Overview of the best energy-saving heating systems for a private house

Warming

Economical heating systems will never work efficiently if there are gaps and holes in the window openings or walls, and the building envelope is not adequately insulated.With rational insulation of the house, energy savings are very significant, regardless of the model of the boiler and the type of fuel used. In this case, the equipment will be able to work less intensively, as a result of which fuel consumption is reduced.

The house can be insulated not only at the construction stage. The option of additional thermal insulation during operation is quite viable. Heat losses during the cold season must be minimized. When building a private house, you should think about the fact that when building a box, the enclosing structures have a thickness corresponding to the climate of the region. And it directly depends on the type of material used. Additionally, the walls, as well as the ceilings of the upper and lower floors, must be thermally insulated.

Modern technologies allow to reduce the thickness of the insulating layers. But when insulating structures, you should not get carried away with too thin materials. After all, if they are damaged, the cold will certainly penetrate into the “weak” areas, and heat leakage will become inevitable.

Expanded polystyrene has positively proven itself as a heat insulator. Recently, it is often used to insulate already built houses. Today, expanded polystyrene, which has a low thermal conductivity, is one of the recognized leaders in terms of price and quality. It is his experts who recommend using it for suburban residential buildings.

Regarding windows and doors, the following can be said. Between boxes and openings, all gaps must be carefully sealed so that cold air in winter cannot seep into the house.

Properly executed insulation will reduce the consumption of thermal energy by almost 2 times, which will significantly save the owner's material resources. Per electricity or gas you will have to pay less, and it will be necessary to harvest coal and firewood for the winter in reduced volumes. In addition, it will be possible to purchase a less powerful boiler.

Infrared heating systems

The principle of operation of infrared heating devices of any design is to convert electricity into heat, giving out the latter in the form of infrared radiation. With the help of this radiation, the device heats all surfaces that are in the zone of its action, and then the air in the room warms up from them. Unlike convective heat, such heat does not affect a person's well-being and is considered the best option in this regard.

Novelties in the modern market, gaining more and more popularity, are 2 types of infrared systems:

• long-wave ceiling heaters;
• film floor systems.

Unlike the UFO type heaters we are used to, long-wave emitters do not glow, since their heating elements work according to a different principle. An aluminum plate is heated by a heating element attached to it to a temperature of not more than 600 ºС and produces a directed infrared radiation flux with a wavelength of up to 100 microns. The device with plates is suspended from the ceiling and heats the surfaces located in the zone of its action.

In fact, such energy-saving electric heating systems will give exactly as much heat to the room as they spent energy from the network. They will only do it in a different way, through radiation.A person can feel the heat flow only by being directly under the heater.

To raise the temperature of the air in the room, such systems, unlike convective ones, take a lot of time. This is not surprising, because the heat transfer does not go directly to the air, but through intermediaries - floors, walls and other surfaces.

Intermediaries also use outdoor heating systems PLEN. These are 2 layers of durable film with a carbon heating element between them, to reflect heat upwards, the lower layer is covered with silver paste. The film is placed on screed or between lags under flooring made of laminate or other materials. This coating serves as an intermediary, the system first warms up the laminate, and from it the heat is transferred to the room air.

It turns out that the flooring converts infrared heat into convective heat, which also takes time. The so-called energy-saving heating of the house with the help of film underfloor heating has the same efficiency - 99%. What then is the real advantage of such systems? It lies in the uniformity of heating, while the equipment does not occupy the usable space of the room. Yes, and installation in this case cannot be compared in complexity with a water-heated floor or a radiator system.

Popular Models

There is a wide range of brands of electric boilers on the market. Among popular models can find options in various price segments.

Galan is a domestic manufacturer. It has three main modification options that are suitable for heating a room of any area without reducing the efficiency of the system. The model range "Ochag" varies in cost from a few to 11-12 thousand rubles, the price depending on the power of the boiler.

Installation of a heating system with an electric boiler Galan

• Savitr is a manufacturer from Russia that manufactures models of boilers for various tasks, with a capacity of 4 to 120 kW. There are three model options: Mini 3 - 8400 rubles, Classic 4 - 9900 rubles, Optima 4 - 19,000 rubles.
• The Ukrainian manufacturer EnergoLux provides boilers with additional features, including: wireless temperature sensors, various programs and climate control. There is a feature - individual radiators are independent devices for various rooms and rooms. The cost of models: Premium-1500PU / 12 - 9400 rubles, Elite-1500PUT / 15 - 12200 rubles.
• Polish brand KOSPEL-EKCO. The model range has different functionality and power. The cost varies from 27 to 40 thousand rubles.
• SAV - a model range with increased power and efficiency of 99%. The price varies depending on the power level, from 30 to 120 thousand rubles.

Typical wiring diagram for a wall-mounted induction boiler SAV 2.5-500 kW

There are many different manufacturers on the market of electric boilers with energy saving, including those who are little known in our country. When choosing the optimal boiler model, all factors should be taken into account, including the popularity of the equipment model.

It is worth noting that even well-known manufacturers boilers differ in characteristics, so it is necessary to pay attention to all the characteristics of the equipment model. The selection of the desired technology option is based on the basic requirements and features of space heating

Features of installation of energy-saving equipment

Systems with minimal energy consumption differ not only in the principles of operation, but often in the nuances of the installation. In particular, models of energy-saving radiators in some versions are attached to the ceiling, which allows them to perform their function with greater heat transfer. In contrast, modern underfloor heating systems are integrated directly into the screed and dissipate warm currents from the bottom to the top. It has its own characteristics and energy-saving heating in the form of quartz panels. They are installed on wall surfaces, but with a minimum area coverage.

The use of bimetallic radiators

If you decide to use gas as an energy source, then you can purchase a double-circuit boiler, which will become part of the heating system. Among the elements of the latter will be radiators

In order to get higher efficiency, it is important to choose the right batteries. The most modern of them are bimetallic radiators, which are characterized by lower cost and high heat transfer. Aluminum fins are capable of excellent energy transfer, this indicator for bimetal is 3 times higher compared to steel batteries

Thermal energy is spent more rationally. You can save not only at the time of purchase, but also the operation of the equipment, because the high heat transfer of aluminum allows you to use a smaller amount of coolant. In this case, the heat flow remains equal to the flow from cast-iron radiators. This indicates that bimetallic radiators may be smaller, but their shape will be more attractive compared to cast iron counterparts.

Aluminum fins are capable of excellent energy transfer, this indicator for bimetal is 3 times higher compared to steel batteries. Thermal energy is spent more rationally. You can save not only at the time of purchase, but also the operation of the equipment, because the high heat transfer of aluminum allows you to use a smaller amount of coolant. In this case, the heat flow remains equal to the flow from cast-iron radiators. This indicates that bimetallic radiators may be smaller, but their shape will be more attractive compared to their cast-iron counterparts.

Operating principle

In order to create an energy-saving house, it is necessary to develop a project that will provide for the following areas:

1. Ensuring the reduction of heat losses through walls, windows, floors, roofs and ventilation systems, because in an ordinary house, these losses are very significant (see diagram).
2. Use of high quality materials to reduce heat loss.
3. The development of the individual architecture of the building and its location on the ground should ensure the fulfillment of the tasks set as much as possible.
4. Provide for the absence of cold bridges in the building design, which may occur during the construction of the foundation, installation of window blocks and balcony slabs, etc.

• Ventilation - it is necessary to provide for heat recovery when the warm air in the exhaust ventilation system heats the outside air of the supply ventilation.
• Heating - the use of heat pumps of various types.
• Hot water supply - installation of solar collectors.
• Power supply - the use of solar power plants or wind generators.

The design of an energy-saving house may look like this (excluding the power supply system):

Energy Saving Using Monolithic Quartz Thermal Electric Heaters

You can save energy if, for example, use quartz heat and electric heaters. Such efficient heating of a private house converts electrical energy into heat. The quartz sand present in the heating elements retains heat for a long time after the power is turned off.

What are the advantages of quartz panels:

1. Affordable price.
2. Sufficiently long service life.
3. High efficiency.
4. Relatively low power consumption.
5. Convenience and ease of installation of equipment.
6. No burnout of oxygen in the building.
7. Fire and electrical safety.

Monolithic quartz thermal electric heater

Energy-saving heating panels are made using a mortar made using quartz sand, which provides good heat transfer and a long service life. Due to the presence of quartz sand, the heater retains heat well even when the power goes out, and can heat up to 15 cubic meters of a building. The production of these panels began in 1997, and every year they become more and more popular due to their energy saving. Many buildings, including schools, are switching to this energy-saving heating system.

Zuzako editorial recommendations for choosing electric boilers for home heating

There is a lot of speculation around electric boilers related to their high cost and frequent breakdowns. But in fact, if you correctly choose the right device and use it correctly, you won't have any problems.

When looking for an energy-efficient model, do not forget to pay attention to its key parameters:

• dimensions;
• installation method;
• performance;
• efficiency indicator;
• temperature control;
• noise level;
• availability of automation.

Manufacturers

The most popular today are boilers produced:

• Buderus is the most famous and sought after brand specializing in the production of electric, gas and solid fuel appliances;
• Kospel is a famous Polish brand that introduces innovative technologies into its products;
• Protherm is one of the most recognizable brands in the domestic market;
• Vaillant is a European company whose products are famous for their impeccable quality and versatility;
• ZOTA is a domestic brand that produces energy-efficient boilers that are easy to use;
• Dakon is a well-known Czech company that has long won a leading position in the field of heating equipment;
• ARISTON is a company that requires no introduction;
• RusNit is engaged in the production of unpretentious boilers of decent quality.

All these brands have proven themselves and have gained an impeccable reputation.

Power, equipment and economy of models

The power of an electric boiler must correspond to the area of ​​\u200b\u200bthe house. The easiest way to calculate the optimal indicator is by the formula: per 10 sq.m. 1 kW power required

In addition, it is important to take into account heat losses that occur due to doors, windows and lack of insulation.

Various models of electric boilers can be equipped with expansion tanks, circulation pumps, thermostats and other useful devices.Do not forget to also clarify the possibility of connecting a boiler and underfloor heating, if, of course, you are interested.

The key characteristic that determines the energy efficiency of a boiler is efficiency. Even with similar parameters, different models can have a significant difference in terms of efficiency. Often, more expensive boilers in practice turn out to be more profitable and promising than budget appliances, due to optimized consumption, which allows you to minimize costs.

Varieties of heating systems

There are several ways to organize electric heating in your home. Each of them has its own advantages and disadvantages. Some are cheaper at the purchase stage, and some save significantly during operation. Let's look at what features each method has:

Installation of an electric boiler designed to heat water flowing through the pipes of the heating system. Perhaps the most well-known method, but it is far from the most effective today. Manufacturers claim that current models have become much more productive and now consume 80% less energy, but this is a moot point. Manual switching on/off the boiler, of course, is impractical, and automatic with a given interval does not take into account the temperature regime of the day and night. A more or less economical option is to install thermostats and appropriate automation to turn on depending on the temperature in the rooms, but this is difficult in terms of installation and very costly. Reduced power models with equal performance are also nothing more than advertisements. Such a boiler, most likely, will not have enough “strength” to heat a large private house.
infrared panels. This is not just a way to heat rooms, but a fundamentally different technology. The point is not to warm up the air (which has a very low efficiency), but to influence the objects located in the room. Under the light of IR lamps, floors and furniture heat up and begin to emit heat themselves. The fundamental difference is that the traditional "radiator" method of space heating actually heats the ceiling (warm air from the battery rises), and the floors remain cold. With infrared heating, the opposite is true. The light is directed downwards, which means that the warmest place is the floor. Supplement the system with thermostats - and economical heating of a country house, private house or garage is ready. And the opinion about the dangers of infrared radiation on a person is nothing more than a myth. The main thing is not to be under the lamp for a long time, and nothing dangerous will happen.
The use of convectors. According to manufacturers, this is the most efficient way of space heating, which combines high performance and economical energy consumption. Both of these statements are the subject of a long dispute, since the technology is based on the same "radiator" principle, and many individual characteristics should be taken into account in heating a house. The main difference lies in the significant ease of installation and operation and lower price.

An important advantage of convectors is fire safety, which is very important when heating a country or private house made of wood. Convectors allow you to install them sequentially from room to room, they are compact and pleasant to look at, and they are also protected from power surges.

Monolithic quartz electric heaters

Monolithic quartz heaters are mobile panels of small dimensions that can be evenly distributed around the perimeter of the room.

The surface of monolithic quartz modules does not heat up above 95 degrees, therefore, they are fireproof and do not cause drying of the air in the room

The source of energy for quartz heaters is electricity, however, using them, you can reduce consumption due to two factors:

• The principle of operation of the device is associated with periodic heating of quartz sand, which can accumulate heat even after a power outage. The operation of the device is similar to the operation of a Russian stove, which is first heated with firewood, and then it slowly cools down, heating the room. The role of firewood is performed by a chromium-nickel heating element mounted inside the device and having a long service life.
• A system of quartz modules will be more economical if it is equipped with air temperature controllers. With the help of automatic adjustment, it is easy to achieve the desired temperature, without overheating and excessive heat transfer.

Quartz heaters began to be actively produced in the late 90s of the last century, but have already won their active consumer. In addition to summer residents, who are not permanently residing outside the city, the owners of public institutions - schools, kindergartens, libraries - became interested in heaters. They are also relevant for heating offices that require the installation of a small number of modules: one device heats 15 m³ of space. To provide heat to a spacious room, a system should be installed from a certain number of panels installed in parallel.

Quartz heaters are perfect for anyone who appreciates ease of use and installation, affordable cost and savings.

Electric boilers

As in the case of the heating system, and in the hot water system, you can use the electrical energy received from solar power plants or wind generators. To do this, you can use electric energy-saving boilers.

Benefits of using electric boilers for heating and hot water systems are:

1. Ease of installation and maintenance;
2. Environmental safety and efficiency of devices;
3. Long terms of operation.

The disadvantages include - dependence on uninterrupted power supply and additional load on the electrical network.

Energy-saving electric boilers are:

• electrode;
• ionic;
• ion exchange.

The difference between these types of boilers is in the process of converting electrical energy into heat. In addition to differences in design (type), boilers differ in: the number of working circuits, installation method, power, overall dimensions and other technical indicators determined by manufacturers.

Energy saving, when using this equipment, is achieved due to:

1. Reducing the inertia of heating devices;
2. The use of special physical transformations of electrical energy into thermal energy;
3. Ensuring a smooth start at the beginning of the work process;
4. The use of automation systems, when controlling the temperature of the coolant and air;
5. The use of modern materials and technologies in the manufacture.

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.

Types of energy sources

Traditionally, several sources of energy are used for heating:

Solid fuel - a tribute to tradition

For heating use firewood, coal, peat briquettes, pellets. Solid fuel boilers and stoves can hardly be called economical or environmentally friendly, but the use of new technologies can significantly reduce fuel consumption and, as a result, the amount of combustion products emitted into the atmosphere.

Working principle of pyrolysis (gas generating) boiler is based on the use of pyrolysis gas, which is used as fuel. The wood in such a boiler does not burn, but smolders, due to which a portion of the fuel burns out much longer than usual and gives more heat.

Liquid fuel - expensive, but popular

These are liquefied gas, diesel fuel, waste oil, etc. Heating a dwelling always consumes a large amount of liquid fuel, and so far no ways have been devised to significantly reduce consumption. This heating equipment requires careful maintenance, regular cleaning from soot and soot.

Most types of liquid fuels have another drawback - high cost. And yet, despite the obvious shortcomings, liquid fuel boilers are in second place in popularity after gas ones.

Liquid fuel boilers are convenient in cases where there is no gas pipeline near the house and you need to equip a completely independent heating system

Gas - available and cheap

In traditional gas boilers, fuel consumption is high, but condensing models have solved this problem. Their installation allows you to get maximum heat with minimal gas consumption. The efficiency of condensing boilers can reach over 100%. Many models of well-known brands can be converted to work on liquefied gas. To do this, you just need to change the nozzle. Another energy-saving option is infrared gas heating.

Condensing boilers are a new word in the production of gas heating equipment. They are fuel efficient, highly efficient, ideal for for heating installation and hot water supply in private houses

Read more about gas boilers here.

Electricity is a convenient and safe source of heat

The only disadvantage of using electricity for heating is the high cost. However, this issue is being resolved: electric heating systems are constantly being developed that consume a relatively small amount of energy and provide efficient heating. Such systems include underfloor heating, film heaters, infrared radiators.

Underfloor heating is most often used as an additional or alternative heating system for a home. The advantage of this type of heating is that the air is heated at the level of human growth, i.e. the principle is implemented - "warm feet, cold head"

Heat pumps – economical and environmentally friendly installations

The systems work on the principle of converting the thermal energy of the earth or air. In private homes, the first heat pumps were installed back in the 80s of the twentieth century, but at that time only very wealthy people could afford them.

Every year, the cost of installations is getting lower, and in many countries they have become very popular. For example, in Sweden, heat pumps heat about 70% of all buildings. Some countries are even developing building codes that require developers to install geothermal and air systems for heating.

Heat pumps are installed by residents of the USA, Japan, Sweden and other European countries. Some craftsmen collect them with their own hands. This is a great way to get energy to heat your home and save the environment.

Solar systems - a promising source of energy

Solar thermal systems convert radiant solar energy for heating and hot water.Today, there are several types of systems that use solar panels, collectors. They differ in cost, complexity of production, ease of use.

Every year there are more and more new developments, the possibilities of solar systems are expanding, and the prices of structures are falling. While it is unprofitable to install them for large industrial buildings, but for heating and hot water supply of a private house, they are quite suitable.

Solar thermal systems require only initial costs - for purchase and installation. Once installed and configured, they work autonomously. Solar energy is used for heating

Solar panels

It is very easy to use the thermal energy, the source of which is sunlight. The latest solar-powered country house heating systems are a collector and a reservoir.

The structure of the tubes that make up the collector minimizes heat loss. Based on the design features, solar collectors are vacuum, flat and airy.

Nuances

This type of heating is suitable only for warm regions of the country, where the bright sun shines at least 20-25 days a year. Otherwise, additional heating systems must be installed. Another disadvantage of solar panels is the high cost and short life of the batteries needed to store electricity.

How to choose the most efficient energy-saving boiler for heating a private house

Before proceeding to choosing an energy-saving heating boiler, you need to divide them according to the types of fuel used. So, boilers are:

• electric;

• solid fuel;

• gas.

Let's take a closer look at each of these types.

Electrical installations

This type of boilers has the highest efficiency - about 98-99%. In principle, this is a conditional indicator, since electricity itself is generated at nuclear or thermal power plants, where the efficiency will be lower. However, we consider the process of obtaining thermal energy from electrical, and the efficiency and cost-effectiveness of such installations is undeniable here.

An energy-saving electric boiler has a number of unconditional advantages over other heat generators for private houses:

• the compactness of the boiler, which allows it to be installed in relatively small private houses;

• except for the electrical and heating network, connection to other communications is not required;

• non-inertia, that is, heating stops immediately after the power is turned off;

• simplicity of design and high maintainability.

It is also obvious that an energy-saving boiler goes well with any automation - sensors, controllers, actuators - which gives another advantage to electric boilers. Energy-saving electric boilers differ from each other in the way they work and come in three types: tubular (heater), induction and electrode. At the same time, all three types have the same efficiency of 98-99%.

The boiler with a heating element has the largest dimensions and is a metal container for water, inside which are electric heaters - heating elements. The difference between such a boiler lies in the long heating of the coolant.

Electrode energy-saving boilers heat the coolant much faster, since its operation is based on the electrochemical properties of water, and heating occurs when DES is applied to the electrodes.

Induction boilers have a coil with a metal core, eddy currents from the coil heat the core, and it heats the water. Thus, heating in such boilers is also fast. The only disadvantage of this boiler is the high price, otherwise it is a perfect device that is suitable for working with any energy-saving heating system.

Solid fuel and gas boilers

The most economical energy-saving boiler that runs on solid fuel sources will be a boiler that uses wood pellets for operation. The efficiency of such a boiler is 92%, and this is the highest efficiency indicator among solid fuel boilers. It is good because it uses a renewable heat source and minimally pollutes the atmosphere with combustion products.

Gas energy-saving heating boilers are not inferior to electric ones in terms of their efficiency. These condensing boilers have a closed combustion chamber with forced airflow. Heat is generated from water, which is obtained by the chemical reaction of metal combustion. Water instantly evaporates in the flame, and the heat exchanger condenses the steam on its surface, taking away its heat. The efficiency of such a boiler reaches 96%.

Peculiarities

If you want to reduce financial costs, first of all, you should understand what energy-efficient heating systems are. First of all, they allow more economical use of fuel resources and at the same time maintain the required temperature regime in the premises.

More than one method of providing heat to real estate and not individual models of heat generators are suitable for these characteristics.Currently, energy saving involves the implementation of a whole range of measures aimed at saving money.

For each object real estate and the consumer of thermal energy, they will differ, but the main directions in the implementation of energy saving can be determined.