No worse than cast iron! Aluminum heating radiators: which are better for a private house

Lightweight, durable and aesthetically pleasing, they fit well into the interiors of Russian homes.

The popularity of aluminum radiators is explained by their competitive advantages over traditional cast iron batteries. have better heat transfer properties, but the main advantage is low cost.

Types of aluminum heating radiators

Models are classified into four groups: cast, extruded, combined and anodized.

The latter are made of aluminum. high degree of purification (98%), and the surface of the plates undergoes anodic oxidation, after which the products’ strength, heat transfer and durability indicators increase.

These models are expensive and not in demand on the market.

Cast

Cast radiators are produced using aluminum-silicon alloy - durable and resistant to oxidation - corrosion. This type of battery is manufactured using die casting technology. This method creates sections of dense metal, devoid of pores that reduce heat transfer.

Combined

Combines the advantages of cast and extruded radiators. Blocks and individual sections consist of vertical extruded elements that are assembled into cast collectors. They have both optimal heat transfer and are budget-friendly.

Extrusion sectional

Radiators consist of sections extruded by an extruder, which are pressed, welded or joined together with composite glue. Externally, such batteries are no different from cast ones, except for specific seams on the internal ribs.

Photo 1. Internal structure of an extrusion-type aluminum radiator. The product consists of separate sections.

Extruded sections are cheaper, but have a number of disadvantages. When the alloy is pressed through a steel profile in production, the ribs do not achieve smooth shapes, which is dangerous, and due to the peculiarities of the connection of the elements, the radiators may leak.

Features of bimetallic and electrical products

There are several other types of aluminum radiators, which are more advanced in terms of technical characteristics. bimetallic products and universal electrical ones.

Copper-aluminum

The inclusion of a copper core allows to level out the main disadvantage of aluminum products - their susceptibility to water hammer. Due to this feature, extrusion and cast It is not recommended to install in apartments with annual pressure testing.

Bimetallic radiators able to survive water hammer. They are suitable for any type of heat carrier, so they are ideal for inclusion in the central heating system. High heat output, durability, precision of geometric parameters and aesthetic appearance - all this makes bimetallic batteries in demand on the market.

Electric aluminum

For owners of private houses who do not have the opportunity to connect to the gas main, electric radiators are almost the only option for installing a heating system. Among the many models Aluminum ones stand out favorably.

Photo 2. Electric aluminum heating radiator. The device can be used to set the required heating temperature.

Modern models have optimally selected efficiency, power and heat output, many products have thermostats that control the operation of the device and maintain the desired temperature in the room. Electric radiators do not require complex installation work and piping, so this type of product is in high demand. Their only downside is electricity bills.

Features of radiators from different manufacturers, which are better

After choosing the right type of radiator, you need to decide on the manufacturer. Today the market offers a lot of batteries from different countries, affordable for any wallet. What are the features that characterize Russian and foreign models?

Russia

Russian manufacturers, like no one else, know about the peculiarities of operating radiators in central heating systems and internal utility networks of private buildings. Modern domestic batteries are in no way inferior to foreign models: They are durable, productive and aesthetically pleasing.

Rifar or Rifar

The Russian company produces a number of models under license and technology of the Italian brand "Global Radiatori".

Products from Rifar combine low cost, quality, durability and are adapted for the domestic market.

Popular models Alum and Alum Ventil designed for loads up to 20 atm and are able to withstand pressure testing. The estimated heat output of the sections is 183 W.

To mitigate these risks, you can:

• for the central heating system, purchase sections coated on the inside with a protective oxide film;
• Use distilled water or antifreeze as a coolant in a private home.

It is possible to ignore the manufacturer's warnings and install aluminum radiators in the central heating system without first checking the pH level of the liquid circulating in it, but in this case will have to bear full responsibility for the condition of the installed element.

Anchor

Another popular domestic manufacturer is the Ankor company. Among its products, the following stand out: radiators RA 500, which have a modern, elegant design. Smooth sections are covered with a double layer of enamel.

The working pressure of this heating element is declared in 16 atm, but are capable of withstanding water hammer with force up to 24 atm. Inexpensive and high-quality products from the Ankor company are optimally adapted to Russian conditions.

Thermal

Thermal radiators combine high quality and low cost. Aluminum sections withstand pressure up to 20 atm, and thanks to the internal anti-corrosion coating, the products can be used with liquids with an indicator PH 7-9.

Photo 3. Aluminum radiator from the Russian manufacturer Thermal. The product is fixed to the wall.

The thickness of the sections is only 60 mm, such relative compactness allows aesthetic heating elements to be fitted into small niches under windows. The heat output of the batteries is 167 W, - this figure is lower than that of other manufacturers, but it is objectively sufficient to maintain a comfortable temperature in the room.

Italy

Italian manufacturers - recognized market leaders, Their products are invariably characterized by high quality, reliability and attractive appearance. All these factors predictably influence the price of heating elements.

Global Radiators

A well-known Italian brand that produces expensive and beautiful aluminum radiators. Products from Global Radiatori are adapted to Russian conditions and are distinguished by their quality and reliability. The manufacturer provides a 10-year warranty on the supplied sections.

Sira Industry

Budget and powerful models are supplied to the market by Sira Industrie. The manufacturer is a "pioneer" in the field of manufacturing aluminum radiators.

Among the many series produced, the following stands out in particular: «Alux»: cast and extruded models have high power up to 190 W.

Series "Nik" It is produced under license in China and differs slightly in characteristics from the real “Italians”.

Thus, the power of the models produced in the Land of the Rising Sun is only 175 W, but the price is lower.

Fondital

The company "Fondital" created a model "Calidor Super Aleternum" specially for use in the CIS countries. The products comply not only with European but also Russian quality standards. Cast Italian radiators are made from high-quality primary alloys using a special technology, so they can withstand enormous loads up to 50 atm.

Another advantage of the Calidor Super Aleternum model is increased cross-section of the channels through which the coolant circulates. The manufacturer took into account that clean water does not flow in central heating systems, and made the diameter of the tubes wider to avoid clogging.

Radiators 2000

Radiatori 2000 SpA uses the latest technologies in the production of its products. The products are painted using the anaphoresis method, and finish it by spraying epoxy and polyester compounds.

Photo 4. Aluminum radiator from the Italian manufacturer Radiatori 2000. The product has an exquisite design.

This multi-layer treatment reliably protects the aluminum sections from aggressive environmental influences and mechanical damage, leading to the onset of corrosion processes.

Heating elements of this Italian company can withstand pressure up to 24 atmospheres — this is a good indicator, optimally suited for operation in Russian conditions.

Hungary

Hungarian heating elements They are cheaper than Italian ones, but at the same time they are inferior in quality. This is mainly due to the desire of companies to save money in the production process - most models of famous brands from this country are created in China. Among the average quality Hungarian radiators, the brand "Nami" stands out.

NAMI

Hungarian manufacturer for the Russian market offers two models:

1. Nami Classic. A two-layer anti-corrosion coating protects aluminum from rusting processes. The budget model has a relatively low heat output.
2. Nami Grande. Ideal for inclusion in central heating systems, well adapted to the "complex" composition of the coolant, are not subject to corrosion in conditions PH up to 12. Heat transfer - 195 W.

When choosing radiators, pay attention to the country of manufacture. Plants in Russia and China operate under Nami license. It is better to avoid purchasing products from the latter, since there is no guarantee that high-quality alloys were used.

China

China is not always counterfeit: many European companies sell licenses to factories in the Celestial Empire, where high-quality radiators are manufactured using modern technologies and in compliance with standards and norms. When choosing inexpensive batteries focus on well-established brands, metal thickness in sections and availability of technical data sheet for products.

STI

STI supplies high-quality and reliable aluminum batteries to the domestic market. Each product tested three times during production, and the enamel coating combined with internal anti-corrosion treatment ensures the durability of the radiators.

Photo 5. Aluminum radiator from the Chinese manufacturer STI. The products are of high quality.

TITAN

The Chinese brand TITAN also produces high-quality products with anti-corrosion internal and external enamel coating. Products complies with European and Russian quality standards.

Maxterm

Certified radiators of this Chinese brand comply with European and Russian standards, and quality is controlled at every stage of production.

Epico

Epico radiators are manufactured using Italian technologies and are close to them in quality. The internal surfaces are coated with anti-corrosion coating, and the outside of the section are painted with enamel in 7 stages.

SHARK

Another Chinese one a brand that works with technologies developed in Italy — SHARK company.

Batteries of this manufacturer meet quality standards and adapted for use in our country.

Cast radiators are manufactured using high-tech equipment and are characterized by durability and high heat output.

The best aluminum batteries for a private home

The best products are those made using casting technology - durable, strong, with good heat transfer properties.

In local heating networks, pressure testing is not performed: the coolant is poured into the system once and circulates in it for years. The pressure in the utility network of a private house is constant and low, even in productive German boilers this operating parameter rarely reaches 10 atm. When installing a heating system, there is no point in choosing high-strength radiators that can withstand water hammer. up to 20-24 atm, since such loads are not expected.

Based on the above factors, it is easy to choose a radiator for organizing a heating system in a private house at an affordable price. Italian, domestic and even Chinese manufacturers supply our market high-quality and budget models.

Useful video

Watch the video to learn how to add sections to an aluminum radiator.

Nuances when choosing

When choosing a radiator for a house or apartment are guided by technical characteristics and operating conditions:

1. Aluminum radiators may not withstand pressure testing, Besides, sensitive to the quality of the coolant. For an apartment, it is better to buy bimetallic or durable cast batteries.
2. Internal surfaces of sections with anti-corrosion protection.
3. Calculate the number of sections carefully according to the heat output stated in the passport.

To ensure that batteries can withstand water hammer and not leak, it is better to buy radiators assembled from sections in factory conditions.