Methods of heating a room
Today, the most popular and familiar way to heat a room is water heating. Heat is distributed using water or water-based antifreeze.
The heat source is a heating boiler that runs on various fuels. The water heating system includes radiators made of steel, aluminum, or cast iron. The heat carrier circulates with the help of a pump. The required temperature is regulated by special sensors or thermostats, can be controlled on the boiler panel or by thermostatic valves located on the radiators.
There are two main types of water heating: closed and open systems.
Open type: features and advantages
This is the simplest and most commonly used type of heating for residential premises of small area, for example, country houses. The design is designed for long-term operation.
The system includes a heating boiler, pipelines for water supply and return, radiators, and an expansion tank. Liquid circulation occurs naturally, without a pump. The system works quite simply. Water heated in the boiler is supplied through the pipeline to the radiators, transfers heat to them, and returns to the boiler through the return pipeline. In the boiler, it is heated again to the required temperature and begins its journey anew.
For the heat carrier to move independently through the pipes, horizontal pipelines are made at an angle in the direction of liquid movement. Hot water from the boiler rises through the riser due to expansion when heated and higher pressure. Then it flows down the slope of the pipeline to the radiators and, already cooled, returns to the boiler on its own.
The slope of the pipes allows air bubbles to exit into the expansion tank and then outside (they rise because air is lighter than water). The expansion tank makes it possible to maintain pressure in the system at one level. It collects the increased amount of liquid when heated, which returns after cooling.
Since the density of hot and cold water is different, this allows water to circulate naturally through the pipeline. When heating a small area, a pump is not needed in this case.
Disadvantages of open heating method
- Limited length of horizontal pipeline — up to 30 m.
- Due to weak water circulation pressure — slow heating of radiators.
- The expansion tank is often installed in the attic, so there is a risk of liquid freezing.
- Since the tank is open, air enters the water, so there is a high probability of air locks in pipes and radiators.
Closed type
Closed water heating systems have been used recently. Currently, they have become more commonly used in the construction of new private houses, apartment buildings with individual heating, and when redoing heating in old apartments. This type of heating makes it possible to install additional elements, which makes heating more comfortable.
In a closed system, everything is sealed, the heat carrier does not contact open air and is under pressure from 1 to 3 atmospheres. Thus, all the disadvantages listed in the open type disappear.
Among the components of a closed system is a pump that makes water circulate through the pipeline. The liquid is heated in the boiler, then rises under pump pressure and enters the radiators. After transferring heat, the cooled heat carrier returns to the boiler, where the cycle repeats. To temporarily remove excess water due to expansion, there is a sealed expansion tank.
Distinctive features of closed type over open heating system
- It became possible to install such elements as a towel rail, underfloor heating pipeline, and others.
- Pipes of smaller diameter are used.
- System installation is much simpler because the pump and expansion tank are located in the same room as the boiler.
- There is no water evaporation, so there is no need to monitor its quantity in the tank.
- The speed of heating radiators and the room is significantly higher.
Closed systems have become very popular among Europeans. Despite the fact that closed devices are becoming increasingly popular among our citizens, our company produces boilers not only for closed heating systems, but also for open systems.