Not only the heat level in each room, but also the optimal cost of its receipt, depends on how correctly and reasonably planned. And since heating radiators are one of the most important components of any such system – their types and advantages inherent in each of them and disadvantages should be considered in more detail.
The most important characteristics
Before you start comparing radiators, you should understand what the most important operational characteristics they should have and what is the difference between a private house and large administrative or apartment buildings.
First of all, the heating system in a private house is autonomous and does not require the supply of high pressure at the time of inclusion due to large distances to the water heating boilers. For this reason, radiators of any type will not be subject to the action of the water driver, and the pressure in the system will require a relatively low. And if you take care of the purity of circulating water using filters, the most important characteristics for radiators of a private house or cottage will be:
The resistance of the material to oxidation;
high heat capacity;
maximum efficiency;
optimal combination of price/quality;
Nice design.
Taking into account these points, we will need to make a choice between the many heating radiators offered by the market.
Types of radiators
At the moment (if you leave aside electrical glass and ceramic panels), the actors in the type of material are 4 of the type there are 4 types of radiators. These include well -known cast iron, newer steel, as well as aluminum or bimetallic radiators. In turn, tube and panel, as well as whole and sectional radiators are separated in shape.
Cast iron radiators
Cast iron radiators, first appearing at the end of the 19th century, practically did not change their appearance and still. Massiveness, a significant thickness of the walls and, as a result, high heat capacity, distinguishes them from all other types. Stacks of cast iron and corrosion – so that Soviet radiators with a life explosion of 50 years and to this day practically did not change their technical and operational qualities. The disadvantages of these “dinosaurs” of the heating industry include only the most unpretentious design, the huge mass and shape of the tubular corps, which contributes to the rapid accumulation of silt. This is what makes them far from the most popular option – even taking into account a very average cost (if you take aluminum or bimetallic radiators, then the first of them are not much cheaper, and the latter is much more expensive).
Steel radiators
This type of radiators (both sectional and solid panel) is most common due to its budget value, compactness and high heat transfer indicator. Most often they are combined with tubular models also made of steel (which is extremely convenient for placement, for example, in bathrooms – for drying). In addition, like cast -iron, they are quite durable, do not depend too much on the quality of the water, but they are not so heavy and differ in decent efficiency.
The disadvantages of steel radiators are extremely low resistance to internal corrosion (which is why the system should constantly be filled with water) and yet insufficiently stylish design.
Aluminum radiators
Almost the most common type of now – thanks to a wide range of inexpensive price offers and design options, very easy weight and huge thermal power. At the same time, foreign models slightly exceed domestic costs – but, given the level of quality, it makes sense to give preference to them.
The disadvantages of aluminum include the reverse side of high heat capacity – a very quick rise instantly heated by the air upward (as a result of which the temperature difference between the floor and the ceiling is quite significant), as well as the ability to work effectively only with water of a very low level of acidity.
Bimetallic heating radiators
Today are the “peak of radiator evolution” – since they practically do not have weak places (withstand 5-6 times more pressure, insensitive to the composition of water, excellent in terms of efficiency, distribution of heat capacity and extremely rich in design types). For high -quality models (not fakes!) the only significant minus for the domestic market is a high price.
Thus, the choice of radiators should be based on the totality of the preferences of the buyer – seeking the “golden mean” in accordance with his capabilities.
