The heating system in the house is an indispensable part of a comfortable existence. Sometimes it may be necessary to replace heating radiators, while residents need to figure out which batteries are better to choose.
Features of centralized heating in an apartment
An important advantage of apartment buildings over private cottages located outside the city is a constant heat supply. With the onset of the heating season, utilities provide heat. But a centralized system also has its drawbacks:
- Chemical impurities in the water that goes through the pipes. All of these substances can be corrosive.
- Small particles can scratch the inside of the batteries. As a result, holes are formed and the radiators will have to be replaced.
- Unstable water temperature. Batteries can be very hot or cold at different times.
- Sudden increase in pressure. May lead to an emergency.
All this should be taken into account when choosing radiators for apartments. The main requirements are:
- Declared pressure must exceed operating pressure. For multi-storey buildings, this figure should be equal to 12-15 atmospheres.
- Resistance to water hammer. It is better to choose stable models so that a sharp jump does not damage the heating system.
- The materials from which the radiators are made must be resistant to corrosion and not destroyed by particles of dirt, sand or stones.
- High heat dissipation. The main task of the radiator is to heat the home. Therefore, it is important to choose the model that will provide the greatest amount of heat without loss under the given conditions.
- Service life, working conditions.
It is important to pay attention to the appearance. The efficiency of work does not depend on this indicator, but the design of the room should be taken into account.
Varieties of radiators for apartment buildings
In modern homes, models made of steel, cast iron, aluminum and other materials show the greatest efficiency. There may be plastic inserts. They are distinguished by their resistance to water and impurities, service life, appearance and quality of heat transfer.
Steel batteries
Steel radiators are lightweight and thin. They are economical and efficient due to their high heat transfer and low water volume. The cost is low, but there is a factor limiting their use in an apartment: a steel radiator can withstand a maximum of 8 atmospheres. Steel tubular batteries differ in their construction and design.
The positive aspects of steel heating radiators include:
- Light weight. Allows for easy battery mounting.
- Small thickness.
- Heat transfer is carried out directly and by convection. The combination of the two heating methods gives good heat transfer rates.
- Ease of installation.
- There are models with a different number of convectors.
- Affordable cost.
- High speed of heating the room.
- There are no high requirements for the quality of the coolant.
All disadvantages relate to the use in apartments with a centralized heating system.Due to the compact design, a small volume of water will fit into it. This means that the battery will have to be switched on frequently to maintain optimal temperature conditions. When using an autonomous heating system, a large resource will be spent on heating.
Steel tubular radiators
Compared to panel construction, tubular batteries are made of separate tube-like parts. They are connected to each other by welding. For installation in the house, a product is selected for the declared dimensions. Because of this, it will not be possible to enlarge them or replace broken sectional sections.
They have a low working pressure, therefore it is recommended to additionally purchase a reducer to protect against water hammer.
Main advantages:
- Light weight. Allows easy installation of the device.
- Corrosion resistant. Unlike panel models, tubular radiators do not rust.
- Affordable cost.
- A wide range of sizes and colors.
- Fast heating.
- Low requirements for the quality of the heat carrier.
- The parts welded together eliminate the possibility of leakage.
Among the shortcomings, one can single out the risks of pneumatic impact due to the monolith and low heat transfer. Not suitable for homes with central heating systems.
Aluminum radiators
Euro batteries made of aluminum look stylish on the outside and give 190 watts of thermal power. But they are also infrequently used. Water with impurities is highly acidic, which destroys aluminum from the inside. High pressure also damages the radiator.
Advantages of aluminum radiators in the apartment:
- Ease. Their weight is about 4 times less than cast iron.
- Ease of installation. You can install it yourself according to the instructions.
- Stylish appearance. Manufacturers offer a wide range of colors and sizes.
- Cost. Products are inexpensive, in particular cheaper than bimetallic models.
- High degree of heat transfer.
Disadvantages:
- Poorly tolerate water hammer. The reason is the instability of aluminum.
- High requirements are imposed on the coolant.
- Abrasive substances can damage the inside of the radiator. The acidity of the water also has a negative impact on the integrity of the product.
- The maximum allowable working pressure is 12 atmospheres. In a centralized heating system, this value is 16 atmospheres.
- Short operating time.
Aluminum models are not suitable for use in an apartment as the main source of heat. In the case of autonomous heating, aluminum batteries for a house will show all their positive qualities.
Bimetallic batteries
The latest developments include radiators made of two metals. Usually copper and aluminum or steel and aluminum are used. For the ribbed body, an aluminum alloy is used, and the core is steel or copper.
According to the manufacturers, the minimum service life is 40 years. Such models are well suited for apartments. They are able to withstand heating up to 130 ° C. Working pressure reaches 30-50 atmospheres, depending on the model and its characteristics. Resistant to water hammer.
The radiators have an anti-corrosion coating and an inner primer. Thanks to this coating, water impurities and small stones will not destroy the batteries.
The devices are mobile due to their low weight. Installation is not difficult, just do everything according to the instructions. The appearance is aesthetic, there are white and colored panels.
The main advantages of bimetallic models:
- Stability. They can operate at high pressures and temperature fluctuations.
- They are not affected by aqueous acidity.
- Good heat dissipation.
- Water hammer has practically no negative impact.
- There are practically no requirements for the coolant.
- Lightweight and easy to install.
- Stylish design.
- The service life reaches 50 years.
The disadvantages include the high cost of the device. Better to buy indoor models from reputable manufacturers. Russian batteries for the Rifar apartment are popular, Italian - Sira or Global, as well as Zehnder. Some Chinese manufacturers also offer quality products at below European prices. You can buy Rifar devices at any store.
Cast iron radiators
Cast iron models are distinguished by their strength and durability. They have been used in the heating system for a long time and do an excellent job of their duties. They are practically not affected by the quality of water, its level of acidity and impurities. The walls are thick, so the abrasive cannot damage them from the inside. Cast iron radiator batteries are most often used in apartments.
The indisputable advantages include the ability to keep warm for a long time. The residual heat amount is 30%, which is higher than that of radiators made of other materials. The method of heating the room is radial. It is more efficient than convection.
The pluses also include:
- heating not only air, but also objects;
- large heat transfer area;
Cast iron batteries are compatible with pipes made of various materials - resistance to pressure drops;
- unpretentiousness;
- inertia;
- low price;
- quality, strength, reliability;
- durability;
- compatibility with pipes made of various materials;
- ease of use;
- no requirements for the coolant;
- no rust is formed.
Despite all the durability of the material, it may not withstand water hammer. The working pressure reaches an average of 16 atmospheres. They are also very heavy, which makes them inconvenient to mount.
Modern cast iron heating batteries have a stylish appearance. Models of figured casting and in retro style appear.
Choosing the best model for an apartment
The further choice depends on the budget that the buyer is willing to spend on heating batteries. Cast iron appliances can be used in old houses. If the pressure of the heating system is higher in a multi-storey building, a choice should be made in favor of bimetallic radiators.
What criteria should be considered when choosing a radiator:
- Maximum pressure in the central heating system. The radiator limit must be higher.
- Limiting temperature. Battery endurance to temperature influences. Lower temperatures must also be taken into account.
- Manufacturing material.
- Appearance.
- Power. The number and size of sections depends on this indicator. Calculations are made in accordance with the proposed building codes and regulations.
If the house has an autonomous heating system, you can buy any radiator. In this case, it is more profitable to supply aluminum devices in terms of price, quality and heat transfer ratio.
It is also important to consider the connection of materials. If you connect expensive, high-quality batteries to pipes that are incompatible in material, the efficiency will be significantly reduced. In addition, the radiator may be damaged.
