In private house-building, the one-pipe Leningrad heating system remains one of the most common to this day. Due to economic feasibility, it is used everywhere. Before you make it the main source of heat in your home, you should familiarize yourself with the schemes, pluses and minuses, reviews and characteristics.
Features of the Leningrad heating system
If we consider single-pipe heating systems, it can be noted that they can have a different configuration. Leningradka is one of these varieties. Whatever the one-pipe heating circuit, in it the devices are connected to one distributing collector with two inlets. This suggests that the highway acts as a return and supply pipe.
The Leningrad heating system involves the movement of water through a closed collector that looks like a ring. The heat carrier in this case supplies heat to the batteries and draws off the cooled water. The distinguishing feature of other schemes is the lower wiring and the horizontal system, as well as the connection of heating devices from different sides.
Principle of operation
After passing through the first battery, part of the water cools and mixes with the hot water that goes through the collector. In this case, a decrease in temperature occurs. A smaller amount of heat enters the second radiator, and its size is increased to obtain a certain heat transfer.
In order to achieve the goal of a uniform distribution of heat across the batteries, the supply line must have certain parameters, consisting in diameter, 2 times larger than the supply. Thus, if a DN10 pipe is used to connect the radiator, then the line is connected using products marked DN20. In this case, the letter designation is the diameter of the inner passage of the pipe.
Main advantages
The Leningrad heating system is so popular because of the many advantages. The main ones are:
- ease of installation;
- low material costs.
The last statement can be considered controversial, because the cost will depend on the selected pipe material. If you use steel or polypropylene products, then a one-pipe “Leningradka” will win at the cost of a two-pipe system, because fittings in this case will be cheap.
However, if polyethylene or metal-plastic pipes are used for the device, then the scheme will imply the use of an impressive diameter of the supply line. This entails the use of fittings of larger diameter, which will cost more, and the cost of materials and work will be higher.
Ease of installation and the need for calculations
The Leningrad heating system is quite simply mounted. If the person who at least knows a little about this issue works, he will cope with the task. The complexity is expressed in the fact that before installation it is necessary to carry out the correct calculation of the pipeline and the battery power, taking into account the cooling rate of the coolant. If you assemble the system at random, the result will be disastrous, only the first three batteries will be warmed up, while the rest will remain cold.
The scheme of "Leningrad"
Considering other heating systems, you can understand that they differ in the presence of two pipes, one of which is a return pipe, the other - a supply. The Leningrad heating system of a private house is mounted using only one supply pipe. This saves material and reduces construction costs.
In Russia, this system appeared during the years of Soviet rule, when housing construction was carried out in droves, and it was necessary to build quickly, much and economically. For the first time this scheme was used in the construction of houses in Leningrad, this gave the name to the system. The Leningrad heating system of a private house involves a one-pipe installation. Radiators are connected in series.
When the device does not have a circulation pump, the circuit can only be equipped in houses of a small area or buildings with one floor. But if the system is equipped with a pump, then it will cope with the heating of an apartment building of an impressive area. The choice of heating scheme should be carried out at the design stage of the building. This is due to the fact that in an operated house it will be difficult to change radiators and pipes.
Way to solve problems
Deficiencies and blemishes will appear in the winter, when the heating system will work with all intensity. The Leningrad home heating system should take into account the peculiarity that the heat carrier passing through the radiators will gradually cool. In the final device, the water temperature will be lower, so it should be greater than the rest. If we are talking about cast-iron radiators, then the number of sections should be increased, while when using panel devices, their area should be taken into account. This should be attributed to the disadvantages of this scheme.
Another drawback is that in this scheme it is quite difficult to adjust the temperature in each heating device. But for the normal operation of the system requires the installation of a powerful circulation pump. It creates the required pressure in the pipeline.
The main disadvantages of Leningrad
Experts believe that the advantages of the Leningrad heating scheme are very illusory. The system is easy to install, but the master will certainly have difficulties with dismantling. Such a scheme can boast of cheapness only when assembly is carried out using certain materials, which are not suitable for everyone.
An important drawback is also expressed in the fact that it is problematic to regulate the heat transfer of the radiator using thermostatic valves . This consequence stems from the principle of operation. If you install such valves, then the circuit can work differently. Once the first battery heats the room to the desired temperature, and the valve shuts off the water supply, as its main volume rushes to the second radiator, the thermostat of which will start to operate. Such a scheme of operation will be valid until the very last device, and upon cooling the process will be repeated, however, it will be the opposite.
If everything is calculated correctly, the system will heat more or less evenly, otherwise the last radiators will not heat up at all. Considering the disadvantages of the Leningrad heating system, it is also worth noting that it will work reliably with forced circulation if the pump was conceived as part of a centralized network. If it is necessary to use a volatile system without a pump, Leningradka cannot be a good option. To obtain intense heat transfer with natural circulation, it is recommended to use a vertical single-pipe or two-pipe system.
Reviews about the features of installing a horizontal “Leningradka”
The Leningrad heating system, the scheme of which was described above, can be arranged horizontally. She, according to users, is easy to install. Even novice home masters note that knowledge and special skills are not required to carry out the work. The horizontal design involves laying the main pipeline on top of the floor or floor.
In the latter case, it is possible to improve the circulation of the coolant. At the same time, home masters advise to provide good thermal insulation of the highway, because the horizontal scheme is characterized by an increased level of heat loss.
The Leningrad heating system, the pros and cons of which were discussed above, involves the installation of the main pipe at an angle to the direction of movement of water or antifreeze. Heating devices are installed at the same level. Consumers advise to remove air from the system before starting, for this, a Mayevsky crane is installed on each battery.
Conclusion
The Leningrad heating system of a private house, the features of which you must know, can also be laid in a vertical pattern. In this case, it is necessary to solve the issue of forced circulation of water, a pump is used for this. After creating such a system, the elements that provide heating are heated to the required temperature faster.
The main disadvantage of the vertical arrangement of the Leningradka is its not very aesthetic appearance. In addition, it is important to highlight another minus, which is expressed in the restriction on the length. Thus, if you do not use a circular pump, then the length of the line can not be more than 30 m.