Solving the issue of independent heat supply, private developers in most cases prefer the classic water heating in the form of a two-pipe heating system at home. It is suitable for operation in difficult climates, allows you to save energy if you install equipment for automatic temperature control in the premises.
Content:
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Principle of operation
Two-pipe heating system
The water radiator heating system functions as follows: the coolant (water or antifreeze) is heated in the boiler and enters the supply circuit. Passing through the radiators, the liquid gives off heat to the heating devices, gradually cools down and returns to the boiler. The cycle is repeated many times and continuously, due to which the radiators heat the premises to a comfortable temperature.
Two-pipe heating system
In the simplest version, a single-pipe system is mounted - radiators are connected in series to one circuit, and the coolant passes in full through all heating devices in turn before returning to the boiler. This option is only suitable for small houses, since each subsequent radiator heats up less and less - accordingly, its heat transfer also decreases.
Temperature controller for radiator
A two-pipe system is more complicated, but many times more effective. The general principle of its work is as follows: radiators are connected in parallel to two separate circuits - supply and return.
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At the design stage of an autonomous heating radiator system, it is important to choose the type of expansion tank - this affects the functionality of the system, the features of its arrangement and maintenance, the choice of heating devices.
Two-pipe heating system
An expansion tank is a mandatory attribute of an autonomous heating system, which allows you to compensate for the thermal expansion of the liquid in a closed circuit. Without this element, when the coolant is heated, the pipes would burst due to an increase in pressure.
open system
In this case, the expansion tank is a leaky container (usually with a lid) that needs to be installed at the top of the circuit. Most often, the element is mounted in the attic of the house or under the ceiling. Since the liquid gradually evaporates, it is necessary to regularly check its level and pour it from a container or a specially designed tap. With a lack of water in the system, the coolant can overheat and boil.
Expansion tank open type
Using an open expansion tank:
- makes it impossible to use antifreeze instead of water, since when it evaporates, substances hazardous to health are released
- limits the choice of heating radiators - it is not recommended to use steel ones, since oxygen freely penetrates into the coolant, which contributes to the rapid corrosion of the metal
closed system
Two-pipe closed heating system
The expansion tank for a closed system is a container with an elastic membrane inside. The coolant expands, forcing the membrane to stretch - while compressing the air in the rest of the sealed tank. When the liquid cools, the membrane returns to its shape.
This design effectively compensates for a sharp increase or decrease in pressure in the circuit. This prevents equipment failure and prolongs its service life.
Diaphragm expansion tank
Installing a membrane expansion tank increases the cost of the heating system, but makes it more reliable, convenient and efficient. Such a tank can be mounted in any suitable place, it does not require constant revisions, it allows you to choose any type of radiator and type of coolant - water or antifreeze. The use of antifreeze makes it possible not to be afraid of freezing of the pipeline if the boiler stops working in frost.
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Natural and forced circulation
Circulation pump
According to the method of movement of the liquid inside the heating circuit, two types of two-pipe systems are distinguished:
Features of functioning
natural circulation
Systems with natural circulation (gravity) are used less and less. Their advantage is energy independence, the absence of air pockets and durability - there are no elements and mechanisms prone to rapid wear. At the same time, there are difficulties with the design, selection of the angle of inclination of pipes and their cross section. To ensure the highest possible speed of movement of the coolant, the cross section of the pipeline is changed as it moves away from the boiler.
Forced circulation is the modern choice, the circulation pump allows you to effectively and evenly warm up all radiators due to the high speed of the coolant. For the same reason, a minimum of energy is spent on heating the cooled liquid - the temperature difference in the supply and return circuits is small.
forced circulation
In addition, it is easier to design and lay pipeline - it is not required to calculate and strictly observe the angle of inclination of the pipes during installation. Smaller diameter pipes are used when compared to gravity systems, and this reduces costs.
The disadvantages of a forced circulation heating system include dependence on electricity, purchase costs pump and fittings necessary for its functioning.
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Vertical layout
The layout happens:
With a horizontal layout, it is important to provide for the installation of Mayevsky cranes on each battery, since with such a connection scheme, air pockets often form in the pipeline. The vertical layout contributes to the accumulation of air in the upper points of the risers, so air pockets do not interfere with the heating. In installation, the vertical layout is more expensive, as it requires more material.
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Wiring
Wiring type
When designing a radiator connection scheme in a horizontal layout, it is necessary to choose between the top and bottom wiring. It affects:
- to the location of the expansion tank
- on the aesthetics of the premises
- on the efficiency of the system and its tendency to air
Top wiring
Top wiring
The supply pipeline is mounted in the upper part of the room, the return circuit is as low as possible, including in the floor. The height difference increases the pressure, which is primarily relevant for a system with natural circulation.
The expansion tank in this case must be mounted as high as possible - under the ceiling of the upper floor, in the ceiling or in the attic. In the latter case, we must not forget about the insulation of the container, otherwise the coolant will quickly cool and evaporate.
The pipes of the supply circuit, placed under the ceiling or below the windows, do not decorate the interior; a large number of components are required for the installation of the pipeline. But these shortcomings are compensated by the absence of air congestion.
Bottom wiring
Bottom wiring
Installation of supply and return pipes along the floor allows you to hide communications as much as possible. It is allowed to lay the pipeline inside the walls, in the floor, behind the plinth, but even with the pipes open, the heating system fits well into the interior.
The bottom wiring is fully suitable for systems with forced circulation and a membrane expansion tank. Otherwise, you will have to remove air plugs every day that impede the movement of the coolant, or install a bulky system of air lines that will help remove accumulated air through an open-type expansion tank.
Passing and beam
Beam wiring
Associated wiring (lower and upper) is called such an option for mounting circuits, when radiators are connected by means of bends directly to the supply and return pipes.
Beam wiring (lower) is different in that each heating device is connected to the manifolds of the supply and return circuits. In this case, all system control devices are placed on the collector node.
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Bottom radiator connection
The heat transfer of heating devices largely depends on the principle of their connection to the pipeline. Radiators with a bottom connection are equipped with two nozzles for the inlet and outlet of the coolant, but batteries with a side connection have two pairs of holes for mounting the pipeline, so options are possible.
- Diagonal two-way connection, feed from above. The best option, since the coolant passes along the entire length of the collector and through all vertical channels. The heat transfer of the battery with this connection is taken as a unit
- Unilateral connection, giving from above. Usually used when connecting a radiator to a vertical riser.Efficiency is lower by 3-5%, since the part of the battery farthest from the riser warms up worse
- Unilateral connection, giving from below. It is also practiced when connecting a heating device to a riser. Since the coolant has to move from bottom to top, the far part of the radiator does not warm up well and heat transfer decreases by about 20%.
- Bilateral connection, both eyeliners from below. The "saddle" connection is chosen because of the ability to hide pipes in the floor or behind the baseboard. But the battery efficiency drops by 10-15% from the calculated one due to the fact that the top warms up relatively weakly.
- Diagonal bilateral, giving from below. With this connection, the heated coolant practically does not get into the far lower corner of the radiator. Battery efficiency is degraded by 20% compared to the reference.
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Boiler room in a private house
Choosing the option of a two-pipe heating system, they are based on which boiler will be used to heat the house. If the unit is non-volatile (stove, solid fuel, gas or diesel boiler without automation that requires power), then the heating system must be appropriate - with natural circulation, horizontal layout, top wiring and an open expansion tank.
To increase the efficiency of its operation, it is possible to provide for the installation of a circulation pump, but in the event of a power outage, the coolant will continue to move by gravity.
A volatile boiler allows you to choose any option, but in practice a system with a membrane expansion tank, a circulation pump, a horizontal layout and a bottom wiring is preferred. If the house has two or three floors of a small area, it is more convenient to use a vertical layout.
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An example of a calculation scheme
When developing a project for a two-pipe heating system, it is important to perform a hydraulic calculation in order to determine:
- how much fluid and at what speed passes through each node
- how changing the operating mode of each device affects the functional parameters of the system as a whole
- what performance characteristics of the components will be optimal in terms of reliability and price
- how to correctly distribute thermal energy among heating zones and ensure stable operation of the system
The hydraulic calculation is based on the data of the thermal calculation of the house, since it is required to calculate the rate of replenishment of heat losses for each room and select heating devices of suitable power. The head and pressure losses due to hydrodynamic resistance during the movement of the coolant are also taken into account.
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Polymer pipes and fittings for them
The type and quantity of materials, components and equipment for a two-pipe heating system is determined at the design stage.
To install a two-pipe heating system, you must purchase:
- boiler
- radiators
- expansion tank
- pipes
- fitting
- escapades
- air vents
- emergency valve
- circulation pump (optional)
Criterias of choice
The boiler is selected taking into account the availability and cost of fuel, the estimated power of the system, and the requirements for the level of automation. The most popular are gas and solid fuel boilers.
Types of radiators
Radiators on the market are made from:
- cast iron
- aluminum
- become
- copper
- combinations of steel (pipe) and aluminum (fins)
When choosing a radiator, pay attention to the technical characteristics, durability and reliability of the device, ease of installation, design, connection principle. For example, due to the inertia of cast-iron batteries, it makes no sense to install thermostats on them to adjust the microclimate. Steel and bimetallic radiators are prone to corrosion, and they are best used as part of closed-type heating systems.
Polypropylene pipes
For laying the pipeline, pipes are used:
- steel (made of regular or alloyed stainless steel)
- copper
- polypropylenereinforced with fiberglass or aluminum foil
- made of cross-linked polyethylene
- metal-plastic
When choosing, take into account durability, corrosion resistance, suitability for hidden laying (under the screed), cost. The installation of polymer pipes can be done independently, and the laying of a metal pipeline requires the skill of working with a welding machine (for fastening steel elements) or a device for soldering copper. Fittings must match the pipes.
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Boiler piping
The first step is to install the boiler. Electric and gas units with a closed combustion chamber can be installed in any suitable room, in other cases a boiler room is required.
Next, the harness of the unit is mounted. For a closed type system with forced circulation, a diaphragm expansion tank, a coarse filter, a pressure regulator, an air valve are required. The circulation pump is placed on the return pipe before it enters the boiler - this reduces the temperature load on the pump elements and extends its service life.
The next step is to install radiators. - fasten them to the walls using standard brackets, aligning them in one line. Some types of batteries can be installed on the floor using special fixtures.
If shut-off valves are immediately installed on the nozzles, the battery can be disconnected at any time for repair or replacement without stopping the boiler and draining the coolant from the circuit. All batteries should be equipped with an air vent - a Mayevsky crane.
Pipeline laying
Installation of heating pipes in the floor screed
The supply and return pipelines of the system with bottom wiring are mounted in parallel lines. Pipes are hidden in the floor, in the walls or behind the plinth. When laying open, the downpipe must be located at such a distance from the floor that it does not interfere with cleaning.
In places where pipes pass through walls and ceilings, special “glasses” are preliminarily installed. Their diameter should slightly exceed the outer section of the pipe - a gap for thermal expansion is required to avoid deformation and damage to the circuit. The gap is filled with silicone sealant.
Startup and balancing
After completing the installation work, close all valves. Then water is supplied to the system, making sure that the supply circuit is filled slowly. The liquid should displace air from all corners.
Balancing valves
When the section of the circuit to the first radiator is filled, open its supply valve and the Mayevsky valve. A jet of water from the air vent indicates that the battery is full - the Mayevsky tap is closed and the outlet valve of the heating device is opened. This operation is performed with each radiator in turn.
After filling the circuit and testing it under pressure, the system is balanced. Special balancing valves installed at different points of the pipeline allow you to adjust the coolant flow rate so that the heating of the batteries is uniform regardless of the distance from the boiler.
In order for a two-pipe heating system to be economical and reliable, it is necessary to carefully approach the development of the project, the choice of materials and equipment, and the observance of the technology of installation work.
Video: Two-pipe heating system in a 2-story house. Boiler piping.
Two-pipe heating system of a private house: device, types of systems, schemes, layout, wiring, installation and launch of the system (Photo & Video) + Reviews
Video: Two-pipe heating system
Two-pipe heating system of a private house: device, types of systems, schemes, layout, wiring, installation and launch of the system (Photo & Video) + Reviews
