Which heating radiators are best for a private house

Alternative to water heating

Installing a boiler and installing a water heating system in a private house is not always advisable. For example, if it is impossible to connect to gas and the price of solid fuel is high, in some regions it is easier to install cheap electric heaters.

Electricity is not a cheap resource, but if you calculate all the costs for the purchase and installation of boiler equipment and installation of the heating system, it turns out that with the help of electric heaters you can heat the house for these funds for several years. This is confirmed by numerous reviews of the owners of cottages and houses with periodic residence.

Speaking of electric radiators, they usually mean convectors or oil heaters. Their use has a number of features.

Convectors look like panel steel radiators, they have a small thickness and dimensions, different power. They can be hung on the wall or installed on the floor, usually the models are equipped with legs and brackets for mounting to a vertical plane. Most modern convectors are equipped with an automatic temperature control system, and sometimes a timer. They are silent, safe, quickly heat up the room.

Oil Coolers Oil Coolers When installing electric heaters, the electrical wiring must be properly installed. Heaters of high power require connection with a cable of the appropriate section to a separate machine.

Video: requirements for heating systems in a private house

The choice of radiators for a private house is a crucial step on which the performance of the system as a whole depends. It is allowed to combine different types of radiators, taking into account the specifics of using specific models, and home heating will be efficient and safe.

How to choose a boiler

So, we found out which heating radiator is best for a private house. If desired, for a country building, you can choose both cast iron and aluminum, steel or bimetallic batteries.In this case, everything depends mainly only on the quality of the coolant, the pressure in the system and the features of the interior of the premises. However, when drawing up a project, of course, one should determine the characteristics of other necessary equipment. In particular, it is imperative to calculate the power of the boiler. Modern industry produces four types of such equipment:

These are the boilers for heating a private house that are mainly on sale today. How to choose a specific type of such equipment is actually not a very difficult question. Most often, gas boilers are installed in houses. Installing them is usually quite expensive. But at the same time, such equipment is quite economical and convenient to use. Electric boilers are cheap, but they are expensive to operate. Therefore, they are most often installed only if there is no gas main near the house.

Solid fuel and diesel heating boilers are used mostly in buildings built in remote areas. That is, where there is no gas and no power lines. Such equipment is usually quite expensive and at the same time not very convenient to use.

Bimetallic batteries

When answering the question of which heating radiator is best for a private house, it is worth thinking about purchasing a model of this particular type in the first place. Bimetallic batteries are currently perhaps the most popular type of such equipment. The design of radiators of this type includes elements made of two types of metal - aluminum and steel (or copper). Hence their name. The advantages of bimetallic radiators, among other things, include:

the ability to withstand very high coolant pressure (up to 35 atm) and water hammer;

attractive appearance;

durability (can last up to 25 years).

In general, bimetallic heating radiators for a private house are best suited. Reviews of models of this type available on the network clearly indicate this. Owners of suburban real estate consider such equipment to be very high quality, easy to install and operate. In appearance, such radiators resemble aluminum ones, but at the same time they are much more reliable. Their design is such that they look like a monolithic product. Since the performance of such batteries is better than that of aluminum, they are slightly more expensive (by about 25%).

Which radiators are more suitable for which systems

1. Now, having examined and compared the main characteristics of radiators, we can draw conclusions. First, let's find out which heating radiators are better - aluminum or bimetallic - for an apartment in a multi-storey building. It uses central heating.

• The pressure in the system can change dramatically, reaching exorbitant values. Water hammer is possible.
• The temperature will also not be stable, sometimes changing greatly during the heating season and even during the day.
• The composition of the coolant is not clean. It contains chemical impurities, as well as abrasive particles. It is hardly possible to speak of a pH not exceeding 8 units.

Based on all this, you can forget about aluminum batteries. Because the central heating system will destroy them. If electrochemical corrosion does not eat, then the pressure will be finished with temperature. And the water hammer will make the last, “control shot”.Therefore, choosing from two types of radiators (aluminum or bimetal), stop only at the latter.

2. Now consider the heating system installed in a private house. A well-functioning boiler produces a constant low pressure, not exceeding 1.4 - 10 atmospheres, depending on the boiler and system. Pressure surges, and even more water hammer, are not observed. The temperature of the water is also stable, and its purity is beyond doubt. It will not contain any chemical impurities, and the pH value can always be measured.

Therefore, aluminum batteries can also be installed in such an autonomous heating system - these devices will work perfectly. They are inexpensive, have excellent heat dissipation, and their design is attractive. In stores you can pick up batteries made in Europe. It is preferable to choose models made by casting. Bimetallic batteries are also suitable for those who live in their own house. If you have the desire and enough funds, you can put them.

Just remember that there are many fakes on the market.

And if a model (whether aluminum or bimetallic) has a suspiciously low price, then you can already be wary. In order not to get into a mess, check that each section and the packaging (high-quality and full-color) have the manufacturer's marking

Radiator material

Cast iron

The key parameter that determines the functionality of the radiator is the material of its manufacture. In addition to the actual heat transfer, the type of material used imposes restrictions on the design of the product, so that certain technological solutions can be implemented only when using a certain metal.

Previously, both for installation in apartment buildings and for heating private dwellings, mainly cast-iron batteries were used. They were produced by injection molding, and were rather bulky structures.

The strength of cast iron for a private network is redundant

Cast iron products are characterized by the following features:

• The material has good resistance to corrosion and pressure, but it does not tolerate impact well. This disadvantage is especially relevant for products of the mid-late 20th century: low-grade cast iron, which often cracked upon impact, began to be used for casting radiator sections at that time.
• Heat transfer from cast iron is relatively low, which makes its use not very efficient. At the same time, such a battery will give off the accumulated heat for a long time, therefore, at night or during a long absence, the heating circuit can be turned off.
• Another disadvantage is the significant weight. Cast iron radiators can be installed either on floor mounts or on massive wall hooks. At the same time, the bearing surface must be very strong: neither frame houses nor foam concrete buildings can withstand such a load.

Photo of a design model made of cast iron

Product design is a plus. Today, many manufacturers focus on the production of cast iron batteries in the premium segment, and these models compensate for the lack of heating efficiency with an attractive antique appearance.

Steel

When choosing which radiators are best for a private home, many experts stop at tubular and panel steel products.

They have their own advantages:

If you don’t know which radiators are best for your home, but want to save money, pay attention to steel panel models.

• Firstly, in terms of heat transfer, they are superior to cast iron, and quite significantly.
• Secondly, they weigh much less.
• Thirdly, the design of such batteries does not involve the use of thick-walled pipes, because the surface warms up very quickly.

If we talk about the shortcomings of steel, then they are as follows:

The material not only heats up quickly, but also cools down quickly, so the boiler will have to be constantly heated.

Rust is a real scourge of such products.

Aluminum

According to a number of heating engineers, the best radiators for heating a private house (meaning the price / quality ratio) are made of aluminum.

There is a reason for this:

• Aluminum conducts heat very well, so the heat dissipation of the battery will be higher than that of other metal products.
• The material does not rust, which allows you to use it for a long time.
• Externally, aluminum radiators look quite attractive, although they do not always fit into the interior of a private house.

The aluminum battery gives off almost all the heat it receives into the room

• As for the relatively low resistance to pressure drops, this characteristic is not a disadvantage here: as we noted above, water hammers in the network are practically excluded.
• The main difficulty when using aluminum radiators is water treatment: before pouring the coolant into the circuits, it is necessary to reduce its alkalinity. Otherwise, plaque will accumulate on the walls of the batteries, and the radiators themselves will begin to undergo electrochemical corrosion.

Copper

When thinking about which heating radiators for a wooden house are better in terms of not only functionality, but also design, you should not lose sight of copper models:

Copper looks good and heats effectively

• Of course, copper is very expensive, but at the same time it provides excellent heat dissipation, so that the house will always be warm.
• Reservoirs of copper batteries are not subject to corrosion, so they will last a long time.

Bimetal Models

If we talk purely about functionality, then the best heating radiators for the home are still bimetallic:

• These products combine the considerable strength and reliability of steel or copper pipes with the good heat transfer properties of aluminum panels.
• At the same time, aluminum does not come into contact with water, which protects it from alkaline corrosion.

The design of the bimetallic product

On the other hand, the cost of such products is quite high, so not every owner of a private house can afford the installation of bimetallic radiators.

What factors should be considered when choosing a radiator

In any hardware store there is a huge assortment of heating equipment. For this reason, before going to the building supermarket, determine the following parameters, on which the amount of heat required for the room will depend:

• Thermal losses of the building (taking into account: decomposition of the building material (refers to wood), ceiling height, number of windows and doors, glass thickness, etc.).
• Required temperature.
• The thermal power of the device is determined by the following formula: S * h*41:42, where S is the area of ​​the room; h is the height of the room; 41 - minimum power per 1 cubic meter S; 42 - nominal thermal conductivity of one section according to the passport.
• The heating radiator, as a rule, is located under the window, therefore its maximum size is determined by the following measurements (in cm): from the floor 7-12, from the walls - 3-5, to the windowsill - 10-15.

It is also important to note for yourself:

• weight (the complexity of installation depends on it);
• appearance (affects the aesthetics of the interior);
• value for money (is the determining factor).

Radiator heating in a private house

When choosing a heating system for a summer house or a house, you need to take into account installation costs, ease of use and profitability. For a brick, block, frame and wooden house, water heating is equally well suited. This option is cheaper to use compared to installing electrical heating equipment and more efficient than a conventional stove, which is fueled by coal or wood.

Radiator heating in the house

The radiator heating system for a country house or cottage has an advantage over water floor heating, since install piping and radiators easier and faster than laying the contour and equipping the screed.

Autonomous differs from central heating:

• low working pressure;
• no risk of water hammer;
• the ability to regulate the temperature of the coolant, set the permissible maximum;
• the ability to adjust the acid balance of the coolant;
• economy.

At the design stage of an autonomous system, it should be decided which radiators and pipes to use for installation. Its functionality, profitability and durability depend on it.

Selection criteria depending on the characteristics of the heating radiator

Having become acquainted with the main characteristics of equipment from different materials, you can begin to choose.At the same time, at least three important points must be taken into account.

1. Heat dissipation

The expediency of its installation depends on how efficiently the heater gives off heat. Let's compare the characteristics. One section gives off this amount of heat depending on the material:

• cast iron - 100-160 W;
• aluminum - 82-212 W;
• bimetal - 150-180 watts.

Steel structures, both tubular and panel, give 1200-1600 watts each. It turns out that the most effective are aluminum devices, bimetallic ones are a little behind them, then steel and cast iron ones. We must remember about inertia. For leaders, it is minimal. This means that they will quickly heat up, however, they will cool down quickly after stopping heating. Whereas inertial cast iron will heat up for a long time and cool down slowly, heating the room even after the heat is turned off.

Aluminum radiators

Aluminum radiators enjoy well-deserved popularity among buyers. They have many advantages: they are light, compact, give off a lot of heat to the environment, what else do you need? But, there are also disadvantages:

1. Gas formation is possible (it is impossible to let “anti-freeze” into the batteries);
2. Aluminum is subject to corrosion (to prevent this, a chemical-neutral film is applied to the product);
3. Possible leaks in the seams;
4. A short period of work - up to fifteen years. Some manufacturers have been able to increase this by several years;
5. Sensitivity to pressure drops in the system, which is often observed in multi-storey buildings;
6. Sensitivity to the composition of the coolant.

Sectional aluminum radiator

Which bimetallic radiators are better to buy

Models with resistance to the chemical composition of the coolant in the range of 6.5-9 pH are considered a good choice.The weight of one section is usually 1.5-2 kg. The average heat transfer rate is 100-185 watts. For effective operation, the design must withstand a pressure of at least 25 atmospheres. In a quality product, both collectors and vertical tubes are made of steel. With the standard placement of window sills, you can choose a radiator with a height of about 0.5 m, but in the case of a lower location, you will need models up to 0.35 cm.

Here is which bimetallic radiator is better to buy, depending on the purpose:

For use in old-style systems, Global Style 500 will be relevant.
In small rooms, you can get by with the Sira RS Bimetal 500 heater.
In houses where low-quality coolant is supplied to the pipes, you can use the Rifar Base 500 x
If there are often pressure surges in heating systems, then you should pay special attention to Rommer Profi Bm 350.
If you need a radiator with very fast heating, then the Lammin Eco BM-500-80 has proven itself well here.
For heating areas of about 20 sq. m. the Rifar Monolit Ventil 500 x5 model will be useful.
With autonomous heating, you should consider choosing the Royal Thermo PianoForte Tower x 18.
In small rooms, you can put the Radena VC 500.

the Rifar Monolit Ventil 500 x5 model will be useful.
With autonomous heating, you should consider choosing the Royal Thermo PianoForte Tower x 18.
In small rooms, you can put the Radena VC 500.

By choosing the best bimetal radiator, very soon you will notice how the house will become warmer. In the rating, only those models are presented that have received many positive customer reviews and have been successfully tested in practice.There are both budget options and premium models, we hope everyone will find a suitable offer for themselves!

Which company bimetal radiators are better

Let's start with Italian manufacturers. First of all, this is the company Sira, whose specialists invented bimetallic radiators. You can also mention the brands Global Style and Radena. All these products have a price per section from 700 to 1500 rubles. Elegant and high-quality finish, interesting design, compactness and lightness - this is what radiators from Italy are. Modern technologies allow them to work for at least 20 years. Specifications:

• Sectional thermal power - from 120 to 185 watts;
• hot water temperature limit - 110 degrees;
• working pressure - up to 35 bar.

Let's not forget about domestic producers. One of the most famous is Rifar. This company from the Orenburg region produces thermal appliances with a price of 500 to 900 rubles per section. Specifications:

• Sectional thermal power - from 100 to 200 watts;
• hot water temperature limit - 135 degrees;
• working pressure - up to 20 bar.

Note the patented radiator RIFAR MONOLIT, which is often called one of the best domestic devices. It is tested at a pressure of 150 bar. Specifications:

• Sectional thermal power - from 134 to 196 watts;
• hot water temperature limit - 135 degrees;
• operating pressure - up to 100 bar.

Other countries

Here we can note the radiators of the South Korean company MARS. Their core is not steel, but copper. Price - from 400 rubles per section. Declared characteristics:

• Hot water temperature limit - 130 degrees;
• operating pressure - up to 20 bar;
• section heat transfer - 167 watts.

The Polish company "REGULUS-system" also produces bimetallic radiators with a copper core. The manufacturer guarantees 25 years of work. Specifications:

• Working pressure - 15 bar;
• hot water temperature limit - 110 degrees.

Well, a few words should be said about Chinese manufacturers. Their radiators are significantly cheaper than well-known brands, as they do not shine with careful finishing and beautiful design. In principle, with a very modest budget, you can take the "Chinese", given that he can withstand less pressure.

Bimetal radiators

Bimetallic models - a tandem of steel and aluminum. They embody all the positive performance characteristics of metals and are among the most progressive heating devices on the market. These products have a steel core and an aluminum body.

Features of bimetallic radiators:

• the ability to work at high pressure (up to 30) atmospheres;
• low susceptibility to oxidative processes;
• excellent heat dissipation (higher than cast iron models);
• long service life;
• aesthetic design.

The main disadvantage of these models is the difficulty in cleaning. It is also worth noting the huge range of prices for models.

Is it worth giving up central heating and which radiator is better to choose for heating an apartment

Before talking about how to choose radiators for heating an apartment, let's deal with the main point: which is better, a central or autonomous heating method?

The question is not idle. These systems have different modes of operation and specific operating conditions. The type of heating devices depends on what choice you make.

There were no options before.Apartment buildings have always had centralized heating. It is in modern new buildings that almost all developers offer an individual system that runs on gas or electricity.

Autonomous heating systems are predominantly installed in modern apartments.

Let's compare the advantages and disadvantages of the two systems:

Central	Autonomous
pros
Stable temperature in the apartment throughout the heating season.	You can adjust the temperature according to the weather.
There is no need to invest in periodic repairs and maintenance of the system - all this is included in the cost of housing and communal services.	Heating in the apartment can be turned on without waiting for the official start date of the heating season and turned off later or earlier, as needed.
This method of heating a home is the most convenient and safest.	You can adjust the temperature in each room separately.
The system is not dependent on interruptions in electricity and gas. In large boiler houses, designed for apartment buildings, there are reserves to maintain work in emergency situations.	When using an autonomous heating system, you will significantly save your budget. In addition to reducing costs through temperature control, a hot water system can be used.
Minuses
Prices for heating in a centralized way are quite high, in addition, the costs of “for that guy” and unaccounted for heat losses are included in the bill of services	To install autonomous heating in an apartment, a long process of coordination with numerous authorities will be required.
Heating is turned on and off on strictly defined dates, not taking into account the weather conditions and the wishes of the apartment owners	To install the system, capital investments will be required, after installation, it is possible that repairs will have to be made throughout the apartment.
Adjust the temperature in the rooms and save on heating will not work.	Autonomous heating depends on the uninterrupted supply of electricity and gas.
The safety of your home depends on the utility locksmith. If he untimely or too abruptly closes the valve of the pumping station, the resulting water hammer will destroy the batteries and lead to property damage.	The boiler in the apartment requires special security measures. The system must be monitored, and periodic preventive inspection and maintenance carried out.

The coolant in the central heating system contains a lot of sediment, sludge and impurities that destroy pipes and radiators

Now that you have an idea about the weaknesses of both heating systems, you can think about how to choose radiators for an apartment.

There is a practice-tested list of the main criteria for heating batteries-radiators. How to choose appliances:

Pay attention to the working pressure indicated by the manufacturer in the product data sheet

Compare it to your centralized or standalone system
For information: in a standard five-story building, the average pressure is 6-8 atmospheres, in houses on 9-12 floors - up to 15 atmospheres.
It is important to select devices that are resistant to possible water hammer. A harbinger of an accident can be a buzz and noise in the pipes.
The material of radiators must be resistant to chemical attack, rust and mechanical damage.
The model of the heater should be selected according to the maximum heat transfer coefficient

It is listed in the technical documentation.
Radiators differ in service life. If you do not want to spend money on replacing batteries once again, choose those. Which have a maximum warranty period.
And the last but not least factor is the appearance. Choose appliances according to your interior, the size of window openings and the arrangement of furniture.

Rating of heating radiators for an apartment

Battery replacement is ideally done once and for all life, or at least for 20 years. If you want the devices to serve for a long time, carefully approach the choice of the manufacturer. The reliability of the device, the quality of its work will largely depend on this. Regardless of how much a heating radiator in an apartment costs, be sure to ask the manufacturer for certificates confirming the originality of the heat exchangers.

Particularly noteworthy are the products of the Italian brand Global, Sira. Models are not cheap, but the quality justifies the price. The devices have a classic look, made of bimetal or aluminum. The advantage lies in the cost-effectiveness and high heat transfer of the installations. The following brands also received good customer reviews:

• Kermi - excellent German quality and conciseness of forms;
• Arbonia - an original design that will allow these appliances to become a decoration of the room;
• Smart - inexpensive branded China is quite worthy of attention;
• Rifar is a domestic manufacturer that deserves attention.

Why should radiators be chosen more carefully for centrally heated dwellings?

It would seem, what could be the threats in the central heating system, except for dirty water and old pipes on which rust settles? But, it's not that simple. The biggest threat is water hammer.It occurs if the water supply tap in the boiler room is taken and abruptly shut off, whereas, according to the rules, it is supposed to be turned on slowly and gradually. But, you understand, there are no rules for a drunk public utility worker! And as a result of such negligence - bursting brand new and modern batteries in so many apartments.

It is interesting that before the advent of ball valves, boiler rooms were equipped with special smooth-running valves that exclude any human error. And then these convenient and safe valves were taken and replaced. What for? Not very clear. But you should know about this before you decide to buy new radiators.

In addition, air can enter the heating system, which can also provoke water hammer. And as a result: bursting pipes of cheap radiators, damaged property, floors flooded with boiling water and compensation for damage from the flood to neighbors ...

Also, you must understand that centralized water is very oversaturated with chemicals, which over time can corrode the walls of too thin radiators to holes.

We think now you understand how important it is to choose the right radiator for your home. But, let's take a closer look at what is what in today's market.

How to determine the optimal size of the radiator

The dimensions of the radiator affect not only whether the heating device can heat the room to a comfortable temperature, but also the efficiency of the heating system.

When determining the size of the radiator, among other factors, the width of the window opening and the height of the window sill should be taken into account

The dimensions of the battery are directly dependent on its thermal power, so the first step is to calculate the heat loss of the room.To do this, the volume in cubic meters is multiplied by 41 W - the amount of heat required to heat 1 cubic meter. m of a structure located in the middle latitudes. 20% should be added to the desired value - this reserve will not be superfluous when extremely low temperatures occur. Knowing the cost of heat that will be needed to maintain a comfortable temperature in the room, you can choose a monolithic battery of the right size or calculate the number of modular radiator sections. In the latter case, the resulting figure should be divided by the power of one section.

When determining the number of sections of heating radiators, you can use a special table.

The table is enlarged on click.

For rooms with non-standard ceilings, an oversized heating battery will be required. In this case, a table that takes into account the height of the ceilings will help determine the number of radiator sections.

The table is enlarged on click.

For those who do not want to deal with the calculation of power, there is a convenient online calculator on our website. All that is needed in this case is to enter the parameters of the room and the heat transfer of one section of the selected radiator. The program will do all the necessary calculations for you.

What parameters to pay attention to when buying in the first place?

The most important thing is metal. But that's not all. You need to know what atmospheric pressure is provided for by your boiler room. For example, in Khrushchev and Stalinka buildings built in the 50s and 60s, the pressure is only 5-6 atmospheres, which means that modern batteries that can hold only 200 grams of water per section will definitely not fit there, a weak flow of water will simply ignore these holes .But in skyscrapers, the pressure is much higher, about 15-20 atmospheres, and you can easily install a bimetal (only with copper inside, remember?).

Also, when choosing batteries, count on the possibility of water hammer. This means that their resistance must be at least two times greater than the initial atmospheric pressure in the system. That is, if you have a supply of 15-20 atmospheres, then take batteries with a resistance of at least 40 atmospheres.

We will not talk about the appearance of the batteries

In this case, the most important thing is functionality. Therefore, it is better to take cast-iron batteries that are not of the most presentable appearance than to take a beauty, and then change it after some five years

Rules for the location of batteries in the house

In order for the system to work properly, it is necessary to strictly follow the installation rules. Although the installation technology is not complicated, it has its own nuances, so the work should be carried out by specialists.

In order to avoid heat loss and uneven heating of the room, when installing devices, it is necessary to observe indents and choose the right location:

• From the battery to the window sill, as well as to the floor, leave at least 10 cm. The optimal distance between the floor and the radiator is 12 cm. It is not recommended to leave more than 15 cm.
• The battery is fixed at a distance of 5 cm from the wall.
• Behind the battery, you can stick a heat-reflecting material - then part of the heat will not go into the wall, but will return to the room.
• If the radiator is planned to be placed not under the window sill, but on the wall, then the distance between them should be at least 20 mm.