District heating is a heating method in which heat is transported from a CHP heat source through a pipeline system (in some cases through air ducts) to connected houses. The heat carrier in this case is water, air, steam.

Materials and types of pipes

The main role in central heating, as in any other piping system, is played by pipes. Moreover, the material from which they are made is no less important for their reliability and resistance to mechanical shock and chemical corrosion. For example, if the central heating is based on steel grade "A" and types 20-35, then such a system will have a service life of 10 years.

Pipe marking

Main types and specifications heating appliances(pipes):

• pn 10 - used in cold pipelines that require special strength. Such a pipe does not tolerate high temperatures: the maximum possible is + 20°C (under normal conditions), and the minimum should not be lower than -45°C;
• pn-16- best option for the majority of pipeline systems, maintains up to +60 °C of heat. The usual pressure of this design is 1.6 MPa, which not all types of pipes can withstand;
• pn-20 is a pipe unique in its technical characteristics, which can withstand up to 90°C and is the best option for hot water supply. As a rule, it is applied in the central pipeline system of heating. Optimum operating pressure - 2.0 MPa;
• pn-25- reinforced pipe, is similar to PN-20, and is similar to it not only in technical characteristics, but also in piping systems. Withstands up to 95°C; the optimum pressure is 2.5 MPa.

Nuances

The scheme of each of the listed types of pipelines in the CH is similar to the most ordinary heating system. By by and large, the user will not notice the difference between PN-20 or PN-10, as they differ only in technical characteristics.

However, the pipeline heating system in a private house and the pipeline in an apartment have their own differences. AT apartment building usually applied steel pipe class "A" and its connections.

Refusal of central heating

If the central heating does not sufficiently heat a private house, or requires repair, then the user has the right to refuse the services of the supplier: this clause is indicated in the contract.

It is necessary to obtain official permission from the commission of the city executive committee - a document that will allow you to refuse centralized heating. In case of problems with the issuance of a permit, contact the administration.

For refusal, a list of all heating devices is compiled, for which the ZhEK specialists are called, and then these devices are removed. It is clear that this can only be done during the non-heating season, since a shutdown will require an unbalance of the entire system.

If central heating is abandoned, it will be necessary to remove the existing elements of the heating system.

After the refusal of the central heating system, the obligation to pay for heating remains on the user's account sewer pipes, plumbing and other systems that pass through basement drains. Of course, the amount will be several times less, but you cannot completely refuse the service.

Central heating composition for apartments

Highly reliable can be considered central heating, in which some types of pipes manufactured by Borealis are used as heating devices - in particular, Borealis RA-E130. Specifications E130 are distinguished by a high class of steel and structural strength. The heating system in an apartment building using this type of pipe will last more than 35 years.

Pipes marking PN-10.

The previously presented pipe options - from PN-10 to PN-25 - are strikingly different in the quality of steel and its alloy. The service life of the pipes depends on the pressure, manufacturer and material of manufacture. Modern centralized systems heating systems are assembled either on Pn-10 - Pn-25 pipes or on Borealis pipes. The latter option is more expensive, but also more reliable.

Disadvantages of CH

The main disadvantages are all the factors that adversely affect heating devices:

• high activity in the pipeline;
• a sharp increase in pressure;
• climatic instability leading to the destruction of pipes;
• loss of up to 10% of thermal energy during transportation;
• errors in the use of heat (concerns individual consumers).

Advantages

The central heating system has the following advantages:
the ability to use a source of cheap heat;

• reliability;
• environmental friendliness;
• convenience and practicality.

From an economic point of view, using centralized heating is very profitable: the costs will be several times less compared to other options. Therefore, in case of refusal of central heating, it is necessary to carry out accurate calculations, weigh the costs - in any case, do not rush to turn off.

Most people buy apartments with central heating already installed. Not everyone is happy with this and think about others - alternative ways heating your home. They are: first of all, it is gas heating, as well as electric, air and water.

Consider the pros and cons of all heating options.

Pros and cons of central heating

Central heating

Central heating is widespread in Russia everywhere. And this is a reality with which many are sometimes forced to put up with. Although they have to solve the problems of clogging and wear of the batteries, to endure insufficiently high heating temperatures of the radiators due to the poor preservation of the pipes that supply heat from the boiler room to the house.

These are all disadvantages, and plus one is the relative stability of such a heat source, which tends to deteriorate over time.

Do you want to improve the design of the apartment with central heating? Then it makes sense to change the widespread cast iron batteries to more stylish ones - either (material - aluminum and steel, or aluminum and copper), or only aluminum and only copper.

New items are good because they are more durable, but they have a minus - they are prone to "airing", i.e. they need constant monitoring.

True, and good. They are the most durable and strong. Plus they're cheap.

So the choice is yours.

Pros and cons of air heating

Heating is due to air circulation in ventilation system. Simply put, heat enters the apartment through the air conditioner. By area coverage air heating can be both central and local.

One minus: the relatively high cost of such pleasure: from 12 to 200 thousand rubles. for a household air conditioner model.

air heating

Advantages of this heating option:

• long service life if regularly carried out preventive maintenance
• coolant does not freeze
• efficiency - if for a long time the apartment was empty, then a working air conditioner will warm the room in a matter of minutes

Pros and cons of electric heating

Electric heating has a number of advantages and some disadvantages.

• installation is easy
• no need to purchase special equipment
• takes up little space
• environmentally friendly and quiet

• high consumption of electricity
• dependence on power outages
• the need to install a voltage stabilizer (at significant powers)
• in the event of a short circuit, replace the wiring

Electric heating

Consider specific heating appliances working on electricity.

electric radiator

electorradiator

It generates heat by heating the liquid in the device itself.

Types of electric radiators:

• electric convector
• oil radiator
• wall mounted electric radiator
• infrared heater

Consider the pros and cons of all types of electric radiators.

Electric convector

This is a heating device that looks like a central heating battery - often models are on wheels. The advantage of such a convector is speed. The room heats up quickly and evenly.

Disadvantages - a short period of active operation (5 years), finding the device near an open window can lead to fire, takes a lot of electricity.

Electric convector

Oil radiator

This is a heater that works thanks to specially heated oil. It circulates inside the radiator and retains heat for a long time, thus not requiring frequent heating. This is the main plus of this type of electric radiator.

Still, such heaters are cheaper than air heaters, do not spend a lot of electricity on heating, and have a compact size.

Cons: they heat the room very slowly, they heat a large apartment poorly, in case of oil leakage, if it comes into contact with the skin, a burn is possible.

Oil radiator

Wall mounted electric radiator

it special case convector. Heats the room with electricity and at the same time is mounted on the wall near the floor.

Its plus is that it quickly and evenly heats the room with minimal electricity consumption, it is safe, because. the heating components are located inside the heater and are covered with a special aluminum wall; does not dry out the air. Reasonable price - from 940 rubles.

Wall mounted electric radiator

Infrared heater

Nowadays it is rapidly gaining popularity. Unlike other types of radiators, it does not heat the air in the room, but the surrounding objects. It is from the objects that the air is heated directly.

Pros: warm large rooms using little energy. They are also used for outdoor terraces, etc.

Minus one: quality infrared heaters roads: from 20 to 30 thousand rubles.

Infrared heater

Pros and cons of gas heating

Gas heating

- a system that provides the room with both heat and hot water at the expense gas cylinders or gas boiler. This method is more often used in houses of individual construction or in apartment buildings for elite housing.

Boilers are low power(from 4 to 65 kW) - they are produced in floor and wall versions. Boilers of medium (up to 1700 kW) and high power (15000 kW) - only floor-standing.

The cost of a wall-mounted boiler ranges from 20 to 50 thousand rubles. Outdoor is more expensive - from 70 thousand rubles.

Although it will be expensive, the installation and further use of a gas boiler in one apartment is more economical, since in the event of damage to the central gas supply (which happens), the gas boiler will not have to be changed.

Pros: the relative cheapness of natural gas, efficiency, constant monitoring of the boiler is not needed, it is less susceptible to corrosion.

Cons: there is a risk of gas poisoning when entering the apartment and the likelihood of an explosion. You can’t put it if there is no gas pipeline near the house.

Pros and cons of water heating

Water heating of modern city apartments occupies a leading position in the market of heating systems. This heating option is based on water heating in batteries, that is, heat is transferred using convectors and radiators powered by the electrical network.

Pros: you can do the installation yourself, you do not need to monitor the amount of water in the tank and supplement it, the heat spreads evenly.

Cons: the air heats up slowly, it is necessary to control the purity of the water and batteries, which quickly rust.

Two options for water heating are popular: closed and open systems. The main thing with the first option is comfort, because. there is no “airing” and no heat exchanger fumes. The disadvantage is a short service life.

The advantage of an open thermal system is that the air temperature heats up faster than with a closed water heating system. The disadvantage is the rapid oxidation of the pipes.

Water heating

Russia is famous for its traditions. For example, heating season: inhabitants middle lane looking forward to the cherished date of October 15th. When everyone gets warm, part of the population is still stably cold, while the rest is constantly hot. And although heating can be regulated based on the air temperature outside the window, everything happens not at the request of the residents, but at the behest of officials from the housing and communal services. On the other hand, abroad, the concepts of "central heating" and "off season" are generally treated as exotic, since in most countries such terms are absent as a phenomenon. Let's try to understand: what is it like for them, foreigners, without heating?

Great Britain

The house is heated individually by installing a boiler for hot water and warm batteries. The British are not the type to pay their utility bills with indifference, especially if they go to waste. Therefore, they try to save on heat. They make two taps - separately with hot and cold water- in order to get a sink with warm water, and not allow the liquid to flow into the pipe (it was the British who came up with the idea that allows you to save water and money). Prefer to wash with cold water rather than hot. They will never heat the bathroom and the toilet, they will not allow night heating of the bedroom: after all, it is better to put on warm pajamas!

Finland

Photo: skniht_em

In the houses of our neighbors, there is both centralized gas heating and individual electric heating. Both are quite expensive. Gas costs about half the price utilities(in fact, it comes out to about 150 euros), only it is included in the bill not for the period of the off-season, but all year round. Electric is cheaper (about 100 euros), and in order to save money, its supply is regulated - the temperature of the batteries is reduced. It only gets warmer in the soul.

France

Photo: EUROVISION

The country is located south of England and Finland, but, nevertheless, in winter the air temperature here easily drops to 5-6 degrees Celsius. There are two types of heat supply. The first is common house heating, like the Russian gold status - “a house with its own boiler room”. It's always warm, and you don't have to monitor the temperature yourself. Such a system has been introduced into panel houses since the 1950s and is in demand (apartments are more expensive here). The second kind is individual heating, most often found in the old housing stock. In this case, the apartment is equipped electric heaters and heaters, which are expensive. Therefore, the owner himself decides when to drown him, and when it is better to save money and warm up with hot mulled wine. The French heating model is typical for the EU countries.

China

Photo: IsaacMao

Officially, district heating covers only the coldest region of the country - north of the Yangtze River. In other areas, including Shanghai, houses are cold in winter. People warm themselves with split-systems, they use Chinese ones to the fullest electrical devices like electric blankets or electric sheets. Poor areas are crammed with stoves that heat wood or coal. Winter tourists complain about the cold in hotels, where temperatures sometimes drop below 10 degrees. Some people, chattering their teeth, boast that they found icicles in their room.

Canada

Photo: Martin Cathrae

Our climate brothers from the western hemisphere have abandoned central heating and opted for indoor heating. If we are talking about a high-rise building, then in the basement of the house there is a boiler that heats one particular house. If we are talking about a private building, then its owner takes care of the heat. Often in high-rise buildings instead of batteries, air conditioners are working with might and main. This "air" method of heating is convenient because it is used all year round: in summer, it can cool the air without any problems.

Iceland

Photo: Lukas Sutcliffe

A unique model was invented by the inhabitants of a distant and cold island. Eco-friendly rules in Iceland geothermal heating, in other words, hot water from geysers flows in batteries. The house is heated all year round, so you won’t be able to freeze, but the air will be very dry. are being saved open windows: the inflow of fresh Icelandic air makes staying in the apartment comfortable. By the way, hot water in Icelandic taps is often supplied from hydrogen sulfide sources, and as we remember from chemistry lessons, hydrogen sulfide has a bright, distinct smell of rotten eggs. Water is purified many times, however, out of habit, you can wince.

Photo: ale_speciale

Just think: why do we need warm batteries in an African country? Then, that on a July night in Cape Town the temperature drops to 4-5 degrees, and during the day in summer time(beyond the equator this is the coldest time of the year) the temperature drops as much as 11-12. By our standards, a great excuse to turn on the heat. But not for Africans, who are quite content with a split system or a fireplace. bathroom and dressing room do not heat. Everything is aggravated by the fact that the houses are not adapted for “wintering”: everywhere there is a single double-glazed window and thin walls.

South Korea

Photo: nagranee

The country is famous for its unique heating called "ondol". In fact, this is a battery built into the floor. It heats up the rest of the apartment. We know that Koreans traditionally spend a lot of time on the floor: they sleep, eat, receive dear guests, so the presence of warm floors is a must here. Ondol is an individual thing and the owners of the house dispose of it. There are many types of ondoli devices, ranging from a standard electric one to one that runs on hot water circulation.

Japan

Photo: Marcelo Quinan

Officially, district heating is only available in northern Hokkaido. However, harsh Russian travel bloggers (who, as it turns out, often freeze abroad) express dissatisfaction: where warm batteries? It turns out that a certain analogue of a common house is called centralized in Japan, according to this principle, for example, some public places or university campuses. In general, the Japanese heat their apartments on their own using electrical appliances and other smart home gadgets.

Photo: Ivy Dawned

America is the first country to test district heating. The heat supply scheme for several houses at once was patented by Burtsill Holley in 1876. With the help of a new method, the inventor got rid of fireplaces and stoves - fire hazardous elements that are difficult to kindle and clean. But modern America is against system heating. In city apartments, electrical appliances are used, in country cottages- autonomous gas supply. The American authorities share the position of modern states not in order to torment their citizens with cold. Firstly, heating many thousands of houses from a single point is an energy-consuming and irrational process on a national scale. Secondly, it is difficult to ensure the stable operation of the entire structure: the heating main will break through in one place, and the entire district is sitting in the cold. Thirdly, this is a way to give residents the opportunity to save money and not pay for the whole winter, regardless of whether it is cold or hot.

Maria Solovyova

It is already difficult enough to imagine that once the inhabitants apartment buildings warmed up their square meters» independently, with the help of geysers, not to mention the "potbelly stoves" and wood stoves. Central heating is a fairly new phenomenon that appeared in our country during the Soviet era. In the format in which it was implemented in the country, it did not appeal to the population. Still would! It was not possible self adjustment, that is, with the onset of cold weather in most apartments it became simply unbearably hot, and on upper floors- cold.

Even today, in the housing stock of our country built before 2000 (which we have 80%), this situation persists to this day, and you have to pay extra money for excess heat (the price of heating is quite high) out of your own pocket. As for the changes, they began relatively recently and are passing very slowly. If you are tired of waiting for the improvement of living conditions, you can change a lot on your own. We will now consider these methods.

Past and future

You probably noticed that the radiators for central heating (especially in January-February) almost become red-hot. The air in the apartment is completely dried out, the flowers wither and it becomes completely impossible to breathe. If you open the window, then icy domestic cold penetrates into the apartment - it turns out that the window is simply impossible to open, and closing it becomes impossible to breathe.

A bit of theory

The situation with winter heating is ambiguous and only at first glance it seems incomprehensible. Generally, central system heating in our country is regulated centrally. Depending on the air temperature (and sometimes just according to the calendar), the central CHP regulates the supply of hot water to the pipes for central heating. Further, the water passes through boiler houses (district central heating stations) where it is regulated separately for each house, depending on the air temperature.

Interestingly, the indicator for the largest buildings in the area (hospital, school, etc.) where required is taken as a minimum. heat in order to fully warm up the room and maintain it in optimum temperature. It turns out that in remote and large buildings the heating temperature is optimal, and in nearby houses it is stuffy.

Now, with regard to in-house heating systems, they work on the same principle as the district central heating stations. That is, the water is heated to the maximum temperature, which will be enough to heat the farthest riser.

What do we get as a result? Old style central heating systems are not regulated. AT best case, a manual valve can be installed in your apartment, which, as a rule, is simply dismantled due to its unsuitability, frequent leaks and constant breakdowns. Also, the entire system as a whole is practically unregulated, and therefore, in the event of a breakdown on the line, the entire city area will remain without heat for the duration of the repair.

It turns out that the central heating system does not take into account human needs for heat. If you say scientific language, then the operation of the system can be characterized as follows: “a system without negative feedback”, Well, if in a simple way: “take what they gave and be satisfied.”

Let's talk about good

So that the shortcomings of central heating do not overshadow your life, let's look at positive sides such systems:

• The first and most important thing is the possibility of using cheap fuel. Most urban boiler houses use coal or oil. Also, as an alternative, it is customary to use their cheap counterparts - forestry waste. It is not uncommon to find stations running on gas - using such a source of fuel for public purposes will also be more economical than connecting a private person to gas;
• High reliability is another important factor. If the city municipality monitors the equipment and performs all repairs on time heating systems, you can be sure that you will meet the winter in warmth and comfort;
• Central heating boilers are fired in most cases environmentally friendly fuels, due to which the ecological situation in the area is becoming much better (read also).
• Easy to use. You do not need to monitor the equipment - central heating radiators always give out a stable temperature (regardless of weather conditions).

Our days

During the construction of new buildings, engineers approached the heating problem in a different way - the solution to the problem is based on the principle of regulated heating consumption. In this scenario, people themselves can determine their consumer norms.

In general, a modern thermal unit is an automated system of energy-saving equipment that adjusts and controls the heat supply to the building. This miracle system is called an automated individual heat point (in normative documents AITP). , read other articles on our website.

New central heating boilers control the pressure and temperature of hot water (automatically) both at the entrance to the house and at the exit. It turns out that if the temperature difference between hot water is too large or too small, the system should be adjusted and the heat supply mode adjusted.

Temperature sensors installed on the house itself monitor the constant change in air temperature and, in accordance with the indications, regulate the heat supply modes.

Attention! You can adjust the heat supply mode with your own hands using a special valve installed in each apartment!

Summarize

Now you know what central heating is and have at least a superficial, but, nevertheless, idea of ​​​​how it all works in reality, and what you pay your money for. The instructions posted on the site, containing photo and video materials, will allow you to more accurately understand the issue and draw the appropriate conclusions - whether it suits you or not.

To make it comfortable to live in various buildings of large cities, special enterprises are being built that produce electricity and thermal energy- thermal power plants, on the basis of which central heating is created. Thus, thanks to such stations, there is no need to build many boiler houses that will only pollute the atmosphere - and this has a positive effect on human health and the surrounding nature of the region.

In addition, a large supply of fuel is not required. good quality, so the country's fuel supply is preserved. Centrals are easier to maintain, but they still have disadvantages. The main one is that pipelines interact with oxygen, as a result of which pipe breaks and fistulas appear.

The centralized heating system is designed to provide heat and hot water to residents of residential buildings and owners of industrial premises.

In order for the system to work effectively, it is mounted near buildings, divided into levels, each of which is assigned certain functions. And the more levels, the less will be the load on the previous level.

Central heating reduces fuel costs highest quality, since for normal operation, and low grade. In addition, central heating improves sanitary norms for all residential areas and areas.

Central heating structure

The central heating system consists of several elements:

• Heat carrier source. This is a thermal power plant that produces heat and electricity.
• The source of heat transportation is heating networks.
• Source of heat consumption. These are heating devices placed in houses, offices, warehouses and other premises of various types.

If compared in terms of heat loads, heating systems can be seasonal in terms of the type of heat transfer and permanent in terms of the type of hot water transfer to the end consumer. All this depends on the needs of the end consumer in the heat carrier, as well as on the economic component of the expediency of its supply to the supplier's enterprise. The last parameter depends on how far the heat plant is from end users.

Types of heat supply systems

The classification of heat supply systems will directly depend on what type of heat carrier enters the heating network– water, steam or air. Accordingly, when the system supplies water to consumers, this water heating, steam - steam, air - air.

Also, systems that provide centralized heating are divided depending on the method of connecting a source of hot water to the heating network. Yes, there are closed systems when the heat carrier - water is taken from the water conduit and heated in the central heat exchanger, and open systems, where water is taken directly from the heating network. Also, depending on the method used to bring the system to the control panel, there are dependent and independent systems heating.

Each type of system has different characteristics. Steam central heating in an apartment is more economical option compared to others, since it requires less operating costs, and the steam pipelines are made from smaller pipes, so that the final cost will be lower. Note that the steam system is perfect for those buildings in which people are not all the time, but periodically, and the heat carrier is supplied according to the schedule, as a result of which freezing and rupture of pipes are prevented.

If you take air system, then it is able not only to heat the room, but also to ventilate it. But the cost of equipment of such a system is quite high, so it is rarely used.

water system central heating apartment building- the most common option. And this is not without reason, since such systems are characterized by excellent sanitary and hygienic qualities.

The temperature of water in central heating reaches 60 degrees Celsius, during transportation to end consumers a smaller flow of energy is spent than with steam, here the density is higher, and it can be used over long distances.

For 1 kilometer of the way, the temperature of the heat carrier decreases by 1 degree Celsius. Note that the temperature supplied by water central heating in an apartment building can be controlled centrally, and the system is easy to operate, since there are no condensate pumps, condensate pumping pipes and vents.

Advantages and disadvantages of connecting to central heating

Of course, in modern times, consumers are provided with a huge selection of heating systems, which involve not only heat sources that are familiar to us, but also alternative, sometimes the most unexpected ones. However, central heating in a private house, and even in an apartment building, is a common phenomenon today. Therefore, it is worth considering the advantages and disadvantages of connecting to a central heating line, especially if you are faced with choosing a heating system in your new home or are thinking about switching to individual system in the apartment.

So, the central heating scheme of an apartment building provides the following benefits to those who choose it:

• First of all, it is an opportunity to use cheap fuel. After all, even if a thermal power plant is not installed in your region, boiler houses usually use fairly cheap options and their analogues. In any case, gas is the cheapest heating.
• The next factor is reliability. After all, the city authorities undertake to monitor the condition of the equipment and pipes for central heating, to repair the heating system in time.
• Boilers that use central heating are environmentally friendly in most cases.
• Another important point- It's easy to use. In this case, you do not have to monitor the equipment, since the radiators will always give you a stable temperature (assuming there are no drops).

However, central heating also has a number of disadvantages.