Radiator batteries which are better. Heating radiators which are best for an apartment. Advantages of steel radiators

When carrying out repair work, people are often faced with the task of replacing old batteries with modern, highly efficient counterparts. Naturally, the question arises - how is it right choose the most efficient heating radiatorswhich ones are best installed in the apartment. The answer will depend on many components, the main of which are the area of \u200b\u200bthe future heating, the type of the intended device, the conditions for its operation, etc. Nowadays, the building materials market offers a wide range of heaters made from different raw materials and for different needs.

District heating system: basic characteristics

For apartment radiators there are special requirements, since they will become part of the district heating system, which has its own specifics of work. All such systems have similar operating conditions - the heat carrier is supplied by heating mains from the CHPP or boiler house to a multi-storey building, where, using a pump and other equipment, it is distributed through internal pipelines that deliver it directly to the dwelling.

The centralized heat supply system has its own underwater rocks and significant disadvantages:

1. Fluctuations in temperature indicators (either rapid heating, or cooling);
2. Possibility of sudden pressure drops - water hammer;
3. Low heat transfer coefficient to the batteries, as a result, insufficient heating of the premises and the uneven temperature of the latter (some are hot, others are cooler);
4. Seasonal drainage of the coolant from the system;
5. Poor water quality - presence of aggressive components, oxygen, sludge, hardness, acidity, etc.

All of the above, over time, leads to increased equipment wear. And in a situation where a water hammer occurs, the connections themselves batteries may leak or burst altogether, having brought a lot of trouble. Also, due to the not ideal coolant, which can, during circulation, carry plaque, particles of rust, lime and other debris, the channels and pipes of the radiators are clogged. This will result in shortage of paid heating resource, as well as increased corrosive reactions inside heaters, which significantly reduces their shelf life.

Important! To minimize all the listed risks, you need to correctly select heating devices.

Selection options

The main point at which worth paying attention, when selecting radiators is materialfrom which they are made. Different alloys will behave differently under the same operating conditions. At the moment the market is ready to offer four main types of heating technology:

• cast iron;
• aluminum;
• steel;
• bimetallic.

For each type of heater, the manufacturer prescribes its technical characteristics:

• operating pressure;
• maximum allowable pressure;
• design feature (sectional, tubular or panel);
• water volume;
• recommended hardness and temperature of the coolant;
• warranty period of the device.

Most of the products manufactured on the market made according to the requirements of the EU states, the quality of heating networks, which is many times superior to domestic ones. Therefore, be sure to consider this fact when buying. For example, the pressure indicator in our centralized heating systems is 11-16 atmospheres for high-rise buildings and 5-10 atmospheres in standard 5-storey Khrushchev buildings. The operating temperature of the supplied liquid ranges from 65-90 ° C. Choosing heating technology, based on these data, You will protect yourself from possible emergencies.

Video. Which radiators to choose

The main products on the market can be roughly divided into several of the most popular categories:

Aluminum

This type of battery is primarily has a beautiful aesthetic appearance, correct and ergonomic shape, as well as excellent technical characteristics. They are quite compact and can be sold in separate typesetting sections. This is very convenient, since having made the correct calculations, you can choose the size that heats your room optimally... Aluminum radiators are available in different heights and can be placed in any convenient corner of the room. Standard operating pressure at which the heater is most efficiently gives off heat, is 6-12 atmospheres, the maximum allowable at sharp leaps up to 25 atmospheres.

The advantages of such equipment include:

• Great modern design;
• The increased heat transfer coefficient, depending on the wall thickness, can be up to 200 W per one section of a standard size;
• Low weight of devices, which simplifies their installation, even with your own hands;
• By means of a set of elements, you can select the required size that meets your requirements;
• Excellent powder coating that resists damage.

The main minus similar batteries, according to consumer reviews, is their possibility of long-term operation only in closed-loop systems, with strict monitoring of the level of hardness of the coolant. Such networks must be made from the same material as the radiators, since aluminum, in contact with brass and copper parts, can start electrochemical reaction processes... Modern systems are recommended to be implemented using plastic pipes, and the heaters themselves are reliably grounded.

Important! Another phenomenon inherent in aluminum batteries ispossible unpleasant sounds ... They can appear later in the interaction of the metal with a liquid abundantly saturated with oxygen, as a result of which hydrogen is released. Because of this feature, eachequip the radiator with a Mayevsky crane.

Taking into account all of the above, we can say that heaters made made of aluminum, despite a number of positive properties, in city apartments better not to mount.

Video. What is the difference between aluminum radiators and bimetallic

Bimetallic

This type of equipment is made from an alloy of two metals - soft aluminum and hard steel. The design of such batteries assumes that their inner part, which is in contact with the coolant, made of steeland the outer one from aluminum... it one-stop solution allows the use of this type of heaters in systems with any (within reasonable) pressure and with different types of connections and main pipes.

The advantages of such products:

• Increased wear resistance and resistance to corrosive reactions, with any composition of the coolant;
• Allowable pressure up to 35 atm .;
• Good external data;
• Light weight and ease of fastening;
• Weak inertia - increased heating capacity, have excellent heat transfer rates;
• Equipped with taps for adjusting the intensity of the heat carrier supply;
• Type-setting type of construction, allowing you to select the device of the required configuration.

Essential there are no shortcomings of such products, perhaps a higher cost compared to competitors. But it is justified, above all, by reliability and a longer service life. This type of radiator is most popular takes leading positions in most ratingsdedicated to heating devices.

Important! When installing similar products,you must follow the instructions from the manufacturer, as well as adhere to the technical distances from the wall, window sill and floor - at least 4 cm.

Cast iron

Good old cast iron is known to almost every inhabitant of our country, due to its widespread use in the former USSR. Times change, and bulky, standard shape and painted with ordinary paint, batteries are a thing of the past... In their place are modern counterparts made from the same cast iron, but manufactured using other technologies, according to new aesthetic requirements.

Cast iron batteries

Advantages of heating devices made of cast iron:

• Operated in any heating systems, with all types of pipe products;
• Can work for a long time in centralized heat supply networks, with a low quality of the heat carrier, the pH of which is in the maximum permissible range of 7-9;
• Working pressure of products is 7-10 atmospheres, maximum 18 atm .;
• They have a sectional typesetting design that allows you to change the size to fit your needs.

Cast iron heaters have a number of indisputable advantages and unique qualities... The main thing is that they practically do not corrode. This is due to the fact that upon initial contact with water, a thin layer of insoluble black sediment forms on the alloy, which serves as an obstacle to the ingress of active oxygen contained in the water to the metal. The destruction of the structure of cast-iron elements from the inside, of course, occurs, but extremely slowly. On the outside, they are coated with modern powder paint, specially designed to withstand large temperature changes. In such batteries, gassing processes are insignificant, due to which there is no boiling and there is no need to constantly bleed air masses.

Against the background of all the positive aspects, there are also negative ones - this huge weightleading to installation difficulties, and high inertia. Due to the latter, the heating of cast iron is rather slow, as well as cooling, therefore, a quick regulation of the temperature of a room equipped with such heaters is impossible.

Steel or tubular

Batteries made from this material are universal and budget solution equip the heating system in a modern way. They are presented in the form of two plates, inside which, in the steel pipes of the welded circuit, the coolant passes. Radiators of this type have different sizes and a ribbed surface that provides excellent convection qualities and increased heat transfer. The metal has the same coefficient of thermal conductivity as cast iron, however, with some difference - its thickness is several times less than that of cast iron products. Due to this, their warming up is much faster. This type of radiator is designed for operation at an operating pressure of up to 10 atmospheres.

The advantages of steel products:

• Variety of shapes and modern design, allow you to place such batteries in any interior;
• Long period of operation, subject to proper water treatment;
• They are used in systems with any kind of pipes;
• Relatively low cost and ease of installation.

An important nuance before buying steel radiators is their correct and competent calculation, in view of the fact that they are implemented in certain standard sizes and they will not work out as sectional ones.

Also, it should be noted that in conditions of extremely high pressure surges, steel panels, can depressurize and leak... Therefore, their use in buildings with more than five floors is not recommended.

Tubular radiators are a type of steel batteries, only they differ from panel radiators in a special design. They come in a variety of shapes and designs. All of the above characteristics of steel products are inherent in them.

How to calculate

There are certain norms by which you can calculate compensation for heat loss premises and, accordingly, find out the required thermal power of devices in order to compensate for losses and create comfortable conditions for a person.

For the calculation itself, you can use the following formula:

K \u003d S * 100 / Pc,

where K is the number of sections, S is the estimated area of \u200b\u200bthe heated square meters, Pc is the heat transfer power of one battery section (this value is indicated by the manufacturer in the product passport). Such the calculation is applicable for aluminum, bimetallic and cast iron heating devices.

For steel non-separable steel-type radiators, it is customary to take the power value from the passport. The heater is selected at the rate of 100W per 1 m2. That is, if the area of \u200b\u200bthe room is, for example, 20 m2, then you will need a 2 kW radiator, or two 1 kW panels.

Thermal power of 1 battery section according to the passport, W	Room area, m2
	10	12	14	16	18	20	22
140	8	9	10	12	13	15	16
150	7	8	10	11	12	14	15
160	7	8	9	10	12	13	14
180	6	7	8	9	10	12	13
190	6	7	8	9	10	11	12
200	5	6	7	8	9	10	11

Counting the number of sections

Electrical

Sometimes the use of centralized heating is impossible for a number of reasons - it can be a breakthrough of the heating main, economic disadvantage, etc. In such a situation, many consumers pay attention to electric batteries... And not casual, they have a lot of advantages - they are easy to operate, economical, perfectly amenable to adjustment, both mechanical and remote, and also have an acceptable cost. In many Western European countries, residents have long moved away from central heating systems in favor of individual electric heating networks. Today the market is represented by variety of heating devicesusing electricity, the most popular of which are fan heaters, oil and infrared radiators, and convectors.

Outcome

Choosing new batteries for an apartment, do not save too much, since this in the future may result in big trouble, in the form of a flood. Therefore, to the problem of the selection of heating equipment of this type, come up responsibly, collect all the necessary information, consult with experts. Buy products only from well-known and trusted brands that can reliably provide you and your loved ones with warmth.

Video. 10 mistakes when replacing radiators

Radiators are the main elements of the heating system, organizing the flow of heat transfer from the coolant to the environment. It is they who are entrusted with the task of heating the premises by releasing up to 90% of the total volume of heat released during the operation of electrical elements (electric furnace) or combustion of fuel (boiler room, stove heating of private houses). Initially, the bulk of sectional heaters were cast from cast iron, which has good strength characteristics and immunity to temperature extremes. However, such systems had a lot of flaws, since thick walls and discontinuities (in the form of pores, cavities, and other casting defects) led to low operating efficiency or rapid destruction of such structures.

Today, in addition to improving the process of obtaining cast iron batteries, radiators from the following groups of metals are widely used:

• aluminum - the most energy efficient type, having an extremely low susceptibility to a coolant, the appearance of corrosion and light weight.
• bimetallic - like aluminum models, have high heat transfer, increased strength and light weight, as well as neutrality to the chemical composition of the coolant.
• steel - they are mainly made in the form of panels, have an average energy efficiency, but they corrode due to constant interaction with water.

People who are familiar with the properties of a particular material, as well as those who follow the assortment of manufacturing companies, usually do not have problems with the choice of radiators for houses and apartments. However, the bulk of consumers are "pioneers" of this segment, and they know about the principles of choice only by hearsay. Moreover, over the past 5 years, this category of the market has almost doubled, having got hold of hundreds of fresh models of type-setting batteries, as well as the opening of a number of new firms. Therefore, having carefully researched the current range, we have compiled for you a rating of the best heating radiators, the purchase of which will not only increase the efficiency of the heating system, but also a profitable investment of your own funds.

The best bimetallic heating radiators

Bimetallic radiators have good heat dissipation and withstand high pressure... The combination of the two metals makes this heater resistant to water hammer with a pressure of about 150 atm. The main disadvantage is that the system must be constantly filled with coolant. In addition, these heaters are somewhat more expensive than others.

The most popular and best manufacturers of bimetallic heating radiators are the companies "Global" (Italy), "Rifar" (Russia), Sira (Italy) and Royal (Italy).

3 Sira RS Bimetal 500

Better heat dissipation. Silent operation
Country: Italy
Average price: 5 640 rubles.
Rating (2019): 4.5

SIRA RS BIMETAL 500 is a high-quality bimetallic sectional heater with a heat output of 201 W. Such a good indicator is mainly due to the successful design of the product, and therefore, in a large assembly, it is capable of heating up to 40 square meters of a room.

The advantages of SIRA RS BIMETAL in the reviews include a pleasant design, high-quality powder coating and reliability in all aspects of operation. True, the operating pressure does not really shine in magnitude - the battery can withstand up to 40 bar, but this is enough for installation in apartments for centralized heat supply, and in private houses with an independent heating source. Of the small shortcomings, only the sensitivity of the bimetal to the composition of the coolant can be distinguished, although, let's be honest, the consequences of such influences are negligible. Otherwise, this heater seems to be a very good option for a purchase, combining many positive aspects.

2 Global STYLE PLUS 500

High build quality. Popularity with users
Country: Italy
Average price: 6 400 rubles.
Rating (2019): 4.8

One of the brightest representatives of the Global company, which got into the rating due to the balanced performance parameters and their good combination with the asking price. The first thing that catches your eye when studying the documentation for STYLE PLUS is a solid warranty period of 25 years. All this unambiguously indicates the high reliability of the radiator and the manufacturer's confidence in their product.

In a standard assembly (consisting of 10-12 sections), this heater is capable of delivering up to 2280 W of heat into the environment, which, according to the company's experimental calculations, is suitable for fairly spacious rooms with an area of \u200b\u200b30 to 37 square meters. The maximum permissible operating temperature of the coolant in the system can reach 110 degrees Celsius, and the pressure - no more than 35 bar, and therefore prefabricated radiators are recommended to be used only in central heating systems.

A table of the advantages and disadvantages of different types of radiators.

Radiator type	Benefits	disadvantages
Cast iron	Low price Good thermal conductivity Not demanding on the quality of the coolant Durability (up to 50 years) Keep warm for a long time after turning off the heating	Warm up slowly Poorly tolerate water hammer Consumes a lot of water for heating Have a large mass Fragile Collect a lot of dust Requires frequent maintenance (painting)
Aluminum	High heat dissipation Beautiful appearance (design) Light weight (can even be hung on drywall) Compactness Low price	High requirements for the quality of the heat carrier (water pH should not be less than 7.5) Corroded Air pockets may form
Steel	Rapid heating Highest heat dissipation Low inertia Affordable price	Rust forms (steel rusts in water) Demanding on the quality of the coolant May burst due to a water hammer over 13 atm
Bimetallic	High strength Rapid heating Excellent heat dissipation Neutrality to the chemical composition of the coolant High pressure resistant Long service life (up to 20 years) A light weight Good appearance	High price Demanding on water quality

1 Rifar Monolit 500

The best ratio of price and quality. Working pressure 100 bar
Country Russia
Average price: 5 100 rubles.
Rating (2019): 4.9

The main advantage of the Rifar Monolit 500 bimetallic heating radiator is its low cost on the market with characteristics identical to the main competitors in terms of rating. The maximum heat transfer can reach 2744 W, which is enough to heat rooms up to 27-29 square meters. An important feature of the heater is the ability to operate at a pressure of 100 bar, which allows the sections to survive water shocks and maintains operating conditions for a long time.

Reviews for the Rifar Monolit 500 often feature statements of a 25-year factory warranty. It is worth saying that this information is true, and Rifar is very scrupulous about the quality of its entire range of products. Other advantages of the model include 135 degrees of permissible operating temperature, pleasant design, and at least 210 milliliters of water per section for normal operation.

The best aluminum heating radiators

Aluminum radiators are the most popular type of heaters today. The service life of such heaters can reach 15 years, due to their resistance to corrosion. They are lightweight, easy to install and have an attractive appearance, however, they can withstand less pressure and are sensitive to the composition of the coolant.

3 Thermal RAP-500

Best price. Maximum working pressure 24 bar.
Country Russia
Average price: 3127 rubles.
Rating (2019): 4.6

The domestically produced radiator from the "Thermal" company has the lowest price in the segment, however, in terms of operating parameters, it practically does not yield to the recognized leaders of the category. The main advantage of the RAP-500 is the high specific heat transfer of the section, equal to 252 W. This is the largest indicator in the rating, indirectly indicating the high efficiency of the entire installation. Coupled with a decent thermal endurance (the temperature of the coolant in this case can be up to 130 degrees Celsius) for the assembled radiator, it will not be difficult to heat rooms with a total area of \u200b\u200bup to 50 square meters.

Despite such excellent performance, users note the ill-conceived design of the "Thermal RAP-500", although such sharp attacks (from a purely operational point of view) have no good reason. Of the other parameters of the radiator, it is worth highlighting the ability to work at an increased pressure in the system (about 60 bar), which makes it possible to install it not only in apartments, but also in private houses with individual heating.

2 Rifar Alum 500

Maximum operating temperature 135 gr.
Country Russia
Average price: 2 442 rubles.
Rating (2019): 4.7

Another representative of the Rifar company got into the rating due to a set of good performance characteristics, albeit with a slight overestimation of the purchase price. This heater is designed to work with heat carriers with temperatures up to 135 degrees Celsius and pressures up to 20 bar - an ideal set of parameters for installation in apartments with centralized heating.

In terms of heat transfer, the Rifar Alum 500 is slightly inferior to its competitors: one section is capable of generating up to 183 watts of heat. In aggregate (in the presence of 14-16 elements in the assembly), such a battery will be effective on living space up to 26 square meters. It is noteworthy that for the section to work properly, the required amount of water is 270 milliliters, which suggests that the efficiency of the radiator is not the greatest. However, with the exception of this nuance, there is nothing more to complain about: consumer reviews speak of the excellent reliability of the model, compactness and a convenient method of wall mounting.

1 Global Vox 500

The optimal choice for the climate of the Russian Federation. 10 years warranty
Country: Italy
Average price: 680 rubles.
Rating (2019): 4.9

Despite their southern origin (Global production is located in Italy), Vox radiators are perfect for heating systems in the harsh climatic conditions of Russia. They have one of the highest heat transfer rates (up to 195 W), which in practice translates into significant savings in the number of sections during assembly. In addition, the aluminum products "Global" are famous for their low inertia, which allows you to quickly heat a room or optimize temperature parameters.

The Italian manufacturer is aware of the peculiarities of Russian heating systems and took care of the reliability of its radiators. They are made by die casting from high quality aluminum alloys EN AB 46100. The structure is reinforced with solid ribs on the sides, a 2-stage painting technology is applied. The devices are so solid that their installation can be carried out in heating systems with a working pressure within 16 atmospheres (the norm for SNIPs is not more than 12 atmospheres at the level of the 10th floor and above) with a permissible short-term jump twice. Destruction occurs only at 48 atm., So that residents of a house with such radiators are protected from breakouts for at least 10 years - this is the official guarantee of the company. There are no complaints about the appearance of the equipment - thanks to a good choice of color solutions, it fits perfectly into the interior and even serves as its decoration.

The best steel radiators for heating

Steel radiators are more often used in apartment buildings and small cottages. The main advantage of this type of heaters is low cost due to cheap manufacturing materials and well-established production. In addition, such heaters require less coolant and practically do not take up space, but their heat transfer is slightly lower than that of other types.

3 Purmo Compact 22 500

The highest heat transfer rate (5572 W). The possibility of heating rooms up to 50 sq. m.
Country: Finland
Average price: 7,302 rubles.
Rating (2019): 4.8

In the segment of steel radiators, there is a surprisingly even selection of options for characteristics. Often, as in this case, the only difference between them lies only in the price parameters. Purmo Compact 22 500, in a sense, became a “victim” and “hostage” of the company's pricing policy, which did not promptly respond to price cuts by competitors.

The configuration of the dimensions of this panel is almost identical to the opponents (500x102 millimeters), and in terms of the nominal parameters of the pressure in the system (10 bar + 13 bar of pressure) and the temperature of the coolant (110 degrees Celsius), it does not differ much from the nominal. True, the heat transfer efficiency is quite high here: 5572 W, which allows heating up to 50 square meters of area. A small nuance that strongly influenced the ranking in the ranking was the question of the quality of the Purmo Compact exterior finish. User reviews contain information about the gradual yellowing of the coating, as well as not always a clear fit of the elements to each other, which is why significant gaps are formed in the panel.

2 Buderus Logatrend K-Profil 22 500

Nice design. Work with a heating medium up to 120 ° C
Country: Germany
Average price: 4 720 rubles.
Rating (2019): 4.9

The Buderus Logatrend K-Profil 22 500 panel kit loses out to the segment leader solely on the cost component, comparing on the performance cutoff. With the same length-to-thickness ratios, as well as the maximum system pressure (10 bar), this sectional heater allows the circulation of a heating medium with a temperature of up to 120 degrees Celsius, thereby compensating for some deviations in the heating system.

As for the opinions of users, they often notice the panel's equally good appearance, ease of installation and further operation. A small nuance is that the metal of the radiator is sensitive to the composition of the coolant, which can lead to forced wear of the battery long before the expiration of the warranty period. The opposite cases also take place (an increase in the working resource), but this is either the merit of the consumers themselves, or single features of the water in the system.

1 Kermi FKO 11 500

The optimal combination of price and quality
Country: Germany
Average price: 4 520 rubles.
Rating (2019): 4.9

The panel heater Kermi FKO 11 500 is the cheapest solution to purchasing a metal heater. And it should be noted, not the most vain. Despite the low cost, this model has very solid energy efficiency indicators. With a length of 400 to 3000 millimeters, its heat transfer can range from 459 to 3441 W, respectively. And, as a result - the ability to heat premises up to 34.9 square meters.

With a maximum panel length, Kermi FKO 11 500 requires 8.1 liters of coolant in order to reach its nominal parameters. The working pressure at the peak can reach only 10 bar, however, this quantitative indicator is enough to withstand rare water hammers in the system. Kermi FKO is distinguished by its good design - consumers like to notice this positive property in their reviews.

The best cast iron heating radiators

3 Viadrus Styl 500/130

Great design. High quality product
Country: Czech Republic
Average price: 26 647 rubles.
Rating (2019): 4.7

The Viadrus Styl 500/130 heating radiator is the most expensive model in the rating, but at the same time it is very popular with consumers due to its excellent external design and high standards of operational quality. The peak temperature of the coolant here can reach 115 degrees Celsius, leaving a small reserve in case of changes in the pressure parameters in the circuit, which is not uncommon for central heating. In general, the pressure can reach up to 12 bar, and the pressure test - up to 18, which is a completely normal result for cast iron batteries.

Judging by the feedback from consumers, the only truly serious nuance of Viadrus Styl is the flow rate of the coolant. Due to the thin-walled design (designed to increase heat transfer), one section requires up to 800 milliliters of water to work effectively. This is not critical for residents of apartments with central heating, but for "private owners" it translates into the need for periodic maintenance of the system (for example, topping up water in the expansion tank).

2 Konner Modern 500

Good heat transfer performance. The optimum ratio of price and quality
The country: Germany (made in China)
Average price: 3 860 rubles.
Rating (2019): 4.8

The Konner Modern 500 sectional cast-iron radiator is an even greater "waste" of the coolant than the previous representative of the rating, but it has much better energy efficiency parameters. For the normal operation of one section, 900 milliliters of water are needed here, however, such indicators are explained by the increased dimensions of the installation and the notorious thin-walled structure. Due to this, for example, a 12-section radiator is capable of heating up to 27-30 square meters of a room, which is the most optimal result in the selection.

In terms of operating pressure, the Konner Modern 500 system has a standard value of 12 bar, mainly used for installation in apartments with central heating. In this case, the main prerequisites for popularity among users were not only operating parameters, but also the price, averaged against the background of the total number of representatives of this segment.

1 STI Nova 500

Best price. The most popular cast iron radiator
Country: Italy
Average price: 7 420 rubles.
Rating (2019): 4.8

Undoubtedly, one of the best cast-iron radiators for installation in an apartment (and one of the most inexpensive) is the domestic-made STI Nova 500 model. With its small overall dimensions, this heater provides a heat output of 1200 W, which is enough for high-quality heating of 20 square meters of a room ... The radiator also shows itself very well when applying pressure, which (in some cases) can be brought to 18 bar without any damage to the integrity of the structure. The temperature of the coolant in the pipes can reach up to 150 degrees Celsius, leveling all possible manifestations of jumps in the main parameters, especially when operating in an individual heating system.

According to consumers, another important advantage of STI Nova is the appearance parameter. The manufacturers managed to create a pretty nice design that can fit into any interior. In addition, these radiators are very unpretentious in maintenance and easy to install, even though they are rather heavy.

The choice of heating devices for the water system always remains the prerogative of the homeowner, even when the installation is carried out by hired craftsmen. But choosing batteries according to the advice of sellers or reviews of Internet users is not easy - the former often do not understand the topic and repeat advertising slogans, the latter “praise their swamp”, which is understandable. To find out which heating radiators are best for an apartment or a private house, we suggest using a simple and straightforward algorithm.

Battery selection guide - simplified approach

We hope the previous description helped you figure out which heating batteries are best for an apartment in terms of price and technical performance. Finally, here are some practical tips:

1. Use the instructions at the beginning of this publication. Choose radiators that suit you best in terms of design and budget.
2. The working pressure of the coolant is important only for apartments in high-rise buildings; only bimetallic and aluminum batteries can withstand pressure over 10 bar. Any water heating devices are suitable for summer cottages and private cottages.
3. With a limited budget, feel free to buy steel panels - in terms of heat transfer, they are not inferior to other heaters or convectors.
4. Under the gravity system, you need to take radiators with a large section of internal channels. It is better not to install stamped steel heaters, only tubular ones.
5. In terms of price-quality ratio and a set of operating parameters, the first place is taken by sectional batteries made of light aluminum alloy.
6. It is worth paying for bimetal when there is no confidence in the parameters of the coolant - the pressure is unknown, hard water is used.
7. Try not to purchase frankly cheap radiators made of unknown material in the PRC. They will warm, but certainly not for long.

Characteristics of heaters of the same size, made of different materials - comparison table

Conclusion regarding cast iron. Heating radiators of the old type MS-90 and MS-140 are cheap, but they look ugly. Beautifully designed models are incredibly expensive and therefore inaccessible to ordinary homeowners. Cast iron is becoming a rarity, and the obsolete "accordions" of the MC series are becoming a thing of the past.

If your budget allows you to install designer heaters, carefully select each battery by size. In a narrow wall niche, it is better to place a vertical steel heating radiator, under the windows - stylish cast iron products. It is advisable to additionally fasten the heavy floor versions to the wall using a pair of brackets.

The radiator is an important part of a home's heating system. Its thermal conductivity and aesthetics affect the appearance of the room and comfort. Price is also an important factor. This is especially true for apartments. We will try to tell you how to make the right choice of a heating radiator for an apartment in this article.

Heating system and radiator compatibility

There is a wide selection of heating radiators on the market:

• Steel;
• Aluminum;
• Cast iron;
• Copper;
• Bimetallic devices.

The choice of a specific radiator depends on various parameters of the entire heating system. The allowable temperature, pressure in the system and the composition of the coolant, as well as heat transfer and inertness, are taken into account, which must correspond to the indicators of the heating system of an apartment building.

Popular life hacks for home and summer cottages on the portal https://build-experts.ru, construction tricks and recommendations of experienced foremen.

Important! Heating radiators for open systems of apartment buildings differ from those intended for closed heating systems of private (individual) houses. If the radiator does not match your heating system, not only rapid wear is possible, but also complete failure of the radiator.

How to choose a radiator?

First of all, when buying a battery, you should pay attention to its technical and operational characteristics, and only then to the cost or appearance.

Regardless of the country of manufacture, you need to clearly understand that not every battery can withstand the operating conditions of our heating networks: fluctuations in pressure and temperature, poor quality of water supplied to the pipes (coolant), and others. For example, in high-rise buildings for a one-pipe open heating system, the design temperature is 105 ° C, and the pressure is 10 atmospheres. But, despite this, the limits of these parameters can go off scale, and heating radiators of foreign manufacturers, which do not have the required safety margin, may simply not withstand a water hammer.

Note! Before purchasing a radiator, you must take into account the permissible temperature and pressure of the coolant in the heating system. These data are indicated in the passport of the heater.

The heat transfer of the heating battery is also important. The efficiency of air heating depends on this indicator, which is also due to the design of the radiator. For example, the heat transfer of aluminum is higher than that of steel, and copper gives off heat better than cast iron. However, relying only on these technical parameters is also not entirely true. It is necessary to comprehensively evaluate all the advantages and disadvantages of each element of the heating system before buying best radiators heating for the apartment you live in.

Heating radiator options

Consider the most common types of heating batteries on the market

Cast iron heating radiators

Cast iron batteries have been used in domestic heating systems for over a hundred years. They have shown excellent corrosion resistance, are fairly durable, have good heat dissipation and are able to withstand pressure and temperature differences in the system. Almost ideal for use in the territory of the former USSR.

Cast iron radiators are able to retain heat for a long time, even after an emergency shutdown of the system. These batteries can withstand both poor water quality in the system and water hammer. They are not affected by rust or air pockets compared to appliances made of other materials. All these advantages make cast iron radiators an ideal heating battery for an apartment.

The disadvantages of cast-iron radiators are high inertia, unsightly design and bulkiness. The inertia makes these batteries unsuitable for thermoregulated heating systems.

The exception is modern models in retro style, with monograms, patinated, painted in copper, bronze or brass, which fit perfectly into the interior, being both a heating device and an art object.

Aluminum radiators

Sectional radiators made of aluminum are very popular today. Light weight, aesthetic appearance, high heat transfer, these batteries are good for arranging heating systems in apartments and houses.

Thanks to the sections, you can dial any length of the radiator, and the ease of installation is another indisputable plus. This type of batteries is not inertial, which makes it possible to install them in systems with temperature controllers. In addition, a large amount of heat carrier (water) is not required.

Experts believe that a significant disadvantage of aluminum batteries is the susceptibility to corrosion at an increased concentration of alkali in the water, as well as the tendency to form air bubbles inside the structure and the risk of leakage between the sections.

Steel radiators

In the heating systems of homes and offices, batteries made of steel can often be found. They can have a different appearance:

• Type-setting panel from separate sections;
• One-piece rectangular construction;
• Tubular construction.

The advantages of steel batteries are affordable price, inertia, attractive appearance, excellent heat transfer and corrosion resistance.

However, steel batteries are not able to withstand a water hammer in excess of 25 atmospheres, which makes them unacceptable for use in apartments in multi-storey buildings. In addition, steel is quite sensitive to the presence of oxygen in the coolant.

The optimum pressure for normal operation of steel batteries ranges from 6 to 16 atmospheres and depends on the thickness of the steel and the design of the device. The operating temperature should not exceed 110 ° C. Heat transfer is produced by convection and radiation through the walls of the device and the grille located at the top of the radiator.

Bimetallic radiators

The bimetallic radiator consists of aluminum fins and steel piping. This type of battery is optimally suited for operation with our city district heating systems. In such a structure, hot water circulates through steel seamless pipes, welded together by a method that prevents corrosion and metal destruction. And aluminum, in turn, thanks to its high thermal conductivity, perfectly transfers heat from the core to the room.

The radiator is capable of withstanding pressure in the system up to 40-50 atmospheres. Modern designs have a rather attractive appearance. Thus, in a bimetallic radiator, the properties of steel and aluminum are combined in the best way, as heating devices.

Among the advantages, one can also point out the fact that bimetallic batteries contribute to a turbulent distribution of air masses (with vortices). Thus, there is no local overheating of the air, the formation of a positive ionization field in the heater zone. Bimetallic heaters can last for about 20 years and come to the retail network already painted, which simplifies their care.

The disadvantages of bimetallic heating devices include their rather high cost, as well as the tendency to accumulate slag deposits along the inner walls over time and sensitivity to the presence of oxygen in the coolant. There is also a resistance that occurs at the junction of two metals, which reduces the efficiency of heat transfer as a whole.

Copper radiators

Copper heating radiators are manufactured from solid drawn copper pipes. The structure consists of a pipe with a diameter of about 28 mm, supplemented with copper fins and a wooden casing. The efficiency of air heating is achieved due to the high thermal conductivity of copper, which is 2 times higher than that of aluminum and 5-6 times higher than that of steel and cast iron. Copper has a low inertia and can be used in systems equipped with thermostats.

Despite the fact that copper batteries require less coolant, they warm up in 3 minutes. In this case, there is no need to drive large masses of hot water through the copper batteries (for example, as is the case with cast iron appliances).

The benefits of copper are undeniable:

• Corrosion resistance;
• Plastic;
• It is not subject to wear when exposed to an aggressive environment;
• Plastic;
• High efficiency at low coolant temperature;
• Suitable for multi-storey apartments.

Interesting! After the first 90 hours of operation of copper radiators, an oxide layer forms on the inner surface, which subsequently protects the battery from mechanical and chemical damage with poor quality hot water.

Almost the only drawback is the high price of copper heating appliances.

Calculation of the power of heating radiators for an apartment

For a normal microclimate in a dwelling, the heating radiator should not cover 70-75% of the width of the window opening. Then the cold air from the window and the warm air from the battery mix freely and move around the room, without fogging the glasses. Therefore, instead of 5-6 powerful sections, it is better to put 8-10 sections with less power, but occupying the required area under the window.

To find out the required power of the radiator, you need to multiply the area of \u200b\u200bthe room by 100 W. If a:

• In the room there is 1 window or outer door and 2 outer walls, then the battery power is increased by 20%;
• 2 windows and 2 external walls - 30%;
• The window faces north or northeast - 10%;
• The battery in the niche - by 5%;
• The radiator is covered with a panel with slots - 15%.