Gas boiler for heating and underfloor heating. Gas boilers with heated floor function. Liquid fuel boiler for heated floors

In contact with

Classmates

The heating system of a frame house has two main requirements: efficiency and economy.

To these we can add one more, no less important requirement - safety, especially from fire positions. If all of them are fulfilled, then the heating issue can be considered resolved with the most successful results.

And, nevertheless, one more goal can be named, a maximum program: heating autonomy, independence from networks or suppliers. To some extent, this situation can be achieved by using heating systems operating on a coolant -. From the point of view of economy and efficiency, heated floors leave radiator systems far behind, which makes it possible to distinguish it as the most attractive type of heating for a frame house.

However, you can simultaneously heat your home with heated floors and radiators.

- this is a dense (10-30 cm between adjacent pipes) mesh or, more precisely, a spiral-shaped system of thin (15-20 mm) pipes located in the thickness concrete screed or without it under the floor covering. The coolant circulating through them transfers heat to the floor surface, which, in turn, radiates it into the interior of the room.

The density and large area of ​​placement (or contours) of the heated floor allows you to do without reaching high coolant temperatures - 45-50 degrees is enough. The uniformity of pipe laying makes the heating dense, there are no colder areas. The warm floor is comfortable for contact and pleasant to walk on barefoot.

This convenience results in the need for precise temperature control, since the radiation power is such that an increase or decrease of several degrees is perceived as a significant change in the operating mode of the system.

The temperature of the coolant in the supply line is much higher than required. If you put such a hot coolant directly into the circuits, the room will become hot like a sauna. To prevent this from happening, the hot coolant is diluted with coolant that has cooled down, passed through the circuits and given up its energy - the return.

This dilution is done in a mixing unit, which limits the flow of hot water from the direct pipeline and simultaneously mixes it with the return one. By adjusting the amount of hot and cooled water, the desired temperature of the heated floor is achieved.

If the system is powered from its own boiler, then the dependence on networks (and their tariffs) is removed. The ability to independently prepare the coolant is a very valuable circumstance that provides independent external factors functioning of the system. For a frame house, such independence can result in considerable savings, since the ability to connect is not always available, and it is very expensive.

Types by fuel type


Heating boilers are a fairly large group of devices that have different principles of operation. According to the type of fuel (energy source), boilers are divided into:

  1. Gas. The most efficient and economical boilers. The cost of 1 kW of energy is the lowest, and the efficiency is the highest.
  2. . Water is heated using heating elements, electrodes or induction. The easiest to maintain and most expensive source of heating fluid.
  3. Solid fuel. Boilers that use almost everything that burns as fuel - wood, coal, briquettes, pallets, etc. The availability of fuel makes such a boiler most suitable for autonomous heating of a house, but the combustion chamber has to be constantly filled. Modern models, however, are capable of long-term combustion without human intervention.
  4. Diesel. The source of thermal energy is burning diesel fuel. A diesel fuel boiler can operate independently for a long time - up to several months. This type of boiler may turn out to be more profitable than even a gas one, if it is not connected to the mains, but uses imported gas.
  5. Combined. Boilers that have the ability to switch to another type of fuel if necessary. The design of such a boiler can have two fireboxes, or one universal for different types of fuel; you just need to replace the burner. At the same time, there are universal boilers with the option of converting wood to electricity when a second firebox is not needed. Opportunity to have Alternative option heating is a valuable quality for country house when fuel shortages are possible.

general information


A gas boiler is a device for heating water (coolant) using the combustion energy of natural gas or propane.

There are no specialized devices for heated floors, but there are boiler models with the “warm floor” function, when turned on, the usual power limitation occurs, which is irrational.

A connection to a gas main or imported gas in cylinders is used, which significantly increases costs. Externally, a gas boiler looks like a small cabinet or wall cabinet; it usually has an attractive modern design (at least the new models). Thus, powering the heated floor in the house from the boiler is very convenient and efficient.

Why is it needed?

The operation of a heated floor is based on the use of coolant energy. If there is no heating floor, you have to supply it from your own boiler. Heating of the coolant during autonomous operation of the heated floor system can only be carried out in this way. Since gas is the most economical fuel, the cost of 1 kW of energy obtained from burning gas is several times cheaper than heating with electricity, so the water heated floor is powered from its own gas boiler becomes the most preferred method.

Application

The best option to use a boiler for underfloor heating is the ability to connect to gas supply networks. In this case, fuel supplies are made constantly, the operation of the boiler becomes rhythmic and uninterrupted. At the same time, the water heated floor from the gas boiler works efficiently and effectively. All other options involve the delivery of gas in cylinders, which threatens interruptions and increases costs.

Safety requirements


Safety requirements for operation gas equipment almost the same for all types of boilers.

Basic provisions:

  • a separate room is required to accommodate the gas boiler;
  • The boiler room must be equipped with a gas analyzer so that in case of gas accumulation (for example, spontaneous extinguishing of the burner) it can be notified in time;
  • there should be no foreign objects in the boiler room, especially flammable ones - paint, solvent, chemicals, etc.;
  • the boiler must be free for air flow, it is prohibited to lean or lean anything against it;
  • If you detect a smell of gas, immediately turn off the supply, notify the gas service and ventilate the room. When using propane-butane, ventilation may be useless, since it is heavier than air and accumulates at the bottom;
  • Do-it-yourself repairs are prohibited protective sensors boiler

The requirements are simple, but they must be strictly observed to avoid dangerous consequences.

Classification of gas boilers

There are many developments of gas boilers. They are conventionally divided into groups according to various characteristics.

According to the installation method, boilers are divided into:

  1. Floor-standing. They are installed on the floor, do not create a load on the walls (which is very important for frame houses), have fairly large dimensions and are used for heating large houses.
  2. Wall mounted. They are hung on walls, which will require adequate strength, taking into account the weight of the boiler. Serve for heating systems small houses(up to 200 sq. m., some sources indicate higher values ​​- up to 350 sq. m.).

By number of circuits:

  1. Single-circuit. They are used only to service one heating line.
  2. Dual-circuit. They work simultaneously as a power source for the heating system and for heating hot water for domestic needs. In this case, the device usually cannot operate simultaneously in both modes; when the DHW is heated, the heating turns off.

According to heat exchanger material:

  1. Steel. The simplest and relatively cheap material. It has fairly average indicators in terms of service life, since temperature fatigue of the metal quickly sets in and cracks appear. In addition, the material is susceptible to corrosion, although manufacturers are making attempts to neutralize its effect by applying various coatings.
  2. Stainless steel. Quite an expensive option, less commonly found on sale. It has good performance and combines all the best properties of cast iron and steel devices.
  3. Cast iron. High corrosion resistance, strength and durability are the defining qualities of the device. However, it is necessary to carefully monitor the uniformity of heating, otherwise the material with different temperatures in neighboring areas may crack. In addition, the disadvantage is the usual fragility of cast iron.
  4. Copper. This option is mainly implemented in wall-mounted boilers. Corrosion resistance, light weight, low inertia of the boiler, which makes it possible to quickly and flexibly regulate the operating mode.

By type of combustion chamber (furnace):

  1. Open. Combustion occurs using air supplied from outside through special channels - natural draft. A device with this type of firebox requires free access of air and a separate room. The cost of such a boiler is much lower than that of samples with a closed firebox.
  2. Closed (turbocharged boiler). More expensive and convenient types of boilers. They can be used without being placed in a separate room, which is important for frame houses where the area is not so large.

To remove smoke, a vertical chimney is used, although a horizontal method is also possible using a fan, which at the same time supplies Fresh air necessary for combustion.

Attention! Forced air flow for more intense combustion - turbocharging - is one of the functions of all new models of gas boilers.

Specifications


Familiarization with the technical characteristics of a gas boiler allows you to quickly and fairly fully learn all its properties and capabilities.

Main indicators reflected in the technical characteristics of the device:

  • boiler power;
  • type of combustion chamber (open or closed);
  • number of circuits (one or two);
  • heating area (maximum, usually the upper limit of distribution is indicated);
  • volume of fuel (gas) used;
  • water consumption, ability to heat it. (2.5-17 l/min on average, there are also more productive models);
  • Device efficiency (usually within 80-90%).

Attention! Boilers from different manufacturers may be equipped with a different list of characteristics, which is often a marketing ploy. Thus, an efficiency of 109% is nonsense from a physical point of view, and yet this figure can often be seen in product data sheets.

Choice


First of all, you should choose a water heater for underfloor heating of suitable power. Calculating the power of a boiler is a difficult task; the easiest way is to proceed from the average value - 1 kW of power per 10 sq. m. area.

It is necessary to pay attention to the possibility of adjusting the boiler operating mode. It is best if there is the possibility of smooth adjustment.

It is also necessary to decide on the required number of circuits, type of installation and other characteristics of the boiler, which will best meet the requirements of the existing premises.

Principle of operation

The gas boiler closes the coolant circulation loop in the system, powering the heated floor from the heating boiler, being both a source of direct hot flow and a receiver of cooled return flow. The heated coolant leaves the boiler and is sent to replenish the heating system. As it follows the contour of the heated floor, its temperature drops, releasing thermal energy to the floor surface.

After this, part of the return flow is returned for reheating, and the other part is mixed with the fresh hot flow to form a mixture at a given temperature. Thus, the gas boiler constantly heats, releases and receives coolant circulating through the system.

Water heating

The return flow entering the heat exchanger is heated by the burner flame; upon reaching the desired temperature, it is directed to the underfloor heating system using its own heat exchanger. Thus, cycle after cycle, there is constant heating and release of the coolant, as well as the reception of cooled return flow, which is supplied for heating.

Device

Single- and double-circuit boilers have some differences in design.

A single-circuit boiler only works to heat the coolant in the underfloor heating system, for which the incoming return flow passes into a heat exchanger, which heats it from the burner flame.

The hot coolant is discharged into the supply line and flows into the floor heating circuit system.

The double-circuit boiler has a simultaneous connection to the underfloor heating system and to the water supply system. In coolant heating mode, it operates as described above. When switching, the flow of heating fluid is temporarily stopped, and hot water is prepared in the heat exchanger. At this time, there is a short break in the replenishment of the heated floor, which is not so noticeable due to the inertia of the system, and if the heated floor structure contains a concrete screed, this does not affect the floor temperature in any way.

Connection diagram

The simplest scheme for connecting a heated floor to a boiler is to connect the supply and return from the corresponding boiler terminals. This option is used in simple single-circuit boilers. It is for this reason that the question of how to connect a heated floor to a boiler is not so pressing. The main task is not to confuse the conclusions, which, in fact, is excluded.

To connect a double-circuit boiler, in addition to connecting the supply and return coolant, you will need to connect the forward and reverse flows from the water supply system. In addition, it is necessary to connect the gas supply pipe, smoke removal system and air supply (turbochargement). All pipelines must have Ball Valves so that at the right time it is possible to block any flow that is required.

Installation

In itself, connecting the heated floor to the boiler does not cause any particular difficulties and can be easily done with your own hands.

Procedure:

Preparatory work:

  1. Boiler installation. The device is completely installed - on the floor in the right place or mounted on the wall - depending on the type of structure.
  2. (pouring a concrete screed is excluded until the functionality is fully checked or before the circuits are pressurized with compressed air).
  3. Connecting underfloor heating circuits to the pump-collector unit.

Connecting the boiler to the underfloor heating system:

  1. The main pipelines are connected to the corresponding outlets and the boiler. For connection, a metal-plastic, copper or polyethylene pipe is used with appropriate fittings suitable for the boiler connectors and mixing unit. Gas supply to the boiler is carried out using a corrugated stainless pipe.
  2. Checking the connection(visual, trial run, ).

Attention! It is imperative to ensure the possibility of shutting off each pipeline in an emergency to prevent unwanted incidents.

Advantages and disadvantages


pros:

  • efficiency;
  • efficiency;
  • reliability;
  • high quality work, possibility of self-installation.

Minuses:

  • the need for coordination with Gosgortekhnadzor;
  • possibility of gas leakage;
  • the need to comply with the boiler installation conditions (separate equipped room);
  • The gas supply is shut off automatically if there is poor ventilation or a leak.

The last disadvantage is also an advantage - the possibility of an accident is eliminated.

Useful video

Visually check out the example of connecting a gas boiler to a water heated floor in the video below:

conclusions

Using a gas boiler to power water heated floors in frame house provides an effective and economical way to prepare coolant. The costs in this case are the lowest compared to any other type of boiler, in addition, the operation of the heated floor is seasonal, which provides additional opportunities for saving money.

The ability to start the system at any time at will, relative heating autonomy, preparation of coolant with simultaneous heating of hot water are important advantages of gas boilers that provide the comfort and coziness of a frame house.

In contact with

Boiler for warm water floor: selection features and connection diagram

5 (100%) votes: 2

In this article we will talk about a boiler for a warm water floor - gas, electric and solid fuel. We will look at their advantages and disadvantages, as well as how to choose and install (installation) correctly.

Today, water-based heated floors are a very popular type of residential heating. Such a home heating system has a lot of advantages: low energy consumption, the ability to control the temperature, etc. In order for a water-heated floor to work with maximum productivity, you need to choose the right boiler for it. The main criteria that should be followed when choosing a boiler are efficiency, ease of use, heating cost, as well as the degree of installation complexity and connection requirements.

You can find out the price and buy heating equipment and related products from us. Write, call and come to one of the stores in your city. Delivery throughout the Russian Federation and CIS countries.

Arrangement of the heating system

For such a heating system, you can choose a boiler that runs on any fuel. However, the unit must meet one important condition: its control system must be automatic.

Boilers are classified according to the type of fuel on which they operate: solid fuel (firewood), gas (gas), electric (electricity), liquid fuel (diesel, waste oil).

The most profitable and productive for a warm hollow are:

  • electric boilers;
  • gas boilers.

Electric boiler for heated floors

An electric boiler is a device that heats the coolant using electricity. The operation of such units is characterized by productivity and efficiency. Efficiency can reach 99%.

Electric boiler operation diagram

But despite the high efficiency and productivity of electric boilers, their use involves high costs, since electricity is an expensive fuel.

An electric heating boiler is constructed of a tank containing coolant and heating elements. In addition, the unit is equipped security team consisting of a pressure sensor and a safety valve. The boiler has a pump that circulates the coolant, an air vent and an expansion tank.

The principle of heating water for heated water floors is based on the following: water enters the boiler and begins to warm up. When the desired temperature is reached, the coolant moves towards the warm water floor.

The operating principle of floor-mounted and wall-mounted electric boilers is identical.

Advantages and disadvantages

Let us note the main advantages and disadvantages of using electric boilers for heated floors:

  • high efficiency;
  • reliability;
  • absence of combustion products;
  • work autonomy, human presence is not expected;
  • There are usually no difficulties with installation and further use.

A number of difficulties may arise when connecting the boiler to the network, since it will require separate electrical wiring.

Flaws:

  • energy dependence;
  • high price of electricity.

An electric unit for a warm water floor is more suitable for rooms that are not very large in size and with good thermal insulation, then their operation will be as economical as possible.

Installation and selection

Warm floors and an electric boiler are simply connected. The operating temperature for many models starts from 25°, so piping does not involve high costs. You will just need to acquire one, and then only in a situation where several circuits will be connected to one boiler. As already noted, there are no combustion products in the operation of such units, so you can install an electric boiler anywhere in your home.

When choosing an electric boiler for a warm water floor, you need to be guided by the following criteria:

  • power: the performance of the heating device (calculated according to the size of the heated room);
  • protection from air humidity;
  • degree of automation of boiler operation;
  • connection to a 220 V or 380 V network;
  • design;
  • manufacturer.

Connection diagram for boiler and warm water floor

Here are some manufacturers of electric boilers.

Gas boiler for heated floors

A gas boiler is a device that heats the coolant by burning gas. Since gas is an accessible and inexpensive fuel, a “warm water floor” heating system connected to a gas boiler is very profitable and efficient.

Can be installed in gas boilers. In units with a closed combustion chamber, ventilation is forced, and this option has a rather complex structure.

An example of a Protherm Panther KTV gas boiler

They also differ in the presence of a heat exchanger. If you intend to use the boiler to heat water, then you need to build a heat exchanger into it.

If the device is not equipped, then the water is heated by the same chamber as the coolant for floor heating. Let's consider the operating principle of such a unit:

  1. Cold water moves along the rightmost lower pipe, where it is also located security group.
  2. Then posted circulation pump, in front of it there is an expansion tank tube.
  3. There is a temperature sensor on the tube.
  4. Then the coolant moves to the heating element and enters the heating system of the warm water floor.

In the center of the boiler there is a gas fitting with its own safety unit, which controls the flame, gas pressure, and exhaust gases.

Advantages and disadvantages

A heating system, like a warm water floor from a gas boiler, has the following advantages:

  • cheap fuel;
  • high efficiency;
  • automated system management;
  • environmental friendliness.

For the normal functioning of a traditional gas boiler, the temperature must be at least 60°, while for a condensing gas boiler it should not be higher than 40°.

  • it is necessary to equip a system for removing combustion products outside the premises;
  • the equipment itself is expensive;
  • The boiler must be equipped with auxiliary elements: gas analyzers, gas pressure sensors;
  • fire hazard.

Installation and selection

Installation of a gas boiler for heated floors is quite simple:

  1. It is necessary to install between the supply and return pipelines.
  2. If the circulation is carried out at a low speed, then the water will be stratified by temperature, and it will not be difficult to select the supply for the heated floor from the cold part, and the hot water, in turn, will flow into the boiler.
  3. By installing a simple thermal control circuit, it will not be difficult to find out an arbitrary temperature of the coolant, which is practically not tied to the return flow in the boiler.

If you decide to use a gas boiler for heated floors in your home, then when choosing such a unit, you should pay attention to the following indicators:

  • combustion chamber type: open\closed;
  • installation type: wall\floor;
  • power;
  • design;
  • manufacturer.

The leader among manufacturers of gas boilers for water floors is Viessman. The products of this company are characterized by strength, durability and high quality. Buderus equipment also has positive reviews.

Solid fuel boiler for heated floors

Solid fuel boilers require constant attention and maintenance in their operation, and especially many difficulties arise in compatibility with heated floors. The exception is, but they still require more attention compared to boilers running on gas and electricity.

There are many difficulties in the operation of solid fuel heating devices:

  1. A special place near the boiler is required to store fuel.
  2. The boiler needs to be heated at least once a day.
  3. It is necessary to carry out regular cleaning of the chimney.

To connect a solid fuel boiler, you need to install three-way valves. Their number should be equal to the number of contours. Thanks to the mixing unit that these valves form, the heated water will be cooled.

Solid fuel boiler with heat accumulator

When connecting a solid fuel boiler to a water floor, be sure to take into account that water enters the pipes under the action of a pump that is powered by the mains. If there is a power outage, the movement of the coolant will be stopped, but since the boiler will continue to function, the water will begin to heat up and its temperature will reach 100°C. Thus, due to the fact that units operating on solid fuel do not have automation, the water will overheat.

To avoid such unpleasant consequences, you can install. This device is a container, the volume of which is calculated based on the power of the boiler - 40 liters per 1 kW. The thermal accumulator is connected to the underfloor heating system. The heated water will initially flow into this tank, and after it has cooled down, it will flow into the pipes of the water-heated floor.

Having considered all possible options, you have decided to use water heated floors to heat your home. All that remains is to choose and purchase a water heating installation to work with these floors, and here the question arises - how to choose the right boilers for heated floors. The purpose of this article is to help resolve issues related to choosing a boiler for an underfloor heating system.

Boiler selection criteria

There are no special water heating installations designed for heated floors. True, some manufacturers gas units They offer models with a “warm floor” operating mode, but this is only a built-in function for limiting the water temperature. The fact is that radiator circuits and underfloor heating have different coolant temperatures. In the first case, it reaches 95 ºС, and in the second – a maximum of 55 ºС, while the average temperature in the floor contours is 35-40 ºС. In the “warm floor” mode, the automatic heat generator limits it at 45 ºС and it turns out that boilers of a certain power work together with underfloor heating at half capacity, and this is irrational.

A boiler of any type can service water heated floors; it’s all about piping it correctly and connecting it to the heating circuits so that thermal power the boiler was used as efficiently as possible. To begin with, let’s define the criteria by which it is necessary to select a boiler installation that serves water floor heating:

  • compatibility with underfloor heating systems;
  • efficiency;
  • ease of operation and maintenance;
  • complexity of installation.

This list does not include the cost of heating, because every homeowner strives to use the most affordable energy source for heating. For some it is natural gas, for others it brings in cheap firewood, and for others it is profitable to heat with electricity due to the fact that a multi-tariff electricity meter is installed in the house. Therefore, our task is to consider all possible options so that everyone can make a reasonable choice of a boiler for a warm water floor.

The degree of compatibility of heating equipment with underfloor heating circuits is the ability of the boiler to maintain a low coolant temperature at a sufficiently high flow rate. If this is not possible, then additional equipment must be provided to reduce the water temperature and at the same time ensure flow taking into account the power of the heated floor.

The efficiency of the heat generator affects energy consumption, and ease of use is determined by the time that the homeowner devotes to heating equipment. That is why these criteria must be taken into account when selecting a heat source, as well as the complexity of installation work and piping, which affect the initial investment of money.

First, we list and then consider in detail all types of boilers for warm water floors:

  • electrical;
  • gas;
  • solid fuel;
  • on liquid fuel.

The ideal option in all respects is an electric boiler, regardless of its type (heating element, electrode or induction). Expending 1 kW of electricity to produce 1 kW of heat, the unit absolutely calmly maintains the temperature of the coolant at a given level, without losing any efficiency. When installing underfloor heating in small houses, the heat generator can be connected to the circuits directly, setting it to the required temperature.

Concerning large cottages, then in this case, electric boilers for heated floors are connected to the system through a distribution and mixing unit, which will be discussed below. The units are fully automated and do not require intervention in their operation, as well as frequent maintenance or cleaning. Again, they do not require chimneys, making installation very easy. The only drawback is the availability of the necessary electrical power from the network; otherwise, an electric boiler is the best that can be offered for underfloor heating.

Advice. Since the system itself for connecting a water heated floor requires the presence of electricity for the operation of the circulation pump, when choosing a heat source you should not focus on its energy independence. You still can’t do without electricity here.

Gas boilers

Theoretically, natural gas heat generators can maintain water temperature at 40-45 ºС, but they lose their efficiency. Why? It's simple: the heat exchanger of the installation is calculated based on normal operating conditions with a coolant temperature of 80-90 ºС and a difference between the supply and return pipelines of 20-25 ºС. Then the heater produces the declared thermal power. In our case, a gas boiler for underfloor heating should provide an average temperature of 40 ºC with a difference between supply and return of 10 ºC. The efficiency of the unit will inevitably drop by 10-15%, so connecting a gas boiler directly to heated floors is not recommended.

To combine gas heating equipment with underfloor heating circuits without loss of efficiency, you need to use a mixing unit with a circulation pump and a room distributor. How to do this is shown in the diagram of heated floors with a gas boiler:

In the main circuit with the boiler, water circulates with a temperature curve of 80 / 60 ºC, driven by a pump in the boiler room. Inside all underfloor heating circuits, the coolant with a 40/30 ºC schedule moves another pump, and a three-way valve mixes hot water from the external network into them as needed. This connection of a water heated floor to a gas boiler allows the entire system to function reliably and economically. In this case, intervention in its operation is not required; as for installation, the costs here will be higher than in a situation with an electric heater.

All of the above equally applies to diesel (liquid fuel) units. In terms of technical characteristics and degree of automation, they are close to gas, so diesel fuel is also carried out through a mixing unit that performs distribution functions.

Solid fuel boilers

This type of heat generators requires constant attention and maintenance, and in terms of compatibility with heated floors they are the most problematic. The exception is pellet boilers, but they also need to be visited more often than gas or electric ones. In order to maintain the temperature of the coolant during wood burning at least at 60 ºС, the automation has to constantly “strangle” the firebox, limiting the flow of air, so a solid fuel boiler for heated floors will also lose efficiency.

To avoid this, it is best to use a large-capacity buffer tank or a hydraulic accumulator in the circuit. Then the unit will be able to fully use the combustion heat of the wood, transferring it to water in a container, and the underfloor heating will take from it as much as required. This way you can increase the pause between fuel loadings. Below is a diagram of connecting a heated floor to a boiler that burns different types of biomass:

As can be seen from the diagram, installation of a heating system from a solid fuel boiler will be the most difficult and expensive thing that must be taken into account when choosing a heat source.

Conclusion

From all that has been said above, we can conclude that the most convenient and cheapest option is to install an electric heater, a little more complicated and expensive to install a gas heater, and the most expensive and inconvenient is a solid fuel boiler. Do not forget about the construction of the “pie” and the base of the heated floor, which also costs a lot of money. How this will pay off later is up to each homeowner to decide in his own way. life situation.

cotlix.com

Boiler for water heated floors: how to choose and connect

To create comfortable conditions, owners of mansions and apartments are increasingly seeking to install innovative heated floors, one of the varieties of which functions by supplying water heated to a certain temperature into pipes laid in a certain way. In this case, it is important to correctly select a boiler for water heated floors that meets all the requirements and is suitable for specific conditions.

Requirements for boilers included in the floor heating system

Boilers, which are one of the most important devices in a water-heated floor system, must meet a number of requirements, the fulfillment of which guarantees a long period of trouble-free operation:

  • power sufficient not only to heat the system when calculating its maximum load, but also having a regulatory safety margin;
  • available installation algorithm;
  • clear operating diagram;
  • resistance to a fairly wide temperature range;
  • efficiency.

Features of electric boilers

In terms of the degree of autonomy, one of the key criteria on which a boiler is selected, its electric version is in the lead, due to the absence of flammable substances. Having automatic settings, it does not require human intervention, automatically restoring the mode in cases of a short-term power outage. Its reliability, compactness, and affordable price are also attractive.

Installing a heated floor with such a boiler does not require expensive piping, thanks to the initial temperature of the water, which is the coolant, at 25°C. It is enough to mount a collector to connect several circuits.

Connecting a heated floor to the boiler

A modern electric boiler for a warm water floor has three varieties.

  1. Safe electric boilers operating on heating elements have already received recognition, as they have a fairly simple technical structure. The main weakness of this type of device is the short service life of the heaters, which is compensated by their low cost and simple replacement technology.
  2. Electrode boilers are a fairly new type of heating equipment, characterized by durability. Compared to the previous analogue, they are more capricious, since flawless operation requires a certain composition of the coolant, which must conduct current. This is due to the operating principle of such a boiler: between two electrodes under an alternating voltage of 50 Hz, placed in a liquid, the movement of ions begins, releasing heat. Positively charged particles move towards the cathode, and negatively charged ions move towards the anode. The electrodes change polarity 50 times per second, so heating occurs quickly.
  3. Induction models are based on heating a conductor placed in a magnetic field. The role of the core is played by the boiler body in the form of a labyrinth through which water flows. Such a device is reliable, requiring only monitoring of the constant presence of coolant in the system. The widespread use of induction boilers is limited by their high cost.

Environmentally friendly, not polluting the atmosphere of the house with combustion products, the electric boiler is convenient because it can be placed almost anywhere. The only difficulty may be the need for local wiring. Among the disadvantages, there is an increase in energy consumption (consumption per 30 cubic meters ≈ 1 kW/hour). In private households where frequent power outages are possible, it is advisable to install combined view, providing an option for a backup boiler with solid fuel.

Characteristics of gas models

Modern modifications of gas boilers must be equipped with electronic controls that regulate temperature parameters, ensuring the safe operation of the system.

In order for the automation and circular pump for a warm water floor to work in the event of a power outage, it is advisable to stock up on a local source. Car batteries will provide several hours of operation. In situations where there is a risk of frequent power outages for several days, you will have to purchase a diesel generator.

Compared to the electric model, the gas boiler is a model of efficiency. Its condensation type is especially effective, receiving integrated heat from fuel combustion (explicit energy) and from steam condensation (latent thermal energy).

The principle of operation of the boiler is based on the circulation of the coolant through the exchanger, during which it is heated by the flue gases produced when the fuel burns. During the transfer of thermal energy, the gases are cooled, and at a certain temperature condensation is formed, causing the appearance of additional heat. This feature significantly increases the efficiency of heating equipment.

Gas boilers function flawlessly under conditions of uninterrupted gas supply, without requiring special routine maintenance techniques. In designs where an electronic mechanism is provided for igniting the boiler, the operation of the burner is regulated in accordance with the specified temperature indicators with the removal of all harmful combustion products through forced ventilation. Boilers with piezo ignition, operating automatically, also stop the flow of gas if the flame goes out, but combustion is restored manually.

Connection to a gas boiler

To spend correct connection For water heated floors, you should choose an autonomous room for the boiler. Installing such a system in a standard apartment will require qualified consultation.

Connecting a heated floor to the boiler

The installation algorithm includes a number of stages, taking into account the correct connection of the water collector for the heated floor, which serves as a guarantee of further flawless operation.

  1. Installation of a collector at the selected location, which serves the important function of maintaining the water circulation in the heated floor system, as well as for combining, if necessary, with existing heating sources.
  2. Placement in the manifold cabinet of a return pipe, which serves to direct the cooled coolant back to the boiler, and a pipe that supplies heated water directly to the system. They are equipped with a shut-off valve, allowing the water to be shut off in emergency situations.
  3. Connection to a metal valve through a compression fitting of the pipe leaving the gas boiler. The collector input is then connected to it. Using fittings, the heated floor circuits are subsequently connected.
  4. To ensure uninterrupted circulation of liquid, a pump is mounted on the supply pipe. The most rational option for perfect functioning is the version with a thermostat.
  5. Test run of the system.

Connection to the heating system

The comfort of heated floors, which create a uniform thermal background throughout the entire volume, is difficult to overestimate. They acquire particular relevance in autonomous residential buildings, and are used even in apartments where it is possible to install local heating equipment, since connecting a water-heated floor to the heating system coming from the central boiler room is prohibited for several reasons:

  • low quality coolant;
  • exposure of pipes to significant hydraulic resistance;
  • the risk of destruction of system elements from water hammer.

Using your own heating system requires the presence of a mixing unit that lowers the temperature of the coolant, since when heating a house the liquid heats up to 75 ÷ 90°C, and for the floor ≤ 50°C is allowed.

The sequence of work includes several stages:

  1. Simultaneously with the sensor, the circulation pump is securely fixed on the inlet pipe.
  2. A mixing valve (preferably a three-way valve) is connected to warm pipe heating system.
  3. Exit check valve, installed on the outlet pipe, is connected respectively to the heating return pipe with a branch leading to the mixing valve.

Functioning of floors heated by a heating system

Liquid from hot pipe heating system is mixed with cold water to the desired temperature in a three-way mixing valve. Then, using a pump, it is supplied to the heating circuit of the floor, placed in the required sequence. Having passed the entire area and given off heat, one part of the liquid enters the cold pipe of the heating system, and the other is sucked in for subsequent use in the mixing unit.

The temperature sensor regulates the coolant parameters by controlling the operation of the three-way valve and pump. Having made a test run after complete installation, the degree of comfort of the achieved floor surface temperature is assessed. If there are problems, the sensor is adjusted to decrease or increase the initial values. You can adjust the three-way valve to the desired volume of coolant supply.

You can use a two-way tap or a supply valve with a thermal head equipped with a sensor that controls the opening or closing intervals of the pipe supplying coolant to the floor circuit. The addition of hot water in such a device is not constant, as in the previous case, but is carried out only during the interval when the tap is open. A bypass must be provided, which is equipped with a safety valve that is activated if the pressure at the inlet to the manifold becomes critical. Part of the water is discharged into the return line, which prevents the floor from overheating.

Connecting a heated floor to the boiler

Connecting a heated floor to the boiler

Manifold - connecting the heated floor to the heating system

Connecting the heated floor

Installation and connection of heated floors

Warm floor - do-it-yourself connection

Connecting a heated floor to the central heating system

dekormyhome.ru

How to make a water heated floor from a gas boiler?

By giving preference to autonomous heating methods, homeowners want to solve the problem of heating an apartment or house once and for all. Independent heating not only provides optimal temperature conditions in residential premises, but also provides significant cost savings in the family budget. What species autonomous heating It's up to you to decide which preference you want to give. First, let's get acquainted with the main existing home heating options, based on the energy they consume:

  • Electrical devices.
  • Solid fuel devices.
  • Liquid fuel units.
  • Gas appliances.

Each of the listed groups is divided into subgroups according to the installation method, the coolant used, the area of ​​application, etc. But to this list of devices used as the main means of heating a home, it is necessary to add systems involved in the heating process as additional devices that increase comfort temperature regime in room. Such systems include so-called heated floors, electric and water.

Be sure to read: independent heating in the apartment.

Of particular interest in this regard is a water heated floor, operating from a gas boiler - an autonomous hot water generator. The system is relatively new, but has been sufficiently studied and is superior in efficiency to devices such as, for example, heated fans.

Warm floor - idea and concept

The idea of ​​installing heated floors in residential premises is not new. Man has long paid attention to the laws of physics operating around us - warm air in a room always accumulates at the top, under the ceiling. The cooled air, on the contrary, sinks down, making the floor the coldest place in the room, eating up precious kilocalories with its large area.

A floor artificially heated to a certain temperature becomes a powerful source of heat in the room. Due to the large heating area, the air is evenly heated and rises, filling the entire internal space. The air exchange process ensures the required temperature in the room, and minimizes the difference between its values ​​at the floor level and at the ceiling. In rooms equipped with heated floors, there are practically no areas with cool air.

Gas boilers used today for home autonomous heating are quite capable of ensuring the normal operation of a warm water floor. Achieve effective increase comfort in this situation is possible subject to certain conditions - precise thermal and hydraulic calculations, competent installation of a heated floor system.

Concept

Floor heating can be ensured by laying a pipeline in the existing space between the floor and the floor covering, in which the coolant heated by the gas boiler will circulate. The coolant is water (ordinary or with special additives against freezing) - a traditional liquid used for autonomous boiler equipment.

The heat exchanger in this case is a pipeline laid under the floor covering. The effect is achieved due to the large heat transfer area. The amount of heat entering the interior space is sufficient for the horizontal and vertical distribution of warm air mass.

Important! Fundamental difference This system differs from other types of heating systems - low coolant temperature. For a warm water floor, it is enough to heat the coolant to a temperature of 30-50 0 C.

Components of the “warm water floor” system

The main structural elements of such a system are:

  • a gas boiler;
  • injection pump;
  • shut-off valves and connecting fittings;
  • the main pipeline for distributing coolant through residential premises;
  • floor mini-pipeline for laying on the surface of the subfloor;
  • collector;
  • system of automation and adjustment of operating modes.

A gas boiler

For a private house with a large area, where it is planned to increase the comfort of the temperature regime in a large number of rooms, the optimal choice would be a floor-mounted double-circuit gas boiler in an autonomous design. Such units have great power and are capable of simultaneously solving several problems at once - heating residential premises and providing hot water supply.

Note: for floor-mounted gas heating equipment, it is necessary to equip an appropriate room with a chimney and ventilation. The room allocated for the boiler room (boiler power up to 30 kW) must have an area of ​​at least 4 square meters, and minimum volume– 8 cubic meters If a single-circuit gas boiler is used for underfloor heating, then for the hot water supply system you will have to additionally install an indirect heating boiler, which can be placed in the same room.

For an apartment where everyone is precious square meter area, you can use a wall-mounted gas boiler, which, with the correct selection of power, will also ensure the efficient operation of water heated floors. Due to their dimensions, it is easier to find a place to place such equipment; wall-mounted gas boilers can be installed even in the kitchen or bathroom. Typically, the power of wall-mounted gas boilers varies in the range of 7-30 kW.

Wall-mounted autonomous gas appliances in most cases have a closed combustion chamber, so for efficient and safe operation it is enough to equip a coaxial chimney with access to the street or to the central chimney shaft.

An important point when purchasing equipment is to determine the optimal power of the gas boiler, which will have to ensure the operation of the “water heated floor” system, therefore, when choosing a gas boiler model, it is necessary to rely on thermal calculation data.

For reference: for heating 1 sq. m of living space requires approximately 100 W of electricity, provided the room is well insulated, ceilings are no more than 3 m high and there are no excess windows.

Most premises of a private house have external walls in their design, heat loss through which may require an increase of up to 150 W in heat costs to heat 1 square meter. living space. Therefore, when purchasing a gas boiler, even having a thermal calculation indicating the required power of the unit, it is better to purchase a device that exceeds calculated value of this characteristic by 15-20%.

In most cases, the power of double-circuit boilers is designed for hot water supply with one or two water intake points. Therefore, with an increase in the number of hot water intake points, an increase in boiler power will be required.

In this regard, a water heated floor has an advantage - it loads a gas boiler in a gentle mode. The principle of operation of the underfloor heating system in this situation requires minimal energy consumption from the boiler to heat the coolant. Most of the boiler power is released to heat the water in the hot water supply system.

Pipes for water heated floors

To lay a warm water floor, copper, polypropylene, metal-plastic or PEX pipes are used.

Copper pipes (high thermal conductivity, durability) are the ideal material for installing water-heated floors, so their price is high and availability is limited.

Polypropylene pipes are also not very common, but for a different reason - their flexibility is insufficient, and the minimum bending radius of the pipe must be equal to 8 of its diameters, which moves the turns away from each other.

Metal-plastic pipes are deservedly popular - the internal aluminum coating provides them with good thermal conductivity, and the polymer shells protect them from damage. With such characteristics, an affordable price is a good incentive to choose them.

PEX pipes are a material made of “cross-linked” polyethylene, that is, with an artificially modified molecular structure that makes this material strong and durable. The price of PEX pipes is quite affordable, and therefore their use in the construction of water-heated floors is widespread. However, one specific property of this material should be kept in mind - PEX pipes, when heated, tend to take on their original contour, therefore, when laying on the floor, they must be rigidly fixed to the screed reinforcement.

The heating system is not installed in one day, so its reliability, including tightness, and durability must be ensured. For this purpose, pipes are laid in a single solid coil, without joints. The task is to obtain a single, closed circuit during the installation process through which the coolant will circulate, for which it is better to use water with special additives. This will prevent the system from defrosting during severe frosts. This measure is relevant for owners of country houses and cottages with temporary residence.

Important! When using water in the system, it is necessary to install additional protective device, compressor or compressed air cylinder for emergency purging of the entire circuit and draining the coolant.

Important! When buying pipes for a heating system, pay attention to the markings. Products intended for heating systems have corresponding symbols and designations. As a rule, this permissible pressure is 10 bar and the heating temperature is up to 95 0C.

Depending on the characteristics of the room and the type of floor covering (screed thickness, room height, etc.), pipes with a diameter of 16-20 mm are used to install a warm water floor system. During pipeline installation, a minimum bend radius is allowed, equal to five times the diameter for metal-plastic pipes and 8 times for polypropylene material.

To complete the picture, we suggest that you familiarize yourself with the video material, which describes and shows in detail how the installation of a water heated floor is carried out.

Installation of a water heated floor system

The installation of a water heated floor system begins with preparing the base, which includes several operations, which we will now briefly consider. Failure to comply with the requirements for the subfloor on which the heated floor is installed is fraught with, at a minimum, a decrease in the efficiency of its operation, and at a maximum, depressurization followed by expensive major repairs.

Preparing the base

The foundation must be prepared accordingly before laying the pipeline. The base surface must be hard, clean and level. Height differences are allowed in the range of plus or minus 10 mm per meter of linear length. If the floor surface does not meet the requirements, has a large curvature and obvious flaws, a leveling screed is installed, followed by waterproofing of the base in case of depressurization of the system.

Before laying the pipeline, the subfloor is also insulated. For these purposes, slabs of extruded polystyrene foam or basalt fiber with a thickness of 30-50 mm are used.

If you have a sufficient budget, it is justified to use slabs shielded with foil and equipped with special protrusions for convenient pipe laying. Such measures are resorted to to reduce heat losses through the floor in the premises of the first floor - a warm floor together with a gas boiler of any power will work with increased load simultaneously with floor heating to heat the basement or someone else's apartment on the floor below.

Important! Before pouring the laid pipes of the underfloor heating system with cement mortar, it is necessary to stick a strip of damper tape 5 mm thick and a width equal to the thickness of the layer of mortar being poured around the perimeter of the room on the walls. The tape will compensate for the thermal expansion of the screed and reduce its pressure on vertical structures.

Installation

Based on their design and, accordingly, installation method, water heated floor systems are divided into 2 types:

  • concrete (poured);
  • flooring

In the first case, we are talking about pouring concrete on the contour of a water-heated floor system laid on a prepared base. This operation is preceded by dividing the base into sections and laying the reinforcing mesh.

The following types of installation of heat pipes are used:

  • snake;
  • double snake;
  • spiral;
  • offset spiral;
  • combined method.

The diagram shows how a heating circuit is installed in a room with increased heat loss - two or more external walls.

Important! After the installation of the underfloor heating system is completed, it is pressure tested under a pressure of 5 Bar for 24 hours.

The concrete screed acts as an additional element participating in the heat distribution process. Taking into account the poor tensile performance of concrete, it is laid at a pressure in the heat pipe system of 3 bar, reducing the tensile load with further supply of water to the operating pressure.

For the screed mortar, cement of a grade not lower than M-300 is used, and its thickness should be 30-50 mm, while the layer of mortar above the heat pipes should not be more than 2 cm.

When installing a water heated floor system, one should take into account the technological limitation - finishing flooring must have a high thermal conductivity coefficient in order to transfer heat into the room air with minimal losses. That is, laying linoleum, laminate, parquet, or plank flooring over a warm floor is impractical due to the high heat-insulating properties of these materials. And laying over a tile system, especially with high density - porcelain stoneware, natural stone, broom is not only justified, but also advisable due to the constantly cold surface of such finishing.

The laying method is used in rooms where the use of screed is undesirable due to low ceilings, or production concrete works is fraught with moisture leakage into the lower or adjacent rooms. The limitation may be a seasonal factor or related to the design features of the building. The main advantage of decking systems is the high speed of their installation. Warm water floors of the laying type, based on the materials of the system, are divided into:

  • polystyrene;
  • wooden:

All these types of flooring systems are characterized by less labor intensity and the absence of significant contamination of the home during the installation process.

Polystyrene heated floors

This system is a set of heat-insulating coating made of extruded polystyrene foam (expanded polystyrene), heat pipes and heat-distributing aluminum plates.

Polystyrene slabs are laid on the load-bearing base, on top of which heat conductor pipes are mounted on aluminum plates with special grooves.

On top of the aluminum plates, the floor is finished with a material with a high thermal conductivity coefficient (for example, ceramic tiles with 2-component epoxy adhesive).

Wooden underfloor heating systems

These devices are mounted on existing wooden floors or wood joists.

The modular variety uses plates (modules) with channels and grooves for heat-distributing plates and pipes.

In the slatted subtype of heated floors, the installation of modules is carried out between existing ones on a hard surface. rough floor logs, or logs are pre-installed for this purpose. These structures play the role of stiffening ribs for the installed warm water floor and its subsequent finishing, the list of structural elements does not differ from the modular view.

After finishing the installation of heated floors, the system is also pressure tested and commissioning works(checking tightness, tightening connections).

The laying method of installing a heated floor system is universal and applicable in almost all buildings and structures. However, its advantages are reflected in the cost, which is quite high.

Conclusion

A competent project combined with qualified installation of equipment is a guarantee positive result. A water heated floor, which you will use as an additional home autonomous heating system, will be an effective, economical and practical device that significantly increases the comfort of your home.

znatoktepla.ru

Boiler for warm water floor: electric, gas or solid fuel

Today, water-based heated floors are a very popular type of residential heating. Such a home heating system has a lot of advantages: low energy consumption, the ability to control the temperature, etc. In order for a water-heated floor to work with maximum productivity, you need to choose the right floor heating boiler. The main criteria that should be followed when choosing a boiler are efficiency, ease of use, heating cost, as well as the degree of installation complexity and connection requirements.


Arrangement of the heating system

For such a heating system, you can choose a boiler that runs on any fuel. However, the unit must meet one important condition: its control system must be automatic.

Boilers are classified according to the type of fuel they operate on: solid fuel (coal, firewood, pellets), gas (gas), electric (electricity), liquid fuel (diesel, waste oil).

The most profitable and productive for a warm hollow are:

  • electric boilers;
  • gas boilers.

Electric boiler for heated floors

An electric boiler is a device that heats the coolant using electricity. The operation of such units is characterized by productivity and efficiency. Efficiency can reach 99%.

Electric boiler operation diagram

But despite the high efficiency and productivity of electric boilers, their use involves high costs, since electricity is an expensive fuel.

An electric heating boiler is constructed of a tank containing coolant and heating elements. In addition, the unit is equipped with a safety group consisting of a pressure sensor and a safety valve. The boiler has a pump that circulates the coolant, an air vent and an expansion tank.

The principle of heating water for heated water floors is based on the following: water enters the boiler and begins to warm up. When the desired temperature is reached, the coolant moves towards the warm water floor.

The operating principle of floor-mounted and wall-mounted electric boilers is identical.

Advantages and disadvantages

Let us note the main advantages and disadvantages of using electric boilers for heated floors:

  • high efficiency;
  • reliability;
  • absence of combustion products;
  • work autonomy, human presence is not expected;
  • There are usually no difficulties with installation and further use.

A number of difficulties may arise when connecting the boiler to the network, since it will require separate electrical wiring.

Flaws:

  • energy dependence;
  • high price of electricity.

An electric unit for a warm water floor is more suitable for rooms that are not very large in size and with good thermal insulation, then their operation will be as economical as possible.

Installation and selection

Warm floors and an electric boiler are simply connected. The operating temperature for many models starts from 25°, so piping does not involve high costs. You will just need to acquire a collector, and then only in a situation where several circuits will be connected to one boiler. As already noted, there are no combustion products in the operation of such units, so you can install an electric boiler anywhere in your home.

When choosing an electric boiler for a warm water floor, you need to be guided by the following criteria:

  • power: the performance of the heating device (calculated according to the size of the heated room);
  • protection from air humidity;
  • degree of automation of boiler operation;
  • connection to a 220 V or 380 V network;
  • design;
  • manufacturer.

Connection diagram for boiler and warm water floor

Here are some manufacturers of electric boilers.

Gas boiler for heated floors

A gas boiler is a device that heats the coolant by burning gas. Since gas is an accessible and inexpensive fuel, a “warm water floor” heating system connected to a gas boiler is very profitable and efficient.

Gas boilers can have an open combustion chamber or a closed one. In units with a closed combustion chamber, ventilation is forced, and this option has a rather complex structure.

An example of a Protherm Panther KTV gas boiler

They also differ in the presence of a heat exchanger. If you intend to use the boiler to heat water, then you need to build a heat exchanger into it.

If the device is not equipped with a heat exchanger, then the water is heated by the same chamber as the coolant for floor heating. Let's consider the operating principle of such a unit:

  1. Cold water moves through the rightmost lower pipe, where the safety group is also located.
  2. Then the circulation pump is placed, in front of it is the expansion tank tube.
  3. There is a temperature sensor on the tube.
  4. Then the coolant moves to the heating element and enters the heating system of the warm water floor.

In the center of the boiler there is a gas fitting with its own safety unit, which controls the flame, gas pressure, and exhaust gases.

Advantages and disadvantages

A heating system, like a warm water floor from a gas boiler, has the following advantages:

  • cheap fuel;
  • high efficiency;
  • automated control system;
  • environmental friendliness.

For the normal functioning of a traditional gas boiler, the temperature must be at least 60°, while for a condensing gas boiler it should not be higher than 40°.

  • it is necessary to equip a system for removing combustion products outside the premises;
  • the equipment itself is expensive;
  • the boiler must be equipped with auxiliary elements: gas analyzers, gas pressure sensors;
  • fire hazard.

Installation and selection

Installation of a gas boiler for heated floors is quite simple:

  1. A hydraulic valve must be installed between the supply and return pipelines.
  2. If the circulation is carried out at a low speed, then the water will be stratified by temperature, and it will not be difficult to select the supply for the heated floor from the cold part, and the hot water, in turn, will flow into the boiler.
  3. By installing a simple thermal control circuit, it will not be difficult to find out an arbitrary temperature of the coolant, which is practically not tied to the return flow in the boiler.

If you decide to use a gas boiler for heated floors in your home, then when choosing such a unit, you should pay attention to the following indicators:

  • combustion chamber type: open\closed;
  • installation type: wall\floor;
  • power;
  • level of automation;
  • design;
  • manufacturer.

The leader among manufacturers of gas boilers for water floors is Viessman. The products of this company are characterized by strength, durability and high quality. Buderus equipment also has positive reviews.

Solid fuel boiler for heated floors

Solid fuel boilers require constant attention and maintenance in their operation, and especially many difficulties arise in compatibility with heated floors. The exception is units running on pellets, but they still require more attention compared to boilers running on gas and electricity.

Solid fuel boiler design diagram

There are many difficulties in the operation of solid fuel heating devices:

  1. A special place near the boiler is required to store fuel.
  2. The boiler needs to be heated at least once a day.
  3. It is necessary to carry out regular cleaning of the chimney.

To connect a solid fuel boiler, you need to install three-way valves. Their number should be equal to the number of contours. Thanks to the mixing unit that these valves form, the heated water will be cooled.

Solid fuel boiler with heat accumulator

When connecting a solid fuel boiler to a water floor, be sure to take into account that water enters the pipes under the action of a pump that is powered by the mains. If there is a power outage, the movement of the coolant will be stopped, but since the boiler will continue to function, the water will begin to heat up and its temperature will reach 100°C. Thus, due to the fact that units operating on solid fuel do not have automation, the water will overheat.

To avoid such unpleasant consequences, you can install a heat accumulator. This device is a container, the volume of which is calculated based on the power of the boiler - 40 liters per 1 kW. The thermal accumulator is connected to the underfloor heating system. The heated water will initially flow into this tank, and after it has cooled, it will flow into the pipes of the water-heated floor.

Heating a house or apartment in winter and its costs are of concern to almost everyone. A warm water floor, which you can install yourself, will be a good solution to the problem. Pipes through which hot water circulates are connected to the boiler (or other heating system). The advantages of this system: low energy costs and the ability to independently regulate the temperature in the room. It is very important to choose an economical boiler that is most suitable for specific conditions. The most important indicator will be the thermal power of the heating equipment.

Boilers for heated floors

Boilers are divided into single-circuit and double-circuit boilers.

Single-circuit boilers. Single-circuit boilers in the heating system provide only heating of the coolant (only room heating is possible). To expand the scope of application of single-circuit boilers (providing hot water), additional devices are needed:

  1. storage boilers (providing hot water supply);
  2. heat exchangers;
  3. mixing units for heating circuits;
  4. and other.

Double-circuit boilers- multitasking devices: provide heating and water heating. The second function is performed by equipping the boiler with a built-in flow-through heat exchanger or a built-in storage boiler.

Variety of boilers by installation type:

  • floor-mounted (power up to 120 kW);
  • wall-hung (power up to 35 kW).

Wall boilers(most often these are atmospheric type devices) are more convenient from an installation point of view and require lower costs.

A boiler with a closed combustion chamber does not require additional space in the form of a separate room. Wall-mounted boilers are equipped with a circulation pump and other equipment for the boiler room. To put it into operation, it is enough to connect the heating pipeline and hot water pipes to it. Boilers with built-in storage boilers of 100 l are a ready-made mini-boiler room

Types of boilers for warm water floors

To equip a warm water floor, boilers running on gas, electricity, solid or liquid fuel are used. Each type has its own advantages. The most economical are gas ones, and the most autonomous are diesel ones.

Gas boilers. The body of gas boilers can be made of steel or cast iron. Steel units are distinguished by their low weight (about half the weight of cast iron with the same power), small dimensions and good maintainability. Cast iron devices are larger and more expensive. Floor-standing gas boilers of the modern generation are suitable for main gas and liquefied gas. The small dimensions of the wall-mounted gas boiler allow placement in any convenient location, and a power of 7-30 kW is enough for a small cottage.

Diesel boiler runs on diesel fuel and is highly efficient and productive. There are no equipment during operation unpleasant odors. Other advantages of this type of boiler include ease of installation, ease of maintenance and control, high efficiency and low fuel consumption. Thanks to a special operating mode based on a gradual decrease in water temperature in conditions of elevated ambient temperatures, liquid fuel boilers are economical and environmentally friendly.

Solid fuel units for the installation of water heated floors will be a completely autonomous source of heat supply. They are considered a good alternative to liquid fuel, gas and other types of heating equipment. Fuel combustion occurs according to the following scheme: firewood laid on a grate is set on fire. After this, the boiler door closes and the smoke exhauster turns on. In the inner chamber of the boiler, the firewood is exposed to high temperatures (250–750°C) without access to oxygen. Charring occurs and wood gas is released, which heats the thermal media. Scope of application of solid fuel boilers: residential and industrial premises, agricultural facilities.

Electric boilers suitable for residential and non-residential buildings equipped with water underfloor heating. The system is connected to the boiler using special equipment and additional devices. The choice of device power is influenced by the area of ​​the room, its condition and other factors. The most optimal power can be selected in rooms with good thermal insulation of walls and ceilings (for example, in new buildings). If there good thermal insulation, then the manufacturer considers 12 kW of power sufficient for heating 150 sq.m.

For the tandem “electric boilers - warm water floors”, manufacturers recommend the following combinations:

  • heating area 250-450 sq. m - boiler power 36 kW;
  • heating area 220-350 sq. m - boiler power 30 kW;
  • heating area 140-300 sq. m - boiler power 12-24 kW;
  • heating area up to 70 sq. m - boiler power about 6 kW;
  • heating area up to 30 sq. m - boiler power 6 kW.

Electric or liquid fuel boiler?

To compare two types of boilers, all factors must be taken into account. Despite the cheapness of diesel fuel compared to electricity, an assessment of all costs will show the real picture.

Initial costs for purchasing equipment and installation costs
An electric boiler is a ready-to-use device. A liquid fuel unit will require additional costs for the purchase of a boiler, mounted burner, and fuel storage tank. The difference in consumables is 2.5 times in favor of the electric one.

Installation of an electric boiler will cost several times less, since all the necessary elements for the control and safety of the equipment are built into its body. Liquid fuel device needs installation additional accessories: chimney, fuel tank, mounted burner.

Operating costs
Maintaining an oil boiler requires expenses (several hundred dollars per year) for regular maintenance and cleaning. An additional inconvenience is associated with the need for constant orders for fuel delivery. Electric boilers do not require the listed operations.

Nevertheless, electrical devices also have disadvantages.

  1. To operate the boiler, several tens of kilowatts of energy are required (1 kW per 10 m2 of area. The ceiling height is up to 3 m, and the room is well insulated). It is not possible to allocate such a volume of electricity in all areas.
  2. The cost of electricity is high and power outages occur. To protect against frequent power outages, a backup solid fuel boiler is often used.

If water heating is done in a house or apartment within a large city, then electric boilers are the most preferred of all types. This is due to strict environmental requirements and coordination problems.

Having analyzed the situation, we can highlight a number of advantages of electric boilers:

  • low cost;
  • compactness and light weight;
  • easy installation, no chimney required;
  • safety (no open flame);
  • ease of operation;
  • can be installed in any room;
  • service is simple;
  • environmentally friendly: no emissions and odors;
  • silent.

Boiler selection parameters

Heating installations, depending on their characteristics, provide different thermal efficiencies and are suitable for a certain area and operating conditions.

  1. Power. The required parameter is determined by the area of ​​the heated room and the level of its thermal insulation. The manufacturer indicates the area for which the boiler is designed, provided that the building is well insulated. If heat losses are unknown, then it is necessary to choose a boiler whose power is designed to heat an area 25% larger than the actual one. It is not advisable to purchase equipment with excess power, as the device will overheat and break down. If the boiler is installed in an unheated room, it is necessary to involve a heating specialist to calculate the power.
  2. Possibility of power control. Gas installations may or may not be equipped with a power control system. To adjust the operation of the equipment, automatic mode or manual control can be used. Automatic control systems are more economical. In this case, the user only sets the necessary parameters, and the automation ensures the accuracy and smooth supply of the gas mixture to the burner. Also, when using automation, the frequency of complete shutdown of the burner is reduced, thereby increasing the service life of the equipment.
  3. Energy dependence. The use of electronics in the control system of electric pumps for forced circulation increases the performance of the boiler, but at the same time depends on the stability of the energy supply and reduces its autonomy.
  4. Type of water heating. If it is necessary that the boiler (including industrial gas device) provided not only a heating function, but also heated water for domestic needs, it is necessary to choose a dual-circuit model that heats water in flow mode. If greater productivity is needed, then you need to go with the cumulative option. Boilers can be built into the boiler or autonomous and connected to the installation. Remote models can have a very large volume (several hundred liters), while built-in ones are limited by the dimensions of the boiler.

How to calculate the power of a boiler for water heating?

Calculate required power thermal equipment necessary for choosing the right boiler. The approximate required power for heating a country house is calculated based on the following data: to heat 10 m2. area, 1 kW of power is required, that is, it is assumed that the specific power is 100 W/m2.

The calculation is quite rough, and it is suitable for a brick house with low heat loss: the building must be well insulated, the ceilings must be no more than 3 meters high, metal-plastic windows with double glazing.

To increase the life of the heating system and thermal reserve, it is necessary that the coolant temperature be at the level of 65–75°C. For this purpose, the boiler power (in ideal conditions) increase by 20–25%.

Any additional load requires an increase in power. In the case of providing hot water using a storage boiler, it is necessary to add another 30-40%.
If in the future it is planned to expand the heated area, install a heated water floor, or a heated water pool, then the boiler must be purchased immediately with a capacity designed for further changes.

If the heated floor is planned as an element that complements radiator heating and increasing the comfort of living, then its heat output is considered no higher than 50 W/m2.

Requirements for installing a gas boiler

Premises requirements:

  • A separate non-residential premises is required for the boiler room.
  • The ceiling height in the room is at least 2.2 m.
  • Room volume based on 7.5 m3 per boiler.
  • The floor area per boiler is 4 m2.
  • Doorway width from 80 cm.
  • The window size is determined from the calculation: for every 10 m2 of area - a window measuring 0.3 m2.
  • There must be a hole for air flow (8 cm2 per 1 kW of boiler power).
  • The boiler must be installed at a distance of at least 0.1 m from the walls that plastered or wall finishing made of non-flammable materials.
  • Installation of devices near fire-resistant walls is permitted if they are insulated with roofing steel laid on an asbestos sheet with a thickness of at least 0.3 cm.

Communication requirements

  • Characteristics of the electrical network: single-phase current, voltage 220 V, current 20 A. An individual circuit breaker is installed. Grounding is provided.
  • A shut-off unit is installed on the gas main, one for each boiler.
  • Water supply and the possibility of connecting it to the heating and hot water supply (DHW) systems of the building.
  • The sewerage system provides emergency drainage from the water supply and boiler systems.
  • Communication parameters (gas pressure in the gas main, water pressure, etc.) must comply with state standards.

To heat your home, it is very convenient and effective to use a “warm floor” system.

It consists of coils located under the floor covering.

Despite all the convenience of this system, it is very expensive.

How to calculate boiler power

In order to find a suitable boiler in terms of power, you need to calculate heat loss. For calculations, we usually take 2 kW of boiler power per 10 m2 of room area with a height of 2.5 m.

Gas boiler for “warm floors”

Why should a gas boiler be used to provide underfloor heating? There are several reasons for this:

  • Gas is an affordable fuel.
  • Gas boilers are very easy to use.
  • Possibility of using gas boilers in the apartment.

But the most important reason lies in the design features of the condensing gas boiler. To make it clear what we mean we're talking about, let's look at 2 main types of gas boilers:

  • A convection gas boiler is a traditional model boiler. It includes one heat exchanger. Heating occurs due to the release of heat during gas combustion. This boiler is convenient, practical, and also has a low price.
  • A condensing boiler is the same convection boiler, only modernized. That is, it has all the same qualities, but in addition has its own advantages.

Due to the additional heat exchanger (economizer), additional heating of the coolant occurs. The economizer is located almost at the exit of combustion products from the boiler. Heating occurs due to the latent energy of water vapor, which is present in the flue gases. The steam condenses on the walls of the heat exchanger, thereby transferring its energy to the coolant.

Thus, a condensing boiler has a coefficient of performance (efficiency) that is 15% greater than a convection boiler.

Attention!
In order for the process of condensation of water vapor on the walls of the heat exchanger to occur more intensively, it is necessary that the water in the heat exchanger be as cold as possible. The optimal temperature is not higher than 400C.

Condensation process and “warm floor”

According to the instructions, cold water cannot be supplied to a working boiler - this can have a detrimental effect on the durability of the heat exchanger, but this rule only applies to convection boilers. In the case of a condensing boiler, there will be no temperature imbalance, since the cold water is preheated in the economizer to the optimal temperature. Heated water will already flow into the main heat exchanger.

If insufficiently cooled water is supplied to the condensing boiler, it will simply lose all its advantages, because the steam will not condense, and therefore the coolant will not heat up. Therefore, the water in the return line needs to be cooled as much as possible. Warm floors will help us with this.

Heating "warm floors"

It turns out that when using a condensing boiler, the “warm floor” heating system is not only free, but is also necessary to lower the temperature in the return line. Kind by-effect in the operation of the main heating system.

Features of heated floors

If water is supplied to the coils under the floor from heating radiators, the floors will heat up almost as much as the radiators - this is too high a temperature. This is the distinctive feature of “warm floors” from traditional heating. Their nominal supply temperature should be in the range of 40-450C. How to fulfill this condition?
The solution to this issue is very simple design. Its name is hydroshooter. It is a vertical storage tank. This tank collects water from the forward and return lines. According to the laws of physics, hot water will collect at the top of the tank, and cold water at the bottom.

How to install a gas boiler in an apartment with heated floors

It is better to entrust the installation of a gas boiler to specialists. And if it is produced independently, then you must comply with all the requirements specified in the instructions. The boiler piping must be done in accordance with the drawing. To connect pipelines, use only factory parts and seals.

The heating system must already be installed; all that remains is to correctly install and connect the hydraulic arrow on one side to the heating system, and on the other side to the boiler.

On a note.
To ensure uniform distribution of coolant between the heating circuits, you need to install 2 collectors - one on the direct line and the other on the return line. Install shut-off valves at each outlet from the collector so that it is possible to turn off each individual circuit.

The hydraulic arrow has several exits located at different height levels:

  • The topmost outlet is the supply to the main heating system. Thus, radiators are consumers of water with the highest temperature.
  • The lower outlets release coolant at a lower temperature; it is sent to the “warm floors”.
  • The return lines of “warm floors” and heating radiators cut into the lowest point of the hydraulic arrow, at the same level the cooled water is taken to the condensing boiler.
  • To ensure more precise temperature control, each circuit of “warm floors” is equipped with its own circulation pump, which automatically regulates the speed of the coolant.

The figure shows in detail a heating circuit consisting of several heating circuits using a hydraulic arrow and two collectors.

The collectors are installed after the hydraulic switch on the supply and before it on the “return”, if you look in the direction of movement of the coolant.

The best option for providing heating with a “warm floor” would be a gas double-circuit boiler with forced draft in suspended version.

This model is well suited for a medium-sized private house and even in an apartment. All that remains is to ensure the removal of combustion products. A coaxial pipe for a gas boiler with a closed firebox replaces the traditional brick flue. Therefore, installation of the unit is possible even in the absence of a special flue.

Owners of private houses who prefer underfloor heating systems are often concerned with the question of how to choose a boiler for a heated floor. In reality, the choice is not a problem; any heating unit operating on any type of fuel is suitable for supplying heat to water heating circuits. The problem lies elsewhere - how to correctly connect a particular heat generator. There are many nuances to consider here, which will be discussed further.

How to choose a boiler?

Owners usually select a heating unit for a private home based on the benefits of using any of the available energy carriers. This approach is correct, and it should be followed when choosing a heat source for underfloor heating. That is, when choosing a suitable heater, you need to consider the following factors:

  • which energy carrier is most profitable;
  • what thermal power is needed;
  • How is electricity supplied in your region of residence, are there frequent outages;
  • comfort during operation, including ease of maintenance;
  • how easily the future heat source interfaces with the underfloor heating circuits.

In the context of this article, the last point is of particular interest. The fact is that not a single manufacturer produces special boilers for heated floors. In some models of gas heat generators you can only find the function of working with water heated floors and nothing more.

The main difference between a radiator heating system and floor heating circuits is the temperature of the coolant. For supply to radiators, water is heated to a maximum of 85 °C, while in water floor pipes it should not exceed 55 °C.

The optimal temperature schedule in a floor heating system is 35-45 °C in the supply and 25-35 °C in the return pipeline. If the heating of the house involves underfloor heating and radiators supplied with heated water from one boiler, then this does not affect the choice of heat generator. Another question is when batteries are not provided, and the boiler installation must serve only low-temperature floor system heating.

Not every heat source is capable of maintaining a coolant temperature of 30-40 °C. The issue is resolved using in various ways strapping heating unit. The complexity of the connection depends on the type of boiler used for a warm water floor:

  • gas wall or floor;
  • electric;
  • solid fuel;
  • automatic pellet or coal.

How compatible these boilers are with heated floors and how to connect them correctly, we will consider separately for each of the varieties.

Warm floor from gas boiler

If your home is gasified, then it would be logical to choose a heat source that runs on natural gas. You just need to choose the right power and compare the selected model with the operating conditions. If there are frequent power outages, it is easier to install a non-volatile floor heater with an open combustion chamber than to buy and operate gasoline or diesel electric generators.

In the Russian Federation and Belarus, the use of natural gas for heating a home is one of the most profitable options in terms of paying for energy. In Ukraine the situation is different, where the price of gas is so high that the first place in terms of profit is occupied by solid fuels - firewood, coal and pellets.

When everything is in order with the electricity supply, the easiest way is to install and connect a wall-mounted gas boiler for heated floors. It is good because it has its own circulation pump, expansion tank, safety valve and a mesh filter. In this case, the connection diagram for a heated floor is very simple: the heater is connected to the distribution comb via pipes directly, but taking into account the following nuances:

  1. There should be shut-off ball valves at the inlet and outlet of the heat generator.
  2. The capacity of the built-in expansion tank (usually no more than 10 liters) should be enough to service the heating system. Calculate the volume of water in the pipes and compare it with the capacity of the tank. If the latter is less than 1/10 of the part total number coolant, then place an additional expansion tank on the return pipeline in front of the boiler entrance.
  3. If the design of the wall-mounted heating unit does not provide for a built-in expansion tank, place it separately on the return pipeline, as stated above.

The diagram below shows how to connect a heated floor to a wall-mounted gas boiler. As you can see, there is no circulation pump in the system, since the boiler unit is involved. The distribution manifold without a mixing unit is equipped with RTL-type thermal heads; more details about this type of connection of water circuits are described in this article.

An expansion tank is installed when the boiler is too small or missing

Floor-standing gas heat generators, with rare exceptions, are not equipped with pumps and expansion tanks. Therefore, its connection is carried out according to a similar scheme, but with missing elements in the harness:

In closed systems, which include heated floors, a safety group is required

When it is necessary to install a traditional circuit, where heated floors and radiators receive heat from one boiler, the connection is made as follows:

Note. The diagram shows a piping method using servos operating in conjunction with room thermostats. The heater can be connected without automation using the same scheme.

Features of underfloor heating without radiators

Let's start with the fact that expert practitioners do not recommend using underfloor heating without the support of a radiator system, and here's why:

  1. To inform the premises sufficient quantity heat, you will have to raise the temperature of the floor surface to 30 °C or higher, which is already uncomfortable for those living in the house.
  2. Radiators equipped with thermostatic valves respond faster to changes in room temperature than heated floors. The latter are more inert due to the massiveness and heat capacity of the screed.
  3. Any water boilers, except electric ones, cannot operate efficiently in the minimum combustion mode, when it is necessary to maintain low temperature coolant. Imagine that the efficiency of gas and solid fuel units drops by 5-20%, and think how much fuel you will burn in vain.

If the gas heat generator is switched to normal operation by setting the water heating temperature to at least 60 °C, the burner will often ignite and turn off (the so-called clocking will appear), since the underfloor heating system is not required a large number of warmth. This mode is unsuitable for the heater; it can quickly fail.

For normal collaboration gas and other boilers with underfloor heating, but without radiators, there is an optimal solution - installing a buffer tank. Even a small tank will allow you to avoid “clocking” the unit burning natural gas.

We will consider an example of installing a buffer tank together with a solid fuel boiler, which cannot do without it when supplying floor heating.

Connecting a solid fuel unit

Have you chosen to heat your home with wood using underfloor heating without connecting radiators? Get ready for significant investments in the piping of a solid fuel boiler, since in this situation you cannot do without a buffer tank. The reason is that wood heaters need to dump heat somewhere, otherwise the water jacket of the unit may boil.

Moreover, a solid fuel heat generator is not able to heat the coolant to just 40 °C, its minimum working temperature is 55 °C. If it is lower, condensation will form in the combustion chamber, which will have a detrimental effect on the metal walls. Even in a cast-iron boiler that is not subject to corrosion, condensation forms a layer of plaque that prevents efficient combustion of fuel.

In order for a solid fuel boiler to function with maximum efficiency, and for you to burn wood with the greatest benefit, you need to maintain the coolant temperature at 80-90 ° C, which is absolutely incompatible with heated floors. This means that a buffer capacity is needed - a heat accumulator.

During maximum burning of firewood, excess heat will accumulate in the heat accumulator, and the underfloor heating system will gradually select the required amount using a mixing unit, as shown in the diagram:

The diagram does not conventionally show shut-off valves for the heat accumulator

According to the proposed scheme, you can connect any solid fuel or gas boiler; this is the best existing option, although not the cheapest. It is recommended to connect pellet and coal automated heat generators in the same way. Calculation and selection of the volume of the heat accumulator used is a separate topic discussed here.

Underfloor heating with electric boiler

Any type of electric heat generators is perfect for working with underfloor heating water circuits:

  • heating elements;
  • electrode;
  • induction

A household electric boiler for heated floors is the simplest and most convenient option. Regardless of the type and design, these heaters are capable of maintaining any temperature in the heating network without loss of efficiency. Therefore they don't need buffer tanks And complex circuits connections. To connect an electric heating unit to a comb of heating circuits, you can use the diagrams given above for gas boilers.

As a rule, heating element electric boilers are manufactured in a wall-mounted version and are equipped with their own pumps and expansion tanks. Simpler models, as well as induction and electrode heat generators, are connected in a similar way to floor-standing gas boilers. The missing working elements are added to the diagram, only in addition it is installed electrical cabinet management.

Step-by-step instructions for installing and connecting an electric boiler to water heating are presented in a separate publication.

For successful and long-term operation of the underfloor heating system, it is allowed to use any currently existing boiler. It is not the type of heating unit that plays a role, but its correct connection to the underfloor heating distribution manifold. Other selection criteria, such as power, functionality and type of energy carrier, are selected using a standard algorithm.

By choosing a heat source and knowing the risks of combining it with heated floors, you can select equipment and piping elements in advance. This will give you a future picture of the financial costs of installation, from which the payback of a specific heating system is calculated.

Think twice before introducing underfloor heating without a radiator. If you have high requirements for the interior design of rooms and you do not want to see heating devices under the windows, use a more modern solution - baseboard convectors or air heaters built into the floor.

Heating a house or apartment in winter and its costs are of concern to almost everyone. A warm water floor, which you can install yourself, will be a good solution to the problem. Pipes through which hot water circulates are connected to the boiler (or other heating system). The advantages of this system: low energy costs and the ability to independently regulate the temperature in the room. It is very important to choose an economical boiler that is most suitable for specific conditions. The most important indicator will be the thermal power of the heating equipment.

Boilers for heated floors

Boilers are divided into single-circuit and double-circuit boilers.

Single-circuit boilers. Single-circuit boilers in the heating system provide only heating of the coolant (only room heating is possible). To expand the scope of application of single-circuit boilers (providing hot water), additional devices are needed:

  1. storage boilers (providing hot water supply);
  2. heat exchangers;
  3. mixing units for heating circuits;
  4. and other.

Double-circuit boilers- multitasking devices: provide heating and water heating. The second function is performed by equipping the boiler with a built-in flow-through heat exchanger or a built-in storage boiler.

Variety of boilers by installation type:

  • floor-mounted (power up to 120 kW);
  • wall-hung (power up to 35 kW).

Wall-mounted boilers (most often these are atmospheric devices) are more convenient from an installation point of view and require lower costs.

A boiler with a closed combustion chamber does not require additional space in the form of a separate room. Wall-mounted boilers are equipped with a circulation pump and other equipment for the boiler room. To put it into operation, it is enough to connect the heating pipeline and hot water pipes to it. Boilers with built-in storage boilers of 100 l are a ready-made mini-boiler room

Types of boilers for warm water floors

To equip a warm water floor, boilers running on gas, electricity, solid or liquid fuel are used. Each type has its own advantages. The most economical are gas ones, and the most autonomous are diesel ones.

Gas boilers. The body of gas boilers can be made of steel or cast iron. Steel units are distinguished by their low weight (about half the weight of cast iron with the same power), small dimensions and good maintainability. Cast iron devices are larger and more expensive. Floor-standing gas boilers of the modern generation are suitable for main gas and liquefied gas. The small dimensions of the wall-mounted gas boiler allow it to be placed in any convenient place, and a power of 7-30 kW is enough for a small cottage.

Diesel boiler runs on diesel fuel and is highly efficient and productive. There are no unpleasant odors during equipment operation. Other advantages of this type of boiler include ease of installation, ease of maintenance and control, high efficiency and low fuel consumption. Thanks to a special operating mode based on a gradual decrease in water temperature in conditions of elevated ambient temperatures, liquid fuel boilers are economical and environmentally friendly.

Solid fuel units for the installation of water heated floors will be a completely autonomous source of heat supply. They are considered a good alternative to liquid fuel, gas and other types of heating equipment. Fuel combustion occurs according to the following scheme: firewood laid on a grate is set on fire. After this, the boiler door closes and the smoke exhauster turns on. In the inner chamber of the boiler, the firewood is exposed to high temperatures (250–750°C) without access to oxygen. Charring occurs and wood gas is released, which heats the thermal media. Scope of application of solid fuel boilers: residential and industrial premises, agricultural facilities.

Electric boilers suitable for residential and non-residential buildings equipped with water underfloor heating. The system is connected to the boiler using special equipment and additional devices. The choice of device power is influenced by the area of ​​the room, its condition and other factors. The most optimal power can be selected in rooms with good thermal insulation of walls and ceilings (for example, in new buildings). If there is good thermal insulation, then the manufacturer considers a power of 12 kW sufficient to heat 150 sq.m.

For the tandem “electric boilers - warm water floors”, manufacturers recommend the following combinations:

  • heating area 250-450 sq. m - boiler power 36 kW;
  • heating area 220-350 sq. m - boiler power 30 kW;
  • heating area 140-300 sq. m - boiler power 12-24 kW;
  • heating area up to 70 sq. m - boiler power about 6 kW;
  • heating area up to 30 sq. m - boiler power 6 kW.

Electric or liquid fuel boiler?

To compare two types of boilers, all factors must be taken into account. Despite the cheapness of diesel fuel compared to electricity, an assessment of all costs will show the real picture.

Initial costs for purchasing equipment and installation costs
An electric boiler is a ready-to-use device. A liquid fuel unit will require additional costs for the purchase of a boiler, mounted burner, and fuel storage tank. The difference in consumables is 2.5 times in favor of the electric one.

Installation of an electric boiler will cost several times less, since all the necessary elements for the control and safety of the equipment are built into its body. A liquid fuel device requires the installation of additional devices: a chimney, a fuel tank, and a mounted burner.

Operating costs
Maintaining an oil boiler requires expenses (several hundred dollars per year) for regular maintenance and cleaning. An additional inconvenience is associated with the need for constant orders for fuel delivery. Electric boilers do not require the listed operations.

Nevertheless, electrical devices also have disadvantages.

  1. To operate the boiler, several tens of kilowatts of energy are required (1 kW per 10 m2 of area. The ceiling height is up to 3 m, and the room is well insulated). It is not possible to allocate such a volume of electricity in all areas.
  2. The cost of electricity is high and power outages occur. To protect against frequent power outages, a backup solid fuel boiler is often used.

If water heating is done in a house or apartment within a large city, then electric boilers are the most preferred of all types. This is due to strict environmental requirements and coordination problems.

Having analyzed the situation, we can highlight a number of advantages of electric boilers:

  • low cost;
  • compactness and light weight;
  • easy installation, no chimney required;
  • safety (no open flame);
  • ease of operation;
  • can be installed in any room;
  • service is simple;
  • environmentally friendly: no emissions and odors;
  • silent.

Boiler selection parameters

Heating installations, depending on their characteristics, provide different thermal efficiencies and are suitable for a certain area and operating conditions.

  1. Power. The required parameter is determined by the area of ​​the heated room and the level of its thermal insulation. The manufacturer indicates the area for which the boiler is designed, provided that the building is well insulated. If heat losses are unknown, then it is necessary to choose a boiler whose power is designed to heat an area 25% larger than the actual one. It is not advisable to purchase equipment with excess power, as the device will overheat and break down. If the boiler is installed in an unheated room, it is necessary to involve a heating specialist to calculate the power.
  2. Possibility of power control. Gas installations may or may not be equipped with a power control system. To adjust the operation of the equipment, automatic mode or manual control can be used. Automatic control systems are more economical. In this case, the user only sets the necessary parameters, and the automation ensures the accuracy and smooth supply of the gas mixture to the burner. Also, when using automation, the frequency of complete shutdown of the burner is reduced, thereby increasing the service life of the equipment.
  3. Energy dependence. The use of electronics in the control system of electric pumps for forced circulation increases the performance of the boiler, but at the same time depends on the stability of the energy supply and reduces its autonomy.
  4. Type of water heating. If it is necessary for a boiler (including an industrial gas device) to provide not only a heating function, but also to heat water for domestic needs, it is necessary to choose a dual-circuit model that heats water in flow-through mode. If greater productivity is needed, then you need to go with the cumulative option. Boilers can be built into the boiler or autonomous and connected to the installation. Remote models can have a very large volume (several hundred liters), while built-in ones are limited by the dimensions of the boiler.

It is necessary to calculate the required power of heating equipment to select the correct boiler. The approximate required power for heating a country house is calculated based on the following data: to heat 10 m2. area, 1 kW of power is required, that is, it is assumed that the specific power is 100 W/m2.

The calculation is quite rough, and it is suitable for a brick house with low heat loss: the building must be well insulated, the ceilings must be no more than 3 meters high, metal-plastic windows with double glazing.

To increase the life of the heating system and thermal reserve, it is necessary that the coolant temperature be at the level of 65–75°C. To do this, the boiler power (under ideal conditions) is increased by 20–25%.

Any additional load requires an increase in power. In the case of providing hot water using a storage boiler, it is necessary to add another 30-40%.
If in the future it is planned to expand the heated area, install a heated water floor, or a heated water pool, then the boiler must be purchased immediately with a capacity designed for further changes.

If a heated floor is planned as an element that complements radiator heating and increases living comfort, then its heat output is considered to be no higher than 50 W/m2.

Requirements for installing a gas boiler

Premises requirements:

  • A separate non-residential premises is required for the boiler room.
  • The ceiling height in the room is at least 2.2 m.
  • Room volume based on 7.5 m3 per boiler.
  • The floor area per boiler is 4 m2.
  • Doorway width from 80 cm.
  • The size of the window is determined by the calculation: for every 10 m2 of area - a window measuring 0.3 m2.
  • There must be a hole for air flow (8 cm2 per 1 kW of boiler power).
  • The boiler must be installed at a distance of at least 0.1 m from walls that are plastered or the wall decoration is made of non-combustible materials.
  • Installation of devices near fire-resistant walls is permitted if they are insulated with roofing steel laid on an asbestos sheet with a thickness of at least 0.3 cm.

Communication requirements

  • Characteristics of the electrical network: single-phase current, voltage 220 V, current 20 A. An individual circuit breaker is installed. Grounding is provided.
  • A shut-off unit is installed on the gas main, one for each boiler.
  • Water supply and the possibility of connecting it to the heating and hot water supply (DHW) systems of the building.
  • The sewerage system provides emergency drainage from the water supply and boiler systems.
  • Communication parameters (gas pressure in the gas main, water pressure, etc.) must comply with state standards.