Characteristics of heating radiators: types, types, advantages and installation options (120 photos)

Pros and cons of steel radiators

For the manufacture of such units, low-carbon steel is used. The surface of the product must be covered with protective enamel. Good quality steel batteries have high performance properties. They do not rust and tolerate various aggressive influences normally. Tubular and panel steel batteries are commercially available.

Pros and cons of steel radiators

Panel devices are assembled from a certain number of steel plates connected to each other. The finished panels are attached to each other. The features of such an assembly made it possible to achieve the highest possible heat capacity values. Each plate is comparatively thinner. As a result, the finished battery weighs relatively little, which is an additional plus. Various connection options are available.

On average, a standard steel battery is designed to operate at a pressure of 5-10 atmospheres. Experts recommend using such units when arranging autonomous heating systems. In simple city apartments, their use is usually impossible due to the fact that the pressure in the central heating system exceeds the values ​​allowed for batteries of this type.

For the assembly of tubular-type units, steel pipes with a high-quality polymer coating are used. The thickness of the pipes directly depends on what kind of load they can handle. It is best if the battery is made of stainless steel.

Steel radiator

Also, tubular steel batteries outperform their panel counterparts in terms of service life, which can reach 30 years or more. They are connected in accordance with all existing methods. Working pressure indicators are usually at the level of 7-16 atmospheres, it is additionally recommended to clarify this point in the product passport.

Main features of aluminum batteries

One of the currently most popular types of heating batteries are units made of aluminum. By its properties, it is a very ductile and fairly light metal. Batteries based on it are also lightweight and feature excellent heat dissipation. Consists of several sections. Each such section is assembled from a variety of plates. Such a solution allows you to make heat transfer as efficient as possible and keep heat at the highest level. Aluminum batteries heat up very quickly. However, they practically do not know how to keep warm. When the heating is turned off, such a radiator will cool down very quickly.

Often, aluminum radiators have an original design.

Aluminum is an extremely unstable material to all kinds of chemical influences. In view of this, from the inside, such heating devices are coated with polymers, which provide reliable protection against a variety of chemicals.

Aluminum cannot be called a durable metal either. Therefore, before purchasing and connecting such a heater, it is imperative to clarify the value of the operating pressure in the heating system. The maximum pressure that a particular radiator can withstand is usually indicated in its passport, because for different models, this indicator may also differ slightly.

Additional disadvantages of aluminum batteries include not the most reliable threaded connection of the top valve, through which air must escape.

Aluminum is an excellent metal, the characteristics and properties of which make it possible to use it for the manufacture of a wide variety of products, including heating radiators. The low melting point of the material made it possible to significantly expand the range of batteries. Now everyone can choose the battery that will best fit into the interior of his particular home.

Main features of aluminum batteries

Also, among the advantages of aluminum radiators should be attributed to the relatively low cost, especially when compared with the price of bimetallic devices.

Cast iron heating radiators

These "pipes" were used by our great-grandfathers and great-grandmothers. They are completely different in quality and performance from other options.

It is cast iron heating radiators that are very resistant to corrosion, as well as durable. They can last over 50 years and have a high heat capacity.

If you are short on time, then they will not suit you, because they are sources of dust and dirt, and they are very difficult to wash out.

Also, cast iron radiators are not suitable for apartment buildings, since they do not have functioning regulation devices.

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Despite its size, this option is very heavy and quite expensive.

However, the technical data of cast iron radiators pleased their owners with quality and durability. After all, these pipes are very resistant to corrosion, which plays a big role in the selection.

General recommendations for the selection of heating radiators

Long gone are the days when people tried to hide unsightly-looking heating radiators with the help of various tricks and third-party devices. Today you can find a battery that will perfectly fit into any interior. Radiators differ from each other in material of manufacture, size, color design and other indicators, so that you can easily choose a battery that can fully satisfy all your needs and fit well into the existing or planned interior.

Today you can choose a battery that will perfectly fit into any interior.

Although batteries made in light colors are traditionally installed in residential premises, it is imperative to take into account the fact that a black device on average gives off 20-25% more heat solely due to its color. In general, when choosing a battery color, be guided by your own preferences and the overall design of the room.

In living quarters, streamlined batteries look the most organic. It is better to refuse radiators with sharp corners for safety reasons, especially if children live in the apartment or house. Any sharp edges in general are a relic that is recommended to be discarded.

For the manufacture of heating units, currently used materials such as: aluminum, cast iron, steel and alloys of different metals (bimetallic radiators).

Depending on the material of manufacture, radiators will have different indicators of heat capacity and heat transfer, operating pressure, their resistance to chemical and hydraulic influences and, of course, service life will also differ.

In terms of cost, the most expensive are steel batteries and bimetallic radiators. Cast iron units are relatively inexpensive.The only exceptions are samples using art casting methods and design models of foreign production.

Special attention should be paid to the environmental safety of the material used for the manufacture of heating batteries. The main components of safety for human health are high-quality polymer coating and the absence of formaldehyde in the internal elements.

Panel radiators with bottom connection advantages and disadvantages

To choose radiators for the house, you need to decide what power is needed. To do this, you need to know what water temperature is supplied by central heating. In general, with the help of specialists, you need to calculate the required power of the radiators. To determine which connection is better, side or bottom, you need to think about why the side is worse and why the bottom is better, or vice versa. (See also: How to Calculate Heating Radiators)

Radiators with a bottom connection are more expensive in cost, since at the bottom you can connect pipes that are laid on the floor. If you need a side connection, then you need to select the option of radiators with side connection. It is possible to connect additional pipes from the side. It all depends on the aesthetic characteristics of each person. Tastes and preferences may vary. Each owner of a house and apartment may be preferable and more convenient to one or another connection option to the central heating system.

Radiators with bottom connections are of two types:

• Right-handed

Left-handed

So, for example, panel radiators Purmo, you can choose one or another type of connection.

The advantage of such a radiator is largely due to the quality and modern design, which guarantees that the buyer will choose this particular battery manufacturer.

Dia Norm steel panel radiators are specially designed for the tastes of today's youth. All requests and whims are taken into account here. The main thing is that the equipment is designed for an energy-saving heating system. And this question is very relevant today and it is this criterion that the buyer is primarily guided by when choosing radiators.

Steel is the best material for making batteries at this stage of time, it is better than cast iron and aluminum, since cast iron is too rough, in simple terms, and it is also "old", but aluminum is too vulnerable and cannot withstand heavy loads.

How to calculate heat output and determine the number of batteries

After the owner of the home has chosen the desired radiator option, it is necessary to calculate the thermal power, which depends on the following indicators:

• wall material: brick or concrete panels;
• area of ​​the room;
• type of windows: plastic or wooden;
• the number of window openings and external walls of the dwelling.

The choice of one or another type of heating radiators for an apartment, based on the calculation of thermal power, is performed for a conditional room with a ceiling height of up to 3 m and window sizes within 1.5-1.8 m.

A simplified calculation, subject to satisfactory thermal insulation of the outer walls, suggests using one section of the heating battery for 1.5-2 m² of the room.

The types of heating devices on sale are capable of delivering different heat outputs:

• one - 190 W;
• a separate part of the bimetallic battery - 200 W;
• one-piece steel device - 450-5700 W;
• one section of a cast iron radiator - 80-150 W.

As a rule, the manufacturer indicates the power of a solid or sectional heating battery in the passport for its products. The values ​​described above, which determine the amount of thermal energy, are calculated for a heat carrier with a temperature of 70 ° C.

According to experts, regardless of the choice of the unit, when creating a system, it is important to pay special attention to such points as the prestige of the manufacturer of heating devices and the individual characteristics of the heating system. As a rule, the best radiators are made by large rating firms.

Double-tube radiators RadStal

Model	Possible number of sections	Dimensions (edit)				Heat transfer per section (Δ T = 70 ° C), W	Volume of water in the section, l	Section weight, kg	Price per section
		Height, mm	Center distance, mm	Depth mm	Width, mm
RS 2055 (stock)	from 4 to 30	554	484	64	from 330 to 2400	68	0,58	0,98	580 rub.
RS 2057 (stock)	from 5 to 30	570	500	64	from 400 to 2400	70	0,6	1,0	590 rub.

Information about cast iron batteries

Cast iron radiators are the most popular and most familiar option to every inhabitant of the post-Soviet space. It was these batteries that were installed in almost all standard apartments. Old cast iron batteries can hardly be called beautiful and stylish. The new samples look much better, although they are inferior in their aesthetic qualities to devices made of aluminum and steel.

Cast iron radiators

Cast iron is a fairly heavy material. The batteries made from it also weigh a lot, which causes certain difficulties and inconveniences when installing them. Among the undoubted advantages of cast iron radiators, it is necessary to highlight their reliability and durability. High-quality products without any problems serve for 35-40 years, without requiring even minor repairs, which is much higher than that for batteries made on the basis of other materials.

Cast iron heats up relatively slowly and cools down just as slowly. It is characterized by low thermal conductivity, but has a high heat capacity. Heating is carried out by convection.

Such batteries normally "cooperate" even with a low-quality and dirty coolant. The material is resistant to corrosion damage. Directly radiators can have one-, two- and three-channel structure.

Among the additional advantages of such heating units, one can single out a relatively affordable cost. Only imported design models are expensive. Here, everyone must decide for himself what is more important to him: save a certain amount of money or buy a beautiful unit that will become a worthy addition to the interior.

Thus, batteries of any considered type can be used to heat living quarters. But the purchase of bimetallic batteries in most cases turns out to be unjustified. In terms of their properties, such radiators practically do not differ from their aluminum counterparts, but they are much more expensive. So it is better to leave them to various public and industrial buildings.

Heating radiators which are better

Apartment owners are not recommended to give their choice in favor of aluminum appliances, because pressure surges have a bad effect on this material. The best and proven option for heating city apartments is cast iron appliances. Otherwise, focus on personal preference and available budget. Happy choice!

Advantages and disadvantages of bimetallic radiators

A feature of bimetallic batteries is the use of two different metals for their manufacture: the body is assembled from aluminum, and steel is used to create the core. The rod has a very high strength.

Advantages and disadvantages of bimetallic radiators

The undoubted advantage of such units is their ability to operate at pressures up to 45-50 atmospheres! Steel perfectly tolerates the effects of water with various impurities. The aluminum case will heat up quickly and give off heat to the room to the maximum.

The combination of different metals made it possible to obtain a product that has the advantages of two materials at once. Such batteries have the highest cost among other existing options. Usually they are used when organizing a heating system in various public and industrial buildings, shopping centers and other similar places. They are installed in residential premises relatively rarely, primarily due to their high cost. They last an average of 20 years, which is quite a decent indicator.

Design features of bimetallic radiators

Bimetallic heating batteries are made of steel and aluminum.Internal collectors and vertical pipes are made of stainless steel, since it is resistant to the aggressive effects of the hot coolant. The body of the device or the casing with fins is made of aluminum, which heats up quickly and has a high thermal conductivity. Tubes and body are joined together by injection molding or spot welding.

There are two types of bimetal devices:

1. Sectional. The individual sections are interconnected by nipples with heat-resistant rubber gaskets. The junction of the sections is vulnerable to leaks. The advantage of this type is the ability to add or remove sections in order to adjust the heat output of the heating unit. Also, if one section fails, it can be easily replaced. The service life reaches 30 years. The maximum working pressure is 25 bar, and the heat output of the section is a maximum of 200 W.
2. Also on sale there are monolithic bimetal batteries. In the manufacturing process, a welded one-piece collector is first made of steel or copper. Then it is laid in a special mold and poured with aluminum under pressure. The disadvantage of this model is due to the fact that in the event of a breakdown or leakage, the device will have to be completely replaced. These units will last up to 50 years at an operating pressure of up to 100 bar. In terms of thermal power, they are not inferior to the previous version.

The following types of designs should not be confused:

• Bimetallic structures have a casing made of aluminum. This metal does not interact with the heat transfer fluid and acts as a heat exchanger. These models can be used in autonomous and centralized heating networks. The core can be made of steel or copper.
• Semi-metallic instruments have internal channels made of different materials. So, vertical channels are made of steel pipes, and horizontal ones are made of aluminum. It can also be the other way around. These heaters are not suitable for installation in a centralized system, since a low quality heat carrier with an alkali content circulates here. Aluminum tubes are subject to corrosion on contact with such water.

Semi-metal options are cheaper and outwardly very similar to real bimetallic radiators, but they are much inferior in strength, durability and corrosion resistance.

Advantages and disadvantages

Having considered the device of bimetallic heating radiators, it is worth listing the advantages:

1. The main advantage is the high heat transfer of bimetallic radiators. According to this parameter, they are 3 times superior to steel batteries.
2. Thanks to the smooth inner surface, the batteries are free of lime deposits and rust.
3. Radiators with copper core or stainless steel tubes do not corrode after draining the heating medium.
4. Since aluminum does not come into contact with a hot heat carrier, the service life of the device is quite long.
5. Resistance to high pressure and water hammer allows the units to be used in centralized heating systems.
6. The service life of monolithic models reaches 50 years.
7. The thermal power of sectional models can be adjusted by adding or decreasing the number of sections.
8. The technical characteristics of bimetallic radiators do not deteriorate during operation.
9. The external attractiveness of the batteries allows them to harmoniously fit into the interior of the living space.
10. The power of bimetallic radiators can be controlled by a thermostat. Thanks to this, the room maintains an optimal temperature and saves energy resources for heating the coolant.
11. If you need to choose accessories for heating radiators, bimetallic devices are compatible with elements made of different materials.

The only drawback of bimetal aggregates is associated with their high cost, which is due to the peculiarities of the technological process.However, this price will pay off during the long-term operation of the battery, as well as its good heat dissipation.

Selection rules

It would seem that all radiators on the market are largely identical, but they have many differences.

Before buying a heater, you should pay attention to some of its features.

Observing all the installation rules, you will provide yourself with high-quality heating for a long time.

Number of panels

This is an important indicator that affects the power of the heater. The most common radiators contain:

• 1 slab (their thickness does not exceed 6 cm);
• 2 slabs (from 10 to 14 cm);
• 3 slabs (15-18 cm).

When comparing all types of panels with the same power, single-panel radiators will turn out to be the most effective due to the fact that in such a product both of its surfaces are in contact with air currents. An important plus of these models is their compactness.

Two-panel models are more powerful than single-panel ones, but not significantly. The additional stove has a capacity equal to 70% of the main one.

Three-panel appliances are the most powerful, but also the largest. Due to their size, they are not used in apartments or houses.

In this video, you will learn how to connect the batteries correctly:

Product marking

Having carefully studied the marking, you can find out the main characteristics of the product. The designation is deciphered as follows:

• the first number indicates the number of panels;
• the second indicates the number of planes with edges;
• type of connection to pipes is designated as V - bottom, C - side.

Often, the labeling contains information about the height and width of the panels.

Connection method, performance and equipment

According to the connection method, the radiator panels are divided into side and bottom. When laying heating pipes along walls, it is recommended to choose models with side connection. The most common panels are with the bottom mounting method. The kit with such a product must include a thermostatic valve and a thermal head.

You can install radiators with your own hands, following the instructions

Any panel heating radiator is, in a sense, a convector, which increases its efficiency. In products with two or more lower panels, there are openings at the bottom through which cold air enters in and out through the top, warming up to the set temperature.

When buying a radiator that will be installed independently, you should consider the need for additional equipment. Probes, pipes, taps, etc. may be needed. Subject to the recommendations for choosing a product, as well as fulfilling all the conditions for correct installation, the heating radiator will last for many years and will not cause any problems.

In this video, you will learn about aluminum and steel heaters:

Analysis of the domestic market for heating radiators

Alexander, tell us about the latest technological methods of increasing the reliability of radiators - protection against leaks, pressure surges ...

Alexander Kvashnin: We are guided by the principle of optimality of simple solutions and the aphorism “the best is the enemy of the good” - a reliable guarantee of the tightness of the heater and its resistance to water hammer is strict compliance with the requirements of the GOST 31311 standard for general technical conditions of production in terms of the minimum permissible wall (pipe) thickness of the heater in contact with water.

Here, we also proceed from a risk-based approach - for example, by establishing a unified method for determining the wall thickness of a steel panel radiator during the revision of the GOST R 53583 standard for test methods, the most vulnerable places in terms of corrosion and pressure were identified (along the axis of welded points and on bends) , in which it is necessary to measure such a thickness.

How do manufacturers today achieve an increase in the resistance of radiators to corrosion in the presence of aggressive elements in the coolant?

A.K .: The main mass technical solution to minimize such risks has already been invented - a bimetallic heating radiator with a steel channel for the passage of the coolant, specially invented for operation in the Russian conditions of water treatment, has proven its ability to successfully solve safety problems, both at the current moment (the presence of static strength to hydraulic shocks), so and in terms of durability.

Also, Russian and foreign manufacturers are striving to increase corrosion resistance and durability through the use of new materials - low-carbon and even stainless steel alloys, but the breakthrough efficiency of such methods has not yet been sufficiently studied and proven by long-term operation, therefore thickness indicators remain relevant.

In addition to objectively improving products, manufacturers are forced to work with an eye on the needs of consumers. What consumer trends are you seeing today? Interested in the level of buyers' interest in the radiator brand, its energy efficiency, warranty periods, service support options, price, design and other parameters.

A.K .: First of all, the Russian market of heating devices in recent years has been characterized by trends that are key for the industry and trade in general. First, construction markets, including large ones, are gradually disappearing into the past, and the segment of DIY stores, which are network construction hypermarkets, is growing. This contributes to an increased focus on the safety and quality of construction products, including radiators, as retailers value their reputation.

Secondly, the general trend of growth of Internet commerce has developed on the heating appliance market. On the one hand, digitalization makes it possible to speed up, simplify and expand the choice of goods of interest to the consumer, but at the same time the risks of selling a radiator with characteristics that do not correspond to those indicated on the website increase.

As for consumer preferences, when selling in a retail network for a consumer in the mass segment, the main selection criterion is still the ratio of price and heat transfer. Here, in connection with the introduction of mandatory certification and the transition to work under conditions of open and reliable data on heat transfer, domestic heating devices are becoming more and more competitive in the ideology of “ruble cost per watt of heat transfer”.

In turn, the role of the brand for the consumer increases in direct proportion to the increase in the price of the heater that he intends to purchase. For example, in the most massive economy segment, “white goods” are widespread - heating radiators, designated by the type of heater and technical characteristics without mentioning any brand.

The growth in the volume and share of imports of such "nameless" aluminum and bimetallic radiators to Russia is constantly recorded by APRO - by the end of 2020, the share of no name was 12 percent in the segment of aluminum radiators, and for bimetallic radiators it was even more - 44 percent for the "classic" and 33 percent on "black bimetal". It is noteworthy that in the segment of steel panel heating radiators, a similar situation is not observed (only seven percent).

I would like to draw your attention to such an indicative trend from the point of view of the development of import substitution as the beginning of the placement by the largest chain retailers and dealers, who previously considered only foreign manufacturers as OEM partners, orders for contract production of heating radiators under their own brands at leading domestic factories.Also, manufacturers quite widely use the indication on the packaging of a large amount for which the consumer is insured against damage associated with the operation of the heating device as a tool for market positioning.

For its part, APRO, together with the National Association of Builders (NOSTROY) and APIK, in 2020 successfully implemented a voluntary verification project in order to identify safe, high-quality and energy-efficient models of heating devices and their positioning in front of organizations in the construction sector. We are also promoting an initiative to test heating radiators in 2020 within the Roskachestvo system, the results of which will be widely covered in the media.

Now I propose to move from consumer to marketing trends. In particular, it is very interesting what you associate with the persistent trend over the past few years of a decrease in both physical and cost volumes of imports of aluminum and bimetallic heating radiators in the Russian Federation and a simultaneous (2016-2017) growth in imports of "black bimetal", as well as a significant increase in imports of steel panel radiators? What other trends in the field of import and production do you consider significant?

A.K .: This is directly related to the results of the work of our Association - several years ago we managed to achieve increased control over the import of aluminum and bimetallic heating radiators into Russia. Due to this, it was possible to almost completely suppress the facts of a significant underestimation of their customs value. Accordingly, the economic motivation to receive superprofits from their import has also dropped. Actually, the same desire to increase marginality is also due to the growth of import volumes of "black bimetal" - this practice allows you to save one and a half percent of the cost when paying customs duties. The introduction of compulsory certification partly solves the problem of "black bimetal" - with honest data on heat transfer, the market attractiveness of such heating devices decreases very significantly.

As for the growth of the segment of steel panel radiators in the Russian market, this is a pan-European trend, which in the Russian Federation is characterized by far not so much an increase in imports as the implementation of large projects to create new and significantly expand the production capacities of existing domestic factories specializing in steel "panels" ...

Among other main trends, it would indicate a significant decrease in the volume of imports of aluminum and bimetallic heating radiators from Italy, due to the replacement of their market niche by leading Russian manufacturers that provide comparable quality at a lower price.

I would also like to say that on August 20, 2020, the decision of the Board of the Eurasian Economic Commission came into force on the allocation of separate codes in the Commodity Nomenclature of Foreign Economic Activity of the Eurasian Economic Union (TN VED EAEU) for aluminum and bimetallic radiators and their parts, which will allow clear official data on imports, and customs will make it possible to automatically identify aluminum and bimetallic radiators to control the fact of passing mandatory certification.

What about the "dark force" of the market for heating radiators - counterfeit? To what extent do manufacturers face it today, what methods of struggle do they use, and how radically does the introduction of mandatory certification affect this situation and will affect it in the short and long term?

A.K .: If we talk about counterfeit goods, which are understood as goods produced and sold in violation of intellectual property laws, then such a problem is practically irrelevant for the heating appliance market.It is also impossible to talk about the presence on the market of heating devices as such falsified products - there are cases of "handicraft-garage" production of steel convectors from improper materials, but they are of a local nature.

For the Russian market of heating devices, the most urgent problem is when not the product itself is falsified, but the data about it on the packaging and in the accompanying documentation: the indicators of heat transfer, operating pressure, and weight are unreasonably overestimated.

There are also cases when, for positioning in a higher price segment, Chinese-made heating radiators are issued as products from Italy or Germany by using the colors of the corresponding national flags on the packaging. In our market, this unhealthy phenomenon was designated by the word "China Italy".

At the same time, all of the above issues can be effectively resolved by the tool for mandatory certification of heating radiators and convectors, in which all parameters of heating devices, as well as information about the country of origin and the manufacturer, must be reliable.

Is the introduction of compulsory certification of radiators positively positive? To whom does certification promise losses, change of plans and for what reason?

A.K .: Mandatory certification of radiators and convectors was introduced in Russia from June 27, 2020. Let's see what we have today? All major brands and models of heating devices of various types are certified. At the same time, the costs of passing this procedure and conducting tests did not have any tangible effect on the cost of heating devices and their final price on the market. But in order for the introduction of mandatory certification to go as smoothly as possible, APRO carried out a large-scale preparatory work.

First, the Association developed a national standard GOST R 58065–2018 for the rules for certification of heating radiators and convectors, which made this procedure clear and transparent. The possibility of using the serial production certification scheme provided by this standard turned out to be optimal for both domestic and foreign manufacturers.

Secondly, on controversial issues, it was possible to obtain official clarifications from the Ministry of Industry and Trade of Russia, Rosaccreditation and Rosstandart, which made it possible to ensure the “smooth entry” of the industry into the new regulatory regime, as well as to avoid excessive costs of market participants for certification tests.

Thirdly, as part of the activities of a working group specially created at the suggestion of the Committee of the Federation Council of the Russian Federation for Economic Policy, the formation of the necessary base of conformity assessment bodies was ensured, thanks to which it was possible to avoid a shortage in the sector of certification and laboratory services.

Of course, small importers of these products have suffered from the introduction of mandatory certification, for whom it is difficult to overcome the administrative costs of going through this procedure and for whom the amount of testing costs is significant, given the impossibility of taking advantage of the effect of "economies of scale".

But in the future, even they can find their niche in the market if they can find a legal way to pass certification using cooperative mechanisms.

I think, in particular, certification will greatly improve the market. Alexander, tell me, what achievements of the Association of Manufacturers of Heating Radiators in the matter of increasing the civilization of the domestic market of heating radiators do you consider to be key and why?

A.K .: Let's start with the fact that our Association unites Russian manufacturers of both radiators and convectors. Therefore, the main indicators of the effectiveness of the association are the growth of domestic production and the share of import substitution in the domestic market for the consumption of heating devices.

In 2020, when the association was just created, the share of Russian products was about 20 percent, and by the end of 2018 we expect to reach 45 percent, and maybe even 50 percent, that is, to record an increase in the share of import substitution by more than two times. in just three years.

I will name one record - in the past 2020, in the segment of aluminum and bimetallic heating radiators in Russia, 20 million sections were produced for the first time, an increase in volumes by five times in ten years. In another mass segment - the production of steel panel radiators - over ten years the volume of domestic production has more than quadrupled and has also come close to the record - one million pieces per year.

The introduction of compulsory certification has become an additional impetus for the development of investment activity in the industry, and also stimulated many leading European manufacturers to create localized industries in our country.

A few years ago, heat transfer and operating pressure were overestimated by 20-30 percent. Now the maximum overestimation of heat transfer that market participants can "afford" is four percent, that is, within the permissible deviations established by GOST 31311.

The main thing is that a culture of intolerant attitude towards misleading consumers is gradually coming to all participants in the Russian heating appliance market, and APRO has managed to create equal and fair conditions for everyone and fair competition in the industry.

How to choose the right heating radiator for your home

Before choosing a heating radiator, you should pay attention to the thermal conductivity of the material from which it is made. The coefficient of thermal conductivity shows the intensity of heat transfer through the material.

The higher the indicator, the smaller the heating devices can be, and the less space they will take under the window.

Another point that should not be forgotten when describing heating radiators is the smooth start of the system with a gradual increase in pressure. Failure to comply with this requirement leads to water hammer, from which the radiator can fail.

The principle of heating a room with a radiator is convection and radiation. Warm air rises up, where it mixes with cold air. Traditionally, radiators are placed under the window - the main source of cold air intake in winter. It should be borne in mind that the battery also heats up the outer wall, so some of the heat is lost. To reduce heat loss, you can use a heat-insulating layer with aluminum foil on top. Foil reflects heat radiation, and thermal insulation does not allow heat to pass out.

Currently on the market there are models equipped with a room temperature controller. In order for the air to circulate normally, the distance between the battery and the surface of the wall or insulation should be 3-4 cm. The window sill located above the radiator creates an obstacle to the movement of warm air upwards. Therefore, it is necessary to leave a gap of at least 8 cm, and the radiator must be raised at least 10 cm from the floor. Decorative screens reduce the radiator's heat emission. If, nevertheless, it is decided to install them, you should raise the screen at a distance of 10 cm from the floor and make holes in the windowsill for more active air circulation.

In country houses, the pressure in heating devices is lower than in city apartments. In a country house, the pressure should be no more than 3 atm, so most of the presented radiators can be installed in them.

Speaking about which heating radiator to choose, in addition to the operating pressure, the gas formation factor in the radiators should also be taken into account.

Lifetime of bimetallic batteries

Bimetallic models are less durable than cast iron counterparts: their service life is on average 25 to 30 years, and manufacturers usually provide guarantees for 10 years.This service life is achieved due to the following factors:

• good strength indicators, which are obtained due to the design features, which provide for the presence of a steel core;
• ability to withstand at least 20 atmospheres;
• high level of resistance to water hammer.

Bimetallic radiators are distinguished by good heat dissipation, aesthetic appeal and low weight. The presence of products with different axial distances provides ample installation options. They are resistant to corrosion and insensitive to the composition of the coolant.

Bimetallic heating devices are able to maintain their functions for a long time both in autonomous networks and in centralized systems of high-rise buildings. However, it is more rational to use products when laying communications in multi-apartment buildings, where they show maximum efficiency throughout the entire service life.

Advantages and disadvantages

Panel radiators have become popular due to their many advantages.

Panel radiators will perfectly fit into any interior

The most significant advantages:

1. Multifunctionality. Modern batteries are a convector and a radiator in one device. When using them, no additional devices are required: they are capable of fully heating the room.
2. Profitability. When comparing a ribbed battery and a panel radiator, it becomes clear that much less coolant circulates in the first product, but its power is quite high.
3. Possibility of temperature adjustment. Panels can be equipped with additional devices that allow to regulate the temperature mechanically or automatically.
4. High heat dissipation. The radiator panel, due to its area, is more in contact with the environment than ribbed models. It uses the principle of convection, its efficiency reaches 90%. Therefore, such a device can warm up even the largest room.
5. A wide assortment and affordable cost make the panels incredibly popular. Steel models are much cheaper than copper, bimetallic or aluminum ones, but they are several times more expensive than cast iron ones.

Panel radiators overview:

All the advantages of panel radiators are significant. But devices, like any product, have their drawbacks:

1. The radiator cannot be left without a coolant for a long time, as this will lead to metal corrosion.
2. Do not use a coolant with the wrong acidity. The optimal indicator should be in the range from 8 to 9.5 pH, otherwise rust will actively develop inside the panel.
3. It is not recommended to install them in a central heating system, as water hammer can affect the reliability of the product.

Battery technical parameters

Each radiator is characterized by technical and structural features that allow some models to warm up the room faster, while others, for example, consume less coolant. The ratio of these characteristics of the product, necessary for the buyer, often determines his choice:

• Power

The larger the device and the higher the number of sections in it, the more power. This characteristic determines the quality of the heat dissipation of the battery. But high power means high energy consumption, so more electricity will have to be paid for efficient heating.

• Pressure

The value of the working pressure level varies greatly among the radiator models: from 6 to 100 atmospheres... The higher this indicator, the better the product withstands water hammer. In addition, a device that can withstand from 16 atmospheres, can be installed in a district heating network.

• Temperature

It depends on how much the coolant heats up inside the working area (according to SNIPam, it is impossible for this value to exceed 95 ° C). For example, with oil coolers, the surface temperature reaches 150 ° C, while the majority of centralized and autonomous heating systems have a coolant temperature does not exceed 100 ° C.

• Heat dissipation

This is one of the most important characteristics of any radiator, since it determines how quickly and efficiently the device will warm up the air in the room.

The highest levels of heat transfer are found in products with convectors and wide heat-dissipating plate casings.

• Heating the room

There is a direct dependence on the first and fourth characteristics. The more powerful the battery and the higher the level of heat transfer, the faster it will warm up the entire room to the temperature required by the homeowner.

Important! It's almost useless to heat poorly insulated room - even the most powerful heating systems will not help here. Before installing the radiator in a house, garage, apartment or any other room, it is important to make sure that hot air will not escape from cracks in walls or windows.