Which heating radiators are better - aluminum or bimetallic

The choice of radiators for a heating system can be confusing. With such an assortment of modifications and materials from which they are made, as well as the number of opinions of others about their reliability and durability, it is difficult not to get confused. And if everything is more or less clear with steel and cast-iron radiators, then the question of which heating radiators are better - aluminum or bimetallic, has been causing lively debate for several years now.

Let's dot the "i" in the age-old question: which radiators are better.

Undoubtedly, the installation of a heating system is a serious and expensive process. And everyone would like to complete it successfully, so as not to return to this issue for 20-30 years. Trouble in the form of leaking batteries or insufficient heat levels in the house, causing the need to replace radiators after the repair is completed, no one wants. That is why it is so important not to make a mistake in choosing and to purchase exactly those radiators that will serve for a long time and do not require constant attention.

Aluminum radiators

Aluminum radiators are a one-piece construction, made by casting or pressing from special aluminum alloys. There are a huge number of types of aluminum radiators that differ from each other in overall dimensions, design and technological solutions, and even in color. You can pick them up for virtually any interior.

Manufacturers are constantly improving both the materials from which aluminum radiators are made, and technological solutions that can improve their performance. They develop their own alloy compositions and casting methods, which increase the strength of aluminum. And from the inside, the metal is coated with polymer coatings, which can slow down the corrosion process.

The process of painting the surface of radiators, both inside and outside, also has a huge impact on the quality of the product. Using different methods of coating, domestic and foreign manufacturers achieve amazing results, as a result, the service life of high-quality aluminum radiators increases.

Appearance of aluminum radiators.

To increase heat transfer, the shape of aluminum radiators is being improved, thanks to which even compact models are able to effectively heat rooms with a large area.

Advantages of aluminum radiators

The main advantage of an aluminum radiator is its ability to conduct and release heat. It is several times higher than that of any heating devices made from other materials. Thanks to this, it is possible to reduce the temperature of the coolant when using aluminum radiators in an autonomous heating system.

This helps to reduce heating costs and extend the life of the boiler. Using them in a centralized heating system, this effect can only be achieved if thermostats are installed on the batteries, and meters on the heating pipes that take into account the amount of hot water entering the system and its temperature.

Such equipment is mainly equipped with new buildings. In old-style houses, it is often difficult to mount such a structure. Therefore, the high heat transfer of aluminum radiators without thermostats will be more of a minus than their positive side. Therefore, when choosing which heating radiators are better - aluminum or bimetallic, it is necessary to take into account the conditions in which they will be operated.

Other advantages of aluminum radiators include:

• variety of models, configurations and colors;
• light weight and ease of installation;
• oval internal through holes allowing to warm up the battery at high speed;
• the possibility of using with thermostats;
• rapid change in the temperature of the surface of the radiator, which makes it easy to control the level of its heating;
• small volume of coolant;
• high;
• affordable price range.

Disadvantages of aluminum radiators

The strength and reliability of an aluminum radiator largely depends on its brand and manufacturer. Trying to save money and buy the cheapest product, consumers run the risk of subsequently facing serious problems. Inexpensive Chinese radiators look no different from their foreign and domestic counterparts. But in their production, low-quality materials are often used, and the manufacturing technology is violated, which causes their premature wear.

The consequences of water hammer for an aluminum radiator.

So all the disadvantages of aluminum radiators are often associated precisely with manufacturing errors and the desire to save on the quality of the material. Often, aluminum alloy uses a large amount of zinc, which can release substances harmful to human health.

The main disadvantages of aluminum radiators:

• Susceptibility to corrosion at high acidity of the coolant;
• A small level of permissible pressure in the heating system;
• Undesirability of use in combination with copper and steel pipes due to the occurrence of a chemical reaction;

In addition, during contact with hot water, a certain amount of hydrogen is formed inside the radiator, so it is unacceptable to install it without a special valve that allows gas to be released from the system from time to time. Hydrogen is an explosive and flammable substance, so when performing work, precautions should be taken.

Bimetal radiators

At their core, bimetallic radiators are a type of aluminum. They are similar in appearance and the difference between them is difficult to see with the naked eye, because it is inside.

If the aluminum radiator is homogeneous and consists of one type of metal, then the bimetallic radiator consists of two components. A steel frame made of pipes is hidden inside an aluminum casing. That is, the coolant moves directly through the steel pipes, giving off heat first to them, and then to the aluminum shell. This design was specially designed for use in apartments with a central heating system, where pressure drops often occur, especially during pressure testing.

The main advantage they have is their ability to withstand high pressure in the heating system. This is their quality, which is so valuable when installed in apartments, is completely useless when installing an autonomous heating system.

In a private house with its own boiler room, there is no point in installing bimetallic radiators. Since there is no high pressure in such systems, and in terms of thermal conductivity they are significantly inferior to aluminum ones. Therefore, in order to heat the house, it will be necessary to raise the temperature of the coolant and thereby increase the load on the boiler, which will lead to an increase in heating costs and accelerate equipment wear.

Bimetal radiators will perfectly fit into any interior.

Other advantages of bimetallic radiators:

• possibility of use with steel and copper pipes;
• variety of models and attractive appearance;
• strength of the material and reliability of the design.

Disadvantages of bimetallic radiators

Significant disadvantages of bimetallic radiators can be considered:

• high cost (compared to similar aluminum radiators);
• low thermal conductivity;
• susceptibility to rust formation inside the radiator;
• a small cross section of the internal pipes, which can lead to clogging of the system and a slowdown in the heating rate;
• slow response to the influence of thermostats.

Summing up

It is difficult to unequivocally answer the question of which heating radiators are better - aluminum or bimetallic. Much depends on the expected operating conditions, as well as the quality of the radiators themselves. For an autonomous heating system of a private house or cottage, it is more expedient to purchase aluminum radiators from a well-known manufacturer. And in an apartment with it is possible to install both bimetallic and aluminum radiators of good quality.