An air-heating stove is the best option for heating a country house or cottage. The fact is that the units under consideration differ from other heat sources in their low weight, economy and ease of maintenance. The main advantage of the heater of this type is the lack of fluid in the system, which allows it to be protected from freezing or salt deposits.
Varieties
Among air-heating stoves, the following modifications are popular:
- Direct heat from a fireplace, boiler or stove.
- Heating the room using special ducts connected to the heated areas.
- Forced heating by fans in the system.
Depending on the configuration of the hot-water furnace, the total costs include the price of the heat generator, additional devices used to deliver heat from the main source.
In the case of direct heating, the generator is placed indoors, it works on wood, coal, gas, electricity or diesel fuel. The key role is played not by the type of fuel, but by the organization of the heating scheme in all rooms. If in liquid structures heat transfer is carried out using a coolant, then in the systems under consideration it is air.
Structural nuances
Long-burning gas-fired hot-air furnaces are an analogue of a solid fuel boiler. They are distinguished by the simplicity of design, have some similarities with the "potbelly stoves". At the same time, there are no difficulties with maintenance and management. In all of these systems, the process is based on pyrolysis.
As a result of fuel combustion, gas is emitted with a high percentage of thermal capacity. At the same time, the released energy is several times greater (compared with the usual combustion of firewood). The pyrolysis effect makes it possible to heat a large area of a room with one bookmark of wood. Gas from the energy source is released in a special chamber under conditions of low oxygen content and at high temperature conditions. The resulting fuel enters the upper compartment of the boiler with the subsequent release of a significant amount of heat.
Device
The heating air-heating furnace consists of the following elements:
- Housing made of cast iron or sheet steel.
- Primary combustion chamber.
- Convection circuit.
- Ashpit.
- Secondary afterburner.
- Chimney.
- Outlet for secondary air.
- Traction control.
The equipment in question can be performed externally in different variations, which depends on the modification and configuration, but they work the same way.
Operating principle
First, fuel is laid in the hot-air oven (firewood, straw, pellets, husks or other organic compounds). Coal is not suitable for such equipment, since during glowing, the temperature of the case rises to a critical value, which can lead to an accident. Then, in the primary compartment, normal combustion with a normal amount of oxygen is observed. Further, the furnace operates in a continuous burning mode with a simultaneous decrease in temperature and air quantity.
In such furnaces, fuel simply smolders, gas is released from it, which, together with the heated secondary air, enters the secondary working compartment. When flammable, the gas generates a large amount of heat. The principle of operation of economical furnaces:
- Infrared radiation is generated from a red-hot skeleton.
- Warm air passes through the convection unit.
- Energy is supplied to adjacent rooms using air ducts connected to the main source of heating.
Pros and cons
On the market are modifications equipped with heat exchangers or a hob. Among the advantages of wood-burning stoves, the following points are distinguished:
- High efficiency (up to 85%).
- On one tab, the operating time is 8-9 hours.
- For sale are fully non-volatile modifications.
- The design contains a combustion regulator.
- Multifunctionality.
- Simplicity of operation.
- Durability.
- Acceptable price.
- Different power indicators, which depends on the volume of the room.
Disadvantages are also available. Among them:
- Use of fuel exclusively with a low moisture content (not more than 20%).
- The need for regular cleaning of the chimney due to soot formation.
- Condensation and possible leakage to the floor.
Criterias of choice
There are several criteria for choosing a home heating stove. Pay attention to the following parameters:
- Performance and power indicator.
- Dimensions.
- Type of chimney installation.
- The ability to connect ducts.
- Case material.
Also, the choice of equipment when buying is affected by the modification of the device:
- Buleryan type furnaces.
- Breneran models.
- Heater Butakova.
These versions are the basis for all other options. Modern and foreign manufacturers only improve and understaff existing developments, releasing their own series.
Air-heating furnaces "Buleryan"
This type of equipment is equipped with a pair of chambers in the furnace compartment, which increases work efficiency. Efficiency "Buleryana" reaches 80-90%. There is also a modification of "Aqua", which is suitable for liquid heating systems.
The furnace consists of the following elements:
- Oval cast iron or steel skeleton.
- Manifolds and injectors.
- Upper and lower working compartments.
- Gate chimney.
- Door and ash pan.
These long-burning furnaces are considered the most effective among analogues, since the design features make it possible to pump the air mixture into the middle of the convector without the need for an electric fan. Air circulates naturally due to the significant temperature difference at the inlet and outlet pipes. This value is around 120 ° C.
Air ducts can be connected to the converter models, which allows heating adjacent rooms. It is advisable to choose inlets from aluminum, since they work in conditions of high temperatures of the circulating air flow. To avoid heat loss, it is necessary to additionally insulate the ventilation wiring.
The features of the Buleryan-Aqua variety with a cast-iron housing include the ability to connect a liquid heating system. The equipment is mounted in an indoor or outdoor circuit. The nozzles are connected to the convectors of the furnace, after which it is not the air that circulates through the pipes, but the coolant. This model has one significant drawback: the refrigerant cools the combustion compartment, accordingly, the efficiency of the equipment decreases, and the consumption of fuel materials increases.
Butakov heater
The furnace consists of the following parts:
- Housing made of steel or cast iron.
- Chamber for the furnace.
- Convection tubes running throughout the chamber.
- Ashpit.
- Chimney with adjusting gate.
- Door with convector.
The furnace of Butakov’s heater, unlike the Buleryan, for example, the Siberia air-heating stove and other analogs, is not divided into two compartments. This parameter does not adversely affect equipment performance. Its efficiency is up to 85%. The device workflow is based on pyrolysis and convection.
The first operation takes place in the furnace compartment, starting after laying firewood or another type of fuel. High temperature and a small amount of oxygen contribute to the decomposition of organic substances into water and gas. Moisture comes out along with the combustion products, and the gas ignites in the upper part of the chamber with an additional supply of secondary air. The temperature indicator of the upper part of the furnace (compared to the lower) is significantly higher, which allows it to be used for cooking.
Electric heaters
Often, electric tube heaters are used in home heating systems. The increase in thermal efficiency allows the installation of additional ribs. The main advantage of these models is that there is no need for removal of combustion products and regular maintenance in terms of carbon deposits and soot removal. There is also a clear and flexible adjustment of the power of the device with the possibility of aggregation with thermostats, programmable remotes and other additional equipment.
As for the cons, there are two, but quite significant:
- The power of an electric air heater often reaches several tens of kilowatts, which is not always suitable for existing power lines.
- The heat generated is expensive for the consumer, given the ever-increasing prices of utilities.
Reviews of air heating stoves
Judging by the mixed responses of users, the choice of air-heating equipment depends on many factors. Given the required power, type of fuel and additional functionality, there is no particular problem in choosing a product for specific purposes. In any case, all modifications of the configuration in question are based on the three main systems that are indicated above.
Some versions have an attractive design and high efficiency, while other models differ in the ability to connect ducts and related devices. The owners note that with proper maintenance and care the specified equipment is not only efficient, but also profitable to operate.