A traditional water system transfers thermal energy into rooms using water or an antifreeze liquid (antifreeze). But there is another solution - pure air heating of the house, in which the air in the rooms is heated directly, without hydraulics and radiators. Since this topic is being actively promoted by interested manufacturers of heating equipment, we decided to figure out how much better (or worse) air heating is than classic heating and whether it can be installed with your own hands.
Operating principle and system equipment
Air heating equipment is divided into two types:
- The first type is with a heat exchanger in the form of a combustion chamber in which gas is directly burned. The air passing through the heat exchanger is heated and supplied to the room.
- The second type is with a water heat exchanger. For such a system, the heat source can be a wood stove, solid fuel, gas or universal boiler. It is also possible to install an electric heater in the system, but it should be understood that electricity costs will be very significant, in addition, this option is not suitable for houses for which a small allocated electrical power is provided.
The most modern option is to install an air-to-air heat pump. An advantageous feature of this solution is that if an air conditioner is included in the system, then such a system will not require large additional costs for equipment, but can significantly save on resources during operation.
The use of heat pumps of this type for heating homes is a global trend, since heat is obtained without burning fuel and the accompanying air pollution.
Main components of air heating:
- Fan . The heart of the system, it must be productive and durable.
- Heat exchanger . It serves to warm up the air flow.
- Air ducts . These elements are used for directed air supply into the room.
- Filters, humidifying devices . They are necessary for cleaning and maintaining an optimal microclimate inside the building.
- Air conditioner . Allows you to cool all rooms in the house.
- Control system . It automatically maintains and controls temperature conditions, turns the climate system on and off.
Effective and aesthetically pleasing for houses with panoramic glazing and second light Source indivi-dom.ru
Note! There are no radiators in the air heating system. After heating, the air enters the rooms through the grilles, the cold masses are forced upward and sent through the air ducts to the heat exchanger. Circulation ensures proper heating of rooms and promotes effective ventilation.
Circulation can be natural or forced. In the first case, the flow moves due to the temperature difference; in the second, a fan is used. As a rule, systems equipped with such equipment are quite powerful and productive. They are installed in houses with an area of up to 400 square meters; if the area of the house is larger, several systems are installed.
Operating principle of air heating Source ongun.ru
You can get professional advice on air heating of a private home directly from specialists and ATM Climate. Or check at the “Low-Rise Country” house exhibition.
Standards
The standards are laid down in the appendices to SNiP 2.04.05-91. The air exchange rate for residential premises must be at least 0.35/hour. Simply put, the air volume must be completely renewed approximately every 3 hours. For one person constantly present in the room, there must be at least 30 cubic meters of fresh air per hour. As for kitchens, the standard here is 60 cubic meters per hour for electric stoves and 90 cubic meters per hour for a 4-burner gas stove. In addition, it must be possible to periodically ventilate the room with an air exchange of at least 180 cubic meters per hour. For this purpose, a vent or transom at a metal-plastic window is used, but you can use a hood.
Air exchange standards according to SNiP 2.04.05-91
For bathrooms and toilets - 25 cubic meters per hour for each room. If these bathrooms are combined, then the norm is 50 cubic meters per hour.
Advantages and disadvantages of air heating
Like any other system, this design has its pros and cons. The advantages include the following qualities:
- Versatility . Air heating of a private house provides not only heating or cooling , but also ventilation , purification and humidification , essentially being a climate system for creating an optimal microclimate in the building.
- Ease of use . All system management can be fully automated.
- High energy efficiency (1.5 times more economical than water heating) . Air heating is optimal if savings during use are important to the owner.
- Increased reliability . The system practically does not fail and requires less frequent maintenance. Due to the lack of liquid, an air lock or coolant leak cannot form inside. There is no such thing as “defrosting” for such a system.
- Durability . The system, if properly installed, can operate for several decades. During the process, it is only important to regularly change consumables and check for serviceability.
In the event of an emergency power outage, the system will not defrost and will not damage the repair Source master-electrician.ru
An important advantage of air heating is the ability to maintain the set temperature for a long time. It is not affected by weather conditions; the mode can be adjusted automatically on the thermostat or manually using the control panel. When properly designed, the elements themselves take up minimal space, look quite aesthetically pleasing, and for greater attractiveness, you can, for example, hide the air ducts in special decorative boxes.
However, air heating also has a number of disadvantages:
- The system must be installed in houses during construction . Since air ducts take up significant space in the house, they must be designed in advance.
- For smaller homes, an air heating system will be slightly more expensive than traditional heating.
- Installing a suspended ceiling , if it was planned, becomes more difficult, since you have to bypass the air ducts.
- It is advisable to carry out installation before the interior finishing , otherwise it will be impossible to hide the air ducts in the floors of the house.
- The ceiling height at the locations of the air ducts, if it is impossible to lay them in the ceiling, is reduced by 15-20 cm .
- Before installation a project must be created ; the work itself must also be entrusted to professionals.
The process of installing an air duct in the second floor hall Source climatecontrol24.ru
Help in choosing a heat generator and installation steps
Air ducts are usually ordered from special enterprises that produce such equipment. If you want to install an air conditioner, then it is necessary to insulate the supply air ducts. Condensation does not appear during thermal insulation. In order to install the main air duct, it is recommended to choose galvanized steel. It is covered with foil self-adhesive insulation with a thickness of about 5mm.
Assembly and insulation of air ducts during the construction phase of a house
In order to hide the air ducts, it is recommended to use the inter-ceiling space, which is located behind the suspended ceiling. There are 2 types of air ducts: rigid and flexible. They are selected for a specific type of air heater. Aluminum tape is used to connect several air ducts.
Air duct installation
Comparison with water heating in terms of convenience and efficiency
The classic solution for heating rooms today in Russia is the use of water heating. However, this system, consisting of a closed chain of pipes, radiators and a boiler, filled with water or non-freezing liquid flowing through the pipes, does not suit many people, and for good reason. Low efficiency, high energy consumption and inertia of the water heating system, as well as the constant rise in energy prices, force many Russians to look for other, more modern and economical solutions when choosing ways to create a comfortable climate in their future home, and increasingly their choice is air heating .
Security questions
Of course, when designing, all necessary fire safety requirements for ventilation and heating systems should be taken into account. Such requirements are fully specified in manual 13.91 to SNiP 2.04.05-91. However, only part of them applies to residential premises.
Thus, when using an air duct made of flammable materials, it should be laid in a shaft or non-flammable sleeve. The flammability should not be lower than group G1 - low flammable, the temperature of combustion products should not exceed 135 degrees Celsius.
It is allowed to use fans and their casings made of flammable material. Of course, galvanized air ducts are safer. These are the products that are used in industrial premises. For safety reasons, we recommend limiting the temperature of the air supplied to the living space to 60 degrees.
How an air system is designed
Creating a project is an important preparatory moment: if it is done with errors, the owner will face difficulties in the process of using heating. Thus, incorrect calculations lead to a lack/excess of power, improper ventilation, and uneven heating of rooms. In order for air heating at home to function without failure, you need to pay attention to the following points:
- Heat loss calculations are made for each room. They depend on how many doors and windows there are in the room, since heat escapes through these parts more intensely.
- The calculation of heat loss for ventilation depends on the number of permanent residents to provide people with fresh air.
- Location of the main elements on the diagram , relationship with other utilities, structural elements of the house and interior items
- Determining the type of fuel and power of the heat source . When calculating, it is important to remember that the heat source is calculated not only for normal winter temperatures, but also for unexpected negative temperatures.
- Selection of optional equipment - such as air conditioner, humidifier, bactericidal cleaner.
The project includes calculation of all system components, volume and cost of materials and consumables. Only professionals can make a competent project.
A competent design allows for optimal placement of equipment and main elements Source seaside-home.ru
Why is ventilation needed?
The goals of ventilation systems are simple and understandable to everyone: the system serves to remove exhaust air from residential premises. After all, when food is prepared, bathrooms are used, in a word, vital activity is in full swing, the air acquires the following features: increased humidity, increased dust concentration, accumulation of unpleasant odors, decreased amount of oxygen. Meanwhile, if an unpleasant odor and dust are simply factors of discomfort, then an increase in humidity can lead to water that will appear on the walls in the form of condensation.
Ventilation of a private house
So, the ventilation system serves to replace dirty air with fresh air. Ventilation can be exhaust or supply and exhaust. In the latter case, air heating, like the ventilation system, is done taking into account the possibility of heat recovery: that is, the exhaust air flows next to the supply duct, while giving it some of the heat. The simplest recuperator can significantly reduce heat loss through ventilation.
Installation nuances
Even if the project is completed in full compliance with GOST requirements and developed by professionals, it is not advisable to install the system yourself, since this is a very difficult process. However, you should know its features in any case:
- The cross-section of the air ducts can be round, rectangular or square; the choice depends on the characteristics of the room and the project itself.
- Air ducts are most often made of galvanized steel sheet : it is lightweight, does not deform and is not afraid of corrosion.
- Fastening of air ducts is possible inside walls, in ceilings, under the ceiling . If necessary, they are masked with decorative panels: this allows you to create an attractive room design without fear that communications elements will spoil the interior.
The components of the air heating system do not spoil the interior Source indivi-dom.ru
Note! During the circulation of air flows, the system produces noise, and to reduce it, installation of a soundproofing layer will be required. The materials used for this often serve as a heat insulator.
When installing a system with forced circulation, the device is connected to a heat source and an electrical network; you can also use an emergency power source in case of a sudden power outage.
It is also important to choose filters for heating: they can be mechanical, electrostatic and carbon. The first type is used to retain dust particles and dirt, the second is used for finer cleaning, and the third is used to eliminate unpleasant odors. These elements most often require replacement; they usually need to be changed every 2-3 seasons if the building is used for temporary residence, or at least once every six months for permanent use.
Electric heating boiler
An electric boiler is a convenient solution. The unit is usually small in size, with an attractive design, and requires virtually no maintenance.
The disadvantages of an electric boiler include its dependence on the electrical network. If the electricity regularly goes out or the voltage is not enough for the device to function properly, you will have to abandon the electric boiler.
Service: main features
To keep the number of breakdowns to a minimum during its service life, it is necessary to provide the system with timely maintenance. The frequency of the procedure depends on its complexity, intensity of use, and other factors.
It is better to trust the service to professionals Source seaside-home.ru
Air heating of a country house requires the following regular actions:
- Visual inspection of equipment, diagnostics of individual components.
- Cleaning and replacing filters , cleaning and replacing the humidifier pad, cleaning the heat exchanger.
- Automation check.
Timely maintenance will avoid power loss, equipment breakdowns, and repairs. Some work can be carried out independently, for example, replacing and cleaning the filter or cleaning the heat exchanger. Other work requires qualifications and it is better to leave them to specialized companies.
Video description
In this video we will discuss whether it is possible to install air heating yourself:
To ensure that the procedure is successful and quick, it is recommended to order regular inspections of the system from a trusted company. Many users enter into a service contract with one company, and specialists perform work every season or at other established intervals.
A properly designed and maintained system will last a long time Source remlandia.ru
See also: Catalog of companies that specialize in designing country houses
