Cast iron radiators : quality, time-tested

advantages of cast iron radiators

water heating batteries are made of cast iron a century, preserved to this day in the usual design schemes with some adjustment for technological progress.It speaks for itself.There are many examples where the cast iron radiators are operated in Soviet-built homes, and more than fifty years, and residents of these apartments do not wish anything better and creative.What are the reasons for the longevity of the batteries should be sorted out.

perfect device designed man does not exist.Always on the scales in the selection of a life support system should be laid its positive and negative qualities.Let's start with the pros.

• Corrosion resistance .This component is better than cast iron radiators have not invented anything.The material is almost neutral to any chemical compounds which are not subject to corrosion.These heaters can be operated with any coolant quality and excessive levels of water pollution.Additional revenues of corrosion products in the circuit will not occur.
• Mechanical strength .Cast-iron battery as compared with the same aluminum radiators better withstand the hydraulic shocks and the heating system external impact to the housing.
• lifetime.The derivative of the first two points, but it is very important for consumers.Serve radiators made of cast iron will be a very long time (30-50 years), another thing is that during this time they may become outdated exterior.
• Features design.Low pressure drop due to the large cross section of the channel, allows to maintain equipment in any schemes coolant distribution (forced and natural circulation).The absence of dead zones facilitates cleaning and flushing the heating system.
• cost .In this segment of the market for comparable power cast iron radiators heating economy class have the lowest rates, at least in comparison with the popular models of bimetallic radiators (for example, the price of one section of the MS-140 model will cost you 337 rubles.)

Disadvantages of cast-iron heating batteries

• Low thermal conductivity .Heat transfer from a comparable area of ​​cast iron radiator surface is 1.5 times less than that of its aluminum counterpart with the same coolant temperature conditions.Up to 80% of thermal energy device transmits a radiation and only 20% - by natural convection.
• big weight .For suppliers difficulties of transport and storage, for consumers - a problem with the installation.The weight of one section of the MS-140 about 7 kg, to provide heat to the room 20 m require the assembly of 11 sections, ie,77 kg weight design.Taking into account the weight loading the weak external walls of water, such as in homes 600.11 series will not stand mount cast iron radiators using any brackets.
• Dimensions .The depth of the first section, in which the Lugano series is 140 mm.Installation of a window sill is quite possible to resolve in terms of design with decorative shields, in an open space apartment harmony will be disturbed.

Technical characteristics of modern cast iron radiators

Before you buy a cast iron heating radiator and decide on a price, try to calculate its parameters.In the data sheet of each device is specified nominal heat flux one section (usually from 120 to 220 watts).On heating of 1 square meter of living space in an average of 100W is required.We have heat battery cell P = 160 W, S = room area of ​​16 square meters;Sh100 / P = 10.This is the cast iron radiator sections 10 and you will need.

We deliberately discussed somewhat outdated in design and construction of a variant of the product to draw your attention to the current models, partly devoid of some drawbacks.As an example, consider the brand Konner Modern and evaluate the positive deviation of the radiator from the previous standards.

• weight of one section is reduced to 4.9 vs. 7.1 kg;
• test pressure has been increased from 15 to 18 atm;
• overall depth of less than almost doubled: 80 against 140 mm.

Adding a stylish design that fits well into the interiors of city apartments, we can confidently say that the cast iron radiators are experiencing a renaissance period.In the elite class and retro-version, where the price is much higher, especially.