Which heating batteries are best for an apartment: classification of radiators and their features

Some consider centralized heating in apartment buildings a relic of the Soviet era, while others consider it an undoubted blessing of civilization. But we all continue to use this heating method.

The main element of such a system is heating radiators for the apartment, which are located under the window in the living rooms of high-rise buildings. Their types and features will be discussed in our article. We will also briefly look at the main advantages and disadvantages of cast iron, aluminum, steel and bimetallic radiators.

Principles for classifying radiators for apartments

Water heated to 95 °C is usually used as a coolant in centralized heating systems. Moreover, it is not purified distilled, but technical grade with dissolved salts and additives.

As a result, the material from which the battery in the apartment is made must easily withstand the effects of temperature changes, moisture, and impurities contained in the coolant for a long time.

To last for many years, an apartment heating battery must:

• withstand operating pressure up to 9 atm (ideally up to 12–15 atm);
• made of metals resistant to chemical and electrochemical corrosion;
• have high heat transfer.

The pressure in apartment radiators fluctuates around 4–7 atm. Much here depends on the number of floors of an apartment building, the temperature outside the window and the operating conditions of the heating network.But when crimping and water hammer pressure can briefly rise to 15 atm or higher.

All heating radiators are made of metals (aluminum or iron) - only they are able to withstand the workloads generated in heating systems

Also, the heating device in question must be easy to install, have a presentable appearance and low cost. But, most importantly, it must have excellent heat transfer characteristics.

The main task of the radiator – give the room the heat that came through the water pipes. The more effectively he does this, the better it is for the owner of the apartment.

There are two main criteria for classifying heating batteries:

1. Material of manufacture.
2. Design.

All other parameters are technical characteristics of a specific radiator model.

Features of different designs

The functionality of heating radiators is influenced not only by the material from which they are made, but also by their design.

So, the batteries are structurally:

• sectional (block);
• columnar (tubular);
• panel.

The first two options are a set of several elements assembled into a single heater, and the third is a monolithic block.

Sectional water heating devices include the now widely used aluminum radiators. A classic example of a columnar analogue is an old cast-iron battery.

Columnar radiators require exclusively lateral connection, while sectional and panel options can be connected from the side and bottom, you just need to choose the appropriate model

A sectional radiator consists of two collectors connected to each other by metal plate blocks.The water in it does not move along these jumpers. The coolant first transfers energy to a pair of pipes, and they already heat the sections with fins.

In a columnar heating device, jumper blocks, on the contrary, have internal cavities for water circulation. And the panel is generally a completely hollow single block.

Separation by material of manufacture

In terms of design, batteries are vertical And horizontal. For apartments, the second option is usually chosen - it is easier to install them under the window and connect to the pipes of the existing heating system.

But if there is a strong desire, then installation of a vertical type is quite possible. Only such installation is more difficult and will cost more.

However, all this is more a matter of aesthetics and personal preferences of the apartment owner in the matter of interior design. The main point of choosing a household heating radiator is the metal it is made of. It can be cast iron, steel, aluminum or bimetal (aluminum + steel).

Each metal has its own merits. To accurately determine which radiator is best for a particular apartment, you need to carefully study all the features of the available options.

In some cases, a cast iron battery will be the best choice, while in others, only a steel analogue is suitable for installation.

Option #1 - corrosion-resistant cast iron

Cast iron radiators left in some apartments from Soviet times now look unattractive, and sometimes downright ugly. This is especially true for devices with a large number of layers of partially peeling paint.

Initially, cast iron was chosen as a material for the production of radiators because of the low cost of the metal and the ease of mass production of heating devices.

A modern cast-iron battery, a beautiful and efficient device that retains all the advantages of an old, solid “cast-iron” battery in the form of high resistance to corrosion and undemanding to the cleanliness of the coolant

Such batteries continue to heat many apartments today, even half a century after installation. This is the best choice among all analogues in terms of corrosion resistance.

Plus, blockages and air blockages form in such heaters only in extremely rare cases. The gaps in their internal cavities are initially too large for the suspensions and air bubbles present in the coolant.

Among the main advantages of cast iron it is worth highlighting:

• long service life;
• resistance to corrosion processes;
• low price;
• high thermal inertness;
• unpretentiousness in terms of water purity.

Their main advantage and at the same time disadvantage is their inertness to heating and cooling. On the one hand, a cast iron radiator heats up slowly, but on the other hand, it does not cool down as quickly as aluminum or steel.

At the same time, it contains a fairly large volume of water inside. In a situation where central heating is temporarily turned off and coolant circulation stops, the cast iron battery will gradually release heat for some time. While other options, on the contrary, will instantly cool down.

In addition to steel, aluminum and cast iron, heating equipment stores also have copper batteries, however, due to the high cost and problems with electrochemical corrosion, it is not recommended to choose copper for city apartments with central heating

Among the disadvantages of cast iron appliances are:

• heavy weight — one section weighs 5–6 kg;
• low protection against water hammer;
• brittleness of cast iron — such a battery breaking due to frozen water inside is far from uncommon;
• surgical strike - susceptibility to damage due to pinpoint mechanical impacts.

Another significant disadvantage of cast iron is the relatively low working pressure of 6–8 atm. For apartments in old panel five-story buildings or stalinkas this option is quite suitable. But for a home in a modern apartment building with 12–16 floors, it is better to choose something else.

At a minimum, before purchasing a cast iron battery for installation in a high-rise building, it is necessary to clarify the existing coolant pressure in its heating system; usually it is above 10 atm.

We wrote more about the pros and cons of cast iron batteries in next article.

Option #2 - practical steel

Steel batteries are practical and come in two types - tubular or panel. The first are a direct analogue of the cast iron appliances described above. They have similar characteristics in terms of heat transfer and weight, but a more presentable appearance.

The latter are made of two steel sheets welded together and forming a thin layer-cavity inside for water circulation.

This option has higher heat transfer rates, so they are often connected together in several pieces. As a result, the total heat transfer area increases sharply.

To increase corrosion protection in these batteries, all steel surfaces are coated with a special paint. As a result, their service life reaches 15–20 years, however, at the slightest damage to the protective coating, the steel begins to quickly rust

Steel batteries survive better water hammerthan their cast iron counterparts. But they have one very weak point - welds.This is where rusting most often begins, and this is also where ruptures mainly occur due to surges in water pressure in the system.

The advantages of steel radiators are as follows:

1. Low inertia - heats up quickly and quickly releases heat into the room.
2. Light weight - with the same heat transfer, a steel device obviously weighs less than a cast iron one.
3. Low cost.
4. Possibility of installing a thermostat.
5. Attractive and often original design.

As for the negative aspects, they also exist. So, these radiators should definitely not be installed in bathrooms. There is high humidity, at which steel will quickly rust. In such conditions, a steel battery will not last long.

For apartments in high-rise buildings, steel radiators are not recommended. They are more intended for installation in private homes with a lower operating coolant pressure than in a centralized heating system. We have provided more information about blood pressure standards and ways to increase it. Here.

Option #3 - durable aluminum

Aluminum radiators are the most common in the household heating market today. This is due to their low cost, durability and light weight, as well as extreme ease of installation.

Aluminum batteries are produced by casting and extrusion technology. The first option is more durable and belongs to the sectional variety, while the second is cheaper and is a single monoblock

When casting, separate sections are created, which are then connected into a common radiator by a set of several of these blocks. If necessary, such a battery can be expanded by adding new elements even after installation is completed.

Extrusion The entire analogue is manufactured at the factory. You cannot then add parts to it to increase the heat transfer area. But it is cheaper than the injection molded version.

We discussed the performance characteristics and installation features of aluminum radiators in detail in another our article.

Among the advantages of aluminum radiators it is worth highlighting:

• high heat transfer rates;
• light weight of the heating device;
• modern design;
• affordable price;
• possibility of completing with a thermostat;
• service life of 30 years;
• no predisposition to paint peeling.

The main disadvantage of an aluminum heater is its demands on the coolant characteristics. The slightest solid suspensions during water circulation begin to scratch the protective coating inside. As a result, aluminum remains unprotected and begins to gradually corrode.

Aluminum surfaces actively react with acids and alkalis, plus they are contraindicated by the presence of copper elements and stray currents in the heating system

Another rather unpleasant moment is the formation and accumulation of hydrogen in aluminum radiators. If such batteries are not equipped air vents, then they may swell slightly from the inside.

The heating device will not rupture, but small leaks may well form at the joints of the sections. Plus the chance of education increases air jams In the system, it is also difficult to call it a plus or an advantage.

The maximum operating pressure for different models of aluminum radiators ranges from 10–20 atm.

In this indicator, they are superior to their cast iron and steel counterparts, but inferior to their bimetallic competitors.This is the option that is recommended in most cases to be installed in city apartments.

Option #4 - practical bimetal

The most durable and durable among all household heating radiators are bimetallic. They have a steel core through which water circulates and an aluminum outer layer. As a result, they combine the reliability of steel and the heat transfer of aluminum.

We recommend about the existing types of bimetallic batteries, their characteristics and selection rules read here.

In terms of heat transfer parameters, the bimetallic battery is slightly inferior only to its purely aluminum competitor, but greatly exceeds it in strength

These batteries were originally created to replace old cast iron ones. They were immediately designed taking into account the features of the centralized heat supply existing in Russia.

It’s not for nothing that they are called universal radiators, which can be installed without problems in almost any apartment.

The advantages of a bimetal radiator are as follows:

1. Reliability - operating pressure around 35 atm.
2. Undemanding to the chemical composition of the coolant.
3. High corrosion resistance.
4. Compact and modern appearance of the device.
5. Light weight.

The main and only significant disadvantage of this device is its high price.. They are the most expensive among all analogues. However, these costs are necessary will overlap long service life and absence of leaks due to floods.

Bimetallic radiators are especially relevant in homes where there are frequent changes in water pressure in the heating system.

Conclusions and useful video on the topic

To make it easier for you to figure out which radiator is better, we have made a selection of videos analyzing the various nuances of these devices.

The following video will help you understand the types of radiators and determine which ones are best suited for specific operating conditions:

10 mistakes when replacing old heating batteries in an apartment:

Expert recommendations on choosing the optimal heating radiator in the following video:

When choosing which battery to install in your apartment, you must first of all focus on the parameters of the central heating system.

In an old house, it is often possible to install only cast iron radiators. Aluminum options are ideal for new buildings and five-story panel buildings. And reliable bimetallic analogues are universal devices that are suitable in almost any situation, but cost a lot.

Which batteries do you personally consider the best and which ones are installed in the heating circuit of your house/apartment? Share your impressions of using them, add unique photos of your radiators and useful recommendations for beginners.