Calculation of power, number of sections
Before choosing a heating battery for an apartment, it is necessary to calculate how many sections should be installed in each particular room and determine the power and pressure indicator of this device. This is done as follows:
Choosing the power of the radiator
In this case, the following points must be taken into account:
- Type of building (brick or panel).
- The area of the heated room.
- number of windows.
- The presence of external walls.
- Type of glazing in the apartment (double-glazed windows or wooden windows).
According to the standard, in a room with a ceiling height of 3 m, which has one window with a wooden frame and one door, a radiator with a power of 90-125 W per 1 m 2 is usually placed.
Useful information: To choose the battery of optimal power for the room for ease of calculation, you need to multiply its area by 100 watts.
If there is one window and two external walls, this figure should be increased by 20%.
In the presence of two windows and two external walls - by 30%.
If the window is located on the north or northeast side: + 10%.
When placing a radiator in a niche: + 5%.
With a solid screen on the battery: + 15%.
Decide on the number of sections
The average power of a section of radiators of various types:
There is another option for calculating how to choose the number of sections of the heating battery so that it is comfortable in the heated room, which is considered more accurate. This calculation is also made taking into account their heat transfer. At the same time, not the area of \u200b\u200bthe room is used as a unit of space, but its “cubic capacity”, that is, the volume of air mass that is to be heated. Each room is calculated separately: first, the power of the heater is selected, and then the number of its sections is calculated.
Considering that 39-41 W of energy is needed to heat 1 m 3 of the air space of a living room, in order to heat a room with an area of 10 m 2 with a ceiling height of 3.0 m, 1230 W is needed.
- We calculate the cubic capacity: 3 x 10 \u003d 30 m 3.
- We determine the energy consumption: 41 x 30 \u003d 1230 watts.
Let's agree that each section of a modern heating battery produces approximately 200 W of energy. That is, to calculate the optimal number of sections, you need 1230:200 = 6.15 sections. Rounding up. It turns out that in a room with a cubic capacity of 30 m 3 you need to install a radiator with 7 sections.
Useful information: When installing a battery in a corner-type room, a heat loss coefficient (1.1-1.3) is added to the formula for calculating the number of sections, the value of which must correspond to the climatic zone. The result will be: 1230 1.3: 200 = 7.995. That is, a radiator of 8 sections is suitable for such a room.
Dealing with working pressure
When purchasing heating radiators, you need to take into account the indicator of their working pressure, which should be higher than the pressure of the heating system at home
This is especially important when conducting hydraulic tests, when the load on the system is particularly intense. For batteries of various types, it has its own meaning:
- For cast iron - 6-12 atm.
- For aluminum - 16-20 atm.
- Bimetallic ones have 35 atm.
- For steel - 6-10 atm.
About the need for an expansion tank in the heating systems of private houses, as well as about its installation, we have a separate article.
We collect, install, connect the radiator
The process of assembling and installing a radiator is not complicated, but it requires special tools and equipment. Think it might be worth contacting a specialized organization.
The best option is to conclude a contract for the installation of radiators with the Criminal Code. They will make in accordance with the rules for installing heating batteries in an apartment, carry out pressure testing and sign an acceptance certificate for operation.
For those who decide to work on their own - a few tips on preparing and installing the heater.
- Do not forget to bleed the rest of the water from the system.
- Disconnect the old battery.
- Inspect the condition of the radiators, remove the plastic packaging, remove the protective film from the threads, if any.
- Open the universal battery connection kit. The kit is selected with a thread according to the diameter of the supply pipelines. The result should be: two fittings with a right-hand thread, two fittings with a left-hand thread, two American women with nuts, two taps, a plug, a Mayevsky tap, brackets or strips for attaching batteries. Internal thread standard is 3/4 inch, right hand. This is what you need to install a heating radiator in an apartment from the minimum standard.
- Remove the silicone gaskets from the fittings, screw into the radiator to check the threads. If there is no gap, unscrew the fittings, install gaskets. There is a gap - check, clean the threads, there may be a protective film left.
- Separately assemble the connections: fitting + American + tap for supply and return, fitting + plug, fitting + Mayevsky tap. Connections sit on a fum tape or tow. On the plug and Mayevsky's tap - gaskets, tow is not needed. Stretch connections.
- Screw the assembled kits into the radiator, do not forget to put silicone gaskets on the fittings. The battery is ready, you can install.
Put the heater in the design position, connect temporarily to the pipelines. If installation is being carried out to old pipes, the holes of the new radiator must be coaxial with the old battery, the common standard is 500 mm. - Mark the top of the heater, mark the mounting locations of the brackets. Remove the battery, mount the brackets, reinstall. The radiator should have a slope of 2-3 mm away from the Mayevsky crane, strictly vertically, and firmly rest on the brackets. Check by level. It remains to connect to the pipelines.
Observe the norms for installing heating batteries in the apartment, described above. After the installation is completed, call a representative from the Criminal Code for crimping and signing the acceptance certificate. This is an important stage of final work.
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Which heating batteries are best for an apartment
Radiators differ in the level of heat transfer, service life and price. The determining factor in the quality of the installation is the material of manufacture. The most popular types of heating batteries in an apartment are:
The principle of operation of the design is simple. Hot water is the predominant heat carrier. The connection is made through a pipe. Under the influence of heat, the surface of the installation begins to heat up, and the room temperature increases. Depending on the material of manufacture and the design of the panels, water radiators cool down faster or slower.
In cast iron installations, hot water enters from one side and exits from the other. To carry out such work, a large amount of coolant is needed. The principle of operation of steel, aluminum and bimetallic heat exchangers has a slight difference. Inside each section there is a thin tube that is filled with hot water. Due to the air cushion that forms inside, the thermal conductivity of such batteries is higher. Only 350 g of water is needed to start the system, which simplifies installation.
To understand which radiators are best suited for heating an apartment, you should familiarize yourself with the main characteristics of each type. The battery - a universal installation for heating commercial, industrial and residential buildings - has its own characteristics depending on the material of manufacture. By comparing the pros and cons, you will find the best option.
Bimetal radiators
Devices are made of steel and aluminum. The installation is very durable, has a high thermal conductivity. The attractive look of the batteries makes them the best option for the office, home.The system is a construction of vertical steel tubes, which are covered with aluminum on the outside. Such a heat exchanger is resistant to corrosion, durable. If you miss the temperature, then you can always attach another section to the bimetallic battery.
Aluminum
The units are characterized by high heat dissipation and attractive design. Compared to the previous version, their price is more affordable. If you are interested in replacing heating radiators in apartments, the aluminum version is the best fit. Mounting them is easy. Batteries are installed in autonomous and central heating systems. For more economical energy consumption, it is recommended to use thermostatic valves.
If you do not know which radiators are best for central heating, then choose this option. The design is ideal for a cyclic type heating system. The installation is reliable and will last for many years. The disadvantages include a relatively small heat transfer, rapid cooling of the systems. It is very bulky, so it requires special skills to install. Such heat exchangers are inexpensive, which makes them very popular.
Affordable and practical systems remain in demand to this day. They are installed in cottages, apartments, commercial premises. The degree of heat transfer is very high. If the power of the system is incorrectly calculated or the temperature of the coolant is low, a one-piece iron structure can become a problem. It is impossible to modernize it, so you have to change the entire structure. The cost of steel batteries is low.
We check which radiators are suitable for apartment heating
Batteries made of steel - fell, attacked by great pressure
Steel radiators are distinguished by their low weight and thickness. Good heat dissipation and low water volume make them economical and efficient. And yes, they are inexpensive. But in terms of pressure, they “let us down” - they can withstand only 6-8 atmospheres. They are not suitable for apartments, period.
Aluminum radiators - eaten away by corrosion, burst from water hammer
These radiators look nice, and 190 watts of thermal power pleases the consumer. However, wait, the inhabitants of the apartments - it's too early to rejoice. Hot water with chemical impurities and high acidity quickly “eats” batteries from the inside. After all, aluminum is too active. And he can't handle the pressure. The average operating pressure is up to 16 atmospheres. A water hammer can destroy even a brand new aluminum radiator.
Bimetallic batteries - good for everyone, only roads
This is one of the newest developments of heating devices. Such radiators are called bimetallic - after all, they contain two metals. It can be, in particular, aluminum and steel, or aluminum and copper.
Manufacturers guarantee that such batteries will last at least forty years. For an apartment, they are suitable in all respects, as you can see.
- They can withstand temperatures up to 130 degrees.
- Their working pressure is declared up to 30 - 50 atmospheres, depending on the manufacturer and model. With them, you can stop being afraid of water hammer.
- The anti-corrosion outer and inner primer makes the batteries durable and resistant to destruction.
- Light weight makes installation, carrying and transportation of such batteries easy.
Alas, not everyone can buy such an expensive device. And if you are offered something similar at a reasonable price - do not believe it. The fake is put up. If you really buy, then the products of proven brands - the Russian company Rifar, Italian - Sira or Global. There are also good Chinese manufacturers. They, like Russian ones, have a slightly lower price than radiators from Europe.
Good old cast iron - takes on a second life
Fifty years, no less, is measured to live such a battery. In vain do some manufacturers of new products claim that it is high time to forget about this "junk".Thinking for a long time about which heating radiators to choose for an apartment, many people stop at cast-iron batteries. They won’t “throw out tricks” when they come into contact with dirty domestic water in the heating system. This metal is chemically passive, and it is not afraid of either high acidity or the presence of chemical additives in the coolant. And no abrasive will damage thick walls. So cast iron for an apartment (especially in an old house) is very good.
- Cast iron radiators are distinguished by the fact that they keep heat for a very long time - the residual number of its preservation is 30 percent. And for all other types of batteries, this figure is half that
- Heat transfer due to the radiant heating method is much more efficient than when using convection (as in bimetallic and aluminum products. Cast iron radiators heat not only the air, but also nearby objects.
- When draining water from the system in the summer, cast-iron batteries will not rust - this is a significant plus.
- A large heat transfer area is another plus.
- The pressure drops that central heating sins with, cast iron usually tolerates well. The working pressure can reach up to nine to twelve atmospheres. But it does not always withstand high-power water hammers - the fragility of this metal fails.
- The cost of these devices is usually lower than bimetallic radiators. Sometimes this is the determining factor.
These radiators are heavy, of course, which causes some inconvenience during their installation. Well, yes, a priori cast iron cannot be easy. But after all, this weight turns into a large wall thickness, which gives the radiators the necessary strength. Having installed cast-iron radiators once (and specially trained people - plumbers will do this), you can forget about replacing them for many years.
The appearance of cast-iron radiators today is no longer as miserable as in Soviet times. Very attractive outwardly figured casting batteries, made in the “retro” style, have appeared, which harmonize very well with refined rooms. For example, we can mention the products of Roca and Konner.
True, the cost of such miracle batteries is quite high. Ukrainian, Russian and Belarusian models are more budgetary, many of which must be painted before use. But they also look quite decent, their design fits into the interiors of modern apartments.
What are the dangers of centralized heating?
On the one hand, heat supply from the outside is more convenient than autonomous heating - no need to bother with installing the boiler and setting it up. Autumn will come, and hot water will merrily run through your batteries, warming the apartment.
But not everything is so smooth in the central heating system:
- Water that has come a long way contains many chemically active impurities that can cause corrosion of pipes and radiators.
- And small particles of sludge, which inevitably get into the coolant, scratch the batteries from the inside, rubbing them to holes after a few years.
- And the water temperature is not always stable - then the batteries are at room temperature, otherwise it is impossible to touch them.
- And the main danger is a sudden huge pressure surge in the heating system, the so-called water hammer. It happens, for example, for the reason that the locksmith closed the valve of the pumping station too abruptly.
Previously, smooth-running valves were used there, and with the advent of ball valves, it became possible to shut off the water instantly. There is also a water hammer when excess air enters the pipes. A second jump in pressure can do a lot of trouble. Weak batteries cannot withstand the enormous pressure and burst, splashing with boiling water, damaging furnishings and causing damage to neighbors below.
Finally, we conclude
Now it’s probably easier for you to decide which radiator to choose for your apartment - after all, out of the four options considered, only two remain.As it turned out, neither steel nor aluminum radiators will stand the test of either aggressive domestic coolant or pressure drops. So, there are bimetallic and cast-iron devices. What exactly to buy, look at your budget, as well as the characteristics of specific models. However, a couple of tips can be given here.
- In old houses (for example, "Khrushchevs"), it is quite possible to put cast-iron products. If you live in a high-rise building, where the pressure of the heating system is higher, then it is still better to take bimetallic radiators.
- If the predecessors of your future new batteries are made of cast iron, then you can opt for either of the two options. Both bimetal and cast iron will do. If you are going to replace batteries made of another metal, then change them only to bimetallic ones.