Optimization of heating costs is directly related to improving the efficiency of the entire system. There are several ways to achieve this. But experts recommend first to analyze and identify the most significant factors affecting this indicator. Based on these data, the actual efficiency of boilers and heating systems is calculated: a review and ways to increase this indicator will help reduce the financial burden during maintenance.
Reasons for reducing the efficiency of heating boilers
Even before you increase the efficiency of the heating battery, you need to decide on this parameter. In fact, it consists of several components - the efficiency of the boiler, radiators and pipelines. But besides this, the value of the heat loss of the building must be taken into account.
Therefore, you must first not think - how to increase the efficiency of the heating battery, but to improve the thermal insulation of the house. Only by reducing losses through walls and windows can we begin to modernize heating. It is mistakenly believed that the main indicator of the system is the efficiency of gas heating boilers or their solid fuel analogues. However, the actual beneficial effect of the system is determined by the following formula:
Q = V loss / V access
Where Q - an indicator of efficiency,Vpotr - the amount of energy spent on heating the coolant,V access - Actual heat transfer to indoor air.
When analyzing the operation of the boiler, especially the gas type, it is clear that it does not function all the time. It must maintain the level of heating of the coolant at the established thermal mode. Other elements of the system - pipelines and radiators - are responsible for energy transfer. It is they who first of all need to pay attention, since the efficiency of the heating system by 80% depends on their proper functioning.
What needs to be done so that this indicator is initially maximum:
- Select low temperature operation. With a minimum difference in water heating after the boiler and in the return pipe, energy costs will decrease;
- The use of electronic control systems - thermometers and programmers. They will allow you to automatically change the operation of the boiler with temperature fluctuations in the house and on the street;
- To modernize the elements in order to reach the maximum heating efficiency in the house.
All these methods are interconnected with each other. Therefore, when organizing heating, you need to professionally go to each stage.
During the design of the system, it is necessary to calculate its main parameters - heat loss, the operation of each node and the optimal temperature regime. This can be done using online calculators (high error) or by ordering a service from specialized settlement bureaus (accurate data).
Methods for improving the efficiency of the boiler
At the first stage, you need to choose the right type of heating equipment. The decisive indicators for the organization of heating with high efficiency are the type of fuel used and the capacity of the boiler. Best of all, gas-powered models have proven themselves.
As can be seen from the graph, there is no significant difference when the boiler operates in normal mode. The difference in efficiency for gas heating boilers occurs only at the time of start-up until the desired temperature regime is reached (50-70 ° C). Then comes the stabilization of work and performance indicator. But to improve the latter, you can take the following steps:
- The difference between the calculated and actual boiler capacity should not be more than 15%.Exceeding the value will lead to incomplete combustion of gases, which will further increase fuel consumption;
- Use of condensation factor. This will slightly increase the efficiency of the entire heating system. However, the cost of condensing boilers differ from traditional ones by 35-40%;
- Reduced heat loss through the chimney. The increase in the efficiency of the heating battery directly depends on this factor.
Having fulfilled these conditions, it is possible to increase the efficiency of heating appliances by 1-1.5 percent. But it’s best to initially purchase a suitable cat model that best matches the parameters of the entire system.
During operation of condensing boilers, the accumulated liquid must not be disposed of into the sewer. It has a number of harmful elements that will affect the operation of the autonomous wastewater treatment system.
Rules for connecting radiators and their modernization
Of greatest interest are other elements - batteries and pipes. To increase the efficiency of the heating battery, you must initially correctly select the appropriate model. Ideally, it should have a maximum thermal conductivity. This applies to aluminum and bimetal batteries.If you take the efficiency of heating radiators - the table will show significant differences from cast iron. However, it should be borne in mind that the cooling of aluminum will be much faster. This material does not accumulate heat. In addition, in the cast iron there is an uneven distribution of the received energy.
For comparison, we can consider the efficiency table of steel-type heating radiators.
The larger the battery, the faster the air in the room will heat up. But you need to take into account the degree of coolant cooling. It is desirable that the temperature regime of the radiators in the house is the same.
Methods for connecting radiators
Having decided on this parameter, you can go to the main subtleties of increasing the efficiency of the heating battery. The main one is the way to connect to the system. It is best to make a connection to the system on one side of the instrument. Then the coolant will run a full cycle through the battery.
But in practice this can be done far from always. Therefore, they prefer to choose the “golden mean” - the upper supply and the lower connection to the return pipe. This technique has the following advantages:
- You can increase the efficiency of the heating battery in other ways by compensating for 2%;
- The optimal length of the highway, which also affects the effectiveness of the entire system;
- Possibility of installing a Mayevsky crane and an automatic temperature regulator.
This scheme is relevant for systems with both upper and lower piping. But besides this, to increase the efficiency of the heating battery, you must correctly install it.
Before purchasing a specific radiator model, you need to find out the possible options for connecting it - top, bottom or side.
Installation of radiators for maximum efficiency
The main rule for installing radiators of any type is the optimal heating of the room. Those. they should be in the area of the room where the heat loss will be maximum. This primarily relates to window structures.
In order to make heating with high efficiency, the window sill should overlap the upper plane of the battery by 2/3. Also, consider the recommended distances from the structure to the walls and floor:
- From the windowsill to the top of the section - 100 mm;
- From the surface of the floor to the battery - 120 mm;
- From the rear of the radiator to the wall - 20 mm.
Thus, it is possible to ensure maximum efficiency of the entire heating system.Convection flows of warm air will be partially delayed in the window sill, heating the wall and reducing heat loss through the window.
For better convection of warm air, a small fan can be installed.
Other ways to improve heating system efficiency
What else can be done to improve the efficiency of batteries in heating and not only them? You need to choose the right coolant. Despite the popularity of antifreezes, they have a drawback - a reduced indicator of energy intensity. Therefore, in the absence of the likelihood of negative temperatures affecting the system, it should be filled with ordinary distilled water.
To increase the efficiency of old-style gas heating boilers, the burner is replaced with a more efficient one. It will not only reduce gas consumption, but also increase the safety of the boiler. The same applies to the possible modernization of solid-fuel models of heating devices. If a gas main was installed in the house, a new burner can be installed. It is recommended to purchase models that work both on gas and on liquid fuel (diesel, used oil).
You can make maximum efficiency for heating in the house with the help of a systematic pipe cleaning. To do this, use chemical, hydraulic or combined methods. The choice depends on the material of manufacture of the pipeline (plastic or metal) and the degree of contamination of the pipeline.
Installing reflective screens behind the batteries will also increase the efficiency of the entire heating system. It is best to use penofol for that, on one side of which a layer of foil is applied. Even a simple cleaning of radiators from dust and dirt is insignificant, but it will improve their heat transfer.
In the video material, you can find out an interesting way to independently organize heating with a high coefficient of efficiency:
