In the summer, you need to prepare not only sleds, as in the old adage. It is necessary to take care in advance of other attributes that save us from the winter cold. This period is best suited for changing radiators. But before you change them, you need to decide on their appearance and type. To make your choice easier, we have classified the main types of radiators and indicated their main characteristics, advantages and disadvantages.
Such radiators are also called convectors, they have high efficiency - up to 75%. Inside the radiators there is one or more steel heating panels and convector fins.
The device is a steel panel radiator.
Panel radiators are the most cost-effective solution for your own home and are therefore the most common in autonomous heating systems. Depending on the number of heating panels and convection fins, the following types of water heating radiators of the panel construction are distinguished: 10, 11, 20, 21, 22, 30, 33.
Manufacturers : These are mainly European countries - Germany (Buderus and Kermi), Czech Republic (Korado), Italy (DeLonghi), Finland (PURMO). Their prices are not high, so Russian manufacturers are not very well represented in this market.
+ Pros:
- Cons:
The design of the radiator is a construction of steel pipes through which hot water flows. The production of such devices is more expensive than the panel, so their price is higher.
There are many design options - this is a real feast for the designer's imagination.
Manufacturers:
Of the European manufacturing countries can be called Germany (Kermi, Charleston, Zehnder Charleston, Arbonia) and Italy (Israp Tesi). Domestic devices manufactured by KZTO (Kimry) differ in operating pressure up to 15 bar. A model "PC" and "Harmony" is also protected from corrosion by a polymer coating.
Pros and cons: These radiators, like the panel ones, have advantages and disadvantages inherent in steel products. However, in terms of pressure, their indicators are better (this is a plus), and their price is significantly higher (this is a minus).
Main characteristics:
As the name suggests, these are radiators made entirely of aluminum. Here there are two types of radiators - cast and extrusion. It is better to use both of them for autonomous heating - they are not suitable for a centralized system due to pressure and corrosion, which is caused by low-quality coolant in the central heating network.
Injection molded radiators feature wide channels for hot water and strong thick walls.
The radiator is made up of several sections, which, if necessary, can either be added or removed.
With this production method (cheaper), the vertical parts of the battery are extruded from the aluminum alloy on the extruder. The collector is cast from silumin. The whole product cannot be changed - you can neither add sections, nor remove them. This is the main disadvantage of this type of radiator.
Manufacturers: These are mainly Italian companies. In particular, we can call FARAL Green HP, ALUWORK, Sira Group (ROVALL batteries), Fondital.
+ Pros:
- Disadvantages:
Main characteristics:
They can be conventionally divided into conventional or modern-style radiators and retro-style radiators.
The oldest type of radiators. These radiators are distinguished by simplicity and rigor of forms, a flat facade, neat design. They are heated for a long time, but all the adversities of the central heating stand with honor. They are durable, cheap, serve 50 years. Therefore, deciding which types of radiators to choose, many stop on cast iron ones.
Manufacturers: Budget, cast-iron radiators are produced by Ukrainian, Russian, Belarusian factories. But foreign products and quality will be better, and look prettier. Note the company Konner, Viadrus, DemirDöküm, Roca.
Each of these radiators is a small masterpiece. After all, cast iron art casting looks very elegant, decorating with itself any room. Unfortunately, each such battery is very expensive.
Manufacturers: These are firms from England, Germany, France, Turkey, China. For example, the companies Roca and Konner produce very beautiful models.
+ Pros:
- Minuses:
Main characteristics:
Such radiators combine a tubular core of steel and an aluminum shell. Basically they are made of sections, even numbers.
But there are also solid (monolithic) models (rarely available), plus the ability to withstand up to 100 atmospheres of pressure. In the case of monolithic models, a strong steel frame is created on which the aluminum sheath is “worn”.
The device is a bimetallic radiator.
Fully bimetallic radiators have a steel tubular core all over the radiator channels. They are reliable and durable, but they are expensive. Good radiators are made by Rifar (Russia), Royal Thermo BiLiner and Global Style (Italy).
Pseudobimetallic names are radiators that have only steel reinforced vertical channels. They are cheaper than the previous ones, by 20 percent, they give off heat better, but they are more sensitive to corrosion due to the contact of the coolant with aluminum. Such products make the company Rifar (Russia), Sira (Italy) and Gordi (China).
+ Pros:
- Disadvantages:
Main characteristics:
A new solution among heating devices is convectors hidden in the floor, consisting of a heat exchanger, a box and a decorative grid. They have copper pipes for heat carrier and aluminum fins. There are models with a steel tubular core ("Breeze" from KZTO). Particularly good interior radiators with panoramic windows. They are used at airports, car dealerships, sports facilities (for example, swimming pools).
+ Pros:
- Cons:
Manufacturers: OPLFLEX (Czech Republic), Mohlenhoff (Germany), JAGA (Belgium), IMP KLIMA (Slovenia), CWTO (Russia).
Main characteristics:
These convectors, also called warm baseboards, are very low. Only 20 or 25 cm. And their depth is even less - 10 cm. They haven’t really settled down with us yet, and in America they are very popular. They are mounted on the wall.
+ Pros:
- Disadvantages:
Main characteristics:
Now, having learned about the types and benefits of different types of radiators, you can choose the right radiators more confidently and correctly.