Flexible heating scheme for buildings: radiant (collector) system. Radiant heating system for a private house - advantages and disadvantages Heating radiators with a radiant system

All types of heating systems have a common set of design elements. This is a boiler that serves as a source of heat generation; circuit consisting of pipes and. The differences between the different types are different schemes pipe installations.

One of the most famous wiring is considered to be a radiant heating system.

The main difference between a radiant heating system and other systems is that here, with the help of a collector unit, each battery has its own separate pipes for supplying and discharging liquid.

Thanks to this method, you do not have to turn off the entire system in the event of a breakdown of individual elements. There will also be no need to install, which will significantly simplify installation and reduce the final cost.

Considering the advantages of this system, it is worth noting:

1. Easy installation, thanks to the use of pipes and a small amount.
2. The pipeline “run” into the walls and floor does not spoil the interior.
3. Increased functionality when installing additional elements (for example: thermoregulation sensors, air vents, etc.)
4. Possibility of setting different specific temperatures in individual rooms.
5. Repair and replacement separately, without shutting down the entire system.
6. Uniform heating.

Due to the “fan” layout of this wiring, almost always all pipes are installed inside walls or floors. This is done to preserve the aesthetic appearance of the room and convenience. When arranging the premises, a radiant heating system is also used. The pipes are laid in a concrete floor screed, but all connecting elements are on the surface. This is done in order to prevent coolant leakage under the screed.

The main disadvantage of a radiant heating system is the large number of materials used, due to its large footage.

Also, forced circulation of the coolant is mainly used here, which means circulation pumps are required.

In order to achieve high system efficiency, you should pay attention to the following points:

A unit equipped with a thermostat should be located away from hot appliances. (for the veracity of testimony)
The circulation pump is predominantly located on the return pipe, the temperature of which is significantly lower than the supply pipe.
The presence of an air release device is required. Or the pump must be equipped with an air vent.
It is advisable to locate the pump close to the expansion tank.
Before installation and launch circulation pump The system should be flushed and filled with liquid.

Among the advantages of the beam system, it is also worth noting the convenience of adjusting the wiring temperature. If desired, each room can have its own independent temperature.

Also, the use of the beam method is justified in multi-storey buildings. In the process technical work or replacing individual parts, you will not have to turn off the heating system in the entire house.

Beam system heating a private home is also used in buildings with wooden floors. To do this, holes are drilled in the beams slightly wider than the diameter of the pipes. This is necessary so that the structure does not put pressure on the pipeline.

When installing the beam layout, you should follow certain rules, to reduce heat loss:

Radial wiring of the heating system.

In the design of a beam system, one of its main components is the collector unit.

If this system is installed in a multi-story building, the collector is installed on each floor.

Special collector cabinets are provided for the collector unit. Their internal organization due to the convenience and accessibility of each element of the collector.

Among the features of beam wiring, the following should be highlighted:

The minimum number of connections in the circuit is a definite plus. Thanks to this, the system is virtually always hydraulically stable.
To ensure high wiring efficiency, it is necessary to correctly select the boiler power, take into account heat loss and calculate the heat energy consumption of heating devices.
It should be taken into account that as the length of the pipes increases, heat loss increases.

Almost always, radial distribution is installed horizontally, with forced circulation and lower liquid supply. The use of a circulation pump allows you to reduce the temperature difference at the inlet and outlet of the pipeline. This significantly increases the efficiency of the system, makes it less bulky and significantly reduces material consumption. When choosing a device, you should pay attention to two main parameters: productivity (cubic meters per hour) and pressure height (in meters).

For the right choice unit for productivity and pressure height are taken into account the following characteristics pipes:

Pipe diameter
Total pipeline length
The height of the pipeline relative to the position of the circulation pump.

Among other things, the circuit includes a collector unit. Its function is to supply liquid to each heating device and remove it. From the collector, the coolant is sent back to the boiler. Typically, collectors can supply from 2 to 12 circuits. But there are models with a large number. Collectors are often equipped with elements of shut-off and control valves and thermoregulation. Thanks to them, the most efficient and acceptable fluid flow in each branch is adjusted. In addition, the presence of air vents is mandatory for a longer service life of the system.

Radiant heating system in an apartment building.

Radiant heating system in apartment building

Almost always, in modern multi-storey buildings, radiant heating systems are installed. The entire circuit is mounted in the wall or, more often, in the floor. The supply and discharge collector units are located in a special niche in the center of the floor premises. Pipes extend from them to each radiator on the floor.

The scheme is carried out in the form of one-pipe or two-pipe installation. The pumps are also installed on individual rings or the entire branch. If possible, each contour is made the same length. Otherwise, each branch is equipped with its own pump and automatic temperature control. The process of adjusting the temperature of each circuit is separate from the others. Each battery must be equipped with an air vent.

Drawing a general conclusion regarding radial wiring, it should be said that this is the most balanced heating scheme, which has a large number of advantages in comparison with others.

How to heat a house efficiently and comfortably should be decided at the design stage. Radial wiring of heating systems is now in great demand among designers. This engineering solution makes it possible to automate and make space heating economical and convenient to use.

What is a radial wiring diagram for a heating system?

To implement a project for equipping a house with a heating system, both newly built and reconstructed, there are following methods connections of heating devices:

Circuit with tee (perimeter) wiring.
Beam (collector) connection.

The first method is cheaper, because total length There are significantly fewer installed pipes. But in many other respects, the standard linear circuit is inferior to the collector circuit, in which separate independent pipelines (beams) are allocated to connect each convector.

Radial diagram for connecting radiators

In the collector system heating elements separately, in a parallel circuit, they are closed to a distribution unit (comb), which is connected through the main line to the central heating or heating boiler.

The role of the collector is to evenly distribute heat flows along the rays of the system and, due to natural or artificially created circulation, collect and return them, in the form that has given off heat, to the heat source.

How does a beam circuit work?

The collector unit is responsible for the circulation of the coolant through individual circuits. Structurally, it is a section of pipe with outlets for each battery.

The operating principle of the collector system is as follows:

The coolant flows through the input unit to the supply comb of the manifold;
through a comb thermal energy distributed along the wiring with convectors included in it;
Having passed through the convector, the cooled coolant is discharged through the outlet pipeline to the return comb of the manifold and again returns to the boiler for reheating.

The supply and return combs make up the collector group.

Heating system manifold unit

The number of circuits connected to the comb is selected individually for a specific heating scheme and the number of convectors. Typically the manifold supports from 2 to 12 circuits.

Pros and cons of beam scheme

Having chosen a collector-beam heating system, you need to take into account all its aspects.

Advantages of the collector circuit:

The beam scheme has the following advantages:

One diameter of pipes from combs to convectors.
The number of fittings, especially when laying pipes in the floor, is minimal, which makes the entire system more reliable.
Hydraulic stability and balanced heating.
Repair of individual sections or radiators is carried out without disconnecting from the system and draining it.

Flexible pipes of the system that do not have connections can be easily hidden under the floor, due to which the interior of the room does not deteriorate, and the floor does not need to be dismantled to repair the system.

Collector wiring pipes

Another significant advantage of the radiant system, which makes heating an apartment or private building more energy efficient and with a comfortable temperature for any room, is the ability to adjust heating parameters separately for each circuit, in manual or automatic mode.

What disadvantages need to be taken into account

In addition to the material consumption of the beam circuit, some other disadvantages should be taken into account:

equipment extra space for installation of a manifold cabinet;
installation of circulation pumps in each independent circuit to compensate for high hydraulic resistance;
use of additional special devices.

Installation of these elements, in addition to increasing the cost, also requires accurate calculations.

In what cases is the radiation system justified?

Beam circuit works on systems closed type and, as an option, are used to equip apartment heated floors.

Radial scheme for heated floors

Attention! The optimal option for using a beam scheme is for individual two-story house.

Each level in such houses is equipped with a collector unit. Depending on the number of rooms, not one block of combs is installed, but several.

Features and diagrams of a beam system in an apartment building

The main difficulty of using a collector-beam circuit in an apartment building, in which the coolant is supplied according to a traditional vertical two-pipe circuit, is the influence of the radial circuit separate apartment on the heat load of the apartments located above, in which this scheme is not implemented. Such apartments will not receive enough heat.

There are some ways to connect the collector to the common house system without harming the neighbors.

Use of a heat exchanger in a radiant system

The heat exchanger has no hydraulic resistance and is connected like a simple radiator through which the coolant passes without the participation of a circulation pump.

Option for connecting the collector to central heating via a heat exchanger

Heat flows passing through the collector circuit in which the heat exchanger is installed do not mix with the coolant central heating.

Connection with primary-secondary rings

With this connection central system The heating system of the house performs the function of the primary ring, and the collector-radiant heating system plays the role of the secondary ring.

The connection is made to the pipeline coming from the convector.

The algorithm for constructing such an insert is as follows:

To directly supply coolant to the collector, the first cut is made at a distance of 30 cm from the radiator jumper.
The return contour line is cut in at a distance of 60 cm from the jumper.
Shut-off valves are mounted on the tie-ins.
Installed three-way valve and pump.
A valve is mounted on the return pipe, through which coolant flows in only one direction.

Hot water passes through the collector through loops of the circuit, then part of it is supplied to the central heating return pipe, and part is returned to the collector through a three-way valve. This valve is responsible for the distribution of coolant.

With this scheme, the coolant is withdrawn evenly, without creating a vacuum in the central heating pipeline and without changing the heat balance of the apartments.

To tie into the common heating riser of a residential building, it is necessary individual design and permission from the management company.

What equipment and materials to use

There is no universal design for radiant heating, so the use of equipment and materials in such a scheme will depend on the choice of a specific heating circuit design option. It could be standard heating radiators or, for example, a warm water floor.

In general, the following basic equipment is required for radiant heating:

collector block (comb);
external or wall-mounted manifold cabinet;
circulation pump;
pressure gauge;
air valve;
thermostat;
shut-off and control valves;
rotameters;
mixing units;
membrane expansion tank.

In terms of volume, the tank is selected to be 10% larger than the total volume of coolant in the system.

To install a radiant heating circuit, you need and additional elements.

Additional parts for connecting the manifold

Air vents.
Adapters.
Corners.
Cranes.
Sgony.
Fitting.
Fittings.

For the construction of heating beams, it is better to use cross-linked polyethylene pipes in coils.

Remember! Pipes must be flexible so as not to make unnecessary connections, tensile strength and have good heat resistance.

The diameters of the installed pipelines are selected taking into account the parameters of the equipment to which they are connected (outputs of the central main line, manifold comb). Most often, pipes with a diameter of 20 mm to 32 mm are used.

The manifold kit can be equipped with useful devices- servo drives.

Servo drive for heating manifold

These devices make the heating system “smart”, automatically maintaining the specified heating parameters through the control unit.

Main stages of installation

A frequently used method of laying heating using a radial scheme is bottom wiring, with installation of pipes into the floor screed. Therefore, it is better to carry out this work during new construction or reconstruction of a house and in the absence of a finished floor covering.

Main stages of work:

preparation of the subfloor base;
laying pipes and a layer of insulation (penoplex or polystyrene foam);
fastening pipes to the base with mounting tape or plastic clamps;
installation of an expansion tank;
installation of circulation pumps;
installation of automatic balancing valves for air removal;
hydraulic tests of the installed system.

The work is completed with a pipe screed, which will serve as the basis for the finished floor.

Screeding device for heating pipes

When pouring concrete, pipes must be kept under pressure. Coolant at operating temperature is supplied only after the solution has completely hardened.

When installing radiant heating, you must follow the advice of the experts:

air vents must be installed both on the direct and return flow of the collector;
The optimal location for installing the compensation tank is on the return pipeline, before the circulation pump.
It is better to install circulation pumps on each circuit.

Installing pumps on the return line, where the coolant temperature is lower, will slightly increase their service life.

Circulation pumps in the heating system

Equipping a home with a radiant heating system, despite its apparent complexity and cost, in fact, if all technologies and recommendations are followed, will be a winning solution both in terms of energy efficiency and the comfort provided.

There is quite a wide variety autonomous systems heating systems that are designed to heat private homes. In places where there are regular power outages or where there is no gas main nearby, people prefer traditional Russian stoves. This is the most shining example radiant heating system for a private house.

Modern radiant heating

Wiring of a radiant heating system

Russian stoves have quite big sizes, which sometimes creates difficulties in installing them in country houses and even more so in city apartments. However, technology does not stand still; heating systems are modified and adapted to the needs of modern people.

Based on the pipe connections from the collector to the radiators, systems are divided into three types:

radial;
two-pipe;
single-pipe.

The operating principle of radiant heating is based on the fact that wiring is provided separately for each radiator. This is the most significant advantage of this system. If necessary, radiators can be turned on and off in groups or individually.

The system is equipped with a special heat supply valve. If it's warm outside or people are working in the kitchen Appliances, the valve can be tightened a little. Thanks to the ability to regulate the heat supply to the rooms, it is possible to save fuel.

Features and segments of beam distribution

Elements of a radiant heating system

A heating system based on radiant radiation is most suitable for use in apartment buildings or country/private houses with several floors and a large number of rooms. This allows you to increase the efficiency of the entire heating system, guarantees high-quality heat supply and economically requires resources.

The operating principle of a radiant heating system is simple, but has its own characteristics. If the structure has several floors, collectors must be installed on each. Moreover, in some cases it is advisable to install not one, but several collectors on a floor, and run pipes from them. The effectiveness of the equipment will be undeniable if the house is well insulated and heat loss is minimal.

A radiant heating system includes several basic elements necessary for high-quality operation.

The boiler is the main part. From it heat is supplied to the pipes, and from there to the radiators.
Circular pumping station, thanks to which it is ensured required pressure The coolant circulates in the pipes.
A collector with the help of which a uniform supply and distribution of heat is carried out throughout all rooms.

Another component is the closet. It manages to hide the distribution manifold, shut-off valves and pipes. The design is simple, practical and functional.

Radial heating connection diagram

Circulation pump connection diagram

In search of the most optimal type of heating circuit, most often they give preference to radial floor-to-floor piping. The essence of the method is that all pipes and components are hidden in the thickness of the floor. The main distribution body of the system is mounted in a niche in the wall enclosure or in a special cabinet.

To implement the connection diagram, you need a circular pump or several devices that are mounted on each branch or ring. More often this diagram are implemented on the basis of one- and two-pipe installation, displacing the tee connection method.

Supply and return manifolds are installed near the riser of a two-pipe system. From them, pipes are run under the floors to each radiator installed on the floor.

Each of the contours should approximately have the same length. If for certain reasons this is not possible, the large circuit must be separately equipped with a circular pump and automatic temperature control.

In this case, the temperature indicators on each circuit will be independent of each other. This is due to the fact that the pipeline will be under the screed. Each radiator is additionally equipped with an air valve. Air vents are usually installed on the manifold.

Before starting work, you need to determine the location of the equipment, make a paper list of everything you need and schematically depict the location of the selected radiators.

Radiant heating system and heated floor

Radial heating system and water heated floors are installed in a similar way. Heated floors can be connected to radiators through one manifold. This approach is extremely popular among people who want to insulate floors in some rooms, and not throughout the entire living space.

It is extremely important to provide temperature control, otherwise the room may become too hot or cold. When organizing a heated floor, the pipes must be insulated in one layer. Insulating material 6-10 mm thick transmits no more than 30% of heat.

Advantages and disadvantages

With radiant heating, coolant with the same temperature is supplied to all radiators

The collector-beam heating system has absorbed all the advantages of its predecessors, which explains the popularity of the equipment.

Main advantages:

Aesthetics.
From a hydraulic point of view, this is the most advanced heating system. Each battery has individual lines, so the system segments are independent.
If desired or necessary, you can disconnect any battery.
All radiators receive water at the same temperature.
It is possible to equip the system with means of automatic regulation and control of the entire circuit as a whole.
The number of connections is minimal, there are no tees.

The most significant disadvantage is the high cost of equipment and its installation. The costs of expensive manifolds and increased pipeline footage cannot be compensated for by the lack of fittings. If the building has several floors, the cost of the equipment doubles, triples, etc., depending on the number of floors. The installation itself under the floors further involves extra work by device flooring.

Upgrading any radiant system is not particularly difficult; its implementation will require the installation of additional valves with a thermostatic head on each radiator that is connected to the system. Thanks to the thermostat, it is possible to set the most optimal temperature regime in a particular case. The temperature will not rise above the parameters set by humans.

It is advisable to modernize the heating system in those buildings where each room is demarcated by purpose. For example, to store goods you need one temperature range, but for people to stay comfortably in the room, a different one is needed.

In the search for the most suitable heating system, it usually turns out that the radiant system is best suited, since it has much more advantageous features than disadvantages. The latter rest only on finances; the efficiency and productivity of the system are at their best. The average lifespan of heating equipment is 50 years.

Being a variety of methods for laying heating pipes in two-pipe horizontal systems of modern apartment buildings and private buildings, radial wiring of a heating system has a number of undeniable advantages. Each circuit of the system with such a pipe layout is separately connected to the heating manifold, which makes it possible to set an individual operating mode for it that meets the criterion of comfort for a person to be in a specific area of the room.

Heating pipes laid in the thickness concrete screed or under a wooden floor on joists, must be reliable, eliminating (or minimizing) the likelihood of leaks, deterioration bandwidth and other malfunctions.

Wiring diagrams for modern horizontal heating systems

Modern multi-apartment residential buildings and private cottages of any number of floors are increasingly equipped horizontal systems heating. Necessary element Such a scheme consists of one or more (in an apartment building - in each entrance) vertical two-pipe risers, with branches/entrances into separate rooms/apartments on each floor. Further laying of pipelines is carried out in a “horizontal” way.

When installing such systems, builders invariably face the difficulty of laying heating pipes to radiators. Pipelines vertical systems, laid along the walls from top to bottom, did not particularly disturb the residents. Horizontal pipes laid openly along the walls, become a factor interfering with the normal process of operation of the premises and do not fit well into their interiors. Therefore they apply various ways their horizontal hidden laying.

Branched dead-end wiring diagram with pipes in a screed

The minimum lengths of pipes and hydraulic resistance of the circuit are leveled by mutual crossing of pipelines, leading to an increase in the thickness of the screed (each centimeter costs from 40 rubles/m2).

Perimeter wiring of the heating system

Dead-end scheme with pipelines in the screed or under the baseboard.

The lack of crossing of pipes in the diagram is offset by the need to make holes in the walls (in the given diagram you need to drill five holes).

Pipeline layout according to the scheme with passing traffic water (Tichelman scheme).

Here is the first radiator heating circuit has the shortest “supply” length and the longest “return” length, the last radiator is the opposite. The hydraulic resistance experienced by the coolant when flowing around the devices of the circuit is constant, which makes it possible to balance any number of radiators in a branch.

Collector-beam wiring of the heating system

The prevalence of this scheme is constantly growing. The pipes here are laid in the floor screed in pairs (“supply” plus “return”), approaching each radiator from the collectors (respectively, “supply” and “return”). The advantage of the scheme is ease of installation (no crossing of pipes and wall holes). The disadvantage is increased costs due to high pipe consumption and additional costs for collectors.

An additional advantage of the beam scheme is the use of small diameter pipes. An apartment (floor of a private house) will require the use of pipes d=25 and d=32 mm for the perimeter wiring diagram. Accordingly, the thickness of the screed and the diameter of the tees that connect the radiators will increase. The cost of such an element is comparable to the price of the pipe.

The use of radial routing, which increases the length of the pipes, provides the final benefit by reducing their diameter.

General requirements for installation of beam distribution

When using collector-beam wiring, a common method is to lay pipes in the floor in a screed, the thickness of which is 50-80 mm. Plywood is laid on top, covered with a finishing floor covering (parquet, linoleum). This thickness of the screed is quite sufficient for free “monolithization” of the intra-apartment (intra-house) radial wiring of the heating system. Possible outer gasket pipes along the walls under decorative skirting boards, entailing an inevitable increase in the length of pipelines. There are known options for laying radial distribution pipes in the space of a suspended (suspended) ceiling, in grooves.

Metal-plastic or cross-linked polyethylene pipes (PEX pipes) are used, laid in a corrugated pipe or in thermal insulation. PEX pipes have an undoubted advantage here. According to SNiP, only unbreakable connections can be “mortared” into concrete. PEX pipes are connected using tension fittings, which are permanent connections. Metal-plastic pipes use compression fittings with union nuts. “Monoliquing” them means violating SNiP. Each plug connection pipes must be accessible for maintenance (tightening).

Even without fittings, not every metal-plastic pipe is uniquely suitable for laying in a floor screed. Manufacturers' products suffer from a serious defect: layers of aluminum and polyethylene delaminate under the influence of repeatedly changing coolant temperatures. After all, metal and plastic have different coefficients of volumetric expansion. Therefore, the glue connecting them should be:

internally strong (cohesive);
adhesive to aluminum and polyethylene;
flexible;
elastic;
heat resistant.

Not everyone meets these requirements. adhesive compositions even well-known European manufacturers of metal-plastic pipes, which delaminate over time, inner layer polyethylene in such a pipe “collapses”, reducing its cross-section. Normal operation the system is disrupted, and the location of the malfunction is almost impossible to find - usually the “sin” is due to malfunctions of thermostats, pumps and other products with moving parts.

In light of the above, we recommend that readers pay attention to metal-plastic pipes from VALTEC, which uses American adhesive from the DSM concern, which ensures the strength of the metal/plastic connection, adhesion and the complete absence of delamination.

Manifold cabinets and blocks

In an apartment with horizontal radiant heating distribution (on the floors of private houses) distribution manifolds(supply and “return”), collecting at their outlets all supply and return pipelines. They are placed in specially designed metal cabinets, often built into the partitions of bathrooms and opening inside them. It is also possible to install distribution manifolds in specially designed wall niches. Often the collector unit is combined with a heat metering unit in one collector cabinet.

Collectors can be complete, consisting of sections of thick pipes with outlet pipes, or assembled on tees. The materials for these devices can be:

plastic;
nickel plated brass;
copper;
stainless steel.

Many famous manufacturers heating equipment(VALTEC and others) produce ready-made manifold blocks that combine supply and return manifolds, manual adjustment valves (on the supply manifold), thermostatic valves (on the return manifold), automatic air vents, drain valves and mounting brackets.

The task of individually adjusting the thermal regime of each single-radiator branch of a collector-radiant heating system is solved by tuning valves with built-in flow meters. The branches are of different lengths, and the coolant tends to flow the shortest way with minimal hydraulic resistance. Short branches it flows around more intensely, warming up the radiators installed there more.

Adjustment valves on the supply manifold change the flow of water (antifreeze), narrowing them conditional passages in short contours, and expanding in long ones. Setting up is a painstaking process, and the setting valve is not intended to quickly shut off or open the coolant flow along the circuits. This function is performed by thermostatic valves.

Thermal valves on the manifold – “return” – are valves that smoothly shut off the flow manually or automatically. The radiant heating system is easily hydraulically balanced.

Combined heating piping layout

Often there is not just one heating device installed in a room, but several. It is irrational to connect a separate two-pipe loop-branch to each radiator during collector-beam wiring. It is better to lay a separate branch to each room, which will bypass several heating devices inside the room, implementing a dead-end or parallel circuit.

Such a system is calculated as a beam system. Branches that supply several radiators with coolant are subject to a separate calculation as dead-end or passing. IN modern systems radiators are equipped with thermal valves (temperature regulators) that can be adjusted by users different temperatures, based on the current requirements for comfort in the room. Stability temperature regime indoors becomes difficult to maintain.

It turns out that you can get rid of instability while simultaneously reducing the cost of connecting radiators by connecting them according to the so-called. "pass-through scheme".

The thermal valve is installed only on the first radiator in the circuit, regulating the coolant flow through all heating devices connected in series. They are perceived as one radiator. Balancing difficulties will arise with multi-section devices (10 or more sections).

Automatic collector-beam system

The supply of coolant to radiators connected via radial wiring can be made automatically adjustable. In this case, instead of the plastic manual control cover (position 4 in the figure “Complete manifold block”), a small-sized electromechanical servo drive is installed on the thermal valves of the return manifold (position 2 in the figure “Complete manifold block”), connected by a cable to an analog thermostat or controller. Radiators are connected to heating pipes no fittings at all (ball valves can be installed).

Such a scheme has increased capital costs, while simultaneously providing an increased level of comfort. the user's desired air temperature can be set from the control panel room thermostat, the signals of which are processed by servos on the thermal valves of the return manifold. The system can be controlled by a so-called chronothermostat, which provides the user with the ability to set a temperature control program for a week, differentiated by day of the week and time of day.

Conclusion

A heating system with collector-beam piping provides the user with the possibility of hydraulic balancing and individual adjustment of operating modes of heating devices. A certain increase in the length of pipes during radial distribution is obviously compensated by a decrease in their diameter and ease of installation.

The variety of building heating schemes that exist today makes it easy to choose best option heat supply. However, not all of them can be quite effective in providing heat to houses with a complex configuration or multi-room layout. And in difficult projects, the modern radiant heating system has proven itself well, although not very popular yet, but gradually gaining recognition among specialists and property owners.

Unlike others, this scheme provides for individual heating of each of the installed heating devices, i.e. both supply and removal of coolant are carried out in parallel through pipes separately connected to the radiator. Externally, the configuration of this system resembles rays diverging in different directions from a heat source, which gave it its name.

Radiant heating can be organized with one or two pipes. The second option is most widely used, characterized by higher heat transfer rates and, consequently, greater efficiency.

Picture 1 - General scheme radiant heating system

Structure of a radiant heating system

Any heating system has in its structure a heat source (boiler, furnace, boiler), heating devices (radiators, convectors), pipes, shut-off and control valves and, in most cases, a circulation pump. The beam scheme also implies the use of the above elements, as well as important equipment that distinguishes it from others - the collector.

Many of the listed structural components are standard, so it is inappropriate to dwell on their description. Only those that have special requirements will be considered below.

Heat sources

As you know, this is the main unit of any home heating system, the choice of which should be approached reasonably. The beam circuit is structurally quite complex and, accordingly, requires powerful equipment.

When choosing a boiler power, you need to take into account that an extensive network of pipelines laid during radiant heating, as a rule, in the floor structure, causes slightly larger heat losses, which affect the efficiency of the system as a whole.

Heating manifold

The second most important element in such a heat supply system is collector. It is a device in the form of a short pipe with numerous pipes for connecting radiators. In the literature you can often find another name for it - comb.

Figure 2 – Heating manifold

The dimensions of the collector can be adjusted during operation, adding new sections as new heating devices are connected.

Its main function is the centralized distribution of coolant from the heat source to the heating devices. It also allows you to regulate the heating intensity of each of them, as well as turn off a separate circuit for repairs or planned replacement without affecting the operation of the system due to installation various types shut-off and thermostatic valves.

Radiant heating, like two-pipe system, implies the use of two collectors: supply and discharge, installed, as a rule, in pairs. And to accommodate the entire unit, it is recommended to use a special cabinet, which will not only provide easy access to the equipment, but will also hide its unaesthetic appearance.

It should be noted that the use of collectors in the heating circuit makes it easy to modernize and allows it to be connected to the “ Smart House" Specially installed sensors provide the ability to automatically regulate the degree of heating of the coolant depending on temperature fluctuations in the premises, as well as remote control heating the house.

Circulation pump

A radiant heating system usually involves forced circulation coolant, therefore it requires the installation of a pump.

When choosing a circulation pump model, you should take into account not only its power, but also such a parameter as the speed of pumping water per unit time.

Depending on the complexity of the circuit configuration, as well as the length of the pipelines, two devices may be required, mounted both on the supply and return.

Pipes

To organize a radial heat supply scheme, metal, metal-plastic and polypropylene pipes. When choosing specific type One should take into account not only the cost of the products, but also the complexity of installation and repair. Due to this greatest application I found a plastic version.

When purchasing pipes, it is necessary to take into account that their diameter must correspond to the dimensions of the inlets and outlets of the boiler and manifold. If necessary, adapters can be used.

The main advantages and disadvantages of a radiant heating system

The organization of the radiant heating scheme predetermined a number of its benefits, among which it should be noted:

reliable operation - the system eliminates the possibility of water hammer; there's not much in it weak points, since the number of pipeline connections from the collector to the radiator is reduced to a minimum, or they are completely absent;
independence from the configuration and size of the building (flexibility) - it allows for efficient heating of a house of any layout and number of floors;
balance is everything heating devices heat up evenly;
the ability to regulate, including automated, temperature in each room;
simplicity of repair and maintenance work - replacing damaged areas does not require opening the floor covering; to carry out such activities, the required circuit (beam) is turned off without affecting the functionality of the system;
the ability to modify the system at any stage of creation and operation;
aesthetic appearance - pipelines are usually laid in the floor structure, and collectors are installed in special cabinets or niches.

Despite its high efficiency, the radiant heating circuit has several shortcomings:

high material consumption and, accordingly, price - due to the significant total length of pipelines, as well as the need to purchase large quantity connecting elements, control valves, manifolds, pumps, sensors, etc.;
the need for competent and high-quality installation to avoid problems in the future.

Existing schemes and nuances of installing a beam system

The classic version of such heat supply involves the installation of heating collectors on each of the floors or parts (with a complex configuration) of the building.

In this case, the collectors are mounted on the walls (in existing or pre-designed niches) or placed in special cabinets, and the pipeline system is laid along subfloor, as a rule, before completing the screed.

Figure 3 – Installation diagram of a radiant heating system

If the collector is located above the radiators, air will accumulate in it over time. To avoid this, the mandatory installation of automatic air vents is required.

There is also an option in which the heating devices are located at a higher level, i.e. the comb is mounted on ground floor or basement. In this case, pipelines are laid along walls, which are subsequently sheathed with structures of various types to give them an aesthetic appearance ( plasterboard sheets, PVC panels etc.).

Figure 4 - Radiant heating with a bottom-mounted collector

In small two-story houses, you can sometimes find a scheme using one collector unit, which provides heating for both levels. In this case, it is necessary to purchase a sufficiently powerful pump capable of pumping coolant to all floors. But since the cost of the corresponding equipment is quite high, this option is practically not used.

Figure 5 – Scheme of radiant heating of a two-story house with one collector unit