For what and how is the heating system balanced?
If you think that installing the boiler, additional equipment and piping, connecting radiators to them and filling the system with coolant, we can assume that the work is done, this is not so. Although the main array is completed, an important step remains - setting up the heating system or balancing it. The main task of the process is the correct distribution of the energy of the coolant through the rooms.
Today we will tell how it is done in a private house.
All work can be done with your own hands, following simple recommendations. There is an erroneous opinion that balancing should be done only in large buildings, but this promise is not true. It is required for any buildings, especially residential ones, otherwise the heat in some rooms will be abundant, while in others, on the contrary, its lack will be felt.
Our task today is to tell you how to prevent such an imbalance. As a result, the boiler, radiators and other elements of the system will work as one unit, and heat the uniform structure.
the main goal
No matter how hard we try to make the heating circuit correctly, it often happens that the last battery warms not just longer, but not enough.
To increase the power of neither the system nor the pump in this case there is no reason, since this is not the problem.
- Balancing is used to distribute the heat energy coming from the heat generator through pipelines, depending on the needs of each room.
- It helps to perform this procedure, first of all, valves. It is an important component of heating, which makes it possible to increase or decrease the flow of coolant to a certain part of the heating system.
Tip: Installing automatic temperature control equipment does not preclude battery balancing.
- In this case, they are only an additional tool that allows you to maintain the necessary comfort in the rooms.
- Setting up radiators and heating equipment is of paramount importance. Therefore, we recommend that you first carry out balancing and only then install automatic systems, if there is a desire.
Tip: note that mainly the latter have a centralized character, being responsible not for the adjustment of the flow of coolant, but for its temperature in the heating device.
What you need to do
Balancing is performed using the following components:
- flow regulators;
- bypass valves;
- balancing valves;
- pressure regulators.
We recommend that you buy products only from time-tested manufacturers, even when their price is slightly higher than the rest.
Installation of certain elements is based on the device of the heating system:
- In the single-pipe circuit, the instruction recommends only installing manual taps that will help vary the intensity of the supply of heated water to any room;
- in two-pipe systems, especially where the temperature is controlled by automatic devices, the installation of balancing valves cannot be dispensed with.
Ways
There are several methods to perform the procedure. Consider their essence by example:
| Plain | The most time-consuming option is to periodically measure the readings of each balancing valve while adjusting their positions. The goal is to adjust the position of the valves so that the result will satisfy you. |
| Complicated | It is considered more reliable, since the system is divided into separate modules. In this case, its total power is taken as 100%, and the data that comes from individual modules is converted into corresponding shares, for example, 50 or 20%. Then adjust each module individually, achieving the flow rate of the coolant to the desired percentage from total power of the heating system. For example, you chose 20% for a bedroom, but this indicator was not enough to a comfortable temperature. Therefore, you decide to increase the intensity by another 10%, for which you unscrew the valve a little. |
Tip: before starting the balancing work of the heating system, it is necessary to open each shut-off valve and make a test run. You must ensure that the circulating pump for heating, batteries, and other circuit components is working properly.
Balancing crane
This is a type of valves, through which the hydraulic resistance is controlled by changing the diameter of the pipe cross-section in a selected section.
Install it when:
- there is no comfortable temperature even at maximum load;
- there is a significant temperature change in the room at a constant load in the heating system;
- There is no possibility to reach the rated power of heating.
The advantages of equipment
Balancing valve for heating has the following advantages:
- reduces total fuel costs that homeowners will notice after a while;
- increases the comfort in the room, as it is possible to achieve for each individual room a suitable temperature level;
- removes complexity at system startup.
Installation and adjustment
Usually, the installation of balancing valves for heating is carried out to regulate two-pipe heating systems. For this purpose, special fittings and adapters are used.
Tip: Pay attention to the arrow stamped on the device, as there are taps that are installed only in a particular direction of movement of the coolant. Otherwise, damage to the equipment and failure of the heating system may occur.
After installation it is necessary to carry out measurements to determine the level of adjustment.
Conclusion
For normal operation of the heating system at home, it is imperative that it be balanced. Only in this case it will be possible to evenly heat the entire building, setting the required temperature in each room. Special equipment helps to make this work - balancing cranes that allow you to adjust the functioning of the heating system (see also the article “Pool heating: available methods and tips for self-realization).
Video in the article will provide an opportunity to find additional information on the above topic.