What is the difference between a bimetallic heating radiator and an aluminum one. What is the difference between aluminum heating radiators and bimetallic ones and which radiator to choose? Cast iron radiators in modern style

Very often, old batteries lose their properties and do not give off heat completely, so they must be replaced with new ones. Manufacturers produce a variety of heating equipment. For example, radiators can be of different specifications and metals.

Because of this diversity, the following question pops up among the owners: which heating radiators are better aluminum or bimetallic? In order to understand this issue, you should know the features and characteristics of these devices.

Specifications of aluminum radiator

It is believed that radiators made from this metal are very efficient. They are often used for space heating, and over the course of their existence they have proven themselves well and have shown their advantages and disadvantages. Many are attracted by the design of batteries and their appearance. Another advantage is the light weight. There are also other advantages of aluminum batteries. In order to see them, you should pay attention to the manufacturing method and installation features. These radiators are manufactured using two technologies:

extrusion method.
foundry technology.

In the manufacture of the first method, an aluminum profile is used. With the help of a press aluminum profile separate elements are formed, which are subsequently welded to each other and form entire sections. Further, the finished sections are combined with each other, and gaskets and very high-quality heaters are used for tightness.

In the second case, it creates monolithic construction, which has no connections, thanks to this the product has high strength. If all are met technological processes production, a very reliable product is obtained.

Aluminum is a metal that heats up very quickly. special design This battery gives off heat to the room as follows: the heat that comes from the batteries moves to the ceiling due to convection air currents.

The thermal power of each one section has 120 watts. The depth of the section is from 70 to 110 mm, and the weight is around 2 kg. To fill one section with coolant, you need 0.4 liters. Maximum temperature, at which the radiator works normally - 90 degrees.

Advantages of aluminum radiators

Radiators made of this metal have quite a lot of advantages, here are some of them:

fuel is saved up to 35%, while heat transfer is high, and the amount of coolant is minimal;
the battery kit includes a thermal valve, which is used to regulate the supply of fluid and adjust the desired or set temperature. Thanks to this valve, fuel economy is achieved;
also, these batteries heat up very quickly, however, they cool down instantly. Nevertheless, thanks to the rapid heating, the temperature in the room reaches the desired level in just 15 minutes. A similar time will be needed to cool the room after turning off the heating;
not to mention the design and original form aluminum radiator. It is ideal for residential and office use. If the radiators are made by extrusion, this will allow the consumer to add required amount sections. In the case of manufacturing by casting, it is possible to make radiators according to the individual requirements of the user;
batteries made from this metal have compact dimensions therefore, they require relatively little space for installation. Since the weight of this battery is small, it is easy to install it and it is attached to any wall.

Not so long ago, aluminum sections began to be used only during installation autonomous heating due to the working pressure, which has only 6 atmospheres.

Disadvantages of aluminum radiators

Despite a lot positive aspects aluminum batteries, there are several disadvantages that must be taken into account when choosing such products.

When assembling the radiator, rubber gaskets are used, which wear out quickly, and this leads to dangerous situations. Therefore, these radiator models are not used in places where the coolant is a chemical, such as antifreeze.

Another disadvantage of aluminum is that it is prone to corrosion. If the water used for heating is of poor quality, it can damage the thin protective film located inside the radiator. Then the device will fail very quickly.

For appliances, the Mayevsky crane is necessarily screwed in, because they are very often aired.

Another disadvantage is the sensitivity to water hammer. For example, if the pressure in the system rises sharply, this will break the tightness of the device. This moment is precisely the reason why this device is not installed in rooms with central heating. However, if the radiators are made by casting, then their use is allowed.

Technical characteristics of bimetallic batteries

Despite the fact that aluminum batteries are quite good, they are not recommended for use in a central heating system. Because in such a heating system there can be strong pressure surges, and batteries made from this material can only work when the system is stable. Also, this metal does not come into contact with various other metals. Therefore, for normal operation device is only required good water. These needs can only be met with autonomous heating, and even then not in all cases.

In order to understand which radiator is better aluminum or bimetallic, you should analyze what features the second type of batteries has. Bimetal radiators do not have such weaknesses like aluminum. This is due to the fact that in the design of bimetallic radiators there are steel pipes over which aluminum batteries are put on. Thanks to steel pipes, the radiator becomes durable, does not react at all to the quality of the coolant and copes well with pressure drops. And high thermal conductivity is achieved thanks to aluminum fins, this combination helps to use the advantages of both metals, while minimizing their disadvantages.

The manufacturing process of a bimetal battery is quite complicated. For a good interaction between two different metals, it is necessary to apply the technology of injection molding. Due to the high chemical resistance of bimetallic batteries, the pressure resistance increases up to 10 atmospheres - this is much more than that of aluminum radiators. This device is better than the long-known cast-iron radiators, because their installation is much easier, and they will fit into any interior.

Compared to an aluminum radiator, the power of a bimetallic one is much higher. One section made of bimetal has a power of 170-190 watts. The maximum heating temperature is 100 degrees. In the manufacture of the inner core of stainless metal resistance to corrosion increases significantly.

Cons of bimetallic batteries

Despite the many advantages of this type of radiators, there are certain disadvantages:

due to small size sections, as well as productive thermal inertia, radiators made of this metal cool quickly after turning off the heating;
in the case of interaction of steel with some other metals, sluggish reactions often appear, and thanks to them, gas is formed inside the battery. If a air valve absent, a radiator rupture may occur;
bimetallic battery is an expensive device.

Scope of use

Since aluminum batteries do not have high durability, they are mainly used in one-story houses or apartments with autonomous heating. However, if you need to create closed system heating, where the pressure is high, then bimetallic batteries are best suited, because they are resistant to water hammer and high pressure. Their main use is in commercial or residential premises and in multi-storey buildings.

Advice! In a private house with low pressure heating, it is best to use aluminum batteries, because they will withstand the load created, and the price is much lower than that of bimetallic ones.

Comparison of aluminum and bimetal

In order to understand which is better aluminum or bimetal, a comparison of these two metals should be made. An ordinary buyer will not be able to correctly determine the metal from which this radiator is made by appearance. After all, both types of radiators look the same both in shape and in terms of painting. Often they are painted with either colored or white enamel. The surface itself can consist of separate sections or be monolithic.

At the bimetallic battery thermal power medium, and for aluminum - high. In bimetallic devices, the maximum operating pressure is 20 atmospheres, while aluminum has only 16. The disadvantage of both devices is that they are quite unstable to corrosion.

The maximum warranty period for batteries is 25 years. The price of bimetallic devices is much higher than aluminum ones.

Important! Repair and maintenance of aluminum and bimetallic radiators can be done independently.

Conclusion

Based on the above, it is difficult to unambiguously say which radiator is better. Both types of batteries heat rooms quite well, therefore, when purchasing such a device, you should consider where the device will be used and to which system it will be connected.

Aluminum appliances are light in weight, but the operating pressure must be stable, and these batteries are easy to maintain. The working pressure should be low, on the basis of which they are ideally used in an autonomous heating system. Another great advantage is that the purchase of aluminum appliances will definitely be cheaper. If we are talking about a central heating system, then here optimal solution there will be the installation of bimetallic batteries, because they can easily withstand high temperature, as well as pressure surges, they are very durable and reliable.

There are many heating radiators on the market, the differences of which are in the material of manufacture, design features, methods of connecting sections to each other and many other parameters that affect the reliability and durability of products. However, most often there is a dispute around aluminum batteries and their bimetallic counterparts. At first glance, they are ideally suited to the conditions of urban apartments. However, there are significant differences between these two types of radiators that you need to know before making a purchase. So, which radiators are better, and how does a bimetallic battery differ from an aluminum one?

Where are aluminum radiators used?

The main condition for life support in any apartment or private house is the presence of a heating system. The coolant, which is heated by an autonomous heating equipment or in the boiler circuits of the central boiler house, circulates through pipes and radiators. And already by convection or thermal radiation, heat diverges throughout the room.

Aluminum radiators are optimal in terms of price-quality ratio. They are installed both in centralized heating systems and in individual ones. But it must be borne in mind that aluminum radiators react to the presence of acids and alkalis of the coolant.

By their design, they are sectional or panel. Most often you can see on sale sectional products connected using nipples. To seal the joints, special gaskets are used. According to technical specifications, declared by the manufacturers, different models aluminum radiators withstand pressure from 6 to 18 atmospheres. Some models have declared limits of 25 atmospheres. This is important when installing products in central heating systems. When choosing and comparing how heating batteries differ from each other, these parameters must be clarified in advance.

Positive properties of aluminum batteries

Aluminum radiators are lightweight and durable, easy to transport and install. In addition, they also have a number of important advantages:

small size (compared to cast iron, shorter in width);
very high level heat transfer;
operating pressure according to needs modern systems heating;
you can choose a product with a certain number of sections according to the heated area;
good heat dissipation, which means efficiency;
possibility of adjustment temperature regime with built-in thermostats;
excellent aesthetic appearance.

The advantages of aluminum radiators over bimetallic ones are in a lower price, which is very important for the consumer.

Cons of aluminum radiators

Every product has some pros and cons. Consumers have to weigh the pros and cons when they compare what is the difference between heating radiators.

The disadvantages of aluminum radiators are as follows:

high demands on the coolant: it should not have acids and alkalis;
all aluminum radiators should have air venting devices in order to remove in a timely manner air locks;
aluminum radiators are connected to the heating system only with the help of aluminum pipes;
weak spots- connections of sections that can leak under load;
heat is distributed unevenly, the hottest places are radiator fins;
The service life of an aluminum product is about 15 years.

If the aluminum product is handled carelessly during installation, it can be damaged, since the material is quite fragile. Therefore, these works should be done by a professional. The listed shortcomings help to understand the difference between an aluminum radiator and a bimetallic radiator.

Features of a bimetallic radiator

Bimetal radiators are new technology production of heating products. To know how to distinguish bimetallic radiators from aluminum ones, you need to understand them. internal arrangement, where different performance characteristics materials: aluminum and stainless steel. The bimetallic radiator successfully takes into account the positive aspects of these two metals.

What are bimetal radiators? Structurally, these are steel pipes with aluminum sections. Such products are considered the most suitable for installation in central and individual heating systems.

The sections are made of aluminum, so their efficiency is maximum and they instantly give off heat to the room. When asked how aluminum batteries differ from bimetallic ones, they always compare the price - it is much higher for a bimetallic one.

Its manufacturing technology is complex. Quality products are molded under high pressure. To reduce the cost, manufacturers sometimes use welding, which does not greatly affect the strength of the radiator.

For reference. The manufacturing technology of bimetallic radiators allows them to be installed in systems with any operating pressure, since inner part The product is made of high quality steel.

The main difference between bimetallic radiators and steel ones is that they are reliably protected from corrosion by an aluminum case.

Advantages of bimetallic batteries

An important advantage that allows you to save energy is the small internal volume of a bimetallic radiator. This means that these devices require a small amount of coolant. This does not affect the intensity of air heating in a heated room. The aesthetic appearance of the products will perfectly fit into any interior.

The list of advantages of bimetallic radiators:

the product can withstand any pressure in the system;
comparing how bimetallic heating radiators differ from aluminum ones, it should be noted that they can be installed in heating systems with any acid-base balance of the coolant;
section connections are very reliable (paronite seals are used);
a large margin of safety of the product;
the appearance does not deteriorate over time due to persistent staining;
bimetallic radiators serve more than a quarter of a century due to the use of steel pipes in the design;
have maximum heat transfer due to aluminum fins.

For reference. It is not difficult to install such radiators. If necessary, you can increase additional sections without taking off the spot already installed radiator. This is very convenient when the heating system has already been installed, but a decision has been made to increase the radiator.

Differences between bimetallic radiators and aluminum

When it is advised to buy cheaper models, many of the shortcomings of the models are not taken into account. Therefore, sometimes you have to "pay twice" and redo the entire heating system again.

To prevent this from happening, you need to know how heating radiators differ, and what are their similarities:

Bimetallic aluminum radiators are very similar in shape: flat rectangular cases in white.
Models of radiators can consist of several sections. You can choose the appropriate number of sections for the size of the heated area.
The fundamental difference between aluminum heating radiators and bimetallic ones is that during operation, aluminum ones can collapse if the pressure of the coolant is more than the permissible ones according to the technical characteristics (on average, 12 atmospheres). Bimetallic radiators withstand voltage three times more.
Since steel is heavier than aluminum, bimetal radiators weigh more. When there are many sections, the difference is significant: 1 section of a bimetallic battery is 0.5 kg heavier than aluminum.
The service life of a bimetallic device is at least 25 years, for aluminum 15 - the limit.

Benchmarking Conclusions

When buying radiators, you need to consider the main performance characteristics: the ability to withstand significant fluctuations pressure, resistance to corrosion processes, the strength of the joints of sections and, ultimately, the durability of the product.

Aluminum can be installed in private households, where it is possible to control the quality of the coolant and the pressure in the system. They will last great for many years. Homeowners will get good quality by affordable price. However, such radiators should not be installed in houses where antifreeze is supposed to be used as a coolant.

Bimetal is ideal for apartment buildings where space heating is carried out centrally. They withstand high pressure and are suitable for coolant of any composition.

It is difficult to say how to distinguish bimetallic radiators from aluminum ones outwardly: both radiator options are well made in design. Therefore, they can be placed in any room and not be afraid that they will not fit into the interior.

How a battery differs from a radiator is the ability not only to give off, but also to accumulate heat. In this regard, of course, win cast iron models. However, they are excessively heavy, expensive and justified in homes where the heating system runs on solid fuel. In other cases, it is more convenient to install modern heating devices made of aluminum or bimetallic, which are convenient to mount even on your own. Included with the radiators are wall brackets, air vents and other elements necessary for installation.

After finishing heating season the question of changing radiators comes to the fore. If there are leaky people in your apartment cast iron batteries, then it's time to send them to a well-deserved rest, installing instead of them modern models. Private developers, equipping the heating system, often cannot decide which radiators are better - aluminum, bimetallic, cast iron, because each of these models has its own advantages and disadvantages. The consumer may be at a loss when he listens to the recommendations of sellers in stores of related products. If you are also solving this issue, then it is worth comparing aluminum and bimetallic radiators.

Comparison of aluminum and bimetallic batteries

Aluminum radiators look good and look neat, they have several sections that are interconnected by nipples. Between the sections there are gaskets, they provide the necessary tightness. Ribs are located inside, they increase the heat transfer area up to 0.5 m 2. Such batteries are manufactured according to one of the technologies that exist today. For example, the extrusion method allows you to get cheaper and lighter products, but their quality cannot be called high. Today in Europe they have already abandoned this technique.

If you are thinking about the question of how they differ from aluminum, then you should pay attention to the fact that the latter can also be made by casting. Products are more expensive, but will last longer long time. are made using two different metals. The body has ribs, which are based on. Inside the body there is a core of pipes, through which flows hot water. Such pipes are made of copper or steel, but the first option is becoming less common today. Many consumers are also thinking about how to find out if the radiator is aluminum or bimetallic in front of them. The diameter of the latter is smaller compared to aluminum models. Therefore, there is a higher likelihood of clogging. When consumers consider the advantages of bimetallic radiators over aluminum ones, they first of all note a more attractive appearance. After all, all the components of such products are hidden inside, so the design is able to satisfy the most sophisticated requests.

Which batteries are better in terms of heat dissipation

If you are deciding how aluminum radiators differ from bimetallic radiators, then you should also compare them in terms of the intensity of heat transfer. Aluminum radiators are ahead in this matter. One section is capable of delivering approximately 200 watts of heat energy or more. Half of the heat is given off as radiation. The other half is convection. Battery fins allow you to increase the level of heat transfer. Aluminum has no equal in this matter. Among other things, it has a minimum thermal inertia. If you turn on such batteries, then after 10 minutes it will be warm in the premises of the house or apartment.

If it's about private building, then with the help of aluminum radiators it is possible to save well. Today, aluminum is becoming popular and which are presented in the article. The latter differ in heat transfer, which depends on the manufacturer and model. This parameter will be lower compared to an aluminum radiator. This is because the steel core reduces heat transfer, which is 1/5 less than an aluminum battery of the same size.

Differences between aluminum and bimetallic batteries in terms of the ability to undergo water hammer

In this matter, aluminum comes in second together. Its working pressure is not so high, it varies from 6 to 16 atmospheres, and for some models this parameter reaches 20 atmospheres. If you install such radiators as a component of central heating, then the products may simply not withstand exposure high pressure. Water hammer can lead to the fact that the battery will burst, and the apartment will get a hot flood. Therefore, you should not take risks by installing an aluminum radiator in an apartment of a multi-storey building.

If you wondered how bimetallic radiators differ from aluminum ones, then it is worth comparing these products in terms of their ability to endure high loads. Bimetallic batteries have a strong steel core, it is prepared for high pressure head. Such products are able to withstand pressure from 20 to 40 atmospheres. Therefore, it can be argued that bimetallic radiators are more reliable under unstable pressure, when there is a possibility of water hammer.

For reference

The above parameter is important if you choose a battery for an apartment that is heated central system. If you plan to buy a radiator for a private house, then this parameter cannot be called a minus, because in local network there is no excess pressure.

Which radiator to choose in terms of coolant

Quite often, owners of real estate and apartments are wondering how aluminum radiators differ from bimetallic ones. This issue should also be considered from the point of view of the coolant. Aluminum is able to enter into chemical reactions, so water is just a treasure for it. It contains so many chemical impurities that the walls of the batteries during operation can be subject to corrosion. Therefore, if the ph level of the water flowing in the system exceeds 8 units, then you should expect trouble. However, using central heating, it is simply impossible to monitor these parameters.

Even while flowing chemical reaction aluminum is capable of releasing hydrogen, which creates a fire hazard. Therefore, it is necessary to bleed air from such radiators from time to time. Less demanding on water quality are steel pipes located in the core of a bimetallic product. This is because steel is not as reactive as aluminum alloys. Corrosion will get to such material, but it will not happen so soon. Among other things, manufacturers cover the surface protective layer, sometimes stainless steel is used in the manufacturing process, but it makes radiators expensive.

The choice of radiators according to the temperature of the coolant

The installation of aluminum, bimetallic heating radiators is carried out quite often today. However, before purchasing such products, you should ask which of them are able to work when exposed to impressive water temperatures. Aluminum is able to withstand 110 ° C, which is an average. For bimetallic radiators, this characteristic reaches 130 ° C, so these products win.

Reliability and durability

If you have thought about the question of how aluminum radiators differ from bimetallic ones, then you should first of all understand that aluminum products will be destroyed by water hammer, corrosion and frequent, as well as impressive temperature changes. Therefore, in the issue of reliability, the leaders are again products made of two metals, they combine best qualities each material. Such products are ready to serve for more than 20 years, of course, in this case we are talking about a quality product of brands that have proven themselves in the market. Aluminum radiators have half the service life. After installation, they are ready to serve for 10 years.

Ease of installation comparison

Bimetal and aluminum are quite easy to install comfortably, they weigh less when compared with cast iron. For fastening there is no need to use powerful brackets, even drywall wall will be able to support a small weight. If the connected pipes are made of plastic, for carrying out installation work you only need shaped elements and a set of keys. But as practice shows, bimetallic batteries are still easier to install, since steel cannot be deformed, unlike aluminum, which is a soft metal.

Price comparison

If you are faced with the question of how aluminum radiators differ from bimetallic ones, then you should also consider these products in terms of price. The second option is 1/5, and sometimes 1/3 more expensive than aluminum products. This difference is quite significant, so bimetal is not so common among private consumers today, because it is not available to everyone. Bimetal devices have a higher hydraulic resistance, so more energy is required to pump water, which increases the cost of operation.

Choosing a radiator for a specific heating system

Having considered the main characteristics of radiators, we can conclude which model fit for a specific system. If you use central heating, then the pressure in it can change dramatically, sometimes the mark reaches exorbitant values, and water hammer occurs. The temperature will not be stable, it can change during the heating season and even days. The composition of the coolant is not clean, it contains chemical impurities, abrasive particles, and there is no need to talk about an acceptable ph level either. Based on all this, it can be argued that it is best to refuse aluminum batteries in such systems.