A pipe heating system can be developed by the homeowner on their own. It is important to begin to figure out which heat source will be used. If it is gas, then it will be necessary to buy a gas boiler with automatic control, protection system and pumping equipment. In the absence of a chimney, the boiler must have a combustion chamber and a coaxial pipe that will conduct air and rid the device of exhaust gases. The coaxial pipe can be led out through the wall of the house, which will save on the construction of the chimney.
Heat source selection
If it is assumed that the house will be heated by an electric boiler, it is best to purchase automated equipment with a pump, a security group and an expansion tank. A similar system can be equipped independently using polypropylene pipes. If a solid fuel boiler acts as a heat generator, then only specialists with the relevant experience can install it. It is possible to conduct polypropylene pipes to the boiler, but a qualified approach will be necessary in the matter of developing a strapping scheme, since at the outlet the temperature of the heated coolant can be 100 degrees.
Scheme selection
If you decide to make heating with pipes, you first need to develop a scheme, it may provide for different technologies for bringing pipes to the batteries. The simplest is a one-pipe scheme, in which each subsequent radiator from the boiler will have a lower temperature compared to the previous one. This approach saves material consumption, however, the heat is distributed unevenly, so the single-pipe scheme cannot be called effective, which is why consumers rarely give it preference.
Heating with pipes can also be made according to the collector scheme. In this case, the material consumption will be greater, since the length of the pipe will increase, however, the regulation and operation of such a heating system will be simplified, the heat will spread quite evenly. The best option for a private house is a two-pipe scheme, in which elements are laid in the floor or walls of the building around the perimeter. If the system has an expansion tank, then the pump and safety groups are not needed.
Specialist advice
In such an important matter, it is imperative to carefully listen to the advice of specialists.
When heating pipes are equipped, the installation of shut-off and control valves between the safety group and the boiler is unacceptable .
Diameter selection
When connecting polypropylene pipes with metal-plastic ones, it must be taken into account that the diameter of polypropylene products corresponds to certain parameters of metal pipes. Thus, polypropylene Dn 25x4.2 should be connected to metal-plastic products with dimensions of 20x2. If metal plastic 16x20 is used, then polypropylene pipes Dn 20x3,4 should be used. For a 26x3 metal pipe, use Dn32x5.4. When connecting pipes to batteries from the main pipeline with a two-pipe system, polypropylene 20x3.4 should be used.
The use of pipes of larger diameter and radiator valves, the size of which is more than 1.2 inches, is impractical. When the heating of a house is equipped with polypropylene pipes, you should not be guided by the statement, which indicates a higher temperature in the house when using a more impressive pipe diameter and a thermostatic valve.
In order to ensure the effective operation of the system, the length of the supply pipe from the boiler equipment to the last radiator should not be more than 25 meters. As for power, its maximum limit may be 12 kilowatts.
As practice shows, effective and correct operation of the system, where it is supposed to use 20x3.4 pipes, is possible if 6 batteries are involved, each of which has 10 sections. If you use a larger number of radiators, then the length of the pipe for connection should be increased, this, in turn, can cause uneven heating of the batteries that are removed from the boiler.
Additional diameter selection information
It is important to choose the right diameter for heating pipes. If you connect a larger number of batteries or increase the length of the pipeline, then you can use polypropylene products with a large cross-section. Sometimes the conditions described are a necessity. In this case, the cross section of the pipes can be 32x5.4. To such products should be bringing metal-plastic pipes 26x3. There is an alternative solution, which provides for the summing up of not one, but two heating circuits at once.
What polypropylene pipes to choose
If you are deciding which pipe to heat a private home is most suitable for, then pay attention to polypropylene products, which are the most modern ones on the market. For communications of the heating system, it is best to use reinforced thick-walled polypropylene products that can be used at a temperature of 80 degrees or more. At the same time, pipes can undergo a pressure of 6 atmospheres. It is important to remember that high pressure and temperature can shorten the life of products, therefore it is recommended to use polypropylene elements in systems whose working pressure does not exceed 7 atmospheres.
On sale you can find pipes with internal and external reinforcement. The latter option is the most accessible, while reinforcing has almost no effect on the strength characteristics, its purpose is to compensate for the thermal linear expansion, which is characteristic of the material. If you use pipes with an external reinforcing layer, the installation process will be more time-consuming, since the master will have to clean the pipe from the existing layer by the length of contact with the connecting fitting. If you choose pipes for heating a house, then it is worth considering that external reinforcement may be subject to mechanical stress.
Selection of combined products and pipes with internal reinforcement
The above disadvantages are completely devoid of products with internal aluminum reinforcement. Their expansion when heated by 100 degrees is equivalent to 5 centimeters per 10 meters of pipe. Despite the fact that such pipes do not provide for the need for stripping, when connecting, the edge will undergo mandatory trimming. These works include the processing of products with a special tool that makes the edge perpendicular to the outer surface.
Combined polypropylene products with polyethylene filling have more attractive characteristics for thermal expansion. The core of the pipe consists of a layer of polyethylene, which has a coating in the form of a polypropylene part. If you want to choose the best pipes for heating, then you should pay attention to those that have the best characteristics of thermal expansion. At the same time, experts recommend preferring products with internal fiberglass reinforcement. An advantage is the proximity of the melting points of fiberglass and polypropylene. Due to this, additional manipulation of the connection with the fitting is not required. Fiberglass is fused with layers of polypropylene, forming everything together in a monolith. But if you decide to choose such pipes, then you should be prepared for a fairly impressive cost.
The choice of metal
Before purchasing pipes for heating a private house, you can consider metal-plastic, which is a universal solution. It effectively combines the characteristics of metal and plastic pipes. Products are based on an aluminum alloy coated with high density polyethylene. The outer layer is highly resistant to aggressive environments. Among the positive characteristics can be distinguished high throughput, attractive appearance, low cost of installation work, flexibility, not susceptible to corrosion.
It is possible to connect such elements with each other without the use of welding, they have a long service life and excellent resistance to tearing. But such products also have certain disadvantages, which are expressed in the destruction of the surface under the influence of ultraviolet radiation. However, this process can be restored: at the place of exposure, wear protection as a corrugated pipe. Another drawback is consumers consider a very limited choice of diameters.
Is it worth it to buy copper pipes
If you still can not decide which pipes to choose for heating, then you should consider as an example copper pipes that were used from the end of the 17th century and are still in use today. This trend is not an accident, as this option is excellent for autonomous heating systems. For the manufacture of pipes using high-quality copper, which is almost devoid of impurities. As a result, it is possible to obtain elements that are characterized by high corrosion resistance and strength.
Conclusion
On sale you can find models whose surface is coated with polyvinyl chloride or polyethylene. This measure can have a positive effect on reducing heat loss when water passes through pipes. Among other things, such protection prevents the formation of condensation, improving the appearance of the products. If necessary, copper pipes can be purchased in hard or soft form.