One of the stages of preparation for the construction of a private house or overhaul of an apartment is the choice of the type of central heating system. District heating systems have high demands in terms of efficiency, economy and aesthetics. The most common nowadays are classic radiator systems and underfloor heating systems.
The comfort of living in a house or apartment directly depends on how correctly the choice of the type of heating system is made. It is difficult to answer unequivocally which specific system will be the best choice in this or that case, since many factors should be taken into account when choosing (from operating conditions to the parameters of the heated area, features of the layout of the premises). In order not to be mistaken with the choice, you need to know the advantages and disadvantages of each option.
Advantages and disadvantages of underfloor heating
It should be noted that the underfloor heating system is a heat distribution system, which is installed under the floor surface, as a result of which heat flows rise upward. When installing a warm floor, the main principle of heat distribution in rooms is radiation, and the auxiliary principle is convection, in contrast to radiators, in which the main principle of distribution is convection, and the auxiliary principle is radiation. Warm floors are divided into the following types:
- electrical wired, the main element of which is a special cable;
- water, in which the coolant goes through flexible pipes;
- infrared film. Installation of film underfloor heating is carried out by connecting squares from the film into a single system. Such floors do not need a screed.
Floor convector Polvax KE.230.1000.65, to get acquainted with the characteristics of which and order, go to the catalog of the MODERNSYS online store, is a floor water convector of natural convection.
In most cases, water convectors are mounted as a complete replacement for a radiator heating system. Electric wired and film floors are used as a supplement to a water-based heating system. They are installed in bathrooms, kitchens, hallways, loggias, attics, balconies.
System advantages
The main advantage of underfloor heating systems is cost-effectiveness: on average, heating of rooms of the same size with underfloor heating systems requires 10-20% less energy than with heating radiators. Among the advantages of systems "warm floor" should be noted:
- less heat loss in comparison with radiator systems;
- uniformity of air heating, which ensures the comfort of the microclimate;
- safety, which is important for families with small children;
- hygiene;
- aesthetics (warm floor is almost invisible).
Installation of floor water convectors allows maintaining the set temperature in the premises for up to two days.
Disadvantages of the system
Among the disadvantages of the "warm floor" system, it should be noted:
- significant cost and laboriousness of installation;
- reducing the height of the premises by at least 6 cm;
- low maintainability;
- the need to dismantle the screed to repair some types of underfloor heating;
- the need for the right choice of flooring
Pros and cons of radiators
The classic radiator heating system is a floor or wall mounted heat distribution device. There are the following types of radiators:
- gravity or forced circulation;
- cast iron, bimetallic, aluminum.
Convector material is the most important factor when choosing radiators:
- classic cast iron are distinguished by their high weight and inertness, they keep the temperature well, cool down for a long time, but they also warm up for a long time;
- bimetallic withstand temperature extremes and high pressure due to their high strength;
- aluminum with low weight and good heat transfer have low strength.
Benefits
Among the advantages of this type of convector should be noted:
- the speed of heating the air in the room;
- high level of efficiency;
- high maintainability and ease of repair, replacement of elements;
- the ability to use any flooring;
- the ability to place any furniture in the room in any quantity;
- the ability to maintain the required level of humidity;
- the ability to heat rooms of any height;
- ease of installation;
- affordable cost of equipment.
disadvantages
Among the disadvantages of the radiator heating system, it should be noted:
- massive structure;
- uneven air heating;
- low resistance of some types of batteries to water hammer and susceptibility to corrosion;
- tendency to clogging with poor-quality coolant.
One of the disadvantages of the radiator system should be called the complexity of choosing a model based on the criterion of aesthetics.
What to choose for heating an apartment
For heating an apartment, according to experts, batteries are the best option. Subject to high ceilings, an actual option is the installation of a combined floor heating system, providing for the installation of a water heated floor in living quarters and a film or wire in the kitchen, bathroom, hall, on the balcony or loggia.
Underfloor heating Rehau Rautherm S can be successfully used to heat an apartment of any size and layout. Underfloor heating is more economical than radiators by an average of 30-50%. At the same time, the air warms up at the height necessary for people - 200-220 cm - due to the ability of the convectors to give off heat from the bottom up. In addition, underfloor heating has a higher inertia, which leads to a slow cooling of the temperature in the premises.
What to put in a private house
Since the temperature in private houses drops much faster than in apartments, experts recommend installing a radiator system in cases where it is necessary to quickly warm up the premises. For private houses, radiators are preferable in terms of temperature control. For houses with solid fuel boilers, compact and reliable radiators are the best option. It should not be forgotten that heating radiators warm up the ceiling first, which is not entirely economical, while the heat goes from the bottom up from the warm floor.
Underfloor heating takes much longer to cool down, which is a strong argument in favor of choosing floor convectors. The best option for a private house should be called an underfloor water converter from a reliable manufacturer. Proper installation is a prerequisite for the efficiency of the system.
When choosing a heating system for a home, financial capabilities are an important factor. At a higher cost, underfloor heating quickly pays off, and competent installation allows you to successfully operate the heating system for many years.
If you are interested in obtaining a result that meets all your expectations, contact an experienced and well-proven specialist. If necessary, they will answer all your questions.
