Heating in the house is a very complex communication, the device of which is usually done by professionals, but if you have the necessary tools, equipment and skills, you can do it yourself.
Steam heating: system design
This system in its composition contains a special steam boiler, pipes and radiators. In this embodiment, heated steam is used as a heat carrier. During the operation of the entire system, condensation forms in the heat exchangers, and it returns to the boiler. Due to this, there is no need to install an expansion tank, which is so necessary when using a water system. Heated steam comes from the boiler, which moves through the pipes and moves into the heating radiators, and they are usually mounted under the windows in the rooms. If steam heating is organized in a private house, the boiler is usually placed in the basement or on the ground floor, the room must be equipped with a ventilation system. The number of radiators and their size are determined depending on what is the area of the heated rooms, and the capacity of the boiler must be selected depending on the required load. If you have a large house, then it is advisable to carry out a two-pipe system consisting of lower and upper threads, due to which the necessary level of heat and comfort in the house will be provided.
Steam heating: equipment selection
In the process of choosing radiators and pipes, it is worth considering that the material from which they are made must have sufficient strength. Only in this way will the system be able to withstand quite severe loads generated during the movement of hot water or steam. In specialized stores there is a fairly wide selection of radiators, so you can take into account not only their convenience, but also the durability and reliability, as well as the design of your home, which will allow you to make the most right choice.
The use of traditional cast-iron radiators can significantly reduce fuel costs for the boiler. At the moment, such models are used very rarely, since they cannot fit organically enough into a modern interior because of their low aesthetic indicators. Nowadays, steam heating is often organized using other types of radiators. Steel models, which are made in the form of panels or pipes, can last a very long time, while the degree of heat transfer from them is quite high. Tubular radiators are excellent for home use, but due to their high cost, they are not available to everyone.
Aluminum radiators have a much shorter life than other models. However, their advantage has always been an excellent design, compactness, as well as the ability to replace a damaged section if necessary. Such radiators should be suitable for the materials of which the pipes are made. You can arrange steam heating using bimetal radiators made of steel coated with a layer of aluminum. They are more expensive than the previous version, but they have a high degree of corrosion resistance, durability and are able to serve you for many years.
Steam heating: pipe selection
In this matter, it is worth focusing on such indicators as durability, reliability, as well as the ability to ensure stealth. If you plan to hide your pipes in the walls, then copper is best suited. At the moment, the most popular option is metal-plastic pipes. In the process of their production, the steel pipe is coated with plastic from the outside and from the inside. So they become corrosion resistant and easy to install. This is very important for those who conduct steam heating with their own hands.
Before embarking on this difficult task on your own, you need to familiarize yourself with the requirements for installation.