Advanced repair technologies constantly bring something new and attractive to the house. One of these solutions is a warm water baseboard that combines the advantages of heating through the floor and radiators.
The principle of heating
The heating module is a copper tube radiator. A feature of the device is its small size. The system also includes aluminum profiles, plastic plugs, brackets, holders, fittings, manifolds.
The principle of operation is to heat the air, which then slowly rises up, heating the walls. Energy is radiated from them to other objects, which then transfer heat to the room. Thus, uniform heating of the entire space of the room is made. A pillow of warm air does not accumulate at the top. With ordinary heating, you have to pay for the heat above, but you will not be able to use it.
The effect of adhesion of the warm flow to the wall is caused by the reduced pressure that forms when it flows upward. Due to this, the convective movement of air is weakened and heat is transferred to the wall, which then spreads it by radiation.
Radiators warm the cold air entering through the lower slots of the body. It is important that the wall in this place is reliably protected by thermal insulation. Then the heated air exits through the upper slots and gives off heat to the hard surface. Thus, convective heat transfer mostly occurs inside the radiator case. Radiation is transmitted only to the aluminum casing.
The advantages of the system are as follows:
- Warming the walls prevents the formation of dampness, which is the cause of the development of fungi and mold.
- Uniform heating of the surrounding space.
- Small skirting boards save space in the room.
- The heating system can be primary or secondary.
- Profitability.
- Environmental friendliness. There are no heat fluxes that raise dust.
- Heat exchanger protection with a robust housing.
The disadvantage is the high price, but the investment quickly pays off due to the advantages.
You can install the system yourself, without having special skills. But here you need to know some features of different models. Before buying them, it is important to study all the characteristics that a manufacturer must provide. On their basis, the entire system is calculated and designed. As the initial data, the characteristics of the structure, its dimensions and the power of the heater are taken.
Types of Warm Skirting
As well as for floor heating, warm skirting boards are water and electric. Regardless of the type, they hide under a beautiful decorative box.
The latter is distinguished by its simplicity, compactness and ease of use. Disadvantages include the high cost of electricity and the need for powerful wiring. A warm water baseboard can be connected to the boiler, but it is slightly different from conventional systems. Both varieties can be used in combination with sources of heating of other operating principles.
The new method does not require a high coolant temperature. As a result, energy consumption is reduced. In addition, it is advisable to install temperature controllers in each room. In the nursery, it is kept elevated, and in the adult bedroom it can be reduced by several degrees.
System device
The basis of the device is a heating module - a heat exchanger, consisting of brass or aluminum lamellas, mounted on 2 copper tubes with an outer diameter of 13 mm. The modules are suspended on brackets and connected to each other in series, and then PVC supply pipes from the collector are connected to them according to the radiation pattern. Configuration and management are done from the distribution manifold. An aluminum box is mounted on top, installed around the perimeter of the room.
Installation of a warm skirting system
When a warm water baseboard is mounted, PVC pipes from the distribution manifold are first laid, and then the connection points are prepared. Particular care should be taken to ensure the correctness of the beam layout, since after pouring the screed it will be difficult to change anything. All supplies are carried out in the process of construction work.
The system is installed only after finishing the room. The first module is connected using a coupler, and then all elements are mounted in series. In the corners and at the very end, the connection is made using rotary polyethylene tubes. Each heating circuit is limited to a length of 12.5 m. Heating is carried out near the exterior walls of the house. Use also internal walls. Skirting boards are not installed in the locations of plumbing, household appliances and bulky furniture. Then pressure testing is performed, all circuits are balanced and the automation system is set up.
Radiators do not have to occupy the entire perimeter of the room, but are necessarily located along the walls. Air enters the bottom of the heaters and exits through the upper slots of the ducts.
How to make a watery warm baseboard?
After selecting and calculating a warm skirting board with water heating, installation is carried out in the following sequence:
- The development of the method of connecting the system to the boiler and the choice of what will be a warm water baseboard - auxiliary or main system.
- Determination of heat loss in all rooms and based on this - the required power of the installed system.
- Laying pipes from the distribution manifold in all rooms to the connection sections.
- The choice of installation sites. 15 mm is indented from the wall, and 10 mm from the floor. Marking points for drilling holes for dowels. Installation on the wall of strips, insulation and brackets.
- Fixing the skirting modules by level until all are installed.
- Serial connection of heaters between themselves and to the supply pipes. Their maximum allowable amount is 17 pcs.
- Water supply under pressure and checking the system for leaks.
- Installation of caps and covers.
Skirting board Termia
The design consists of two copper pipes with lamellas made of brass or aluminum. Termia water-based warm skirting board has high thermal conductivity, which makes it possible to use it in heating systems with a low temperature. When water is heated to 70 ° C, the thermal power of 1 m of the module length is 240 W, which corresponds to the characteristic of an electric heater. When decorative panels of high thermal conductivity from an aluminum profile are applied to a warm water baseboard, the heat transfer increases and becomes more uniform.
To increase the heat transfer efficiency, the module connections are made by copper tubes, which are passive heat exchangers. They are usually held near the inner walls of the house. Connections of modules with them are made by soldering.
Automation involves the installation of thermal valves with remote sensors located in the premises at a level convenient for regulation. The control devices are protected by a powder-polymer coating, resistant to shocks and other mechanical stresses.
Do it yourself
Due to the high cost, many collect a warm water skirting board with their own hands. Copper or aluminum radiators are difficult to make, but copper pipes are good heaters. In this case, you can increase the diameter to 20 mm. A more effective indicator is 16 mm.
The lower pipe is placed at a height of 6 cm, and the upper one at a height of 15 cm. The width of the plinth should not be more than 3 cm. At the same time, a strip of thin thermal insulation with aluminum foil is attached to the wall. For protection, a steel or aluminum box is used. A decorative screen can be made of a copper plate. If you solder it to the pipes, the heat transfer will improve significantly.
An important condition for the high performance of a warm skirting board is the minimum temperature difference in the forward and reverse directions. It is recommended to install an additional circulation pump for such a system.
Water warm baseboard: reviews, photos
- Skirting heaters maintain comfortable living conditions even in winter.
- In houses where there is a lot of furniture, it is inconvenient to use a warm plinth. As a result, furniture is heated, not the room.
- In private houses where there are mini-boiler rooms, there is quite enough generated heat for plinth heaters. Many use them with other types of heating.
- Domestic manufacturers produce products at reasonable prices. Imported ones are more expensive, but look much better.
- Many are satisfied with the safety of using this type of heating, such as a warm water baseboard. Reviews of leaks are extremely rare.
Conclusion
The "water warm baseboard" system is one of the best solutions when it is necessary to organize convenient and economical heating. The high price makes it difficult to introduce it in Russia, but new heaters are gradually being used due to their effectiveness.