Heating system for home - types and installation methods

An autonomous heating system for a private home is one of the most important factors influencing its improvement. But the correct distribution of warm air in residential premises depends not only on the comfort of living.

The heating system also performs protective functions, preventing the occurrence of dampness, mold and fungal attack. Since the cost of such systems is constantly growing, we will consider which types of heating are most relevant.

We asked specialists from the company AquaHit, which specializes in the installation of heating and water supply systems, to talk about this current type of heating.

Heating system with radiators and heated floors Source domostrou.by

Heating systems – requirements and choice

In modern construction, various types of heating systems and many model diagrams of related equipment are used. It is impossible to call one or another solution optimal, since when installing and choosing them, it is necessary to take into account specific conditions and a variety of initial data. However, there are several rules that any heating communications are subject to.

• The heating system in the house must ensure proper temperature regulation. In addition, heat must be efficiently transferred and distributed throughout all heated rooms. The heating system for a private home must meet several criteria, the main ones being:
• High efficiency at minimal cost. According to this indicator, the heating system must produce the required amount of heat for high-quality heating of the premises. At the same time, the costs of its installation and operation must be minimized.
• High degree of automation. In this regard, communications to ensure home heating should be used with minimal human intervention. This maximizes their safety.

Modern heating system with multiple heat sources Source homemarket.ua

• High reliability and wear resistance of all system components. Equipment purchased for installation of communications must be as reliable as possible with a long service life and a warranty from the manufacturer.

Quite often, when installing heating mains, the principle is applied - the simpler, the more reliable.

Types of autonomous heating systems

It is worth immediately noting that it is better to entrust the installation of heating systems to professionals. All heating systems are, first of all, classified according to the type of fuel that is used to heat the coolant. If for some reason the optimal type of fuel changes frequently in your area, then you may want to consider combination boilers, which allow you to use multiple types of fuel or energy sources.

A striking example is solid fuel boilers with the ability to connect gas or electricity. There are models on the market that combine several methods of increasing the temperature of the coolant - gas, electricity, solid or liquid fuel.

Such boilers are endowed with all the advantages of standard devices operating on one type of fuel. However, they increase many times over, since several types are combined in one device. Now let's look at the types of heating systems in more detail.

Water heating system with a modern radiator Source www.remontnik.ru

Water heating

This type is the most common. The relative ease of installation and availability of the coolant - water, will retain the relevance of water heating for many years to come. To ensure optimal heating, various installation schemes are used. This can be a two-pipe heating system or a single-pipe heating system.

Radiators made of cast iron, steel or aluminum act as heat exchangers in such systems. Also, bimetallic equipment or converter-type batteries are popular. The pipeline is made of metal or special plastic. Such a system can be built on the basis of almost any heating boiler.

Advantages:

• the ability to control the temperature of system components;
• the possibility of installing a pipeline of a smaller cross-section relative to a steam and air heating system;
• high degree of safety during operation;
• fairly low financial costs and minimal requirements for the quantity of consumables;
• no noise during operation;
• uniform heating of all components included in the system.

"Leningrad heating" wiring Source aquasistem.ru
Disadvantages:

• the likelihood of clogging the system with air locks;
• the need for constant monitoring for the performance of the thermal energy source;
• when using metal communications, there is a high probability of corrosion;
• when using old-style radiators, the system warms up slowly;
• difficulties during installation work;
• sensitivity to low ambient temperatures with the risk of system defrosting.

Air heating

In such systems, the room is heated by air flow. Ambient air is taken in by intakes and supplied to the heating element of the system. It can be gas or electric equipment. A water heat exchanger can also be used.

The heated air is forced into the room by means of a fan. When a new portion is taken in, already heated air from the rooms is mixed with fresh air from the street. To do this, it is advisable to install a filter element in the system that will trap dust and other unwanted fractions.

The process is performed cyclically until the room temperature is raised to the required level. The thermostat installed in the system switches off at the desired level and turns on the equipment when it deviates minus one degree.

House air heating diagram Source build-experts.ru

Air heating systems offer high flexibility for the installation of various modules and add-ons. If you install a water cooler or an evaporator from an air conditioner in a channel with a heater, then in the summer you can use communications to create coolness in the room.

If there is a heat pump function in the air conditioner evaporator, in winter this circuit is also used as a heating element. The air supply channel itself can be equipped with a humidifier, sterilizer, ionizer and many other additional devices.

Advantages:

• the ability to install all types of air treatment at “one point”, from filtration to humidification.
• additional operating mode options – air conditioning or heat pump;
• due to controlled ventilation, up to 30% of energy resources are saved in relation to other types of heating;
• excellent comfortable characteristics combining heating, ventilation and air filtration as standard equipment;
• temperature control using a thermostat can be done via the Internet;
• the system is not afraid of low temperatures, has high reliability and a long service life;
• ease of use, since all elements of the system are easily accessible and can be quickly replaced.

Air heating using a fireplace Source stroikairemont.com
Disadvantages:

• most of the work on installing the system should be planned at the building design stage;
• air communications require a certain space in the internal volume of the room.

Drawing up a heat supply diagram

The heat supply scheme is a pre-design document that reflects legal relations, conditions for the functioning and development of the heat supply system for an urban district or settlement. In relation to it, federal law includes certain norms.

1. for settlements are approved by executive authorities or local governments, depending on the population.
2. For the corresponding territory there must be a single heat supply organization.
3. The diagram indicates energy sources, indicating their main parameters (load, work schedules, etc.) and range.
4. Measures are indicated to develop the heat supply system, conserve excess capacity, and create conditions for its uninterrupted operation.

Heat supply facilities are located within the boundaries of the settlement according to the approved scheme.

Video description

Watch the video to see what air heating is in a house:

Steam heating

This closed heating system remains a fairly popular solution in our time. Various types of fuel are well suited for its operation - solid, gas and electricity. Combined temperature sources are also used, which are given priority during installation work. Proper selection of a steam boiler helps to significantly save on living space heating costs.

The principle of operation of such a system is to bring water to the boiling point. The resulting steam is sent to the heating system. Passing through the communications, it cools and flows back into the steam boiler in the form of condensate. How reliable the system will be during operation directly depends on the model of the steam boiler. It is selected based on the structural features of the heated building and its area.

Advantages:

• quickly achieving the required temperature in the building, regardless of its area;
• low probability of failure at low ambient temperatures;
• cyclical heating process;
• environmental safety of the system.

Boiler for steam heating Source build-experts.ru
See also: Catalog of projects of two-story houses with a boiler room and fireplace

Flaws:

• explosion hazard of the steam boiler and the need for constant monitoring during operation;
• high complexity of installation work;
• high price of components;
• for commissioning it is necessary to obtain permission from the regulatory authorities;
• a fairly high noise level when filling the system with steam;
• negative impact on the operational capabilities of the high coolant temperature system;
• there is no possibility to fully control the temperature conditions indoors.

Gas heating

In areas with main gas communications, natural gas heating is installed. Essentially, this is a type of water heating. It’s just that in this case gas acts as the main source of energy. However, both air and steam systems can be implemented on this basis.

In the absence of main gas lines, you can organize a small gas storage facility, which needs to be filled with liquefied gas for the heating season. Such storage facilities are called gas tanks and gas is delivered and stored in liquefied form.

Floor-standing gas boiler Source www.ural.org

Advantages:

• long service life of the system equipment;
• high level of fuel economy;
• ecological purity of the energy source.

Flaws:

• high complexity of installation work;
• high cost of system components;
• the need to obtain permission from regulatory authorities;
• the need for constant monitoring by service departments;
• in the absence of a main connection, additional costs for the necessary equipment;
• In the absence of main gas lines, using liquefied gas in a gas tank will cost more than natural gas, plus you will have to regularly spend time refueling the system.

Electric heating

The three main advantages of electric heating systems are the possibility of full automation, safety and environmental friendliness. There is only one minus – the cost of electricity is still quite high. But if the financial issue is not in the foreground, then convenience outweighs the cost of the issue.

Most electric heating systems do not require the use of coolants. In convectors, infrared heaters, electric fireplaces and similar devices, electricity is directly converted into heat. The only exception is electric boilers that heat water for the heating system and/or domestic use.

Wall-mounted electric boiler Source avatars.mds.yandex.net

Advantages:

• fairly affordable prices for system components;
• the use of electric boilers in hot water supply systems simultaneously with heating of premises;
• mobility of many system components;
• no need for maintenance with serious financial costs;
• ample opportunities for automating the process and maintaining optimal temperature conditions in the building;
• environmental safety of the heat source.

Flaws:

• High cost of electricity.
• The heating system requires fairly high power to operate. However, even the standard 10-15 kW is usually more than enough to heat a house of 100-150 m².
• If there are frequent interruptions in the power supply “on the line”, then it is necessary to provide for the presence of an uninterruptible power supply and/or a generator. However, the same applies to other heating systems, because for the operation of automation and pumps they require an uninterrupted power supply.

Registration and receipt of permits

Among the regulations that regulate the installation of an individual heating system, the following can be noted:

• the Heat Supply Law contains provisions that regulate the installation of heating systems with requirements and restrictions;

• Decree of the Government of the Russian Federation No. 307 “On the procedure for connecting to heat supply systems,” which determines the characteristics of boilers suitable for installation in an apartment or private house.

What documents are needed for heating with a gas boiler?

• obtain technical specifications for gasification from the gas service of your area of ​​residence. Specifications are issued upon presentation of a document certifying your ownership of housing, permission from the architectural and planning department, a copy of the technical passport of the BTI, passport, identification code and an application for gasification of the building.

• Specifications may differ depending on the purpose of the room, heating intensity, location, etc. The service is paid. The period for issuing technical specifications is up to 30 days;

• prepare a topographic survey of the site;

• prepare a gas supply project - independently or with the involvement of specialists. Coordinate the project with the district gas service;

• obtain written permission from your neighbors to gasify your home (if the gas pipeline runs through their area);

• provide documents for gas equipment and a chimney inspection report;

• receive a document on commissioning of the system (issued after installation). The period for receiving it is up to 30 days. Based on this document, the meters are sealed, connected to the central pipeline and a new contract for gas supply is concluded.

What documents are needed for an electric heating system?

• submit a package of documents to the RES to obtain permission to connect to the network. The package includes: an application (indicating the type of object, location, applicant’s data), a document confirming payment for obtaining technical specifications for the installation (permission) of the boiler, a questionnaire (consent of neighbors), a document certifying ownership of the house;

• coordinate the technical solution of the project with the Distribution Zone;

• purchase an electric boiler and install it (either independently or with the assistance of specialists);

• conclude an agreement for the use of electricity. The agreement contains information on new energy tariffs;

• seal the new meter.

Advice. Installing a three-mode meter will allow you to pay for energy at different tariffs, which is more profitable for the user.

In case of unauthorized installation of a heating system, a fine is imposed, the amount of which is determined by local authorities and disconnection from the gas and electricity supply system. To reconnect the boiler, you will need to pay a fine and also agree on the project, i.e. complete all steps.

Video description

Watch the video to see all the pitfalls when installing heating in a private home:
See also: Catalog of companies that specialize in electrical and heating.

Geothermal heating

When choosing energy resources provided by the earth as a heat source, this means obtaining an environmentally friendly and economical home heating system. Along with gas heating, one of the energy sources is geothermal heat from the earth. The soil absorbs about 98% of all energy coming from the sun. There is always heat in the deep layers and this does not depend on the time of year and temperature on the surface.

The geothermal heating system consists of two circuits - external and internal. External communications are responsible for switching between the heat exchanger and the internal circuit of the system. They are deep underground.

Geothermal heating scheme Source respect-stroy.com

The internal circuit is a classic one-pipe system or a two-pipe heating system for a private house with radiators. The coolant in them is either water or another suitable liquid, for example, special oil.

Advantages

• minimal dependence of the system on climatic conditions;
• low costs for operating the system;
• stable flow of thermal energy in the required quantity;
• environmental safety of the heat source.

Flaws:

• high complexity of installation work;
• high cost of system components;
• low payback of the system - about 8 years;
• it is necessary to construct a collector.

Installation methods

Let's touch on methods for installing heat-carrying communications. There is no clear opinion on this issue, so it is better to contact a company that installs heating systems for advice. The most common installation options are a single-pipe or two-pipe heating communications system. We will not dwell on them, but will tell you about two lesser-known methods.

Collector system

The main unit with this installation method in this system is the collector, which is responsible for the distribution of the coolant.

Manifold for a single-pipe heating system Source termoresurs.ru

Heating network pipes

Currently, domestic ones are in disrepair. Due to the high wear and tear of communications, it is cheaper to replace the pipes for the heating main with new ones than to engage in constant repairs.

It is impossible to immediately update all old communications in the country. During the construction or major renovation of houses, new pipes are installed to reduce heat loss several times. Pipes for the heating main are made using a special technology, filling the gap between the steel pipe located inside and the shell with foam.

The temperature of the transported liquid can reach 140°C.

Using polyurethane foam as thermal insulation allows you to retain heat much better than traditional protective materials.

Video description

This video will show you how to make a collector for a heated floor with your own hands:
A collector heating system, also known as a radiant heating system, consists of the following elements:

• collector;
• pump;
• heating devices;
• safety devices;
• expansion tank;
• pipeline;

In turn, the collector assembly is mounted in two parts:

1. Input - it is connected to the heating unit, receiving the coolant at the required temperature, and distributes it along the circuits of the system.
2. Output - return circuits are connected to it, which release the cooled coolant, which is redirected to the boiler for the next heating.

The main difference and advantage of this installation method is the ability to independently connect heating devices to the system. This allows you to simplify repair work and more accurately regulate the temperature in the room. The disadvantage is the high costs of communication and installation.

Leningradka system

Another interesting solution is the Leningrad heating system. The Leningradka heating system in a private house allows you to level out heat loss by the coolant when moving away from the boiler.

This is the main problem of classical type heating systems - achieving the same temperature along the entire length of the line. To solve this problem, it is necessary to increase the number of heating devices as they move away from the heat source.

Radiator installed according to the “Leningradka” scheme Source plusteplo.ru

Coolant efficiency

The cycle traversed by the heat carrier is slightly more complicated than in an open mechanism. The cooled coolant flows through the return line to district heating heaters or boiler rooms, where it receives the temperature from the hot process steam from turbines, condensate, or is heated in the boiler. Losses, if any, are replenished with make-up liquid, thanks to the regulator. The device always maintains the set pressure, maintaining its static value. If heat is obtained from a thermal power plant, the coolant is heated by steam having a temperature of 120° - 140°C.

Temperature depends on pressure and sampling is usually done from medium pressure cylinders. Often there is only one heating extraction unit at the installation. The exhaust steam has a pressure of 0.12 - 0.25 MPa, which is increased (with controlled extraction) with seasonal cooling or steam consumption for aeration. When it gets colder, the liquid can be reheated by a peak boiler. The aerator can be connected to one of the turbine outlets, and chemically purified, prepared water enters the feed tank. The heat removed for consumers, obtained from steam condensates and steam, is regulated qualitatively, that is, with a constant volume of carrier, only the temperature is regulated.

Through the network pipeline, the coolant enters the heating station, where the heating circuits form the required temperature. The water supply circuit does this using a circulation line and a pump, receiving water heated by a heat exchanger and mixing it with the tap water and the water cooling in the pipes. The heating system has its own control valves, which allows it to qualitatively influence the heat selection. A closed system involves independent regulation of heat extraction.

However, such a scheme does not have sufficient flexibility and must have a productive pipeline. In order to reduce investments in the heating network, coupled regulation is organized, in which the water supply flow regulator determines the balance towards one of the circuits. As a result, the heating demand is compensated from the heating circuit.

The disadvantage of such balancing is that the temperature of the heated rooms varies somewhat. The standards allow temperature fluctuations within 1 - 1.5 ° C, which usually occurs until the maximum water consumption exceeds 0.6 calculated for heating. As in an open heat supply system, it is possible to use combined high-quality control of heat supply. When the coolant flow and the heating networks themselves are calculated for the load of the heating and ventilation system, increasing the coolant temperature to compensate for the need for hot supply. In such a case, the thermal inertia of buildings acts as heat accumulators, leveling out temperature fluctuations caused by uneven heat extraction from the connected system.

Differences in Sealing

All heating systems are divided into two types - open and closed heating systems, the difference is that open communications communicate with the atmosphere, while closed ones do not.

Open systems

An open heating system has a leaky expansion tank. A drain pipe is installed in it, which drains excess water into the sewer or outside the building. The shape of the vessel does not matter in this case. The tank is located at the highest point of thermal communications.

Scheme of an open type heating system Source avatars.mds.yandex.net

Since the tank has an easy-to-open lid, the system can be filled with water manually using buckets or a hose. The pressure in the circuits is always equal to atmospheric pressure and for this reason such systems do not require the installation of monitoring devices and are safer during operation.

Closed systems

A closed-type heating system with a pump and expansion tank is more complex to install. The elements included in the composition are completely sealed and the shape of the tank is important; it is selected in such a way as to withstand pressure with a minimum wall thickness.

Such systems require more careful attention because they contain high pressure. To ensure safety during operation, it is necessary to install control devices and an emergency valve on the expansion tank.

Closed heating system with forced circulation Source dpa.cv.ua