Gas heating is the most efficient way to heat premises in industrial facilities and in the private sector. Heat generators are distinguished by their high performance and compare favorably with their counterparts operating on electricity, heat and liquid fuel. Gas equipment is manufactured in an expensive and budgetary design, with various functions and a wide range of power outputs. To achieve the most effective result, you need to familiarize yourself with the types of household heating appliances, their technical characteristics, pros and cons, installation, operation and maintenance rules.
Advantages and disadvantages of gas heating
The principle of operation of devices powered by natural fuel is simple and straightforward. The water in the heat exchanger is heated under the influence of the flame, after which it begins to circulate through the system. The movement is carried out by gravity or a low-power centrifugal pump. Passing through the piping, the liquid gives off heat, returns to the boiler, after which the cycle is repeated. If an apartment or a country house has been without owners for a long time and is not heated, antifreeze is poured into the system.
Gas heating at home has the following advantages:
- Ecological cleanliness. When fuel is burned, only water vapor is formed, which is completely safe for humans and the environment.
- High heat dissipation. Natural raw materials give off a large amount of energy, far surpassing traditional raw materials - firewood and coal.
- Profitability. Gas heating is now much cheaper than all other energy sources used to maintain heat in private buildings. This is facilitated by the huge reserves of natural resources and a developed system of their transportation.
- Fire safety. Combustion takes place in closed chambers, contact of fire with interior items is excluded. Adjusting the fuel supply system limits its flow and turns it off in the event of emergency situations.
- Autonomy. Modern electronic devices make it possible to turn on and off the boiler, lower and increase the temperature in the premises in accordance with a given program.
- Functionality. Various models are used not only for the organization of heating, but also for heating water for domestic needs.
- A wide range of devices that differ in size, cost, power and additional options.
- Choice of connection options. The source of gas supply can be a central line, a gas holder or standard household refillable cylinders.
- Do-it-yourself system installation. To do this, you need to have a set of household tools and purchase several inexpensive special devices.
There are few disadvantages of gas heating systems. Large initial costs will be required due to the high cost of high-quality equipment. If a choice is made in favor of connecting to the central network, you will have to obtain technical specifications and wait for their approval from the management company. Connection, periodic checks and maintenance will only be carried out by specialists. This is also a financial expense.
Calculation of gas consumption for heating a house
The calculation of fuel consumption for heating a building should be carried out at the design stage. This is necessary to install equipment and lay communications before the interior decoration.
Gas consumption is influenced by the following factors:
- Boiler efficiency;
- installation power;
- the climate of the region;
- structural properties of the building;
- height and area of the building;
- number of windows and doors;
- the quality of the thermal insulation of the walls, floor, ceiling and attic;
- choice of chimney design, internal or external.
When buying a heat generator, you need to take into account that its maximum power is indicated in the passport, which should not be confused with the working one. This indicator is always 20-30% lower than the nominal. Maximum capacity comes in handy when temperatures drop to extreme levels.
There are the following methods for calculating the volume of gas for heating a building:
- By heat loss. The initial indicator is half of this value, after which 10% is added to it for the outflow of heat through the chimney and evaporation in the expansion tank. This will provide information on fuel consumption per hour. Then you need to translate it into hours, days and months.
- By volume. The average consumption is 30-40 W of energy per 1 cu. After calculations, you need to convert the volume into the specific heat released by different brands of gas during combustion. It should be noted that the Siberian G25 emits 20% more heat than the Volga G20.
- By area. The initial unit is taken to be 100 W per square meter with a standard ceiling height of 250 cm. At the same time, it decreases to 75 W / m2 for the southern regions and rises to 200 W / m2 for the northern regions.
- By electronic calculator. The resource is available on many, including free sites. It is enough to enter the requested data and wait for the result. To it should be added 20% for error and extreme cold.
To summarize the above examples, to heat a one-story house or summer cottage with an area of up to 100 m2, a boiler with a capacity of 8-10 kW is needed. To heat a well-insulated 2-storey mansion, you need to take a good 15-20 kW heater.
Selection and types of gas boilers
Technology does not stand still, thanks to which many gas boilers with sets of functions that will suit any buyer have appeared on sale. Products differ in the criteria that are taken into account when arranging houses of all types, depending on their configuration and methods of fuel supply.
According to the degree of functionality, boilers are divided into the following types:
- Single-circuit. The heat carrier is used exclusively for space heating. It circulates in a closed circuit consisting of piping and radiators.
- Double-circuit. Devices of this type have two insulated heat exchangers. One is intended for heating the house, and the second is for creating a supply of hot water in the boiler, which has wiring to the bathroom, outdoor shower and kitchen.
At the place of attachment:
- Wall mounted. They belong to the category of compact, they are chosen when the room is cramped or the interior conditions require it. In most cases, such devices are single-circuit, so they are hidden in niches or combined with cabinets of the same size. This achieves an organic environment without losing functionality.
- Outdoor. Products are more powerful, therefore weigh more. They need more space, and sometimes a separate room. As a rule, floor models are double-circuit, due to the consumption of a large volume of fuel, they require a direct vertical chimney. The structures are equipped with cast-iron heat exchangers, which makes it possible, in the absence of gas, to switch to solid and liquid fuels.
By air intake options:
- Atmospheric.The combustion process takes place in an open chamber, air enters it directly from the room. The evolved gas is discharged through a plastic chimney into the street due to the difference in temperature and pressure. Due to the optimal composition of the mixture, the gas consumption is low, but the oxygen level drops, which negatively affects the well-being. In addition, in the absence of fresh air, the flame can go out. The room must be equipped with supply and exhaust ventilation.
- Turbocharged. This design with a closed combustion chamber, where air is pumped by a turbine from the street. Boilers with turbines are completely safe, they can be installed not only in the basement level, but also on residential floors. In wall-mounted devices, the combustion chambers are made of copper, and in floor-mounted devices, they are made of cast iron. These materials are more resistant to fire than steel and enable high power development. Double-circuit structures have a summer mode of operation, when only water for domestic purposes is heated.
When choosing an installation for heating a building, you should pay attention to the possibility of its disassembly and maintenance with your own hands. The bottom line is that heat exchangers need regular cleaning and flushing. The services of specialists are expensive, it makes sense to save on them.
Self-assembled gas heating options
It is necessary to take responsibility for drawing up a heating scheme for a private house with a gas boiler. The choice of an overly powerful device will lead to excessive fuel consumption, and a unit with low capabilities will work at its limit, which will lead to its rapid wear and tear. After drawing up the project documentation, it is necessary to agree on it with the gas company. Only after receiving permission and technical conditions, you can start working.
The scheme of the heating system in a private house from a gas boiler includes the following elements:
- Water heating unit. Its place of installation and the order of fixing on the bearing surface are determined.
- Radiators. The choice is made between traditional cast iron sectional batteries or modern, improved shape aluminum products.
- Wiring. To dissolve the heating, a one-pipe or two-pipe version is used. A diagonal, side, bottom or top scheme for supplying pipes to radiators is selected.
- Centrifugal pump. The product is installed in the highway when the construction of a structure of great height and area is being carried out. The pump circulates the liquid and prevents it from stagnating at the end of the piping.
- Heat accumulator. It is a tank in which heated water is collected. Performs the function of a warm liquid accumulator and compensation for temperature differences in the system.
- Expansion tank, closed or open. Accepts excess water when thermal expansion occurs.
- Air bleed valves. Airing the system is common. To eliminate it, end radiators are equipped with manual valves.
- Underfloor heating system. Set up in those rooms that are tiled. Depending on the configuration of the room, the circuits are connected via a bypass or run in gravity mode.
- Automation. The system is connected to devices that regulate the temperature of the coolant, turning on and off the boiler.
Additionally, sensors and devices are installed to ensure the safe operation of the equipment.
The correct step-by-step plan for arranging gas heating in a private house consists of the following stages:
- preparation of calculations, purchase of materials, tools and devices;
- marking in accordance with technical conditions;
- installation and fixing of the heating boiler, chimney connection;
- installation of an additional heating circuit;
- suspension of radiators, heat accumulator and expansion tank;
- production of strapping, its connection to batteries and tanks;
- gas line supply and connection;
- filling the system with water;
- a trial run.
You can use the equipment after drawing up an act and sealing the meter.
Alternative heating methods
Since water heating is expensive and complex, you can choose one of the available types of gas-fired appliances. To make the right choice, you must first study their technical description.
To heat a private house, you can use:
- Convectors. Only gas is supplied to them, and it is allowed to connect household cylinders.
- Infrared emitters. The products are suspended from the ceiling and work on the principle of solar radiation. With limited power, they can quickly heat up a large room.
When designing heating with gas, it should be borne in mind that this energy source is much cheaper than electricity, solid and liquid fuels.
