Economical heating in a private house
Water heating of a private house
This type can even be called a classic – it is so popular. It is a closed system. Water is heated by the boiler, passes through special pipelines to the radiators, gives heat to the air, and already cooled returns back. This is how the room warms up.
Main component:
• boiler (there are electric, gas, liquid and solid fuel);
• pipeline;
• radiators.
Features of the device:
The power of the boiler depends on the area of the room that needs to be heated (and do not forget about the heat loss of the building). For example, for an area of 60-200 m2, a boiler of up to 24 kW is required. Total area of the house, m2 Required boiler power, kW.
Pipes for the pipeline can be:
1. Copper.
2. Stainless steel, galvanized steel.
3. Polymeric.
Water heating systems are:
• single-circuit;
• double-circuit.
The first are used only for heating the room, in the second version, the first circuit for heating, the second - for hot water supply. It is possible to use two single-circuit systems for more economical use in the warm season.
Calculation of water heating installation
The theoretical calculation of power is approximately as follows: for 1 m2 of the house area, 100 W of boiler power is required. Consider the example: for heating 2-storey house with area of 100 m2 (each floor has 2 rooms with two Windows), it will take 25 000 watts of power single-boiler, or 28 kW double-pressure boiler (extra power for hot water).
The cost of equipment and work when heating the house with gas
• The price of a gas boiler with this parameter is now 12 500*-15 000 UAH*, and electrical and electrical about 17 500 UAH.*
• Radiators. On the first floor, you need to install 4 pcs, under each window opening, with a power of 1654 W. On the second floor sets 2 pcs, under one of the window openings, power 2353 W.
• Additionally: pipes (in a house with such an area of at least 200 m), choose the best option – polypropylene, corners, brackets, taps, etc.
• In the cost part of the arrangement, we will also make: the design of the system by a specialist, its installation and approval. The considered type of heating is very convenient if you have constant access to fuel and if you live permanently in the house where it is installed. Also, the arrangement of the entire system is quite a long and time – consuming process with considerable financial costs. In addition, constant prevention is necessary. During use, heat loss is noticeable when the carrier is lifted through the pipes (the second floor receives less heat than the first).
Air heating
The main heat carrier in this type of system is air. Thermoregulation occurs by entering warm air directly into the premises. There are no stoves, radiators, or other massive installations in this system. Heating of the house is not limited to the area around the batteries, due to which there are no temperature differences. There are two types of air heating:
• gravity (direct-flow) - their principle of operation involves the natural movement of air, due to the temperature difference.
• forced ventilation systems (recirculating) – the main difference is an electric fan that distributes air evenly through the air ducts. Heat generators are the heart of the system. They are divided by the type of fuel that the burner runs on and by the maximum power. The last parameter is the most important, because it depends on the heated area. Heat generators can be stationary and mobile.
Features of the air heating system
Fuel is fed from the burner to the heat generator, which is burned in the combustion chamber. Regardless of the type of fuel, the burners have uniform dimensions, so they can be interchangeable. A diesel burner requires a tank, a fuel drive for liquid fuel, and filters. Gas pumps are convenient because they can be connected to both the main line and to cylinders with liquefied gas. Cold air is heated in the heat exchanger and sent through the air ducts to the room, and the combustion products are removed to the chimney.
It is worth remembering that in rooms with a large area, heat loss is noticeable, due to the length of the air duct. The recommended length of the main air duct is 30 meters, and the branches are 15 meters.
The cost of air heating for the house
For example, take a 2-storey building with a total area of 300 m2. To heat such an area, the main work on the arrangement will cost about 125,000 UAH* – this includes the cost of equipment and installation of air ducts. For pipes and wiring, the average price is 125-250 UAH per linear meter. The system design will cost about 12,500 UAH*, and installation and commissioning will cost at least 37,500 UAH.* As a result, the total cost may be 200 000 UAH* (without automation). The final cost is cheaper than the option with water heating. The presence of automation reduces the cost of operation – the air heater starts working independently several times a day to maintain the temperature. Thanks to this, fuel economy is 30-40%.
Among the disadvantages of such a system, we note:
the need for additional maintenance of air humidity in the house;
• possibility of installation only during construction "from scratch";
• it is better to entrust a high-quality project to an experienced specialist;
• complex modification process..
Electric heating
Electric heating systems work on the main principle – to convert electrical energy into heat. Three main types of home heating are most often used:
• electroconvectors;
• Underfloor heating systems;
• Infrared heater."
Convector heating of the house
Devices such as electric convectors are easy to operate and efficient. They are used as independent heating systems and as additional ones – together with centralized heating. The only and main condition for the operation of this device is the availability of a permanent and uninterrupted network connection. Convenient in the absence of gas mains. The device is based on the principle of natural air circulation: cold air from the room enters the electric convector, where it is heated and increased in volume returns to the room. Hot and cold air masses constantly replace each other, thus increasing the temperature in the room. The power of convectors is from 0.5 to 3.0 kW. Overall dimensions: thickness about 0.8 cm, length up to 2.5 m, depending on the power of the device. The optimal location of the device is no higher than 1 meter above the floor or under the window. The required number of convectors, their power and location, as in any other heating system, depends on the cubic capacity of the house.
The main disadvantages of convector heating:
• the heated air cools quickly and the convector needs to be turned on frequently to maintain a constant comfortable temperature. This affects the amount of electricity consumed for heating;
• dries air and burns oxygen;
• the air temperature under the ceiling is always higher than the air temperature near the floor or in the middle of the room.
Calculations of the cost of a system of convectors for heating per 1 m3:
• 30 W provided insulated walls and ceilings, as well as the presence of double-glazed Windows;
• 40 W – poorly insulated houses;
• 50 W – houses with poor thermal insulation.
Consider the example of a house with an area of 100 m2, with a height of 3 m (heated volume:100x3=300 m3), if we consider a poorly insulated option: you need only 12 kW - you should place 4 convectors of 2.5 kW and 1 with a power of 2 kW. When calculating the cost of installation, you should also take into account the manufacturer's company, additional functions, etc., with a price fluctuation from 1250* to 3750 UAH.* Thus, the total cost may be 20 000 UAH.
Heating the house with Underfloor heating
Electric Underfloor heating allows you to heat the floor covering, thereby warming the room. It is often possible to find information that Underfloor heating can be used as the main source of heat in the house, but experts do not recommend adhering to such views. It is better to use it as an additional system. The principle of operation is quite simple – the current passing through the cable heats it, the heat is transferred to the screed, and later through the floor covering heats the room. The range of prices for the arrangement of underfloor heating is quite wide – economical offers are 1250 UAH/m2*, the most expensive is 5000 UAH/m2.*
Economical heating of a country house with infrared panels
Infrared heaters, over the past few years, have become one of the most popular heating devices. Their principle of operation is based on the transfer of heat to the environment through infrared radiation. This heat is absorbed by the surrounding surfaces and objects, which subsequently give heat to the air. It is thanks to this principle of operation that infrared panels have gained popularity – heat loss for heating the space under the ceiling is minimized.
An important parameter that you should pay attention to when choosing this type of heater is the wavelength – this parameter affects the scope of the device and its effect on the human body:
• long-wave infrared panels can be used in residential areas - safe for people and animals. They can be used as the main and additional heating system. Long waves allow heat to penetrate deeper into objects, and therefore longer to give it to the room. How to choose the right long-wave heater and what to pay attention to (click here).
• short-wave heaters can be used in areas where a person is not long (stairwells, corridors, etc.), in residential areas, their use is not recommended.
Next, we consider only long-wave infrared devices. Unlike convectors that dry the air, infrared panels do not burn oxygen. They can be installed in children's rooms, as they are safe, do not emit unpleasant odors and work silently. Today's market offers infrared heaters with built-in thermostats or remote thermostats. This device allows you to reduce energy costs: the sensor reacts to changes in the room temperature, after which the thermostat turns the device on or off. Thus, once you have set up the temperature mode that is convenient for you, there is no need to turn off the device from the network. By connecting several electrical panels to each other and powering the remote controller, you get a heating system. Most panel heaters have a technology to prevent overheating and protect against voltage surges. Therefore, an infrared home heater can work without a regulator, like a regular electric battery.
Disadvantages:
• when first turned on in a cold room, it can work for a day or more until it becomes warm;
• it takes a little more time to warm up the room than the convector.
Advantages of infrared heaters:
• after heating the room, to maintain a constant temperature, they are turned on less often than the convectors. As a result, this affects energy savings;
• comfortable room temperature is maintained for 2 or more hours after switching off;
• does not dry the air, does not burn oxygen, and does not emit harmful substances when working;
• works silently;
• durability (the average manufacturer's guarantee is 5 years).
Calculation of the cost of infrared heating for the house
200 m2. Since thermal panels heat the room itself, and not the air, the electricity consumption for heating 1 m2 will be an average of 50 W, provided that the house has a small heat loss (insulated walls, high-quality windows and doors). To heat a house of 200 m2, you need to install 10 panels of 1000 watts. The cost of one heater starts from 2000 UAH* for a room of 20 m2. Prices for heaters can be found here. That is, the cost of all equipment for the house, taking into account the work of an electrician, is on average 25,000 UAH.* Types of infrared heaters and which one is better to choose, see here. Among the advantages of electric heating, it is worth noting the cheapness of the arrangement, the acceptable cost of operation, the lack of maintenance and prevention costs. However, the system directly depends on the uninterrupted operation of the network – if there is a possibility of power outage for a long period, it is necessary to provide an additional (alternative) heating option.
What is the best way to heat the house?
The heating system is selected primarily by the type of fuel that you can use (electricity, gas, coal, and other options). The second most important factor is financial opportunities. After all, in any of the systems considered, we noted both positive and negative aspects. Electrical systems are much cheaper to install and maintain. In the operation of heating systems, it is important to remember about environmental friendliness and safety. So in the operation of devices such as stoves and fireplaces, carbon dioxide may enter the room – it is life-threatening. Therefore, installation work should be carried out by specialists. Or you should choose electric heating, which is recognized as the safest. To reduce the influence of external factors on the stability of the heating of a private house, you can use an alternative or additional method of heating the premises. For example, add infrared heaters to an existing gas heater. Such a backup source of heating will allow you to protect yourself on the one hand, and redistribute the financial burden on the other.
* average prices for equipment as of 30.06.2017 are shown according to the rozetka.ua website
