Radiator heating systems are deservedly considered the most suitable for heating private houses, the experience of using which demonstrates their excellent performance. They perform their functions reliably, while remaining simple and easy to use. The question of the device in the house of radiator heating with their own hands worries many owners of private housing. Our article is intended to inform readers about how to design and install such heating systems.
Features of radiator heating at home
Compared to other types of heating, radiator systems require less energy to heat the premises. Accordingly, the financial costs for their installation and maintenance will also be relatively small. You can choose a water heating boiler that uses the most affordable fuel in the region (gas, peat, coal). It is much easier to do the piping for radiator heating with your own hands than, for example, to mount a "warm floor" system. Radiators are easy to install in every room, where they will warm the air, saturating it with heat from the hot water circulating in the system.
For heating dwellings, radiator heating is used, the scheme of which provides for one of two ways to move the coolant through the pipes:
- by natural circulation, when hot water, with its increased pressure, displaces the cooled water back into the boiler;
- by artificial circulation, when the circulation pump builds up pressure and increases the movement of the coolant.
The system can be made self-regulating by installing thermostatic valves when installing the radiator heating. The distribution of heat flows throughout the house will occur automatically, depending on the temperature needs of each room.
The use of radiator heating batteries also has its drawbacks. The heated air is constantly circulating around the room, and dust flies along with it, which creates some discomfort. In addition, certain areas in the room remain insufficiently heated. But such inconveniences are almost imperceptible against the background of the unconditional advantages of the heating system we are considering.
Radiator heating network diagrams
Depending on the method of connecting pipes to heating devices, radiator heating of a country house can be performed in the form of the following schemes:
- Single pipe - heating devices are connected in series, and the coolant flows through each radiator heating battery, heading to the next. In this case, the last of the batteries heats up less than the previous ones;
- Two-pipe - hot water is supplied to each radiator through one pipe, and cooled water goes through the other. All batteries, when connected in parallel, receive the same share of thermal energy;
- Collector - has a more convenient system regulation and heat distribution. The total length of pipes with this scheme increases significantly.
Some users consider a one-pipe radiator heating system ineffective, because there is no way to regulate the heating of each radiator separately. But the installation of a bypass will help to correct this situation - an additional jumper with a thermostat, which is placed near the heating device.
Using a one-pipe system, you can reduce costs by 25% compared to a two-pipe system, due to more rational pipe laying.
The use of a collector for radiator heating helps to solve the problem of uniform heating of all rooms of a large cottage. This device optimizes system performance and reduces heat loss. True, the collector system can operate only under conditions of forced circulation, and its construction requires the laying of numerous pipelines.
Heating devices are connected to the heat supply line in different ways. For example, a radiator heating scheme for a two-story house can be connected to a vertical riser. Hot water is supplied from the boiler to a vertical riser and then distributed to the radiators. The supply of the coolant to the riser can be carried out both from the bottom and from the top.
Horizontal connection options are more convenient to use in buildings with large rooms. The pipes located at the floor level are connected to the lower part of the radiators, and this scheme allows the pipes to be hidden under the decorative cladding.
The efficiency of circulation of the coolant in long horizontal lines should be ensured by using a circulation pump.
Types of heating equipment
The main set of equipment for radiator heating of a country house consists of a heating boiler, pipelines and heat exchangers (radiators). If necessary, the system can be supplemented with a circulation pump, manifold, expansion tank, by-passes and thermostats.
Heating boiler
The most economical heat source can be considered a gas-fired boiler. The variety of models of these heating devices makes it possible to use them in any of the radiator heating schemes. The most powerful units must be installed on the floor in special rooms, while compact gas boilers can be hung on the wall in the kitchen or utility room. To install gas heating devices in a house, you must obtain permission, and only a specialist has the right to install them. An electric heating boiler can be equipped with a safety group, automation, a built-in pump, an expansion tank and other useful devices. It is quite convenient to use it in a radiator heating system, but it is very unprofitable due to the high costs of paying for electricity.
A solid fuel boiler is an old proven heat source, improved by new technologies. Some difficulties in installing radiator heating may occur due to the fact that it is undesirable to use plastic pipes in the piping scheme for a solid fuel boiler.
Pipe material
Steel pipes - heavy and corrosive - are being replaced by more practical metal-plastic and polypropylene pipes. There is an option to use copper pipes, but due to the high cost, such a heating system will not be affordable for everyone.
For the installation of metal-plastic pipes, you do not need bulky welding equipment. Reliable connections are made with crimp fittings or press fittings using flaring and pressing tools.Not only a piping system is made of metal-plastic, but also collectors for radiator heating.
Polypropylene pipes and corresponding fittings are even more affordable than metal-plastic pipes. For independent work with them, you will need to purchase a special soldering iron for polypropylene pipes. With proper use in a home heating system, this material will last a long time. The polypropylene pipe does not burst even if the system is accidentally defrosted.
The choice of radiators for heating
Modern radiator heating batteries are made from metals of various properties. Let's consider their features:
- Aluminum - lightweight and compact, they provide high heat transfer due to additional internal fins. The thermal conductivity of aluminum is so great that the battery heats up in a matter of minutes. Among the disadvantages are the sensitivity to the pH level of the coolant and the fragility of threaded connections;
- Bimetallic - more reliable due to the presence of steel tubes in the aluminum body. They have increased chemical resistance and withstand increased pressure. Their advantages are best manifested in systems with forced circulation;
- Steel - are made of two steel plates connected into a single panel. Thanks to the stamped recesses, they have a high heat dissipation. The variety of dimensions of panel radiators makes it easier for buyers to choose;
- Cast iron - unlike their Soviet predecessors, they are more attractive in design and have improved characteristics.
The choice of a specific model of radiators should be made taking into account all the features of the home heating system.
When calculating the power of heating radiators, keep in mind that if they are covered with decorative shields, heat transfer can be reduced by 10%.
Diy installation of radiator heating
The main thing is that a diagram of a radiator heating device must be thought out, without which work cannot be started. It is convenient to make a preliminary calculation of the system using an online calculator, but only a heating engineer can calculate the heating performance more accurately. Its services must be used to insure against calculation errors.
You need to install radiator heating with your own hands in a certain sequence:
- Install the boiler in the designated room.
- Trim the boiler (preferably under the guidance of a specialist).
- Install a manifold for radiator heating (if applicable).
- Carry out the piping and (if necessary) install the circulation pump.
- Hang the radiator batteries on the brackets in the pre-marked places.
- Connect the pipes to the radiators.
- Pressurize and check the functioning of the system.
The specific option for laying pipes for radiator heating in a country house is chosen based on the interior design project. The pipelines are laid along the walls or hidden in the grooves. With a hidden pipe laying, it will be necessary to insulate it. In the scheme of radiator heating of a private two-story house, a warm floor may also be present. In this case, it is permissible to make the floor screed with pipelines laid inside it only after pressing the system.
To prevent the formation of air locks, in a system with natural circulation, it is necessary to lay horizontal lines with a slope towards the flow of the coolant. The slope should be 10 mm per meter of pipeline length.
Radiators are connected to the pipeline in three different ways:
- diagonal connection - the coolant enters through the upper pipe on one side of the radiator, and exits through the lower pipe on the other side;
- lateral unilateral - supply and removal of the coolant is made only from one side;
- bottom connection - the coolant enters and exits through the two lower nozzles.
The video shows how to install an aluminum radiator battery:
Hand-made installation of radiator heating in your home gives the thrifty owner the opportunity to save money. But in addition to financial benefits, it is also important to moral satisfaction from the work performed. As a result, not only the microclimate will become warm, but warm lights will also appear in the eyes of the household.
