Gas heating. Pros and cons of gas heating in an apartment building.

What's the cheapest way to heat my apartment?

The cheapest ways to heat a room

1. Use an energy efficient heater. By using a heater, you only heat the room you are in. ...
2. Buy a smart thermostat. ...
3. Pay your utility bills with credit cards. ...
4. Use budget billing. ...
5. Insulate the attic. ...
6. Add a rug to your room. ...
7. Wear slippers. ...
8. Wear warm clothes.

We distinguish between central and autonomous

Central heating

This is a system in which a thermal power plant or boiler house is the source of heat and runs on fuel. It is located in a separate building. Heat is sent through pipes to apartments and released by heating devices - radiators. The coolant comes in the form of water, steam, air.

Water heating - water circulates in pipes. It is heated in the boiler room and brings the heat of the fuel through the pipes to the radiators. Radiators release thermal energy into the room. In winter, the surface of the radiators heats up to 60-70 degrees. In cold weather they are heated to 80 degrees.

Networks are designed as one-pipe, two-pipe, multi-pipe. In cities, networks are organized according to the two-pipe principle. Through the second pipe, the cooled “return” water returns to the boiler. This is how the entire system circulates, heat goes from the boiler room to the residents of the houses. Heating with water meets sanitary and hygienic standards, so it is most often used in residential buildings, schools, kindergartens and hospitals.

With the air heating option, hot air moves through the pipes and transfers heat to the room. For heating, central air heaters or air heaters are used. Such a system, like water heating, does not harm health due to its hygiene.

Steam heating is prohibited for use in residential buildings. The coolant is steam, the heat source is a steam boiler. Disadvantages of this type of heating: it is impossible to regulate the temperature smoothness, it is noisy, the surfaces of heating devices get very hot.

Pros and cons of central heating

Heating system

Autonomous means independent. Autonomous heating has many advantages. It does not depend on central systems. The boiler is located directly at home, and you control the heating yourself. Residents do not overpay monthly due to the remoteness of the heat source, and do not suffer from pipe wear. Organizing autonomous heating is expensive, but it quickly pays for itself. There is gas, electric, and a stove or fireplace.

1. Gas heating. Gas is the cheapest fuel in Russia, so gas heating is popular among owners of private houses. The principle of the device is simple - you need a boiler, a water system and batteries as heating devices. We supply gas to the boiler and start the system. It is important not to confuse liquefied and main gas. If you heat with imported cylinders, it is 5 times more expensive than electric heating.

An autonomous gas system is a treasure not only for a home, but also for an apartment. When comparing two equal areas, in an apartment with autonomous gas heating, utility bills are 1.5-2 times less than with central heating.

Pros and cons of gas heating:

2. Electric heating. Gas is not available everywhere. Therefore, people have to choose alternative heat sources. Electricity is pure energy. The cheapest equipment, but not very economical to use. Compared to liquid coolants, electrical energy is converted into heat without loss. Therefore, electric heating has the highest efficiency. Efficiency is the amount of heat per unit of resource/fuel used.

Pros and cons of electric heating:

Electric heating is distinguished by heat source. Let's look at the most popular ones.

Electric boilers provide water heating: the boiler heats the coolant - water. Cold water becomes hot and circulates through the pipes, permeating the house. Electrical energy is converted into heat. This system is chosen when there is no supplied gas.

Boilers come in different shapes and modifications. The main thing in the device is the heat exchanger and the control unit - parameters are set on it and serviceability is monitored. When the device overheats, it notifies you that it needs to cool down. At critical levels, the unit automatically turns off the system.

In addition to boilers, there are electric convectors. A powerful heating element that does not burn oxygen and does not disturb the microclimate of the house. They operate silently and are easy to control: you program them, and the system itself maintains a comfortable temperature. If the owner is away for a long time, there is a standby mode in an economical format.

Infrared heating also refers to the electrical heating method. It comes in the form of panels or film. Quickly makes the house warm by heating interior items and surfaces - floors, ceilings, walls.

Warm floor - the system is hidden from view and can be combined with any decorative floor covering. This is a comfortable temperature and fast heating.

Fan heaters – maintain temperature and provide a thermal curtain. They heat the house faster than water systems, but burn oxygen.

3. Stove heating is suitable for small houses where there is no main natural gas. And for areas where there are no problems with solid fuel: coal, firewood or pellets. Coal and firewood are considered cheap fuel. Pellets, or wood pellets, are made from wood waste. They are popular in Europe, and now they have come to us. This type of fuel is almost 3 times more expensive than gas.

Such heating does not depend on the availability of electricity and distance from the city. The equipment is affordable and easy to use. There are no complex software devices in the design. No need to hire specialists for maintenance.

Cons: takes a long time to heat up, not suitable for medium and large houses, low efficiency. Need a place to store firewood or coal. The stove also takes up a lot of space in the house, you need to look after it and add fuel. The exception is long-burning cast iron stoves.

Pros and cons of autonomous heating

How to keep warm in an apartment without heating?

10 ways to stay warm at home without turning on the heat

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6. Cover the floors with rugs. ...
7. Avoid drafts near electrical outlets.

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We determine the equipment for home

Central heating in a private house

When connecting a house to the central system, you will have to choose from three possible schemes: independent, elevator, dependent direct-flow. They differ in the equipment used.

1. An independent scheme is chosen when it is necessary to avoid pressure surges in the system due to the design features of the house. If the system is made of plastic pipes, this is required. A circulation pump is required - it helps reduce resource costs and lightens the load on the equipment. And you need an expansion tank. It compensates for excess pressure when the coolant (water) expands during the heating process.
2. The second scheme: the elevator unit helps to adapt the hot water of the central network, where the standard is up to 150 degrees, to the standard of the house system - around 90 degrees. The water in the storage compartment of the house is mixed with the superheated water of the central system. The elevator performs 3 functions: pump, hot water flow and temperature regulator, mixer. This method of organizing heating is popular.
3. The direct-flow dependent system is simple to design, operate and maintain. There is only a central boiler room, a pipe system and radiators. No more equipment. Plastic pipes and aluminum radiators are prohibited due to high pressure and pressure changes.

Central heating in an apartment building

In apartment buildings, central heating does not require special equipment. But still, there are rules. Heating is done according to four schemes:

1. Single-pipe works in Stalin's and Khrushchev's houses. There is one main line, both supply and return pass through it. The downside is large heat losses as you move away from the heat source. This can be stopped by increasing the number of sections as water moves in the pipes. In this scheme it will not be possible to regulate the temperature. If you want to change radiators, you cannot change them to radiators of a different design. This leads to heating malfunctions.
2. "Leningradka" is an advanced analogue of the single-pipe circuit. Using a bypass, the supply of coolant (water or steam) in the system is regulated. Bypass is a pipe jumper that connects the direct radiator supply to the return one. If you look at the battery, it is a thin pipe that connects the upper and lower level of pipes in front of the radiator.
3. The two-pipe circuit works on the principle of separating the supply and return lines. With this scheme, you can change radiators within the recommended models and install regulators to control parameters, even automatic ones.
4. The beam circuit is installed in new buildings of a special type. The devices are connected in parallel and they do not affect each other. It is possible to control the level of heat supply. Within the apartment you can design the configuration.

The working pressure in the central system is from 8 to 10 atmospheres. And at the time of crimping - from 12 to 14. Therefore, PVC pipes are not suitable. Aluminum radiators will also not withstand such loads. It is better to take steel, bimetallic or cast iron. Radiators that are too lightweight are a sign of poor quality. It's better not to save money here.

Autonomous heating in a private house

If there is no alternative to central heating, and no utilities are planned nearby, then autonomy is inevitable. What does an autonomous home system consist of? This is a heating device, pipelines and shut-off valves.

The choice of equipment for a private home begins with determining the boiler. What types of boilers are there:

• Solid fuel – the fuel is wood, coal, pellets. They rank second in terms of efficiency after gas. But the operation process is labor-intensive. Pros: easy to get, lights up quickly. Cons: low efficiency - 70%, frequent cleaning of combustion products, soot in the boiler room. A fuel storage facility will be required and it will need to be loaded frequently. It is also important to think about the traction control. In order not to overheat the parts in the absence of electricity, a chimney is designed. Suitable as a backup or auxiliary heat source: heat the house to the desired temperature, and then turn on the electric boiler to maintain it.

• Diesel boilers are usually floor-mounted and have a spent fuel ejection device. When connected, a container for storing liquid fuel is provided. The tank is installed indoors or buried in the ground. The minimum volume is 750 liters. There is winter and summer diesel fuel. Serviced once every 12 months: filters are changed, nozzles are cleaned. Pros: affordable cost, you can adjust the temperature as desired, the system is automatic. Cons: noisy during operation, expensive diesel fuel, fire hazard, storing fuel is problematic, servicing the boiler is labor-intensive.
  

  Diesel boiler

• Gas boilers are the most popular. 5 times cheaper than liquid fuel ones and 3 times more economical than electric ones. There are wall-mounted and floor-mounted. Floor durable. They heat any area and often do not depend on electricity. When installing a wall-mounted boiler, additional equipment is minimal. They don't take up space and are easy to manage. There are single-circuit ones - they only heat. There are dual-circuit ones - both for heat and for hot water supply. But if there are more than two water intake points in the house and more than 2 family members, then you need a heating boiler from 75 to 600 liters. There are models with a built-in boiler. It is better to buy a 1-circuit boiler for a summer house. For winter, anti-freeze liquid is poured into it. For dual-circuit models, it is inconvenient to drain the liquid before winter; the remaining liquid can freeze and damage the devices. Gas boilers operate on main and liquefied gas. In winter, the liquefied gas cylinder has to be changed frequently. If there is main gas, then there are no disadvantages. You can choose power using the formula: 1 kilowatt (kW) per 10 m2.

• Electric boilers are the cheapest installation and equipment, but the most expensive fuel. If there is no gas, then the best type of heating. Eco-friendly, no harmful emissions, high efficiency, no need to build a separate boiler room and chimney. Before purchasing equipment, it is better to clarify what power can be used to determine the load. Electric boilers are silent, there is no maintenance, and the temperature can be controlled automatically. Disadvantages: expensive resource, electrical dependence, do not work well when power drops.

It is better to prepare a separate place or room for the boiler. If there is enough space, then choose a floor-standing boiler. If there is no extra space, then a wall-hung boiler will do.

It is better to design the heating circuit for a private house already at the construction stage. Having a diagram of the placement of pipes around the house, it will be possible to leave holes for them in advance. With a house area of ​​200 m2 or more, it is better to choose a boiler with two system circuits. You will also need an expansion tank and a heating circulation pump.

Autonomous heating in an apartment building

Abandoning central heating and switching to autonomous heating is difficult, but possible. It is illegal to change heating communications without permission. Utilities are reluctant to part with payers. To do this, it is necessary to obtain a decision through the court to disconnect from the central system. You first need to check with the housing and communal services department whether it is possible to implement this. At the same time, they order the development of an individual project and obtain the necessary signatures from firefighters and housing and communal services. They collect a package of documents: diagrams and technical documentation. Obtain permission from the Sanitary and Epidemiological Supervision Authority. Next, they look for equipment and install it correctly.

To switch to autonomous heating of an apartment you need:

• Buy a circulation pump and install a heat exchanger. It is hung on the wall above the line of radiators;
• Select and install the boiler. It is important not to skimp on equipment, but to give preference to models with a safety system and a closed combustion chamber. Take into account the pressure and temperature of the water in the system;
• The scheme is determined based on the layout. Often preference is given to Leningrad: a single-pipe scheme with parallel placement of radiators.

When switching to an autonomous heating system, any uncoordinated procedure can lead to heat loss from neighbors.

Pipeline layout in a multi-storey building

As a rule, multi-storey buildings use a single-pipe wiring diagram with top or bottom filling. The location of the forward and return pipes can vary depending on many factors, including even the region where the building is located. For example, the heating scheme in a five-story building will be structurally different from the heating in three-story buildings.

When designing a heating system, all these factors are taken into account, and the most successful scheme is created, allowing all parameters to be maximized. The project may involve various options for bottling the coolant: from bottom to top or vice versa. In individual houses, universal risers are installed, which ensure alternating movement of the coolant.

How much does a heat meter help you save?

If the heating system of a high-rise building allows the installation of heat meters, then this can be done, but taking into account some nuances:

1. If there are uninsulated areas in the apartment and the heat loss is quite large, then the metering device is just a wasted expense. First , you should solve the problem of insulating windows, balconies, doors and walls , and then move on to the issue of saving.
2. Residential meters are not always justified, since in addition to the heat consumed by housing, you have to pay for its delivery along the heating main and heating of non-residential premises , for example, staircases. It is cheaper when a common building meter is installed and payment is made based on the consumption of the entire building divided by the number of apartments. This is especially beneficial if the house is warm. This option is more expensive, but it is fully justified, so it makes sense for residents to unite and install a common building meter.
3. If the metering device is installed in the apartment and registered with the management organization, you can save by lowering the temperature in your home. To do this, it is enough to reduce the flow of coolant into the apartment, and by lowering the temperature by at least 1 degree, you can save up to 6% of heat.

Economical heating of an apartment with an individual meter is only possible if there is no heat loss in the apartment.

Features of heat supply of multi-storey buildings

Autonomous heating of a multi-storey building must perform one function - timely delivery of coolant to each consumer while maintaining its technical qualities (temperature and pressure). To do this, the building must have a single distribution unit with the ability to regulate. In autonomous systems it is combined with water heating devices - boilers.

The characteristic features of the heating system of a multi-storey building lie in its organization. It must consist of the following mandatory components:

• Distribution unit. With its help, hot water is supplied through the mains;
• Pipelines. They are designed to transport coolant to individual rooms and areas of the house. Depending on the method of organization, there is a single-pipe or two-pipe heating system for a multi-story building;
• Control and regulating equipment. Its function is to change the characteristics of the coolant depending on external and internal factors, as well as its qualitative and quantitative accounting.

In practice, the heating scheme of a residential multi-storey building consists of several documents, which, in addition to drawings, include a calculation part. It is compiled by special design bureaus and must comply with current regulatory requirements.

The heating system is an integral part of a multi-storey building. Its quality is checked upon delivery of the facility or during scheduled inspections. Responsibility for this lies with the management company.