Proper heating in the house. How to decide on the choice and installation of heating for a private house with your own hands: diagrams of different types of connections. How to choose the type of heating for a private home

The heating system of a private house has a valuable advantage - it is independent from public utilities. When building a house, you can choose your own heating device for living in comfortable conditions. Moreover, such systems are often installed with their own hands. This process should occur in stages:
1. The choice of heating system is made.
2. The necessary elements are selected.
3. Calculations are performed.
4. A heating scheme and project is being developed.
5. Documentation is drawn up.
6. Installation work is being carried out.
7. Test run is performed.
The most popular way to heat a home is a water heating system.

Steam heating is prohibited for use in residential buildings. It is mainly used for large warehouse-type premises. Electric heating is also used.

Heating system of a private house

What type of fuel should I choose?

When choosing fuel, traditional options are considered.
1. Gas is a popular fuel and affordable. With a high-quality approach, all heating processes are automated.
2. You can use solid fuel if there is no gas pipeline. The choice is made between pellets, coal and firewood. The disadvantages of this type of fuel include the inability to automate the system.
3. The use of electricity is convenient and simple. The disadvantage of fuel is its high cost.
4. Liquid fuel is used. This can be fuel oil or diesel fuel. This method is characterized by efficiency and high efficiency.

The choice is influenced by the calculation of the costs of further operation of the heating system, as well as the proximity of the necessary raw materials.


Types of solid fuel

Design and features of water heating

When installing a heating system in a house, the design and characteristics of water heating deserve special attention.

Coolant flow diagram

Depending on the type of coolant movement, gravitational and circulation systems are distinguished:
1. In a gravity system, liquid moves up and through the pipes as the boiler heats up, and returns back when it cools. This system is characterized by energy independence. There are disadvantages to this method of device:
it is impossible to perform precise adjustment of heat transfer using instruments;
pipes are selected with a large diameter and installed with an inclination to the side;
the expansion tank must be open.

2. The movement of liquid in the circulation system is carried out by a pump. The undoubted advantages are the ability to control heat transfer and the use of small diameter pipes.


natural circulation flow diagram

Which heating system to choose?

When installing a heating system, it is important to properly decouple the pipes. There are the following schemes for heating a private house:
1. A single-pipe system is a specific pipeline to which batteries are connected in series. This is a good way to heat a one-story house. It is worth considering that the coolant enters the last battery cooled.
2. The two-pipe circuit is distinguished by its efficiency. In this case, the coolant moves through two lines. This affects the increase in pipe flow, but creates an optimization of the heating system. The system is used both for space heating and for heating tap water.
3. The collector system is equipped with a central riser, to which collectors are connected on all floors. In this case, the collector distributes the existing coolant into separate batteries. The system is configured with high precision. The disadvantages include high pipe consumption.


Two-pipe system in a private house

Electric heating

The electric heating system is also safe. It is possible to control the temperature in each room.
This method is used when it is not possible to connect to a gas pipeline.
For heating, a special boiler, electric convectors, film heating circuits or special thermal panels are used.

What elements will be needed for installation?
Before installation work, the components of the heating circuit are purchased.

Boiler
The boiler determines the functioning of the entire system. This unit creates the necessary heat and transfers it to the coolant, which moves it to the batteries.
Any heating devices are equipped with two chambers. Fuel burns in the first chamber. This is the combustion chamber. And the coolant comes out of the other chamber (heat exchanger).

There are also devices:
single-circuit;
double-circuit.
The latter are also a device for heating water.

Depending on the fuel used, heating units are divided into the following types:
1. Electric models are used in areas where there is no gas. They depend on power outages and are characterized by high costs.
2. The most popular is a gas boiler. It is economical and easy to use.
3. Liquid fuel units are not often used. They require a separate room, as they emit a smell when burned.
4. Solid fuel models are popular in areas where there is no gas pipeline. Requires systematic loading of fuel raw materials.

Advice! It is recommended to use boilers with two heating options. For example, a gas unit or an electric one with a solid fuel burner. This will help in case of power outages or gas problems.


Types of boilers for a private home

Pipes
When choosing pipes, the following options are considered:
1. Steel ones are practically not used. They are characterized by a short service life and complexity of installation.
2. Metal-plastic structures are easy to install, but they require careful selection of suitable components.
3. Polypropylene pipes are installed using a soldering iron and therefore provide good sealing.
4. The disadvantage of copper products is their high cost. Otherwise, this is the best option, which is characterized by durability, reliability and hygiene.

Advice! In a private home, it is better to use structures made of polypropylene or copper.


Wiring made of polypropylene pipes

Radiators
Radiators are selected from the following types:
1. Closed systems use steel structures. When exposed to air, steel oxidizes.
2. Aluminum radiators are often used in private homes. They are characterized by high-quality heat transfer and fast heating, but are not suitable for heavy loads.
3. Bimetallic consists of two metals. The coolant moves through a steel pipe, and aluminum fins provide good heat transfer.
4. Cast iron models are considered reliable and durable.

Important! It is necessary to count sections for the heating system. 1 square meter requires 100 watts of power. The area of ​​the room is multiplied by 100. Then the figure is divided by the heat transfer value of one section, which is indicated in the passport. This way, the number of sections per room is determined.


DIY radiator installation

Heating installation

Before installation work, auxiliary parts are purchased: gaskets, nipples or brackets. During installation, the elements are tied.

Installation consists of the following steps:
1. Select a wiring diagram.
in the upper wiring, the expansion tank is mounted at the highest point of the room;
when using bottom wiring, hot water pipes are installed at the lowest point of the building. In this case, the return line, which returns the energy carrier to the boiler, is mounted below the hot pipe.

2. A detailed plan for the location of all elements is drawn up.

3. Installation begins with the boiler. Units operating on liquid and solid fuels are installed in a utility room on a concrete base.

4. The pump is mounted in the line through which the coolant moves from the radiators to the boiler.

5. Piping is being laid out. Polypropylene pipes are mounted using a soldering device. Steel structures are installed using welding. Metal-plastic ones are attached with fittings.

6. When installing radiators, the fins of the structure are located at the same level and without vertical deviations.

When installing the system, it is worth considering certain rules:
1. Radiators are located under window openings.
2. The distance from the bottom of the battery to the floor covering should be about 100 mm, and from the window sill to the battery at least 60 mm.
3. All sections around the perimeter of the house are located at the same height.
4. The system must have a drain.

After installation work, the system is filled with coolant and a test run is performed. At the same time, all connection areas and joints are inspected.


Heating system installation

The task of creating home heating with your own hands, although difficult, is completely solvable. There can be many reasons why you have to choose such a heating arrangement option, ranging from the high cost of performing work by third parties to the habit of doing everything yourself. But regardless of the motives that forced you to choose this option, to successfully create heating you need to know how it works.

About home heating in general

Water heating of any private home consists of at least the following elements:

  • heating boiler;
  • expansion tank;
  • heating radiators;
  • pipelines;
  • control valves.

And here the first feature appears - the circulation pump is not mentioned among the equipment. The fact is that for some options for creating home heating, whether you do it yourself or not, a pump is not required. But in this case there are other requirements that will be discussed a little later.

Components of water heating

Therefore, when deciding on a future water heating system, you need to start work with the main points - decide what the heating scheme will be and choose the power of the heating boiler.

Which boiler should I use?

This is a rather complex task, in solving which it is necessary to take into account many different points.

1. Selecting the type of fuel. You need to focus on affordable and cheap energy resources; main gas is considered the best. If it is not available, use other types of fuel:

  • solid (coal, firewood, peat, pellets, etc.);
  • liquid (diesel);
  • electrical or any other energy. You need to choose the cheapest and most affordable fuel, given that these costs will determine your future home heating costs.

2. How will the boiler be used - only as an element of the heating system or also as a source of hot water. Depending on the purpose, you can choose a double-circuit or single-circuit boiler.

3. What area needs to be heated by creating home heating on your own, and the characteristics of the heated premises. In such a calculation, almost everything must be taken into account:

  • geographical location of the house;
  • number of floors;
  • the material from which the house is made, the thickness of the walls, the use of insulation in its construction, etc.;
  • frequency of operation of the boiler, the possibility of its operation in automatic mode;
  • location, dimensions, possibility and need for routine maintenance and maintenance;
  • the presence or possibility of creating the necessary ventilation to remove combustion products.

The above questions represent only a small part of those that you must answer before you create a home heating system with your own hands.

About choosing a heating scheme

Heating can be carried out according to a variety of schemes. In this case, for each specific case, the most suitable option can be used. When choosing it, it is necessary to take into account the features inherent in various heating systems.

1. They come with natural (gravitational) and forced circulation. A feature of gravitational circulation is the ability to heat a house without the use of additional equipment, such as a circulation pump, and the ability to operate system elements at atmospheric pressure.

This approach makes it possible to reduce costs when creating heating, however, for this it is necessary to fulfill a number of additional requirements:

  • the heating boiler should be located below the radiators, and the expansion tank above;
  • the pipelines must have a slope that creates a gravity flow of the coolant towards the radiators when hot water moves, and towards the boiler when returning;
  • pipelines must be secured to prevent the formation of backflow;
  • Pipes for supplying hot water must be larger in cross-section than for return.

A heating system with forced circulation is the most versatile, and its creation does not require so many requirements.

2. Heating installation can be carried out using a single-pipe or two-pipe method. The features of these heating schemes are shown in the photo

With a one-pipe system, water passes through the radiators one after another and then returns to the heating boiler, and with a two-pipe system, water enters each radiator separately from the main line and then returns there.

It is traditionally believed that a two-pipe heating scheme is the most effective, but a single-pipe heating scheme also has its advantages, among which it must be admitted that this is the simplest and most affordable option for heating a house, and also the cheapest.

As for the disadvantages inherent in the single-pipe circuit, its most popular type, called “Leningrad”, thanks to the efforts of numerous heating specialists, has been largely eliminated from them.

If you look at the self-made heating system being created in the house from this point of view - the simplicity and reasonable price of the entire system, then the "Leningradka" can probably be considered one of the most suitable options.

You can learn more about the intricacies and features of this system using the video

How to connect a heating radiator

An important factor ensuring the normal operation of the heating system is the radiators used. There are many varieties of such products; they are made in different shapes and from different materials, achieving maximum heat transfer from them, but other factors play the main role in heating the room:

1. Number of radiator sections. Established practice recommends using one section to heat three square meters. area, while the coolant temperature should be seventy degrees.

However, the number of sections cannot be unlimited; do not forget that each element in the system creates resistance to the passage of water, and if it is too large, then the heating simply will not work.

2. How is the radiator connected to the heating system? The figure below will allow you to evaluate how the heating efficiency differs for different methods of connecting batteries:

3. Where and how the radiator is installed.

These data should force you to take a more careful approach to the task of determining where to install the radiator. And if the battery is usually placed under the window opening (in the center), and this is a completely correct decision, then the installation of any decorative screens or other decorative items (curtains, drapes) worsens heat transfer and heating efficiency.

Although creating heating for a private home must be considered a rather complex task, it can nevertheless be solved on your own.

The existing variety of options for implementing a heating system allows anyone to choose the one that best suits their own strengths, skills and means.

Long gone are the days when only a stove could heat a private house. The lack of hot water in sufficient quantities and the need to light the stove and keep it burning did little to facilitate life outside the city. That is why many sought to move to comfortable multi-storey buildings, where heating and hot water supply were centralized.

Today, a lot has changed - the abundance and range of modern heating equipment allows you to do heating in the house yourself, even without the involvement of specialists. Now, on the contrary, the priority is to live in country houses, since hot water is available all year round, and heating can be turned on at any time, without waiting for a decision from utility services.

In total, there are 3 main energy sources - gas, solid fuel and electricity. We will talk about each of them, as well as how to properly wire the boiler and ensure heat supply to different components, in this article.

You will not be able to purchase the entire heating system in any store. You can select individual elements and assemble them into a system, you can purchase materials and make the boiler and piping entirely yourself. Regardless of which path you decide to go, you must first decide on the following parameters:

  • what type of fuel is planned to be used;
  • which fuel is more economically feasible.

What home heating systems are there?

The most famous means of heating since time immemorial has been the Russian stove. Among the main disadvantages of such structures today are their large size, which is not always convenient, and uneven heating of the air in the room. It’s very hot near the stove, warm two meters away, cold in the next room. Modern fireplaces, although they have changed over time, generally act as an analogue of a stove and therefore can be used exclusively as an auxiliary heat source.

The most popular and effective is a water heating system, where heated coolant circulates through pipes and thereby heats the premises.

Air heating, based on the operation of air heat collectors, is considered no less effective, but practically unknown.

Electric heating can be called a relatively new type, which works by converting electricity into thermal energy without using any coolant.

Types of boilers

The main task when organizing heating with your own hands is to create an effective system, mostly automatic, with minimal human participation in its operation. Based on the availability of the type of fuel and the appropriateness of its choice, you should purchase a specific type of boiler.

The main classification of boilers depends on the type of fuel:

  • gas;
  • electric;
  • solid fuel;
  • combined.

Modern industrial boilers are economical, relatively silent and easy to operate. The main disadvantage of such equipment is its energy dependence, since at the heart of each there is a fan that forces air into the chamber or ensures the movement of the coolant.

The exception applies only to those boilers where it is used. This pump belongs to the category of emergency equipment and runs on a battery. In the absence of electricity, the pump ensures the movement of coolant through the pipes, preventing them from freezing and subsequent rupture.

Heating scheme for a private house

Gas

No matter how often the price of gas is indexed in our country, it still remains the cheapest type of fuel.

Modern gas boilers are silent, easy to operate, and differ in the number of circuits:

  • single-circuit - designed only for heating the house

  • double-circuit - for heating and hot water supply.

Electric

The safest type of equipment. Capable of heating a room of any size (power 4-300 kW). The only disadvantage of such equipment is the cost of fuel. Electricity is traditionally the most expensive type of heating compared to gas and solid fuel.

Key benefits include the following:

  • large power range of boilers capable of heating up to 350 sq.m. premises on different levels and consisting of several rooms;
  • there is no need to organize a chimney or exhaust ventilation - heating occurs by converting electricity into heat, so no combustion products are released;
  • environmentally friendly equipment that does not emit any pollutants into the atmosphere;
  • compact size and the ability to install in any room without restrictions on square footage and distance;
  • there is no need to obtain permits to put equipment into operation.

Even a small house can be heated with electricity only if 3 phases are supplied and the network voltage is absolutely stable.

Boilers also differ in the number of circuits:

  • single-circuit - for heating only;
  • double-circuit - for heating and water heating.

Solid fuel

This is an improved "hello" from the past, modernized to such an extent that it can be left for a week and the temperature in the house will be comfortable. All solid fuel boilers are based on the Kolpakov principle, when the boiler is first heated, and then the temperature is maintained at a certain level to ensure stability of heating of the coolant.

Such boilers are characterized by a fairly high efficiency, but at the same time they require regular (at least 1-2 times a week) cleaning of combustion products, installation of a chimney, organization of exhaust ventilation and the presence of a separate room.

Advantages of solid fuel equipment:

  • a wide range of fuels (firewood, coal, pellets, braces, waste from the woodworking and agricultural industries, etc.);
  • high efficiency, in some cases reaching 92%;
  • possibility of process automation for long-term combustion units.

To ensure that the heating season does not cause difficulties, it is necessary to prepare in advance a certain amount of fuel sufficient to heat a private home for 2-3 months.

Combined

This type of equipment allows you to rationalize heating costs and ensure constant operation of the boiler, depending on the availability of a particular fuel.

The fundamental difference lies in the combination of solid fuel with other sources - electricity, liquid fuel or gas. Depending on the pair, electric, solid fuel and universal combo boilers are distinguished. The choice depends on what fuel is available in the region.

The transition between alternative sources is carried out by changing burners, which is quite difficult and does not always work out the first time.

Burners are always purchased separately!

When choosing a boiler for a private home, you should understand that this is only a small part of the entire heating system. certainly very important, on which its functioning and maintaining heat in the house will depend, but also a lot depends on the boiler piping, on the organization of the heating and hot water supply system.

Types of heating systems

Depending on what coolant circulates in the system, the following types of heating are practiced:

  • water, where ordinary water acts as the coolant (in some cases, antifreeze can be added);
  • air - coolant - air heated to a certain temperature;
  • steam - pipes heat steam;
  • electrical - electrical appliances (heating elements, infrared emitters, etc.) are placed around the perimeter;
  • combined - organizing heating in such a way that the source is not only the coolant, but also other options;
  • "warm floor" system.

Each of the listed methods has certain characteristics, advantages and disadvantages in relation to each other.

This is the simplest type of heating for a private home, which is easy to do with your own hands. There are no special requirements for operating the system; the main task is to correctly calculate the number of batteries and select the appropriate boiler power.

How to calculate power

There is a universal formula for calculating power:

1 kW of power = 10 m 2 heated area

However, it only works in ideal, one might say, laboratory conditions, which are very far from reality. When determining the parameter, it is necessary to take into account the characteristics of a particular house - the year of construction, what building materials are used, the presence of thermal insulation, the type of windows and doors, etc.

So, for example, if a house was built more than 30 years ago, but is insulated, doors and windows are replaced with modern sealed structures, the power should be increased by 1.5 times, that is, by 10 sq.m. take 1.5 kW of area. If the building was built recently, but is not properly insulated, the doors and windows are wooden and draughty, the power should be increased by 2 times.

Power calculation factors

  • 2 or more windows on the north side - 1.3;
  • 2 or more windows on the south, east and southeast sides - 1.1;
  • 2 or more windows on the west side - 1.2.

When organizing water heating, purified water acts as a coolant, which does not need to be drained at the end of the heating season. This is a closed system where water circulates under the influence of a pump or by gravity.

Forced coolant circulation

In order to ensure the movement of heated water through the pipes, centrifugal force is needed. As a rule, a circulation pump is used for these purposes, but an ordinary centrifugal pump, only of low power, is quite suitable.

The main task of the pump is to supply cooled water to the boiler to heat it and distribute the already heated coolant throughout the system. Since we are talking about a vicious circle, a constant volume of water circulates through the pipes.

Installation of a circulation pump in the heating system of a private house

The use of pumping equipment, although it makes the system energy-dependent, completely eliminates the need for human participation in the operation of the boiler. The temperature sensor monitors the heating limit, the pump moves water progressively from the boiler to the pipes and back. If we are talking about an electric or gas boiler, all participation comes down to only one thing - set a comfortable temperature and forget about the boiler for the whole season.

In order to ensure the operation of the boiler in the absence of electricity, you can purchase a 12-volt circulation pump powered by a battery.

Coolant circulation by gravity

Today, such a system is extremely rare and only in one-story houses. Here, the coolant moves through the system by gravity, when water of different temperatures moves under the influence of differences in specific gravity.

A prerequisite for proper water circulation in a gravity system is the installation of pipes at a slight angle - up to 150.

DIY installation of a water heating system

In order to make the house comfortable and warm, you should correctly calculate the number of radiators through which the coolant will circulate. Please note that all boilers must be equipped with an exhaust ventilation system and a chimney. The only exception applies to an electric boiler.

How to calculate the required number of radiators

The most correct way is to calculate the area of ​​the heated room (in each room separately). According to SNiP, each square meter requires 100 W of heat. Find out the area of ​​the room and multiply by the required amount of heat. So, for example, for a room of 20 sq.m. you will need 2000 W of heat (20 x 100), which corresponds to 2 kW.

Now we determine the number of radiators by the number of sections or units. Each manufacturer indicates the heat transfer of one section of a radiator or monolithic product. Divide the resulting heat volume by the heat transfer coefficient and get the number of sections that you convert into radiators, or immediately the number of radiators.

  1. Single-pipe, where only hot water leaves the boiler

In this case, the coolant moves from the first to the last radiator, gradually losing heat. When choosing such a system, you should keep in mind that in the farthest room the battery will be almost cold.

It is difficult to adjust the temperature of radiators with such a system, since by shutting off one radiator, you stop the flow of coolant to all subsequent ones.

  1. Two-pipe - supply of hot water from the boiler and return of water to the boiler (return).

This is the most optimal system for heating a private house, where 2 pipes are connected in parallel to each device - primary and return. In this case, the temperature of all radiators in all rooms will be approximately the same. You can increase or decrease the temperature in each room as needed.

This method of wiring is also called radial, when a pipe with direct supply is supplied from the boiler to each device and discharged with a cold one.

The collector in such a heating system performs the task of storing coolant.

This is a universal system that is suitable for organizing heating in any room, while it is possible to make hidden wiring to each device separately.

Depending on the chosen wiring system, the number of pipes and the total cost are determined. Single-pipe wiring is the cheapest option.

After the number of radiators has been calculated and the system has been selected, the pipes should be installed.

Previously, metal pipes were used for this purpose. Today, such a solution is not profitable due to cost and susceptibility to corrosion, so you should choose polypropylene.

Polypropylene pipes in the heating system

Pipes are laid in all rooms that will be heated, moving from one room to another. The pipes are connected to each other with a special soldering iron for plastic pipes.

You can assemble a water heating system for a private house with your own hands, but this will require precise calculations and a boiler piping diagram. The main drawback of such a system is the need for regular prevention. And please note that if you use antifreeze, it must be changed every 5 years.

A fairly popular method of heating residential and office premises, based on the principle of gravity and forced ventilation. The gravitational system involves the movement of air at a temperature difference due to its natural circulation. Different temperatures mean different air densities, which causes the movement of warm and cold layers.

When heating with air, a heater is installed in the room or ventilation ducts are installed through which warm air enters. Each such heat source can be installed anywhere in the room - on the wall, ceiling or floor. This has no effect on the principle of convection.

There are 2 main types of air heating:

  • local (localized);
  • central.

Localized

This method is suitable for heating only one room in the room. The heat source can be:

  • air heaters;
  • heat guns;
  • thermal curtains.

The optimal heat supply is a heater that distributes heat several meters around. The power of such equipment is 1-1.2 kW per hour.

A heat gun is a more powerful equipment, which also instantly dries the air in the room. Used only for heating warehouse and industrial premises where people stay for a short time. Power 2-2.5 kW per hour.

A thermal curtain is an analogue of an air conditioner that supplies hot air to a point. Most often, a curtain is placed at the entrance to simultaneously prevent cold air from entering the room. Power 1.5-2 kW per hour.

Central heating

This is an example of a centralized hot air supply, which operates on the principle:

  • direct-flow or partial recirculation;
  • complete circulation of hot air.

Most often, such a system is chosen in rooms with suspended or suspended ceilings, where ventilation ducts can be installed above them. Through such ventilation holes, hot air enters the room and circulates in it.

It is not advisable to install ventilation ducts in the walls, since part of it will be needed to mask the ventilation shafts.

The cost of air heating is more expensive both in terms of installation and the cost of equipment. The source of coolant supply is a gas or electric boiler.

Advantages:

  • filtering the air entering the room;
  • fresh air due to the fact that the intake is carried out from the street;
  • possibility of organizing drip irrigation and air ionization.

Flaws:

  • such a system can only be created in a house under construction (with the exception of a water gun and a heat curtain);
  • expensive installation.

Electric heating

The most affordable way to heat any room, since electricity is everywhere.

The operating principle is based on the operation of an electric convector that converts electrical energy into heat. Modern models are equipped with a large number of functions that completely eliminate the need for human participation in monitoring work.

It could be:

  • temperature controller depending on the time of day;
  • regulator for increasing the temperature at night and decreasing it during the day (day-night mode);
  • maintaining system pressure and minimum temperature in the event of absence of people for a long time;
  • compliance with the regime even during a short-term power outage, etc.

Advantages:

  • very simple and easy installation that anyone can do;
  • extremely simple operation;
  • mobility of the system, when convectors can be moved from room to room if necessary.

Flaws:

  • the high cost of energy is the most expensive of all existing heating methods.

When choosing an electric heating method, there must be 3 phases and a stable voltage in the network.

Steam heating

In this case, the operating principle is completely identical to the water one, with the only difference that instead of water, steam circulates in the pipe system. Installation of pipes, selection of boiler power and organization of piping are completely identical to the water heating system.

For steam heating, special boilers are used that generate hot steam. It is mandatory to have a “Through the Gauntlet” filter system, which purifies water from all kinds of impurities before it is converted into a vapor state.

There is only one advantage of a steam heating system - savings, since heating occurs almost instantly. The efficiency is 95%.

There are incomparably more disadvantages:

  • peculiarity of the equipment - it is extremely difficult to find a steam boiler on the open market;
  • high installation cost, which includes the installation of special pipes and the presence of a filter system;
  • dangerous operation because the steam temperature exceeds 100 degrees.

Warm floor

The huge advantage of this heating system is the large heat-transferring surface area. This is an ideal option for common areas - kitchen, bathroom, hallway, as well as in the living room or children's room.

It is optimal to lay a heated floor under ceramic tiles - in this case it acts as an excellent conductor. Laminate and parquet are much less often used for heated floors, since when the temperature rises, warping of the material and its subsequent dismantling are possible.

A prerequisite for installing a heated floor is a foil layer. It is neither an insulator nor a reflector, as is commonly believed. Foil is used to distribute heat evenly across the floor surface. If you do not use such a layer, the tactile sensations of the floor will resemble a zebra - the stripe is warm, the stripe is cold.

Warm floors can be water-based, where hot water circulates through pipes, or electric - a system of wires where electrical energy is converted into heat.

Water heated floor

A branch of a water heating system in the form of small-diameter pipes laid on a flat floor surface. A prerequisite is the use of a substrate that will prevent heat loss from contact with the floor.

The difficulty of installing a water heated floor lies in the need to lay pipes and connect them correctly to the existing heating system.

Electric heated floor

A type of heating that is elementary in installation and operation. The only difficulty that may arise is preliminary preparation of the surface for laying wires or mats using a concrete screed, and laying the floor covering on top of the heated floor

Even simpler is to use electric mats on the existing surface. Such mats are absolutely safe to use and are easy to set up. To avoid mechanical damage, it is recommended to use an overhead electric floor under a carpet or rug.

In most cases, a heated floor is an auxiliary element of the heating system in the house.

How to choose heating for your home

The most correct thing when choosing a heating system and, accordingly, a boiler is to focus on the available type of fuel. If there is no gas pipeline in some area yet, but its installation is already underway, it is advisable to use combined boilers - solid fuel and gas. Where gas is not available and is not planned, but electricity is expensive, you can connect an electric boiler.

Each system has both its advantages and disadvantages. Even if you heat the house yourself, be sure to consult with the designers regarding the type and method. Any of the selected heating systems is quite expensive so that errors in calculations can be made.

For example, when developing a fireplace, stove or solid fuel boiler with your own hands, there is a risk of carbon dioxide concentration in the room, which will lead to accidents.

The best option would be to purchase ready-made certified equipment, and you can do the installation and wiring yourself.

In order to accurately understand which type of heating to prefer, you should take into account the cost of each type of fuel and its consumption per unit of time.

As of March 2016, fuel prices are as follows:

  • 1 liter of diesel - $0.5. The cost of 1 kWh of energy is $0.05.
  • 1 m 3 of natural gas for individuals - $0.05. The cost of 1 kW/h is $0.006.
  • 1 liter of bottled gas - $0.3. The cost of 1 kW/h is $0.020.
  • 1 kW/h of electricity for an individual - $0.03.
  • 1 kg of coal averages $0.3. The cost of 1 kW/h is $0.05.

The layout of heating pipes is carried out taking into account many features. For example, it can be performed using a one- or two-pipe method. Each of these methods has its own advantages and disadvantages. Therefore, the system must be selected on an individual basis. It must take into account the structural features of the building. Heating installation in a private house is carried out according to certain requirements, which should be considered in more detail.

One-pipe method

When creating a single-pipe heating distribution, all its components are connected to each other. They are connected in series into one network. The result is one long pipe.

Typically single-pipe systems are filled with water. The final point where the liquid enters is the radiators. Subsequently, the heat from the heated water is transferred to the premises through the radiators.

The water in the boiler is heated. It then moves through the pipes to enter the radiator. This heating system has several disadvantages. The main disadvantage is that the final radiator is located at a great distance from the boiler, due to which the water in it heats up weakly. This drawback can be eliminated with a small modification of the battery. It should be made with many sections. If you follow these tips, a single-pipe type system becomes much more efficient.

This heating layout for a private house works great if installed in a building with two floors. It's quite simple to explain. If such wiring was installed in a one-story building, we would have to look for a suitable location for the collector. Such an element is necessary for the proper operation of the entire system.

An accelerating manifold is required to speed up the transfer of heat to the radiators. The device allows you to maintain the water temperature at the desired level and reduces the noise level.

The efficiency of operation is directly dependent on the location of the collector. The higher it is, the better. If you have a house with two floors, such problems do not arise - the collector will cope with the task of maintaining heat without creating unnecessary noise.

Other advantages of single-pipe wiring:

  • When choosing a single-pipe wiring, you do not have to spend a lot of money. Low cost is ensured due to the small number of pipes.
  • Another advantage of this method of heating is the possibility of installation even in the most inaccessible places.
  • Simple installation and aesthetics can also be considered among the advantages of installing such a system.

However, this wiring method also has its disadvantages. For example, if you need to replace broken elements, the heating in the house will have to be turned off completely. In addition, heating occurs unevenly. This depends on the distance between the boiler and the distant battery.

However, if the design is modernized and installed correctly, it will turn out to be quite effective. Such a system can be installed in several stages. You can do the work yourself.

Types of single-pipe wiring

Single-pipe heating wiring may vary in design. Different systems differ in certain features:

The diagrams of these types of single-pipe systems should be studied before determining the type of heating wiring.

Features of single-pipe wiring

It is quite simple to install all the parts of the system inside the house. In this case, it starts from the water supply point and ends at the heating equipment. The diagonal connection is the most effective, so it is chosen more often. An expansion tank must be placed in the building.

There is a simpler option that is easy to implement yourself. In this case, it is necessary to install the door on the flight of stairs. This will isolate the floors from each other. This option is quite effective, although not very aesthetically pleasing.

Advice! Before wiring, you need to study the various diagrams. Then it will be much easier to decide on the choice of system.

Two-pipe wiring

Such systems can be no less efficient than single-pipe ones. This method is suitable for heating houses with one and two floors. Its difference is that you can independently change the temperature in any room.

Another feature of the two-pipe type system is the fact that the forward and return circuits are separated from each other.

The heated liquid is supplied to the system through supply channels. Water begins to flow through the inlet pipes to the batteries. It can also be applied to heated floors. After the liquid has cooled, it is automatically withdrawn. Such systems have one positive feature - how water flows to certain batteries can be adjusted manually.

The overhead wiring can be invisible if you install the pipes above the doorways and cover them with decorative elements. In this case, the pipes will be camouflaged as much as possible.

If the system is installed in a building with two floors, an open tank can be installed. However, it can only be placed in the attic. With lower wiring, the pipes will be located below the window sill.

This method is a little more difficult to implement, since, in addition to installing pipes, you will have to install an open expansion tank. It must be installed above the placement of straight pipes.

Vertical scheme with top wiring

When choosing this model, the coolant will go to the attic from the heating device. The liquid then goes to all the batteries in the house.

Attention! You can prevent the system from becoming airy by removing air from time to time. For this purpose it is necessary to install an expansion tank.

Such schemes are more effective for lower wiring. This is due to the high pressure supplied through the risers.

Bottom wiring of vertical type

A two-pipe heating system with bottom wiring is created sequentially:

  • A main pipeline must be laid along the floor of the basement or first floor. It will originate from the boiler.
  • It is necessary to run vertical pipes along the main pipe, which will ensure the movement of coolant to the batteries.

When designing a two-pipe heating system with bottom wiring, it is necessary to decide how air will be removed from the pipeline. This requirement can be satisfied by installing an air pipe and an expansion tank.

Horizontal system

The horizontal wiring option, in which the coolant circulates forcibly, is quite popular. There are several schemes:


When installing a beam system, you will have to spend money on pipes.

Beam wiring

For two-story buildings, as well as houses with many floors, if laying pipes along the walls is not possible, it is better to use radiant heating.

If radial wiring of the heating system is performed, the coolant is evenly distributed throughout all the batteries. It does not matter how close to the room the boiler is located. All rooms are heated equally well. The system can be repaired without shutting it down.

For these reasons, many users choose radial heating systems. It is especially often installed in houses with two floors. Such systems also have another drawback - they are always made with two pipes. Therefore, their installation is quite expensive and requires more material.

This type of wiring is a collector type, since the main element in it is the collector. Thanks to this element, the coolant is distributed along the circuits, starting from the main line.

As you can see, heating wiring in a house is carried out in different ways. When choosing the most suitable system, you should understand the circuit that is most suitable for a particular home.

Pipes for distribution

The material of the pipes is important when installing a heating system. Quite often, products made from metal-plastic, polypropylene, and copper are chosen. Galvanized pipes and stainless steel models are often used.

Each type of pipe deserves separate consideration:


Such features of the choice of pipes from various materials must be taken into account.

As you can see, there are many features of creating wiring in a private house. This is due to differences in the areas of buildings and their number of floors. When choosing a specific scheme, it is important to consider such parameters. The installation of the heating system must comply with a pre-created wiring plan. When designing a circuit, it is better to enlist the help of professionals. This will help make your heating system as efficient as possible.

An effective heating system will make life comfortable in any home. Well, if the heating works very poorly, then the level of comfort will not be saved by any design delights. Therefore, now we will talk about diagrams and rules for installing elements of a system that heats a home.

What you need for assembly - 3 main parts

Any heating system consists of three basic components:

  • heat source - this role can be played by a boiler, stove, fireplace;
  • heat transfer line - usually this is the pipeline through which the coolant circulates;
  • heating element - in traditional systems this is a classic radiator that converts the energy of the coolant into thermal radiation.

Boiler room layout in the house

Of course, there are schemes that exclude the first and second elements of this chain. For example, the well-known stove heating, when the source is also a heating element, and the heat transfer line is absent in principle. Or convection heating, when the radiator is excluded from the chain, since the source heats the air itself in the house to the desired temperature. However, the oven scheme was considered obsolete at the beginning of the twentieth century, and the convection option is very difficult to implement with your own hands without special knowledge and specific skills. Therefore, most household systems are built on the basis of a hot water boiler and a water circuit (piping).

As a result, to build the system we will need one boiler, several radiators (usually their number is equal to the number of windows) and fittings for the pipeline with associated fittings. Moreover, in order to assemble the heating of a private house, you will have to connect all these components within one system with your own hands. But before that, it would be nice to understand the parameters of each element - from the boiler to pipes and radiators, in order to know what to buy for your home.

Which boiler to choose and how to calculate its power

Water heating draws energy from a special boiler, the combustion chamber of which is surrounded by a jacket filled with liquid coolant. At the same time, any product can burn in the firebox - from gas to peat. Therefore, before assembling the system, it is very important to choose not only the power, but also the type of heat source. And you will have to choose between three options:

  • Gas boiler - it processes main or bottled fuel into heat.
  • Solid fuel heater - it is powered by coal, firewood or fuel pellets (pellets, briquettes).
  • Electrical source - it converts electricity into heat.

The best option of all of the above is a gas heat generator running on main fuel. It is cheap to operate and operates continuously, since fuel is supplied automatically and in arbitrarily large volumes. Moreover, such equipment has virtually no disadvantages, except for the high fire hazard that is inherent in all boilers.

A good option for a heat generator that heats a private house without a gas pipeline is a solid fuel boiler. Especially models designed for long-term burning. Fuel for such boilers can be found anywhere, and the special design allows you to reduce the loading frequency from twice a day to once filling the firebox every 2-3 days. However, even such boilers are not exempt from periodic cleaning, so this is the main disadvantage of such a heater.

The worst choice of all possible is an electric boiler. The disadvantages of such a proposal are obvious - the transformation of electricity into coolant energy is too expensive. In addition, an electric boiler requires frequent replacement of the heater and the installation of a reinforced electrical wiring line, as well as grounding. The only advantage of this option is the complete absence of combustion products. An electric boiler does not require a chimney. Therefore, most households choose either gas or solid fuel options. However, in addition to the type of fuel, the homeowner also needs to pay attention to the parameters of the heat generator itself, or more precisely, to its power, which should compensate for the heat losses of the home in the winter.

Choosing a boiler based on power begins with calculating the square footage of the heated premises. Moreover, for each square meter there must be at least 100 watts of thermal power. That is, for a room of 70 square meters you need a boiler of 7000 watts or 7 kW. In addition, it would be a good idea to include a 15% reserve in the boiler capacity, which will be useful during severe cold weather. As a result, for a house of 70 m2 you need a boiler of 8.05 kW (7 kW 15%).

More accurate calculations of heater power rely not on the squares of the area, but on the volume of the house. In this case, it is generally accepted that the energy costs for heating one cubic meter are equal to 41 watts. And a house with an area of ​​70 m2 with a 3-meter ceiling height should be heated by a heat-generating device with a capacity of 8610 watts (70 × 3 × 41). And taking into account the 15 percent power reserve for extreme cold, the maximum heat-generating capacity of such a boiler should be equal to 9901 watts or, taking into account rounding, 10 kW.

Batteries and pipes - copper, propylene or metal-plastic?

To install a heating system throughout the house, we need pipes and radiators. The latter can be chosen even based on aesthetic preferences. In a private house there is no high pressure in the system, therefore, there are no restrictions on the strength characteristics of radiators. However, the requirements for the heat-generating capacity of batteries still remain. Therefore, when selecting radiators, it will be correct to focus not only on appearance, but also on heat transfer. After all, the power of the heating element must correspond to the area or volume of the room. For example, in a room of 15 square meters there should be a battery (or several radiators) with a power of 1.5 kW.

With pipes the situation becomes more complicated. Here you need to take into account not only the aesthetic component, but also the ability to install the network on your own with minimal knowledge and effort on the part of a home-grown mechanic. Therefore, we can consider only three options as candidates for the role of ideal fittings for wiring:

  • Copper pipes - they are used in the arrangement of both domestic and industrial heating systems, but are very expensive. In addition, such fittings are connected using soldering, and not everyone is familiar with this operation.
  • Polypropylene pipes - they are cheap, but their installation requires a special welding machine. However, even a child can master such a device.
  • Metal-plastic pipes - such a system can be assembled using a wrench. In addition, metal-plastic is no more expensive than polypropylene pipes and allows you to save on corner fittings.

As a result, it is better to assemble home-made heating based on metal-plastic fittings, since it does not require the performer to be able to handle a welding machine or soldering iron. In turn, collet fittings of a metal-plastic pipeline can be installed even by hand, helping yourself with wrenches only on the last 3-4 turns. Regarding the dimensions of the fittings, or rather the bore diameter, experienced specialists in the arrangement of heating systems have the following opinion: for a system with a pump, you can choose a ½-inch pipe - this bore diameter is sufficient for a home system in excess.

Well, if pressure equipment will not be used (water will flow through the pipes by gravity, driven by gravitational and thermal convection), then a 1¼ or 1½ inch pipe will be sufficient for such a system. There is no need to buy reinforcement of a larger diameter under such circumstances. And which wiring to choose - pressure or non-pressure, we will talk about this below in the text, at the same time discussing the optimal diagrams for connecting batteries to the boiler.

Optimal wiring diagram for self-installation

Home heating is based on two schemes: one-pipe and two-pipe. In addition, household wiring can also be built on a collector basis, but it is difficult for novice craftsmen to assemble such a circuit, so further in the text we will not consider this option, focusing only on one- and two-pipe options.

Single-pipe wiring assumes the following coolant circulation plan: the hot flow leaves the boiler jacket and flows through the pipe into the first battery, from which it enters the second, and so on, until the outermost radiator. There is virtually no return in such a system - it is replaced by a short section connecting the outermost battery and the boiler. Moreover, when designing a single-pipe forced circuit, pressure equipment (circulation pump) is placed on this section.

This system is very easy to assemble. To do this, you need to install the boiler, hang the batteries and run one wiring thread between each preinstalled elements of the heating circuit. However, you will have to pay for the ease of installation by the lack of mechanisms for controlling the heat transfer of radiators. In this case, you can regulate the temperature in the room only by changing the intensity of fuel combustion in the boiler. And nothing else.

Of course, given the high cost of fuel, this nuance will suit only a few homeowners, so they try not to use single-circuit wiring in rooms with an area of ​​50 square meters or more. However, such a layout is simply ideal for small buildings, as well as for the natural coolant circulation pattern, when the pressure is generated due to temperature and gravitational forces.

The two-pipe system is designed a little differently. In this case, the following coolant flow pattern applies: water leaves the boiler jacket and enters the pressure circuit, from which it drains into the first, second, third batteries, and so on. The return in this system is implemented in the form of a separate circuit, laid parallel to the pressure branch, and the coolant that has passed through the battery is drained into the return line, returning to the boiler. That is, in a double-circuit scheme, radiators are connected to the pressure and return pipes using special branches cut into two main lines.

To make such a circuit, you need to use more pipes and fittings, but all the costs will pay off in the near future. The dual-circuit option assumes the ability to adjust the heat transfer of each battery. To do this, it is enough to install a shut-off and control valve into the branch from the pressure line connected to the radiator, after which it becomes possible to control the volume of coolant pumped through the battery without interfering with the general circulation. Thanks to this, you can protect yourself not only from overheating the air in a particular room, but also from senseless overconsumption of fuel and personal funds allocated for its purchase.

This version of the wiring diagram has only one drawback: on its basis it is very difficult to assemble an effective system using natural coolant circulation. But based on a pump, it works much better than its single-circuit counterpart. Therefore, further in the text we will consider step-by-step instructions for assembling a single-circuit system using natural circulation and a double-circuit network using forced coolant movement.

Assembling a heating system with natural circulation

The construction of a natural circulation system begins with choosing a location. The heat source should be in a corner room, located at the lowest point of the wiring. After all, the batteries will go along the internal perimeter, along the load-bearing walls, and even the last radiator should be located slightly above the boiler. Once the location for the boiler has been chosen, you can begin installing it. To do this, the wall in the placement area is covered with tiles, and either a galvanized sheet or a flat slate panel is placed on the floor. The next stage is the installation of the chimney, after which you can install the boiler itself, connecting it to the exhaust pipe and fuel line (if there is one)

Further installation is carried out in the direction of movement of the coolant and is implemented according to the following scheme. First, batteries are hung under the windows. Moreover, the upper pipe of the last radiator should be located above the pressure outlet from the boiler. The amount of elevation is calculated based on the proportion: one linear meter of wiring is equal to two centimeters of elevation. The penultimate radiator is hung 2 cm higher than the last one, and so on, up to the first battery in the direction of the coolant.

When the required number of batteries is already hanging on the walls of the house, you can proceed to assembling the wiring. To do this, you need to connect a 30-centimeter section of horizontal pipeline to the pressure pipe (or fitting) of the boiler. Next, a vertical pipe raised to the ceiling level is attached to this section. In this pipe, a tee is screwed onto a vertical line, providing a transition to a horizontal slope and arrangement of the insertion point for the expansion tank.

To install the tank, use a vertical tee fitting, and screw a second horizontal section of the pressure pipe to the free outlet, which is pulled at an angle (2 cm by 1 m) to the first radiator. There the horizontal turns into a second vertical section, descending to the radiator pipe, to which the pipe is joined using a collet fitting with a threaded elbow.

Next, you need to connect the upper pipe of the first radiator with the corresponding connector of the second radiator. To do this, use a pipe of the appropriate length and two fittings. After this, the lower radiator pipes are connected in the same way. And so on, until the penultimate and last battery is connected. Finally, you need to install the Mayevsky faucet into the upper free fitting of the last battery and connect the return pipe to the lower free connector of this radiator, which is inserted into the lower pipe of the boiler.

To fill the system with water in the return pipe, you can install a tee insert with a ball valve on the side outlet. We connect the outlet from the water supply to the free end of this valve. After which the system can be filled with water and the boiler turned on.

Heating with forced circulation in 8 steps

It will also be justified in the case of single-circuit wiring. However, maximum efficiency of a system with forced circulation will be ensured only by two-pipe wiring, arranged according to the following rules:

  1. 1. The boiler can be installed on the floor or hung on the wall in any room without monitoring the level of the heating device.
  2. 2. Next, two pipes are lowered from the boiler pressure and return pipes to the floor level, using either couplings or corner fittings.
  3. 3. Two horizontal lines are installed at the ends of these pipes - pressure and return. They run along the load-bearing walls of the house, from the boiler to the location of the outermost battery.
  4. 4. At the next stage, you need to hang the batteries, not paying attention to the level of the pipes relative to the adjacent radiator. The entrance and exit from the battery can be located at the same level or at different levels; this fact will not affect the heating efficiency.
  5. 5. Next, we cut a tee into the pressure and return branches, placing them under the inlet and outlet of each battery. After this, we connect the tee of the pressure pipe to the inlet of the battery, and the fitting on the return line to the outlet. Moreover, this operation will have to be done with all batteries. Using a similar scheme, we install outlets in the system for connecting heated floors.
  6. 6. At the next stage, we install the expansion tank. To do this, we cut a tee into the section of the pressure pipe between the boiler and the first battery, the outlet of which is connected by a vertical pipe to the entrance to the expansion tank.
  7. 7. Next, you can begin installing the circulation pump. To do this, we install a valve and two tees in the return line between the first battery and the boiler, assembling a bypass for the pump. Next, we remove two L-shaped sections from the tees, between the ends of which we mount the pump.
  8. 8. Finally, we arrange a drain for pouring water into the system. To do this, you need to cut another tee between the pump and the boiler, connecting a hose from the water supply to its outlet.

Acting according to this plan, you can assemble a two-pipe wiring in a house of any size. After all, the design of such a system does not depend on the number of batteries - the installation principle will be identical for both two and 20 radiators.

How to increase system efficiency - battery or bypass?

To increase the efficiency of heating systems in everyday life, either heat accumulators or bypasses are used. The first ones are installed in large boiler rooms, the second ones - in small rooms where, in addition to the boiler, there is other equipment. A heat accumulator is a container filled with water, inside which the pressure and return lines of the heating system are laid. As a rule, such a container is placed immediately behind the boiler. Safety valves, expansion tanks and circulation pumps can be embedded into the section of the pressure and return pipeline located between the heater and the battery.

In this case, the pressure line heats the water in the tank, and the return line heats up from the liquid poured into the battery. Therefore, when the boiler burner is turned off, the system can operate for some time only from a heat accumulator, which is very beneficial when used in a circuit that generates excess energy at the start of combustion of a portion of wood or coal supplied with the firebox. The capacity of the heat accumulator is determined by the proportion 1 kW of boiler power = 50 liters of tank volume. That is, for a 10 kW heater you need a battery with a capacity of 500 liters (0.5 m3).

A bypass is a bypass pipe that is welded between the pressure and return branches. Its diameter should not exceed the radius of the main highway. Moreover, it is better to install a shut-off valve into the bypass body in advance, blocking the circulation of the coolant.

When the valve is open, part of the hot flow does not go into the pressure circuit, but directly into the return circuit. Thanks to this, it is possible to reduce the heating temperature of the battery by 10 percent, reducing the volume of coolant pumped through the radiator by 30%. As a result, using a bypass, you can regulate the operation of the radiator in both double-circuit and single-circuit wiring. In the latter case, this is especially true, since the bypass embedded in the first two batteries provides stronger heating of the last radiator in the line and makes it possible to control the temperature in the rooms, although not with such efficiency as in the case of a two-pipe wiring.