Which heating radiator to choose and which is better?

1. About the need to purchase radiators

Water heating systems are a common method of heating residential buildings today. This applies to both central systems and systems with their own boiler. The low cost of radiators and components for installation, simple installation, the possibility of inserting additional components, for example, a “warm floor” system or air heaters - all this determines the continued popularity of radiator heating.

In what cases does it become necessary to purchase radiators? Firstly, if you have to install a heating system from scratch as says in Pioneer manual. Secondly, if you need to replace old batteries that are no longer doing their job well due to corrosion, internal deposits, etc. To keep your home warm and comfortable, it is important to choose the right heating device. You need to take into account not only the amount, but also the features of the room, pipeline and other nuances. We will talk about this in detail below. Let's start with the main question that arises when choosing heating radiators.

2. Which material is more reliable?

Cast iron or steel? Or maybe aluminum? Bimetallic radiators - what else is it? Which one is better? There is no single answer, unfortunately. It all depends on where you want to install the device, how many years you plan to use it before replacing it, and how much you are willing to spend. We suggest using the table.

Now you know about the advantages and disadvantages of different radiators, so you can decide which option is best for you. However, that's not all you need to consider when purchasing. Let's talk about the parameters that should be studied in more detail.

3. Key Features

If you are going to buy heating radiators instead of those that once did their job quite well, you don’t need to thoroughly understand the thermal parameters. You can purchase similar products - this will greatly simplify the choice, and all that remains is to decide on the brand. But if you are assembling a heating system for the first time or changing inefficient cast-iron radiators to new ones, for example, bimetallic ones, you should approach the issue more responsibly. We advise you to pay attention to the following parameters.

Thermal power

For each heater, a value is indicated that characterizes the amount of heat energy transferred to the room per hour. It is generally accepted that to heat a room of 10 square meters. m with normal thermal insulation and a ceiling height of up to 3 m, 1 kW of thermal power is required. This is the minimum from which you should build on when choosing heating radiators. However, in some cases it is recommended to make a reserve. For example, when the room is located on the first or last floor of the house, the margin will be 20%. That is, for a room of 12 square meters. m on the ground floor a radiator with a thermal power of 1.4 kW is required.

Dimensions and number of sections

It is generally accepted that the heat output of a radiator depends on its dimensions: as the size increases, the heat transfer surface increases. For sectional models, they also focus on the number of sections - from 1 to 16 as says in Polaris manual. Some of them have the ability to join sections. You should be prepared for the fact that high-power devices take up a lot of space - take this into account before installation. If the radiator will be located under the window sill, pay attention to the height of the case. Length also plays a big role - it is important that the device looks aesthetically pleasing and is not too bulky. Moreover, with the same power, models may differ in design, for example, one will have a height of 260 mm and a length of 980 mm, while the second will have 560 and 480 mm, respectively. This means that you can choose both horizontal and vertical versions depending on the interior.

On a note! When choosing a radiator, keep in mind that it should not be close to the floor - the distance to it can be from 70 to 120 mm. The body should not rest against the window sill - at least 80 mm is left here. For effective heat exchange, the device must heat the air, and not the objects adjacent to it.

Pressure

When purchasing radiators, you need to start from the pressure value in the heating system. They focus on the operating pressure of the device - it is at this value that its normal functioning will be ensured. Indicated in atmospheres, for example, 20 atm corresponds to 2 MPa as says in SINGER manual. Manufacturers also indicate test pressure, for example, up to 30 atm and destructive pressure - up to 100 atm. The highest rates are typical for aluminum and bimetallic radiators - operating pressure reaches 20 atm. For steel and cast iron, this figure often does not exceed 10 atm.

Connection method

Depending on how the heating pipes are connected to the radiator, choose a model with the appropriate connection method. Let's list the main ones.

• Lateral connection is the most common. The device can be located to the left or right of the pipes. To ensure the greatest thermal power, the supply pipe is connected to the upper branch pipe, and the coolant outlet pipe is connected to the lower one.
• Diagonal - selected for long radiators from 2 m. With this method, the supply pipe is connected to the upper left pipe, and the return pipe to the lower right. Thus, it is possible to achieve uniform heat distribution throughout the entire body of the device.
• Saddle - more often found in private homes. The supply pipes come out of the floor.
• Floor connection - involves connecting the pipe on the right side. Typically for sectional radiators.

Important! Consider the center-to-center distance, especially if you are installing a radiator into a ready-made pipeline. This is the distance between the inlet and outlet. Standardly it is 350 and 500 mm, but non-standard options can be found, for example, 400, 600, 700 mm.

Permissible coolant temperature

Before you buy a heating radiator, find out the temperature of the coolant in your home's heating system. As a rule, in apartment buildings its value should not exceed 95 °C. In private houses with their own boiler, the temperature may be higher. Depending on the material of manufacture, radiators can withstand heating up to a certain limit: for steel it is 100 °C, for cast iron - 110 °C, for aluminum - 120 °C, for bimetallic - 135 °C.

4. Manufacturers you trust

Once you understand the technical parameters, it will become clear which heating radiator is best suited for a particular room. For example, you need an aluminum model with a power of 1.4 kW, with an axle distance of 500 mm and a working pressure of 20 atm. You can start searching and comparing specific models. Which manufacturer should you prefer? Let's figure it out.

Among modern domestic brands, the most popular today is RIFAR. The company offers aluminum and bimetallic radiators, which are produced in the Orenburg region. They are designed for operation in Russian conditions and have proven themselves to be excellent in different regions of the country - from the Far East to Kaliningrad. Radiators undergo double testing for pressure up to 30 atm, have high strength and reliability. The warranty on them is 10 years. Another Russian brand, known in the heating equipment market since 1999, is Elsotherm. The products retain their aesthetic appearance for a long time due to two-layer painting. The warranty for aluminum models is 15 years, for bimetallic models – 20 years.