Creating a microclimate that is comfortable for residents is one of the most important tasks when arranging housing. To do this, today it is possible to use various methods that have their own advantages and disadvantages. Not long ago, new systems appeared on the market that seem quite promising. A warm water baseboard is a fairly practical way to organize heating of premises, and not only residential ones.
Water warm baseboard
Design and principle of operation of a warm baseboard
We can say that a warm baseboard is a fundamentally new approach to the issue of heating an ordinary apartment or private house. This system received this name due to its visual similarity to the usual baseboard and its compact size. Externally the design is:
- an aluminum box consisting of three walls - top, bottom and front;
- The thickness of the box is no more than 3 cm;
- The height of the front panel ranges from 10 to 24 cm;
- For decorative purposes, the ends of the box are closed with special plugs;
- Inside the box are heating elements that are attached to the wall using mounting brackets.
Depending on the heat source used, a warm baseboard can be electric or water. By the way, outwardly they are practically indistinguishable. The operating principle of a warm baseboard differs significantly from the operating principle of conventional heating devices - convectors or heating radiators.
Anyone who is more deeply interested in economical ways to heat their home knows that the same batteries heat the room by convection. That is, the heat emanating from their surface heats the air. In this case, hot air rises up to the ceiling, where a thermal cushion is created, which displaces cold masses down. In rooms with low ceilings, this difference is not very noticeable and, in principle, comfortable conditions are created. But in rooms with high ceilings it is necessary to use forced ventilation, which will help mix air masses of different temperatures and warm them up as quickly as possible. In this case, most often in the corners of the room the air will still remain cold. Thus, warming up the entire volume of air in a room requires higher temperatures and longer times. Heat loss is 20-30%.
Surely, when using electric oil convectors, you noticed that next to the heater you feel warm, even hot, but literally a meter away from it the air is cold. In addition, the air becomes dry and foreign odors can often be detected.
The operation of a warm baseboard is based on gradual, uniform heating of adjacent walls and floors. Heating the air by convection uses no more than 30% of the radiated heat. Warming begins from the lower layers of air. The heat then slowly “creeps” up the walls, heating their surface in the process. Thanks to this, it became possible to achieve the same temperature throughout the entire height of the room.
A person begins to receive heat from the surface of the walls, which, after heating to a given temperature, literally radiate it.
This method of heating a home has been used in very ancient times. At that time, a system of cavities was specially provided in the walls of houses through which hot steam was supplied. It is also noteworthy that, rising along the walls, the hot air practically does not mix with the surrounding air, thus creating a thermal curtain. This is especially true when heating rooms with panoramic windows.
Cold air leaking through unsealed joints is simply cut off and does not cool the room. Heat loss when using warm baseboards is only 5%. Needless to say, this method is economically beneficial? It has been proven that when walls are heated to a temperature of 37-38°C, a person becomes warm and comfortable even though the air temperature in the room is 16-17°C. A warm baseboard can be used as a complete heating system. Then you need to install it around the entire perimeter of the room. It can also be used as an additional source of heat in places where installing conventional radiators is impossible. For example, for heating a loggia with French glazing.
Then the baseboard should be placed along the double-glazed windows.
Many people are interested in the question : is it advisable to place a plinth around the entire perimeter of the room if there are large-sized furniture along some walls? Considering the principle of its operation and the fact that the rising heat is more aimed at warming the walls, rather than the surrounding air and adjacent objects, we can say that the furniture will not interfere with the full operation of the system. In addition, heating elements have a low-temperature operating mode. They do not heat up above 60°C and cannot harm furniture or any type of floor covering. Thus, we can conclude that a warm baseboard is a safe and economical source of heat.
What it is?
A warm baseboard is a distributed modular heating system with the so-called.
"floor" installation. The term “floor” does not mean at all that the elements of such a system are mounted on the floor covering - the fasteners are made on the wall in its lower part in close proximity (at a distance of no more than 1-2 cm) from the floor.
The system received the name “plinth” for the modest dimensions of the modules (up to 3 cm thick and 10-24 cm high), excellent decorative properties and the possibility of installation indoors instead of a standard plinth.
The air is heated by heating modules - water or electric.
Electric warm baseboard
Electric models of warm baseboards are more popular than water ones. This is due to a simpler installation method and the fact that electricity is available even in remote areas. The principle of operation of an electric heated baseboard is similar to the principle of operation of the “warm floor” system. Let's take a closer look at the design:
- Inside the box you can see two copper tubes with a diameter of 13 mm and a wall thickness of 1.5 mm. The tubes are tightly fitted onto brass ribs. The bottom tube houses a low-temperature dry heating element;
- Inside the top tube is a heat-resistant silicone insulated electrical cable that provides power to the heater;
- Copper is an excellent heat conductor. The front panel of the plinth is made of aluminum, which is also a good conductor. By combining these two alloys, it became possible to achieve maximum heat transfer;
- Additionally, the system is equipped with a thermostat and temperature sensor . It was with the help of a thermostat that it became possible to achieve significant savings. Manufacturers offer models of different prices, respectively, with different capabilities. There are thermostats that allow you to set the desired temperature several days in advance. Simpler models require constant manual adjustment.
It cannot be said unequivocally that some models are better than others. The choice should be based on your financial capabilities and whether you are willing to constantly adjust the sensor manually. The thermostat is connected to a temperature sensor, which controls the operation of the entire system. To achieve the most correct indicators, the sensor should be placed at a height of 130-150 cm from the floor level. When the temperature in the room reaches the set point, the thermostat will turn off. And it will turn on again when the temperature drops to the lower set temperature.
The length of one module of an electric warm baseboard can be from 0.7 to 2.5 m. This makes it possible to dial a heating circuit of varying power depending on the size of the room. On average, 1 linear meter of baseboard produces from 180 to 280 W of heat. In order for the operation of the electric baseboard to be safe, it should be used only if there is powerful, new electrical wiring. Manufacturers claim that you can simply plug the baseboard into an outlet. But for reliability, it is still recommended to install a separate line that will go directly to the meter and install a separate machine on it.
Water warm baseboard
The operating principle of water models is similar to the operation of water boilers. design differs significantly from electric ones:
- The water baseboard does not have heating elements. It involves the use of already heated coolant. Its role can be either ordinary water or antifreeze;
- The heated liquid flows through cross-linked polyethylene tubes located inside the box;
- There are two tubes inside, located one above the other. In this case, coolant is supplied through the upper tube, and it is taken in through the lower tube;
Sufficient pressure is required to circulate fluid through the system. Therefore, circulation pumps are used to organize water heating in private homes. With their help, coolant under a certain pressure passes through the distribution manifold and is supplied through tubes to the heating modules.
The water modules are connected to each other using special tubes made of cross-linked polyethylene. If the connection point is at a corner, then use polyethylene or corrugated corner joints. The latter are usually made of steel or copper. It is worth noting that for proper operation of water circuits, their length should not exceed 12.5 meters. Some manufacturers allow a length of up to 15 m. If this length is not enough to heat the entire room, it is recommended to equip two separate heating circuits.
The room temperature when using a warm water baseboard can be adjusted either manually on the distribution manifold, or, as in the previous version, using room thermostats. They, in turn, control the servos of the distribution system valves.
As you can see, organizing a water heating system requires much more expense than an electric one. In addition to installing the pump and collector, it is necessary to ensure proper storage conditions for the coolant and its cleaning. This is why electric models are often preferred.
As for connecting a warm baseboard within an ordinary city apartment . It is possible to connect the baseboard to the central heating network. In this case, the danger is the temperature of the coolant and water hammer, which are often present when starting the system. The water temperature in the batteries is 85-90 degrees, and its pressure can reach 9 atmospheres or more. These indicators can have a detrimental effect on the design of a warm baseboard.
Our task is to minimize their impact by physically separating the internal heating circuit from the centralized network.
- This can be done realistically using heat exchangers. That is, devices that, with the help of heat-conducting plates, will take on excess heat from the coolant of the centralized network and transfer the required amount to an internal independent circuit.
- In typical dwellings, riser wiring is used. In this case, each room can have one or two pipe risers. In this case, the water baseboard is directly connected using copper fittings by soldering or plastic pipes complete with fittings. In this way, restrictions on the temperature and pressure of the coolant are removed.
- Thermal valves are installed at the connection points to the riser.
Results
Like everything new, the plinth system has many critics and theorists. Their main thesis: “It’s stupid to heat walls and then heat the air. It’s better to heat the air directly, and then start heating the walls.” The point of view is clear. This is what is used for convector heating. But the result and its shortcomings are known to everyone. And for the efficiency of heating the walls, an experiment was carried out: in one room the air was +12 oC, and the walls were heated to +37 oC. And people sweated in it. In another, the air was heated to +40 oC, and the walls were cooled to +12 oC, and people were freezing.
Warm baseboard: advantages and disadvantages
Let's summarize all of the above and highlight the undeniable advantages of using the warm baseboard system:
- Due to the fact that the heat from the baseboard rises up along the walls, warming them up well, you can solve the problem of mold and various fungal microorganisms once and for all. After all, dry walls are one of the key aspects affecting the indoor microclimate;
- Heating of the room occurs evenly and simultaneously along its entire perimeter. There is no need to wait for the heat from the carrier to spread throughout the room, as is the case with the use of heating radiators;
- The ability to achieve uniform temperature throughout the entire height of the room. In this case, cold zones will not form. Many manufacturers claim that the temperature difference between the ceiling and the floor itself can reach no more than a couple of degrees. It is necessary to understand that these indicators can only be achieved under ideal conditions. An important role is played by the thermal insulation of the room itself and its heat loss;
- Heating occurs using the radiation method, which is the most beneficial for the human body. It is perceived in a similar way to solar heat;
- The heat loss of the system itself is no more than 5%, and heating the air in the room using the convection method takes no more than 30% of the heat generated;
- Warm baseboard is compatible with any type of floor covering;
- Thanks to the moderate temperature of the baseboard itself, you don’t have to worry about the nearby furniture drying out;
- The aesthetic appearance of the room, not spoiled by oversized heating radiators. And thanks to the variety of color solutions, you can choose a warm baseboard to suit any interior and make it almost invisible;
- Thanks to its miniature size, using a warm baseboard you can heat rooms in which it is simply impossible to install radiators;
- Thanks to the presence of temperature sensors and thermostats, it is possible to adjust the temperature in a short period of time. And when using more modern thermostat models, the system will maintain comfortable conditions almost without your participation;
- It is thanks to thermostats that the use of warm baseboards is economically beneficial. In addition, the amount of energy consumed will be several times lower than when using other converter-type electric heaters;
The disadvantages include:
- Tangible cost of the system;
- Due to the small distribution in some small cities, purchasing a warm baseboard can be problematic;
- Although the system body is well protected from moisture, it is still not recommended to use warm baseboards in rooms with high humidity. An exception may be special models designed for use in such conditions;
- Limitation of the maximum possible length of the contour of the warm water baseboard. This fact is really worth paying attention to, because the functioning of the system depends on it.
Kinds
Today, only two types of warm baseboards are common - water and electric. Each of them is used in the specific conditions of the arrangement of rooms and the furnishings of the apartment itself. It is worth considering each of the types in detail.
Water
This installation option is quite common - it can be seen in the interior of some modern residential buildings, office premises, even shopping centers. It is worth noting that the water type of warm baseboard has become widespread in many Western countries. This interest is due to factors such as: ease of use and low maintenance requirements. A warm water baseboard is an externally metal panel or box, inside of which a heating or heating module with mini-pipes for supplying water and heating is placed. The outer or back side of the device is also equipped with a metal panel, which is already designed to protect the wall itself from high temperatures.
This method of connection is called beam by technicians. The difference between this type of warm baseboard and electric one is the wide range of possible installations in the interior. Warm water baseboards can be installed in attics, loggias, even on balconies, while the heating efficiency does not decrease, and energy costs remain relatively low. Another feature of the water type is the speed of heating of the air, since the physical properties of water allow even the hottest flows to be passed through pipes without hindrance. However, it is necessary to constantly monitor the temperature level in boiler rooms.
Electric
If the water type of warm baseboard is valued for its quick heating and ease of maintenance, the electric type is widespread due to the following characteristics:
- ease of installation work - unlike the water type, the electric type is installed on site, the installation process is simple and quick, because it is enough to fix the heating panels to the wall;
- the presence of more advanced heat regulation systems - most models of water baseboards are not equipped with special devices for measuring temperature - for this it is enough to monitor the average water level in the boiler rooms. The electric type is often equipped with specialized thermostats, which are similar to ordinary thermometers. Thermostats can operate either automatically or can be adjusted manually, and their work is aimed at optimizing energy costs.
It is also worth noting the negative aspects of using such a plinth:
- high energy consumption - when using any equipment with power supply, the question of monetary costs arises. The electric type, unfortunately, even with thermostats, consumes a large amount of energy;
- installation of the electrical type is much simpler, however, the connection process itself can cause some difficulties - this is the preparation of a dedicated line with the correct rating;
- One potential downside for many buyers is the power supply. The likelihood of damage to the wiring and a fire is extremely low, however, for some this is the determining factor under certain operating conditions.
If the buyer liked the water variety more, then do not despair and think that these species differ in external characteristics.
Apart from the presence of terminals or wire attachments to the electrical supply, these varieties are absolutely similar in appearance. It is worth noting this type of baseboard equipment as infrared warm baseboard. The peculiarity of this type is the use of a special film tape, which heats up under the influence of high temperatures and becomes a kind of source of infrared radiation, which provides additional and high-quality heating of the room.
Calculation of the required number of skirting boards
We have already seen that the warm baseboard system is a very successful solution for heating not only an ordinary apartment, but also private houses. Now let's try to understand the issue that will be of interest to those who really decide to purchase this equipment. For more correct calculations, it is necessary to take into account the heat loss of the room. This is influenced by the type of glazing, the number of window openings, whether there is an end room or not, the thickness of the walls and their covering, and much more.
You should also build on generally accepted standards, which state that for heating 1 sq.m. A living room needs 60-100 W of heat. These figures are relevant for residents of the middle climate zone. For more northern regions, 150-200 W of heat will be required.
Now you need to multiply the area of the room by the average, for example 12 m2 × 150 W = 1800 W. To this indicator you need to add a small margin, but without fanaticism.
How to calculate the length of a water heating element
The choice of dyne is primarily influenced by the thermal pressure of the system. Please note that warm baseboards refer to systems that do not operate at high temperatures. And the difference between the temperature of the supply coolant and the return one is no more than 5°C. Thermal pressure can be calculated using the formula
∆T = ((tп+to)/2)-tв, where
- tп – temperature of the supply coolant;
- tо – return medium temperature;
- tв – room air temperature.
It follows that to maintain a room temperature of 20°C and a coolant temperature of 70°C, we have a thermal pressure that is equal to ((70+65)/2)-20 = 47.5°C.
Now, thanks to the data given in the table, you can see how much heat will be generated by 1 linear meter of warm water baseboard. For a value of 47.5°C it is equal to 218 W. To heat a room of 12 m2, which requires 1800 W of heat, you need 1800/218 = 8.25 meters of baseboard. The indicator can be rounded up or down at your discretion.
How to calculate the required length of an electric warm baseboard
In this case, everything is much simpler. You can calculate the required amount to heat a room of any size based on average statistics, as in the example above. Next, look carefully at the packaging, which will always indicate the heat transfer value per linear meter of the product. The number of meters is determined by dividing the required amount of heat per room by this value. For example, to heat a room of 12 m2, which requires 1800 W of heat, you need 1800/190 = 9.47 meters of baseboard. The indicator 190 is taken conditionally.
Reviews
“I have a baseboard like this at home. In addition to heated floors. I advise you to install it too. The warm baseboard does its job well. Of course, it cannot be compared with warm floors in terms of power, but still there is noticeable warmth from it.”
Nikolay, Moscow
“I installed heated floors and baseboards. I’ll say unequivocally: the price of the baseboard is cheaper, but I like it better for heating.”
Alexander, St. Petersburg
“I bought a Megador 600 W for a 9 m2 bedroom. At first it worked at full power, but now we set it to maintain 20 degrees at 200 W. This is enough for my area, we don’t need a higher temperature, we don’t like it. And at the same time, on the wall where the heater is located, our ventilation hole is almost always slightly open. I'm happy."
Pavel, Chekhov
As you can see, reviews about warm baseboards are positive. This is no wonder: the heating is efficient, comfortable, and even invisible. The only thing that spoils the picture is the high price, but there are options for making it yourself.
Do-it-yourself installation of warm baseboards
In addition to the high cost of the system itself, you will also have to pay a significant amount for its installation. In this case, the calculation is made for each linear meter. Based on this, many people have a question: is it possible to install a warm baseboard system yourself? We can say that if you have the skills to work with electrical wiring and plastic pipes, as well as due attention and legibility, this is not so difficult to do.
Self-installation of warm water baseboard
To carry out the work you will need the following materials:
- Metal-plastic pipes;
- Thermal insulation material;
- A collector equipped with taps;
- Metal and plastic adapters;
- Set of tools.
Installation should begin with the installation of the collector. It is necessary to connect a pipe to it, which will provide its power. A boiler running on any type of fuel can be used as a source of coolant. The only condition is that for the system to operate correctly, it is necessary to provide a pressure of at least 3 atm. After you calculate the required length of the plinth according to the recommendations from point 6, you can begin laying the pipes.
- It must be remembered that the maximum length of the circuit should not exceed 12.5 or 15 m, depending on the manufacturer. And that there should be two pipes in the system - one for supply, the other for coolant intake;
- It is also important not to forget about thermal insulation to reduce heat loss. To do this, you need to lay special material around the perimeter of the room between the wall and the pipes;
- Now you need to screw the base to which the heat exchangers will be attached. The plank is secured using self-tapping screws. Please note that the finished baseboard should not lie flush to the floor. Leave a gap of about 1 cm to prevent the device from overheating;
- Now secure the modules and connect them together using crimp fittings;
- When the structure is assembled, you need to connect it to the common highway by installing a collector;
- Before final assembly, be sure to check the system for leaks. To do this, a test run is performed, which will also show the correct operation;
- If the system works reliably, secure the front panel to the baseboard. This is very easy to do, following the recommendations in the instructions.
Self-installation of electric heated baseboard
Installing an electric baseboard requires completely different skills and attention to slightly different factors. It is recommended to connect the system directly to the panel and equip it with a separate circuit breaker. How many circuits there will be in your apartment or house, there should be as many separate lines. Choose wires with a large cross-section that can definitely withstand the load (at least 2.5 mm). Do not forget about the need to connect a thermostat for each circuit and a temperature sensor for each room. This will help set the most optimal temperature for each room.
- The installation should begin with the laying of thermal insulation material;
- Then screw the base of the plinth;
- Attach heat exchangers to it;
- Make a parallel connection of wires;
- Carry out a thorough visual inspection to ensure there are no uninsulated areas;
- Close the structure with the front panel;
- Connect the heating circuit to the thermostat and connect it to the distribution panel;
- Perform a test run of the system.
The gap from the floor to the baseboard should be at least 1 cm, and the distance from the wall at least 1.5 cm. This will ensure proper convection and protect the system from overheating.
Manufacturers and pricing policy
Based on feedback from consumers who have already appreciated all the benefits of warm baseboards and the quality of the product itself, we have identified several trusted manufacturers:
- Among the domestic ones, we can highlight warm skirting boards (“Mr. Tectum”). This is one of the most popular manufacturers. The modules of this company have a depth of 3 cm, a height of 14.5 cm and a length of 2.5 meters. The kit is complete - heating element, front, bottom and top panels, clamps and even thermal insulation material. One module produces 500 W of heat and can heat up to a temperature of 65°C. These skirting boards consist of two copper pipes and brass plates. The front panel is made of aluminum. The price per linear meter is about 3800 rubles.
- "Rehau" is a fairly popular manufacturer of heated floors, which also produces heated skirting boards. A characteristic and distinctive feature of this company’s products is the use of flexible polyethylene pipes. Such pipes do not corrode or fray at bend points. Electric models are distinguished by their small thickness, which significantly expands the possibilities of their application. The average cost per linear meter is 9,800 rubles. but for this money you will get a really high-quality and reliable heating system;
- Austrian can also offer a high-quality and reliable system. The company uses many innovations and constantly improves its products. This allows you to significantly increase the efficiency of the warm baseboard. The cost of their products per meter is 7,000 rubles.
As you can see, the price range allows you to choose a model depending on your financial capabilities. Just before purchasing, be sure to read reviews from real customers.
The article was written for the site.
Tags:Heating radiator, Electricity
Baseboard heating - design features
No one will be surprised by the information that warm baseboard technology is truly the brainchild of the 21st century. First of all, this system is more effective compared to others, as we just mentioned. It is also more economical, and in terms of purely design features it is an order of magnitude higher than all known analogues.
Externally, any warm baseboard is an aluminum strip that covers what is located inside the box. The plinth itself, by the way, is quite compact, which is perhaps why it is called a plinth. So, the thickness of the device is only 30 millimeters, and the height is on average 140 millimeters; it is mounted around the perimeter of the room, fixing it to the walls almost right next to the floor. In a word, the devices look so that they are not easy to distinguish from ordinary skirting boards.
As for the internal “filling,” the plinth contains a pair of copper tubes with a fin system installed on top of them. It is worth noting that in the manufacture of all elements of this device, without exception, non-ferrous metals are used, and they, accordingly, have good thermal conductivity (the body is made of aluminum, the pipes are made of copper, and the fins are made of brass).
