How to choose a heating radiator in an apartment: technical

Sooner or later, the batteries installed in the home become unusable and require immediate replacement. But in modern construction stores there is such a wide choice of these products that many do not know how to choose a heating radiator for an apartment, so that it is not only beautiful, but also reliable. We will understand this issue in more detail.

Features of centralized heating systems

At first glance, the heating network, where the coolant is supplied centrally, preferably autonomous boilers. Indeed, in this case, you do not need to bother with the purchase, installation, commissioning and maintenance of the heater. As soon as there is a cold outside the window, the batteries will immediately delight with the long-awaited warmth.

However, in fact, everything is not so simple.

Centralized heating has many drawbacks that influence the choice of a heating radiator for an apartment:

• coolant supplied to pipes and radiators of central heating, contains many aggressive chemicals that have a negative impact on the infrastructure of utilities;

• in addition to chemical exposure, the batteries in the apartments experience the mechanical effects of solid particles present in the coolant;
• the temperature of the supplied water does not differ in constancy either - the radiators either barely heat or are red-hot so that it is impossible to touch them;
• In centralized heating networks, there is a great danger of sudden surges in fluid and air pressure — the so-called hydraulic and pneumatic shocks, which can easily destroy not-too-strong radiators.

Tip! In order to avoid the destruction of batteries during hydraulic shocks, during repair it is advisable to install not conical ball valves on the heating pipes, but conical valves, which will make it possible to gradually increase the pressure of the coolant in the system.

The choice of batteries for heating

Important technical specifications

The choice of heating radiators for an apartment will begin by listing the features that these products should have:

1. Each battery used for heating is designed for use in networks with a specific coolant pressure. It is necessary to purchase products in which this parameter is higher than that of the climate network installed in your home. For example, in the dwellings of an old building, the fluid pressure is between 5 and 8 atmospheres. in modern high-rise buildings - from 12 to 15 atmospheres.

1. Radiators installed in city apartments must be able to withstand significant water hammer. Despite the measures taken, such a nuisance can still occur. Better to worry about it in advance.

Tip! On the frequent fluctuations of pressure in the heating network indicate extraneous sounds - crackling, humming, chinks - in the pipes. If they bother you too often, it is advisable to contact the service organization that is able to fix the problem.

1. Batteries should be well tolerated by exposure to water with acids or alkalis dissolved in it.. It is advisable to purchase radiators made of materials that are not susceptible to chemical solutions or opt for models with a special protective coating.
2. You should also think about the resistance to abrasive particles.. It is not necessary to buy batteries for installation in an apartment from too thin or soft material (for example, copper). It will quickly let flow and force the replacement of the heating panels again.

1. Do not forget about the main purpose of radiators - to heat the room. It is necessary to take into account such a parameter as power or thermal conductivity. It shows how much heat from the hot water is transferred to the air in the room. The more this value, the better.
2. The appearance of radiators also occupies not the last value in the list of requirements.. It is unlikely that you will be satisfied with massive cast-iron batteries, which were installed in all apartments built in the 80s of the last century.
3. Lifetime. Replacing the heating system is a costly undertaking, since the price of the radiators themselves and the services for installing them are quite high. Therefore, you need to buy batteries that will last for at least 20 years.
4. Ease of installation. This parameter is important if you decide to design a heating system with your own hands. For example, steel batteries can be easily mounted on specially installed brackets, and multi-section cast-iron panels are unlikely to even be able to lift, and not just hang on hooks.

Steel batteries

These radiators of heating consist of two steel plates welded together, in which the channels for the passage of coolant are pre-extruded.

Their advantages are evident:

• excellent heat transfer coefficient;
• small volume of the heat carrier;
• low cost;
• great appearance;
• a light weight.

However, the installation manual states that the maximum pressure that such a battery can withstand does not exceed 8 atmospheres, because they are absolutely not suitable for installation in apartments with central heating.

Moreover, debris that exists in the coolant, can clog the water supply channels, causing a complete inoperability of the system.

You can return to them if you decide to equip an apartment with independent heating with a gas or electric boiler. Then all the advantages of steel batteries manifest themselves in full and will not make you disappointed in the choice made.

Aluminum radiators

Very beautiful and extremely powerful devices. Without going into details, it should be immediately noted that they, too, are absolutely not suitable for centralized heating.

This is due to the following features of aluminum radiators:

• this metal is extremely sensitive to coolant with foreign chemical impurities, the slightest trace of acid or alkali will lead to rapid corrosion and destruction of the battery;
• The maximum pressure that the radiator is able to withstand does not exceed 16 atmospheres, and there is nothing to say about a water hammer - a battery that has burst in early autumn is unlikely to add a good mood to you.

Bimetallic devices

All the advantages of steel heating panels and aluminum heaters combine bimetallic batteries. The coolant in them flows through steel pipes, on which an aluminum heat exchanger is mounted on top, which improves consumer properties of the device.

The positive aspects of bimetallic radiators are as follows:

• designed for installation in networks where the temperature of the coolant exceeds 130 degrees Celsius;
• can withstand fluid pressure over 30 atmospheres, are destroyed only with hydraulic and pneumatic impacts with a pressure of 170 atmospheres;
• are not subject to corrosion both from within, and outside;
• light weight, which makes installation easier.

The described batteries are great for installation in apartments. Their wide distribution is hampered only by one circumstance - the high cost.

Cast Iron Heaters

This option, although known for a long time, and now has not lost its relevance. No need to listen to those "experts" who say it is inappropriate to install cast-iron radiators. This is the best option for apartments that are not equipped with independent heating systems.

Cast iron batteries perfectly withstand exposure to water contaminated with chemical and mechanical impurities, their thick walls will not collapse from abrasives present in the coolant, and the acid will not cause corrosion.

Note! Previously, one of the significant drawbacks of cast iron batteries was their unattractive appearance. However, at the present time they are free from this shortcoming. There are special options for heaters, whose design is able to satisfy even the most fastidious buyer.

In addition to the above, the choice of cast iron for installation in an apartment is also justified by the following features:

1. Low inertia. Cast iron slowly heats up before it begins to give off heat to the air in the room. However, it slowly cools. Therefore, you will not notice short-term shutdowns of the heating, since the battery will continue to heat the room even after the coolant supply is stopped.
2. High efficiency. Cast iron batteries heat the room by radiant heat, rather than by convection. This is a slower, but more reliable way of heating, since not only the air masses are heated, but also the objects in the room.
3. Resistance to corrosion. When the coolant is drained during the warm season (which is practiced in centralized heating systems), the inner surface of the cast iron does not rust, which cannot be said, for example, of steel heating panels.
4. Strength. Cast iron is well tolerated by the pressure at which coolant circulates in the central heating networks. But it does not tolerate strong water hammer due to its fragility. Therefore, it is recommended to additionally equip the pipelines inside the apartment with special valves or valves.
5. Small cost. The price of such radiators is quite affordable and corresponds to their quality.

Conclusion

Cast iron heating radiators are an excellent choice for installation in city apartments. But a more effective option for organizing a heating system is to install an autonomous gas or electric boiler. This method of heating is more economical and efficient, and the choice of batteries will be much wider.

You can learn more about this from the video below. If you still have questions - ask them in the comments!