08 Oct The choice of heating radiators

When the heating radiators in the apartment have become unusable or obsolete, it’s time to choose new ones. The choice of heating radiators must be carried out based on the pressure in the network, the required power, the materials from which the heater is made and its design.

First you need to find out in the enterprise providing heating, the pressure in the heating system. Depending on the type of heating system, the operating pressure can vary from 4 to 10 atm., and during planned tests to be one and a half times more.

Next, you need to calculate the required heating power. For heating an apartment with rooms up to three meters high, 100 watts per 1 square meter of area is required.

Nowadays, cast-iron heating radiators are still popular, as they are the most resistant to corrosion. Their design has become more modern, but the disadvantages – fragility, high weight and the need for coloring remain. Cast iron radiators heat up for a long time and require a lot of hot water. To improve the design, they are covered with screens that reduce heating efficiency. Large thermal inertia does not allow effective temperature control.

Aluminum radiators heat up and cool down quickly, so they are ideal for heating rooms with intermittent presence of people. They are lightweight and aesthetically pleasing. Sectional structure allows you to arrange a radiator of the required power. Thermal shut-off valves limit the hot water supply when the required temperature is reached, which contributes to energy savings. Disadvantages – susceptibility to electrochemical corrosion, insufficient strength.

Panel radiators consist of steel plates and panels through which hot water circulates. Power selection is carried out by changing the number of panels, there can be up to three. Thermal performance comparable to cast iron radiators. Corrosive and inefficient at low coolant temperatures.

Convection radiators are pipes with ribs welded on them. Modern convection radiators are made of copper pipes with aluminum fins. Copper practically does not oxidize, it gives off heat well, so the radiators are durable and efficient.

The design of aluminum plates is such that an upward air flow is created, which accelerates the heating of the apartment. These radiators are light, easy to install, require a small amount of coolant, so temperature control is facilitated. The only drawback is the high cost.

The radiator must be selected with the most developed surface from high-quality materials with parameters corresponding to the heating system. With the right choice, heat in the apartment will be provided.