A heating system includes several key components: boilers, radiators, pipes, control and safety devices. Together, they should make up an effective system for transferring heat from the heated coolant to the air in the room. This function is performed by heating devices for heating systems: gas, electric. What is their feature and how to choose the right model for a specific heat supply?
Appointment of heating devices
In the overwhelming majority of cases, air heating in the premises of the house occurs due to the transfer of heat from the surface of heating elements - radiators, batteries. They can differ structurally, have a different design and a way of raising the temperature on the surface. So, Kermi steel heating devices are designed to complete the water system.
However, despite all the variety of types, several key features of these elements of heat supply can be distinguished. All types of heating devices of the heating system can be classified according to the following criteria:
- Used heat carrier - hot water, electric or gas heating element;
- Manufacturing material: steel, cast iron, aluminum or bimetallic construction;
- Performance: rated power, dimensions, installation method and the ability to adjust the heating intensity.
The choice of a particular type directly depends on the specific heat supply scheme. Bimetallic heating devices are installed for the water system. In rare cases - when using hot steam as a heat carrier. The wrong choice can significantly reduce the heating efficiency. Therefore, it is necessary to consider the design features and technical qualities possessed by devices for space heating.
Regardless of the type of radiator or any other heating heater, it must be in harmony with the overall interior of the room. It is important to pay attention to the design of the structure.
Types of devices for hot water heating
The largest assortment has heating devices for hot water heating systems. This is due to the high efficiency of such heat supply schemes, as well as optimal maintenance costs.
All heating appliances for this type of home have a similar design. Inside there are channels through which the coolant flows. The heat from it is transferred to the surface of the radiator (battery) and then by natural convection to the air in the room.
The main difference that characterizes convector heating devices is the material of manufacture. It is he who largely determines the design of the heating element. There are currently 4 types of radiators:
- Cast iron;
- Aluminum and bimetallic;
- Steel.
Each of them has a number of functional and operational features. They are selected depending on the design indicators - each type of heater for hot water heating systems must correspond to the characteristics of the heat supply.
An important factor is the type of coolant used.For many bimetallic heating appliances, the use of antifreeze is prohibited.
Cast iron batteries
These are one of the first heating components to be used in heating systems. The choice of the material of manufacture is due to the relative cheapness, and most importantly, the high heat capacity of cast iron.
This type of heating device for the heating system is currently not very popular. The reason for this is the lowest thermal conductivity coefficient. However, to create a classic interior in a room, designer cast iron radiators are often used.
It should also be borne in mind that it will be inappropriate to consider them as convector heating devices. The design does not provide for additional plates that contribute to better circulation of air masses. In addition, it is important to know the following features of the operation of cast iron radiators:
- Large volume of coolant. On average, this figure is 1.4 liters. This contributes to the rapid cooling of hot water, but is effective for a small heating system;
- Cast iron appliances for heating rooms are difficult to repair and disassemble at home;
- Large heating inertness. The rise in surface temperature is much slower than that of electrical heating appliances.
Despite this, in many old-style houses, this type of radiator is still installed. The replacement is carried out only by the tenants themselves at their own expense.
Cast iron radiators must be cleaned of accumulated dirt and limescale at least once every 3 years.
Steel and bimetallic heaters
Cast iron structures were replaced by modern steel and bimetallic heating devices. Their main difference from the above models is the relatively small channel for the coolant.
However, this does not in any way affect the decrease in heat transfer. Thanks to the used modern materials with a high heat transfer coefficient, when installing Kermi heating devices, the inertia of the entire system is significantly reduced. In addition to this factor, other features of the operation of steel and bimetallic radiators for water heat supply should be taken into account:
- The presence of convection panels to improve air circulation over the surface of the radiator;
- The ability to install heat control and metering devices;
- Affordable cost and easy installation that you can do yourself.
However, with these positive qualities, you need to know the specifics of the operation of a particular model of a steel or bimetallic radiator. First of all, these are the requirements for the composition of the coolant.
When choosing a battery, you should clarify whether it is collapsible or not. This will help you independently adjust the number of sections in a specific heating device.
Electric heating devices
If the installation of a full-fledged water heat supply is impractical or impossible, electric heating devices are mounted for heating. They differ from the traditional ones in autonomy and compactness. In addition, there are several types of electrical appliances, which have a different principle of generating heat. The main disadvantage of electric heating is high energy costs. To minimize this, modern metering devices for heating are needed - multi-tariff electricity meters. In the evening and at night, there are preferential tariffs for electricity consumption.
The electrical wiring in the house must be adapted to the maximum loads from electric heaters for heating.
Heating convectors
If the house or apartment does not have autonomous (centralized) heating, electric heating devices are most often installed. Outwardly, they are similar to standard radiators, but they have significant differences in design.
Almost all electrical heating devices are used as heating elements for heating elements. An element with a high electrical resistance is located inside. When a current passes through it, electrical energy is converted into heat. For greater efficiency, the heating elements are connected to heat exchange plates made of steel or aluminum alloy.
There are several types of electric home heating appliances:
- Convection... The design is designed for a relatively rapid heating of air in the room due to the movement of flows through special slots located at the top and bottom of the structure;
- Oil... To increase the area of the hot surface, the inside of the radiator is filled with a liquid with a high energy content. The temperature rise is much slower than that described above. However, even after switching off the electric heater, its surface remains hot for some time.
Almost all models are equipped with modern control systems. An obligatory element is an electronic thermostat, which has a temperature sensor for automatic regulation of the convector heating. Also, the safety of operation was not ignored. If the appliance is overturned, the circuit breaker is activated. There are special models of heating radiators designed to work in wet areas - bathrooms, kitchens. They have a moisture resistant housing.
| Model | power, kWt | price, rub. |
| COOPER & HUNTER CH-2000 EC | 2 | 3495 |
| NEOCLIMA COMFORTE 2.0 | 2 | 2273 |
| OLMO OL 1000 M | 1 | 1932 |
| NOIROT Spot E-3 1500 | 1,5 | 5838 |
However, to supply heat to a large house, it is impractical to install electric convector heating radiators due to the high consumption of electricity. In this case, it is best to install more economical heating PLEN or IR heaters.
If the total power of electric convectors exceeds 9 kW, a three-phase power supply with a voltage of 380 V will be required.
Infrared home heating
To increase the efficiency of maintaining a comfortable temperature in the room, electric heating devices are installed that emit heat waves in the infrared range. Their principle of operation is not to heat the air, but the surface of objects that have fallen into the zone of action.
The undoubted advantage of this technique is the reduction in power supply costs. This is due to the fact that the consumption of IR heaters is 20-30% less than that of similar models with heating elements.
Currently, there are 2 types of heating devices in the heating system, operating in the infrared range:
- Film heaters... Resistor conductors are applied on the surface of the polymer film, which emit infrared waves when an electric current passes through them. They can be mounted both as a warm floor and on the ceiling of a room - PLEN;
- Carbon heaters... A carbon spiral is placed in a special sealed glass flask. When the device is turned on, it generates infrared waves that heat objects. For efficiency, such devices are equipped with a reflector made of stainless steel or aluminum.
It is noteworthy that the latter type of room heating devices can be installed anywhere in the room. They are often used to maintain a normal temperature outside the home in a specific area.
| Model | power, kWt | price, rub. |
| UFO Star 1800 | 1,8 | 4090 |
| RUNWIN LONDON | 3 | 17150 |
| IR film Luchi, m2 | 216 | 1008 |
| IR film MONOCRYSTAL 220L ENP-E, m² | 135 | 673 |
However, for these IR heating devices for a private house, there are a number of application restrictions. First of all, do not cover the surface of the film. This can lead to overheating and damage.
The further the infrared emitter is located, the wider its coverage area. But this increases the degree of heat dissipation.
Gas heating of air in the room
Analyzing the efficiency of the above-described devices, the issue of reducing the cost of heat supply remains relevant. Therefore, as an alternative, it is recommended to consider gas heating appliances. These include not only traditional boilers, but also other, equally productive designs.
The simplest type of this type of heater is considered to be a gas convector. It can be connected to both main gas and a liquefied gas cylinder. The burner is housed in a housing that does not come into contact with the air in the room. Oxygen is supplied to maintain the combustion process through a two-channel pipe. Carbon monoxide is removed through it.
If you need a mobile model of a radiator, Catholic gas heating appliances are of particular interest. They have a slightly different principle of work. The gas flows from a matrix of small nozzles onto a ceramic surface where it ignites. As a result, a catalytic reaction occurs, which is the main source of heat.
What should be considered when choosing a gas heater?
- Compliance with safety rules is imperative. Before connecting the device to the gas main, you must read the instruction manual;
- Organization of carbon monoxide removal. The most common consequence of a malfunctioning heater is an excess of the CO2 level in the room;
- Periodic cleaning of nozzles from accumulated soot.
It must be remembered that all heating devices must be adapted to specific operating conditions. First of all, this applies to safety regulations and compliance with the operating mode.
In the video, you can see an example of making an IR heater with your own hands:
