How to choose a floor heating radiator? Tips and Tricks

The organization of a home heating system can be performed in many ways. In modern apartments, compact and at the same time effective radiator units are increasingly being used. They do not take up much space, they provide a sufficient amount of heat output and even act as an attractive object of the interior. But such designs do not satisfy all. People who seek to reduce the technical facilities in the house, choose floor heating radiators, built into the floor of the room. Externally, such systems are almost invisible - only the working surface is allocated on the general background of the coating. But this problem can be solved at the expense of design techniques. It is much more important to make the right choice of the convector itself, in terms of the effectiveness of its heating function in a particular house.

Features of built-in radiators

Not only design is built in the floor convectors. Although by design and in general by the principle of operation, they are in many respects similar to traditional wall analogs, the placement itself causes their higher productivity. Externally, the system is a rectangular box that integrates into the floor of the room. During operation, the floor heatsink operates according to the principle of air convection heating. The main feature of this model of heating is that air flows, when interacting with equipment surfaces, circulate naturally and more efficiently, rising upwards and leaving the place to the cooled masses.

Thus, a circular process of air heating is realized. In comparison with wall batteries, this principle demonstrates not only high performance, but also savings in terms of energy costs. Another thing is that the floor radiator requires special installation conditions, so the system is not so common.

Select by material

Modern models of radiators are mostly made of aluminum, copper and steel. Each of these materials is good in one or another characteristic. The steel elements are characterized by low inertia - this means that the convector will, within a short period of time, obtain the optimum operating state. But in terms of heat conduction, non-ferrous metals are still more profitable. Aluminum floor radiator demonstrates high heat emission due to balanced radiation and does a good job with the function of the convention. Copper constructions have similar properties, but they are more expensive. The optimal solution would be a bimetallic convector, in which both steel and aluminum are present. But, if in wall constructions such solution justifies itself and because of high strength of the steel case, then for floor systems this advantage is not important.

Power selection

Perhaps this is one of the key parameters of choice, since it depends on the efficiency of the main function - heating. The indicator of the optimum heat output will depend on the area of the room, the material from which the walls and ceilings are made, the number of openings and other data that affect the microclimate in the house. Usually for medium sized rooms of the order of 40 m2 it is recommended to purchase models with a heat output of 1.5-2 kW. Also in modern designs it is possible to regulate the fan speed. Due to this, the user can adjust the floor heatsink to a certain operating mode. If, for example, the nominal capacity of the equipment is 3 kW, then the owner can optimize it for working conditions in a small room. It is important to understand that this function is not necessary for controlling temperature indicators, but for rational consumption of electricity by a radiator.

Operational requirements - what to consider?

Floor models have a disadvantage in the form of special requirements for the installation conditions, but operational external factors should be taken into account when purchasing the unit. In particular, the use of a convector in a water heating system is allowed provided that the temperature of the heating medium does not exceed 130 ° C - the average value for most modern models. Specialists take into account and pressure indicators. It is possible to operate floor heating radiators in cases where the excess water pressure does not exceed 16 bar. As for external influences, it is desirable to provide a niche for installing waterproofing equipment, regardless of the characteristics of the hull.

Electric Models

Such devices operate on the principle of convention, and spirals are used as heating elements. In the case of an elongated shape is placed an electrical base of metal, which under the influence of current realizes the heating of air. According to a similar scheme, classical electric heaters-convectors also operate, but the floor-mounted radiator in the latest versions has got rid of many negative factors of operation. So, for example, in the course of its operation, no harmful vapors occur, since low-temperature heating elements are used. Also in the equipment is a heat exchanger, which optimally regulates the interaction of air masses having different temperature indices.

Water convectors

The use of heaters, working by the circulation of water coolant, is increasingly found in private homes. This is explained by high security, and relatively low financial costs for the maintenance and operation of machinery. But you can use a floor water radiator if you can connect it to a centralized water supply system. Otherwise, the equipment is completely identical to convectors of a different type. They also have modern control systems with temperature controllers and are compact in size - though this depends on the way the equipment is connected to the equipment. Integration of water heating systems into utility networks in general is a major drawback, which is also confirmed by the example of "warm floors".

Radiator installation technology

The main work relates to the arrangement of an underground niche for the integration of the device. Typically, a channel is formed, to which either the electrical infrastructure or the water supply is supplied. Next, the unit is directly attached - for this purpose, installation kits that come with the equipment are designed. You should also consider the external design of the device. The fact that the heating radiators floor built-in are initially calculated for the possibility of operation in living quarters. After immersing the hull in an underground channel, only the grill should remain on the surface, through which air circulation will take place. If the appearance of this element contrasts with the flooring, then it is worthwhile to think about the use of decorative linings, not forgetting the requirements for strength.

Manufacturers

It specializes in the production of such heating systems by Varmann. In the manufacturer's lineup, modifications are presented with different dimensions and heat output. The cost of such equipment varies on average from 15 to 25 thousand rubles. Similar offers can be found in the assortment of Exement. Although the choice of such convectors is less extensive, they are cheaper. Introduce built-in floor heating radiators and Russian manufacturers. In particular, under the brand name "Breeze" are available affordable models in different designs.

Conclusion

Many experts are skeptical about the idea of supplying the house with a separate radiator in the form of a radiator. It is unlikely to be able to fully provide the necessary heat reserves for the entire area, so it should only be considered as an option for auxiliary heating. And if from the acquisition of traditional designs of this type of many homeowners is constrained by a deficit of free space, then floor heating radiators are spared this shortcoming. If properly installed, the structures fit organically into the communication network, not delivering ergonomic difficulties in operation. Actually, as an element of the engineering system of water supply, it is worth considering such convectors in private houses. For a city apartment, it is advisable to prefer an electric floor radiator, which does not require unnecessary installation operations for the purpose of supplying pipelines with a coolant.