Requirements for modern home heating
Air heating of a private house
The purpose of any heating supply is to maintain a comfortable temperature level in the room. However, in addition to this, modern heating of a private house must meet a number of additional requirements.
First of all, this is maximum safety for those living in the house. Those. no heating element or its operation should cause harm to humans. This especially applies to relatively new polymer materials of manufacture. Also, when choosing a system, you should consider the following factors:
- Economic expediency . It is important that the amount of thermal energy received tends to be similar to that consumed. Modern heating of a private house should have an efficiency close to 100%;
- Minimal resources for maintenance . Traditional heating schemes have several significant disadvantages - a large amount of soot (solid fuel boilers and stoves), the need for annual cleaning of pipes, constant monitoring of the volume of fuel and operating mode. Modern types of heating of a private home almost completely eliminate the influence of these factors on work;
- Maximum autonomy.
What needs to be done to fulfill these conditions as much as possible? To do this, it is recommended to study the offers on the market of heating devices and circuits, choosing the optimal assembly for a particular home.
In most cases, it makes more economic sense to upgrade an existing system than to build a completely new one.
Radiators and heating pipes
Designer radiators
In addition to modern heating boilers, pipes and radiators are no less important components. They are necessary for the efficient transfer of thermal energy to the air in the room. During the design of the system, it is necessary to solve two problems - to reduce heat losses when transporting coolant through pipes and to improve the heat transfer of batteries.
Any modern heating radiators must not only have good heat transfer performance, but also a design that is convenient for repair and maintenance. The same applies to pipelines. Their installation should not be difficult. Ideally, the installation can be carried out by the home owner himself without the use of expensive equipment.
Modern heating radiators
Design of heating radiators
To increase heat transfer, aluminum is increasingly being used as the main material for making batteries. It has good thermal conductivity, and casting or welding technology can be used to obtain the desired shape.
But you need to keep in mind that aluminum is very sensitive to water. Modern cast iron heating radiators do not have this drawback, although they have lower energy intensity. To solve this problem, a new battery design was developed in which the water channels are made of steel or copper pipes.
These modern heating pipes are practically not subject to corrosion, having minimal dimensions and wall thickness. The latter is necessary for efficient thermal transfer of energy from hot water to aluminum. Modern heating radiators have several advantages, which are as follows:
- Long service life - up to 40 years. However, it depends on operating conditions and timely cleaning of the system;
- Possibility of choosing a connection method – top, bottom or side;
- The package may include a Mayevsky faucet and a thermostat.
In most cases, models of modern cast iron heating radiators are designed to be designer. They have classic shapes, some of them are made in a floor version with elements of artistic forging.
The efficiency of a heating radiator depends on correct installation and connection method. This must be taken into account when installing the system.
Modern heating pipes
Polymer pipes for heating
The choice of modern heating pipes largely depends on the material they are made of. Currently, polymer lines made of polypropylene or cross-linked polyethylene are most often used. They have an additional reinforcing layer of aluminum foil or fiberglass.
However, they have one significant drawback - a relatively low temperature threshold of up to +90°C. This entails a large temperature expansion and, as a result, damage to the pipeline. An alternative to polymer pipes can be products made from other materials:
- Copper . From a functional point of view, copper pipes meet all the requirements for a heating system. They are easy to install and practically do not change shape even at extremely high coolant temperatures. Even when water freezes, the walls of copper lines will expand without damage. Disadvantage: high cost;
- Stainless steel . It does not rust, its inner surface has a minimum roughness coefficient. Disadvantages include cost and labor-intensive installation.
How to choose the optimal equipment for modern heating? To do this, it is necessary to use an integrated approach - make the correct calculation of the system and, according to the data obtained, select a boiler, pipes and radiators with the appropriate performance characteristics.
The video shows an example of modern home heating using a heated floor system:
Ways to improve heating performance
Home insulation methods
Modern heating boilers or pipes made of new materials are not always the only factors in improving system parameters. First, experts recommend conducting a comprehensive analysis of external and internal factors affecting the characteristics of heat supply.
The most important of these is the reduction of heat losses in the building. They directly influence the optimal power that modern heating without electricity or a traditional type should have. However, ventilation standards should be taken into account - the air exchange in each room must comply with the standards. Modern methods of heating a private home should not impair the comfort of living.
Methods for optimizing the operation of a heating system can be divided into several types - installation of boilers with a high efficiency rate, installation of pipes with reduced heat transfer and the use of batteries with a good heat transfer coefficient.
First you need to calculate the feasibility of installing a particular heating element. It is important that its operation actually improves the heating performance.
Heating system modernization
Indirect heating tank in heating
To improve the current parameters of the system, you can change a number of its components. Such an improvement will be carried out only after calculating the current characteristics and identifying “weak” points in the heating circuit.
The easiest way is to install an indirect heating tank (heat accumulator). Modern electric heating combined with a multi-tariff meter will make it possible to reduce energy costs. It is important to correctly calculate the volume of the tank.
You can also make more global changes to the schema:
- Installation of collector pipeline distribution . Relevant for houses with a large area;
- Replacing steel pipes with polymer pipes of smaller diameter . This will make it possible to reduce the total volume of coolant, which will entail savings on its heating;
- Installation of control devices - programmers, thermostats, etc. These modern heating devices are designed to monitor the current parameters of the system and change its operating mode depending on the settings.
Installing a new heating boiler will also significantly improve the performance. Modern gas models consume an order of magnitude less energy and have built-in control devices and safety groups. Often, modern methods of heating a country house involve the installation of long-burning pyrolysis boilers operating on fuel pellets or briquettes.
It is necessary to check in advance whether the new heating elements can be installed with the old ones. For example, in open heating installations of polypropylene pipes of small diameter are impossible. They will not be able to ensure natural circulation without installing a pump.
Alternative heating supply at home
Geothermal heating
Modern heating of a private home should include new methods of generating thermal energy. Unlike standard ones, they have low energy consumption, but are characterized by a small amount of heat generated.
Solar radiation or soil heating of the coolant can be used as a source of thermal energy. It all depends on climatic conditions, land area and financial capabilities:
- Geothermal heating . It works on the principle of temperature differences between different layers of soil. To organize the system will require large expenses and special equipment - a heat pump;
- Solar collector . This is one of the types of modern heating without electricity. Directly depends on the intensity of solar radiation in a particular region. In summer it can be used as hot water supply.
Often these systems are installed as auxiliary systems to reduce heating costs. Each of them requires a detailed calculation to determine the feasibility of acquisition and installation. Thus, a complex geothermal installation for a house with an area of 150 m² will cost about 700 thousand rubles.
To complete alternative systems, it is recommended to use modern heating pipes made of polymers. They have increased thermal insulation and are easy to install.
Heating boilers
Modern heating of a country house requires a powerful heating boiler. Among the new products in this category that have appeared on the construction market, the following samples can be noted:
- induction type boilers operating from the electrical network. These structures are a pipe consisting of a dielectric with a metal core placed inside. They got their name due to the presence of an induction coil wound on top of the pipe. It is this part of the boiler that is the source of energy currents. As a result, the device heats up and transfers thermal energy to the coolant, which, as a rule, is ordinary water. Among the advantages of this model is high productivity, despite its very small size. In addition, the design of the induction boiler does not have components prone to wear, which is also important;
- boiler, called an electrode boiler. Its shape is also extremely convenient due to its small size. Heating of the coolant is achieved by placing two electrodes inside it, as a result of which the water, which is an electrolyte, is heated. The peculiarity of this boiler model is that it is completely safe for operation, since if even a minimal leak occurs, the mechanism will immediately stop working due to the principle of its design. However, due to the fact that the functioning of such a boiler directly depends on electricity, its operation can hardly be called economical, since electricity costs will be very significant, despite the assurances of many sellers of this equipment;
- boilers called condensing boilers. These mechanisms are heating elements that run on gas, or more precisely, on the energy obtained from its combustion. This means that all combustion products condense on a specially designated heat exchange element, due to which it is heated. What makes such boilers notable is that their performance is very high (the efficiency can reach 100% or even more, provided that the total volume of thermal energy released is taken as 100%). The operating principle of such a boiler is based on a process called pyrolysis. Firewood, which serves as the main fuel, burns in two stages. Initially, combustion takes place in conditions of a small amount of oxygen, resulting in the appearance of ash and gas, which subsequently burns in a separate chamber. Thanks to this operating principle, it becomes possible to control the operation of the boiler and distribute heating throughout the entire home as conveniently as possible.
Objectives of new techniques
Modern heating systems for a private home are designed to solve several key problems simultaneously:
- reducing the consumption of non-renewable energy resources;
- increasing the efficiency of existing installations;
- attracting more renewable energy technologies;
- reducing the burden on the environment;
- ensuring efficient heating and operation of all systems involved in this process, etc.
At the same time, the new systems and technologies being introduced should not worsen the user’s comfort, and must be as simple as possible in operation.
In some cases, developers combine all the innovations available in the house into a single system with the complex name “smart home”. This solution increases automation and also helps achieve the goal.
Innovative heating materials
Having mentioned traditional methods of installing heating systems, one cannot fail to note those heat supply options that have become popular relatively recently, but at the same time have managed to gain wide popularity. As a rule, most of these products operate on the principle of maximum energy conservation, while such properties as environmental friendliness are also taken into account.
Infrared heaters in a private house
When new technologies in heating a private home are analyzed, the first thing that comes to mind is infrared heaters. In this case, we are talking about using this equipment as the main source of heat, since they have recently been used everywhere for local heating.
An IR heater is a device that emits light waves in the infrared range that travel unimpeded through the air. They heat the objects they are aimed at.
To maintain the most optimal temperature conditions in the premises, consumers usually install electric models - in them, the sources of heat radiation are either open spirals or heating elements. The light waves emitted by the IR heater shown in the photo are reflected by a special reflector and for this reason they heat exclusively the space at which the device is directed.
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As a rule, gas IR appliances are used when external heating is needed, for example, to create comfortable conditions for people in warehouses, garages and other utility rooms. The principle of their operation is as follows: the gas-air mixture is directed into the body of the device, where it is burned on special perforated heat-resistant plates. If it is necessary to heat floors, ceilings or walls, new heating systems for private houses are used - infrared film heating systems. Their elements are mounted under the finishing. When electric current is applied to carbon thermal elements, the surfaces are heated.
An alternative is a combined system: heated floors and heating radiators
Each heating system has pros and cons. You can reduce the number of disadvantages and enhance the advantages of the heating network if you combine two types of equipment in the house - radiators plus heated floors. This combination can be a good alternative and will relieve the residents of the house from the disadvantages of systems installed separately. It is advisable to combine both systems if the area of the house is large and the total heat loss of the building is high.
Combining heating systems is often used. They use different schemes: some install heated floors on the first floor, radiators on the second. Each system is connected to the boiler by a separate circuit.
Combined heating system - heated floors on the first floor and heating radiators on the second.
An equally common scheme is when traditional radiators and convectors are installed in living rooms, and heated floors are installed in rooms with high humidity: in the bathroom, toilet, kitchen. Experts also recommend underfloor heating in rooms where tiles or porcelain stoneware are laid as flooring. This is a cold material that is uncomfortable to walk on, so it is better to warm up such a base by installing TP systems.
Combined heating system - heated floors in the bathroom and heating radiators in the rooms.
In which rooms is it better to install heated floors?
Experts recommend installing heated floors in the following rooms:
- bathrooms;
- toilets;
- kitchens.
The humidity in these rooms is high, and a large amount of water gets on the floor, which must be effectively dried. Underfloor heating ensures 100% quick drying of wet areas. Ceramic tiles are considered the ideal flooring option in these areas with heated floors. It is also appropriate to install warm floors in rooms where the flooring is tiles or porcelain stoneware. It is better to warm up these cold materials.
Infrared heating: advantages and disadvantages
Many residents of private houses are interested in how justified such new home heating as the use of IR devices is as a basis for heating supply. If we consider this type of heaters in terms of saving energy resources, then it is considered the most profitable, in addition to the fact that:
- Efficiency reaches 95%;
- the room warms up quickly;
- costs are significantly optimized;
- environmental friendliness is observed. When an infrared heater operates, there is no release of toxins, so they cannot harm either people or the environment.
To effectively regulate energy consumption, it is necessary to equip a heating system based on IR heaters with automatic devices based on thermostats. The same applies to all types of heat supply structures, regardless of what technology is used for installing the heating system of a country house.
As for the disadvantages of IR heating, the most significant of them is the high cost of the equipment. For a heating system for all rooms in the house you will have to spend a fairly large amount of money. Over time, the costs will pay off, but this will take many years.
The difference between underfloor heating and heating radiators according to the heating principle
Radiator heating (RO) is a traditional way of heating a home. The system consists of pipe distribution from the boiler throughout the house, into which radiators or batteries are integrated. The reliability and efficiency of their operation has proven itself over the decades of existence of this type of heating. The use of radiators for heating houses, cottages, and apartments has not lost its relevance today.
Diagram of a radiator heating system for a house.
A water-heated floor (WF) consists of rigid or flexible pipes evenly laid across the floor. They are poured from above with a concrete screed (wet method) or masked between wooden joists (dry method). The pipes are connected to the boiler through a manifold and a pump, without which the heated floor does not work.
Diagram of a home heating system using underfloor heating.
The main difference between heating a house using conventional radiators and underfloor heating is not in technology or equipment, but in the principle of heat transfer.
Heat from heated equipment is transferred to the environment in two ways - convection and thermal radiation. Convection involves heating air, which moves around the room, carries heat, and transfers it to objects and people. Radiation, or heat waves, heat not the air, but directly objects and people.
Heating radiators
The basic principle of heating a house using radiators is convection. Radiators heat the air that comes into contact with them. Heated air rises and moves around the house, warming people and objects. The direct impact on objects of thermal radiation emanating from radiators is insignificant.
The principle of heat transfer from heating radiators.
Warm floor
Unlike radiators, heated floors heat the house according to a different principle. The basic principle of increasing the temperature in a house where heated floors are installed is radiation. Heat waves directly heat people and objects in the house. Air convection is also present, but as an additional effect.
The principle of heat transfer from a heated floor.
In a house with a TP, the maximum concentration of heat is below, and not under the ceiling. Heated base provides comfortable heat that concentrates at the bottom of the room and warms the feet. When your feet are warm and there are no drafts, it is better for your health and safer for children.
Geothermal installations
Thanks to the introduction of new technologies related to heating a private home, today it is possible to achieve not only economical consumption of thermal energy sources, but also ensure the production of electricity. The resulting amount of electricity can be used for various needs: lighting the building, operating the heating boiler included in the water heating structure.
Among the methods used in energy production, we mention the use of geothermal installations. Their functioning corresponds to a heat pump, and to obtain heat they use the soil outside a private home.
When creating such a heating system, the introduction of new technologies involves the use of the following geothermal system design:
- in private homes, a special heat pump is installed that pumps coolant;
- outside the building, a heat exchanger called a soil probe is lowered into the prepared shaft. Groundwater flows through it to the heat pump;
- From such a coolant, when passing through the pump, part of the heat is transferred, which is consumed to heat the house.
In the most efficient and productive geothermal systems, based on modern heating technologies for private houses, instead of groundwater, they use antifreeze poured into a reservoir, which is located at depth (more details can be read in “Modern heating systems for private houses - choosing the most affordable heating system option” ).
The difference between heating systems created using a heat pump is significant efficiency. If 1 kW of energy is expended, they have the ability to produce 4 - 6 kW. The introduction of new heating technologies based on geothermal installations does not involve the use of solid or liquid fuels. When they function, no heavy metals or toxins are released into the natural environment.
In order to build a geothermal heat supply structure, a significant amount is required, accessible to a small number of consumers. Note that it is hardly possible to cope with the independent installation of such a system. Although manufacturers provide detailed instructions, the main difficulty is the construction of a shaft designed to accommodate the heat exchanger. The wisest thing to do is turn to professionals.
Operating principle
The installation can be divided into three components:
- outer contour;
- internal wiring;
- geothermal pump.
The outer loop is a pipe structure laid underground at the groundwater level. Their depth should be below the freezing depth. The external circuit represents the heating communications of the house.
The operating principle of the installation is as follows. The heat of groundwater is transferred to the coolant of the external circuit. Using a pump, it enters the heat exchanger. After which heat is transferred to the internal wiring. All installation difficulties can be avoided if there is a body of water nearby. The heat exchanger is immersed in water and connected to the heating. The area of the reservoir must be at least 200 m².
Advantages of the device
The design has the following advantages:
- versatility - the system can work not only as heating, but also as cooling;
- low power consumption - it is only needed to power the pump and is about 1 kW per hour;
- fire safety is ensured due to the absence of combustion;
- high efficiency - from 1 kW of electricity the output is 5 kW of heat;
- ease of operation and maintenance.
The disadvantage is the high cost of the heat pump and equipment installation. For a house with an area of 100 m² and a power consumption of 5 kWh, installation of a heating system will cost approximately 440 thousand rubles. This calculation is taken for houses located within a radius of 50 meters from the reservoir into which the heat exchanger will be immersed.
Heating methods and their efficiency
Traditionally, autonomous heating systems are used to heat private houses. The energy sources for their operation are natural gas, liquefied gas, solid fuel, liquid fuel and electricity. Systems running on natural gas are considered the most economical. But in some conditions their efficiency does not play any role. For example, if the house is not connected to the gas main, then comparisons with gas are not appropriate.
Gas heating systems
Economical heating systems for a private home are systems that run on cheap coolant. If there is a gas main nearby, feel free to connect to it and use one of the most inexpensive sources of energy. Comparing gas costs with costs for other sources, you begin to understand that this is one of the most inexpensive types of fuel.
In the absence of a gas main, liquefied gas is often used, supplied in cylinders or stored in gas tanks. But this option cannot be called the most economical, although it is very simple in its implementation - just purchase a regular gas boiler and reconfigure it to work with liquefied gas.
Solid fuel heating systems
Economical heating of a private house without gas can be built using a solid fuel boiler. To power it, coal, coke, briquetted fuel and even ordinary firewood are used. Coal burns the longest, but it is also quite expensive. But the heating system is not only economical, but also inexpensive - the simplest solid fuel boiler is quite affordable.
The cheapest heating of a private house without gas is built using solid fuel boilers, sometimes homemade ones. If you want to ensure more convenient operation of the system, you should take a closer look at a boiler with a small bunker for pellet fuel (fuel granules). Such pellet boilers operate automatically, requiring only periodic loading of new portions of pellets.
The operation of solid fuel boilers using wood is complicated by the need to load firewood too often. In addition, you need a lot of firewood, which increases the cost of operating the heating system. As soon as you miss the moment of loading the next portion of fuel, the house will begin to become cooler. The problem is solved by installing special long-burning solid fuel boilers.
It should be noted that heating systems powered by wood can be economical, even completely free - you can chop firewood in the forest yourself, which is used by people living in small settlements.
Liquid heating systems
Liquid fuel heating systems cannot be called the most economical. After gas and solid fuel they occupy an honorable third place. Used engine oil and diesel fuel are used as fuel. Because of this, in houses heated by liquid boilers, there is always a characteristic smell. There is also a need to create a special storage facility for liquid fuel, and at a distance from residential buildings - this creates additional costs.
Electric heating systems
It is difficult to create cheap heating of a private house with electricity - you need a source of free electricity. The thing is that classic electric boilers are unusually voracious. And it is almost impossible to do anything here, since their efficiency is 99% - that is, almost all the energy is converted into heat. Induction boilers can provide some efficiency, but many experts are not ready to confirm this fact.
Economical electric boilers for heating a private home exist, but they are much more expensive than their simple, small-sized counterparts. Savings are achieved through the use of weather-dependent automation and room temperature sensors. That is, they are able to automatically adapt to the characteristics of outdoor and indoor temperature conditions, adjusting the heating power - if a person were to make the adjustments, the costs would be higher.
The disadvantages of electrical systems are the need for good electrical wiring and the presence of a three-phase network to power the most powerful models of boilers.
Hydrothermal installations
Thanks to new technologies for heating country houses, it is possible to do without drilling a deep shaft. This possibility arises only if there is a nearby body of water that does not freeze even in the frostiest period. The reservoir is used for the construction of a hydrothermal installation designed to extract thermal energy from the bottom layer of water.
The design solution of such an installation is similar to a geothermal system:
- a heat pump is installed in the house, which helps circulate the coolant through the pipes;
- A heat exchanger probe is placed at the bottom of the reservoir, which is designed to collect heat.
There is a relationship between the operating efficiency of hydrothermal installations and the length of the probe. With proper installation, about 40 W can be obtained for each linear meter of the heat exchanger. Therefore, to heat medium-sized country houses, it is enough to install a system with a length of 200 to 300 meters.
Equipment Features
Laying the outer contour can be done both vertically and horizontally. The vertical arrangement is due to a number of difficulties during the installation process. For pipes it is necessary to drill wells to great depths. But there are two negative aspects associated with horizontal laying:
- a large area of private land is required to accommodate the circuit;
- it is impossible to plant plants because the collector will cool their roots.
In both cases, heat is taken directly from the soil near a private building. The geothermal pump responsible for pumping the coolant is located in the house itself. The shaft with the heat exchanger should be located in close proximity to the building.
Advantages of using earth's heat
This system has the following advantages:
- The thermal energy of the earth is an inexhaustible source of energy;
- autonomous operation of the system;
- absolute fire safety, no risk of fire;
- minimal energy consumption;
- there is no need for fuel delivery and storage;
- long service life.
The high cost of the object is the main disadvantage. A geothermal installation for the same square footage as in the previous case will increase to 600 thousand rubles.
Solar panels. Operating principle of solar heating system
Solar heating can also be included in the list where all new technologies for heating a home are present. In this case, not only photovoltaic panels, but also solar collectors can be used for heating. Photovoltaic panels have practically gone out of use, since collector-type batteries have a much higher efficiency indicator.
The latest heating systems for a private home, which are powered by solar energy, include components such as a collector - a device consisting of a series of tubes, these tubes are connected to a reservoir that is filled with coolant.
Heating scheme using solar collectors
According to their design features, solar collectors can be of the following varieties: vacuum, flat or air. Sometimes such modern heating systems for a country house may include a component such as a pump. It will be designed to ensure mandatory circulation along the coolant circuit. This will promote more efficient heat transfer.
In order for solar heating system technology to be most efficient, there are some rules that need to be followed. Firstly, such new technologies for heating a country house can only be used in regions where it is sunny at least 15-20 days a year. If this indicator is lower, then additional new types of heating for a private home must be installed. The second rule dictates that the collectors be placed as high as possible. They need to be oriented so that they absorb as much solar heat as possible.
The most optimal angle of the collector to the horizon is considered to be 30-45 0.
To prevent unnecessary heat loss, it is necessary to insulate all pipes that connect the heat exchanger to the solar collectors.
Thus, we see that the development of technology does not stand still, and new innovations in home heating are as necessary as the modernization of the equipment that we use every day.
Innovations in the heating system use something completely new and unusual for us - thermal energy from different sources.
Modern types of heating for a private house sometimes amaze the imagination, but in modern times each of us can already purchase or make such modern heating for a country house or private house with our own hands. What’s new in heating a private home is efficient systems that continue to develop the field of heating equipment, and we hope that all the most effective options are still to come.
The heating system in a newly built house is the basis for many other activities in private homes. After all, heating is the condition under which it is possible to carry out interior finishing work and the construction and installation of communications. This process is especially necessary when the construction of a house is delayed and all activities related to interior work occur during the cold season.
Scheme for heating a house with a gas boiler.
Many homeowners are forced to put it off because their homes do not yet have an adequate heating system. Therefore, even at the stage of building a house, or better even before it, it is necessary to carefully consider all the options related to the organization of the heating system in the house. Depending on the style in which your house will be decorated and how often you intend to use the finished structure, it is necessary to select materials for construction and, accordingly, determine which heating system is suitable in these specific conditions. Both traditional and modern heating systems for private houses can be chosen.
Solar heating - new technologies
Another direction, relatively new in heating a private home, is the use of solar energy. In this case, country property owners can use special collectors or photovoltaic panels, solar heaters. The latest devices have low energy efficiency (efficiency does not exceed 20%), which is the reason for their unpopularity. Collector-type batteries are more in demand.
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A heating system powered by solar energy consists of the following elements:
- collector
- a structure made of a series of tubes that are connected to a reservoir filled with coolant. Collector devices are divided into air, vacuum or flat; - circuit
- through it the coolant enters the system and heat is taken there for heating; - thermal accumulator
- is a water tank in which energy is converted; - pump
(not always) – this device provides forced circulation of the coolant along the circuit in order to ensure more efficient energy exchange.
Use of thermal accumulators
As is known, in many utility organizations, electricity tariffs at night differ significantly downwards compared to daytime electricity supply. Therefore, in order to coordinate the process of heating a residential building throughout the whole day, you can use a device called a thermal accumulator, which is a capacious tank equipped with thermal insulation. It’s not at all difficult to make a heat accumulator with your own hands.
Thus, using a heat accumulator, you can configure the system so that the water in the heating circuit will be heated exclusively at night, when electricity charges are lower, and during the day the coolant will be gradually transferred to the radiators.
Installing it in conjunction with a heating boiler operating on solid raw materials will help improve the performance properties of a heat accumulator for heating. The power of such equipment is quite enough to accumulate heat with just one load of fuel per day.
Efficiency of using solar collectors
To use this technology and achieve high efficiency, you will need to follow some recommendations:
- Solar heating can be used as the main one only in regions where there are at least 20 sunny days every month. In other situations, it is impossible to do without installing a backup heating system.
- Collectors must be placed at the highest possible height so that they receive maximum sunlight, with a uniform flow during daylight hours.
- The pipes connecting the collector to the heat exchanger must be insulated to minimize energy losses.
- When developing a heating system project for private homes, in addition to traditional options, it is important to take advantage of everything innovative and new for heating systems that has appeared at the current time.
Installation of a baseboard heating system
This heating system is divided according to the type of coolant into water or electric. The first option is characterized by a completely different approach to creating a heating system. Its design consists of several components:
- Radiator block.
- Coolant distribution manifold.
- Special oxygen-tight plastic tubes connected to corrugated cross-linked polyethylene hoses.
The radiator design consists of 2 interconnected copper tubes with a diameter of 13 millimeters. They serve to secure aluminum or brass ribs that are closed by an aluminum frame. The design is quite simple, and the entire complex of elements made of non-ferrous metals has a long service life and high heat transfer rates.
It is interesting to consider the design of the box itself. It is represented by three elements obtained by stamping. The box has standard dimensions: width - 28 millimeters, height - 140 millimeters. We can say that this heating device is quite compact. To mount the heat exchanger in the housing itself, use holders specially installed on the rear wall.
The collector included in such a heating system consists of 2 horizontal pipes, equipped with all the necessary shut-off valves: shut-off valves, drain valves, air vents and thermometers. We are talking about a full-fledged device that distributes coolant. The function of the upper main pipe in the comb is to supply hot water to the heating system. The lower pipe is a receiver of water from the run-in. To make the collector, steel or plastic pipes are used.
Next, we will talk about the tubes that are used as lines for distributing coolant through the heating system. We are talking about two tubes: an internal smooth one and an external corrugated one. The two tubes are not connected by any fasteners; one is inserted into the other. The function of the first is to act as a highway, the second - as a tunnel. This is due to the installation of the entire connection system in the floor. If you need to replace the inner tube, just pull it out of the outer tube and replace it with a new one. You don’t even have to open the floors, which simplifies the repair process as much as possible.
Attention! This system is distinguished by two indicators that affect the life of the device. We are talking about the complete absence of oxygen and the immunity of plastic to the negative effects of salts dissolved in water.
There are several restrictions that should be followed when installing baseboard heating. The coolant temperature should not exceed 85 degrees C, and the pressure should not exceed 3 atmospheres. This requirement depends on the technical properties of cross-linked polyethylene. If exposed to elevated levels, the system will become unusable. If there is a need to install baseboard heating in an apartment where the coolant is 95 degrees C and 9 atmospheres, it is important to take precautions. For example, replace plastic tubes with metal-plastic or copper ones. It is possible to install a more powerful collector with an additional heat exchanger designed to reduce both temperature and pressure.
Today, to equip such systems, various devices are used, complete with automation, which is responsible for tasks related to operational safety and effective temperature distribution in all rooms of the house. Additionally, it is possible to use a circulation pump, thermostats, servos, thermometers, pressure gauges and other things. That is, it is possible to organize a modern type of heating system.
Features of electric baseboard heating
There are practically no external differences in the electrical system and the water system. They are equipped with the same aluminum box, heated thanks to the same copper tubes. True, the supply pipes are not visible. The systems differ in their internal filling. The upper tube is used to accommodate the electrical cable that supplies current. High-quality cable insulation using silicone filler is required. The lower tube is used to install a heat cable in the form of an air heating element. The power obtained by one linear meter of heating element reaches 200 watts.
The installation of such radiators is simplified as much as possible, and you can connect to the AC mains using a regular outlet. With the correct calculation of the power of 1 electric radiator and the required length of the heating element, one such battery will be enough to heat a small room.
Attention! Manufacturers provide everything necessary to ensure maximum protection for electric baseboard radiators. Experts recommend not equipping wet areas of the house with such equipment.
Fan heaters in heating
Fan heater installation diagram: 1 – Stand, 2 – Fan heater, 3 – Screw, 4 – Locking washer.
In addition to heat guns, air heating components include fan heaters. They have much smaller dimensions than heat guns, but the effect of their work is almost the same. This difference becomes very advantageous for using a fan heater in small rooms where it is not necessary to maintain a constant temperature.
Thus, in a private home, this unit is indispensable when the main heating system cannot cope with its direct responsibilities. And if you suddenly wake up in the morning from too cool air, then by turning on the fan heater, you can provide comfortable conditions in a short period of time. Another advantage of the fan heater is that it is used not only as a heater, but it is quite possible to use it throughout the year. In order for you to be able to provide yourself with comfortable living conditions in hot weather, it will be enough to simply turn off the thermal component and enjoy the cool air flows in a private home.
Such units can be either stationary or portable. Therefore, you should not worry about the fact that he will not be able to provide you with the proper conditions in all areas of the house. Fan heaters differ in the fuel they run on. The most common types of such fan heaters are electric units. In addition to them, fan heaters operating on gas (including liquefied gas), fuel oil and kerosene are also used here. The last 2 options are usually used in industrial enterprises, as well as stationary types of fan heaters.
Electric types are preferred because you don't have to worry about malfunctions or too high a heating coefficient when using them.
While during operation the oil units are constantly switched off, which is necessary in order to prevent their overheating and possible ignition. Date: September 25, 2022
Warm floor
Infrared floor (IR) is a modern heating technology. The main material is an unusual film. Positive qualities - flexibility, increased strength, moisture resistance, fire resistance. Can be installed under any flooring material. Infrared floor radiation has a good effect on well-being, identical to the effect of sunlight on the human body. The cost of installing an infrared floor is 30-40% less than the cost of installing floors with electric heating elements. Energy savings when using film flooring are 15-20%. The control panel regulates the temperature in each room. No noise, smell, dust.
Using a multi-tariff meter will allow you to use an electric heated floor with a heating cable.
With the water method of supplying heat, a metal-plastic pipe is placed in the floor screed. The heating temperature is limited to 40 degrees.
Better heating if there is no gas
If there is no gas on your street (and this happens quite often), then you will have to select an alternative source of heat.
A solid fuel boiler would be a good option. To this day, coal is a fairly affordable energy source, but it has a number of disadvantages:
- Requires constant interaction. Coal needs to be constantly added (if you do not have a bunker boiler)
- Difficult to regulate temperature
- Additional sources of safety are required, such as a heat accumulator. And this entails additional costs.
There are often problems with electricity due to the lack of necessary power, especially if you are the owner of a large house. We would suggest that you install both boilers. In mild cold, use electric heating, and when there is not enough heat, use a coal boiler.
Solar systems
Heat pumps are used. With a total electricity consumption of 3-5 kW, pumps pump 5-10 times more energy from natural sources. The source is natural resources. The resulting thermal energy is supplied to the coolant using heat pumps.
The main idea when using heat pumps is future-proofing. Commissioning costs for the system are high.
Use of computer modules and the heat they generate
To start the heat supply system, you need to connect to the Internet and electricity. Operating principle: the heat generated by the processor during operation is used.
We recommend: Heating design: system design for a private two-story house and cottage, how to design it in an apartment
Compact and inexpensive ASIC chips are used. Several hundred chips are assembled into one device. The cost of this installation is the same as a regular computer.
Wind energy
Wind energy can be converted into electricity using wind turbines (wind generators).
Their power depends on the purpose of use: industrial or domestic. The former can be used by large private or public enterprises. As a rule, devices are installed not individually, but at least 10-20 at a time. This is how a wind power plant turns out. For personal use, one device is enough. The big difference between wind power plants and conventional nuclear and thermal power plants is that they do not require initial raw materials for operation, and also do not have waste
The most important thing is a wind of at least 5 m/s according to average annual indicators. The power of the installation not for personal use can reach 7−8 mW
This innovation makes it possible to produce electricity by converting the kinetic energy of the wind into mechanical energy.
Wind generators are divided into two types:
- vertical (their operation does not depend on the direction of the wind);
- horizontal (must be installed strictly facing the wind).
The maximum efficiency of wind generators reaches 60%, but the average value is 40−50%.
Monolithic quartz modules
This heating method has no analogues. It was invented by S. Sargsyan. The operating principle of thermal electric heaters is based on the ability of quartz sand to accumulate and release heat well. The devices continue to heat the air in the room even after the power is turned off. Systems with monolithic quartz electric heating modules are reliable, easy to use, and do not require special care and maintenance.
The heating element in the module is completely protected from any external influences. Thanks to this, the heating system can be installed in premises of any purpose. The service life is not limited. Temperature regulation is carried out automatically. The devices are fireproof and environmentally friendly.
Cost savings when using electric heating modules are about 50%. This became possible because the devices do not operate 24 hours a day, but only 3-12. The time during which the module consumes electricity depends on the degree of thermal insulation of the room where it is installed. The higher the heat loss, the greater the energy consumption. Heating of this type is used in private homes, offices, shops, and hotels.
Monolithic quartz electric heating modules do not make noise during operation, do not burn air, and do not raise dust. The heating element is embedded in the structure and is not afraid of any external influences
Heat pumps
These are devices for transferring thermal energy from a source to a coolant. The idea of a heat pump system itself is not new; it was proposed by Lord Kelvin back in 1852.
How it works: A geothermal heat pump takes heat from the environment and transfers it to the heating system. The systems can also work to cool buildings.
Working principle of a heat pump
There are open and closed cycle pumps. In the first case, the installations take water from an underground stream, transfer it to the heating system, remove thermal energy and return it to the point of collection. In the second, a coolant is pumped through special pipes in the reservoir, which transfers/takes heat from the water. The pump can use the thermal energy of water, earth, air.
The advantage of the systems is that they can be installed in houses not connected to gas supply. Heat pumps are complex and expensive to install, but they allow you to save on energy costs during operation.
The heat pump is designed to use environmental heat in heating systems
Comparison of heat pump heating with gas, electricity and solid fuel
The issue of implementing a heating system is one of the most popular ones when building a house. There are many options for heating a private home.
In this article we will consider a heating option based on a heat pump.
Together we will compare a heat pump with other types of heating, describe the pros and cons of these systems to make it easier for you to make your choice, and also answer the most popular questions.
- What is a heat pump and what types are there?
- Which heat pump to choose?
- How effective are they?
- Which is better: gas or heat pump?
- What are the user reviews?
The popularity of heat pumps is rapidly gaining momentum. Perhaps their popularity can be compared with the popularity of electric vehicles. If earlier everyone perceived them as a curiosity, now they perceive them as an obvious advantage and benefit. You can find out the cost of a heat pump-based heating system for your home here.
These are just some of the advantages that heat pumps have over other types of heat sources for a private home.
- 4 times more economical than an electric boiler;
- completely environmentally friendly for nature;
- there is no mandatory annual maintenance, like with gas boilers;
- no combustion at all, the heat pump is completely safe;
- there is no garbage and no special place for fuel storage;
- can work for cooling in summer;
- there are no exhaust gases or chimneys, or holes on the façade for air intake;
- you can make the house completely autonomous;
- very simple and reliable design.
First, a little theory in simple language. A heat pump is a heat source that “pumps” low-potential energy from the external environment (air, water, earth), then “compresses” this energy and transfers it to the heating system of the house as high-potential energy with the temperature we need.
For example, in the ground, below the frost line it is always +5-+7 degrees. The pump collects this energy, compresses it and transfers it to the heating system at +60 C. Thus, heat is transferred from outside to inside the house.
We’ve figured out the principle of operation, let’s now look at the types of pumps. Their diversity is due to their wide application: heat pumps can be used for heating and preparing domestic hot water for service stations, warehouses, shopping centers and stores, private homes, gas stations and car washes. Each room can be heated in different ways, which is why there are many options for heat pumps.
Heat pumps are divided into 3 types, depending on the energy received:
- Air heat pumps “harvest” energy from the surrounding air.
- Geothermal heat pumps “harvest” energy from the ground.
- water - “collect” energy from water (lake or well with water).
Heat pumps are also divided into 2 types, depending on where they transfer the collected energy:
- water (transfer energy to the coolant of the heating system, usually water);
- air (transfer the collected energy into the air in the house, like an air conditioner).
This is where the name of heat pumps comes from: air-to-air, water-to-air, ground-to-water, etc.
The first word means the source of energy collection, the second - where it is transferred.
Belarus has strict environmental regulations, so heat pumps that harvest energy from water are less common. Such systems are very picky about the quality of water as a source of primary heat.
Pumps that transfer heat to air are more suitable for large commercial premises, warehouses, service stations, greenhouses, and shopping centers.
The most popular types of heat pumps for private housing construction are air-to-water and ground-to-water.
To make it easier for you to understand whether it is worth implementing heating in your home using a heat pump or choosing another heat source, let's look at the heating system in terms of costs.
Let's compare different heating options based on costs.
The cost of your home's heating system will come in three main parts.
- Preparatory expenses.
So-called infrastructure costs. Different systems will have different costs. For example, for a gas boiler - installation of a gas pipeline and its coordination with Mingaz (Raygas). Electrical cable installation and registration of a separate heating meter for an electric boiler. Installation of an insulated chimney - for a solid fuel boiler, drilling wells for a heat pump, etc. These are indirect costs and it is very important to take them into account for comparison.
For example, the cost of supplying gas to a house in the Minsk region costs from $5,000 and all this will take from three to 6 months. A chimney for a solid fuel boiler will cost from $1,500, construction of an extension for fuel storage will cost about $1,000.
For an air source heat pump, the preparatory costs would include building a base for the outdoor unit, approximately $450.
For a geothermal heat pump - drilling wells. To simplify the calculation, we can assume: each meter of a well “produces” 50 watts of heat. Let's assume you have a house 200 meters long, with heat losses of 14 kW. The heat pump is selected for 70% of the heat losses of the house. The remaining 30% will be additionally blocked by the built-in electric heating element. Then the footage of the wells needs 14,000 * 0.7 (heat losses in watts) / 50 (how many watts each meter gives). We get 196 meters. As a result, for a house of 200 meters you need 2 wells of 100 meters each. Drilling cost is about $12/m. The total cost of drilling work will be $2,400.
- Heating system cost.
Depending on the heat loss of your home, it will need heating devices (warm floors, radiators, convectors) to compensate for the heat loss. It is worth noting that it makes no difference how the heat is obtained: with an electric, gas, solid fuel boiler or a modern and efficient heat pump. Heating devices purposefully or distributedly “distribute” the heat coming from the source into the rooms of your home.
In order to understand what to choose - warm floors, radiators or convectors, and how many of them you need, read a special article on this topic. Here user preferences differ greatly. And often the choice in favor of floor heating with radiators or their combined use depends on your personal preferences, the design features of the house and the completed design solution for the heating system. As a result: A kilowatt of heat emitted by floors or a kilowatt of heat emitted by radiators into a heated room are equal in terms of energy expended.
Therefore, regardless of the heat source, the costs of implementing the heating system itself will be the same.
Interesting point. Heat pumps can operate to cool a home, either passively or actively. Cooling will be most effective if you implement heating with warm floors, walls or ceilings (and this also happens). When implementing such a system in the summer, the house will be pleasantly cool, and without much energy consumption. Such a good bonus.
- Regular or operating expenses.
The heating system will consume resources during its operation. Gas, electricity, wood or pellets. It's worth considering the time costs you'll incur to maintain your heating system. This is more true for solid fuel boilers. Ordering firewood, unloading it, storing it and transferring it from the woodshed to the boiler room, removing ash after burning, cleaning chimneys, and so on.
When comparing heating systems with each other, you need to take into account all cost items. We have prepared a detailed table that shows how much heating will cost using different types of fuel, taking into account the operation of the system for a period of 15 years.
You can access the table in the telegram bot.
What conclusions can be drawn from this table?
- The most profitable fuel at the moment is gas. Accordingly, the heating system on a gas boiler is the most economical. If the choice of heating option depends purely on price and there is already a gas pipe near your site, then the choice is clear - gas heating. If there is no gas pipe nearby, you will have to pull the gas pipe far from the insertion point, or the prospect of gas appearing on your street is very doubtful, then you need to think about whether it’s worth doing this at all.
Let us describe the disadvantages of gas heating:
- Annual mandatory maintenance. You should have a boiler service technician come into your home every year. Plus, the gas service will check the condition of the gas pipeline and stove. And the fireman - the condition of the ventilation and smoke ducts.
- "Exhaust pipe". On the facade of your house or on its roof there will be a pipe with exhaust gases from the gas boiler, which will work 24/7 every day of the year.
- Combustion and the gas itself. This in itself is a potential source of danger. Every year in our country accidents occur due to gas leaks.
- Mandatory replacement of equipment after a maximum of 10-15 years of operation. Even if everything works, you will be forced to buy a new boiler or stove.
- The cost of gas will not always be dated by the state. The price of gas for the population in Russia is higher than the price of gas for the population in Belarus. It is difficult to say how long this will continue, but it is a fact that the price will soon rise significantly.
- Monovalency of the system. If you are making a heating system using gas, and some problems arise with the gas, then it will be impossible to find an alternative gas. And you will need to change the heat source. In this regard, heating with electricity gives great freedom. Electricity can be obtained in various ways.
- Implementing a heating system using an electric boiler and a solid fuel boiler (wood) will cost less than other systems, but will be significantly more expensive to operate. If we take the service life, for example, 15 years, then the huge costs of system maintenance and fuel will cover the savings during construction several times. In the case of an electric boiler, it is worth taking into account the total heat losses of the house; the greater they are, the greater the monthly expenses for paying bills. Also, it will be very important to try to get a preferential tariff for electricity and the power allocated by the electrical networks, sufficient to power the boiler. The biggest difficulty with a solid fuel boiler is its operation. You won't be able to leave the house for several days. The system will simply freeze. You are completely dependent on the heating system and your activity.
Disadvantages of heating with electricity:
- high costs of paying bills. Even with a reduced tariff, heating a 200 square meter house with electricity will cost from $150. (everything will depend on the degree of insulation of the house). Even if these costs are acceptable to you, will it be the same in 15 years?
- To cover all heat losses in a house, a large amount of power is needed. The estimated level of heat loss in a house of 200 m2 is 14 kW of heat. Not everyone will be able to provide 14 kW of power for heating their home.
Disadvantages of heating with wood:
- Complete dependence. Maybe now it seems like a tempting idea for you to go outside in the cold to get firewood, throw it into the boiler and do this several times a day, but during operation this desire will most likely disappear, not to mention such a prospect for 10-15 years in the future . There are much more interesting things to do in life than chopping, carrying, throwing wood into a boiler, watching it burn and shoveling out the ash.
- Traffic fumes. During the combustion process, the boiler will emit ash residue near your home, all of which affects the health of you and your family. You will say “before they were heated only by stoves and everything was fine.” Yes, but then they lived until they were 60 years old.
- Combustion and carbon monoxide. The boiler has clear operating rules. If they are disturbed, you can get excess carbon monoxide. Unfortunately, there are a lot of accidents involving carbon monoxide.
- Dirt and smell. During the operation of the boiler, no matter how you clean it, there will always be dirt, ash and a burning smell.
- Heat pumps. Although a heat pump system initially requires more investment during construction than another heat source, it pays for itself over time. It also creates unsurpassed convenience and comfort of use. From a cost perspective, heat pumps come right behind gas. Therefore, now this heating method is very much gaining popularity. You invest now, and then pay small payments for electricity. This is your security for the future.
Pros of heating with a heat pump:
- does not require mandatory maintenance.
- Internet control included.
- possibility of working on cooling.
- 4 times lower payments for electricity compared to an electric boiler.
- no exhaust gases.
- You can heat a large house with low allocated power from electrical networks.
- the possibility of receiving subsidies from the Bank for Reconstruction and Development as a user of energy-efficient equipment.
- the ability to install equipment anywhere. Compact and quiet system. There are practically no restrictions.
- durable equipment. The service life of heat pumps is more than 20 years. In the Scandinavian countries there is currently a crisis in sales of heat pumps. Because sales peaked at the beginning of 2000 and the pumps are still working great, and there is much less new construction.
Many people are scared by the initial cost of implementing a heat pump heating system. But you don’t need to buy all the equipment at once; construction will take place in stages. The implementation time can be extended from 3 months to several years in parallel with the main construction of the house.
In our opinion, in modern construction, heating using heat pumps is no longer a myth, but a reality. More than 1,000 heat pumps have been installed and are successfully operating in Belarus. And now more and more Belarusians are choosing a heat pump as their heat source.
Which pump to choose for heating your home, air-to-water or ground-to-water?
You can receive a detailed proposal for the heating system by contacting the managers of the company heaton.by
We will help you understand and make the right choice. Contact +375-29-987-00-17!
Steam heating
In accordance with SNiP 2.04.05-91 “Heating, ventilation and air conditioning”, the use of steam systems is prohibited in residential and public buildings. The reason is the unsafety of this type of space heating. Heating appliances reach temperatures of almost 100°C, which can cause burns.
Installation is complex, requires skills and special knowledge; during operation, difficulties arise with regulating heat transfer; when filling the system with steam, noise is possible. Today, steam heating is used to a limited extent: in industrial and non-residential premises, in pedestrian crossings, and heating points. Its advantages are relative low cost, low inertia, compact heating elements, high heat transfer, and no heat loss. All this led to the popularity of steam heating until the mid-twentieth century; later it was replaced by water heating. However, in enterprises where steam is used for production needs, it is still widely used for heating premises.
Steam heating boiler
Modern home insulation technologies
Building a house today involves the use of new methods of insulating buildings with innovative materials.
Using thermal insulating paint Lic Ceramic
This modern material is popularly called nanopaint for insulation. Ultra-thin thermal insulation is the main quality of this material. It is used for insulation of walls, facades, roofs, floors. Innovative material saves heat in the room by 30%. For old buildings, the low weight of the material will be an advantage. There is no additional load on the walls.
Liquid penoizol
Old buildings require careful treatment. Penoizol liquid insulation is supplied under pressure. Fills voids inside walls, foundations and roofs. The appearance of the old building will not be affected. Using a foam-like material, small cracks and defects in the walls are filled. The insulation of the house is carried out with a high degree of reliability.
Penoizol has high sound insulation, low thermal conductivity, and increased fire resistance. House insulation will last 30-50 years.
Foam granule
These are solid foam balls. They call it “crushed foam.”
It is applied like this:
- Added to concrete. Concrete becomes lighter and has increased thermal insulation.
- The voids, for example, between brickwork, are filled with foam granules. No additional leveling of walls is required for insulation.
Foil insulation
The material consists of foil and a thermal layer. The foil performs the task of a heat flow reflector. The walls are insulated both outside and inside.
The choice in arranging home heating and insulation is wide and multifaceted. You can choose an option to achieve your goal. The use of new technologies helps create coziness and comfort in the home.