Methods of electric heating in a private house

Pros and cons of heating a house with electricity

Electric heating of a private house has the following advantages:

Simplicity and ease of installation

Self-assembly does not require expensive tools and special knowledge. All equipment has small dimensions, is mounted quickly and at minimal cost.

All devices are easily transported and transferred to different rooms. A separate boiler room and chimney are also not required.

Safety

Electrical systems do not form carbon monoxide, combustion products are completely absent. Harmful emissions are not emitted even if the system breaks down or is disassembled.

Low initial costs

There is no need to prepare project documentation with the invitation of special services. No permits are needed.

Reliability and quietness

Electric heating does not need regular service with the involvement of specialists. All units operate absolutely silently, as there is no fan and circulation pump in the system.

Ease of operation

There are no elements in the system that could quickly fail. There is no need to constantly monitor sensors and fuel levels.

System control unit.

High level of efficiency

Allows you to quickly heat a private house even in the most severe frosts. Electric heating is always equipped with a special system that makes it possible to regulate the temperature in each individual room, which can significantly save financial costs during the heating season.

Types of electric heating

Heating a home with electricity can be technically challenging.

Therefore, attention should be paid to the selection of a specific electric heating, which is divided into two types: with an intermediate coolant; with direct heat dissipation

The group of intermediate heat carriers includes boilers that heat up a special substance that is distributed throughout the entire piping system.

Devices with direct heat transfer are powered by the mains. These include convectors, thermal fans, as well as infrared heaters, which have simpler technical characteristics. However, devices with direct heat transfer require high energy costs.

Separately, it is worth mentioning the floor heating system, which provides a comfortable temperature with low electricity consumption.

Fuel selection

The most commonly used fuels are:

• firewood;
• peat briquettes and briquettes from wood waste;
• coal and brown;
• liquid fuel;
• electricity;
• gas, liquefied or natural.

When buying a heating boiler, you need to take into account both the calorific value of any type of fuel and its potential consumption. The value of the calorific value will directly depend on how efficiently it will release the necessary energy during use (combustion).

Thus, the most economical fuel option, as well as the safest one, is still gas and electricity, despite their constant rise in price.

Good layout: lower energy costs

To save on heating costs, you can consider building a house with one floor instead of two. Two-story houses have 10% more heat loss, all other things being equal.

Simplify the shape of the building, bring it closer to the quadrangle, remove the canopies that are in contact with the load-bearing enclosing elements. "Extra" corners, by the way, will increase heat leakage from 3%.

Design an extension to the outer walls of those premises that are not heated - a summer kitchen and a veranda, a garage and a warehouse.

Strive to create the maximum area of ​​glazing from the south. In order to offset the heating in the summer, measures such as a shading garden should be considered.

Underfloor heating - economical heating of a private house

An electric boiler, convectors are not the only options to equip a private house with an efficient heating system powered by the mains. Underfloor heating, which today has become fashionable to install in country houses and apartments, can be a good alternative to any other heating option. From the point of view of physics, a warm floor does not give a noticeable effect in heating residential premises, however, in comparison with the operation of other electric heating devices, thanks to a warm floor, it is possible to reduce energy costs for heating.

The desired effect is achieved through rational distribution of heat. Floors are known to be the coolest part of any room. Thanks to underfloor heating, the coldest part of the room is automatically re-profiled from a cooler to a source of heat energy. The air heated from below over the entire area of ​​\u200b\u200bthe room rises in uniform flows. For residential premises, underfloor heating saves 30-40%, for heating other premises, the savings can be 50% or more.

With the help of temperature controllers, optimal heating parameters are achieved. Having independently determined the temperature regime inside the room, it is really possible to achieve significant savings in energy consumption.

The benefits of underfloor heating are:

• an effective way to quickly warm up the premises;
• acceptable economic indicators;
• a comfortable indoor climate is maintained (oxygen is not burned);
• simplicity and reliability in operation.

Against the background of the advantages that underfloor heating has, the only drawback of this electric heating option seems insignificant. The problem lies in the complexity of installing such a heating system, associated with the need to reorganize the flooring.

The preliminary calculation of the cost of heating costs in this case is as follows:

The approximate power of standard models used in everyday life is 1.5 kW per 10 m2. We consider the average daily consumption and get a figure of 360 kW. For rooms of other sizes, calculations are made according to the same principle, the power varies in proportion to the area.

Today, there is a wide range of options to achieve the necessary comfort inside a residential building using electric heating.

Each of us has the right to choose which heating option suits him best. An electric boiler, underfloor heating or electric heaters are options that solve certain problems. You can solve the problem globally by creating a capital heating system or solve issues locally. In any case, you can achieve savings if you rationally equip your house with heating elements, reduce heat loss in the room and optimize the operation of the entire energy system in the house.

Infrared electric emitters (heaters)

These are powerful sources of scattered infrared radiation (radiant heating), which does not heat the whole room, but the place mainly under this heater. Household heaters of floor, wall and ceiling execution are issued.

The thermal element of such heaters is a safe heating element. Emitter power from 300 to 600 watts. With their help, you can heat a room from 3 to 6 meters.

These sources are used to create comfortable heating conditions, as well as to quickly warm up the room. However, they are practically not suitable for permanent heating due to the high cost of the devices themselves and the cost of electricity consumed.

Use of electric convectors

If, despite the fact that electricity cannot be called the most economical of all types of heating, you still decide to use this option, then convectors that can be installed both on walls and on the floor will be an excellent solution. In the latter case, the device can be moved from room to room, making it mobile. Among the additional advantages, absolute safety can be distinguished, since the devices have protection against overheating, and their case does not heat up so much, the temperature does not exceed 80 degrees.

Considering that convectors cannot be called the most economical, it is best to purchase devices with built-in thermostats to reduce electricity bills, which make the system the most economical during operation. In terms of functionality, such units are the most innovative, which is associated with the use of an additional control unit. But as for the price, the convector will cost about 3000-7000 rubles. for the heater. If we expect that one device is required for one room, then the cost of such a heating system will cost about 20,000 rubles.Economical electric heating convectors can meet expectations if the house is small enough, and you choose the device taking into account the presence of a thermostat in it.

Geothermal systems

New heating systems for private houses make it possible to obtain energy that can be used not only for heating, but also for other purposes. The most popular way to obtain energy is the use of geothermal installations. Such installations work on the same principle as a heat pump. The heat intake is provided from the ground, which is located in the immediate vicinity of the house.

Geothermal heating system

A geothermal installation, as an innovation in home heating, has the following design: a heat pump is installed in the house, which will be fully responsible for pumping the coolant. In the mine, located near the house, it is necessary to lower the heat exchanger. Through this heat exchanger, groundwater will be transferred to the heat pump. As they pass through the pump, they will lose some of their heat. This is because the pump will take heat and use it to heat the house.

If geothermal innovative heating of a country house is necessary, then the coolant should not be groundwater, but antifreeze. To do this, you will need to equip a tank designed for this type of coolant.

Additional electrical power

To start talking about the allocation of additional electrical capacity, it is reasonable to calculate how much it is needed for different types of electrical heating. I will do this a little lower, here is an approximate version.

The calculation of the power of the required heating boiler, according to the most simplified scheme, gives that for a house of 100 meters, a minimum boiler power of 10 kW is needed. With the movement to the North and the center of Russia, this power increases by 1.2-1.5 times.

Important! Whatever allocated power your home has, connecting an electrical device with a power of 10 kW or more requires coordination with the energy supply organization and Energy Supervision. Allocation of additional capacities is done in the same place

A particular problem in the use of electric heating arises in partnerships. In them, no more than 5 kW are allocated to the house, and connecting electric boilers without allocating additional power is simply not possible.

Infrared heating equipment

To heat your country house with electricity, you can use modern infrared heating systems. For their operation, the principle of wave energy transfer over a certain distance is applied.

Everything happens as follows. The emitter converts electrical energy into an infrared wave and transmits it. The waves move until they hit any opaque surface.

The temperature distribution when using infrared heating is much more comfortable for a person than when using traditional heating methods.

Here they are converted into thermal energy, heating the body that they met on their way. An object heated in this way, whether it is large furniture, a floor or a wall, begins to give off heat to the atmosphere, thereby heating the air in the room.

Thus, the most uniform heating of the room occurs, and the temperatures are distributed in the most comfortable way for a person.At the same time, there is practically no energy loss, which leads to a high efficiency of infrared heaters.

They are available in various versions. Especially popular is a special infrared film with carbon emitters sealed inside it. It is used for arranging a system of underfloor heating, can be used on the ceiling and on the walls. The film is closed with any finishing material, which does not affect its properties.

The thickness of the infrared film is small, it is invisible under any coating. The system is moisture resistant, it is not afraid of dynamic loads. To be dismantled and reused.

On sale you can find infrared heaters, there are both conventional and made in the form of plates of various sizes. They are also designed to be mounted on walls or ceilings. True, in this case we are talking more about additional heating than about the main one.

In terms of efficiency, infrared equipment surpasses all known electric heating systems. This is due to the fact that he manages to heat the room very quickly, after which the automatic control unit periodically turns on / off the device, maintaining the desired temperature.

The disadvantages of infrared systems include a strict directionality of heating. The device heats only the area in front of it. Therefore, for example, an infrared film is laid around the entire perimeter of the floor or ceiling.

Another disadvantage is the rather high cost of such equipment, especially if you need to purchase material for arranging a warm floor or a PLEN system for the ceiling. However, it must be admitted that such investments of funds quickly pay off.

Modern infrared heaters can be made in the form of a decorative panel

Electric heating systems by means of boiler equipment

This type of heating for a private house involves the installation of an electric boiler and the organization of a pipeline system with radiators built into it. The coolant circulates in the pipelines - water, antifreeze, etc. This heating system can be combined with a hot water system. Operated heating boilers for a private house on electricity can be:

• heating elements,
• electrode,
• induction.

Electric boilers

Heating elements for heating a private house

TENovye boilers can safely be called classics of water heating. The heating element in such a boiler is a tubular electric heater (TEN). This metal device in the form of a pipe is filled with an electrical insulator that conducts heat. A chromium alloy thread is laid in the center of the tube, which conducts electric current. When heated, the heating element gives off heat to the coolant according to the same principle that an electric kettle boils water.

The main disadvantage of this type of electric boilers is the formation of lime deposits on the heating elements during operation, which can lead to the failure of the latter. In this regard, it will inevitably be necessary to periodically use a descaling agent to clean them. In addition, heating elements burn out and fail over time, in a particular case, a coolant leak can contribute to this.

Electrode heating boilers

In electrode boilers, the coolant is part of the electrical system, acting as a current conductor.The operation of the electrodes causes the oscillation of free salt ions in the coolant, which, in turn, leads to the release of thermal energy. This principle of operation allows you to quickly heat up the entire volume of the coolant entering the boiler, and also does not contribute to the formation of scale.

Electrode type

Such boilers, unlike heating elements, have smaller dimensions and are absolutely immune to leaks. If the coolant leaves the system, the boiler simply stops working. The price is also very affordable. However, electrode boilers impose specific requirements on the properties of the coolant, and the electrodes themselves fail over time and must be replaced.

Induction heating boilers

The main working elements of induction boiler equipment are an inductive coil and a ferromagnetic coolant circuit. The coil creates an alternating magnetic field, due to the effect of which on the material of the circuit, the latter is heated.

Such boilers have the highest efficiency of all those listed (up to 99.5% versus 95-98% for its heating elements and electrode counterparts), and also save energy thanks to an accurate control system and a high heat carrier heating rate.

In addition, it is distinguished by reliability (including due to the absence of elements that need periodic replacement), long service life and unpretentiousness in relation to the coolant. The disadvantages of induction boilers include high cost, large overall dimensions and weight.

Wiring security

In physics, a short circuit is an unplanned connection of electrical conductors with different potentials, resulting in destructive currents. In simple terms, zero resistance is formed in the electrical circuit, which leads to a fire.

Signs of a short circuit and overload of the wiring:

• the smell of burning;
• smoke;
• blown fuses;
• charred wiring;
• black mark at the short circuit.

To avoid the occurrence of a short circuit, you should familiarize yourself with the situations in which it can occur. Reasons for a short circuit include:

• violation of regulations when installing electrical equipment and replacing wiring;
• wear of the wiring, as a result of which the contacts weaken, the winding is erased;
• the appearance of mold, the formation of cracks on the body of sockets;
• exceeding the permissible load on the wiring.

When changing wiring, it is recommended to install a dual-zone meter. Thus, the cost of electricity bills will be significantly reduced.

Main advantages and disadvantages

When comparing all possible heating options, homeowners often prefer electrical systems. This method of space heating has a fairly high heat transfer, which means that it does not require full power to be turned on.

Other positives include:

• long-term operation of devices and systems;
• simple operation and maintenance;
• low cost of equipment and connection services;
• no noise;
• safety during the operation of installations;
• the ability to equip the house with electrical appliances without special permits.

However, such systems have one drawback, which is caused by an increase in the load on the energy supply at home. To avoid a short circuit or other consequences of network overload, care must be taken to install additional electrical distribution devices and devices.

Autonomous solar systems

In recent years, alternative energy technology has been developing by leaps and bounds using solar panels that generate electricity from light, which is used to sustain the home, including for heating. A few years ago, such systems on solar panels seemed to us something from the category of fantasy, but today, with a significant increase in efficiency and a decrease in the cost of such equipment, such an economical way of heating a house is becoming more and more relevant and popular on the market.

There are many different cheap electric home heating systems that use electricity generated by solar panels. Today, technology allows not only the optimal use of the resources obtained from sunlight, but also allows you to accumulate them, subsequently using them to heat the room. Such a house, subject to the correct choice of power and the number of solar panels, will not require connection to hot water, electricity and central heating.

The homeowner will need to properly plan the entire solar-powered autonomous system, determine the future electricity consumption, select high-quality solar panels, batteries and other equipment that will be required to organize the life support of a private house.Such systems may still have a fairly high cost today, however, given the constant increase in electricity prices, solar energy and autonomous heating systems quickly pay off, making the house completely independent of the presence or absence of available energy resources in the form of gas and electricity.

Such heating systems on solar panels are especially popular with owners of private houses who install receiving equipment on the roof of the house, which allows them to fully cover all the needs of households in heat due to solar energy through the use of high-quality panels. Experts note that this technology and the use of solar panels and electric heating systems are the future, since homeowners in this case get the opportunity to save significantly and at the same time ensure the comfort of living in a private house, regardless of whether the building is connected to utilities.

Boilers and their varieties

Farmhouses are usually heated with an electric boiler. As a coolant, only substances with a liquid state of aggregation are used. The installation of electric heating can be done independently without much difficulty. Such equipment is relatively inexpensive. There are three types of boilers that differ in the way they heat the liquid:

• heating elements;
• electrode;
• induction.

A heating element is a traditional version of electric boilers. The heating element heats the coolant, which then spreads throughout the entire circuit of the heating system. The thermostat of the device keeps the temperature at the desired level.Power can be reduced by turning off one or more heating elements.

The negative characteristic of such boilers is that scale gradually forms in them. The device may fail, especially when using hard water.

In the electrode boiler, instead of a heating element, an electrode is used that acts on water ions, resulting in heat. This type of design is safe, since if fluid leaks from the system, the boiler stops working.

With this method of heating, no limescale is formed, but the electrodes are gradually destroyed, and they have to be changed. Only water is used as a heat carrier. In this case, antifreeze and oil are not used.

Induction equipment has its own specifics. During the operation of the boiler, an electromagnetic field is generated that interacts with metal elements. Electricity generates flows in the form of a vortex, as a result of which energy is transferred to the coolant. The heating element in this design of the device is not provided.

The induction boiler does not require special attention in maintenance and installation. There are no elements that wear out quickly. Scale builds up in minimal quantities. It is effective for use in large rooms. Water, oil or antifreeze can be used as coolants.

The disadvantages of the boiler are that it has a rather large size and high cost. If any damage occurs to one of the circuits, then the equipment may fail, as the temperature rises to a critical level. It is necessary that the unit be equipped with a special sensor, the function of which is to turn off the device if there is no liquid in the system.

Electrical systems "warm floor"

Their principle of operation is to use resistive conductors that heat up when an electric current passes through them. In fact, an electric underfloor heating is a heating cable, which can be two-core or single-core, which determines the way it is laid.

There are varieties equipped with a semiconductor matrix. These are so-called self-regulating cables that can control heating.

For the arrangement of a warm floor, a heating cable can be taken, which fits directly into the screed. There is no other mounting option for it. In this case, the cement screed becomes a kind of heat accumulator.

A more convenient option for laying is electric mats. They are the same heating cable, which is attached to a fiberglass mesh.

The advantage of mats is the possibility of laying not only in a screed. In some cases, for example, under ceramic tiles, such a system can be laid directly in the adhesive, the layer of which will need to be slightly increased.

The main disadvantage of both variants of the cable floor can be considered that if one of the sections of the system is damaged, the part of the structure located behind it fails.

During installation, the heating cable is laid so that its sections do not touch each other.

Rod heating mats are deprived of this shortcoming. They are pairs of conductors connected by parallel rods.

The system operates on the principle of self-regulation of the degree of heating.Warm floors of any type are equipped with a thermostat that controls the heating of the device to a certain temperature, after which the equipment turns off.

Periodic automatic switching on of the system is carried out only in order to maintain the set temperature. This mode of operation allows you to save electricity, but such heating is still quite energy-intensive.

Therefore, it is more often used as an additional heating system and for arranging especially comfortable warm zones in rooms. This can be, for example, areas for children's games or the floor in the bathroom.

Rod systems continue to work even if one of the elements fails

The varieties of electric underfloor heating used in everyday life are given here. Those wishing to compare different options for systems, evaluate their pros and cons, we advise you to familiarize yourself with the contents of this article.

How to make water electric heating economical

Many regions have introduced multi-zone tariffs. If such tariffs are provided for in your area, you can make the cost of electric heating minimal. This will require the installation of a multi-tariff meter and a heat accumulator (TA). A heat accumulator is a large container of water. In our case, it serves to accumulate heat during the period of the “night”, cheaper tariff.

Scheme of water heating with a heat accumulator

During the time when electricity is much cheaper, the water in the tank heats up to quite respectable temperatures. During high tariffs, the heating does not work, and the temperature in the network is maintained using the heat that has been accumulated in the heat accumulator.Such a system really helps to save money, but the specific result depends on the region - tariffs are very different in different regions.

Method 7 - infrared heaters (most economical)

Infrared heaters are considered the most economical of all types of electric heaters. They do not need heating elements and pipes with water. Infrared heaters heat objects, not the room. Then the air is heated from the heated objects. If an electric boiler can be compared with a kettle, then an infrared one can be compared with a microwave.

Infrared panels are especially popular. They are installed on the ceiling or on the walls of residential and industrial premises. Since the heating area is increased, the room becomes warm faster than usual. Such a panel can be used as an independent source of heating or as an addition to an existing system. The infrared heater is well combined with electrode boilers. For example, an infrared heater can only be turned on in spring and autumn, when it is too early to turn on the main heating, or when it suddenly gets cold outside.

Pictured is a GROHE infrared panel, Germany

Types of heating systems for a private house

When it comes to home heating, there are many factors to consider. Systems differ according to the type of carrier, heat source. The choice of one or another design depends on the material of manufacture of the building, the frequency of residence, remoteness from centralized highways, ease of fuel delivery and ease of operation of the equipment.

For example, if a gas main is laid nearby, then a gas boiler will be the best way, and if there are problems with the passage of vehicles, then you will have to choose a system in which fuel can be stored in the season and in the right amount. Consider all possible options for obtaining heat in more detail.

Water heating and schemes

Representing a structure in which a heated liquid acts as a coolant, water heating in a private house is the most convenient option. When arranging a properly selected heat source, such as a stove, the system becomes independent of any interruptions in the supply of electricity, gas.

Structurally, water heating is a boiler, from which pipelines connected to radiators are laid. The coolant is transported and warms the air in the room. This type also includes a water heated floor, in which you can do without wall radiators. With horizontal placement of pipes, the design should be supplemented with a circulation pump to facilitate the movement of water.

The heating scheme can be one-, two-pipe - with this placement, water is supplied in series, which reduces efficiency. Collector scheme - an option with the placement of one heat source and the connection of each radiator, which ensures efficient heating of rooms. Scheme examples.

The advantages of water systems include the ability to operate the device on any type of fuel and the formation of a gravity system, ease of installation and the availability of doing all the work yourself. In addition, the coolant is incredibly cheap, available even for private houses located far from engineering networks.

Air heating and circuits

In these designs, the coolant is heated air. There are suspended and floor options, on which the location of the air ducts depends.

The system is classified according to the installation area of ​​the equipment, the type of air circulation, heat exchange and scale. For air heating, air ducts with a large pipe diameter are needed, which is not always beneficial for a private house. To ensure high-quality heat transfer, it will be necessary to install a forced ventilation device, which means that costs will increase.

Arrangement scheme.

Electric heating

It is considered the optimal, but expensive type of heat generation in a private house, it completely depends on the availability of a network and the uninterrupted supply of electric current. The pluses include many location options, for example, you can equip underfloor heating or lay out a contour along the ceiling, taking into account the finishing sheathing of the plane. It is also possible to install mobile electric heaters that are easily deployed in the system and have the ability to heat only a local area.

The advantages are the regulation of the heat supply, the efficiency of heating the room. High-quality electric boilers can be connected and disconnected, the intensity of heat supply can be changed depending on the requirements of the owner.

Stove heating

A time-tested heating option in which the heat source is a stove. It can be supplemented with a hob, a connected water heating circuit. For energy production, solid fuels are used - firewood, coal, pellets from recycled waste. The main requirement for the arrangement of the furnace is the presence of a chimney.

The benefits include:

• autonomy;
• the possibility of choosing an energy carrier;
• low cost of maintenance and service.

The disadvantages are the need for human participation, it will be necessary to lay down new portions of fuel, clean the ashes. Also a minus is the obligatory appeal to a specialist - only a professional will correctly lay out a Russian brick oven. The massiveness of the structure should be taken into account; a strong floor is needed for the furnace. But if the equipment is a kind of "potbelly stove" - ​​a home master will cope with this if he has experience in constructing a structure.

To reduce human participation in the heating process, experts advise choosing long-burning boilers. They allow you to lay large amounts of fuel, provide a long burning time, which means that the heat in the house will last much longer.

How to heat a large cottage with electricity in winter, spending only 1,500 rubles a month

If there is no main gas in the suburban area, and you don’t want to install a solid fuel boiler and turn into a stoker, then there is another option - it’s cheap to heat the house with electricity. It seems that this is impossible, because heating a house with electric energy is considered one of the most expensive ways. In the article, based on the practical experience of the FORUMHOUSE user, we will tell you how to make such a system and heat the house profitably with electricity.

• How to build an energy efficient house.
• What is the foundation of the USP.
• Advantages of a warm water floor.
• How to make a heat accumulator.
• How much does it cost to heat a house with electricity?