Steam is called heating, in which superheated steam is used as the coolant. This type of heating was used at the beginning of the century before last for space heating. Later, steam was replaced with water, but the name is still used, and sometimes erroneously.
Should I use steam heating
The reason for refusing to use steam as a coolant is a rather high temperature of heating the surface of devices, which reaches 100 degrees, this mark is often much higher. This indicates that contact with the surface of the battery will certainly cause a burn, while a break in the piping system can lead to serious personal injury and property damage. Today, steam heating is most often used for heating industrial premises, porches, greenhouses and passages, but only if the system does not pose a danger to human health.
Scheme of laying a pipeline for steam heating
If you decide to do your own work on arranging the system described in this article, then you will need a diagram. Steam heating in a private house may well be implemented on their own. To do this, you can use one of the following structural schemes. The steam distribution pipe can be located above or below, among other things, the system can be characterized by an intermediate gasket of this element. You can use a wet or dry condensate gasket. Thus, if you decide to choose a technology that involves the upper laying of the distribution steam line, then the saturated steam from the boiler through the separator will go into the steam line, and then to the heating devices. Thus, the coolant will condense and transfer heat to the external environment. The formed water will be delivered to the boiler via a condensate line. In this case, we are talking about a wet type condensate line. Through the pipeline, it is possible to replenish the boiler with liquid.
In the course of installation work, you will certainly need a circuit. Steam heating in a private house can be implemented independently, however, in this case, you must be guided by the attached rules. For example, it is important to imagine where the steam valve will be located, it is intended to adjust the flow rate of steam. The scheme assumes the presence of a tee, it is necessary for uniform distribution of the coolant over the radiators.
Professional advice on choosing a circuit
Experts believe that the upper distribution of the coolant is the most optimal option for the described heating system, which you can implement in a private house. In some cases, to reduce the number of pipes when laying the heating system, the lower wiring of the steam pipe is used, but in this case it is necessary to be prepared for the drawback, which is expressed in the fact that the condensate drain will be directed towards the movement of the steam. This may cause water hammer. If you are interested in the presented scheme, you can equip steam heating in a private house with its use. The most rational is the laying of the wire, taking into account the bias in the direction of movement of the coolant. As for the condensate line, it should have a slope in the direction of movement of the boiler equipment. To ensure convenience, bypass loops are installed in the described system.
What else does the master need to know about the steam heating implementation scheme
A branched scheme may be used in the work. In this case, steam heating in a private house should be equipped with a certain technology. It involves the installation of a prefabricated tank, which has a float, during installation work. In the process of filling it, the pump is turned on, while condensate begins to flow into the boiler.
Preparing for installation - choosing a boiler
If you decide to do all the work yourself, you should know that the boiler acts as a key element of this heating system. The main emphasis should be placed on his choice. This equipment should perform its main function as efficiently as possible, which is why it is so important to choose the size and area of heating the premises of the building. You must take into account that the boiler must have such power that is enough to heat the entire building.
Thus, if you have to work in a house whose area is equivalent to a limit of 60 to 200 square meters, then you need to select equipment with a capacity of 25 kilowatts. For an area ranging from 200 to 300 square meters, you will need a device with a capacity of 25 to 30 kilowatts. For an area of 300 to 600 square meters, it will be necessary to purchase equipment with a capacity of 35 to 60 kilowatts. If we are talking about an area that reaches 1200 square meters, then you will need to buy a device whose capacity is 60-100 kilowatts.
You can implement a steam heating scheme for a private house from the stove. In this case, you do not need to use the boiler. However, if you still decide to apply this technology, you can choose a device that runs on natural gas, liquid or solid fuel, or a combined type of fuel. As in the furnace, the components of the unit are: burner, furnace and ash pan. A key role in the design is given to the drum, to which instrumentation, a piping system and automatic fuses are fixed.
If you want to purchase equipment that has a high potential, it is best to prefer a water tube boiler. However, on sale you can find smoke, smoke and fire tube, as well as fire tube types of these devices.
Pipe selection for steam heating system
In order to equip the steam heating of a private house with your own hands, the schemes of which were presented above, you need to choose the right pipes. If we are talking about steel products, then you have to perform welding work. Such a heating pipeline will be characterized by strength and reliability, but low corrosion resistance can be distinguished among its shortcomings. On sale you can find galvanized and stainless pipes, which are devoid of the aforementioned drawback, they have to be connected with a thread, but this pleasure cannot be called cheap.
When to choose copper pipes
The steam heating system in a private house, the scheme of which can be selected by you after considering the above recommendations, can be equipped using copper pipes. They are very reliable, perform excellently when exposed to elevated temperature and high pressure. Installation work will need to be carried out using high-temperature soldering. Copper pipes can be plugged into the wall, but copper heaters are considered one of the most expensive.
Features of installation with an existing stove
Steam heating in a private two-story house, the scheme of which involves the presence of a stove, involves the use of rules and technologies that apply in other cases. The piping will look the same way. But steam heating with an oven implies the absence of all kinds of heating elements that could be indoors. As an exception, premises with an area exceeding 40 square meters are used.
Technology of work
After you have chosen the connection scheme for steam heating in a private house, you can begin to perform work in the boiler room. At the same time, the room is protected, it will be sheathed with non-combustible material. At the same stage, it is possible to fill the foundation for boiler equipment. The latter is installed below the level of radiators and pipelines, which allows for steam to move upward through the heating system. Among other things, condensate will drain into the boiler by gravity.
If steam heating will be realized in a private house (Leningradka scheme), then at the next stage radiators and pipelines are installed, as well as pipelines are laid. In this case, you need to choose the right pipes. Experts recommend paying attention to copper products. Plastic can not be used categorically, since it is not able to undergo exposure to high temperatures.
Radiators are installed in the system using a threaded connection. The main thing at the same time is to maintain tightness. At the last stage, the boiler is installed and the system is tested for operability. Thus, you will implement a steam heating scheme for a private house without a pump.