Types of heating systems
Modern methods of connecting a heating radiator are extremely important nuances in matters of providing home heat. In construction practice, the most common two types of heating systems are single-pipe and two-pipe. It depends on what specific type of heating you have in your house, and it depends on what scheme the radiator will be integrated into.
By the way, even if you do not connect the battery yourself, but with the help of professionals from a specialized company, you should still be aware of which heating system you have installed. For clarity, consider each of these types in more detail.
Single pipe heating
This type works on the principle of supplying water to a modern radiator, usually integrated in an apartment in a high-rise building, that is, in a high-rise building. This connection of the heating battery is considered the most affordable and simplest type.
But this system also has its drawbacks: taking into account such seemingly simple installation work, a single-pipe system does not imply the possibility of independent regulation of the supplied heat. That is, this type of heating does not provide for any additional devices that can provide the homeowner with such a service. In view of this, heat transfer in the apartment is supplied in accordance with the initially laid down design level.
Two-pipe heating
The activity of this system is based on the advancement of the hot coolant through the first pipe, while the second pipe in the opposite direction - the already cooled liquid is withdrawn. In this type of heat supply, a parallel method of connecting heating devices takes place.
A characteristic feature of a two-pipe system is the methodical uniformity of heating of all its components. Plus, the owner of such heating has the opportunity to independently regulate the heat in the apartment using a specific valve mounted near the radiator itself.
Advice
Pay attention to the document regulating the norms for the correct connection of heating radiators. Its name: SNiP 3.05.01-85
Ways to connect heating radiators
Heating radiators are mounted on the wall, or, occasionally, on the floor. There are several ways to connect them.
The methods themselves are divided according to the side of the pipe connection (side, bottom) and according to the scheme for connecting several radiators at the same time (parallel, series, cross).
The choice of a specific option is made based on several conditions:
Consider connection methods in more detail.
Lateral
This option is the simplest and most common, since most radiator models have exactly the side outlet of the pipes. This is how it was designed by the manufacturer.
Lateral connection is also convenient in that it is much more convenient to unscrew the nuts from the side than from below under the instrument case.
In addition to the lower connection, there are wall-mounted radiators with an upper connection. The top side is usually clearly visible, so the connection will be visible and this scheme is rarely used by manufacturers. Technologically, the connection with it does not differ from the options with a lower or lateral location.
lower
Bottom piping is most often used when they are hidden under plaster. It should be borne in mind that pipes with a coolant when laying even in non-combustible walls require good thermal insulation.
The coolant temperature up to 90 C does not pose a fire hazard. Thermal insulation is constructed so that only the radiator heats up, and not the wall from the inside.With properly designed thermal insulation, the efficiency of the heating system does not fall.
Parallel
Powerful sections are connected in parallel. The advantage of this method is that the radiators are well separated from each other.
They can be replaced, repaired, turned off, and the operation of the entire heating network is not disturbed. The option is often used in private homes and autonomous heating systems.
Sequential
A sequential scheme is beneficial when low-power radiators are installed and there are a large number of them in one common heating system.
In a series scheme, maximum savings in connecting pipelines are achieved. That is why it can often be seen in centralized networks, while a two-pipe parallel circuit is practically not found there.
cross
By cross is meant a combined connection scheme with parallel and serial connection.
The option is suitable when you need to use models of radiators of different capacities. According to the cross scheme, many centralized heating systems are assembled.
How are sections added?
After you have empirically determined that the reason for the cool temperature in the house is not at all the clogging of the radiator, you should find a store near your home (so that you do not have to travel to distant lands and thereby waste your time) a store that sells heating equipment. You need to buy the same sections that your radiator is equipped with - cast iron, aluminum, or bimetallic.
It should not happen that you choose the wrong sections - because of such an error, you simply will not be able to add them, that is, the money spent will be thrown away, so be careful. The section extension procedure is carried out in the same sequence of actions for all types of heating radiators.
For docking sections, you need a connecting nut - nipple
We proceed directly to increasing the number of sections. The first step is to unscrew the futorka with a radiator key from the side to which you plan to add one or more elements. After you have untwisted the futorka, a nipple (connecting nut) is applied to the docking area of the sections. The following important feature must be taken into account: the threads at different ends of the nipple are different, and in order to properly install new sections, you must be guided by the following rules:
- The right side of the nipple should be directed to the side where the connection with the new element will be made;
- Accordingly, the left one - towards the already present sections of the heating radiator.
In order to prevent further battery leakage, intersectional gaskets should be put on the nipple (they can be rubber, paranitic, or gel)
At the same time, you need to put them on carefully and carefully - this will serve as a guarantee that the gasket will be located as evenly as possible, without unwanted distortions. Next, you need to tighten the thread
This action should also be carried out without sudden movements, in a leisurely rhythm, and carefully. If you want to qualitatively build up a heating radiator, then there can be no question of any rush.
An intersectional gasket is required to prevent leakage
It is highly undesirable to damage the metal thread - because of this, not the most harmless problems may appear, the solution of which will have to additionally spend your own time and financial resources.
The enlarged radiator must be placed back on the bracket and the connection to the central heating pipe must be renewed. To do this, you need to arm yourself with a wrench of the appropriate diameter and tow, which is necessary for wrapping pipe threads when screwing the radiator.
It is not difficult to add sections to a heating radiator, for this you do not need to work in a team of heating installers for 10 years. But without a serious approach, the availability of elementary tools and the removal of this process of your personal time is indispensable. However, you can also resort to the second option for solving the problem of insufficient heating of the premises - to become a client of a company providing such services, whose employees will do everything themselves, quickly and efficiently.
We connect radiators to different water circulation systems
The coolant in heating, which, as a rule, is ordinary water, circulates in the system in two ways - forced or natural.
Forcibly, the operation of the coolant is carried out thanks to a water pump that pushes water through the pipe. Of course, such a pumping device is an element of the general heating scheme. The installation of such a unit is either carried out directly near the heating equipment - a boiler, for example, or is initially included in its "original" package. You will learn how to choose a heating radiator for an apartment in a separate article.
1. One-pipe sequential heating system with natural circulation 2. Two-pipe parallel heating system with natural circulation
Another system, which has natural circulation, is very efficient and effective in places where power surges are most common. In the indicated scheme of such circulation, there is no pumping device, but there is a place for a non-volatile boiler. The movement of liquid through the system is carried out due to the displacement of the cooled coolant by a hot stream of water.
Factors to consider when implementing the connection of radiators:
- specifics of the laid heating main;
- its length and so on.
How to properly connect radiators to each other
Many homeowners are not satisfied with the heating efficiency of their apartment. This issue is especially acute during severe cold weather. Sometimes poor heating is associated with a worn out radiator. In this case, the heating structure is replaced with more productive and powerful equipment. Today, ceramic radiators, bimetallic and aluminum radiators are on sale. But the most reliable and durable are still cast-iron models. If the battery is in excellent condition, it is not advisable to change it. In this case, you can add sections to the radiator. This article is devoted to how to build up a heating battery.
How to make a battery connection
Without understanding how to connect the radiators, without knowing the principle of operation of the heating system, it will not work to build up the radiator correctly.
Preparatory work
The first step is to carry out preparatory work. This includes removing the radiator. It is necessary to remove the sections that are planned to be increased.
The battery must be cleaned, remove rust, dust and dirt.
You should inspect the threaded hole that connected the structure to the pipe. There may be growths here. They must be removed with sandpaper. Otherwise, the intersection gasket will not be installed tightly. And this can lead to the fact that the heating system will leak.
Attaching sections
Next, the sections are connected. The connected sections are tightly attached to the battery. Make a pad. Using a radiator key, measure the distance to the nipple. At the marked length, insert the nipple into the battery. The pipe wrench rotates the radiator key. Then the nipple is wrapped into two opposite sections. Make 3 turns with a radiator key. Similar actions are done with the bottom of the battery.
Next, paronite gaskets and side plugs are taken and installed in the battery. In this case, a pipe wrench is used. The main thing is to tighten it very tightly to create a reliable, tight design.The section is attached to the radiator. The rest of the sections are connected in the same way.
Fixing the radiator to the wall
After all additional sections are attached, the radiator is mounted to the wall. To do this, install hooks at the level of the battery. The structure is hanging. All joints are fixed with fittings. Make a tightening with a wrench. All joints are treated with sealant. Recently, special adhesive tapes for pipes have appeared on sale.
Verification work
The resulting design is inserted into the pipe at one end, and into the battery at the other. The joints are tightened tightly with a wrench. When the installation of the fitting is completed, waterproofing is carried out.
After the assembly of the radiators is completed, the system is inspected for defects. If everything is in order, a test run of the coolant is carried out. The first time the water starts up under reduced pressure. This allows you to find where the connection is of poor quality and leaks. When leaks are detected, the water is turned off and work begins to fix the problem. The second time the coolant is started up under normal pressure.
After it was possible to connect the heating battery, it is necessary to let the radiator work for several hours. And after this time, check the condition of pipes, fittings, batteries.
Radiator connection diagrams
How well the radiators will heat up depends on how the coolant is supplied to them. There are more and less effective options.
Radiators with bottom connection
All heating radiators have two types of connection - side and bottom. There can be no discrepancies with the lower connection. There are only two pipes - inlet and outlet. Accordingly, on the one hand, a coolant is supplied to the radiator, on the other hand it is discharged.
Lower connection of heating radiators with one-pipe and two-pipe heating systems
Specifically, where to connect the supply, and where the return is written in the installation instructions, which must be available.
Radiators with side connection
With a lateral connection, there are much more options: here the supply and return pipelines can be connected to two pipes, respectively, there are four options.
Option number 1. Diagonal connection
Such a connection of heating radiators is considered the most effective, it is taken as a standard, and this is how manufacturers test their heaters and the data in the passport for thermal power - for such an eyeliner. All other connection types are less efficient at dissipating heat.
Diagonal connection diagram for heating radiators with a two-pipe and one-pipe system
This is because when the batteries are connected diagonally, the hot coolant is supplied to the upper inlet on one side, passes through the entire radiator and exits from the opposite, lower side.
Option number 2. Unilateral
As the name implies, pipelines are connected on one side - supply from above, return - from below. This option is convenient when the riser passes to the side of the heater, which is often the case in apartments, because this type of connection usually prevails. When the coolant is supplied from below, such a scheme is used infrequently - it is not very convenient to arrange pipes.
Lateral connection for two-pipe and one-pipe systems
With this connection of radiators, the heating efficiency is only slightly lower - by 2%. But this is only if there are few sections in the radiators - no more than 10. With a longer battery, its farthest edge will not heat up well or even remain cold. In panel radiators, to solve the problem, flow extensions are installed - tubes that bring the coolant a little further than the middle. The same devices can be installed in aluminum or bimetallic radiators, while improving heat transfer.
Option number 3. Bottom or saddle connection
Of all the options, the saddle connection of heating radiators is the most inefficient. Losses are approximately 12-14%. But this option is the most inconspicuous - the pipes are usually laid on the floor or under it, and this method is the most optimal in terms of aesthetics. And so that the losses do not affect the temperature in the room, you can take a radiator a little more powerful than required.
Saddle connection of heating radiators
In systems with natural circulation, this type of connection should not be done, but if there is a pump, it works well. In some cases, even worse than the side. Just at some speed of movement of the coolant, vortex flows arise, the entire surface heats up, and heat transfer increases. These phenomena have not yet been fully studied, therefore it is still impossible to predict the behavior of the coolant.
Pros and cons of connecting batteries in series
Advantages of serial connection:
- low cost of consumables;
- use of any types of radiators is allowed;
- if necessary, the pipeline is brought into the "warm floor";
- coverage with heating devices of the entire perimeter of the room;
- easy installation;
- a small amount of consumable material.
Minuses:
- complex process design;
- high heat loss coefficient: due to the characteristic elongation of such a line, the coolant cools towards the end;
- in the absence of a circulation pump, stagnation of the fluid moving through the radiators occurs and a decrease in the efficiency of the system as a whole;
- in the absence of temperature controllers on batteries, there is no control over the supply of heat.
Instructions for adding heating radiator sections
Often, residents of houses and apartments are faced with one very serious problem - despite the systematic supply of a coolant of the required temperature, there is a lack of heat in the house, and staying in it causes some discomfort. To solve this problem, you will need to increase the heating radiator. What is this kind of work? The essence of this procedure is to add sections to the radiator, due to which a comfortable temperature in the home will be achieved.
Sections to the radiator are added if you need to heat a large room
First you will need to find a key for radiators, you must have it - if for some reason you cannot find it, then you need to borrow it from a friend or neighbor, or go to the store to buy a new one. So, with this key, you must remove the radiator, depriving it of connections to the heating system. Next, we take it to the bath and direct water into it.
Without a special key, adding sections will be unrealistic.
There are a large number of cases when the tenants of the apartment complained about the insufficiently comfortable air temperature in the dwelling, and the culprit was an elementary clogging of the radiator, which did not allow it to work "at full capacity". But if you sent water to the radiator, and it passes through its channels without obstacles and comes out clean, without having a cloudy appearance, then it's not a clogging of the heating device. Help in this case can only be provided by adding sections, in which, by and large, there is nothing complicated and difficult if you approach this task responsibly.
General information about heating systems
It is important to initially decide how to connect the heating radiators to each other. In the language of specialists, it is necessary to decide which of the methods of tying heating devices to use
For all types of heating systems, two methods of laying pipelines are used:
Two options: two-sided and one-sided heating pipeline
Single pipe scheme
Systems in which hot water is transported as a heat carrier along one line are less efficient for the following reasons:
A useful formula for those who are just planning to "warm up"
- Practically do not allow to regulate the heating of an individual device;
- As you move away from the coolant source, its temperature gradually drops and the last radiator in the circuit may turn out to be barely warm, or even completely cold;
- In case of an emergency, heating must be completely turned off in any part of the network.
For your information! The only advantage of this type of heating pipe wiring compared to a two-pipe one is its low price.
Such single-pipe heating systems are mainly used in high-rise buildings with centralized heat supply to consumers.
Two-pipe scheme
In the private sector, to create autonomous (looped to one consumer) heating systems, a two-pipe radiator piping scheme is most often used:
- One of the pipes supplying the coolant to the device;
- The other is for the reverse movement to the heat carrier heating source (boiler).
A simple two-pipe system looks like this
All the batteries in the system are connected in parallel, so that the two lines work completely apart and are connected only at the end radiator.
The two-pipe radiator connection scheme provides the following advantages:
- The ability to control the heating of each device in the circuit, which ensures the creation of the most comfortable conditions in various rooms;
- Regardless of the distance between the boiler and the battery, each of the devices heats up equally;
- If repair or replacement is required in any part of the system, it does not require its complete shutdown.
Now we will talk about how to properly connect a heating radiator with your own hands.
Preparatory actions
Before starting the process, a detailed design of the heating system for each specific room is calculated.
Then one of the options for serial connection is selected: horizontal or vertical based on the characteristics of the living space and personal preferences.
Then, focusing on the selected type of circuit, you need to decide on the coolant. For vertical decoupling, it is better to use antifreeze diluted in water, and for horizontal decoupling, plain water.
How to connect two heating radiators, diagram
- Initially, with a serial connection, the location of the heating boiler is determined. It is located, as a rule, in the basement on a special fire platform. An expansion tank is firmly fixed above it.
Attention! The height of the expansion tank relative to the boiler must be at least three meters
At the same time, a competent chimney setting is thought out: the draft must be sufficient, and the smoke itself should go outside without remaining inside the room.
After the main pipeline is connected
It is important to avoid bends when laying.
A pipe runs along the perimeter of the whole house, parallel to which all the batteries crash.
Photo 2. Scheme of serial connection of batteries in a single-pipe system with a boiler and a circulation pump.
- Radiators are placed under window openings.
- Such a circuit should be closed on the heating boiler.
Attention! Before the boiler, it is recommended to place a filter that cleans the coolant from any impurities.
- It is also necessary to provide an element through which the system will be filled with water and drained.
- In a serial connection scheme, each battery can be supplemented with taps and thermostats.
With vertical piping, a circulation pump is included in the circuit for forced circulation of the coolant, and with a horizontal one, a supply pipe slope is created, and a Mayevsky crane is mounted in front of each radiator to remove excess air from the system.
What taps to put on radiators
Various designs of taps are placed in front of heating radiators. They serve to solve several problems:
- Mayevsky crane - to remove air;
- ordinary tap - to adjust the amount of circulating coolant;
- the tap can be used to completely shut off the water during repairs.
The use of a plastic pipe allows you to install simple rotary valves. In an autonomous heating system made of metal pipes, it is better to use threaded valves that do not cause water hammer when closed.
In private autonomous heating systems, taps are installed at the entrances to the premises, in front of vertical sections and from other places. Their presence is very convenient when repairing individual sections of the network.
Radiator integration point
Whether you have a series connection of heating batteries or a more complicated one - parallel, in any case, remember that heat supply is not the only function of these units. An additional bonus of such devices is that the radiators provide good protection against the “cold” intrusion of winds and drafts.
Serial and parallel connection of heating radiators
Therefore, it is not surprising that these life-saving devices find their refuge under the window sills. Heating radiators are able to provide an excellent thermal curtain, especially in the localization of window openings.
Advice. Do not mount two radiators close to each other - this is fraught with the loss of expensive heat: the density of the hot air flow will decrease several times, which will also lead to a sharp drop in the efficiency of the heat supply itself.
Before using a specific type of connection, draw up a schematic plan on which you clearly and visually indicate the location of the devices, and make correct calculations of the installation distance.
Radiators are correctly positioned in the following cases:
- devices are located at a distance of 100 mm from the bottom line of the window sill;
- distance to the floor - 120 mm;
- distance to walls - 20 mm.
Connection steps
The technology of work depends on the selected set of fittings and pipe material. If the pipes are laid on the surface of the walls in the room, then the best option is classic metal pipes.
If the heating mains are laid in advance under the plaster, or in specially provided channels, then a more modern version can be used. For example, polypropylene heat-resistant pipes.
Work with steel pipes is carried out with a standard plumbing tool kit. With plastic pipes and fittings, specialized crimping tools are required. They are not required for all fittings. Many systems have a threaded crimp system.
Types of heating systems
The amount of heat that a heating radiator will radiate depends not least on the type of heating system and the type of connection chosen. To choose the best option, you must first understand what kind of heating systems are and how they differ.
Single pipe
A single-pipe heating system is the most economical option in terms of installation costs. Therefore, it is this type of wiring that is preferred in multi-storey buildings, although in private such a system is far from uncommon. With this scheme, the radiators are connected in series to the main and the coolant first passes through one heating part, then enters the second one, and so on. The output of the last radiator is connected to the input of the heating boiler or to the riser in high-rise buildings.
Example of a one-pipe system
The disadvantage of this wiring method is the impossibility of adjusting the heat transfer of radiators. By installing a regulator on any of the radiators, you will regulate the rest of the system. The second significant drawback is the different temperature of the coolant on different radiators.Those that are closer to the boiler heat up very well, those that are further away become colder. This is a consequence of the series connection of heating radiators.
Two-pipe wiring
A two-pipe heating system is distinguished by the fact that it has two pipelines - supply and return. Each radiator is connected to both, that is, it turns out that all radiators are connected to the system in parallel. This is good in that a coolant of the same temperature enters the inlet of each of them. The second positive point is that you can install a thermostat on each of the radiators and use it to change the amount of heat that it emits.
The disadvantage of such a system is that the number of pipes when distributing the system is almost twice as large. But the system can be easily balanced.
Spider radiator connection diagram
Figuratively imagine the boiler from which we take the pipeline, and bring it out somewhere in the center of the house. Usually such a system is called a spider. We lower the risers and collect, send it all back. We connect radiators to the pipes. The coolant rises up according to its natural physical laws. That is, the hot coolant goes up, and on the second pipe in the middle it leaves and falls down. Passes through the radiator, cools and enters the return line.
Note that the downpipes are sloped. That's the only problem, what do you need to do the slopes
But it is precisely in today's time that many are again switching to these old systems, as problems with energy carriers begin. For example, the electricity is often cut off, while the pump will not work. The system will just hang up. And this is the system that works all the time. The boiler can be any: gas, coal, diesel and even electric. This whole system will work.
This system is very cumbersome. It must be practically brought to the roof and to the attic. Therefore, not everyone is given to master it.
