affordable price with a sufficiently long service life. Cast iron heats apartments without failure for several decades. Also, many owners of private houses preferred to choose this material, proven over the years.

  To this day, cast iron heating appliances remain one of the most popular. Even on the Internet, the question “which heating radiator to choose?” forums often recommend this. It can be assembled from several sections using nipples with gaskets to obtain required size. Cast iron batteries can withstand pressure up to 10 atmospheres. More modern models with pressure testing have an increased pressure threshold - up to 20 atmospheres. Also, cast iron heating radiators can withstand water temperatures of up to 130 degrees. Thus, they get along well with traditional central heating systems. The main advantage of cast iron is also its low price, especially compared to the most modern materials.

  Of course, cast iron batteries also have disadvantages. First of all, this is the heaviest weight among all types of radiators. Because of this, difficulties arise with the installation of devices. Externally, all cast iron radiators also do not look very aesthetically pleasing. However, this can be corrected by using gratings, but they will require additional space. Therefore, owners of small apartments prefer compact batteries with own design. Another disadvantage is the possibility of defective cast radiator construction, which in the future will lead to coolant leaks. It can be said that the low cost of a cast iron battery is rarely a factor that can outweigh the significant advantages of devices made from other materials. After all, these advantages relate to the quality of heating, appearance and reliability of the design.

  How to choose a bimetallic heating radiator

  In general, any heating device that is made of two types of metal can be called bimetallic. For example, there are batteries made of copper coated with aluminum. Manufacturers are prompted to choose one or another combination of metals by the desire to combine their properties.

  Although this is true, it is still customary to call a certain group of devices bimetallic, which are made of steel and coated with aluminum on the outside. It is this combination that is considered the most successful for the manufacture of a heating device.

  What distinguishes these two metals?

  The combination of steel and aluminum in the manufacture of a heating battery gives a combination of two remarkable properties:

  Maximum internal strength;

  Good thermal conductivity and uniform heating of the entire radiator.

  Of course, this manufacturing method is more complicated and more expensive than if only one metal is used for the entire structure. Thus, one section of a bimetallic radiator can cost up to 700 rubles.

  How to choose bimetallic radiators heating for an apartment?

  There are now several large manufacturers of such devices on the market. The variety often confronts buyers with the difficult task of choosing which bimetallic radiators to choose. As a rule, the percentage of defects among products from different manufacturers is equally small and is easily detected upon inspection.

  There are two main factors to consider:

  Center-to-center distance of the liner.

  Number of sections.

  The center distance for bimetallic heating radiators can vary from 2.5 to 5 cm. Which model should you give preference to?

  Let's think logically, based on the properties that distinguish models with smaller or larger interaxial liner distances.

  If you need to decide which bimetallic heating radiators to choose to quickly replace an old cast-iron battery, then take a similar one with a distance of 5 cm.

  If you want to replace the battery with a more compact one and are willing to spend money on adapting your liner, then choose any model with a small center distance. But do not forget that similar heating requires a larger number of such sections.

  How to choose an aluminum radiator

  Aluminum batteries are produced by adding silicon to the base metal. This allows us to make them much more durable and resistant to external influences. To prevent the inner surface in contact with water from rusting, it is often coated with a polymer. The thickness of such a coating reaches 50 microns.

  In general, models of heating batteries can differ radically from each other in size, design and other properties. The following classifications will help you decide which aluminum heating radiator to choose:

  In general:

  Panel, consisting of two plates welded together;

  Tubular, the body of which consists of tubes;

  Cast, manufactured by one-piece casting;

  Extrusion, the design of which includes three elements bolted together. When assembling such models, it is important to take care of the tightness of the joints, for which special silicone gaskets are used.

  By dimensions:

  Radiators standard size 40 by 58 cm.

  Low, the height of which can be up to 15 cm. Such heating devices will come in handy if there is no room in the room for standard ones. In this case, you can compensate for the level of heat transfer by increasing the width. The minimum height of a low radiator is 2 cm. Such models are also called plinth models.

  Tall. In this case, on the contrary, the small width is compensated by an increase in height to several meters. Such heating batteries are suitable for rooms with high ceilings. There they will not take up much living space and will warm the air well. Companies produce models of this type in various design solutions, including, for example, towel holders. This makes them a beautiful and useful addition to a room's design.

  If you want to choose such a radiator, the thermostatic valve included in the package may be an additional advantage. A thermostat is attached to such a valve, allowing you to change the temperature in the apartment by adjusting the heating strength.

  To choose an aluminum device, you can focus on several objective criteria:

  Manufacturer. Which heating radiator manufacturer should you choose? It could be a European, Russian or Chinese company. Often, the choice of the latter is prompted by the low price (about 50% lower than European ones). European models are preferred by wealthy people who are accustomed to focusing on quality. However, Russian manufacturers do not always lag behind foreign ones.

  Dimensions. As we already said, aluminum radiators come in heights of up to 5 cm. Such (standard) radiators can be chosen for ordinary apartment. They fit easily into their dimensions and provide sufficient heat. Devices with a smaller height are manufactured for apartments with non-standard windows, under which a regular radiator simply will not fit.

  Heat dissipation. Each radiator model may have a different heat transfer level than the standard. If we talk about devices of standard height, then German radiators have the highest heat transfer. Next come Chinese and Russian manufacturers.

  Price. Depending on which company you choose for an apartment heating radiator, what its heat output and size will be, you can end up with a completely different cost.

  Here are a few useful tips, how to determine the quality of a particular model by appearance and other understandable factors:

  First- pay attention to how much the radiator weighs. Divide its weight by the number of sections. Each of them must weigh at least 1 kg. Lower weight (for Chinese companies it can drop to 650 g per section) a priori means low quality. Experts recommend avoiding such devices.

  Second– try to bend the radiator fins with your hands. If you choose a high-quality model, the shape will never change under such weak influence. Accordingly, the quality of the material, which bends easily, leaves much to be desired. Such batteries are also not worth taking if you do not want to face the problem of constant leakage.

  Why AQUALINK radiators are popular

  AQUALINK® radiators can operate with both autonomous and centralized room heating systems. Aluminum batteries, like bimetallic ones, have a number of features that adapt them to the specifics of Russian heating systems. The undoubted advantages of this brand also include high heat transfer and low inertia. The combination of these qualities ensures that the AQUALINK® battery will quickly heat the room to the desired temperature. The number of sections can vary from 4 to 12, so that you can choose the size of the radiator for any room. If you are still not sure which company to choose a heating radiator for your apartment, then take a closer look at AQUALINK®, a brand that, among other things, has a quality certificate in the GOST R system.

  The last thing I would like to say is that now you can easily choose a radiator on the Internet. On the manufacturers' websites you can inspect the models, get acquainted with their characteristics and order delivery of the selected radiator directly to your home. A good online heating equipment store has online consultants who will help you make your choice and provide certificates of conformity. The SantekhStandard company will help you decide on the choice of equipment and place an order. You just need to contact us by phone:

An important link in any heating system is the radiator, which is installed in each of the heated rooms. It is this device that is responsible for how much comfortable conditions accommodation will be created in your apartment or private house.

Unfortunately, not every sales consultant will provide you with adequate assistance in choosing, so let’s figure it out one by one: how to choose the right heating battery so that it heats well, looks beautiful and doesn’t “bite” at the price? So it’s not easy to answer this question right away - you need to take into account many nuances. We will tell you how to avoid basic mistakes.

Comparative characteristics of heating radiators

On the heating equipment market, heating radiators are represented by products that differ from each other both in design and in materials of manufacture. When choosing them, you can use the table of comparative characteristics of the most popular heating devices. The manufacturer indicates data on a specific model in the technical data sheet.

Comparative table of modern heating radiators

Very often, when choosing, the main criterion is price and appearance. Undoubtedly, these points are very important. And yet they should not be decisive. First of all, you should pay attention to compatibility with the heating system in terms of parameters such as the type of coolant. Equally important is the corrosion resistance and durability of the radiator. Ultimately right choice will save you money, time and nerves. Next, we will consider the features of each type.

Aluminum radiators are stylish, interesting design, and do not require special care during operation

High heat transfer is combined with low weight, convenient sectional design and excellent performance. If we consider that these factors are complemented by ease of installation and elegant design, then it is not difficult to understand the reasons for the popularity of products made of aluminum alloys when arranging individual heating systems.

Comparative table of aluminum heating radiators of the most popular brands

When choosing an aluminum radiator, one should not forget that such equipment places higher demands on the quality of the coolant (water). Water with a high alkaline content causes metal corrosion, and the chemical reactions that occur during this process lead to gas formation. As a result, the service life of radiators is reduced and the risk of intersections increases. For this reason, you should abandon cheap Chinese-made products in favor of products from well-known European manufacturers.

The likelihood of intersectional leaks is virtually reduced to zero in the design of aluminum radiators from the STOUT brand. The equipment is produced at the Italian GLOBAL plant, heating devices are adapted for operating conditions in Russia. The working pressure of each radiator is 16 atmospheres, they are suitable for working with antifreeze and have a 10-year warranty from the manufacturer. Modern design in Italian traditions will fit into any interior, and the increased heat radiation area will increase indoor comfort.

According to statistics, aluminum radiators have almost the same service life as steel ones - no more than 25 years, while bimetallic batteries can be used for 30-35 years, and cast iron products easily survive the half-century mark.

The destruction of aluminum radiators most often occurs due to Low quality water and exceeding the permissible pressure in the system

Steel radiators

Like the other heating equipment with open welds, require stable coolant pressure. For this reason, they are most often used for installation in private homes and other buildings with autonomous heating. In this case, the closed heating circuit helps slow down oxidative processes, and also does not suffer from constant contamination of the coolant with alkali and other aggressive impurities. When using purified water and regularly monitoring the pressure, steel radiators do not require replacement for 20 years or more.

Technical characteristics of steel radiators from famous European manufacturers

When installing steel radiators in buildings with central heating, you should be aware of the danger of water hammer and low quality coolant. Sudden pressure changes and water containing salts and alkali reduce the battery life by more than half. In this case, you should not expect the equipment to last more than 10 years.

Similar deposits in the pipe central heating point to heavy pollution coolant with impurities - it is better not to use steel radiators in this case.

You can find two types of steel radiators on sale:

• tubular,
• panel.

The advantages of the former stem from a simple and reliable design, which resembles a ladder of parallel vertical tubes.

Tubular radiators are experiencing a second youth, being the object of attention of designers and hobbyists modern trends in the interior.

Tubular radiators are more resistant to water hammer than panel radiators. Their design allows for the implementation of any wiring scheme and arbitrary placement in space. The range of tubular batteries includes both monolithic and sectional models, from which you can easily assemble a battery of the required power. The simple manufacturing technology is reflected in the affordable cost, and the appearance of the radiator from many vertical elements provides a wide field for design research. Unpretentious at first glance tubular radiators not so bad at it, if you write your opinion about it in the comments, we’ll be happy to discuss?

Flat, smooth surfaces panel radiators make care much easier. That's why housewives love them so much

For the manufacture of panel radiators, steel zigzag plates are used, which are welded to each other spot welding. The cavities formed in this case serve as channels through which the coolant circulates. To increase heat transfer, manufacturers complicate the design by assembling a radiator from three panels. Downside One such improvement is the weighting of the structure - the weight of multilayer steel heat exchangers approaches that of cast iron.

To manufacture a panel radiator, profile steel plates are used, the space between which acts as the water circuit of the heat exchanger

As you can see for yourself, the advantages of panel radiators, such as low price and attractive appearance, are overshadowed by the disadvantages of low performance. Most often, these heating devices are chosen for undemanding heating systems in the budget category.

The appearance of copper radiators is suitable only for fans of industrial design, so manufacturers complete thermal appliances decorative screens from wood and other materials.

A pipe with a diameter of up to 28 mm is complemented with copper or aluminum fins and decorative protection made of solid wood, thermoplastics or composite materials. This option provides efficient heating of the room due to the unique heat transfer of non-ferrous metals. By the way, in terms of thermal conductivity, copper is more than 2 times ahead of aluminum, and steel and cast iron - 5-6 times. Having low inertia, a copper battery provides quick heating of the room and allows the use of temperature control equipment.

In terms of its thermal conductivity, copper is second only to silver, outstripping other metals by a significant margin.

The inherent ductility of copper corrosion resistance and the ability to come into contact with contaminated coolant without harm allows the use of copper batteries in apartments high-rise buildings. It is noteworthy that after 90 hours of operation, the inner surface of the copper radiator is covered with an oxide film, which further protects the heater from interaction with aggressive substances. Copper radiators have only one drawback - too high price.

Comparative table of technical characteristics of copper and copper-aluminum radiators

Plastic radiators

At the moment, heating radiators are made entirely of plastic, a kind of know-how. Russian engineers in Skolkovo are also working on this type of heater. Contrary to popular belief, in terms of reliability, plastic radiators are close to metal products, and in terms of corrosion resistance, they have no equal. Products made from thermoplastics have high mechanical strength, good thermal conductivity and wear resistance. Plastic radiators are not very heavy, so they are easy to transport and install.

For those who doubt the thermophysical properties of plastic, we recommend that you remember the contours of water-heated floors made of cross-linked polypropylene. Its thermal conductivity is lower than that of rigid thermoplastics, and, nevertheless, this does not interfere with the use plastic pipes to build reliable and effective systems floor heating.

Simplicity of manufacture and, as a result, low cost make thermoplastic batteries an excellent offer for those who have set themselves the task of saving money. A significant disadvantage of plastic heat exchangers is that they can only be used in systems with a stable pressure of up to 3 atm and a coolant temperature not higher than 80 °C. For this reason, the promotion of plastic batteries in our market is difficult.

Electric radiators

In addition to the heating devices discussed above, there are others - those that do not require connection to the heating system. You probably already guessed that we are talking about.

Modern electric radiators combine high efficiency, reliability and safety.

Depending on the design, there are several types of heat exchangers operating from the electrical network:

• oil radiators;
• convectors;
• infrared devices.

The design of the oil radiator most closely resembles a traditional heating battery. Mineral oil is used as a coolant, and heating is carried out by a tubular electric heater (TEH). Closed design helps fire safety and mobility of the device; moreover, the oil heater does not burn oxygen and dust. The disadvantages include bulkiness, low efficiency and the possibility of getting burned when touching a metal surface.

Oil radiators differ from traditional heating batteries in their mobility - if necessary, they can be easily moved from place to place

Electric convectors also use heating due to ohmic losses, only their design uses an air heating element rather than a liquid one. Thanks to closed design Heaters of this type have the same advantages as oil radiators. As for the design, it is optimized so that the device uses convection as efficiently as possible. The only disadvantage of a convector is low mobility - most often such devices are intended for stationary use.

Simple design and heat transfer by convection contribute to the reliability and efficiency of electric convectors

Infrared radiators are the most modern type heating equipment. Unlike any other equipment, their design is based on the principle of heat transfer by radiation.

The principle of operation of infrared radiators is borrowed from the Sun - it is not the air in the room that is heated, but reflective objects

By heating not the air, but the surrounding objects, IR heaters are highly efficient and at the same time have the highest efficiency. The only disadvantages of devices that operate similarly to the Sun are their relatively high cost.

Unlike other radiators, infrared devices work most effectively on the ceiling - in this case, the radiation penetrates into the most remote corners of the room

How to determine the optimal radiator size

The dimensions of the radiator affect not only whether the heating device can heat the room to a comfortable temperature, but also the efficiency of the heating system.

When determining the size of the heating radiator, among other factors, you should take into account the width of the window opening and the height of the window sill

The size of the battery is directly related to its thermal power, so the first thing you should do is calculate heat losses premises. For this purpose the volume is cubic meters multiplied by 41 W - the amount of heat required to heat 1 cubic meter. m of building located in mid-latitudes. You should add 20% to the desired value - this reserve will not be superfluous when extremely low temperatures occur. Knowing the heat costs that will be needed to maintain a comfortable temperature in the room, you can choose a monolithic battery the right size or count the number of sections of a modular radiator. In the latter case, the resulting figure should be divided by the power of one section.

When determining the number of sections of heating radiators, you can use a special table.

For rooms with non-standard ceilings, a larger heating battery will be required. In this case, a table that takes into account the height of the ceilings will help you determine the number of radiator sections.

The table enlarges when clicked.

It must be remembered that the radiator installed under the window must cover ¾ of the length of the window opening. In this case, cold air will not accumulate near the windows and they will not fog up.

For those who do not want to deal with power calculations, there is a convenient one on our website. All that is needed in this case is to enter the room parameters and the heat transfer of one section of the selected radiator. The program will do all the necessary calculations for you.

To summarize the comparative characteristics of various types of heating devices, we can highlight the following main points:

1. For a centralized open heating network, present in high-rise buildings, as many years ago, a cast iron radiator remains the best option. It is resistant to the poor quality water that circulates through our pipelines and will last for many years. The “accordion” will withstand pressure drops and water hammer, while effectively heating the air in the room. The low price of this type of heating device makes it quite affordable for everyone. However, the high inertness of cast iron will not allow combining such a radiator with a thermostat.
2. A good alternative to a cast iron battery in apartment buildings is a bimetallic battery based on steel with aluminum or copper. The steel has sufficient rigidity and corrosion resistance to withstand water hammer and adverse chemical composition water in the central system, and aluminum or copper compensate for the not very outstanding heat transfer of steel. However, the high cost does not allow us to say that this will be the best option.
3. For closed heating systems found in private homes, choosing batteries is usually easier - there is no overpressure in the heating system, and the water is treated before it enters the pipeline. Therefore, the optimal type of heating device for a home is aluminum. Its price is affordable, the design is good, and the heat dissipation is high. The low inertness of this will allow it to be used in conjunction with a thermoregulation system.
4. A good alternative to aluminum batteries in conditions of autonomous heat supply is steel radiators. Having lower heat transfer than aluminum, steel heating devices have many advantages - light weight, low inertia, nice design, attractive price.
5. Steel and aluminum batteries are produced primed along the internal plane heating element to prevent corrosion from the aggressive coolant environment. Scale and rust particles present in the coolant of open heating systems lead to mechanical destruction of the primer layer inside the devices, so manufacturers recommend using them in closed heating systems of private houses. A copper radiator can be a good option for open centralized systems, but not everyone will be happy with its cost.

Efficiency and durability of the heating system private house depends from many factors, including from properly selected heating radiators. It is important, even before installation, to understand their characteristics and features and decide which of them best meet the requirements you have presented.

Features of heating in a private house

IN country houses and cottages, the heating system is usually connected to and differs from centralized systems. The most important of them:

• coolant pressure - it usually does not exceed 3 atm;
• type and quality of coolant.

Unlike centralized systems. in autonomous at correct operation boiler The possibility of water hammer is practically eliminated. This feature, as well as the low coolant pressure, allows you to use almost any type of radiator without fear of destruction and leaks.

If water is used as a coolant, its quality can also affect the operating conditions of the radiators. In particular, hard water With big amount salts may cause sediment to form on inner surface radiators, and, as a result, to a narrowing of the lumen and deterioration of heat transfer.

The type of system - open or closed - is also important.

IN open system There is always oxygen dissolved in water, which elevated temperatures leads to fairly active corrosion of some types of radiators.
In closed systems with a membrane expansion tank, oxygen binds into insoluble compounds - metal oxides - during the initial heating of the coolant, after which corrosion stops until a fresh portion of water is added.

Also, private heating systems sometimes use antifreeze that does not freeze at sub-zero temperatures. Their use makes it possible to stop the boiler in winter time, which is convenient for country dachas and houses used for periodic residence. Not all types of radiators can be used in systems with antifreeze.

Types of radiators and their features

Currently, the market offers a huge selection of models from different material and with different heat transfer. Before choosing heating radiators for a country or private home, you need to study their features and technical characteristics.

The most common types of radiators:

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

They differ in shape, appearance, permissible pressure, heat dissipation, as well as other characteristics, after studying which you can make the optimal choice.

Cast iron

They have a prefabricated structure and consist of the required number of sections, providing the heat transfer required for the room. The history of using cast iron radiators is very long; they began to be used in heating systems more than a century ago. At the same time, their durability has been tested by time, and in old houses you can find normally functioning cast iron radiators installed more than half a century ago.

Advantages of cast iron models:

• sufficient resistance to corrosion in systems with any water quality;
• high heat capacity, which avoids temperature surges - cast iron radiators cool slowly, which is important when heating a house solid fuel boiler with regular stops for cleaning and maintenance;
• durability and strength;
• modern models have an attractive original design.

Disadvantages of cast iron models:

• quite high price, higher than aluminum and steel models;
• heavy weight;
• In systems using antifreeze, it is better not to use prefabricated radiators due to its increased fluidity.

Steel

They can be made in the form of panels or have a tubular design. Steel panel radiators, which are completely unsuitable for centralized systems due to the low maximum pressure, are widely used in private homes. They have a small thickness, aesthetic design and low price.

Tubular steel batteries are similar in design to cast iron and have a prefabricated sectional design. They are more expensive than panel ones, but at the same time they have a more aesthetic and attractive appearance and can decorate the design of the room.

Advantages of steel models:

• low price, panel models have the most budget ones on the market;
• sufficient resistance to corrosion, resistance to leaks when using antifreeze;
• long service life;
• light weight, compact size.

Flaws:

• tendency to form insoluble sediment when used in systems with hard water, which requires periodic flushing;
• on summer period The coolant cannot be drained - this will lead to rapid corrosion of the steel.

Aluminum

This type of radiator has become widespread due to the combination of low price and good heat transfer. Prefabricated design allows you to choose required amount sections. However, the use of aluminum radiators for heating a private home has a number of features.

Distinctive feature of aluminum- resistance to corrosion in atmospheric conditions in a neutral environment. When the quality of the coolant is low, when the pH shifts, active corrosion of aluminum begins with the release of hydrogen. Because of this, airing of the system occurs, which can lead to noise, bubbling, and in some cases to a sharp increase in pressure in the system, ruptures and leaks. To avoid corrosion, aluminum is coated with a layer of protective coating on the inside and the stand powder paint outside.

Advantages of aluminum radiators:

• high heat transfer coefficient, fast heating;
• high permissible pressure, resistance to water hammer;
• light weight;
• attractive, laconic design;
• ease of care and maintenance;
• Some models are equipped with a built-in thermal head that allows you to regulate the temperature.

Disadvantages of aluminum models:

• tendency to corrosion and airing;
• seething and noise in radiators when gas bubbles are released;
• when temperature changes - heating or cooling - deformation of aluminum sections and a characteristic clanging occurs, which is eliminated by correct installation;
• V unfavorable conditions The service life of aluminum radiators is significantly reduced and leaks appear.