If the apartment or house is hot in winter, you have to open the windows. So the temperature in the room is normalized. But the cost of heating the premises is quite high. To reduce them, the coolant must be used expediently. To adjust the heating temperature, a device such as a thermostatic head is installed on the radiators. It efficiently consumes coolant and saves significant family budget funds.
Principle of operation
During the heating season, some homeowners control the heating temperature of radiators by partially shutting off the shut-off tap. This is the wrong approach, because with such use of fittings they quickly fail. Their purpose is to be only in a fully open or closed position. In order to be able to reduce heating costs, thermostatic heads for radiators are used.
Their principle of operation is completely different. Using the scale applied to the device, the desired room temperature is set. When the radiator pumps it up to the specified level, the thermostat shuts off the coolant supply. This does not happen in part, but in full. As soon as the temperature drops, the flow resumes. It is very convenient and profitable from an economic point of view.
Head device
The thermostatic head has a certain device principle. Some models have additions and manufacturer-specific features. But the principle is similar for everyone.
The device consists of a valve and thermostat head itself. Inside the latter is a sealed corrugated chamber. It is called a bellows. This chamber is filled with a special substance that expands in a certain way when heated.
The system begins to press on the valve stem, and it shuts off the coolant supply. As the material inside the bellows, a liquid, gas or solid can be used. The type of such filler distinguishes thermostatic heads for radiators from different manufacturers. The response rate of the device to changes in ambient temperature depends on this.
Principle of economy
When buying the presented device, the consumer is promised to save heating costs up to 35%. In different cases, this figure will be significantly different. Since the principle of operation of the heads is to completely cut off the coolant supply, they are used only in autonomous heating systems.
In no case should you use the appliance if the home is pretty cool. But when the room is hot, the thermostatic head will be relevant. The main economic effect of its use is observed in the off-season or when the temperature difference day and night is quite large.
If the heating system is designed correctly, as well as all its elements are mounted properly, the device will be quite effective. In certain periods of the heating season, the savings will be really tangible.
Mounting options
There are two main principles of the presented device. The first option involves measuring the temperature directly on the radiator in the place of installation of the head. This is a rather inaccurate approach, but it has a right to exist.
The second option involves the use of such a device as a thermostatic head with a remote sensor. Temperature measurement occurs in the absence of exposure to ascending heated currents from the battery. The sensor in this case correctly determines the temperature in the room.
Due to this feature, the second type of installation is preferable. If the sensor is positioned correctly, the measurements will be correct. This is especially felt in the winter, when the coolant temperature is high. Batteries and pipes emit significant heat. It can lead to errors in determining the heat of a conventional head.
How does the device work?
There are many manufacturers offering the consumer presented products. But the thermostatic head of Danfoss, Giacomini, Purino, etc. are quite different in principle of operation. Therefore, you should consider their functions in the ideal case.
Let's say the user set the required room temperature to +23 degrees. For different manufacturers, this mark on the head can be indicated by a number, a dot, etc. As soon as the heating reaches a predetermined level, the substance in the bellows expands, presses on the valve stem. When the room temperature is +24 degrees, the flow of coolant to the radiator stops. The room is getting cooler. When the temperature drops 1 degree, battery operation resumes. In this case, +22 degrees is determined. But in reality, everything can be a little different.
Mounting
For the device to work correctly, the thermostatic head must be installed strictly according to the manufacturer's instructions. The valve is installed on the water supply pipe to the radiator. The head should not be located vertically, but horizontally. This will allow her to better capture the air temperature in the room.
Do not install the radiator deep in a niche under the windowsill. If the battery is covered by a decorative panel or thick curtains, the use of a remote sensor is extremely necessary. This element should be positioned so that nothing obscures it.
The installation site must be carefully thought out, otherwise an error in measuring the temperature will lead to hypothermia of the room. An improperly installed sensor significantly reduces the response rate of the device to air heating in the room. Strictly following the manufacturer's recommendations, you can carry out the installation yourself.
Device selection
The thermostatic head, the price of which depends on many parameters, happens with different bellows filler. The cheapest varieties have solid matter inside. Its response rate to temperature changes is rather low. Therefore, it is better not to save on quality and purchase more efficient products. Manufacturers such as Giacomini, Purmo (500-700 rubles) use liquid as a bellows filler. Such devices quickly adapt to their surrounding conditions.
One of the leaders in sales today is the Danfoss thermostatic head, costing 1000-1500 rubles. Her work is due to the action of a gaseous substance. With proper installation of the device, its operation is closest to the ideal option. Gas faster than other bellows fillers reacts to changes in heating in the room. Therefore, setting up the heating system is much faster.
Having become acquainted with such a device as a thermostatic head, we can conclude that it is necessary for a correctly designed autonomous heating system. It’s better not to save on the quality of this device, otherwise the effect of its use will be minimal.