When arranging a private home, sooner or later the question of choosing a scheme arises heating systems. Today there are so many of them that an inexperienced person can get confused and choose the wrong thing. Installers often recommend what is profitable for them to install. But since you came to this page, choosing a system in your home will be much easier. First, we will share the main varieties, and at the very end we will share our opinion and choice of heating scheme for the house.

Any type of heating system is closed. IN simple version any wiring diagram can be considered as a ring consisting of pipes. It circulates hot liquid from the heating boiler to the heating devices, remaining in them for some time. The coolant releases during circulation thermal energy, and is again sent inside the boiler for heating. The cycle repeats periodically.

Any heating scheme includes:

• Heating boiler
• Connecting system pipes
• Radiators or similar heating devices
• Armature
• Circulation pump

Basic types of heating schemes

All types of schemes can be divided into 4 subtypes: open and closed, pump and gravity.

In a private home(system with natural circulation) the movement of the coolant occurs through natural circulation. By complying simple laws physics, the system is mounted in such a way that it does not require an additional pump. Well suited for small one-story houses

In a forced scheme water heating in a private house, liquid occurs due to the action of the circulation pump. When using such a system, pipes can be mounted in walls, in the floor, along the ceiling, or hidden from human eyes. At correct selection The water heating pump will work successfully. Such wiring schemes are great for two-story houses.

Open system from closed differ in the expansion tank. In a closed system it is used membrane tank. It allows you to support the system required pressure and compensates for the expansion of the coolant.

Now let's look at each scheme in more detail.

Gravity heating system, advantages and disadvantages

In this type of heating system for a private house, hot water, heated inside the boiler (usually solid fuel), moves upward, after which it ends up in heating batteries. From them, heat goes into the room and is again sent to the return pipeline. From it it already goes into the heating boiler. The constant movement of heated water is ensured by the necessary inclination of the supply (direct) pipeline and return, as well as by the use of pipes various diameters. For the supply from the boiler, pipes of a smaller diameter are used, and for the return, the pipeline in which water is directed to the boiler, a larger one.

The gravity-flow wiring diagram for the water heating system of a private house has a specific device in the form of an open expansion tank connected to the outside space, mounted at the top of the pipeline. The tank is intended to take part of the water when it is heated, since this process is accompanied by an increase in the volume of coolant. An expansion tank filled with water creates the hydraulic pressure in the heating system necessary for fluid movement.

As water cools, its volume decreases. Some of the liquid from the open tank again enters the pipeline system. This ensures the necessary continuity of water flow circulation.

A gravity heating system has the following advantages:

• Uniform distribution of thermal energy
• Sustained action
• Autonomy from power grids

A gravity heating system also has disadvantages:

• Difficult installation. The slope angle of the pipelines must be observed
• Significant length of pipes
• The need to use pipes of different sizes
• Inertial system. It reduces the degree of control of the heating process
• The need to heat water to a relatively high temperature, which limits the use of p
• Significant volume of pipeline
• Inability to connect

Heating circuit with pump

In private residential buildings A heating circuit with forced water movement is often used. This is ensured by the action of a circulation pump connected to the electrical network. In this heating distribution system, it is possible to use any materials for pipes, for example, polypropylene. Also applicable different ways installation heating devices.

Heating circuits with forced water movement are equipped membrane type. It can be installed in any part of the system, but is more often installed near the boiler. Accordingly, heating systems with forced movement of coolant are often called closed.

Single-pipe heating circuit

As a rule, this system wiring diagram is used in private one-story houses and is characterized by easy installation, low labor costs and low cost. Radiators are connected to the heating pipe in series. There is no provision for waste coolant removal. This water heating scheme has many disadvantages when heating a private house:

• loss of thermal energy - each subsequent heating device will heat up less than the previous one;
• the inability to regulate the heating intensity in one room without similar consequences for the rest. By reducing the temperature in one of the radiators, all subsequent radiators will inevitably cool down;
• need to additionally equip heating system pump to maintain working pressure in it.

There are technological methods that can be used to partially get rid of these problems. You can improve the operation of a single-pipe wiring diagram using special equipment: thermostatic valves, radiator regulators, air vents, balancing valves. Their use will slightly increase the cost of installation, but will allow the temperature in one of the radiators to be lowered or lowered without undesirable temperature changes in the remaining heating devices.

Two-pipe heating circuit

This water heating system is widely used in houses of any number of floors. Its peculiarity is that water is supplied to the radiator through one pipe, and drained through another. The heat exchangers are connected to the heating system not in series, but in parallel.

Main advantages:

• coolant with the same temperature is supplied to each radiator;
• it becomes possible to install a thermostat on radiators to set the desired temperature in each individual room;
• disconnection or malfunction of one of the batteries will not affect the operation of the others.

The system has a number of disadvantages. Its device requires large number pipes and connecting elements, which leads to an increased degree of complexity installation work and to the higher cost of the entire water heating system.

Heating scheme with heated floors

The heated floor provides horizontal thermal radiation, supporting more high temperature at the level of the legs and its reduction to a comfortable level at a higher altitude. In areas with warm climates, the circuit can be used as single source heat. In northern latitudes it must be combined with the installation of a radiator heating system.

Structurally, the underfloor heating system is a network of pipelines. Heating can be done from any heat sources.

System advantages:

• uniform distribution of heat throughout the entire volume of the room;
• improving the aesthetic appearance of the room due to the absence of pipes and radiators.

Gravity system "Spider"

The vertical heating circuit of a private house with a top spill without the use of a circulation pump is called “Spider”. The main advantage is complete autonomy from gas or electricity, which is especially in demand in rural areas or in holiday villages. In the circuit, the coolant moves due to the temperature difference at the inlet and outlet heating device. In the absence of gas and electricity, it is best to use a solid fuel boiler.

The operating principle of the “Spider” is based on the laws of physics - hot water rushes upward, displacing cold water downward. As a result of heating, the water rises from the boiler along the riser to the radiator, gives it part of its thermal energy and moves to the next one until it returns back to the boiler. The functioning of the system depends on precise selection pipes and compliance with slopes. Water intake must be carried out above the level of the heat exchangers. The boiler should be located lower. The main disadvantage of the scheme can be considered quite complex installation work.

Scheme "Leningradka"

“Leningradka” is one of the simplest, but nevertheless quite effective and economical heating schemes for wiring a private house. It is similar to a single-pipe scheme, that is, the coolant sequentially passes through all the radiators of the room, gradually losing its heating temperature. The main pipe is placed along the floor and loops the circuit from the heating device. It is best to use Leningradka in one-story houses so that all batteries are on the same level. In this case, the system can operate with natural circulation, but when installed in two-story houses it is necessary to use forced supply of coolant.

The advantages of this scheme are:

• economical consumption of materials;
• easy installation;
• long-term reliable operation;
• the ability to hide the main pipe under floor covering to improve the aesthetics of the interior.

Leningradka" is not without significant drawbacks:

• inability to maintain the same temperature regime in all rooms;
• horizontal wiring does not allow connecting heated floors or heated towel rails;
• a large area of ​​the room requires the use of a circulation pump to ensure operating pressure in the system.

Radiant heating scheme

The radial water heating wiring diagram is newfangled. When using it, hot water is evenly distributed throughout the room through the collector. The degree of heating of the home is regulated by changing the heating of the water and the speed of its movement through the pipes.

It is an improved version of the two-pipe circuit. To distribute the coolant, the same collector is used as in a warm field.

To the main advantages beam scheme wiring can be attributed to:

• Jointlessness. There are no joints inside the screed. The likelihood of leakage is significantly reduced
• The ability to turn off each device individually on the collector without harming the entire system

The only drawback is the price. Due to the use of a collector and an additional number of pipes, the price of the system also increases.

Which scheme should you choose?

Let's decide right away about single-pipe and gravity-flow systems. If you live in a modern metropolis or close to it, if everything is in order with energy resources (with light in the first place), if you do not need to save much, then do not consider these schemes.

They appeared at a time when electricity was bad, and they were also absent various types pipes We had to use metal. Now everything has changed and these systems have become obsolete.

Gravity flow schemes can be implemented in houses remote from civilization. For example, at your dacha.

If you want to use a radiator system in a private house, then best choice there will be a two-pipe dead-end heating circuit or a radiant one. Both systems operate almost identically. They differ only in implementation.

Before using water heated floors, you should calculate the heat loss at home. They will help you understand whether it will be enough as the main heating or whether you will have to use radiators as well.

Space heating country cottage can be arranged in various ways- oven, gas or electric convectors, infrared devices and other air heaters. But for living rooms Traditional water heating remains the preferred option. The installation of such a system in a private house or apartment begins with the choice correct scheme, taking into account the layout of the building and the placement of heating equipment.

How the system works

If you plan to conduct heat into the premises yourself, it is worth understanding the design and operating principle of water heating. Three components of any scheme:

• installation that generates thermal energy and transfers it to water;
• piping;
• heating devices located in heated rooms.

One of the ways to organize heating in a home on 2 floors is a two-pipe shoulder wiring

Note. Shut-off valves– taps, balancing valves, mixing valves- are always part of the wiring. Additional equipment– , – are included in the boiler or are mounted separately.

The principle of operation of the system is based on the transfer of heat from a source to heating devices through a liquid working fluid - ordinary water, capable of absorbing large amounts of energy ( specific heat– 4.18 kJ/kg °С). In some cases, a non-freezing liquid is used - an aqueous solution of ethylene glycol or propylene glycol. How it happens:

1. By burning hydrocarbon fuel or consuming electricity, the installation heats water to a temperature of 40...90 degrees.
2. The hot coolant moves through the pipes using a pump or naturally (due to convection) to water radiators.
3. Heat exchange occurs between the heating devices and the air in the rooms - the water flowing through the radiator cools by 10-20 °C, and the atmosphere of the room warms up. Plus, the hot surface of the radiator emits infrared thermal radiation.
4. The cooled coolant is returned through the line to the heat generator, where it is again heated to the required temperature.
5. Excess water formed during thermal expansion enters a special container. When the temperature in the system drops, the liquid contracts again and leaves the expansion tank.

Heating operating cycle - water is heated by the boiler unit, sent through pipes to radiators, where it gives off heat to the surrounding air

Reference. Intense release infrared heat battery surface begins at temperatures above 60 °C.

Before heating, remember one rule: heating efficiency practically does not depend on the volume of water in the system. This indicator only affects the rate of heating/cooling of the house when starting or stopping the heat generator.

Let's list the really important characteristics:

• temperature difference at the inlet and outlet of the home heater, maximum permissible - 25 degrees;
• source power - must be selected for heat losses through external walls+ warming up the air for ventilation;
• coolant flow - the volume of water passing through heating devices within 1 hour;
• the hydraulic resistance of the pipeline network together with radiators should ideally not exceed 1 Bar (10 m of water column).

An explanation regarding the total volume of coolant in the pipes will be given by expert Vladimir Sukhorukov in his video:

Types of boilers and other water heating devices

The efficiency of heating in a private house depends on the installation that heats the working fluid (water). A correctly selected unit produces the amount of heat required for radiators and boiler indirect heating(if available), economically consuming energy.

Autonomous water system can run from:

• a hot water boiler that uses a specific fuel - natural gas, firewood, coal, diesel fuel;
• electric boiler;
• wood-burning stoves with a water circuit ();
• heat pump.

Addition. There are combined types of heaters that simultaneously combine 2-3 energy carriers, for example, coal - natural gas, wood - electricity (one copy is shown below in the photo). There are also universal boilers, where you can install a diesel nozzle, gas or pellet burner - your choice.

Most often, boilers - gas, electric and solid fuel - are used to organize heating in cottages. The latter are manufactured only in floor-standing versions, the rest of the heat generators are wall-mounted and stationary. Diesel units are used less frequently, the reason being the high price of fuel. How a domestic hot water boiler is discussed in a detailed manual.

Stove heating combined with water registers or modern radiators is a good solution for heating a summer house, garage and small residential house with an area of ​​50-100 m². The disadvantage is that the heat exchanger placed inside the stove heats the water uncontrollably. To avoid boiling, it is important to ensure forced circulation in the system.

Reference. Previously, such schemes were made by gravity - without a pump, with an open expansion tank. Registers and lines were welded from steel pipes with a diameter of 40...80 mm (internal), laid with a slope of 3-5 mm per 1 m for better gravity flow. The heating was called steam because the system was not afraid of boiling.

Modern gravity system without pumping unit, powered by the water circuit of a brick kiln

Heat pumps are not widely used in the countries of the former Soviet Union. Reasons:

• the main problem is the high cost of equipment;
• due to the cold climate, air-water devices are simply ineffective;
• geothermal systems "earth - water" are difficult to install;
• electronic units and compressors of heat pumps are very expensive to repair and maintain.

Due to the high price, the payback period for the units exceeds 15 years. But the efficiency of the installations (3-4 kW of heat per 1 kilowatt of electricity expended) attracts craftsmen who are trying to assemble home-made analogues from old air conditioners.

1. The diameter of the main pipe is at least 20 mm (internal passage), which corresponds to the outer size of metal-plastic 26 mm, polypropylene - 32 mm. The specified cross-section remains the same along the entire length of the pipeline.
2. The number of batteries in 1 branch is a maximum of 6 pieces, otherwise you will have to increase the diameter of the distribution pipe to 32-50 mm. Installation becomes more complicated and becomes more expensive by 15-20% (minimum).
3. Since less heated water reaches distant radiators, their heat exchange surface needs to be increased by 10...30%, adding the number of sections.
4. Manual or automatic adjustment of the flow through one heater affects the operation of other devices, since the temperature and flow of water in the common line changes.

The batteries of a single-pipe system discharge cooled water back into the common collector

Reference. IN apartment buildings Soviet-built vertical single-pipe systems are used, where batteries are connected to risers, the “Leningradka” principle is preserved. Similar schemes, only in miniature, are used in two-story private cottages when it is necessary to organize gravity flow.

A single-pipe closed water heating circuit is suitable for country houses and residential houses with an area of ​​60...100 m². Two floors are not a problem, the system is divided into 2 ring branches, converging at the tees near the boiler, one pump is used.

Two-pipe circuits - ring and dead-end

A characteristic difference is the division of hot and cooled coolant into 2 lines - supply and return. Here two pipes come to the batteries - one is where water enters the radiators, and through the other it flows back to the boiler. There are 2 systems used for heating homes:

1. In a dead-end circuit, the coolant flows along the main line to the last device, then returns through the return line - flowing in the opposite direction.
2. In the Tichelman annular loop, water does not change direction after leaving the battery. That is, the coolant in both lines flows in one direction.

Two-pipe heating network one-story house with dead-end branches

Addition. The first system consists of one or several dead-end branches - arms of different or equal lengths. The second is made in the form of one or several closed rings converging on the boiler.

Advantages of two-pipe battery connection methods:

• small diameters of lines - 15-20 mm (internal);
• all radiators are filled with coolant of the same temperature;
• there are no restrictions on the number of heaters on 1 line;
• the system can be automated and adjusted; changing the flow rate or completely disconnecting one battery does not affect the operation of neighboring ones;
• correctly assembled associated wiring is well balanced hydraulically;
• low installation costs.

In the Tichelman loop, the first radiator on the supply line becomes the last on the return line, and water flows through the pipelines in one direction

It’s easy to assemble a dead-end circuit with your own hands - it forgives minor mistakes and is easy to balance. It is more difficult with the Tichelman loop - in one-story building a double highway will definitely cross the opening front door, which will have to be piped around from above or below under the floors.

Collector system

Here, the connection of radiators is organized in a radial manner from a distribution comb located close to the center of the building. It is connected to the boiler by two pipes, and each battery has its own two-pipe line - supply and return. Radiator connections go to the devices along the shortest path - they are hidden in the floor screed or attached under the ceiling of the lower floor.

Note. Air is removed from hidden pipelines through automatic air vents installed on the comb.

It is highly advisable to place a comb distributing the coolant in the middle of the building to make all the connections the same in length

Beam scheme - preserving the advantages of a dead-end system. There are additional advantages:

• pipes, connections and a cabinet with a manifold hidden inside building structures, so the scheme is suitable for any interior solutions;
• convenience and ease of regulation (balancing), controls are located in one place - the distribution cabinet;
• If you equip the thermostatic valves of the comb with servo drives and install an electronic control unit, you can fully automate the water heating of the building.

To connect the heaters to the collector, cross-linked polyethylene pipes Ø10 mm (internal section), protected by a thermal insulation shell, are used. A line with a diameter of 26...40 mm is laid from the boiler plant to the comb, depending on the number of consumers.

Disadvantages of beam wiring:

• in a lived-in house it is difficult to install pipelines to radiators - open the screed or cut out the grooves;
• high cost of materials and work;
• the circuit does not work without a pump;
• Highways laid inside a concrete monolith cannot be altered or replaced.

Pad insulated pipes from the collector to the radiators in different rooms

Finally, about the advantages and disadvantages

First, let's reveal the main disadvantages of this heating:

• significant investments during construction - the homeowner bears the costs of purchasing materials, equipment and installation;
• During operation, it is necessary to monitor the operation of the thermal power plant, diesel and wood boilers load fuel on time;
• there is a possibility of leakage or defrosting of heating network elements.

The listed shortcomings cannot be called critical. The investment gradually pays off; if there is a lack of funds, installation is carried out independently. The likelihood of leaks is reduced to zero due to high-quality assembly and filling of non-freezing coolant (antifreeze), if the heating is turned on periodically.

The list of advantages looks much more impressive:

As you understand, the publication is for informational purposes and will be useful to homeowners who have not decided on the method of heating their home. You will find more detailed instructions on choosing thermal power equipment, pipes and fittings used on other pages of our resource (transitions are highlighted in blue in the text of the article).

On the territory of our state, the most popular type of home heating is water heating, as the traditional and most rational option. Its high popularity is due to the relatively affordable price of the materials from which the system is assembled and the fuel, which in most cases is played by natural gas.

How does it work?

The operating principle of water heating is remarkable for its simplicity. This type of heating is characterized by a closed system, the main elements of which are pipes, radiators and a heating boiler.
The heat generator heats up the coolant (water, glycol solution), which, in turn, flows through pipes to radiators installed in heated rooms.

Hot batteries warm up the air due to heat transfer, and the rooms are equipped with comfortable temperature. Once cooled, the liquid is returned to the boiler, where its temperature rises and the cycle repeats over and over again.

Circulation type

As mentioned earlier, water heating operates by moving coolant through the system. Now we will look existing species water circulation, which have fundamental differences that must be taken into account when choosing a scheme.

Natural (gravity)

IN in this case The heating process involves different densities of hot and cold coolant.

The heated liquid loses its density and decreases in weight, so it is pushed upward, flowing through the pipeline. Having given off heat and lowered the temperature, the water becomes denser, sinks down and goes back into the boiler.

To the advantages natural system water heating can be attributed to its autonomy, since it does not require electricity, and a very simple design.

If we talk about the disadvantages, then an impressive number of pipes with large diameter, otherwise the gravitation process will be disrupted, and modern radiators with a small cross-section they simply will not be able to dock with the highway. Also, when installing the pipeline, it is necessary to ensure a slope of 2°, which will facilitate the correct operation of the system.

Forced

Water flows through the pipeline using a circulation pump. The excess coolant mass that forms after heating is discharged into the expansion tank (in most cases a closed design), which prevents evaporation of the liquid.

This rule especially applies to those cases when glycol compounds are used as a coolant. Pressure in forced heating systems must be controlled using a pressure gauge.

The advantages of such a water heating system are very obvious and consist in a small volume of coolant with a low flow rate of pipes, the diameter of which is inferior to the previous option.

Also here it becomes possible to set the desired heating temperature for radiators, which can be of absolutely any type. The disadvantage is the dependence on the power supply, without which the pump cannot operate.

Equipment

Water heating will be reliable and efficient only if all its parts are correctly selected and the installation is carried out correctly. In this case, the elements of the system must interact with each other and match each other by type.

Boiler

The choice of the main heating device is determined by the fuel that will be used to heat the house. According to their type, boilers are:

• gas;
• electrical;
• liquid and solid fuel;
• combined.

The most economical devices are rightfully considered to be those that operate on natural gas, however, they require a highway and constant monitoring by special services.

Complete independence from the central energy system can be achieved using solid or liquid fuel, but you will have to come to terms with the concerns of procuring and storing energy resources.

An electric boiler is the least in demand, since it consumes a lot of energy and, as a result, draws big expenses for heating. In this case, it is better to install radiators that directly convert electricity into heat.

The power of the unit is selected according to the area of ​​the room that will be heated using a water heating system. The selection is made using an average ratio of 1 kW:10 m², while the height of the walls should be no more than 3 m. You also need to take into account the degree of thermal insulation of the room, the size window frames and the presence of third-party heat consumption points.

Highways

Traditional circuit pipes, which are easily susceptible to corrosion, are increasingly giving way to products that do not have such significant drawback. They were replaced by samples made of galvanized metals and stainless steel.

The most reliable option is considered to be copper parts that are resistant to sharp drop pressure and temperature indicators. They do not rust and are easily hidden in the wall. Their only drawback is the high cost of the material, which is considered a representative of the premium segment.

Metal-plastic pipes have a long service life. They have excellent strength, are resistant to corrosion, do not accumulate sediment on the internal walls, their installation is simple, and installation work is carried out quickly.

The disadvantage is the high coefficient of linear expansion during temperature changes, which can lead to damage.

Wiring

Water heating of a private house can be installed in different ways, depending on what types of functions are assigned to it. There are two schemes:

1. Single-circuit.
2. Double circuit.

One circuit

The first type is designed only for heating the room. It includes a single-circuit boiler with air exhaust, single-pipe wiring and batteries with required quantity sections.

To ensure supply hot water, which is used for household needs, two such structures can be installed simultaneously. So, one of them will heat the house, and the second will be solely responsible for the hot water supply. This practical solution, since in the warm season there is no point in heating the home in order to obtain warm water for the shower or kitchen.

This design is very easy to assemble and affordable. It is suitable for houses with a small area (up to 100 m²). This explains its popularity among owners small dachas. Single-circuit water heating can be improved by installing a circulation pump, temperature controllers on batteries and two-pipe wiring.

Two circuits

This wiring principle provides for the simultaneous supply of hot water and heating of the area. Suitable for houses where no more than 4 people live.

It is worth considering that tap or softened water is suitable here. Hard fluid from the well can damage the system equipment and therefore cannot be used.

System type

Having become familiar with the methods of circulating coolant through the mains, it is worth knowing that the circuit of a water heating system can be single-pipe, double-pipe or collector. Let's look at all three options in more detail.

One pipe

In this case, the water moves sequentially from radiator to radiator, losing temperature along the way, making each subsequent battery colder.

This negatively affects the achievement of a comfortable climate in the rooms.

Two pipes

This scheme is characterized by better heating of the premises. It provides for the installation of two pipes that are connected to each radiator. One of them supplies the batteries with hot coolant, and the second takes the cooled water back to the boiler, so heat loss will be minimal.

Most effective option, in which a mandatory element is a manifold that separately supplies a pipe with hot water to each heating element. Another pipe returns the cooled coolant back.

Considering this feature, it is possible to carry out repairs and set the temperature of each radiator separately, without taking the entire circuit out of service. Unfortunately, here the pipe consumption increases significantly and it becomes necessary to install a manifold cabinet.

Distinctive characteristics

If we compare with air and electric heating, then water heating has firmly taken a leading position due to many factors. First of all, this is an affordable price for materials, work and operation of the system, including payment for spent energy resources, which other types of home heating cannot boast of.

Here we can note the high heat transfer heating elements, promoting uniform heating of rooms and establishing a comfortable climate. It is also important that the coolant can be heated using any type of fuel, which is impossible with electric heating.

All work on installing a water system can be easily done with your own hands and this is also a huge plus. With air routes, things are more complicated and, most likely, you will have to turn to specialists for help.

The climate of Russia does not allow the operation of any buildings without heating systems. The coolant (a substance for transferring heat throughout the room) can be water, antifreeze or air. Heating where water is the coolant is called water heating. Water heating is the most common type of heating. This is due to the availability of water (water intake to the house must be done in any case), as well as convenient operation, safety and reliability of water heating.

Although it is worth noting that water heating is more suitable for homes permanent residence. IN winter period a water heating system requires constant operation or additional systems preventing the water heating system from freezing.

Water heating device

Heating is the process of heating indoor air, which compensates for heat loss in the house due to lower temperatures outside.

Heating of the house occurs due to the movement of coolant throughout the room. In the case of water heating, the coolant, heated water, moves through a pipeline and enters heating radiators, which, when heated, release heat into the premises.

The general layout of the heating system is as follows. The water is heated in the heat generator. Under its own pressure or under the influence of circulation pumps, water moves along a closed circuit of the heat pipeline. During its circulation, the water cools, transferring heat to the room, and returns back to the heat generator. This process is repeated as long as the water heating system is turned on and all its components are working properly.

Heat generators in a water heating system

3. Pressure gauge;

4. Hot coolant “riser”;

5. Hot water coolant main;

6. Thermostat;

7. Heating radiator;

8. Return (cooled) coolant line;

9. Drain coolant;

10. Water supply;

11. Radiator water valve;

12. Hot water supply main (DHW);

13. Small thermal circuit main;

14. Safety valve;

15. Circulation pump;

16. Automatic valve to bleed (release) air from the system.

Single-circuit and multi-circuit water heating systems

Houses can have not one, but several independent heating circuits. For example, separately for radiators at home, separately for heated floors, separately for the boiler. Or separately for two halves of the house. Such water heating systems are more complex to install, but are more effective for high-quality home heating.

Single-pipe and two-pipe water heating systems

There are also differences between single-pipe and two-pipe system water heating. IN single pipe system The radiators are connected to the heating system in series, in two pipes in parallel.

That's all about the basic principles of water heating! Warmth for your home.

Several visually designed drawings of water heating systems:

Closed, double-circuit closed water heating system with hot water boiler with Expansomat

Closed, double-circuit closed water heating system

Know operating principle of the heating system, how water heating systems work , necessary in order to be able to find problems in it, or, in general, avoid mistakes already at the design and installation stage.

Well, since this site is dedicated specifically to water heating systems, we will only consider the operating principle of water systems.

Composition of a water heating system

Water systems are also called liquid, and also hydraulic, because heat here is transferred from the heating boiler to heating devices (radiators, convectors, warm floors) by means of heated liquid (coolant) circulating through the pipeline. That is, a water heating system is a closed chain consisting of interconnected pipes, a heating boiler, and heating devices filled with liquid. The heating system also includes other components: taps, nuts, expansion tank, pressure gauge, safety unit, but we will talk about this later, and for now we will consider only the main elements.

Heating system diagram: main heating system devices (boiler, radiators, pipeline).

Operating principle of the heating system

This is how the heating system works.

The coolant heated in the boiler moves through the system, gradually giving off heat to pipes and heating devices, and then to the heated room.

Since the pipes, boiler and radiators form a closed system, the coolant constantly moves in a circle.

Types of heating systems

Heating systems can be divided according to the method of coolant circulation into two large groups:

• with natural circulation (convective system);
• with forced circulation (from the pump).

Let's look at how each system works.

Natural circulation heating system

This is the simplest (in terms of composition, but not installation!) heating system:

Diagram of a heating system with natural circulation.

The coolant is heated in the boiler. Since the density of water decreases when heated, it moves up the vertical pipe - the supply riser. At the top there is an expansion tank into which water is displaced, increasing its volume when heated. Then the water spreads from top to bottom through downward pipes (which for some reason are called horizontal risers (?), although it seems that you can only stand vertically, but oh well) - return risers, and further to heating devices (radiators). The density of cooled water is greater, so it flows down from the radiators into the “return”, through which it returns to the boiler.

The diameter of the vertical risers must be large enough to create an incentive force for coolant circulation in the system.

Important! In heating systems with natural circulation, slopes must be taken into account!

Firstly, the slope from the main riser towards the heating devices. Secondly, in the “return” the slope should be towards the boiler. If such slopes are not met, the system will not work.

Forced circulation heating system

Diagram of a heating system with forced circulation.

The coolant in such a system moves due to the action of circulation pump 5 (see figure above). Pumps for heating systems are available in different capacities. How to choose pump power for a specific heating system is described in a separate article.

As can be seen in the diagram, the coolant is heated in the boiler; The coolant moves through the supply pipeline under the action of the circulation pump to the heating devices. The diagram also shows valves on each radiator, which can be used to regulate the temperature of each radiator. Valves can be manual or automatic, but this is discussed in detail in other materials on the site.

There are special Mayevsky valves on the radiators to remove air from the system. And through the return pipeline ("return") the cooled coolant returns to the boiler.

A logical question: which system to choose for your home, with forced circulation or natural? To do this, consider the advantages and disadvantages of each system.

Advantages and disadvantages of different types of heating systems

Let's consider the pros and cons of systems with natural and forced coolant circulation.

Advantages of a forced circulation system:

• opportunity automatic control heat flow from radiators: you can set the temperature separately for each room, and the set temperature will be automatically maintained;
• such a system is more economical in terms of fuel consumption - precisely because of the possibility of automatic control;
• can be used plastic pipes instead of steel, which will reduce the cost of materials and installation work;
• the design of the room is not spoiled by the appearance of the pipeline, since plastic pipes are often even hidden in the walls.

Disadvantages of a forced circulation system:

• dependence of the heating system operation on the power supply, because circulation pump works from the mains.

Advantages of a natural circulation system:

• the system is not tied to a source of electricity, since it does not have a circulation pump.

Disadvantages of a natural circulation system:

• automatic adjustment of the thermal regime of heating devices is impossible;
• as a rule, excessive fuel consumption;
• use of pipes large diameter(so that the resistance to the coolant flow is as low as mono) and only steel ones, which will cost more: the cost of the pipes themselves is higher and such a system cannot be assembled independently if you lack qualifications;
• Thick pipes in the interior of the room do not look very aesthetically pleasing;
• in a system with natural circulation it is impossible to use an indirect heating boiler;
• This system cannot be used with water heated floors.

Now, using the information received, you can decide on what principle your heating system will work. Then you can move on to design.

operating principle of the heating system