Even 20 years ago, cast-iron radiators for water heating were found in almost every apartment, except for high-rise buildings of 9 ... 16 floors. Now they have conceded superiority to aluminum devices, have changed and become a luxury item “thanks” to the sky-high price. Although in the market of heating equipment there are also inexpensive options for heaters. Having familiarized with the types and characteristics of modern cast iron batteries, we list their real advantages and disadvantages.
Briefly about the battery device
Cast iron radiators consist of the following parts:
- heating section filled with coolant;
- connecting nipples - bushings with external thread used for joining adjacent sections;
- end caps;
- adapter plugs for connecting pipes or taps;
- gaskets made of paronite or rubber - artificial rubber EPDM.
Note. The minimum number of sections (ribs) in one radiator is 3 pcs. To do less is not accepted - the heat dissipation is too small, and it looks ugly.
The heating elements are pulled together by nipples, to prevent leaks, the joints are sealed with gaskets. Paronite is used on old Soviet-made radiators, the modern analogue is EPDM gasket. The nipple shown in the drawing is twisted with a long socket wrench with a special nozzle.
The lateral openings of the extreme sections are closed with blind or passage plugs, where the pipelines are connected. The manufacturer or the store selling products can optionally equip the batteries with hanging brackets and a manual air vent valve - a Mayevsky crane.
Varieties of heating appliances
There is no official classification of cast iron batteries. We conditionally divide the heaters into 3 types:
- "Accordions" of the Soviet model type MS-140;
- appliances with increased heat transfer area, imitating new bimetallic and aluminum heaters, only cast iron;
- Design batteries made in retro, modern style.
Comment. Recall: all cast-iron heaters are sectional, that is, stacked.
It is unrealistic to classify products according to other characteristics. Specifications - weight, size, heat transfer - varies widely. Consider the properties of batteries in groups.
Pros and cons of traditional "accordions"
First, we present the technical parameters of one rib of the MS-140M radiator, taken from the technical passport:
- total height - 588 mm, between holes - 500 mm, depth - 14 cm (the number is in the marking);
- heat flux (power) - 160 W, surface area - 0.21 m²;
- working pressure - not higher than 10 bar;
- the volume of water inside the section is 1.45 liters, the maximum temperature is 130 ° C;
- weight - 7.12 kg;
- material - gray cast iron СЧ-10, plugs - malleable cast iron КЧ-30 or steel;
- gaskets - rubber.
Note. The value of the heat flux is indicated under certain operating conditions: the difference Δt between the temperature of the room air and the coolant is 70 degrees. The calculation of heat transfer of 1 section is described in a separate instruction. The letter “M” in the marking means “modernized”.
Accordions are produced by several Russian enterprises and the Minsk Heating Equipment Plant. The average price for an MS-140M battery is $ 10. e., the minimum is 6 y. e.
The mentioned Belarusian plant also produces modified versions of the "accordions" shown in the photo below:
- lightweight model 2K60 with a power of 120 W, a rib weighs 5.1 kg;
- 2KP100-90-500 with a depth of 9 cm, heat transfer - 140 W;
- modification of the BZ-140-300 with a center distance of 30 cm, power - 120 watts.
The undoubted advantages of radiators are affordable price, durability and corrosion resistance to chemically active substances. However, the last advantage is inherent in all batteries made of cast iron.
Disadvantages:
- Soviet "accordion" type MS do not meet the current requirements for interior design. New modifications look better.
- Fragility. From a mild shock, a microcrack may form in the metal, and then - a leak. Freezing of the heat carrier unambiguously leads to destruction; cast iron breaks up due to the expansion of water.
- Significant mass of the heating device, exacerbated by capacity. Due to the coolant, each section is weighted by 1-1.5 kg. A multi-section heater does not come out to hang on the wall of aerated concrete or plasterboard partition, only put on the floor.
- Limited scope. Due to the maximum working pressure of 10 Bar, it is impossible to use a radiator in an apartment with central heating, where the water pressure reaches 12 Bar (at the time of testing the network).
- Lack of bottom connection to the heating system, pipes are connected only to the side.
Inertness (prolonged heating and cooling) cannot be attributed to the pros or cons of radiators. This is a feature of thick cast-iron walls that does not affect the quality of heating.
It is worth mentioning another advantage of the batteries of the M-140 series. Since “harmonica” used to be everywhere, work sections can be found for free or purchased at scrap metal. According to the reviews of the owners of private houses, used cast-iron radiators are often used for heating farm buildings and utility rooms.
Radiators with increased heat transfer area
The uniformity of the forms of cast-iron devices is due to the manufacturing technology - casting. The extrusion method used in the production of aluminum sections is not applicable here. But in recent years, the picture has improved - products with a flat front panel and side ribs resembling light alloy heaters have appeared on the market.
Reference. The batteries for aluminum shown in the photo are manufactured by Russian, Belarusian and Chinese companies: Konner, STI NOVA, Minsk Plant.
As an example, we list the characteristics of the KONNER Modern section with a standard center distance of 500 mm:
- full height - 60 cm, depth - 96 mm;
- heat transfer at Δt = 70 ° C is 150 W;
- maximum water pressure in operating mode - 12 Bar;
- capacity - 0.9 liters;
- weight - 4.1 kg.
Outside, the heater is covered with polymer enamel (usually white). Gaskets - EPDM rubber, 4 end caps are included. The cost of one rib KONNER Modern 500 - 12 at. e., sold at least 4 pcs. For rooms with low window sills, there is a series of low KONNER G1 batteries with a center distance of 300 mm and a power of 120 watts.
Why are these batteries better than accordions?
- The heat transfer surface has increased due to side ribs and a flat front panel.
- Accordingly, the share of infrared heating has increased. That is, the radiator began to transfer more heat through radiation.
- The depth of the ribs decreased without reducing heat transfer.
- Working pressure increased to 12 atmospheres.
Battery shortcomings are typical - products are fragile and limited by the coolant pressure. But it was possible to solve the problem of appearance - now the heaters look no worse than bimetal. Prices increased slightly - the section is in the range of 10 ... 17 at. e.
Note. The cost of the Belarusian radiator 2K60PP, equipped with a flat panel, is 21 u. e. per rib. The reason is the complication of the manufacturing process, mechanical processing of the frontal plane and painting are added.
Designer Retro Batteries
The choice of "antique" radiators is impressive in variety. In this case, the technical parameters fade into the background, giving way to other characteristics:
- beauty
- compliance with the design of the rooms;
- overall dimensions.
In addition to traditional two-channel devices, you can choose heaters for 3-4-5 channels.There are radiators with smooth surfaces and embossed patterns, designed for floor mounting. Batteries in the Art Nouveau style have angular outlines, retro - more rounded.
Explanation. In two-channel radiators, 2 vertical coolant ducts are provided, in three-channel radiators - 3, and so on.
High-quality retro batteries are produced in the Czech Republic, Germany, Turkey, the Russian Federation, and more recently in China. Famous brands:
- Viadrus;
- Guratec;
- Demir Dokum;
- EXEMET
- Retro Style;
- Iron Lion
- faucets and other retro fittings are manufactured by the Italian brand Carlo Poletti.
It is pointless to provide technical data for heaters, since the spread in power, dimensions and weight is too large. Prices also vary in a wide range - from 20 to 250 at. per section. Chinese and some Czech devices cost 20 ... 30 y. e., Turkish and German are significantly more expensive. The cost greatly depends on the massiveness and design of the product.
The only parameter that remains unchanged is operating pressure. In this regard, designer heating radiators are no better than accordions, since cast iron walls can withstand 15 bar (maximum). The average value is 8 ... 10 bar. The table below shows the characteristics of several models:
Brand and model of radiator | Country | Weight, kg | Heat carrier volume, l | Thermal Power, W | Price, y e. |
Viadrus KALOR 500/70 | Czech Republic | 4 | 0.8 | 70.3 | 20.05 |
Viadrus Bohemia 450/220 | Czech Republic | 9.9 | 2.4 | 110 | 78.25 |
Demir Dokum Nostalgia 500/200 | Turkey | 9.6 | 2.3 | 163 | 52.20 |
Retro Style Anerli 560/230 | Russia | 17 | 3.29 | 189 | 229.60 |
EXEMET Modern 600/100 | Turkey | 4.3 | 0.7 | 102 | 32 |
EXEMET Classica 500/176 | Turkey | 9.3 | 1.95 | 145 | 76.85 |
The negative and positive properties of retro heating appliances in the general mass repeat the advantages of previous varieties. The main difference is the high cost and massiveness of some batteries, the weight of 1 rib reaches 17 ... 20 kg.
How to choose cast iron heaters
When choosing radiators, we are guided by the standard algorithm. We determine the required thermal power, calculate the number of sections, make up heating devices in each room from them. Then - the purchase of heaters, installation kits and control valves.
What kind of radiators is better to choose:
- For heating the technical, utility and utility rooms of a private house, the MS-140M series or its variants will fit perfectly.
- In residential premises, "accordions" are clearly inappropriate. Buy prettier aluminum batteries.
- If the budget allows, install designer appliances - domestic or imported, there is practically no difference. Learn in advance the mass of the sectional heater and consider the installation method - wall or floor.
- Conventional ball valves and balancing valves will not be suitable for retro-radiators. Need similar Carlo Poletti fittings.
- In a private cottage, put any batteries you like, they can easily withstand the pressure of an autonomous system.
- What appliances are best for an apartment? The answer depends on the method of heat supply. When centralized, cast iron is not recommended due to periodic network tests. If the pressure “jumps” to 12 Bar, the sections may crack.
Note. Before purchasing radiators, you can contact the heat supply organization and officially request the operating parameters of the pipeline network. But in case of excess pressure and destruction of cast iron, you will incur losses that are difficult to compensate.
Conclusion
Installing cast-iron heating batteries is rather a matter of taste or a tribute to fashion. There are no operational advantages over other radiators, and beauty is too expensive. The only significant arguments - durability and corrosion resistance - are irrelevant for a private house, where the quality of the coolant depends entirely on the owner.