What kind of heating batteries are better?

Organizing in the house or apartment major repairs, in the list of activities which includes replacement or modernization of the heating system, the owner will inevitably face the problem of - heating batteries which are better to choose in order to improve the comfort of living and not lose with the interior design.

Previously, this issue was not usually raised in principle - except for the cast-iron batteries of a unified model in new homes, only inefficient, poorly manufactured steel convectors were sometimes installed. Today the situation is different - the radiators can differ significantly and according to fabrication material, and characteristics, and exterior design. Naturally, I want to install in my apartment, the best of those that allows the budget allocated for the repair of .

However, when choosing these devices, it must be taken into account that not all of them can be suitable for the existing heating system. Having different performance characteristics, calculated for the

certain load and coolant, the batteries can either disappoint the customer with their low efficiency, or even simply do not approach the technical parameters.

In addition, in order to achieve the proper efficiency of heating, it is necessary to correctly calculate and set the required number of sections in radiators. Only execute in in all conditions and always adhering to installation rules, you can get the desired result.

Currently, the most common types of radiators are: the following types of radiators:

- steel, panel and tubular;

- cast-iron, having both modern and retro-design ;

- Aluminum and Aluminum anodized;

- bimetallic.

To correctly determine the choice, you need to better understand the characteristics, merits and demerits of each type. To start with - a few "dry" digits, which, the less less already can give the initial representation. Some parameters of different types of batteries - in the table:

	TC	_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _DD _ _ _ _ _ _ _DD _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ DD _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ DD _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _30	57	25-75
- fracture	18-25	20-25	30-50	75	100
pH limitation( hydrogen value)	6,5-9	6,5-9	7-8	6,5-9	6,5-9
Exposure to corrosion due to:
- oxygen	yes	no	no	yes	no
- wandering currents	yes	no	yes	yes	no
- electrolytic pairs	weak	no	yes	weak	no
Section thickness at h = 500 mm;Dt = 70 °, W	85	110	175-199	199	216,3
Warranty, years	1	10	3-10	3-10	30

Abbreviations in the table:

TC - tubular steel;

Чг - cast iron;

Al - aluminum conventional;

AA - aluminum anodized;

BM - bimetallic.

And now - about each of the types of details.

Steel battery heating

Steel radiators can differ both in their design and design decision. They should be made in the form of panels or of a certain number of vertical pipes, connected to each other in one common battery.

Panel steel radiators

Each panel of this radiator is made of two metal sheets, which are shaped by punching and welded. Then in most of the models is equipped with panels with convection heat exchangers, which contribute to the rapid warming of the air and the creation of a thermal ascending flow. After joining all the elements into a single structure, its is painted according to a special technology.

For this type of radiator to last a long time, the color should be uniform - this parameter should be paid special attention when buying.

Panel radiators are designed for a coolant temperature of 85 ÷ 95 degrees, and for the standard operating pressure in the central heating system( up to 10 atmospheres).

Similar batteries have its own classification, which is predetermined by the number of panels and the presence of convector plate heat exchangers between them. Each of the types is expressed by defined by with a two-digit number:

• 10 type consists of only one panel ;
• 11 type is one panel, equipped with with one convector ;
• 21 type - has two panels and one convector located between them ;
• 22 type - consists of two panels and two convectors ;
• 33 type - has three convectors that are located between the of three panels.

Serious differences between models can be and in overall dimensions. It is clear that the larger the panels, the thicker the assembled structure, usually 50 to 155 mm . . The length of such a battery can vary from 400 to 3000 mm, and the height is usually , ranging from 200 to 900mm.

Panel batteries are produced with side and bottom connection - the choice in this parameter is made depending on the passage of the pipes of the heating system and hosts preferences.

The advantages of panel batteries include the following:

• Ease of installation. The battery has an integral design, therefore its does not need to be assembled from several elements. The panel is hung on the fixed in the wall brackets, and the nozzles are connected to the heating circuit pipes.
• Due to the small massiveness of the steel sheet, the heating of the panel takes place almost immediately after starting the heating. This contributes to good heat transfer from both the surface directed by the to the room and in the plate heat exchanger that the gives the the ability to get the desired air temperature in the room quite quickly.
• Compact size and neat appearance allow the panels to fit into any interior.
• Operation of panel batteries in an autonomous heating system can save on fuel, since a relatively small amount of coolant is used to fill the circuit.

The negative aspects of the panels include the following:

• Metal panels do not have an anticorrosive coating on their inner surface directly in contact with the coolant, which can lead to rather rapid rusting, leakage, failure. This is especially true for central systems, where for the summer the coolant merges, opening up "wide opportunities" for corrosive processes. And the quality of the coolant also does not always contribute to the duration of trouble-free operation of the devices.
• If the batteries are installed in the central heating system, it will not be possible to avoid water hammering, which the panels can not withstand. Therefore, the will require an and the installation of a pressure reducer, which will equalize the pressure and take the impact on itself.

For more detailed information about the manufacturing process, characteristics and nuances of operating panel batteries, it is worthwhile to follow the recommended link to a special portal page.

Tubular batteries

Tubular steel batteries consist of sets that are welded together. The efficiency of this design will be at the proper level if the required number of sections is installed in the battery, the total heat of its capacity corresponding to the area of ​​the room.

Tubular radiators can have a very wide variety of different design solutions, and this is one of those criteria that directly affect the choice of this type of batteries. In addition, tubular batteries can be equipped with a special bracket for drying towels, which is very convenient, for example, for the kitchen, or an upper panel that can serve as a seat or a shelf for drying shoes.

They are produced in different sizes, the height varies from 200 and up to 2000 mm, and the thickness is usually from 100 to 250 mm. The ordered length of the can be either, depending on the heating needs.

These elements of the heating system can withstand pressures from 8 to 15 atmospheres. To avoid damage to the batteries during a water hammer, if they are installed in the central heating system, they, just like the panel ones, will require the installation of a reducer.

The thickness of the walls of steel tubular radiators is only 1 ÷ 1.5 mm, so they heat up very quickly and give heat to the room. But the same factor can be attributed to the drawbacks of the design, since thin steel easily lends itself to mechanical damage.

Unlike panel , the tubes of these batteries are internally coated with polymer protective films, which preserve them from the corrosive environment of the coolant, and as a result of the - from the occurrence of corrosion foci, which significantly extends the life of the batteries.

The advantages of tubular steel batteries include a variety of design solutions in shape and color, the supply of radiators with additional elements, an original neat appearance.

Serious disadvantages for this type of battery are only two, but they can much more affect the home heating system than the already mentioned advantages:

• Low heat dissipation, which will lead the to higher energy costs. The batteries heat up quickly, but also cool down quickly, so the boiler will shut down for a very short time. The absence of an additional heat exchanger, besides the surface of the pipes themselves, makes the area of ​​active heat transfer very small. This ultimately suggests that tubular batteries are disadvantageous to install in an autonomous heating system.
• However, , welded joints can be attributed to the vulnerable place of such batteries - the cases of the appearing as leak on them after the hydraulic hammering were noted. The conclusion suggests the completely opposite - , it is possible to install tubular batteries without a reducer only in a system with autonomous heating.

In a word, a lot of contradictions, and you need to think very carefully before buying such heating batteries.

Cast iron radiators

Although today a large number of batteries are made of modern materials, the cast-iron elements of the heating system are also not forgotten. They can be found in shops in transformed form, decorated for modern interiors or under a strict "classic".In some cases, such radiators even act as a decorative element and are able to set the tone for the entire decoration of the room.

In addition, modern cast iron batteries do not require periodic painting, as was the case with the old "Soviet" models. For sale, they come with a treated and painted surface that the will have to only occasionally wipe or brush with its dust.

Modern radiators made of cast iron can have different sizes, so they can be selected for any size of the room. In addition, if the old batteries had to be hung on the brackets hammered into the walls, today you can purchase variants in which the of has massive legs, on which they are installed and fixed to the floor in the defined by for them.

Unlike all other types of batteries, cast iron has an important advantage - they will function equally effectively both in the autonomous and in the central heating system. The main thing is that all joints of sections and pipes should be carried out correctly and reliably - then the cast iron elements will not be afraid of any water hammers or corrosion.

Despite for the emergence of new battery options, cast iron continues to be popular and because of its excellent heat capacity - the property of to retain heat for a long time. They have thick and massive walls that are warmed up for a long time, but after warming up, when the heat inflow is cut off the term remains hotter than the radiators produced by from other materials. This is due to the properties of - cast iron, it is widely used for the manufacture of heating furnaces and boilers or individual components for them.

In specialized stores you can find both domestic and imported versions of cast iron radiators. Representing their products are countries such as Germany and Turkey, Spain and England, the Czech Republic and Italy - , it in many respects favorably differs from that manufactured in domestic enterprises.

• Imported radiators are of high quality smooth or embossed cast surface.
• An important functional feature is high thermal power, even with small dimensions. For comparison, you can take the volume of the of the traditional domestic battery, which is 1.3 liters, while the Czech-made radiator has volume of of only 0.8 liters, with the same heat output. Thus, the foreign variant will be more compact and will save a decent amount on the coolant and on the boiler operation.
• In addition, unlike from qualitative, imported batteries have a perfectly smooth internal surface, which prevents the formation of scale on the walls and significantly reduces the hydraulic resistance of the coolant circulation.
• As any radiators made of cast iron are resistant to corrosion, they can be used in open heating systems where an amount of dissolved air enters the coolant in the large .
• All cast-iron batteries have thick enough walls, which increases their resistance to possible abrasive wear.
• Unlike from , the imported radiators come to the stores already in the painted form and do not require periodic renovation of the cover, which will save not only the money , but also the time of the homeowners.

However, all products of foreign manufacture have a price much higher than the cost of domestic batteries.

The drawbacks of all cast-iron batteries can be attributed to their heavy weight, so they can be hung on all walls or partitions. And the process of mounting on a wall is somewhat more complicated than with other radiators.

Aluminum batteries

Aluminum batteries are suitable only for installation in an autonomous heating system, as they are quite demanding on the quality of the coolant. Owners of private houses use this type of radiator quite popular, thanks to an affordable price, good performance and modern exterior design.

Manufacturers set the passport for a minimum lifespan of aluminum batteries of 10 ÷ 25 years, but they may well serve the for a longer time. The duration of their "life" will directly depend on the quality of the coolant, the correct installation and operation of the heating appliance.

This type of radiator is designed for pressure in the system up to 15 atmospheres, coolant temperature of 90 ÷ 100 degrees, and the heat transfer of the section can reach 200 ÷ 210 W.Thus capacity of each of sections of a radiator makes only 450 ml, and weight - 1,0 ÷ 1,5 kg. Separate sections are fastened to a single battery using a threaded axial connection.

The standard distances between the upper and lower axles are 200, 350 or 500 mm, but it is possible that non-standard variants having a center distance of 800 and even more than millimeters are also manufactured.

Aluminum radiators, like all other heating appliances, have their advantages and disadvantages.

To , the following qualities can be attributed to the advantages of :

- high level of heat transfer;

- light weight;

- relative ease of in installation;

- convenient and wide range of the size range;

- neat, aesthetic appearance;

- as a rule - complete with a thermostat, which allows you to set the desired temperature.

From the of it is worth mentioning the following:

is a possible risk of gas generation, which can provoke " airblow" and blockage of heating circuit;

- possibility of generation leaks on the connections of separate sections;

is the main heat concentration on the edges of the elements.

- susceptibility of some types of aluminum radiators to the occurrence of corrosive processes.

Some problems that can occur with aluminum batteries can be avoided. For example, in order for the possible the gasification of the on its paralyzes the operation of the system, it is necessary for the to cut the into a common autonomous circuit or install an air trap on each battery. And in the case of the autonomous system, is generally better equipped with a coolant that is well adapted to aluminum( this is described in detail in the corresponding portal publication).

Aluminum battery sections are made of aluminum alloy using silicon additives, but different models can differ between themselves still and the way they manufacture - casting and extrusion.

• The first method involves the manufacture of each section separately, by pouring the alloy into special high pressure molds. Silicon present in the alloy, gives the a special strength to the walls of the radiators, and the manufacturing method fully guarantees the tightness of the of the .

Batteries made by this method , are capable of withstanding the operating pressure in the system up to 16 atmospheres. At test events, coolant is supplied by to with type of batteries under pressure of 25 atmospheres, that is, giving the characteristics of its products, the manufacturer gives the a one and half strength margin.

This technology produces sections of various shapes, but the traditional ones are those that have a smooth smooth outer surface - , it is optimal for better heat transfer.

• Another method of manufacturing - sections is the extrusion method. The melt with this technology is pressed through the molding nozzles - to obtain the desired profile of the workpiece. Then it is necessary to cut the profile into individual parts.

The finished sections are then assembled into a single structure. Batteries manufactured in this way have a lower cost, but will not be able to increase their or make it smaller - the design is not collapsible. The quality of such radiators is also lower, since the joints of the sections( for seals or even for special glue) can flow under unfavorable circumstances and they can not be repaired.

Aluminum batteries with anodic oxidation

There is also another one type of aluminum batteries. They are produced from metal having a high degree of purification, and the passes the stage of anodic oxidation - therefore, the term "aluminum anodized" is often encountered. With this special treatment, aluminum slightly changes its structure, and if conventional aluminum radiators are exposed to oxygen corrosion, the anodized sections withstand such influence. In such designs, the batteries are assembled by means of couplings which are fixed to the outside of the sections.

Anodized sections for radiators are manufactured by casting, and outwardly they are almost identical to conventional aluminum batteries. Therefore, , when purchasing them in the store, it is necessary to carefully study the passport, which must be attached to such products.

The internal surfaces of this type of - are absolutely smooth, so there is no obstacle to the circulation of the coolant. Their upper limit of working pressure is much higher than that of conventional aluminum, and ranges from 45 to 75 atmospheres.

Naturally, in connection with their outstanding technical characteristics, the cost is also much higher. But still, for aluminum batteries to last as long as possible, it is worth choosing radiators of this kind.

Bimetallic batteries

Bimetallic radiators for their reliability stand, perhaps, in second place after the cast-iron ones. They are produced on a combined basis, of two metal alloys - , the inner part is made of a stainless steel alloy, and the outer - is made of aluminum covered with a layer of enamel.

Bimetal batteries also consist of sections that are connected by means of a threaded connection. At the same time, their exclusive reliability is based on the fact that the outer aluminum case does not come into contact with the heat carrier, but serves only as an efficient heat exchanger( due to the high thermal conductivity of this metal) and in some way a decorative element. And water or antifreeze circulates through channels made of a steel alloy, which is more resistant to pressure and oxygen corrosion. Due to this, such batteries can safely withstand pressure jumps of up to 35 ÷ 40 atmospheres.

These qualities of bimetallic batteries allow them to be installed without any restrictions in the central heating system of high-rise buildings, and in the autonomous - the private house. The only thing, in the second case for them it is desirable to create the necessary pressure, otherwise, they will not function fully, losing a number of their advantages. Hence, the natural circulation here is not suitable for , and it is necessary to install a circulating pump in an autonomous system.

section connector The bimetal batteries are quite expensive - their price, at any rate, is much higher than that of steel or conventional aluminum, but this is entirely justified by the high reliability of and a long service life. In fact, the high cost can be called the only drawback, while the advantages they have much more:

• The high thermal conductivity of the external aluminum "shell" gives the the ability to heat up the room quickly.
• The corrosion resistance already mentioned above.
• Compact and aesthetic appearance, thanks to which the radiators perfectly fit into any interior style.
• Bimetal batteries do not require special care or intermittent staining, as they are coated with a two-layer hardened polymer coating.
• Ability to withstand high temperatures and increased operating pressure, thanks to the internal steel casing.
• Relatively small weight, easy installation, which can be done without the help of specialists.

The appearance of bimetal radiator options is somewhat similar to aluminum batteries, but the difference in price is quite substantial. At purchase sometimes it is even impossible to distinguish two nearby standing radiators, therefore it is better to buy them in specialized shops or from trusted suppliers. Requiring at the same time technical documentation.

Choosing new batteries, it is not worth saving, because by buying cheap low-quality products you can doom yourself to another, completely unplanned and unwanted repair in two to three years. Installation by the owner of unsuitable radiators for the existing heating system can damage not only the floor covering in his own apartment, but also lead to serious problems with flooded neighbors from the bottom. So saving on a small can lead to substantial costs afterwards.

certificate. Therefore, when buying any heating batteries, needs to study not only the passport with the specified specifications, but also the certification of the product with warranty obligationsmanufacturer. It is important to do this in order to avoid buying counterfeits, very similar to the "brand" sample externally, but still not ceasing to be of low quality.

For "fixing the material" it is suggested to watch a video lesson that will help give the the answer to the question: "Which heating batteries are better?"

Video: useful tips for choosing batteries for heating

Calculator for calculating the heating radiators