The heating system of the home only then can provide you with maximum comfort when its device is thought out in advance. It is important to choose the right type of heating equipment and determine the options for its installation in order to get the most convenience at the lowest cost. The most rational way of heating a house is a single-circuit heating system. What benefits can such a system provide compared to a more complex dual-circuit device?
Single-circuit heating device
A single-circuit system is called a heating system, the scheme of which provides for the circulation of a coolant (usually ordinary hot water) in series across all its components installed in the home. True, this system provides only heat in the house, but does not heat water for the bathroom and kitchen. But at the same time, the minimum required number of pipelines is used, thereby reducing costs.
Heating equipment consists of the following elements:
- a heat generator (most often a single-circuit gas heating boiler wall or floor);
- metal pipes through which heat is transferred;
- pressure expansion tank;
- circulation pump (if necessary);
- heat exchangers for heating each room - radiators.
It is also possible to use a “warm floor” heating system instead of radiators, in which pipes laid under the floor covering evenly heat the room.
In order for a single-circuit heating system to operate smoothly, its circuit should be developed in detail at the design stage of the house.
Benefits of using single-circuit type boilers
The advantages of a single-circuit heating system are:
- practicality of the device;
- ease of installation;
- independence from water supply;
- reasonable price.
Owners of cottages often give preference to dual-circuit heating units that can solve two problems at once: to supply the house with heat and domestic hot water. However, there are situations when, for example, there is no gas pipeline and central water supply in the country house, and an electric boiler is installed to heat the water. Then a single-circuit diesel heating boiler will be the best choice. The one-pipe heating system operates normally even without being connected to the water supply.
The disadvantage of a single-circuit system is its purpose to work only for heating. But if you show engineering ingenuity, then you can improve a single-circuit gas heating boiler of Russian production. It is enough to install an additional heat exchanger in the system, and it will provide the whole family with hot water.
Another disadvantage of a single-circuit heating system is the fact that the last of the entire chain of radiators gets less heat than the previous one. To balance the heat transfer, regulating valves have to be installed on the radiators.
Heaters for a single-circuit system
The efficiency of the heating system mainly depends on the heating boiler. They can be different, but gas single-circuit heating boilers have earned the best reviews.. In most cases, this type of apparatus most closely matches the housing conditions of the consumer.A single-circuit boiler in its design is much simpler than a double-circuit boiler, so it does not cause inconvenience during installation and operation.
The main criterion for choosing a heating device is the amount of work that this model of apparatus is capable of performing. Boilers for a single-circuit heating system vary in power. Judging by user reviews, wall-mounted versions of single-circuit gas heating boilers should be considered the most low-power.
Approximately, you can determine the efficiency of the boiler according to the formula: 1 kW of power per 10 m² of room space. A more accurate calculation can be done by professionals who will also take into account the height of the ceilings, the number of windows and many other factors.
By type of fuel for boilers, they are divided into:
- coal;
- gas;
- diesel;
- electric.
Choosing a heating boiler should take into account which fuel is most available in your area.
Coal firing a domestic boiler is still a hassle! Even if you put up with the fact that coal dust will constantly fly around living quarters, there will still be a lot of problems. After all, you need to load coal into the furnace on time, monitor combustion, dig out slag and ash. Numerous reviews confirm that the use of single-circuit gas heating boilers is much more convenient. Therefore, we will leave outdated solid fuel boilers beyond attention.
Whether it’s a matter of modern single-circuit heating boilers: gas (floor and wall) or diesel! From them there is no dirt and smoke, and they do not require vigilant control. Just lit it, set the fuel supply mode - and you can relax in the heat!
Many models of gas heaters are manufactured in a wall-mounted version. Such devices are desktop compact that they can be hung even in the kitchen. But gas single-circuit floor heating boilers have to be installed in a separate room, but they are more powerful and able to heat many rooms at once.
If you plan to install a gas or diesel type boiler, you need to take the instructions of the fire department seriously.
Single-circuit heating boilers are also electric. Although the price of electricity is much higher than the cost of gas, the use of electric boilers is inevitable where there is no way to use the unit with another type of fuel.
Consider the most popular types of heating boilers.
Gas boilers
Gas heating equipment is produced tuned for the consumption of natural gas, but if necessary it can easily be converted to liquefied gas. And judging by the reviews, single-circuit gas heating boilers willingly consume liquefied fuel from cylinders. The most practical homeowners, to stock up immediately for the whole winter, pump gas into a large underground tank (gas tank).
The whole variety of models of gas boilers fits into two categories: devices for installation on the floor and for hanging on the wall. The use of single-circuit gas floor heating boilers in private houses provides that it is permissible to install such a unit only in an extension equipped with ventilation or in the basement. However, if the boiler is located below the floor level, it must be borne in mind that it is necessary to increase the circulation of the coolant by connecting the pump.
At present, gas single-circuit wall-mounted heating boilers have gained great popularity. These household heating devices develop a relatively small thermal power, not more than 35 kW. Their convenience is manifested in the fact that a compact device can be easily hung on the wall and connected to the pipeline. Wall-mounted single-circuit gas heating boilers are advantageous to install in small houses where hot water supply is not required.
For heating an individual house of less than 300 m², a gas single-circuit wall-mounted heating boiler is quite suitable. The most “advanced” models of such devices hide not only the combustion chamber and heat exchanger under the compact body, but also the expansion tank, pump, sensors and control automation.
Discover the five benefits of wall mounted gas boilers:
- compactness, due to which the device does not take up much space;
- permissibility of installation not only in a private house, but also in the apartment;
- the ability to independently mount the elements of the heating system (except gas, which must be connected by a specialist);
- simple control system and adjustment of combustion modes;
- Stylish design, consistent with any style of interior.
At the same time, wall-mounted single-circuit gas heating boilers cause negative reviews. Among the disadvantages, consumers note their low power and the need to often clean the heat exchanger coated with scale.
Wall boilers can only be installed on solid walls, preferably brick. In places of contact with wooden structures, it is necessary to build a heat-insulating gasket from a layer of asbestos and a metal sheet.
Diesel boilers
Liquid fuel heating boilers are less common. But in conditions when house building is not connected to gas supply, a diesel single-circuit heating boiler will be the best choice. Heating units on diesel fuel are able to overtake their gas "brothers" in terms of efficiency. Diesel boilers are able to continuously give heat at least all winter, while the pump pumps fuel from the tank.
By design, diesel heating devices differ little from gas. Some models of single-circuit diesel heating boilers can successfully operate on gas - it is enough to replace the burner. Another advantage - a diesel boiler does not need permits, like a gas one.
Electric boilers
In most cases, electric single-circuit heating boilers are used where it is not possible to connect to a centralized gas pipeline. In addition, it makes sense to install such an apparatus in addition to the main boiler in case of failure.
A comparison of electric single-circuit heating boilers with others shows that they compare favorably with their modest sizes. Electric boilers do not need a chimney, they work without noise and without dust. The operating modes of such devices are easy to configure from the control panel.
All heating boilers, except electric ones, in the process of work take air from the room and emit combustion products. Therefore, they must be installed in a separate room with efficient ventilation.
The most popular brands of wall-mounted single-circuit gas heating boilers consumers consider:
- German - Bosch, Vaillant, Buderus;
- italian - Ferroli, Baxi, Ariston;
- french - Frisquet, De Dietrich, Chaffoteaux;
- swedish - Electrolux.
The use of single-circuit gas heating boilers of Russian production in financial terms is much more profitable. Of these, the brands “Signal”, “Gazapparat”, “AZGA” are most in demand. Since a significant part of domestic products is equipped with imported units, our heating boilers are inferior to similar foreign products only in the attractiveness of design. Moreover, their adaptability to the Russian gas and electricity networks is much higher.
Principles of installing a heating system
If you correctly calculate the parameters of a single-circuit heating system and mount it according to the developed scheme, your home in any cold will be warm and safe.
Installation steps should be as follows:
- Set up a boiler room (for a floor boiler) in a room with forced ventilation and fire protection.
- Install the boiler, providing easy access for its maintenance.
- Connect the boiler to the chimney facing the roof.
- Install the expansion tank (if the boiler is not equipped with it).
- Route the pipes to the places where the radiators will be installed.
- Fix radiators to the brackets in the rooms under the window openings.
- Install accessories on the radiators to adjust the temperature.
- Connect all the elements, and then test and control the system.
The first start-up of a gas boiler is allowed only by an authorized employee of the regional gas service, who, upon completion of the audit, will issue a certificate of compliance to the homeowner.
During operation, it is sometimes found that outdated models of single-circuit gas heating boilers of Russian production due to insufficient power can not cope with their work. Then it is advisable to connect a pump to the system, which will enhance the natural circulation of hot water.
Which of the single-circuit heating devices will be able to bring more heat to your home, while remaining convenient, economical and safe? Video consultation will help you make a choice.
So, decide according to your needs: whether you will have a compact gas boiler, or a powerful diesel engine like a locomotive. The main thing is that its operating parameters stably provide you comfort in the home.
