What are the heating batteries better for the apartment: a review of models and tips on choosing

We understand the types of cast-iron, aluminum and bimetallic radiators, as well as we advise you to pay attention to when buying.

All about the radiators for the apartment

Features of centralized heating

Criterias of choice

Varieties of heating structures

• Cast iron
• Steel
• Aluminum
• Bimetal

Problems of centralized heating

Most high-rise buildings are heated centrally. This method of obtaining heat is very convenient for owners. They do not need to worry about anything except radiators. To decide which heating batteries are better for the apartment, if you know about the peculiarities of the heating systems of the centralized type, in which they will have to work.

Features of the central heating system

• The device connected to the contour will receive a coolant from the total boiler room. This suggests that they have an impact:
• Unstable pressure in the circuit. Small differences are often not dangerous. During the pressure period, it raises above the worker and this is normal. But sometimes hydrowood happen. So called sharp jumps, provoked by externally in the network, sharp closure of the crane in the boiler room, and the like. The hydrowood is very dangerous. Radiators with a small margin of strength are not kept, they are rushing.
• Low quality coolant. It has aggressive chemical impurities that provoke metal corrosion. In addition to them, sharp sludges circulate together with liquid. They affect the inner parts of the design as abrasive, gradually destroying it. They score channels, which reduces heat transfer.
• Mandatory seasonal drainage of the coolant. Air falls inside the contour. It provokes quick corrosion of some metals.

In heating systems, the temperature differences are often frequent. For them, this is not dangerous, except that can deliver the inconvenience of residents.

How to choose

What kind of heating battery is to choose for an apartment depends on the "weak" places of centralized heating. For this, criteria are designed:

• High heat transfer. The room should be heated quickly and efficiently.
• Resistance to the effects of chemically aggressive substances and abrasives, which are present in the coolant. For the manufacture of the device, either an inert material is used, or an internal protective coating is applied.
• The operating pressure of the device must exceed the pressure of the heating circuit. It happens different. 12-16 atm is served in high-altitude high-rise buildings. Whereas for houses in five and below the floods of the norm will be 5-8 atm.
• The ability to resist the hydroedar. Well, if the battery has some margin of safety.
• Long service life.

Types of heating batteries in the apartment

The properties of the heating equipment depend on the material. Alloys of various metals even in the same operating conditions lead themselves in different ways. For each type of batteries, technical documentation indicates the most important characteristics that need to be focused:

• maximum pressure;
• operating pressure;
• the volume of the coolant;
• Design features (panel, tubular, sectional);
• permissible rigidity and temperature of the coolant used;
• Warranty service life.

Technical parameters will be prompted which battery to choose for heating. We must not forget that some of the products offered in the construction market is made according to EU standards. In Russia, the requirements are different. Therefore, products suitable for Europe cannot trouble-freely work in Russian high-rise buildings. It must be considered. We will understand the advantages and disadvantages of different devices.

Cast iron structures

Cast iron radiators are operated not one dozen years. In each house once stood these bulky unavigractive devices. Many it seems that new models are the same. Not really. Cast iron sectional devices are available in new design, in different colors. Good products with designer design, more often vintage. They are not hiding, but put off the appearance.

Benefits

• The possibility of long-term operation with a low-quality liquid in which the pH value is at the lowest boundary of the permissible range.
• Ability to resist corrosion. With the first contact with the liquid on the surface of the cast iron, an insoluble film appears. It protects the metal from destruction.
• Operating pressure ranging from 7 to 10 atm, withstand racing up to 18 atm. These characteristics allow you to install cast iron structures in high-rise buildings.
• The ability to operate in the heating systems of any type, equipment trumpets of all kinds.
• Small deliberation, which is associated with low gas formation. Permanent air steering is not required.

Sectional models have an additional advantage. They can be collected as a constructor, choosing the desired number of items. If required, the spoiled part is removed and repaired or replaced.

disadvantages

Significant minuses in cast iron two. One of them is an impressive mass. This makes it difficult to transport and install. The second is significant inertness. Metal is warm up for a very long time and warms the air. But he also gives the accumulated heat as long, even after the coolant has already cooled. Therefore, we will not consider the inertia "clean" disadvantage.

Steel equipment

Available in two varieties: panel and tubular. The first option is two connected steel plates, between which the pipe with liquid passes. Enhanced heat transfer provides a ribbed surface, the form of which increases convection.

Tubular models are manufactured in the form of sections boiled with each other. Produced in different sizes and forms. Designer models are very diverse. There are wall and outdoor modifications that are installed at the wall, at some distance from it and even in the middle of the room.

Benefits

• The ability to operate in systems with any pipes.
• Small weight, which simplifies installation.
• Long service life, provided that the rules of operation are observed.
• Low price.

disadvantages

There are many flaws from steel radiators. They are very sensitive to the quality and composition of the coolant. Strong chemicals and abrasives start and accelerating corrosion. Seasonal reset of fluid from the system will aggravate the problem. Batteries from steel unacceptably leave without water, otherwise corrosion develops very quickly.

Working pressure is small, carry no more than 10 atm. With a non-discontinuity of the device, the device is completely possible for the contour. Given both of these lack, steel appliances are not recommended for installation in apartments. Especially in those are located in highlights. In the buildings of five and smaller floors, their installation is allowed, but not welcome, since it is high the risk of an emergency.

Aluminum radiators

We are produced in two varieties: injection mold and extrusion. In the first case, the aluminum melt is poured into the form where it cools. The sections obtained in this way are welded into a single design. It is greater than in extrusion tightness, durability, reliability in operation. If required, the number of items can be changed.

The technology of making injection molded devices is expensive, so extrusion was developed. Metal, more often, passes through the extruder, where it is given the desired form. Sections are combined with thread or composite glue. Both ways are not reliable enough. It is not recommended to remove or add elements here. Great risk of leaks.

Benefits

• High thermal conductivity. The best among other metals. Batteries are very quickly warm, their heating is easy to adjust.
• Small mass. Load on the walls is minimal, the fastener is not required. Installation can be performed alone.
• Attractive view.
• Low price for extrusion models.

disadvantages

First of all, high sensitivity to the quality of the coolant. The pH level should not be higher than 7-8, otherwise the destruction of the metal will begin. Manufacturers protect the inner part of the polymer film design so that aluminum does not come into contact with the liquid. The presence of abrasive particles, which is inevitable in centralized systems, make this defense useless.

Working pressure of high-quality cast models reaches 8-12 atm, maximum up to 25 atm. This is quite enough to install in the apartment. Extrusion models have less strength. Aluminum in contact with copper or brass enters the electrochemical reaction and destroys. All this makes unwanted installation of aluminum equipment in apartments.

Instruments from bimetal

Move from two metals, combine the advantages of both. The inner part is made of steel, external - from aluminum. Such a solution allows you to install bimetallic devices in any heating systems. Not the most conscientious manufacturers offer aluminum products with a steel core, giving it to the bimetal. This is a low-quality fake, which should not be purchased.

Benefits

• Maximum pressure up to 35 atm.
• Small weight, simplicity in fixing.
• High wear resistance, resistance to corrosion processes.
• Low inertia with good heat transfer. It is slightly lower than that of aluminum.
• Ability to adjust the degree of heating of the device.

We are produced in the form of sectional set structures, so you can independently assemble the device for the desired thermal power.

disadvantages

Lack of bimetal one. This is a high price.

Thus, if you make a rating of suitable structures for an apartment, the first place will deservedly take a bimetal. There will be cast iron on the second. These options are considered the best for high-rise buildings. Steel and aluminum are optimally suitable for a private house where the autonomous heating system is used. Here the owner can control the quality of the liquid and prevent the hydrowards.