Cast iron radiators and their characteristics: an overview of the features of popular models

The characteristics of cast iron radiators differ from those characteristic of models made of steel and bimetallic raw materials. Models of such batteries, although old, still do not lose their popularity due to their quality and decent technical parameters. But the debate over which is better: old Soviet or improved modern models does not subside. To sort this out, we have prepared today’s article, in which we will look at the features of cast iron radiators, and in the table we will describe the technical characteristics of different models.

Design features of cast iron radiators

Cast iron radiators are the most durable.
The batteries have the most traditional appearance. The design includes several sections connected to each other by nipples. To seal the joints, heat-resistant rubber or paronite is used. The coolant channels inside have a round or elliptical cross-section. They produce one-, two- and three-channel sections.

The batteries are cast from gray cast iron. The material is wear-resistant and durable - radiators last more than 50 years. Salts are not deposited on the walls, small debris or sand does not cause damage. Even after 30–40 years, the diameter of the working channels remains almost unchanged.

The size of a cast iron battery depends on the number of sections. The size is selected based on the size of the heated room. But if the width of the product is determined by the number of elements, then the height and depth depend on the structure of the sections themselves.

The appearance of the product is unattractive. More modern models are produced with a flat front panel. Decorated with forged elements.

DIY installation

It is not necessary to invite specialists for installation - you can do the work yourself, but additional help may be required, because the products are heavy. You shouldn't put too much stress on yourself.

Required tools and materials

Products are mounted on different surfaces, which should be taken into account before starting work. The main requirement is that the surface to which installation will be carried out must be smooth and clean. Therefore, the wall is carefully prepared before installation work. It is cleaned, impregnated with liquid glass and covered with a heat-reflecting shield, which will increase the performance of the system. Instead of shields, a special composition can be used that gives the same properties.

The installation process itself largely depends on the wall material:

1. If the surface is made of wood, then a plank and stand will be additionally useful.
2. If it is a brick plastered surface, brackets and a niche are used.
3. In the case of a wall that has a lightweight structure, you will need a solid support.

First comes the fitting of the location, after which you can proceed to the fastenings. You need to understand that the weight of a cast iron radiator is impressive, so it is recommended to prepare a model from cardboard or plywood. This will help you install the equipment on the brackets more correctly.

Installation and connection to the system

First of all, install the brackets.

The process is as follows:

1. The points where the fasteners will be inserted are marked.
2. Holes are made in the surface.
3. Dowels or wooden plugs are installed.
4. Brackets are inserted and fixed with concrete mortar.
5. Before hanging the radiator, you need to make sure that the fastenings are secure.

To install cast iron batteries you will need 4 brackets. If this is a sectional model, then fastening elements may also be required to build additional sections.

After the device is hung on the brackets, the following components are installed:

1. Every modern system has an automatic or manual air vent. This element must be screwed into the adapter and installed on the upper manifold opposite the place where the supply pipe is connected.
2. Free collectors must be closed with plugs. Their diameters may vary, so you will need adapters, which are already included in the kit.
3. Shut-off and control valves are installed. Ball valves are placed on the inlet and outlet openings, which will allow, if necessary, to service and repair heating equipment. If you have shut-off valves, you won’t have to turn off the entire system; you just need to close the taps.
4. Using control devices, such as a thermostat, you can set the desired heating temperature. In general, this element is optional.
5. Inlet and outlet pipelines are connected. There are several schemes. The type of connection depends on what pipes and fittings are used.
6. The last stage is pressure testing of the system or battery. When filling with water, taps should be opened slowly, without rushing. If you open the tap too quickly, there is a possibility of water hammer, which will negatively affect the condition of the system.

The installation and activation procedure is not complicated. The only problem that many beginning craftsmen face is the heavy weight of the equipment.

Advantages and disadvantages

Modern design solutions
The advantages of the product are determined more by the material than by the design. Main advantages:

• Cast iron conducts heat well and accumulates it. The radiator takes longer to heat up than a steel or bimetallic one, but gives off heat for a long time after the boiler is turned off. An hour after heating stops, the residual heat transfer for cast iron models is 30%, while for steel models it is only 15%.
• The water used in central heating is not clean. Salts, mechanical impurities, sand destroy the pipeline material. Debris is deposited on the walls: the working diameter decreases over time, and the efficiency of heat transfer decreases. Cast iron is not afraid of salts and abrasive particles. After 30 years, the batteries work as efficiently as on the first day after release.
• Cast iron batteries cannot withstand constant high water pressure, but they are not afraid of water hammer. This option is used when arranging heating with natural circulation.
• Radiators last at least 50 years. If you change the gaskets on time, it will take even longer. Usually they are replaced not because of leaks or low efficiency, but to make the interior more modern.
• The price is the lowest among heaters.

Disadvantages of radiators:

• The main disadvantage is its considerable dimensions and heavy weight. The 8-section model weighs more than 60 kg. They are difficult to transport, lift to the top floor, and install.
• If when the heating is turned off, high thermal inertia acts as an advantage, then when turned on it turns into a disadvantage. The room warms up for at least 12 hours.
• To service the batteries, you need a large volume of coolant and a more powerful boiler. This is not a hindrance for central heating, since the system was originally designed to transfer a large amount of coolant. For an autonomous one, this is a significant drawback.
• There is no need to talk about design. Rough, heavy radiators hardly fit into the interior.

The advantages of a cast iron battery are well demonstrated in central heating systems. The disadvantages are visible when autonomous heating is installed.

Review of popular models and their costs

Now there are many manufacturers of heating equipment. These are foreign and domestic companies that have been operating in the market for decades. Each company offers its own unique models, which differ in technical and visual characteristics. You can buy cast iron heating radiators in Moscow at an affordable price, so let’s look at the most famous manufacturers.

STI NOVA-500

STI Nova 500 is a modern model of cast iron radiators. The product is characterized by wall placement with side connection. Thanks to its compact size and attractive design, it is popular among many buyers. This heating equipment is relevant for high-rise buildings - it can easily withstand high pressure. The passage holes have a small diameter, and the hydraulic resistance is also low, so the radiator is good for systems with natural circulation.

The surface of such batteries has a heat-resistant polymer coating, which will preserve the original color. The model is widely popular as it is sold inexpensively.

The cost of cast iron batteries from STI is from 2,600 rubles.

Price for cast iron heating radiator STI NOVA-500

cast iron heating radiators STI NOVA-500

Alpine Air History 600

Using this model, you can heat any premises, from apartments and offices to utility and warehouse facilities. And the more sections a heating device involves, the larger the heating area.

The original design solution of this model allows it to easily fit into any interior. The sections are decorated with a colored print - an elegant, unobtrusive floral pattern. If necessary, the device can be repainted in any color.

During painting, the manufacturer uses a double coating in the form of a special primer and high-quality varnish. As a result, the surface retains its original appearance longer and does not require touch-up. Due to the large thickness of the material, you can hardly hear the water circulating in the system.

Price - 1 section of a designer radiator will cost 5,200 rubles.

MZOO MS-140M

The radiators of this company from Russia heat civil and industrial buildings of various heights. The sections themselves are made of gray cast iron with flake graphite, and the nipples are made of malleable cast iron. Manufactured devices come with 4 or 7 sections. Thanks to its high technical characteristics, the product is in no way inferior to popular European models. The radiator easily adapts to any interior.

During production, when the product is cast, a silicon film is formed on the surface of the cast iron, which makes the device undemanding to the quality of the coolant. Thanks to the increased cross-section of the channels, blockages practically do not form in the radiator.

The device is hung on the wall using simple brackets or installed on the floor on special stands. If any section fails, only the damaged element is replaced.

Price - a model with 4 sections will cost the buyer 2,050 rubles.

Price for cast iron radiators MZOO MS-140M

cast iron heating radiators MZOO MS-140M

Konner Modern 500

A distinctive feature of this model is that its outer part is completely flat, which allows the radiator to fit more tightly to the wall. It can easily be hidden behind curtains or furniture. Thanks to its unique design, the device emphasizes the interior, especially in styles such as “classic” and “minimalism”.

Enlarged passage openings allow the use of batteries for systems with natural and forced circulation. Cast iron products are not afraid of high pressure, so they can be installed in high-rise buildings. During production, the radiator is coated with a special super-resistant white enamel.

Price - 4 sections will cost 3,230 rubles.

Price for cast iron heating radiators Konner Modern 500

cast iron heating radiators Konner Modern 500

GuRaTec Apollo 765

The decoration of these radiators from a German company is cast iron, which is an original floral ornament. Available in 13 different colors and shades. Products are available in white, gray and black, matte or glossy.

There are also models:

• gold;
• silver color;
• with the effect of aged bronze;
• even with mother of pearl.

They are available in different heights, which allows the models to be used in rooms with a low window sill. If it is necessary to heat a large heated area, the number of sections can be increased to 15. This series of radiators is full bore - thanks to 4 side holes, the battery is connected to the system in various ways.

Price - models with 5 sections cost from 59,780 rubles. Heat-resistant sealant you will find the answer in the link.

Specifications

The choice of cast iron batteries is small. Most of the older models were abandoned. The new ones try to reduce the volume of coolant, improving heat transfer due to a larger number of channels and creating a flat surface.

The technical characteristics of the most popular models are given below.

Models are selected mainly by power. Comparing the characteristics of sections allows you to quickly calculate the required dimensions of the heater.

Height

A parameter that affects not so much the heating efficiency as the aesthetics. The height of the cast iron standard battery is 59 cm. Models are available with heights from 33 to 95 cm. The working surface of each section varies depending on the height. This is taken into account when calculating their required number.

Low radiators look more attractive even with a standard configuration.

Size

Product dimensions vary greatly:

• height – from 33 to 95 cm;
• depth – from 8.5 to 20 cm;
• width – from 4.4 to 10.8 cm;
• the interaxial distance varies from 22 to 90 cm.

Size information is on the label. If the model has a non-linear shape, the depth is not specified.

The most important parameter - the length of the battery itself - depends on the power. The more sections, the larger the area the radiator can heat. However, there is a limitation here: if the length of the battery is 4 times the height, it must be connected on both sides, and this is not always possible or convenient.

Power

The indicator is calculated according to the following parameters:

• volume of the room;
• quality of insulation;
• water temperature;
• power of one section of a cast iron radiator - this indicator is indicated in the product passport.

On average, at a normal level of heat loss, heating 3 cubic meters of air in a room requires 1 kW.

The calculation is performed as follows: the area of ​​the room is multiplied by 100 and divided by the power of the sections of the selected model. For example, with an area of ​​10 sq. m. and a segment power of 150 W is 10*100/150 = 6.67. Round the result up - to heat the room you will need a radiator with 7 sections.

It is recommended to increase the calculated value by at least 15%. To heat a bedroom of 10 square meters. m. it is recommended to buy batteries with 9–10 elements.

The height of the room should be taken into account. With the same area, but with a ceiling height of not 3.5, but 4 m, heating with a radiator of the same power will require at least 12 sections.

Other factors are also taken into account. If there are 2 windows in the room, it is better to install 2 radiators of 5 sections in order to evenly distribute the heat and neutralize the cold air.

Prices: summary table

Based on the price analysis, we can conclude: most of the products belong to a high price category, which makes them in demand by a narrow circle of buyers.

Radiators are an important part of the heating system in private houses and multi-storey housing. The microclimate in the house and the safety of operation depend on their correct choice. Cast iron radiators satisfy many parameters, but it is worth studying the manufacturer’s technical documentation and consumer reviews when choosing a specific battery model.

Selection rules

Radiators with a flat surface have higher efficiency.
The recommendations are simple:

• The most important thing is the correct calculation. The power of the section is assessed and the efficiency of the entire heater is calculated. If there are not enough sections, increasing the temperature of the coolant will not improve the situation; the room will be cold.
• You need to choose the height. If the product is mounted under a window, there should be at least 20–15 cm between the radiator and the window sill, and at least 5 cm between the floor and the bottom edge of the product. For large windows, choose low radiators and compensate for the small height with a large number of sections. Tall radiators are mounted near blank walls.
• Batteries with a flat surface have higher efficiency and are more attractive in appearance. Models with artistic casting and decorative coating fit perfectly into retro, classic, and rustic interiors.
• Radiators are mounted on the wall using special brackets. However, there are floor-standing models. The latter are used if the walls cannot withstand such a heavy load.

The appearance of the battery can be radically changed by covering them with a decorative grille or screen.

Installation and assembly of cast iron batteries

The most important thing when installing a cast iron radiator is to choose a high-quality and reliable mount.

The easiest way to install cast iron radiators is with two or three people (for particularly bulky models). To hold radiators on the walls, metal pins or special fasteners are used - they must support the weight of the heating device . There should be a gap of 60 mm between the floor and the body of the device. There should also be a gap to the window sill, but in practice it is rarely maintained. During the installation process, it is necessary to maintain a strictly vertical position of the radiator.

The connection is made from the side, diagonally or from below - this point needs to be clarified at the stage of purchasing radiators. If necessary, taps are installed next to them to limit the supply of coolant or thermostatic valves.

Manufacturers of cast iron radiators

It is not only Russian factories and enterprises in CIS countries that produce such products. There are many foreign manufacturers offering cast iron radiators in retro or techno style. Models from domestic companies are cheaper.

Minsk Heating Equipment Plant

One of the most famous manufacturers. It produces two- and three-channel cast iron batteries in a variety of designs. There are classic radiators and models with a flat surface - they are more efficient because they transfer heat better, as well as options with a pattern on the surface. The number of sections is determined by the customer.

Santekhlit (Russia)

The plant offers classic models. The depth of sections and height varies within very wide limits. There are models with a depth of only 11 cm. They can be easily placed under a narrow modern window sill. The length of the battery is determined by the number of sections.

Types of pressure

The pressure in such radiators is: pressure testing and working. The first is often called maximum.

The pressure test determines how much load the radiator can withstand during severe water hammer. When checking, they try to create a load in the highways that will be close to the maximum. This figure ranges from 12 to 16 atmospheres.

And the working pressure shows the load that the coolant gives in the radiator circulation. Typically the load is 9 atmospheres, but this figure can range from 6 to 9.

Heating radiators STI nova

If you are looking for stylish cast iron batteries from a domestic manufacturer, you won’t find a better one than the new STI. Their main parameters:

• The cast iron radiator Nova 500 can withstand pressure up to 18 atmospheres. A pressure test of 16 atmospheres allows you to withstand water hammer from a centralized heating system.
• The thermal power of the structure is 150 W, which is enough to provide heat to a room of 15 m2.
• Externally, the Nova 500 heating radiator (cast iron) looks as stylish as its aluminum counterparts.

If you believe consumer reviews, this type of heating device is distinguished by its quality, reliability and interesting design.

What are the differences between different models

From all of the above, we can conclude that the cast iron radiators on the market differ greatly from each other in technical characteristics. And not only. Particular attention today is paid to appearance.

Unfortunately, the MS-140 model is still the same accordion, unsightly, but with good heat dissipation. The manufacturer did not make any changes to the design of the device, thereby setting a minimum price level. And, as practice shows, the majority of consumers choose it, taking into account the high technical characteristics plus an affordable price. As for the appearance, today you can find decorative panels on sale that cover these radiators. They are made of wood, plastic, metal and other things.

Model MS-110 is a smaller version of MS-140. Its shallow depth (11 cm) helps install the radiator under small plastic window sills. By increasing the number of sections, you can adjust this model to the required power. In other respects in terms of heat transfer, weight and dimensions, both options are very different from each other.

Flat cast iron radiator

Cheboksary cast iron radiators ChM are flat-type heating devices. Their unusual appearance often gives the consumer an impetus to purchase. Flat sections are more common in aluminum or bimetallic structures, and in this regard, the FM models greatly benefit.

Foreign analogues can boast of the same flat shape, but not only from the outside, but also from the inside. That's why they have excellent heat dissipation. In addition, European manufacturers offer cast iron, which is distinguished by the openwork of its external elements. That is, on the radiator itself you can see drawings, patterns, various kinds of attachments and other delights. Today, many companies are ready to offer their products made according to individual sketches.