Heat transfer coefficient of one section of an aluminum radiator. Which radiators are best for your home
Cast iron radiators can rightfully be called a classic of heating equipment. At the peak of popularity, such batteries are held for more than a hundred years due to the many useful qualities of this material. And most of the heating systems in our country do not allow the use of other types of radiators.
Manufacturing process cast iron radiators consists in casting individual sections from a homogeneous cast-iron alloy. Then these sections are connected to each other using special gaskets that provide tightness.
It should be noted that the power indicated in the technical specifications is always different from that in real conditions. This is caused by testing equipment under near-ideal conditions. So at a coolant temperature of 60 degrees, the power will not rise above 50 watts.
The principle of operation of such batteries is to transfer heat into the room with a coolant through the surface of the radiator. Three-channel, two- and single-channel batteries can be found on the construction markets.
Table of heat transfer of cast iron radiators
Advantages of cast iron radiators:
Disadvantages of cast iron radiators:
- Large weight (sometimes more than a hundred kilograms) and dimensions. These shortcomings seriously complicate the installation of equipment.
- Complex intersectional space. Numerous deep and narrow slots make it very troublesome and difficult to clean the batteries from accumulated dust and dirt.
- Impossibility of quick regulation of heat transfer. It is caused by the large capacity of the sections and their high heat capacity.
- Slow heating of the room. Heat dissipation of one cast iron section is about 110W, which is less than that of aluminum or bimetallic radiators one and a half times. However, this is compensated by the fact that cast iron batteries have a radiant method of heat transfer (heats not only the air, but also nearby objects).
- Appearance. Largely, cast iron radiators have an unpresentable appearance. However, there are designer pieces that can serve as a real decoration of the room. So this can be very conditionally attributed to the shortcomings.
Aluminum sectional radiators
In Russian conditions, where winter lasts about six months, and sometimes even more, sufficient room temperature is a prerequisite for comfort. Well-known cast-iron radiators cope with this task well. Their history began from time immemorial - as soon as it became possible to heat homes with steam or hot water. However, their appearance has long ceased to satisfy consumers, and more presentable new items have appeared on the market. For example, the heat transfer of which is no worse than that of cast iron.
Types of heating devices
The essence of any heating system is to create a comfortable temperature for the person in the room. It fluctuates between 18-22 degrees above zero. Pipes and heating appliances, warming up hot water, give off heat to the surrounding space. In this case, a significant role is played by the material from which the radiators are made, as well as their design and type of heating system.
She may be:
- centralized
- autonomous
Depending on the scheme, heating is divided into:
- dependent
- independent
Another type of separation of heating systems is according to the coolant circulation method:
- natural
- forced
In terms of material, there are several types of radiators:
- cast iron
- steel
- aluminum
- copper
- bimetallic
- convector type
A little more
District heating implies that heat is supplied to houses through pipes from a boiler house located at some distance from the heat supply facilities.
With autonomous, or "local" heating, the heat source - the heating boiler - is located directly in the house, and from it hot water is distributed through pipes to radiators. The dependent scheme is that hot water with a temperature of about +150 degrees in the control unit is diluted cold water up to + 90 + 100 degrees, after which it enters the pipes and radiators.
In an independent circuit, hot water is directed to the water heater. Here she is thanks to her high temperature serves as a source of heat for water circulating through pipes and radiators. At the same time, hot water with a temperature of +150 degrees does not come into contact with colder water, which is used for space heating and has an indicator of +90 + 100 degrees.
Natural circulation is based on the different densities of cold and hot water. As a result cold water, entering the heating boiler, pushes out the warmer. And thanks to the given slope of the pipes, the latter is distributed by gravity through the pipeline and heating devices. Forced or artificial circulation is carried out using pumping equipment.
Types of heating devices
According to their design, radiators can be:
- ribbed
- panel
- in the form of round tubes
- sectional
- tubular
Cast iron heating appliances
Cast iron radiator (battery)
Until recently, traditional cast iron sectional radiators were practically the only devices for space heating. Now there are products made of bimetal, steel and aluminum. Each of them has its own advantages and disadvantages. Despite the fact that aluminum radiators give off heat quite well, cast iron ones still surpass them in several ways.
Their main advantage is high resistance to corrosion due to the wall thickness. And hence the weight. The anti-corrosion properties of cast iron are due to the fact that the gray cast iron used in these products consists of iron and carbon, which is resistant to oxidation processes and electrochemical reactions.
Water in the heating system contains oxygen and some chemical additives in the form of alkalis - to eliminate the risk of scale formation inside pipes and radiators. Cast iron is resistant to both oxygen and alkaline environments, which cannot be said about aluminum.
The advantages of cast iron radiators include:
- durability
- strength
- high cross section
- high heat transfer
- the ability to withstand high coolant pressure, reaching up to 18 atmospheres
Excellent radiators
The durability of cast iron products is time-tested. Until now, in many apartments you can see these devices, which have been serving for many decades without any leaks. If this happens, then they have nothing to do with the cast iron itself. The reason is usually a poor connection of individual sections or a poor-quality connection. steel pipes. But there have never been cases of destruction of the cast iron itself.
The large cross-sectional cross-section of cast-iron radiators provides excellent throughput for many years. If deposits form on the inner walls, they do not interfere with the flow of the coolant, therefore they do not play a significant role in the pressure drop in the network.
The heat transfer of cast iron is somewhat lower compared to bimetallic products, but heated cast iron cools more slowly than steel or aluminum. A large battery retains heat in the house longer in the event of an emergency shutdown of heat supply. And the ability to arrange a radiator with any number of sections is a real chance to achieve the desired temperature in any room.
Important! The advantages of cast iron radiators include the fact that they give off heat in the form of low-frequency radiation, which is more familiar to the human body.
A significant disadvantage of cast iron appliances is their unsightly appearance and heavy weight. However, in recent times products with improved design appeared, although their cost is not affordable for every consumer. The development of technology has made it possible to produce cast iron products with less weight and volume of sections. They are characterized by less thermal inertia, and thermostats can be used with them.
Aluminum radiators
aluminum radiator
Considering various types of radiators, we do not touch on copper ones, since they are practically not used due to the high cost and complexity of installation. Therefore, the question of which radiator is better - aluminum or copper - can be considered resolved. At the same time, both metals are not recommended for use in centralized heating systems, since additives in the coolant quickly disable both aluminum and copper devices.
They can only be used where there is constant control over the composition of the coolant, or in autonomous systems private houses.
The advantage of aluminum products is their attractive appearance, similar to bimetallic ones. The high heat transfer of such devices is due to the large number of fins. Their total area, together with the flat parts, is sometimes 0.5 sq.m. At the same time, 50% of the heat enters the room in the form of radiation, and another 50% - as a result of convection of warm air. And thermal heads for temperature control can reduce the loss of thermal energy by 20-30%.
Aluminum radiators have other positive properties:
- low cost
- great heat dissipation
- good permeability of intercollector pipes
- light weight
- ability to withstand pressure up to 18 atmospheres
The design of aluminum radiators is represented by smooth panels interconnected by many ribs. The distance between the panels can be different, so you can always choose an option that fits into the interior and the size of the room. Each section has an upper and lower collector, which allows you to remove accumulated air. Of the products on the market, they are in great demand today, harmoniously fitting into any interior.
Note! If there is no coolant in the heating system, it is recommended to turn off the radiator using stop valves to avoid corrosion. After turning off, it is imperative to open the air vent valve.
Bimetal radiators
Bimetal radiators
These devices also belong to the sectional type of heating devices. They combine the positive properties of steel and aluminum:
- durability
- strength
- excellent heat dissipation
- resistance to aggressive coolant medium
- modern design
But besides this, bimetallic radiators are distinguished by increased resistance to corrosion due to the fact that aluminum does not come into contact with water. And they are able to withstand high pressure in the system. The strength and reliability of bimetallic products is associated with the use of paronite gaskets in their manufacture. They are also used in industrial pipelines.
A small cross section of the channels through which the coolant circulates makes it possible to reduce its volume, which positively affects the operation of thermostats. At the same time, the design of bimetallic radiators is simple in execution and does not contain cavities where air could accumulate.
Accessories for radiators
On the modern market there are products of many manufacturers. At the same time, in some models, the material is not of the highest quality. Or their design does not suit your taste. However, such radiators cost less than their counterparts with higher qualities.
The solution to the question of how to choose bimetallic radiators depends on:
- financial condition of the consumer
- design features of the product
- appearance
Leading positions in the market are occupied by manufacturers from Russia and Italy, among which there is also the inventor of bimetallic radiators - Sira. There is no fundamental difference between the presented models. Only steel radiators RIFAR MONOLIT and PILIGRIM stand out. The former are able to withstand pressure up to 100 atmospheres, which does not happen at all in everyday life. And the second ones have a copper core that is not subject to corrosion, especially in autonomous heating systems.
The difference can still be observed in the center-to-center distances varying from 300 to 800 mm. There are models in which the connection to the pipes occurs through the lower pipe, which is widely used in autonomous heating systems. There are also manufacturers who custom-made rounded radiators. As for the design, the products differ in color, so you can choose exactly the option that best suits your interior.
Steel heating appliances
Steel tubular radiators
Steel radiators can be made in the form of registers from round pipes or in panel design.
Panel products have gained great popularity due to their qualities:
- low cost per kilowatt hour, which indicates efficiency
- good design
- variety of sizes
- high heat transfer
These devices are made in the form of two plates with recesses, which are collectors and connecting channels. The presence of ribs between the plates increases the convection heating effect.
Convector radiators
Convector type radiator
In the past, convector batteries looked like metal pipe on which it was mounted great amount thin steel plates. The room was heated by warm air circulating between these plates. Now there are convector devices of other types. These are floor and skirting boards, built directly into the floor structure and heating the lower layers of air in the room.
Most often they are used in public buildings or where it is impossible to fix wall appliances, for example, with glass walls up to the floor.
Conclusion
Despite the huge variety of heating appliances of domestic and foreign production, made of different materials, deserve the most trust. They have advantageous specifications and acceptable cost. Their use in heating systems of private country houses is especially important.
Despite the appearance on the market of a large range of different heaters, their cast-iron variety is still in trend, which is not surprising, since they have many advantages.
In addition, everyone who comes from the Union is sure to be familiar with radiators of this type, since no one knew about others at that time. highlights the reliability and durability of the material, as well as unpretentiousness in operation.
Few people know that for the first time a radiator of this type appeared more than a hundred years ago, and it was invented by Franz San Galli in St. Petersburg in 1855.
The invention was so liked by people that it began to gain popularity. As early as the beginning of the 20th century, cast-iron radiators appearance very similar to their modern counterparts.
However, new technologies were actively introduced, which led to the appearance on the market of aluminum and bimetallic heating radiators. However, the popularity of cast iron batteries is still high and only growing because they are reliable and practical.
Advantages of using this type of radiators:
- Their sections are resistant to corrosive processes. Cast iron refers to a variety of materials that are practically not subject to corrosion. They can easily withstand temperatures of the order of 150 degrees, which allows them to be used in steam systems.
- Immunity to low-quality coolant. This means that the presence of pebbles, rust particles, or elevated level pH will not scratch cast iron.
- The wall thickness of the batteries is not quite small, which makes it possible, regardless of how much the product has, to make it durable. This type of radiator is ideal for open systems heating.
Additional advantages of cast iron radiators:
- Excellent heat storage capacity. It is characteristic that after an hour after the radiator is turned off, the residual heat transfer is 30%. And analogues from other metals cannot boast such outstanding performance.
- Due to the large internal cross section, it is extremely rarely necessary to clean them.
- Long service life of the product, several decades, regardless of how much water they have. And if you use purified water, then such a radiator can easily withstand a century of operation without any difficulties.
Weak spots cast iron battery:
- With a large number of positive aspects of these batteries, the most important drawback is their heavy weight. Therefore, if the elevator does not work in your house, and you decide to change the batteries to cast iron ones, you can only sympathize. And this, in turn, limits their range of applications, since when mounting such a radiator on a plasterboard structure, you should be extremely careful to avoid collapse. A number of manufacturers of such products complete it with legs for installation on the floor, which expands the range of action.
- Outdated design also has an impact on popularity, since such radiators are not suitable for every interior.
Calculation
In order to find out the power, you should know the parameters of the radiators. Standard models have a center distance of 500 or 300 mm.
However, you can find on the market models with a distance of 800 mm, and medium - 350 mm. The width of the section can be 35-60 mm, and the depth - 92, 99, 110 mm. To calculate the power, you can use one simple formula, in which 100 W of thermal power is needed for every 1 m2 of a room.
For example, if the area of the room is 25 m2, it is necessary to use radiators with a power of 25 * 100 = 2500 W. If, however, 1 section of the radiator will have an average power of 180 W, then 14 sections must be used to heat this room.
Note: when calculating the battery power, you need to take into account the area of \u200b\u200bthe room, the power of the heater and other parameters.
For example, in a corner room, the number of sections must be increased by 25%. If double-glazed windows are installed in the room, energy costs are reduced by 10%.
The use of cast iron batteries for heating modern premises
produced with a multi-layer powder coating of very high quality.
And given the high wall thickness and the inner protective layer, this can significantly increase the life of the batteries.
The high degree of inertness allows cast iron radiators to stay hot without carrier circulation. So, there is a special table in which these indicators are given. Radiators made from high-quality cast iron have proven themselves well in conditions with high acidity and contamination of the coolant.
Operating pressure
Regarding the working pressure of cast iron batteries, it should be said that this includes the maximum water pressure that it can withstand. As a rule, the indicators are about 15 Atmospheres.
And heat dissipation shows the size of the power of the batteries. Therefore, the greater the value of kW it has, the greater its heat transfer. To date, radiators are used, in which the amount of heat transfer per section is 100-200 watts.
However, in practice it often happens that manufacturers overestimate these figures, so you should carefully study the offers on the market.
Good to know: with an incorrectly selected heat output, the room will be very hot, which will lead to additional ventilation and the formation of drafts.
In addition, the overheated surface of the radiator will burn oxygen, reduce humidity and irritate human mucous membranes. And finally, improperly selected power will provoke constant temperature jumps.
Summing up, we can say that the heat transfer of one section of a cast-iron battery is the rated power of the radiator. This indicator must be used when calculating the heating power as a whole. If the size of the area and the configuration of the room are known, then a fairly accurate calculation of the heating system can be made.
Watch the video in which the specialist explains the nuances of calculating the power of heating radiators:
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For radiators of one of the most important characteristics is heat transfer. In addition, the thermal inertness of the materials of manufacture and their heat capacity are important for them.
Radiators made from cast iron, such as in the photo, are usually installed in centralized heating systems. These products:
- have a thermal power sufficient to provide good heating;
- have compact dimensions;
- withstand the supply of coolant under high pressure;
- are not afraid of corrosive processes.
For the sake of objectivity, it should be noted that the heat transfer of cast-iron heating radiators, for example, the MC140 model, is lower than that of bimetallic or aluminum products, but since cast iron retains heat for a longer period, the temperature in the room during the heating process decreases gradually and also slowly rises.
What should be a cast iron radiator
Today, on the building materials market, radiators made of various materials are presented to the attention of consumers, but cast iron is still in demand.If the choice fell on cast iron products, and first of all, you should pay attention to the following parameters:
- on the operating pressure - thanks to this indicator, you can find out what pressure of the coolant (usually water) a particular radiator can withstand. The higher the building, the more pressure the heater needs for an effective result;
- for work temperature regime- it means optimal temperature for the coolant at the inlet and outlet of the system during each heating. For example, the value 90/70 indicates that the temperature of the coolant at the inlet should be 90°C, and at the outlet - 70°C;
- on the value of the surface area of heat radiation;
- on the indicator, what kind of heat transfer from cast-iron radiators of this model. This indicator indicates the amount of heat that the battery section gives off during the time the coolant is in it until it leaves the radiator.
In addition, the coolant partially loses heat while moving from the heating boiler in the direction of the radiators due to the fact that a massive and long pipeline is installed during the arrangement of water heating.
To heat the liquid heat carrier up to 90°C, the boiler must have a large capacity. In private households, heat generators with low power are usually preferred, and therefore the heating systems in them operate in a low-temperature mode, and to ensure comfortable living conditions, the number of sections in the batteries is increased.
Modern cast iron batteries can be assembled from the required number of sections. For example, the 1K60P-500 radiator model consists of flat plates, each of which has a power of only 70 W and a heating area of 0.116 m². But the heat transfer of cast-iron batteries assembled from these plates is much greater than that of the "accordions" known to many consumers. This practically molded heating panel promotes a wide heat flow.
It is desirable to select the necessary thermal energy on the basis of calculations performed by specialists of design organizations for a particular room. In addition, you can purchase ready-made radiators, which consist of a different (4-6-8-12) number of fins.
Real heat dissipation of the battery section
The heat transfer of one section of a cast-iron radiator must be indicated by the manufacturer in the technical data sheet for the product. But often after installing the heating system, after some time, under the previous operating conditions, the house becomes much cooler. There may be several reasons for this problem, but in most cases it turns out that the actual heat transfer is actually less than indicated in the data sheet.Q = Kх Fх ∆Т, where
K - heat transfer coefficient;
F - surface heating area;
∆T - temperature difference, it is determined according to the calculation - (0.5 x (tin + tout) - tin), in which:
Tin - coolant temperature at the radiator inlet;
tout - water temperature at the outlet of the radiator;
tin. - average temperature in the room.
For example, the temperature of the heating medium at the inlet is 90°C, and at the outlet - 70°C at an air temperature in the room of 20°C. Then ∆T = 0.5x (90 + 70) - 20 = 60°C
Often, when cast-iron batteries are installed, the heat transfer is lower than stated, because the pressure of the coolant does not meet the needs of the system or because the underwater pipeline is too long. Another reason may be insufficient quality insulation. Such circumstances cannot be foreseen for determining the heat transfer of cast iron heating products when testing in laboratory conditions.
To ensure the required temperature of the coolant at the inlet to the radiator, it is necessary to play it safe by additionally installing one more heating equipment, because it is not always possible to keep 90 ° C.
How to save on heating
It is advisable to approach the issues of saving wisely, since you cannot cut costs on what you should not. Radiators must be purchased with a margin. If you lower the heating level in the room, you can use stopcocks or by lowering the temperature of the coolant, then it is possible to increase the actual heat transfer of the battery only by increasing the heating area. In other words, it is required to increase the number of "fins" in the radiators.It has already been mentioned earlier that often the actual heat transfer differs from that written by the manufacturer, since it was calculated in the laboratory. For example, if we take the MS-140 radiator section, it has been found in practice that the power indicated on it of 160 W at a coolant temperature in the system of 50-60 degrees will not correspond to the declared parameter. The actual heat transfer of the cast-iron radiator section of this model will be no more than 50 watts.
To solve the problem, you should use the above calculations, according to which, the lower the temperature of the coolant, the larger the area of the heat-radiating surface of the battery should be. At ∆T = 60°C, it is necessary to purchase a radiator 0.5x0.52 meters high, and at ∆T equal to 30°C - 0.5x1.32 meters.
How to increase the heat transfer of heating radiators
When old classic cast-iron batteries are installed in a house or apartment, over time it can be found that at the required temperature in the system and with a sufficient number of sections, the heating devices do not cope with their function.This means that either the pipeline is clogged, or the radiators are clogged, or several layers of paint have been applied to them. It is also possible that the valves on the pipes leading to the batteries are too tight. If they do not turn, then you should contact a plumber - the radiators may not heat up due to insufficient supply of coolant to them.
When the paint is applied in several layers or has lagged behind the metal, it is removed with a scraper, and then the treated surface is primed. Then high-quality organosilicon dark enamel is used, applying it in two layers, after allowing the first painting to dry. The heat transfer of cast iron radiators with a smooth and dark surface increases by at least 10%.
Although light surfaces look more aesthetically pleasing, they reflect heat, especially if they are shiny, so it is wiser to give preference to dark paint. But, if the radiators are painted in light colors, then reflective screens can be installed behind the devices. They are made independently from thick cardboard or plywood, covered with foil or painted with silver.
In the case when there are cold sections in the battery, the circulation of the coolant is clearly disturbed. The main cause of failure is the accumulation of rust and sediment in the lower part of the device. Perhaps a gentle tap on the radiator will help.
There is another way to get rid of dirt: place under the cold part of the battery heating device, for example, the included electric stove. When the water at the bottom of the radiator warms up, then a vortex movement will begin, due to which all dirt will be removed from the clogged area of \u200b\u200bthe system.
The temperature in the apartment can drop if the pressure of the coolant coming from the boiler room is reduced or after the neighbors changed their batteries and narrowed the supply hot water riser. This often happens when installing a "warm floor" system or residents on a floor above or below have installed heating on a loggia or balcony.
Selection of the number of sections
When cast-iron heating radiators are selected, heat transfer also depends on technical features the premises in which they plan to perform. The results of calculations for corner and non-corner rooms, as well as for ceilings of different heights and window sizes, will differ significantly.Important parameters in determining the required power for batteries are:
- area of the room;
- ceiling height;
- location of the room (not corner / corner);
- floor;
- presence in the room additional devices heating (air conditioner, fireplace, etc.);
- the number of windows in the room, their dimensions, material of manufacture (wood, double-glazed window);
- the quality of insulation of the walls of the house (external, internal);
- the presence of an attic space and its thermal insulation.
It is impossible to independently take into account all the nuances and correctly calculate the necessary parameters without special knowledge, therefore it is more reasonable to turn to specialists who are well versed in this matter for a design solution.
Video about the heat transfer of cast iron radiators:
If you are going to install new system heating in your house or to reconstruct the old one, then cast-iron radiators will be a good choice. Their technical characteristics - power, service life, volume and weight of 1 section and much more have been verified by generations of users. Therefore, you have the opportunity to learn absolutely everything about them, from choosing a radiator in a store to proper installation and maintenance.
Features of cast iron radiators
Heat dissipation
As a rule, the most important parameter is considered to be its high heat transfer, or thermal power. The heat transfer of cast-iron radiators in comparison with batteries of the same dimensions made of other materials (bimetal, aluminum, etc.) is somewhat lower (the heat transfer characteristics of aluminum are approximately 1.5 times higher). However, the radiant method of heating a room with cast-iron appliances (unlike the convection-air method for aluminum ones) covers a large area of the room. This happens due to the simultaneous heating of not only the air, but also nearby objects, which then independently begin to radiate heat. So, having an average power of 1 section of about 110 watts, cast iron can give more heat than other types of radiators of the same power.
Interesting! Foreign models of cast-iron radiators currently available on the market for thermal equipment have a smoother inner and outer surface, due to which their power is slightly higher than that of domestic counterparts.
Working pressure and temperature
Cast iron radiators have fairly thick walls, so they perfectly tolerate sudden increases in water pressure and are not afraid of water hammer. This property allows them to be used without fear in any heating systems, both autonomous and with a central supply of coolant.
In addition, cast iron easily withstands temperatures above 150 0 C. When used as a heat carrier of water, it is not afraid even of its boiling point.
Dimensions of one section
The standard dimensions of one section of a cast-iron radiator are as follows: thickness - 9 cm, width - 40 cm, height - 58 cm. But for ease of installation in rooms of various layouts, non-standard cast-iron radiators are also produced. So, the linear dimensions of 1 section can vary in the following range:
- Thickness (depth) - from 50 to 140 mm,
- Width - up to 1.5 meters, and the width of a multi-section battery depends on how much power is required to heat a particular room,
- Height - from 35 cm to 1.5 m. High (vertical) radiators are installed in rooms with a small area and high ceilings, as their technical characteristics allow them to heat a large amount of air.
Construction and design possibilities
Cast iron batteries are usually made up of cast parts by internal fastening with nipples with sealing of all joints with silicone or paronite gaskets. With a ribbed or patterned outer surface of the radiator, the internal water channels are made round or ellipsoidal. By their number (1 or 2), radiators differ:
- single channel,
- Dual channel.
Familiar to everyone, radiators made of cast iron of the Soviet era do not differ in beauty, therefore they are most often hidden under beautiful screens for heating, which, if possible, do not reduce the power of the heating system. Modern appliances are decorated with exquisite patterns (artistic cast iron) and look luxurious in a room of any design.
Coolant volume
Any coolant is suitable for cast-iron radiators, as it is chemically passive to various aggressive substances. Also in summer, when water is drained from the systems central heating, cast iron batteries will not rust from the inside in contact with air, which extends their service life by decades.
On average, a standard cast iron battery requires no more than 1 liter of water. This is still more than for other devices (for example, aluminum requires only 0.4 liters of water).
Weight 1 section
Cast iron appliances are among the heaviest. The weight of one section ranges from 3.5 kg to 6.5 kg or more. That is why they require the presence (if possible) of a main wall and a stronger mount. For lightweight walls, when installing them, floor stands are used, which take the main weight of the structure upon themselves, and brackets with double-sided fastening to the wall.
Life time
Cast iron radiators were invented over 150 years ago and were pioneers in the installation of systems steam heating. Such a long "experience" of service for the benefit of mankind has shown that, with appropriate care, they can work properly for more than 50 years. This period can be extended due to the timely washing and painting of the instruments with appropriate coloring agents that prevent their corrosion. If you change intersectional gaskets as they wear out, then the service life of your radiators will be almost endless.
Flaws
In the presence of many positive qualities the technical possibilities of cast-iron radiators are not endless. They have several disadvantages:
- Inertia. The value of this characteristic is quite high, which explains the slow heating of the cast-iron appliance. True, this value can also be included in positive technical characteristics, since the slow cooling of the battery guarantees long-term heat retention even when the boilers are turned off.
- Increase in fuel costs for heating boilers, as they need a large amount of coolant. True, these costs can be offset by the inertness of the devices.
- They require regular flushing, as suspensions from the water used in the heating system can settle on the rough inner surface of the radiator.
Section count
The number of sections of cast-iron radiators that you will install directly depends on what its heat transfer is and the volumetric characteristics of the room. Basically, the area of \u200b\u200bthe room is taken into account here, but what is also important is the height of the ceiling, how many windows and doors are in the room, etc. Under standard conditions (ceilings no higher than 3 m), the required power is calculated at the rate of 1 kW of energy for every 10 m2. Further, the characteristics of the data sheet of the device and a simple arithmetic calculation will give the number of sections you need. If there are non-standard conditions, it will be enough to add 1-2 extra sections.
Attention! Even if you have experience in installing radiators, it is better to call the appropriate services for this, especially for the reconstruction of central heating systems. This guarantees the quality of installation and a long service life of the system.