For autonomous heating on the market, cast iron, aluminum and steel radiators are represented. In order to make the right choice, it is necessary to consider the advantages and disadvantages of each type.
Cast iron batteries are still relevant for use in the autonomous heating system. The main and main plus of cast iron is its resistance to corrosion and durability (cast -iron batteries can last you about 50 years). Cast iron radiators can be used in open systems, they have low thermal conductivity, water from them can be drained with each need, not picky to the quality of the coolant and have an affordable cost. However, cast iron has its drawbacks. These include: the impossibility of rapidly heating the room due to high heat capacity, instability to hydraulic and pneumatic ataires, a large weight of the radiators themselves, and pieces of cast iron can clog the entire heating system. At the same time, cast iron radiators have become much more attractive than before – they can have a modern design or stylized under the old days.
Cast iron batteries
Steel panel radiators are ideal for autonomous heating and are a panel of various sizes made of low -carbon steel. They have low requirements for the volume of water in the system, allowed for installation in hospitals and kindergartens, have high heat transfer, modern appearance and acceptable price. Steel radiators are not as heavy as cast iron. However, they have low working pressure, are subject to damage to hydraulic shots and are not protected from corrosion exposure. However, despite all these shortcomings, steel radiators are highly popular among the population.
Steel panel radiators
Aluminum batteries do not recommend using heating systems, because when connecting to city networks, contact with steel or copper is not excluded, which will cause corrosion. At the same time, all the advantages of aluminum radiators are manifested in autonomous systems: small weight, high heat transfer, low thermal inertia, attractive appearance, high working pressure and lack of difficulties during installation. With all this, aluminum radiators are more expensive than the rest, they are demanding on the quality of the coolant and are unstable to abrasive wear.
Aluminum batteries
Recently, bimetallic radiators consisting of two layers are becoming increasingly popular: aluminum and steel. Steel tubes increase strength and resistance to chemicals, and aluminum increases heating rate and increase heat transfer. The main disadvantage of such batteries is too high cost.
Bimetallic radiators
When choosing radiators for autonomous heating, do not forget, except for the pros and cons, take into account the area of the heated room, the type of roof and wall thickness, in order to correctly calculate the number of necessary batteries.