If the battery becomes unusable, it will be impossible to survive the winter in the house or apartment. To replace the unit before the onset of cold weather, you need to know what kind of radiators are. Only after understanding the features of different types of heating batteries, you can choose a good option.
Classification by material of manufacture
Most radiators are made of metal. There are also plastic varieties that are cheaper. They are lightweight, wear resistant, easy to install. But the temperature of the coolant in the pipes should not be more than 80 degrees, otherwise the system may be damaged. When in doubt, it is better to choose a more durable structure.
Cast iron appliances
The main disadvantage of old-fashioned, but strong cast-iron radiators is an unattractive appearance and weight - up to 9 kg for each section. The disadvantages include the large size, the complexity of integration into the interior of a modern apartment. Of course, the bulky battery can be hidden behind a special screen. But because of this, the time it takes for the room to warm up will increase. But the advantages of cast iron units are:
- high rate of corrosion resistance;
- duration of operation - more than half a century;
- budget price.
The devices withstand a pressure of 9 to 12 atmospheres, cool down for a long time and are connected to systems in which a not very clean coolant circulates.
Aluminum devices
In their manufacture, they take lightweight and extremely durable aluminum. In the production process, the high pressure casting method is used, due to which the products become:
- reliable;
- resistant to corrosion and pressure;
- easy to connect;
- attractive in appearance.
Also, such products have high heat transfer and a long operating period. Leaks are rare, as all joints are sufficiently tight.
Aluminum batteries cannot withstand aggressive heat carriers and water hammer, therefore they are best installed in private households - they will not withstand high-rise buildings for a long time.
Steel radiators
These are devices that combine the functions of a radiator and a convector. Such devices can withstand temperatures up to 120 degrees and pressures up to 10 atmospheres. They heat up almost instantly, but they also cool off quickly when turned off.
The main disadvantage is an increased tendency to pollution, which is neutralized by mud filters.
They are also characterized by a high susceptibility to water hammer in places where welded seams are located. The device can burst or deform during pressure testing, and therefore it is undesirable to put them in houses with more than 5 floors.
Bimetallic structures
These are the latest generation radiators. They have a steel core and an outer aluminum shell. Due to their high strength, anti-corrosion properties and ability to withstand water hammer, they can be installed in multi-storey buildings. Solid monolithic models hold pressure especially well. They are not afraid of blows up to 100 atmospheres. Heat dissipation is also great. The appearance is attractive and the installation is simple. Weight no more than 2 kg.
The only drawback is the high cost. Bimetallic batteries are several times more expensive than those made of steel or aluminum.
There are pseudo-bimetallic options. This is the name of devices in which steel reinforcements are located only in vertical channels. Their cost is less than the previous ones, heat transfer is greater, but they are less resistant to corrosion due to the contact of the coolant with aluminum.
Copper batteries
Heating devices of this type have the highest resistance to aggressive environments among all analogues. They hardly wear out, they perfectly hold high pressure and water hammer, they are not afraid of rust. But they also have a drawback - high cost.
This type of heating batteries is used in central and autonomous systems, in which both water and antifreeze transfer heat.
Copper radiators level the resistance of the coolant. In addition, they have maximum heat transfer and they increase the efficiency of the heating device.
Design differences
Classification of heating batteries by design characteristics:
- Sectional. They are assembled from identical sections with channels for the coolant inside. They have increased heat transfer and efficiency. It is possible to install a thermostat. However, the joints between the sections can start to leak. Also, a minus of the sectional type of heating radiators is the tendency to rapid contamination and blockages.
- Panel. They are two sheets of metal coated with anti-corrosion protection and welded to each other. The coolant moves in vertical channels, and ribs are installed on the back side, increasing the area of the heated surface. Such devices are lightweight, cheap and compact. But they are afraid of an increase in pressure and water hammer, and they need a clean coolant.
- Tubular. Outwardly, they look like two collectors, above and below, between which vertical tubes are inserted. They warm well, are resistant to high pressure. The rounded edges and shape of the tubes prevent dust and dirt from accumulating on the surface. Strong welded joints eliminate leakage. But they are afraid of rust and are costly.
There are also plate types of heating radiators. They are made in the form of a bent water pipe with steel plates mounted on it to enhance air convection. The devices are simple in design and inexpensive. But at the same time, they unevenly warm up the room and collect dust well.
Radiator shapes
Depending on the configuration, vertical and horizontal types of batteries are distinguished. The latter distribute heat more evenly throughout the apartment.
If the room is cramped, you should prefer the flat model. They consume a small amount of water, which allows easy regulation by means of thermostats. Such devices do not require special care, they look attractive from the outside. Among the disadvantages is the impossibility of installation in rooms with high humidity, as well as a high price.
Flat and vertical units must be equipped with air release devices, because in this position there is a difference in internal pressure.
Manufacturers offer not only wall-mounted, but also floor-mounted heating devices. They represent a heat exchanger with a coolant moving in it, which is surrounded by aluminum or steel plates and closed from the outside by a metal crate, a protective casing. They are placed in rooms where it is impossible to install wall-mounted radiators because of their weight or because of panoramic windows. But such devices are more expensive and more difficult to install.
There are stand-alone models of radiators that do not depend on the heating system. They can be used as additional ones. They need electricity to work. They are oil and quartz, it all depends on the type of heating element. The first is cheaper and more mobile, the second is more productive.
Criterias of choice
When choosing a battery, you must take into account the following characteristics:
- The manufacturer's declared operating pressure must exceed the head in the heating system.
- The radiator must be resistant to water hammer.
- The inner surface of the heat exchanger walls must be coated with a special anti-corrosion and anti-dirt coating.
It is worth choosing a device with the highest heat dissipation and maximum service life.
In addition to these criteria, the appearance of the radiator, its cost and the ability of the material to withstand the chemical composition of the coolant are also taken into account. If the choice is made correctly, the design will last for many years.
