Application of regulation temperature regime caused by the need to provide comfortable conditions in the premises according to individual requests. Temperature adjustment directly affects fuel consumption when autonomous heating. In the absence of regulation and monitoring, the room will be hot and there will be a need for constant ventilation. High temperatures contribute to increased humidity and the occurrence of fungal diseases.
There are several stages of temperature control:
- Control on the boiler (in autonomous heating version);
- Control on the distribution manifold or individual branches of the heating system;
- Adjustment on heating devices.
The first type is of a qualitative nature - a general temperature level is set at the heat source for all consumers. This process is carried out manually on the boiler panel or by installing a weather-dependent automation system to control the operation of the boiler in automatic mode depending on environmental conditions.
Control on distribution manifolds and heating branches is quantitative regulation - in this case, the magnitude of the mass flow rate of the coolant changes. Branch adjustment also carries general character. Regulation on the collector is effective if the heating system is configured according to a collector-beam scheme.
The last stage of control is adjustment on heating devices. It is the most effective and accurate. Each device can be set to an individual mode for each room.
These methods are based on manual adjustment of equipment operation and can be time consuming and general in nature. The control mechanisms in these cases are boiler control units, manual shut-off and control valves (control valves, ball valves, special connection units for radiators and convectors).
Installing a thermostat on the battery allows you to automate the temperature control of the device. Thermostats can be used on heating devices and factory-made distribution manifolds.
How to install a thermostat on a battery correctly? Installing a thermostat on a battery is not a particularly complicated process; you need to have basic skills in working with threaded connections.
Installation of the thermostat on the radiator is carried out according to the following scheme:
- If there are several heating devices in the room, the thermal head is set to the most powerful one;
- Water is drained from the heating device;
- An “American” pre-wound with synthetic thread or flax is wrapped into the radiator pass-through plug;
- The thermostatic valve is connected at the inlet to the thread of the pipeline (thermostats are installed only to supply coolant to the device);
- The valve is connected to the “American” flow;
- The mounted connections are pressure tested (the radiator is filled with coolant);
- At the next stage, the thermal head is installed - screwed onto the thread or secured with clamps with latches (locks);
The thermal head is installed horizontally to reduce the influence of the hot surface of the heating device. An anti-vandal housing is sometimes installed on the thermal head.
The temperature is adjusted empirically (experimentally). Often the adjustment scale does not correspond to the overall temperature in the room. The graduated scale is adjusted in laboratory conditions, but in residential areas the thermal head can be affected by drafts and other factors.
Installing thermostats will free the owner of the premises from constant manual regulation, provide a comfortable temperature in individual rooms, and reduce fuel costs.
Installing a thermostat on a radiator allows you to control the flow of coolant into the heating device. This ensures comfortable temperature conditions for residents, as well as protection from emergencies when it is necessary to disconnect pipe sections from the heating system.
For the functions described above, one of three types of control valves is used:
- cone valve;
- ball valve;
- automatic regulator.
Ball valves do not cope well with temperature regulation, since they operate in two positions: open or closed. If you install the faucet in an intermediate position, its tightness will be lost, since the coolant will destroy the ball element.
The cone valve is more effective way temperature control. It can be in a half-open position. At the same time, we must not forget about the need to return it to the starting position. This method of temperature control is inconvenient and labor-intensive.
The best option for temperature control is the use of automatic thermostats mounted next to the batteries. Another name for these devices is thermostats.
The thermostat is a sealed chamber (the so-called bellows), which is filled with a working medium. When the temperature rises, the coolant expands and the bellows straightens. Then stop valve blocks the flow of coolant into the battery, thus reducing the temperature in the room.
Thermostats can be designed to operate in single-pipe or two-pipe systems.
Thermostat circuit
The thermostat includes a thermal head and a special valve. These mechanisms operate without consuming energy and maintaining communication with each other.
The thermal head has a drive, a regulator and a liquid component, which can be replaced with gas or elastic.
Thermostat design
Thermostat components:
- thermal valve;
- thermal element;
- sensing element;
- spool valve;
- connector;
- transmitting rod;
- union nut;
- compensatory mechanism;
- retainer ring;
- scale.
There are two types of thermostats on sale: liquid and gas. All of them must be certified. The average service life of such devices is approximately 20 years.
- thoughtful design that fits well into any interior;
- comfortable temperature control;
- ease of installation;
- possibility of operation throughout the entire service period without preventive maintenance and maintenance;
- after installing the thermostat on the radiator, there is no need to open the windows to lower the too high room temperature;
- thermostats operate at a user-selected temperature - from 5 to 27 degrees;
- devices allow you to evenly distribute the coolant throughout the heating system;
- thermostats allow you to avoid excessive heating of the air if the room is heated by sunlight or electrical appliances;
- The thermostat allows you to save up to a quarter of fuel consumption;
- installation of the device allows you to improve the microclimate in the house;
- The use of thermostats is optimal in private homes, where they usually pay for themselves within one year.
Gas-filled or liquid thermostats respond more actively to room temperature fluctuations. Liquid thermostats respond more accurately to changes in internal pressure in the corrugated cylinder and more effectively direct it to the actuator part of the mechanism.
Liquid thermostat
The designs of gas-filled thermostats are characterized by a number of significant advantages:
- Gas condensation occurs in the coldest section of the device, which is furthest from the valve body. As a result, the reaction occurs quickly, since the process does not depend on water temperature.
- This type of thermostat quickly responds to temperature dynamics in the building, which ensures efficient heat supply.
The functioning of the regulator is affected by the following circumstances:
- presence of direct sunlight;
- air circulation in the room;
- temperature conditions outside the building;
- extraneous sources of cold or heat in the room.
In private buildings, thermostats are primarily installed on the upper floors, since the heated air goes to the top and the temperature difference at the upper and lower levels of the house varies greatly. The regulators should be placed horizontally along the pipes, not far from the point of entry into the heating device.
In a private house, it is most rational to install low-capacity panel batteries and equip them with thermostats that quickly respond to manipulations of thermostatic valves. However, you should avoid radiators covered with curtains, decorative coverings or grilles, as well as other objects.
Otherwise, the ability to correctly assess the temperature in the room will be impaired. This recommendation can be circumvented by installing a remote sensor located at a distance of 2-7 meters from the valve, which will allow you to monitor the temperature near the location of the control device.
Panel radiator with thermostat
Note! In apartment buildings, installation of a thermostat should begin where temperature fluctuations are especially noticeable: the kitchen, the main room, rooms exposed to direct sunlight.
Before installing the thermostat, turn off the supply riser. Drain the water from the heating system.
Thermostats are small in size, but very practical devices for controlling heat transfer in everyday life. Depending on the actual need, temperature regulators for radiators increase or reduce the volume of coolant. Agree, this is useful both for the well-being of the owners of the house/apartment and for their wallets.
For those wishing to purchase thermostats for equipping radiators, we suggest that you familiarize yourself with detailed description types of heat transfer control devices. We have presented and compared their control methods, operating principles, cost, and installation specifics. Our recommendations will help you choose the optimal variety.
We supplemented the information presented for consideration, collected and systematized for future buyers of heat regulators, with visual photo collections, diagrams, regulatory tables, and videos.
It is known that the temperature in different rooms of the house cannot be the same. It is also not necessary to constantly maintain one or another temperature regime.
For example, in the bedroom at night it is necessary to lower the temperature to 17-18 o C. This has a positive effect on sleep and allows you to get rid of headaches.
Image gallery
If the radiator is connected to a working heating system, then the water should be drained from it. You can do this using ball valve, shut-off valve or any other device that blocks the flow of water from the common riser.
After this, open the battery valve, located in the area where water enters the system, and turn off all taps.
After the water has been removed from the battery, it must be purged to remove air. This can also be done using a Mayevsky crane
The next step is to remove the adapter. Before the procedure, the floor is covered with material that absorbs moisture well (napkins, towels, soft paper, etc.).
A thermometer is placed in the room, then the valve is turned off until it stops. In this position, the coolant will fill the radiator completely, which means that the heat transfer of the device will be maximum. After some time, it is necessary to record the resulting temperature.
Next, you need to turn the head all the way in the opposite direction. The temperature will begin to drop. When the thermometer shows optimal values for the room, the valve begins to open until the sound of water is heard and sudden heating occurs. In this case, the rotation of the head is stopped, fixing its position.
Conclusions and useful video on the topic
The video clearly shows how to set up a thermostat and implement it into the heating system. Take automatic as an example. electronic regulator Living Eco from the Danfoss brand:
You can choose a thermostat based on your own wishes and financial capabilities. For domestic purposes, a mechanical and semi-electronic unit is ideal. Fans of smart technology may prefer functional electronic modifications. It is also possible to install devices without the involvement of specialists.
Thermostatic equipment allows a person to influence the microclimate in the house, setting an acceptable range of day and night air temperatures. In addition to maintaining the temperature balance in a living space, heating thermostats allow you to optimize the cost of paying for housing and communal services. Many residents of apartment buildings in winter time forced to constantly keep open windows, trying to escape from the heat-breathing batteries. This situation can be tolerated if payments for heating are carried out according to standards. If heat meters are installed in an apartment or house, then it becomes completely unprofitable for the owners to endure the inconvenience while “heating” the street.
After watching the video, you will learn how to install a heating temperature controller and configure it.
Most of all, rooms in which temperatures fluctuate significantly during the day (kitchens and rooms oriented to the sunny side) need the installation of thermostats. It is important to regulate the temperature level in the bedrooms, since proper sleep is only possible at 18-19°C.
Where are thermostats usually installed?
The optimal place to place the thermostat is the heating device itself (radiator), provided that it is not covered with curtains, decorative grilles or other interior items. Violation of this rule leads to an inadequate assessment of the temperature level in the room.
You can get around this rule by using a thermostatic element with a remote sensor located from the valve at a distance of 2 to 8 meters. In this case, the temperature level will be controlled at the location of the sensor. Also, temperature controllers for radiators can be installed on a horizontal section of the pipeline near the point of entry into the heating device.
When the manual thermostat completely blocks the flow of coolant into the radiator, its circulation in the system will continue through the jumper pipe
If the installation of equipment is carried out in accordance with the instructions and compliance with all building codes and regulations, then temperature control can be made in the range from 5°C to 30°C in increments of one degree. This range may vary on some models, so please check this information before purchasing.
Installation procedure for thermostat
To install a thermostat for heating radiators, first turn off the supply riser. Then drain the water from the heating system and begin installation work, which is performed in the following order:
- cut off horizontal pipe lines at some distance from the radiator;
- disconnect the cut pipeline, as well as the tap, if it was installed previously, from the radiator;
- disconnect the shanks together with the nuts from the shut-off valve and the thermostat valve; they are wrapped in radiator plugs;
- then assemble the piping and install it in the chosen location;
- then the installed piping is connected to horizontally located supply pipes coming from the riser.
Heating systems are divided into two types: single-pipe and double-pipe. IN single pipe system heating, when connecting a thermostat, you have to change the radiator connection diagram by installing a jumper connecting the direct and return connections of the device.
This jumper pipe, otherwise called a bypass, allows the coolant to circulate when the heating battery is closed by a thermostatic device. When implementing such a connection diagram, it is convenient to dismantle the device by first closing the valves shown in the figure as numbers 3 and 4.
Connection diagram for a heating radiator thermostat in a one-pipe system
Connection diagram for a radiator temperature controller in a two-pipe heating system
Legend to the diagrams:
- heating system supply riser;
- Radiator;
- thermostat (automatic or manual);
- bottom valve;
- manual or automatic air vent;
- jumper;
- reverse riser;
- stub.
In a two-pipe heating system, the flow of coolant into the radiator can be controlled using a radiator temperature controller installed on the top supply.
How to set the temperature controller correctly?
To set the thermostat correctly, you need to minimize heat leakage from the room by closing windows and doors. A room thermometer is placed where there should be a constant temperature. Then open the valve completely, turning the thermostat head to the left until it stops. In this position, the radiator provides the maximum level of heat transfer, so the air in the room will begin to heat up.
After the thermometer readings increase by 5–6°C compared to the initial value, the valve is closed. To do this, turn the head to the right as far as it will go. At the same time, the air temperature in the room will begin to gradually decrease. When the temperature reaches the desired value, begin to slowly open the valve.
As soon as the sound of water in the thermostat is heard and a sharp heating of the valve body is felt, the rotation of the head is stopped, remembering its position. At this point, setting up the thermostat is considered complete.
To install thermostats for heating radiators, it is best to invite professional plumbers
It is better to entrust the selection and installation of thermostats to specialists who will connect the equipment in accordance with the manufacturer’s recommendations. A properly installed thermostat will ensure a comfortable temperature level in the room and help save heat consumption, which will have a positive impact on the family budget.
Adjusting heating radiators in an apartment allows you to simultaneously solve several problems, the main one of which is to reduce the cost of paying for certain utilities.
This possibility is being realized different ways: mechanically and automatically. However, when changing the heating system parameters, the average room temperature does not increase. You can only reduce it to the desired level by adjusting the position of the fittings. It is advisable to install such devices on batteries in houses where it is cool in winter.
Why do you need to make adjustments?
The main factors explaining the need to change the heating level of batteries using locking mechanisms and electronics:
- Free movement of hot water through pipes and inside radiators. The heating system may form air jams. For this reason, the coolant stops heating the batteries, as it gradually cools. As a result, the indoor microclimate becomes less comfortable, and over time the room cools down. To maintain heat in the pipes, shut-off mechanisms installed on radiators are used.
- Adjusting the temperature of the batteries makes it possible to reduce the cost of heating your home. If the rooms are too hot, by changing the position of the valves on the radiators you can reduce costs by 25%. Moreover, reducing the heating temperature of the batteries by 1°C provides savings of 6%.
- In cases where radiators heat up the air in the apartment very much, you have to open the windows often. It is not advisable to do this in winter, because you can catch a cold. To avoid having to constantly open windows in order to normalize the microclimate in the room, regulators should be installed on the batteries.
- It becomes possible to change the heating temperature of radiators at your discretion, and individual parameters are set in each room.
How to regulate radiators
To influence the microclimate in the apartment, you need to reduce the volume of coolant passing through the heating device. In this case, it is only possible to reduce the temperature value. The heating system is adjusted by turning the valve/faucet or changing the parameters of the automation unit. The amount of hot water passing through the pipes and sections is reduced, and at the same time the battery heats up less intensely.
To understand how these phenomena are interconnected, you need to learn more about the operating principle of the heating system, in particular radiators: hot water, getting inside the heating device, heats the metal, which, in turn, releases heat into the air. However, the intensity of heating the room depends not only on the volume of hot water in the battery. The type of metal from which the heating device is made also plays an important role.
Cast iron has a significant mass and releases heat slowly. For this reason, it is not advisable to install regulators on such radiators, since the device will take a long time to cool. Aluminum, steel, copper - all these metals instantly heat up and cool down relatively quickly. Work on installing regulators should be carried out before the start of the heating season, when there is no coolant in the system.
IN apartment building there is no way to change the average water temperature in the heating system pipes. For this reason, it is better to install regulators that allow you to influence the microclimate in the room in a different way. However, this cannot be realized if the coolant is supplied from top to bottom. In a private house there is access and the ability to change individual equipment parameters and coolant temperature. This means that in this case it is often impractical to mount regulators on batteries.
Valves and taps
Such fittings are a heat exchanger locking device. This means that the radiator is adjusted by turning the tap/valve in the desired direction. If you turn the fittings 90° all the way, the flow of water into the battery will no longer flow. To change the heating level of the heating device, the locking mechanism is set to the half position. However, not every fitting has this opportunity. Some faucets may leak after a short period of use in this position.
Installation shut-off valves allows you to manually regulate the heating system. The valve is inexpensive. This is the main advantage of such fittings. In addition, it is easy to operate, and changing the microclimate does not require special knowledge. However, there are also disadvantages to locking mechanisms, for example, they are characterized by a low level of efficiency. The battery cooling rate is slow.
Stopcocks
A ball design is used. First of all, it is customary to install them on a heating radiator in order to protect housing from coolant leakage. This type of valve has only two positions: open and closed. Its main task is to turn off the battery if such a need arises, for example, if there is a risk of flooding in the apartment. For this reason, shut-off valves are cut into the pipe in front of the radiator.
If the valve is in the open position, the coolant circulates freely throughout the heating system and inside the battery. Such taps are used if the room is hot. The batteries can be turned off periodically, which will reduce the air temperature in the room.
However, ball locking mechanisms must not be installed in the half position. With prolonged use, the risk of leakage in the area where the ball valve is located increases. This is due to gradual damage to the locking element in the form of a ball, which is located inside the mechanism.
Manual valves
This group includes two types of fittings:
- Needle valve. Its advantage is the possibility of half installation. Such fittings can be located in any convenient position: completely opens/closes the access of coolant to the radiator, significantly or slightly reduces the volume of water in heating devices. However, there is a drawback to needle valves. Thus, they are characterized by reduced throughput. This means that after installing such fittings, even in a fully open position, the amount of coolant in the pipe at the battery inlet will be significantly reduced.
- Control valves. They are designed specifically to change the heating temperature of batteries. The advantages include the ability to change position at the user’s discretion. In addition, such fittings are reliable. There is no need to frequently repair the valve if the structural elements are made of durable metal. There is a shut-off cone inside the valve. When you turn the handle in different directions, it rises or falls, which helps to increase/decrease the flow area.
Automatic adjustment
The advantage of this method is that there is no need to constantly change the position of the valve/faucet. The desired temperature will be maintained automatically. Adjusting the heating in this way makes it possible to set the desired parameters once. In the future, the heating level of the battery will be maintained by an automation unit or other device installed at the input of the heating device.
If necessary, individual parameters can be set multiple times, which is influenced by the personal preferences of the residents. The disadvantages of this method include the significant cost of components. The more functional the devices are for controlling the amount of coolant in heating radiators, the higher their price.
Electronic thermostats
These devices superficially resemble a control valve, but there is a significant difference - a display is built into the design. It displays the room temperature that needs to be obtained. Such devices work in conjunction with a remote temperature sensor. It transmits information to the electronic thermostat. To normalize the microclimate in the room, you just need to set the desired temperature value on the device, and the adjustment will be performed automatically. Have electronic thermostats at the battery input.
Adjusting radiators with thermostats
Devices of this type consist of two units: lower (thermal valve) and upper (thermal head). The first of the elements resembles a manual valve. It is made of durable metal. The advantage of such an element is the ability to install not only an automatic, but also a mechanical valve, it all depends on the needs of the user. To change the heating temperature of the battery, the design of the thermostat includes a bellows, which exerts pressure on the spring-loaded mechanism, and the latter, in turn, changes the flow area.
Using Three-Way Valves
Such devices are made in the form of a tee and are intended for installation at the connection point of the bypass, the inlet pipe to the radiator, or the general riser of the heating system. To increase operating efficiency, the three-way valve is equipped with a thermostatic head, the same as that of the previously discussed thermostat. If the temperature at the valve inlet is higher than the desired value, the coolant does not enter the battery. Hot water is directed through the bypass and passes further along the heating riser.
When the valve cools down, the passage hole opens again and the coolant flows into the battery. It is advisable to install such a device if the heating system is single-pipe and the pipe distribution is vertical.
To be able to regulate the temperature of the battery in the apartment, consider any type of valve: they can be straight or angular. The installation principle of such a device is simple; the main thing is to correctly determine its position. Thus, the direction of coolant flow is indicated on the valve body. It must correspond to the direction of water movement inside the battery.
Place valves/thermostats at the inlet of the heating device; if necessary, install a tap at the outlet as well. This is done so that in the future it will be possible to independently drain the coolant. Regulating devices are installed on heating radiators, provided that the user knows exactly which pipe is the supply pipe, since a tap is made into it. In this case, the direction of movement of hot water in the riser is taken into account: from top to bottom or from bottom to top.
Compression fittings are more reliable, which is why they are used more often. The connection to the pipes is threaded. Thermostats can be equipped with a union nut. For sealing threaded connection use FUM tape, flax.
Any node is important. Therefore, it is important to correctly match the installation parts. The heating design includes, expansion tank, radiators, heating boiler mounting system, fittings, automatic air ventilators, heat control mechanism, wires or pipes, thermostats, circulation pumps. On this page we will try to help identify specific installation components for your home. Heating installation for a mansion includes various components.
Regulator for radiator
In modern heating systems, which most often involve the subsequent installation of heated floors, a special thermostatic valve is installed, which is widely known as a thermostat.
Temperature regulators and similar control devices for radiators mainly consist of two required parts:
- thermostatic valve (in other words, valve);
- mechanism that acts on the valve stem (thermocouple or thermostatic head).
A thermostatic valve is necessary so that the heat transfer from the heating device can be effectively regulated. In this case, the amount of coolant passing through the heating device must constantly change, depending on the temperature of the heated room.
There are two main types of heating controllers:
- manual;
- automatic.
Manual adjustment is carried out as follows: the valve handwheel is turned, and the valve stem is set in motion.
Accordingly, the flow area of the seat changes, and at the same time the temperature of the heating device used also changes.
It is worth noting that manual heating thermostats are considered less efficient, and many valve manufacturers even emphasize on their products that the protective cap on the valve is not intended for frequent opening and closing.
In automatic thermostats, the thermal valve usually “works” in tandem with the thermal head.
Even the smallest temperature changes environment are instantly fixed with a bellows (thermal cylinder) filled with a substance of a special composition.
So, for example, when heated, the substance located in the bellows expands and gradually begins to change its state of aggregation, while stretching the thermal balloon.
In this case, impacts are observed on the valve rod, and the latter begins to be squeezed out of the bellows.
All these actions lead to the blocking of the flow area of the seat with a cone, as a result of which the actual coolant flow rate decreases.
When the temperature of the heated room decreases, all the above actions are repeated in the reverse order, that is, the filler in the bellows narrows and the rod is pulled back, while increasing the coolant flow to increase the temperature.
In general, adjusting radiators effectively allows you to create the most comfortable temperature in the room.
Today, there are two main types of thermostat types.
The first type is intended for installation in a single-pipe heating system, the second, respectively, for heating systems consisting of two pipes.
Thermostats installed on two-pipe heating systems are most often designed in such a way that they can operate normally even with sudden and frequent pressure changes.
The reason is that the hydraulic balancing of any two-pipe heating system is carried out due to a large amount of pressure loss in the valve areas.
To ensure that pressure losses occur without problems, the heating radiator temperature regulator has an increased hydraulic resistance(often this figure can be even an order of magnitude higher than that in a single-pipe system) and a small flow area.
Besides, thermostatic valves, which can be installed on two-pipe systems, in turn, are divided into two main groups:
- those that require additional adjustment of hydraulic resistance;
- those that do not require additional adjustment of the hydraulic resistance.
Temperature regulators of the second group
The use of thermostats of the second group (without adjustment) will lead to the fact that, for the most part, all heating devices and devices located on the same riser will be characterized by approximately the same coolant flow rate, although it should be installed separately for each device, depending on the heat loss in one or another room that needs to be compensated.
In practice, everything is simple: if the radiator more will pass, than the required amount of coolant, then the room will be too hot and vice versa - if there is not enough coolant, the air in the room will be uncomfortably cold.
This leads to the conclusion that, nevertheless, it is better to choose a thermostat for radiators with a valve that requires pre-setting.
If all settings are made correctly, this will help optimize coolant flow and create a comfortable temperature and coziness in the room.
Often in heating systems in which radiator thermostats are installed, automatic bypass valves are installed on the risers. This is done in order to reduce the noise level resulting from significant pressure drops across the valves.
Which one is better to use is up to you to decide, because each of them has its own pros and cons. In addition to the parameters listed above, you also need to keep in mind where you are going to place the radiators. It is better to choose one for heating in your home, and another for a city apartment. And before buying a new battery in case of replacement, pay attention to what kind of radiators are installed in your apartment. This will help you figure out which batteries can be installed in this particular house. Let's look at the main positive and negative aspects of each type.
Cast iron radiators
Technology for unscrewing and assembling cast iron batteries: a – nipples capture the threads of sections (2-3 threads); b – tighten the nipples, join the sections; c – install the third section; d – two radiators are grouped.
These batteries will probably give you associations with Soviet Russia, in which all the residents of new houses with steel Soviet radiators sought to install them. And all because it is really warm. And even if not quite hot water flows through the heating pipes, they also heat due to the radiation of heat from the structure itself. In other words, such batteries play the role of heat accumulators. All this is achievable thanks to their shape, weight and material.
In this case, cast iron radiators take longer to heat up than, for example, aluminum radiators. And much more water is required to fill them. And their enormous weight (70-100 kg) requires the use of force in order to bring them and place them. Cast iron radiators are less susceptible to corrosion. What other modern heating structures will last more than half a century? And cast iron batteries are used for just that long. They can be chosen for both a private house and an apartment in a high-rise building. There are no restrictions here.
Wiring diagram for a cast iron radiator.
If speak about appearance, then cast iron radiators now have a much more presentable appearance than in the past.
They resemble steel and aluminum structures and will not spoil the design of your home. In addition, there are also extraordinary artistic cast iron batteries.
It costs a lot of money to install them, but they will definitely add originality to the room. If you choose standard cast iron radiators, the price will be very affordable.
In terms of weight and thermal conductivity, these radiators differ slightly from the previous ones. They are better than cast iron only because of the abundance of shapes and sizes on the market. The disadvantages include the wall thickness. For imported tubular radiators it is very thin. The steel tubular battery looks presentable, it is quite easy to clean, but, alas, it is quite short-lived. At the same time, there are many people who want to choose a steel radiator. Their availability plays a significant role in this. At good quality their service life is up to 15 years.
Aluminum radiators
Examples of connecting aluminum radiators.
With all their positive characteristics, only owners of private houses can choose aluminum radiators. Because central heating systems are fraught with danger in the form of pressure drops. Aluminum batteries do not withstand them well and often leak. Moreover, they heat the room faster than cast iron and steel ones. These same radiators are easy to adjust the temperature due to their light weight. The lightness of an aluminum battery is a big plus in itself.
A huge disadvantage of aluminum is its susceptibility to corrosion. Some manufacturers treat the inside of batteries with a special anti-corrosion material. But taking into account the quality of water in central heating pipes, the service life of aluminum radiators is often not long. They need to not only be installed, but also carefully monitored. Do not leave for a long period of time with closed taps or with water during the summer non-heating period. Otherwise, it may crack much earlier than the service life declared by the manufacturer. Buyers are attracted by the opportunity to choose the design and color of the aluminum battery they want, as well as the good price-quality ratio.
