New design technologies in the construction of houses have led to the need to create new ways of heating systems. One of the most attractive and demanded solutions is panoramic glazing. But in such a situation, the problem of lack of space for the location of radiators arises. Installation of underfloor heating convectors is considered an excellent solution.
Device and principle of operation
Floor heating radiators are an excellent alternative to traditional heating devices. Due to the special design, heat is transferred with maximum efficiency by convection. The principle of operation of the device is the passage of cold air around the heat exchanger. The air temperature rises, therefore, its density decreases. Thanks to this, warm air rises and enters the room through the decorative grill.
The device itself is a stainless steel case. The metal must meet high corrosion resistance values.
Types and characteristics
Convectors can be built into the floor or installed on top. Water and electrical appliances are emitted depending on the heat source.
Aquatic
The water-type device is a galvanized steel box, in which a heat exchanger in the form of a U-shaped tube is placed. The radiator is built into the channel, which is previously made in the subfloor. From above it is covered with a decorative grill.
The air heats up and rises up, replacing cold masses. The media temperature rises to 900 degrees. Heating power can be adjusted using the built-in fan. Thanks to temperature sensors, the fan is automatically turned off or the rotation speed changes.
Since the body of the water radiator is built into the floor, there are no special design requirements. Particular attention should be paid to the quality of the metal. If there is high humidity in the room, the housing should be made of stainless steel. For dry rooms, galvanized steel can be used.
Floor convectors for hot water heating are not installed in apartments, as it is forbidden to connect them to the central system.
Heaters are used in the following cases:
- in public premises of institutions, private houses;
- in places where it is not possible to install radiators.
It is also a good option for organizing heating in swimming pools.
Electrical
Electric convectors can be operated without installing fans. They are equipped with special ventilation elements. Models with fans are installed in rooms where heating costs are very high.
Electric floor convectors have the following advantages:
- compact size;
- reliable steel body;
- silent work;
- economical power consumption.
The principle of operation is based on thermal convection. The disadvantages of such a system include the impossibility of installation in rooms with high humidity levels.
Advantages and disadvantages of equipment
Underfloor heating has its pluses and minuses in the installation.The positive aspects include:
- Absolute safety in use. Such equipment can be installed in children's rooms. All heating elements are located under the grill.
- Compact dimensions - the radiator will not take up much space against the wall.
- Durability - such batteries are reliable and robust. Since they are hidden from external influences, they are not in danger of damage.
- Compared to traditional radiators, floor heating heats the room much faster. They also maintain indoor air temperature more efficiently.
Before choosing a radiator, you need to assess the disadvantages of floor convectors. Their installation increases the thickness of the floor - the required minimum level should be 15 cm. If the room has low ceilings, this solution will not work. In addition, the system is difficult to install.
Primary requirements
To make the right choice, you need to know about all the features of the device.
The convector body must be made of metal. It is an elongated tray that is painted with anti-corrosion protection.
The decorative grille is the only visible element of the entire convector. But when choosing a device, not only aesthetic appeal is important. A significant selection criterion is the distance between the planks.
Large crevices can contain dust and small objects. Therefore, you need to be careful that small children do not stick their fingers in there. The grille will be part of the interior design, so you need to select it in accordance with these conditions.
It is important to take into account the following characteristics when selecting;
- color;
- metal of manufacture (steel or aluminum);
- the shape and size of the lamellas, their location.
Roll-up grilles look more elegant, monolithic ones are most often chosen for modern and high-tech style.
Rules for choosing floor convectors
Before purchasing equipment, it is recommended to read the rating and reviews. There is a large selection of Russian and European manufacturers on the market. The most popular are Kermi floor convectors. These are German systems that are distinguished by their reliability and quality. All equipment is adapted for Russian heating systems.
It is recommended that when choosing, focus on the following points:
- equipment power - should be calculated based on 100 W per 1 square meter;
- heat transfer parameters should be specified no more than 70 degrees;
- the recommended convector depth should be at least 90 cm.
It is better to purchase domestic equipment for natural convection, and foreign equipment for forced convection.
Installation and connection
Most often, the connection of floor convectors is necessary in rooms where heat loss is too high. To make the installation correctly, you must adhere to the recommendations:
- the niche should be made at least 1 cm higher from the entire height of the device;
- indents from the wall are made at a distance of 15-30 cm, from the window 5-15 cm;
- to increase the efficiency of heating, protective insulation is installed;
- it is recommended to use flexible hoses for connection, they allow you to easily align the joints;
- shut-off valves with a valve must be attached to the "return".
As soon as the equipment is installed in the channel, it is necessary to align with the adjusting screws. Insulation is laid around the convector. Then the finishing coating is installed and the electrical cable is connected. Most often, the manufacturer encloses an installation diagram.
After completing the work, you can install the decorative grille and test the system.
Operation and maintenance
Main maintenance activities:
- Dismantling the grille, it is removed from the guides.
- Wet cleaning of canals.
- Dry cleaning with a vacuum cleaner.
When removing the grate, you need to check for leaks and violation of the integrity of the body and pipes. If no defects are found, the grille can be reinstalled.
How to turn down the grate
During operation, the box may shrink due to heating. In this situation, the decorative grille will be larger than necessary. You can deal with the problem yourself. The tools will require a screwdriver and pliers.
First of all, it is necessary to tighten and fix the string using pliers. Then the end bolt is unscrewed, thanks to which the entire structure is held. All actions must be performed very carefully so that the string does not come off and the structure does not crumble completely.
The section or bushing is carefully pulled out depending on the required dimensions. After that, the end bolt is screwed into place.
Installation of floor convectors is an excellent option in cases where it is impossible to equip the usual radiators. Thanks to their design, they have an aesthetic appearance and effectively heat the entire area of the room.
