Main Frequently asked questions How to choose a heating radiator

Як підібрати радіатор опалення

A radiator is a heating device inside which coolant circulates through special channels. When heated from the inside, the radiator heats the air in the room, creating an optimal indoor climate. Cost savings and comfort in the house depend on which device is used. Let's consider how to choose heating radiators.

Varieties of heating radiators

Different materials are used for the production of radiators. Most often you can find models with:

    cast iron;
  • steel;
  • aluminum;
  • bimetal.
They can also have a different design, which determines the quality of heating the air in the room. What are the types of heating radiators:

    Tubular. These are collectors connected by a vertical tube. Devices may differ in size, configuration, and design.
  1. Panel. They consist of panels with channels for coolant inside. To increase the efficiency of such a radiator, converter fins are formed on its inner surface. It can consist of 1, 2 or 3 panels.
  2. Lamellar. The equipment consists of several plates on a metal tube.
  3. Sectional. The most popular models. They are made of aluminum, cast iron, or bimetals. The structure consists of separate sections. Their number depends on how much power the radiator needs to heat the room.
Before choosing a heating radiator, the indicators of the heated area and pressure in the system are calculated.

Cast iron radiators

Cast iron radiators

Cast iron models are practical, functional and durable, as cast iron is resistant to corrosion. They are characterized by an affordable price and the ability to combine them with any pipeline.

A cast iron radiator takes a very long time to cool down, which can significantly save on heating. The cast iron battery can withstand significant mechanical and temperature effects. The number of sections in such a radiator can vary depending on the need.

Cast iron radiators have an attractive appearance and can bring special refined notes to the design of the room. They are often chosen when decorating a room in classic, rustic and other styles.

But despite the huge number of advantages, this type of radiator also has disadvantages:

  • susceptibility to water hammer;
  • material inertia;
  • inability to quickly adjust the temperature of their surface;
  • difficulty of installation;
  • large size and weight;
  • the need for constant cleaning and painting of the battery.
Steel radiatorsSteel radiators

Models made of steel are characterized by an optimal ratio of quality and price. In addition, they are characterized by ease of installation, long service life, and a variety of sizes. Steel batteries are recognized as the most economical.

The disadvantages of steel radiators include:

    susceptibility to corrosion and mechanical damage;
  • necessity of constant flushing;
  • necessity of accurate power calculations;
  • restrictions on the type of coolant used.
A distinctive feature of steel radiators is the bottom connection to the system. This allows you to make communications invisible to others.

Aluminum radiators

Aluminum radiators

Batteries made of this metal are considered the best option for a country cottage. Aluminum is easy to process, so the manufacturer can create a model of an unusual complex shape. Such radiators are connected using a pipeline made of plastic or propylene.

The advantages of aluminum radiators include:

    compactness;
  • light weight;
  • attractive design;
  • corrosion resistance;
  • ease of installation and maintenance;
  • minimal thermal inertia;
  • increased heat transfer;
  • affordable cost.
But when choosing an aluminum radiator for a heating system, you need to take into account its disadvantages:

  • relatively short service life;
  • susceptibility to water hammer.
Batteries made of aluminum cannot be used for a centralized heating system. This is due to the fact that the chemical composition of the water is very important for them. Other weaknesses of these radiators include the minimum working pressure limit and the threaded connection of individual sections.

Bimetallic radiators

Bimetallic radiators

The main advantages of this type of battery are maximum thermal conductivity and the ability to withstand a significant pressure (significant pressure increase) in the system. The required number of sections is achieved with the help of special connections.

Bimetallic batteries have an attractive design, and their special design allows them to be used even at a pressure of 25 atmospheres. The outside of the radiator has an aluminum coating that provides increased heat transfer. The inside of the radiator is made of high-quality durable steel. The design of such equipment allows you to heat a room of any size.

Bimetallic models are resistant to corrosive processes, they can easily withstand water hammer. The disadvantage of such devices is incompatibility with antifreeze and a high price.

How to choose a heating radiator for an apartment or cottage?

Batteries installed in apartment and country houses have some features:

    It is not recommended to install steel panel-type models in apartments. This is due to the fact that their working pressure does not exceed 6-8 atm. As for the centralized system, this figure can reach 10 atm. Aluminum batteries are not suitable here either. Upon contact with other metals, galvanic corrosion may occur in them.
  1. The ideal option for apartment buildings with centralized heating would be a cast iron radiator or a bimetallic model. They are characterized by increased service life and resistance to corrosion processes.
  2. When it comes to choosing batteries for a private house, any model is suitable here, provided that the power is correctly calculated.
How to choose the power of a heating radiator?

The heat transfer of the radiator section is almost identical for each model. Therefore, when choosing a battery, it is necessary to calculate their number. This can be done by the formula:

K = S x 100 / P, in which:

K — number of sections in the radiator;

S — heated area of the room;

P — indicator of the thermal power of one section.

If a panel radiator is used, the formula for calculating power is as follows:

P = V x 41, where:

V — volume of heated room.

The number of radiator sections is calculated based on the power of one section and the required power for heating the room.

If the room has at least one external wall, the result of the calculation must be multiplied by a factor of 1.2.

Back to the articles