Which heating radiator is better to choose for an apartment?

A heater is an important link in the heating system. The comfort of living conditions of people in an apartment or private house depends on his right choice. We will understand in this article which heating radiator is better to choose for an apartment so that it performs its functions “excellently” and the price is not prohibitive. After reading the material, you will learn how to avoid common mistakes when choosing a heater.

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Radiator compatibility with heating system parameters

The assortment of modern batteries is unusually diverse. Steel, copper, cast iron, bimetallic products. It is only important to know which radiator will best suit the characteristics of your heating system. Here you need to focus on the following parameters:

• limit temperature of the heat carrier;
• its composition;
• pressure value.

All this, along with inertness and heat transfer, must be considered when buying.

Important points are the appearance of the radiator, the duration of the working resource, and, of course, the cost.

Important! There is a certain specificity of the selection of heating batteries for private houses and apartments. If the radiator does not meet the parameters of the heating system, this is fraught with rapid wear.

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How to choose heating radiators for an apartment, taking into account technical parameters?

Undoubtedly, design is a good and important thing. However, one should not forget that the technical characteristics are still primary. The condition of heating systems in many houses, to put it mildly, leaves much to be desired. They are characterized by poor quality of the coolant, temperature and pressure drops of the water, and many other “joys”. And hydraulic shocks after starting the heating system often lead to its failure. And all because the devices from foreign manufacturers are not designed for such an "extreme".

To minimize risks, be sure to pay attention to the maximum permissible values ​​of temperature and pressure of the coolant (these data are available in the technical data sheet of the device).

The most important indicator is the heat transfer of the heating device, depending on the material of its implementation. For example, steel is inferior to cast iron in terms of heat transfer, and copper in this respect is “ahead of the rest”.

Let us consider in more detail the different types of materials for heating devices in order to understand which heating radiator is better to choose for an apartment.

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Cast iron

This is the oldest and most tried version. “Cast-iron accordions,” sung by Bulgakov, do not lose their relevance today:

• In case of emergency shutdown, the cast iron structure will store heat for a long time.
• Batteries withstand both poor-quality coolant and water shocks.
• The cost of such devices is relatively low.

The disadvantage of cast iron products is not very aesthetic design, large mass and significant inertia. Because of this, cast iron batteries cannot be used in modern heating systems equipped with temperature controllers. Such devices fit best into the interior, designed in a classic style.

Important! People with modest financial capabilities do not need to think about how to choose heating batteries for an apartment. For them, cast iron is the best option.

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Aluminum

Quite popular material due to high heat transfer, low weight, modern aesthetic design and ease of installation. These devices are not inertial, which makes it possible to use them in heating systems with temperature controllers.

The disadvantages of the material include susceptibility to corrosion during the alkaline reaction of coolants. Leaking between sections, unfortunately, is not at all a rare occurrence. There is such a drawback as gas generation inside the heating element.

Important! Aluminum radiators are very sensitive to the quality of the coolant, so they are more suitable for an individual heating system of a private house than for a centralized network in an apartment. They also carry water hammer very doubtfully.

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Steel

This option is often used for heating offices and private homes. The design of such a radiator can be tubular, as well as in the form of solid or panel panels.

Steel radiators differ:

• relatively low price;
• beautiful appearance;
• slight inertia;
• immunity to corrosion.

Important! Steel products and individual flaws are not without. They can not withstand hydraulic shocks and increase the pressure in the system, so they are practically unsuitable for apartments in high-rise buildings. In addition, they are sensitive to oxygen available in central heating networks.

Steel radiator combines 2 methods of heat transfer:

• convection.
• radiation.

Important! Permissible coolant temperature is about 110 degrees.

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Bimetal Products

The radiator is a steel pipe combined with aluminum fins. This scheme is optimal for a city apartment. Water circulation occurs through a steel pipe. The pipe connection technology is such that there is no corrosion in the steel part of the battery. Aluminum perfectly transfers heat to the room.

Thus, the bimetallic design combines the best properties of aluminum and steel radiators: neutrality to corrosion, unpretentiousness to the quality of the coolant, resistance to pressure drops in the system, combined with excellent heat dissipation and beautiful design - these are the secret to the success of bimetallic structures.

Important! The advantages include a long service life and a large number of color options.

The disadvantages of bimetallic batteries include:

• Sensitivity to oxygen contained in the coolant.
• Accumulation of slag on the inner walls.
• High price.
• Resistance arising at the boundary of a metal alloy. This reduces the efficiency of heat transfer, as well as the heat transfer of the device as a whole.

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Copper

This is a beautiful seamless pipe construction with additional copper fins. The device is complemented by a wooden decorative casing. The thermal conductivity of copper is twice as high as that of aluminum, and 5-6 times - compared with steel and cast-iron devices.

Of the important advantages, the following factors can be noted:

• devices require a little water;
• heat the room in minutes;
• copper is plastic, resistant to corrosion;
• devices are effective even at a relatively low water temperature.

Important! During operation, an oxide layer is formed that protects the battery from insufficient heat carrier.

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Make a choice

Based on the above analysis, we highlight the main points how to choose heating radiators:

1. For open centralized systems in apartment buildings, cast iron products are best suited. Cast iron is unpretentious to low-quality coolant, has a long service life. However, in systems with temperature controllers, cast-iron products cannot be used.
2. Bimetallic devices are a worthy alternative to cast iron with its limited scope. Steel is resistant to corrosion and pressure drops in the heating system, and fins made of copper or aluminum compensate for not outstanding heat transfer indicators of steel. The only limiting factor is the high price.
3. For private houses, where there are no pressure drops in the heating system, and the quality of the coolant is much better than in centralized systems, aluminum and steel appliances are suitable. Low inertia, resistance to corrosion and attractive price make this product extremely popular.
4. Judging by the characteristics, the best option for use in an apartment in a multi-storey building is copper. However, the price of copper radiators makes many buyers think about it.
5. Steel tubular heating radiators with a large number of color options allow you to fit the device into any interior.

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Stock footage

Now, armed with knowledge of how to choose heating radiators for an apartment, you can start shopping!