Electrical equipment for home heating. Electric heating in a private house
Economic criteria, the growth of utility bills, indicators of the efficiency of heating equipment - all this presents a number of arguments that motivate residents of private houses to look for alternative heating methods. Fortunately, today a wide variety of options are used as energy carriers. This is geothermal energy, the energy of solar radiation. However, if we reduce to a single denominator the efficiency of the energy carrier itself, the volume of expenses for the purchase of equipment, the regular costs of operating the heating system and the energy itself, then in many respects electric heating seems to be a profitable option. In a private house, this heating method shows high practicality and efficiency.
As always, the budget issue plays a key role in assessing priorities. And this argument for electric heating takes the lead in terms of equipment costs - they are somewhat lower than for installation.
At the same time, electric heating also contains such advantages:
A simple installation technique, including all system components and connection to the energy carrier.
An accessible procedure for obtaining permits in specialized organizations. In some cases, such documents are not necessary. For example, if an electric underfloor heating independent of the boiler is installed or autonomous convectors are installed.
Fast space heating period.
Automatic temperature setting.
Ease of equipment maintenance and operation.
But striving for an objective assessment of this type of heating, it is impossible not to reveal its shortcomings. First of all, these are probable interruptions in the central power grid. When installing high-power boilers, electric heating in a private house is accompanied by high financial costs. For this reason, the installation of electric heating is relevant in situations where there is no possibility of connecting gas. Also, the use of this type of heating is convenient if there is no opportunity or desire to spend time and energy on wood heating.
Modern items of equipment, equipped with technological innovations, are quite expensive - this is another minus of electric heating.
Water heating with electric boiler
One of the most productive methods of electric heating is the use of an electric boiler. But this element of the heating system needs registration procedures.
For the use of boilers, three categories are used, distinguished by design features:
Electrode heating electric boilers
Boilers, with a heating element, in the role of which the heating element acts
Electric boilers of induction type
electric boiler piping
At the same time, the classification of electric boilers according to other criteria is also accepted:
According to the type of fastening and location - installation of an electric boiler with heating radiators is possible on the floor and on the wall.
In terms of power consumption, single-phase (220V) and three-phase (380V) boilers are distinguished.
By the number of working circuits - single-circuit and double-circuit electric boilers.
Depending on the heating area, the boiler power varies from 1 to 30 kW. In rooms with a footage of up to 80-100 square meters, as well as when using electric heating in conjunction with other systems, a boiler with a capacity of up to 6 kW is sufficient. It is more rational to use more powerful structures in large structures as the main heating system. Used for low temperature heating.
Video instruction for the installation of an electric boiler and related equipment:
Electric convectors
This type of heating is more often used in country houses and small rooms as an additional source of heat. The advantage of this type of electric heating is the mobility of the heating structure, the possibility of mounting it on the wall in almost any corner. Like other means, electric heating in a private house with convectors is not accompanied by the release of harmful substances.
Thanks to the air circulation technology, the use of these devices allows heating with greater intensity. In this case, uniform heating of the air occurs throughout the volume of the room. The efficiency of these devices is quite high, however, to maintain it, it is necessary to comply with the requirements for the heat capacity of the room, since energy consumption can be costly.
infrared heating
This technique of electric heating for domestic purposes has been used relatively recently. And it is fundamentally different from all known technologies - the emitted infrared rays increase the temperature not of the air space, but of the area of \u200b\u200bthe object. Thus, IR heaters act locally. The human body can feel warm even when the room temperature is low. But the heated area of the object gradually radiates the received heat, thereby heating the air. The profitability of infrared heating, depending on the type of construction and model, is 50-65% higher than the convection type of heating and electric heating radiators, and also 70-80% more efficient than fan heaters.
If necessary, you can heat any part of the room by directing the heater stand in the right direction and turning the structure itself vertically.
Video dedicated to infrared heaters:
Electric underfloor heating
In this type of electric heating, three categories are distinguished:
Cable heating system - more often used in concrete floors.
Infrared warm film floor is an effective means of heating wooden floors.
Heating mats used in small rooms with.
These systems are designed for local use as well as auxiliary heating. Electric floor heaters are indispensable in bathrooms and kitchens. In general, this technology is universal in terms of laying it under any type of floor covering, it is environmentally friendly and can function up to 60 years.
Summary
Trends in the development of electric heating technologies allow us to hope for even greater practicality of these systems and lower costs. In the meantime, the use of electric heating is already fully justified by all criteria. Moreover, there are several possibilities for implementing this technology.
Electric heating is one of the most environmentally friendly and safe, convenient and comfortable types of space heating, and almost its only drawback is the higher cost of electricity compared to other types of fuel, such as gas. At the same time, in the absence of the ability to connect to the gas main, the use of electric heating may be quite appropriate. Moreover, there are different types of it and you can choose the best option for your home, cottage or apartment.
Currently, there is a wide variety of devices and equipment with which you can carry out electric heating of a private house or apartment. The following main types can be distinguished:
- electric boilers of various types;
- electric convectors;
- electric fan heaters;
- oil coolers;
- infrared long-wave heaters;
- electric underfloor heating.
Each of these types of electric heating has its advantages, disadvantages and can be used in one way or another. In order to decide which one will be optimal for your house or apartment, we will consider them in more detail.
Electric boilers
Wall-mounted electric heating element
Electric boilers convert electrical energy into thermal energy by heating water or other coolant. They are used for a water heating device, which practically does not differ from the same systems using boilers using other types of fuel. Electric boilers are most suitable for the installation of closed water heating systems with forced circulation, since when the electricity is turned off, it stops working simultaneously with the circulation pump.
According to the method of heating the coolant, there are three types of electric boilers:
- TENovye, in which tubular heaters with a spiral inside are used for heating;
- electrode (ion, electrolysis), which heat the coolant using two electrodes and the electrolysis process;
- induction - heating the coolant using an induction eddy current that occurs in a ferromagnet heat exchanger.
Electric boilers are often installed in an existing hot water heating system, parallel to boilers running on a different type of fuel, and used as additional or backup heating.
Electric convectors
Electric convector (floor)
In electric convectors, electrical energy is converted directly into heat. The air in the room is heated by convection - air circulation. Heated air rises, and denser cold air enters in its place, which, when heated, also rises, etc. It is much easier to arrange such electric heating than water heating: there is no need to install a pipe system and all additional equipment. You just need to purchase the electric convectors themselves and connect them to the network. True, for this, the wiring must be of sufficient cross section, and for each such device you need a separate machine in the electrical panel.
Modern electric convectors have an aesthetic appearance, can be adjusted in manual and automatic mode. They can be floor or wall mounted. True, for heating several rooms, the same number of convectors will be required.
Oil coolers
Such devices are ribbed containers filled with special oil with a heating element (heating element) mounted in them. They are known and used for a long time. Such heaters have a slightly lower efficiency and are not as efficient as compared to electric convectors. Their advantage can be considered that they can be easily moved from room to room, using in the place where necessary.
Currently, oil radiators are somewhat obsolete and can only be used as backup or additional heating.
Infrared heaters
Panel infrared heater on the ceiling
Electric heating using infrared long-wave heaters is different in that they do not heat the air in the room itself, but objects (floor, furniture), which in turn heat the room itself. Typically, these heaters are placed on the ceiling or wall. Unlike convectors, they start heating the room from below.
But such emitters should be located on heat-resistant surfaces and not closer than 0.5 m from the human head. And a long stay of people in the radiation zone of such a heater is undesirable. In addition, to prevent increased power consumption, do not place IR emitters near windows.
Infrared heaters can be in the form of panels and film type. The latter can be located on the ceiling or floor, used in an open form (on the ceiling) or be covered with a heat-resistant sheathing.
Electric underfloor heating
This type of electric heating is becoming more and more popular. It allows you to heat the room from below and provide comfortable living conditions. Very often, such floors are not arranged in the entire room, but only in some rooms: children's rooms, bathrooms, bathrooms. Electric floors can be of three types:
- in the form of an electric heating cable laid in zigzags;
- in the form of heating mats;
- film (infrared).
Before installing an electric underfloor heating, it is necessary to first level and thermally insulate the base. The heating cable is embedded in concrete, and the mats are embedded in a screed of cement mortar or adhesive mixture under the floor covering. This can be done at the same time as laying certain types of flooring, such as ceramic tiles. Film heaters are laid directly under the floor covering along the thermal insulation layer. Most often, in this case, a laminate is used as a floor covering.
The feasibility of using electric heating
The use of electric heating is advisable only if it is possible to pay the cost of the electricity consumed in this case. Of course, in this sense, it is currently difficult for electric heating to compete with gas heating. But, if there is no opportunity to connect gas, and there is no desire to mess with the furnace of solid fuel boilers or stoves either, then electric heating can be an excellent alternative. In order to use it as the main one, it is necessary to make a three-phase input. Otherwise, it will not be possible to use equipment of sufficient power.
And in order to reduce the cost of electricity, it is necessary to install a programmable billing electric meter and use the most favorable tariff for heating. And since it only works for 8 hours, only at night, it is possible to combine electric heating with other types. For example, during the day, heat with a solid fuel boiler, and at night, when the tariff is the lowest, with electricity. Or, if there is a water heating system, you can use it, accumulating thermal energy at a low tariff, to use it during the period of the day when the electricity tariff is high.
With any chosen method of electric heating, one should also not forget about the effective insulation of the house, which, incidentally, is relevant when using any other type of heating.
Related videos
For the organization of individual electric heating, you can use a wide variety of devices and devices. We provide you with an overview of the general advantages of electric systems, as well as the most important information about the available options for electric heating. After studying the information provided, you can choose the most suitable devices for you and organize the most efficient and profitable heating.
To understand all the advantages of electric heating, you need to compare it with other existing options for heating a private house. For example, what needs to be done to install a gas heating system? At a minimum, spend a fairly serious amount on the purchase of the necessary units and set aside several weeks to bypass various authorities and obtain the required permits.
Electric heating does not require any prior permits. You just need to buy equipment, install it yourself or with the help of installers and connect it to the network. The whole job takes a day, rarely two.
Under any circumstances, you will spend less money on buying and setting up electric heating than on arranging a boiler room, laying gas pipelines and buying a boiler.
Electric heaters do not need a separate boiler room. Underfloor heating, convectors, fan heaters, infrared heaters - all this is installed in a convenient place, placed under the floor screed or hung on the walls.
Gas heating is potentially dangerous. If connected and operated incorrectly, the boiler can poison the residents of the house or even explode. Electric heaters are completely safe, you just need to follow basic safety precautions.
Electrical installations are much more reliable than district heating systems. By abandoning central heating, the owner of the house frees himself from not the most profitable and convenient cooperation with public utilities.
Electric heating does not force its owner to allocate a separate place for storing fuel and constantly think about the need for regular replenishment of fuel
The question of the economic benefits of heating a house with electricity deserves special attention. Previously, it was believed that electric heating is the most expensive option for individual heating. And this statement was absolutely correct. Today, the situation has changed dramatically.
- First, the home owner can install a multi-tariff meter. In most regions of the country, electricity is charged differently day and night. Thanks to this meter, heating costs can be reduced significantly.
- Secondly, the system can be equipped with heat storage accumulators. Such devices are connected to the network at night, when electricity is as cheap as possible. When connected to the mains, the internal elements of such storage devices, made of high-tech magnesite, accumulate heat, and after disconnecting from the mains, they release the accumulated electricity to the house.
A compact sensor is responsible for the correct operation of the drive. It also helps to regulate the temperature in the premises and allows you to maintain a comfortable microclimate. Drives are absolutely safe and are sold at a relatively affordable cost. Of course, you will have to spend more money on installing a heating system, but all expenses will pay off very quickly, because. the considered devices allow to reduce the cost of electricity up to 5-7 times.
The most popular option for electric heating are special infrared installations. Such devices work according to a special principle that compares favorably with the operation of other existing heating systems.
If classical heating, regardless of what exactly it uses as fuel, first heats the air, and then it gives off the temperature to surrounding objects and people, then the infrared heater will immediately give heat to objects located in its zone of action.
There are stationary heaters and special infrared films that can be conveniently fixed in any desired place.
The procedure for installing such heating is extremely simple.
First step. Unpack the infrared heater.
Second step. Read the manufacturer's instructions carefully.
Third step. Install the heater in the desired location if it is a stationary model or fix the film to the selected surface if it is a film heater. During installation, be guided by the safety recommendations given in the instructions for the selected equipment.
Films usually have an adhesive back, which allows them to be fixed without much effort. Otherwise, refer to the manufacturer's instructions for mounting recommendations.
Fourth step. Connect the equipment to the mains.
The most popular option for electric heating of a private house is based on the use of a floor heating system. Such heating can be arranged in any room of the house, even in the bathroom.
If desired, you can opt for a "smart" model of electric underfloor heating. Special sensors and other automation tools will allow the system to determine the temperature in the room and independently change the power to ensure the most comfortable conditions. Installation of such heating is carried out in several stages.
First stage. Thoroughly clean and level the base with a concrete screed.
Second phase. Lay insulation and waterproofing material on the dried base.
Third stage. Install underfloor heating. There are several modifications. The instructions for the system you have chosen will provide the optimal laying scheme.
Fourth stage. Install the thermostat and other related items, and then connect the underfloor heating to the mentioned electronics. Manufacturers provide recommendations for the placement of all mechanisms, as well as their connection to each other, in the instructions for their products.
Fifth stage. Pour the concrete screed and wait until it dries.
Sixth stage. Lay the selected topcoat on the dried screed.
No less popular units for electric heating of a private house are convectors with their many modifications in the form of thermal curtains, "guns" and fan heaters.
Thermal curtains in residential premises are not used. They are usually placed above doorways. When the door is opened, the air curtain automatically turns on and does not allow cold air to enter the room.
For installation, it is enough to fix the device above the doorway and connect it to the network. Depending on the features of a particular design, the order of its connection may have individual characteristics. Therefore, be sure to carefully study the instructions for the air curtain you purchased.
In private homes, they are also used very rarely, except for heating basements. They work according to an extremely simple principle: the unit is connected to the mains, the built-in fan starts to pump air, which passes through the built-in heating element and evenly heats the surrounding space. No special installation measures are required, it all comes down to connecting the unit to the network.
Electric heaters usually used as additional heat sources. In rooms of a small area, they can be used as the only and main heating. The built-in regulator allows you to easily set the desired fan power and provide a comfortable indoor climate.
Modern models are deprived of the main drawback of their predecessors - fan heaters no longer dry the air. An additional advantage of such heaters is the ease of connection and use - the device is simply placed in a convenient place, connected to the network and set to the required power.
An excellent option for an electric heating device is to use electric oil heaters. They have an attractive design and fit perfectly into the environment. Typically, such heaters are mounted under a window opening instead of a standard battery, or they are placed on the side of a doorway.
Installation is extremely simple.
First stage. Make marks for installing fasteners. On the body of the oil heater there are special elements with which it will be hung on fasteners. Place the heater body on the installation site and mark these overhangs.
Second phase. Drill holes in the wall according to the markings.
Third stage. Fasten the fasteners in the prepared holes. Usually hooks for hanging heaters are factory-fitted. Otherwise, you will have to purchase these products from a hardware store.
Fourth stage. Connect the electric oil heater to the mains and set to the desired operating mode. Modern models can be equipped with sensors, thanks to which the heating power will be set automatically. If your model can also work in conjunction with such sensors, install them according to the manufacturer's instructions.
Not only an effective source of heating, but also an excellent design solution will be electric fireplaces. There are models that work in constant mode and "smart" modifications. The latter are equipped with special sensors that can respond to changes in room temperature and equalize it to a comfortable level.
Installation of electric fireplaces performed in the same manner as the installation of the previously discussed electric oil heaters.
There are several types of electric fireplaces, namely:
- classic models. The design of such units is as similar as possible to the design of traditional "wood" fireplaces. The decoration of such devices is usually carried out using wood, stone and other natural materials;
- economy units. Budget option with a minimum of settings and functions. They usually have a small heating radius and are suitable for use in small rooms;
- devices in modern style. Made from expensive and high quality metals. High-tech style fireplaces are equipped with functional automation. Perfectly fit into the interior and contribute to the creation of the most comfortable microclimate;
- inserts. Designed more for decorating rooms, and not for heating. Although they do a pretty good job with the heating function. Usually built into plasterboard walls. The finished design looks spectacular, stylish and presentable.
Conclusions about electric heating
Thus, to date, statements about the high cost of electric heating have completely ceased to be relevant. There are several compelling pieces of evidence for this:
- electric heaters are compact in size. Their work does not require the laying of additional pipelines, the arrangement of boiler rooms, the organization of places for fuel storage, etc.;
- electric heating can be installed and configured independently, without the involvement of third-party specialists and additional costs;
- the operation of electrical systems can be fully automated;
- heaters do not make noise and do not emit substances harmful to humans during operation.
Thus, with the help of modern devices, it is possible to equip the most efficient and comfortable electric heating of a private house. At the same time, all stages for the installation of systems without any difficulty are carried out by hand. It is enough just to study the manufacturer's instructions and do not forget the recommendations received.
Successful work!
Video - Do-it-yourself electric heating of a private house