What is more effective than a warm floor or radiators. Floor heating or radiators
This question is being asked today by more and more homeowners.
So what is better to choose: warm floors or radiators, if it is a private house, an apartment?
To begin with, we will clarify one serious limitation, since this is important. In many cities of Russia, and Moscow among them, in multi-storey buildings with central heating it is forbidden to install water warm floors. If you live in this house, then it is possible to use only radiators or warm floors, which are heated by electricity.
Accordingly, the comparison of heating with batteries or a warm water floor is appropriate only for a private house.
Advantages and specific features of the warm floor
The heat in the room for these two heating systems is distributed differently
Consider the benefits of a system of warm floors, relatively new to the general public. Of course, there are merits, otherwise warm floors would hardly have broken their way, but they are becoming more and more popular day by day. So, they attract something. With what?
- Let's start with saving. The temperature of the coolant in the warm floors is lower than in the heating system with radiators, because they occupy a much larger area. And from the school course of physics, we know that the heating of water from 40º C to 50º C needs less energy than the difference in temperature at the same 10 degrees, but in the range from 60 º C to 70 º C. Let's take this as a note.
The next, which leads to savings, is a way of heating the air and features its circulation in the room. If there is a heated floor, the temperature in the room in height is divided as follows. Below (at the level of the feet) we have 26º - 30º C, which is very comfortable. At the height of human growth, the temperature is 22º - 24º C. And under the ceiling, where the temperature is not so important to us, 18º C. Would it seem that the optimal distribution of the thermal regime? Wait, it's not so simple. - When the room is heated with the help of batteries, the situation with the temperature distribution is completely different. Air directly near the batteries can be heated to 50 ° C and then rises to the ceiling, where the temperature can be about 40 ° -45 ° C, i.е. we maximally heat the space that is not useful to us. Gradually cooling down, the cooled air descends to us, and near the legs we have as a result not very pleasant indicators at 16ºC - 18ºC.
Of course, it's more pleasant to sit on a warm heated floor than if it feels chilling chill from the street
- On the basis of these data, champions of new-fashioned heating with electric underfloor heating make the conclusion that "due to the efficient distribution of heat in the room space, the warm floor is more economical than batteries by 30%. And from these arguments follows the conclusion: the advantage over the warm floor, which gives a higher level of comfort in the house. After all, it's so nice to feel the warmth in cold days, and not try to get on the sofa with your feet, hiding them from the cold floor. Here, however, the opponents of warm floors are included in the argument, proving that such a redistribution of heat in the space does not bring anything good, and comfortable-relaxing heat in the legs generally leads to a decrease in immunity and the increase in colds and even exacerbation of vascular diseases. And in this dispute, no one has yet put a point. And is it possible?
- When heating with a warm floor in the room there are no radiators that are familiar to all, with which we, of course, are accustomed to put up and even sometimes arrange some elements of design decor, but, to be frank, as if we did not hide them and did not decorate, the batteries do not add beauty rooms.
- Today's systems of warm floors have developed automation. This means that the warm floor has a wide range of thermoregulation. You can automatically set and adjust the temperature in each room.
- The service life of the warm floor attracts, declare, at least, up to 50 years.
Disadvantages of a warm floor
Heating batteries and underfloor heating: room temperature distribution
No matter how wonderful the warm floor was not, but it also has drawbacks.
- The first drawback, as we have already mentioned, concerns our health. We discussed the possible undesirable effects of unusually high temperatures on our state of health. To this add a problem with low humidity in the room. If you measure the humidity in a room with a warm floor, then it seems to have an average of 25-30%, and doctors recommend a humidity in the room of at least 50%. To normalize humidity, it is necessary or often to ventilate the room or purchase an additional humidifier.
- The next called deficiency is a limitation in the use of floor coverings. The coating should have a coefficient of heat transfer resistance of the material no higher than 0.15 m2 K / W. Modern coatings have a special marking, which indicates the possibility of use with a warm floor.
- To warm up the room with the help of a warm floor, it takes from 3 to 5 hours.
- When installing a water-heated floor, the level of the main floor rises to a height of 6-10 cm. In some cases, this can be a significant problem.
- It is also necessary to pay attention to the ecological compatibility of furniture and coatings. Some materials, when heated, release harmful substances in one way or another, and from this you can not get away, with intensive heating of the flooring, the furniture standing on it can also become quite hot.
Heating with radiators
This heating is more traditional, it is more familiar to us, and there is not much to say here. Let's start with the flaws, which, we will not hide, are available.
- We have already spoken about such shortcomings as irrational heating of the room space and, accordingly, large economic costs for the same heating. This, by the way, is the favorite argument of ardent supporters of heating homes with warm floors.
- When installing such heating, it is necessary to clearly control the horizontal position of the pipes.
What are the advantages in the most common heating system?
- Due to the wide distribution and different materials, the component systems have a very affordable price. And the installation is well studied in practice and does not present any special difficulties.
- The widest choice of pipes and radiators, which are made of all kinds of materials.
Proper installation of the system allows you to disconnect individual radiators if necessary. And this is already saving. - Radiators are much less air-dry in the rooms.
Having considered the disadvantages and advantages of two heating systems, you need to choose what is more important for you. But the problem of choice can be approached differentially. Pay attention to the possibility of combining these two heating systems, varying their advantages. For example, in the bedroom where you sleep, you can install radiators. And in the kitchen, in the bathroom, in the corridor, equip the system of the warm floor. Just do not forget to install the mixers. They will monitor the temperature of the coolant in the "warm floor" system. What for? - In a severe frost, when the coolant for batteries can be heated to very high temperatures, it will be unacceptable for a warm floor. Walking on such sexes will hardly be possible, unless you, of course, are not a yogi.
The best option is a combination of "warm floor + heating radiators". On the example of concrete objects, the authors of the video explain briefly what is the main feature of this approach to the issue of efficient and, at the same time, economical heating. We look:
Is it possible to replace the heating batteries with a warm floor? The answer is
Often, buyers ask the question: what is better than a floor or radiators? To compare these two types of heating, we take two criteria: economy and comfort. It is necessary, however, to note that radiator heating and heating with warm floors can be combined.
What is cheaper?
According to European normative documents, the efficiency of heating appliances is estimated in accordance with such indicators: the regulating factor and the efficiency factor of heat transfer. For both of these indicators the radiators have a slight advantage over the warm floors.
Adjustability of the heating device is identified with thermal inertia. The faster the device changes the temperature in the room, the less it is inert. The advantage of a less inert device is that it is able to react quickly to changes in the temperature conditions inside and outside the room. After all, in addition to the boiler in the house there are still many sources of thermal energy: household appliances, people, changes in weather conditions, sunlight.
When the temperature rises by one degree, the heat loss is 6%. This is the basis for the use of automation. Its task is to maintain the temperature in the room in accordance with a given indicator. Conveniently, the fact that the automation allows you to program the heating system in accordance with the schedule of life of residents. For example, it makes sense to lower the temperature, while in the house no one is 5 degrees lower for 15 hours a day. So it turns out, to save 6% x5 o = 30% of energy.
In view of the fact that warm floors are more inert than radiators and react more slowly to changes, it can be assumed that radiator heating will be more economical.
Comfort
Comfort is still occupied by warm floors, since they distribute the temperature over the height of the room: it is warmer at the bottom, and the temperature is somewhat lower and the ceiling does not generate a lot of heat, as in the case of radiators. By the way, you can walk on the floor without shoes, lie down and sit on it.
This question is asked by many. The choice is really complicated. Discuss the advantages and of course the shortcomings, which are often hushed up. But first I want to draw your attention to the fact that we are talking about Warm, but not Comfortable floors, as single source heat in room.
Cost
To call specific numbers does not make sense. They are influenced by many factors and this will be done by those who will install these systems. But in any case, regardless of the time, firms and equipment, warm water floors will be much more expensive than a heating system with radiators (electric floors are cheaper to install but more expensive to operate). And here the question arises: are the warm floors of this?
Cost-effective operation
Without arguably - the warm floor. Here are a few points. The radiator is often placed under the window to avoid moisture condensation on the glass. Therefore, the loss of heat through the glass and the outer wall is higher than that of the warm floor due to a greater local temperature difference. In order to feel comfortable with the warm floor you need to give less quantity of Calories, the heat source is under your feet, it is closer than the radiator under the window. Savings are 10-20% for the entire heating season.
However, it should be noted, the possibility of condensation on the windows with warm floors. And it can appear not only in a room with moist air, but also in a living room. With a strong or prolonged frost, especially with a single glazing unit.
Finishing of the floor.
Unlike radiators, a warm floor imposes a restriction on the material of the floor for thermal conductivity. It can be tile, artificial or natural stone granite, marble and some self-leveling floors. That's all. Vinyl, wooden, carpeting (meaning, high quality a few basic or with dense pile) are not suitable for warm floors. They create a natural barrier to heat due to low thermal conductivity and in severe prolonged frosts, the warm floor can not cope with the heating of the room.
Repairability.
Probably should not stay here for long. What's in sight, it's easier, cheaper to repair. Radiator, you can also repack, add or remove sections (if it is sectional), replace it with a more modern and efficient one. The warm floor is done once and for all. And you need to hope that your contractor knew what he was doing (in more detail), and the warm floor will bring you only joy.
Inertia
The inertia of this or that heating system, both dignity and lack. Choose yourself. Warm floors are more inert than radiators. If you become hot, you will reduce the temperature of the coolant and if, with a radiator system, you will feel the result in 0,5-1 hour, then at the heated floor after 3-5 hours. If you become cold, it is exactly the opposite. Radiators will heat up faster. At least on them you can put your feet to keep warm. And with the floor, you'll have to wait.
Interior
One of the main advantages of warm floors is the lack of radiators (and I always thought that the warm floor was created as an alternative to radiators). Indeed, the room looks "cleaner" without white rectangles under the windows. But there are other limitations. You have to give up carpets (except for large halls from 60m2, this will show the calculation of the warm floor), limit the amount of furniture in the room to a minimum, and the remaining furniture should be on high legs and preferably with natural materials. This is due to the heat recovery area of the warm floor. The smaller it is, the colder it is in the room, and it's impossible to raise the temperature, like radiators, it's at the limit of comfort.
Natural materials with heating produce less (or do not emit) harmful substances than furniture from chipboard, MDF, plastic. You can not even smell, only light dizziness, pain in the temples, nausea while staying in such rooms for a long time. I immediately answer those who will object to this, like: the temperature of the floor is below the radiator, and therefore there are fewer evaporation. First: near the radiator furniture is not put. Otherwise, why did he, along with the window closed the closet? Secondly: The amount of vapors depends not only on the temperature, but also on the surface area with which they evaporate. And given the convection of the warm floor over the entire area of the room, this can not be avoided. Of course, the concentration of vapors may be within normal limits, but do not forget about the body's ability to accumulate all this and once, the concentration in the body may exceed even the normative. It all depends on your body.
Microclimate
Here, show patience because we consider several factors, and I did not come across a detailed study of this issue.
- Humidity in the room.
Contrary to the opinion that the radiator dries air more than the warm floor - I will answer: no. And I rely not only on the subjective feeling, being in rooms with different heat sources. The main argument that the temperature of the radiator is higher than the warm floor and therefore it dries the air is NOT VERY FAITHFUL. Humidity is the amount of water vapor in it. As we know, water can both evaporate and condense, so in an enclosed room the amount of moisture does not depend on the heat source (in this case), but only on air exchange (ventilation) and vapor permeability of the enclosing structures. But the concentration of vapor in each case is different. It differs from radiators from the wall to the center of the room and even more so from the radiator to the center. The most active molecules are water above the radiator, in the center they are larger and less mobile. Therefore, the concentration of moisture in the air is different. (we take for an altitude of 1.5-2 m)
The warm floor has a more uniform concentration and water molecules are active throughout the room. Given this, the total steam pressure in the room, with a warm floor, is higher than that of the radiators, which means that the loss of moisture through the walls and ventilation is greater. In a complex with ventilation, air in a room with a warm floor is drier. And this is a drawback, both for furniture made of wood, leather and us, people. The recommended humidity in the room is about 55%. And in a room with radiators, this humidity is easier to maintain. Therefore, the thoughts of a steam generator with a warm floor will visit you faster.
- Dust.
We will not discuss where it comes from. But the electrostatic tension on the surface of objects attracts and keeps dust. These are all synthetic and lacquered surfaces. With a heated field (see Finishing the floor), materials that do not contain dust are used. This is a great advantage with good forced ventilation, but also a major disadvantage with natural or complete absence of ventilation. Dust is easier to remove from the surface than it is in the air. When the field is warm, the efficiency of wet cleaning is much lower. This is due to the fact that the water evaporates quickly. And with wet cleaning, it is the surface tension of the water that should "pull" and how-to "glue" the dust to the floor surface, that would remove it at the second pass of a wet rag. In a shorter period of time, the efficiency drops by a factor of 10.
Also on a warm field the dust is drier, which means it's easier. Warm air rises from the entire surface of the floor and the concentration of dust in the air is higher than that of radiators. The argument that the movement of air over the radiator is larger, and therefore more and more raises dust, does not stand up to criticism. As I mentioned, the dust retains the electrostatic stress and the radiator without the fan is not capable of raising dust from the entire floor area, which can not be said about the heat field. It is not the speed of the dust that is important, but its concentration in the air.
- Screws
Here we must pay tribute to the warm floor. With drafts, he fights much better. It is the flow of warm air rising from the floor, knocking down a light draft, not noticeable for us, causing many unpleasant diseases. Absolute winner in this category. Indisputable advantage, if you have doors without thresholds.
Physiology
Here we will touch on several aspects. Being on a warm field for several hours is not only not comfortable, but also bad for health, and some are contraindicated. Sore veins (varicose veins), pressure drops (hypertension), asthma and allergies, is not a complete list of contraindications.
After a hard day's work, when your feet "buzz", swell on the warm floor, you will not get relief. Add here the addiction of our body to the warm floor. After all, greenhouse conditions do not benefit anyone, both children and adults.
Children should be mentioned separately. Over the years, blood circulation in humans worsens, we become less mobile, and we need a higher temperature for comfort. In children, on the contrary. Being closer to the warm floor and in constant movement with their good blood circulation they are not comfortable (the lower the higher the temperature). They sweat, become lethargic, quickly get tired, drowsiness appears, but can not explain to you what happens to them as they do not understand it.
Conclusions:
The choice, of course, is yours. And if you approach with the mind, many shortcomings can be turned into virtues. An excellent solution for Warm Floor is for such premises: All premises in the basement with ventilation, swimming pools, sanitary units, corridors, common guest rooms, utility rooms, garage and even a sauna, sauna.
Some disadvantages lack comfortable floors. In combination with radiators or air heating, they create a softer and more flexible indoor microclimate. These complex solutions are certainly more expensive and not everyone can afford it. Therefore, when making a choice, out of two evils, choose the lesser.
OOO "Teles-Bud" Terekhov Alexander
