One of the most important elements of the heating system are radiators. To date, several varieties of such equipment are produced. How not to make a mistake and make the right choice? Let's figure it out. So, cast-iron, steel, aluminum, bimetal batteries - which are better?
What you need to know
Before deciding to replace old batteries with new radiators, you should definitely go to the housing office and find out what is the working pressure of the coolant in the heating system of your home. The fact is that each type of radiator is designed for a certain maximum allowable number of atmospheres.
In the event that the batteries simply change, it is not difficult to calculate the required number of new devices. Usually they buy as much as they did. However, in this case, it all depends on the power of the new radiators. If the heating system is mounted in a new house, the calculation will have to be performed. Under standard conditions (the presence of one window, one door and one external wall in the room), the required number of batteries is determined on the basis that 41 watts of thermal power are needed per 1 m 3 . The heat transfer of each specific radiator is indicated by the manufacturer in the technical passport. The resulting number of required kilowatts should simply be divided by this indicator. In this way, you can find out how many batteries are needed.
Cast Iron Radiators
So, let's start to figure out which batteries are better - cast iron or bimetal. Or maybe choose steel or aluminum?
Cast iron batteries have been used for heating apartments in high-rise buildings for a very long time and have already established themselves as sufficiently reliable and durable equipment. This type of battery can withstand pressure up to 9-12 atmospheres and is likely to last without problems for more than fifty years. That is, cast iron radiators are not inferior in terms of service life even to modern expensive bimetallic ones.
The advantages of batteries of this type can also include undemanding to the quality of the coolant and resistance to corrosion. Such radiators, of course, also have disadvantages. This is, first of all, a lot of weight and not too aesthetic appearance. In addition, this type of equipment is characterized by a rather large inertia. That is, the battery heats up for a very long time and cools down, which in a private house, for example, may not be too convenient.
Next, we will consider what advantages differ in other types of heating radiators. We hope this helps you decide which batteries are better: cast iron or bimetallic, steel or aluminum.
Aluminum batteries
Aluminum radiators are also often used in heating systems. Their indisputable advantages include aesthetic appearance and low weight. A plus of such devices is also considered a high level of heat transfer. Aluminum batteries heat up - unlike the same cast-iron batteries - very quickly. As for pressure, they can withstand from 6 to 16 atmospheres.
The disadvantages of this variety include, first of all, exactingness to the quality of the coolant. Since water usually contains a small percentage of various kinds of acids, aluminum radiators do not last too long. Particularly quickly, the process of destruction of this metal occurs if copper components are present in the design of the heating system.
Steel models
In terms of thermal conductivity, steel is comparable to cast iron. Radiators made of this metal are heated faster only due to thin walls. This variety can withstand pressure up to 8-15 atmospheres. The disadvantages of such models include significant weight. The fact is that in order to achieve optimal power, steel radiators are made stackable. Another disadvantage of these batteries is their susceptibility to corrosion. Even models with a special internal protective coating begin to rust in three to five years.
Bimetal radiators
So, what are the pros and cons of steel, aluminum and cast-iron models, we found out. Next, let's see what are the advantages of bimetallic batteries. Which varieties are best to buy and what should be considered when choosing?
This type of battery can currently be considered the most popular. These radiators are called bimetallic because their sections are made immediately of two varieties of material - aluminum and steel (or copper). These are very reliable devices that can withstand up to 30-50 atmospheres of pressure, which means a complete lack of risk of breakthroughs and flooding of neighbors. The advantages of such models include light weight and low coefficient of thermal conductivity. In addition, bimetallic batteries have a very long service life. It is guaranteed to be 25 years, but theoretically such a device can last up to 50.
Inside the radiators of this type are steel pipes resistant to aggressive substances dissolved in water. Outside are aluminum, easily conductive heat plates.
The only drawback of bimetallic models is their rather high cost, especially in comparison with cast iron and steel. Budget options for such batteries are also available, but usually they are not particularly reliable. Therefore, in the event that you decide to purchase this particular type of radiator, first of all you need to pay attention to the manufacturer. Buying models produced by dubious companies is unlikely to be warranted.
Varieties of Bimetal Batteries
What types of equipment exist, such as bimetallic batteries. Which are better suited for an apartment or a country house?
As already mentioned, the pipes inside such radiators can be made of steel or copper. The first option is cheaper. Bimetallic batteries with copper are usually used if there are copper elements in the design of the heating system.
In addition, such radiators are classified into two more types:
- Monolithic. The length of the inner pipe in these models is fixed. This variety can withstand pressure up to one hundred atmospheres.
- Sectional. This is a more popular type of radiator. Such models are pleasant to owners of apartments and houses because part of the sections can always be removed. This allows you to adjust the power of the radiator.
What to choose?
So let's see how to make the right choice. In the event that you live in a city apartment, bimetallic models will probably be the best option. You can, of course, buy both reliable enough and much cheaper cast-iron. However, if you have installed counters, you should still choose the first option. The fact is that in order to heat such batteries, water must pass through them much less times. And, therefore, in this case, you can save on heating. Another advantage of bimetallic radiators is the lack of the need for periodic tinting.
Well, what about a summer house or a country house? Which batteries are better: bimetallic or aluminum in this case? In fact, the latter option has a lighter weight and aesthetic appearance. However, the quality of the coolant in our country leaves much to be desired. Even in suburban buildings, often water is pumped into the heating system from some open reservoir. Therefore, most owners of private homes still prefer to use bimetal models. Often used and the traditional cast-iron version. In the country, where heating is needed only in late autumn or early spring, it is better to install much cheaper steel radiators. Aluminum batteries can be used in an apartment or a house only if you are confident in the quality of the water.
Radiators of foreign manufacturers
Next, let's figure out which bimetallic battery of which company is better to purchase and what should be paid attention to. Today, the Russian market has a huge number of radiators of various brands. However, even the products of well-known foreign companies with a good reputation may not be suitable for your apartment or home. The thing is that such devices often do not tolerate Russian conditions.
Due to the high content of aggressive substances in the water circulating through the pipes, such radiators very quickly fail. If you wondered whether the batteries are bimetallic - which ones are better, you should definitely find out whether the model is adapted to Russian conditions before buying. Too many foreign companies at the moment present in our market just such products.
Sira devices
Bimetallic batteries (which are better to install in the home, you now know) of this manufacturer are currently the most popular in the domestic market. Models of this brand are distinguished by reliability, durability and aesthetic appearance. They earned good reviews for being able to withstand a very large pressure of the coolant - 40 atmospheres.
Bimetal heating batteries - which are better? If you are interested in this issue, be sure to look at the products of this company. Italian radiators Sira RS range designed specifically for use in Russian conditions. That is, they are not afraid of our dirty coolant and withstand exactly the pressure that is necessary.
So, you are still wondering: "Bimetal batteries - which are better?" Sira is a brand that must be paid attention to. A high degree of tightness of these batteries is ensured by toroidal ring gaskets, which are considered much more reliable than the paranitic ones used in most other brands of radiators. The durability of Sira devices is also due to the lack of pockets in the heads of the sections. Due to this, no gases or sludge are collected here, as a result of which the risk of corrosion is minimized.
Bimetallic batteries (which are better): reviews
Of course, the Russian consumer has the highest opinion on Sira devices. Good reviews deserved the products of brands such as Alurad, Global, Sahara and some others. Of domestic praise devices company "Rifar".
So, now you know which batteries are better - bimetallic or aluminum, what are the pros and cons of cast iron and steel options. Of course, it is up to you to decide which heating radiator to choose for the apartment or house. When buying, you should focus on the permissible pressure, the quality of the coolant, power and type of battery.