Autonomous heating systems allow you to feel independent from the centralized heat supply. Most often they operate on the basis of a liquid coolant, but there are also steam systems where the coolant is steam heated to a high temperature. Steam heating in a private house, the scheme of which will be described in this article, is not without certain disadvantages, but it also has some advantages.
Scheme of steam heating in a private house
When considering a steam heating scheme in a private house, the following elements that make up its design should be highlighted:
A simple steam heating scheme used in private homes and industrial buildings.
- Steam boiler - special boilers are used here to heat water to a high temperature;
- Expansion tank - it is used to generate steam from the water supplied from the boiler;
- Radiators - they provide heat generation and heating of rooms;
- Pipes – provide steam supply and remove the condensate formed as a result of its cooling;
- Pumps – provide steam injection into the heating system (installed in large buildings);
- Steam regulator – provides regulation of the amount of steam supplied to the heating system.
Thus, the steam heating circuit is extremely simple - it is not much different from the conventional water heating circuit. Another thing is that The use of steam systems in private homes is prohibited, which is related to human safety issues. But this does not prevent the use of steam for heating industrial buildings and premises.
Very often people confuse steam heating systems with water heating systems, calling the latter steam. Today this word has become firmly established in everyday life, despite the fact that it means something completely different.
Steam heating works according to a simple scheme. The boiler heats the water in the system to a high temperature, after which it enters the expansion tank. Here it turns into steam, the temperature of which can reach +120-130 degrees. Next, the steam enters the pipes and is supplied to radiators, where it is converted into heat that warms the rooms. The condensed steam is sent back to the steam boiler. Then the process is repeated.
Diagram of water movement in a house with steam heating.
Naturally, modern steam boilers have safety systems to relieve pressure. This ensures a low accident rate of steam systems. Gas, coal or wood are used as sources for powering boilers. Steam heating in a private house using coal will provide the rooms with heat even in the absence of a centralized gas supply - this is a solid plus for country houses.
Advantages and disadvantages of steam heating
Like any other heating system, steam heating has its advantages and disadvantages. Let's look at them in more detail and start with the advantages:
- The low cost of equipment is the most obvious advantage for any consumer;
- Low heat loss – high efficiency allows you to reduce the cost of heating rooms;
- High heat transfer – this ensures quick heating of the premises.
Not without its drawbacks:
- Increased noise level - remember how noisy steam engines and locomotives are. Therefore, when filling pipes and radiators with steam, you will hear noise;
- High temperature of pipes and radiators – Due to the high temperature of the steam, burns may occur;
- High level of corrosion of individual elements - can be solved by using more expensive components;
- There is no smooth temperature control - there is only steam supply control. Sometimes the temperature in the house is reduced by turning off the system, which will be difficult when it runs on coal or wood;
- Low level of safety - due to possible accidents, steam heating systems are not used for heating residential premises.
Naturally, individual shortcomings can be dealt with, but this is fraught with additional costs.
Installation principle and choice of materials
Wood boiler. The principle of its operation is quite simple: burning wood heats water, turning it into steam.
When creating steam heating for a private home with your own hands, you need to select equipment more carefully. First you need to decide on the type of heating boiler. If the house has gas, you should choose a gas boiler. The absence of a centralized gas supply will require the choice of a coal or wood boiler. Coal models have good performance and do not require frequent fuel loading.
When installing a heating system, it is advisable to use copper pipes. They are durable and very durable, easy to install and connect, and do not require frequent replacement. Alternatively, you can choose galvanized pipes or stainless steel pipes. If copper is connected by soldering, then threaded connections are used to connect these pipes. The most budget option is to use steel pipes. They are low in cost, but quickly deteriorate due to corrosion.
Special attention is paid to the high quality of the connecting elements used. They must provide a high-quality and reliable connection - the safety of the entire system and the safety of users depend on this (steam burns are excluded).
Installation work is limited to laying pipes and installing radiators. Pipes must be laid so as to ensure gravity flow of condensate into the boiler. Steam is most often supplied through the top of the radiators, and condensate is taken from below. If you need to heat a two-story building, it is advisable to use a pump that will circulate water and steam.
In remote villages, many, after weighing all the pros and cons, prefer stove heating. Autonomy has a lot of advantages, but it’s difficult to heat a house of more than 50 m2 efficiently and evenly using a stove. Unless you install a heat exchanger in it and connect batteries to it. If water circulates as a coolant in such a system, then it will be called water heating, if steam - steam heating.
Sometimes these two types of heating are confused. However, they have their differences, advantages and disadvantages. In addition, steam heating has long been prohibited in residential buildings due to unsafe operation. But it costs much less than water and, in addition, there are protection measures. True, it cannot be said about the ease of installation; on the contrary, in order to install steam heating in a private house, and even from a brick stove, it is necessary to put in a lot of effort and time. But first things first.
Differences between steam and water heating
Steam heating works on the principle:
- First, water is heated in a container to a boil and converted into steam;
- steam passes through pipes to radiators, giving off heat;
- in batteries, steam condenses, turning back into water;
- water flows through the outlets into the expansion tank and returns to the heat exchanger.
Unlike water heating, steam heating provides greater heat transfer, warms the room three times faster, and is ergonomic. It requires small-sized equipment, which, in fact, reduces the cost of the system as a whole. Another plus: in an abandoned house, the pipes do not freeze during the cold season. Therefore, it is easy to start steam heating when arriving at the dacha in winter, and when leaving, make sure that the fuel has completely burned out.
By the way, not only furnaces, but also boilers operating on waste oil can be used as a generator for steam heating. But usually such a system is installed in garages and utility rooms for environmental reasons.
Design of a boiler operating on waste oil
Disadvantages of steam heating and ways to eliminate them
System imperfections:
- radiators from steam heat up above 100°C, which is why they pose a danger, especially for children and animals;
- The steam heating system is noisy;
- temperature control is difficult;
- impossibility of installing water heated floors.
The first drawback can be eliminated by protecting radiators and supply pipes with screens. There is a huge selection of these decorative interior elements made of wood and plastic.
A wooden screen will protect against accidental contact with hot radiators
The noise effect in the system can be significantly reduced if you use anti-noise brackets for radiators during their installation, and the steam generator itself is installed in a separate room.
The third point is difficult to eliminate. But for the fourth, there is a solution - if desired, water heated floors can be replaced with infrared film ones.
Attention! It is not advisable to plan a brick oven with a steam generator for heating and cooking at the same time, since in the summer it will still be impossible to use it. Or, you will have to come up with an alternative option for the warm period. For example, make a summer stove outdoors.
Also, plastic pipes cannot be used in the system; they will not withstand the temperature conditions.
Installation diagram for steam heating from a furnace
- Natural and forced circulation system
A system operating on the principle of natural circulation requires the location of the heat exchanger below the level of the radiators and all pipes at an angle. A forced system requires a pump to ensure uninterrupted circulation of the heat exchanger.
Schemes also come in one- and two-pipe.
- Single-pipe steam heating circuit for a private house
This circuit works on the principle of connecting radiators in series. The coolant moves through the pipe, moving from one battery to another. As a result, the first radiator turns out to be the hottest, and the last one is almost cooled down. Therefore, it is recommended to use this scheme for rooms with a small area - from 40 to 80 m2.
Single-pipe heating circuit
This system is more suitable for houses with large areas and two-story cottages. It differs in that the radiators in it are connected in parallel using two pipes: inlet and outlet (condenser). In this scheme, the coolant is supplied to all radiators at the same temperature, since it does not have time to cool down.
Two-pipe heating circuit
How to arrange steam heating from a stove with your own hands
Equipment and materials
For a steam heating device you will need:
- radiators (under each window);
- heat exchanger - essentially a water tube boiler or steam generator;
- pipes for steam and condensate drainage - it is better to give preference to materials resistant to high temperatures: galvanized steel or copper;
- elbows, connectors, pipe clamps, brackets for radiators, shut-off valves: valves, air release valves;
- a hydraulic valve used to allow drying of the steam pipeline;
- pressure reducing valve to reduce pressure in the system;
- reduction-cooling unit;
- welding machine;
- container for collecting condensate;
- pump.
Pressure reducing valve to reduce pressure in the system
It is better to rent expensive equipment.
You will have to make a heat exchanger for a brick oven yourself or order it. To do this, you will need metal pipes with a wall thickness of 2.5 mm and a welding machine. You can connect them as in the picture or make them in the form of a coil. The main thing is to monitor the quality of the welds. The calculation is done approximately like this: 1 m 2 of the coil surface delivers up to 9 kW.
After the design is made, it is necessary to check it. To do this, pour water into it and make sure there are no leaks. However, this method is not very informative, since welds may have slag inclusions, which will not be detected in the absence of excess pressure.
It is best to check the quality of seams using the “kerosene on chalk” method. To do this, you need to chalk all the welds and pour kerosene inside the structure. If there is a tiny pore, the chalk will darken as kerosene seeps into it.
Brick kiln circuit
Another option for a heat exchanger for a furnace
Sequence of work
The heat exchanger is built into the furnace at the stage of its laying directly into the firebox
It must be taken into account that if you plan to make a cooking stove, then there should be no pipes in the upper part, otherwise they will interfere. Then it is better to make a heat exchanger according to this principle
Next, according to the diagram, radiators are installed under the windows. Inlet and outlet pipes are connected to them. For natural circulation - with a slight slope of 3 mm per meter. Each convector should be equipped with an air release valve.
For safety reasons, it is advisable to install shut-off valves in front of each radiator and one in front of the entire system. At the beginning of it, a pressure reducing valve and a cooling unit should also be installed.
At the end of the system, a tank is installed to collect condensate, from which water also flows downhill back into the heat exchanger. It is not advisable to use a membrane expander for this purpose, since it is designed for temperatures up to 85 ° C.
In the forced circulation system, in the return pipeline, a pump is installed in front of the furnace.
Nuances when using steam heating from a stove
Brick stoves with a heat exchanger produce more soot in the chimney than usual and have to be cleaned more often.
With a gravity system, the furnace will have to be built in the basement so that the condensate flows freely to the lowest point.
The installation of valves should not be neglected - they are necessary for safety and accident prevention. Since the pump requires electricity, it must be taken into account that if the mains is disconnected, it will not be possible to stop the furnace.
Steam heating in a wooden house is installed according to the same principle as in a brick one. It is only necessary to observe fire safety measures - protect wooden surfaces from overheating.
Video: combined heating system for a private house
If you have chosen steam heating as the most optimal type of heating for your home, then you are naturally interested in how it can be arranged and whether it can be installed yourself. Therefore, in this article we decided to look at how to make steam heating with your own hands in a private house, what you will need for this and what options are possible. At the same time, we note that we will talk specifically about steam heating, and not about water heating (they are quite often confused), in which water vapor is used as a coolant.
Where to begin
Before you begin installing steam heating in a private house yourself, you must:
- Consider how your skills and knowledge in this area correspond to the task at hand. You may need to find additional information or consult a specialist;
- Select the scheme according to which the steam heating system will operate and the method of pipe routing;
- Select the material of the pipes that will be used;
- Determine the type, required power, location of the boiler and radiators, as well as methods of connecting them to the system;
- Draw up an installation diagram (drawing or sketch) linked to the house plan, on which indicate: the location of the boiler and radiators, wiring routes, length, purpose, diameter and method of connecting pipes, location, type of shut-off valves and additional equipment (expansion tank, valves, filters, pumps);
- Calculate and prepare the required amount of materials, equipment and tools.
Now we will consider the stages of preparation for installing steam heating in a private house with our own hands in more detail.
Scheme selection
Since the steam heating system uses water steam as a coolant, the best option for the wiring diagram would be a two-pipe one, in which steam will be supplied to the radiators through one main pipe, and condensate (cooled steam) will be discharged through the other. In this case, an option is possible with both an upper and a lower location of the supply pipe.
In addition, a steam heating system can be:
- Open, when the condensate from the radiators flows by gravity into an “open” (leaky) storage tank, and from there it enters the steam generator, by gravity or using a circulation pump. Such a storage tank must be located below the level of the radiators, and pipes for condensate drainage must be laid with a slope towards it. If the tank is located above the steam generator, then the accumulated condensate (water) can be supplied to the boiler by gravity or using a pump. If it is located below the receiving pipe (“return”) of the boiler, then in this case only forced supply is possible.
- Closed, in which excess pressure is maintained using a sealed membrane tank, and a steam fan is installed on the supply pipe, supplying steam to the radiators.
Rice. 1 Open-loop two-pipe steam heating system
Rice. 2 Two-pipe closed steam heating system
When choosing a scheme, it is necessary to choose the most suitable location for the steam generator, which should ensure ease of pipe routing, installation of additional equipment and its further operation. One of the best options is to place the boiler in the basement or basement. In addition, it is necessary to decide on the number, power and location of radiators (batteries).
The choice of one or another scheme must also be made in accordance with the specific installation conditions, which depend on the size of the house, the number and location of rooms and other layout features, as well as the type of materials and equipment used.
Selection of materials and equipment
In order for the installation of steam heating in a private house to be done correctly with your own hands, you also need to make the right choice:
- the material and diameter of the pipes for wiring, the method of their connection and the corresponding tools or equipment;
- optimal type of radiators;
- type and power of the boiler (steam generator);
- shut-off valves and additional equipment (tank, pump, valves, pumps, filters).
Pipes
Since the heated coolant (water vapor) can have a temperature of 100⁰C or more, the best material option for the system’s distribution pipes would be steel or copper.
Of course, the best choice, based on its performance characteristics, would be copper pipes.
Copper pipes
They are durable, have a smooth surface and are not afraid of corrosion. Their disadvantage is the rather high cost of the material. In addition, for their installation, in addition to threaded connections, it is necessary to use high-temperature soldering, which requires special equipment and certain skills.
Steel pipes
Steel pipes that can be used to install a steam heating system can be stainless steel or regular (black) steel. Products made from the latter can also be galvanized. It is clear that the best option here is stainless steel. But, just like copper pipes, such pipes are very expensive. In addition, special electrodes are required for their welding, and it is quite problematic to make do with only threaded connections during installation. Pipes made of ordinary (black steel) are the most economical option, although their installation also requires the ability to perform welding work and the availability of appropriate equipment. In addition, the outside of such pipes must be protected from corrosion by painting.
It should also be noted that heating pipes, especially those supplying steam, will become very hot, therefore, to prevent accidental burns, it is best to lay them hidden: in grooves or niches.
Radiators
When choosing the type of radiator for steam heating, you must remember that they will get very hot (100⁰C and possibly even more), which creates a certain risk of burns if you accidentally touch them. Therefore, the best option for such systems can be considered convector-type radiators with a protective panel. They can be either completely steel (an economical option) or bimetallic (the best products are made of copper and aluminum, but their cost is quite high).
Boiler-steam generator
Steam generator boilers may differ in design, type of fuel used, and power. This can be a steam turbine or a reduction-cooling unit (RCU). They can use natural gas, solid or liquid fuel as fuel. The choice of a particular fuel depends on its availability and economic feasibility of use. Of course, at present, the most profitable option is natural gas steam generators, but this is only if it is possible to supply gas to the house.
The required power of the steam generator depends on the area (volume) of the premises that will need to be heated and the heat losses of the building envelope (walls, ceiling, floor, windows, doors). Simplified, we can assume that for 100 m2 of premises a boiler power of 10-11 kW will be required. To determine the required power more accurately, it is necessary to make a special calculation.
Shut-off valves and additional equipment
Shut-off valves, safety and air valves, filters are selected in accordance with the diameter and material of the selected pipes for distribution. It must be remembered that they will be exposed to high temperatures on the supply line.
Storage (for open) or membrane (for closed) tanks are selected in accordance with the type and total volume of the system. The characteristics of circulation pumps and steam fans must be selected so that they can ensure sufficient circulation of the coolant in the system (steam and condensate).
Procedure for installing steam heating with your own hands
After the preparatory work has been completed and all the elements of the future steam heating system for a private house have been selected, you can begin installing them yourself in the following order:
- Install the steam generator in accordance with the drawn up installation diagram;
- Attach radiators to the walls;
- Starting from the boiler-steam generator, install pipes with the installation of shut-off valves, connecting radiators and additional equipment;
- Perform pressure testing of the installed heating system;
- Perform a test run and make sure it works.
Finally
Above we looked at what it is and how, if desired, you can install steam heating in a private house with your own hands. I would like to note once again that this type of heating (using steam, not water) is currently used quite rarely. Most often, by steam, people mean water heating, in which the coolant is heated water or other liquid, and you can learn how to install it yourself and what options exist from the materials in another section of our website - “Water Heating”.
Video on the topic
v-teple.com
Possible steam heating schemes in a private house, the use of a stove and the role of a steam generator in the system
Calculators SNiPs and GOSTs
The steam heating scheme in a private house has several implementation options. When creating a scheme for your home with your own hands, you need to familiarize yourself with all the possible options and choose the most optimal one.
Each private building in year-round, rather than seasonal, use requires the presence of all communications for a comfortable life: hot water supply, sewerage, plumbing, heating of the house. Autonomous own heating has a huge advantage: the end of the heating season and its beginning at the desired time.
Individual heating of your own home is possible using different coolants and different systems. Options for creating circuits with your own hands are also feasible. Steam heating in a private home (Fig. 1) is the oldest way to create comfortable living conditions and maintain optimal temperature conditions in the premises.
Rice. 1 Steam heating system Steam system in the house, its constituent elements
Steam heating can be realized by choosing one of its varieties. Any steam heating scheme for a private home includes:
- Steam generator (heat source);
- Pipeline;
- Heating element;
- Control measurement device;
- Parts for shut-off regulation.
You can also use an electric steam generator. The pipeline includes steam lines and condensate lines. The steam line transports steam, and the condensate line acts as a condensate drain.
Condensate can move in several ways, so the condensate line can be:
A gravity condensate pipeline involves the movement of condensate towards a container that accumulates condensate; in this case, the pipeline has a slope. A pressure condensate pipeline involves the movement of condensate due to pressure differences.
The fullness of the condensate pipeline can be different, so this element can be:
Dry happens if the pipe heating system is not completely filled with water, and wet - the filling of water is constant.
Rice. 2 Mini-scheme of a steam system The steam system has its negative aspects, which manifest themselves:
- noisy operation during heating;
- very hot surface of heating elements;
- complex control of the thermal output of heating elements;
- service life, which is much shorter than in other systems (water).
Sometimes, steam heating elements can heat up to 100 degrees above zero. You must be careful to avoid contact with the equipment to avoid getting burned.
Steam heating in a private home has a number of advantages:
- compact size of heating system elements;
- the thermal output from the heating components is very high;
- the rooms warm up very quickly;
- the coolant enters every point, while its heating qualities remain at a high level;
- savings during operation.
During compaction, thermal energy is released. The coolant is supplied to the heating elements through steam transportation pipelines. Condensation promotes heat transfer from the walls of the equipment. Next, the condensate moves to the collection tank, and then to the boiler for further heating.
Rice. 3 Steam boiler The coolant moves into the heating boiler according to a forced scheme using a pump or a natural scheme by gravity. This process is repeated cyclically. To avoid encountering moving condensate, the line is installed at a slope towards the moving steam. A retaining washer or steam trap can be used to prevent steam from reaching the condensate line.
Steam heating schemes
Steam heating in a private house (Fig. 2) can be carried out using different schemes, the implementation of which is possible with your own hands. Steam heating can be closed or open. It's all about how the condensate returns to its original heat point.
Rice. 4 Electric steam generator A closed heating system involves the return of condensate from the heating elements to the heat source due to different pressures. This system works effectively when the steam collector is placed at a low level relative to the heating elements.
An open heating system means that condensate enters the storage tank by gravity. The pump helps pump condensate to the heat source.
It is better to use pipes with a wide diameter in cases where the condensate is returned back to the heating boiler by gravity. In a private house or small cottage, it is relevant to use a heating system with low steam pressure: from 100 kg per square meter. m up to 170 kg per sq. m vacuum-steam system is also relevant, its operating pressure ranges up to 100 kg per square meter. m.
In a large private house, it is more effective to use a system that has a high operating steam pressure. The indicator can reach up to 600 kg per square meter. m.
The steam heating system in the house uses a boiler (Figure 3), which can be chosen thanks to a wide range. You can create a system:
- single-circuit;
- double-circuit.
Rice. 5 Using the stove A single-circuit system involves heating only the house with steam. A two-circuit system heats the premises of the house with steam, and at the same time supplies the house with hot water. Living in a house with a double-circuit circuit is convenient and practical, and most importantly, the system provides high performance.
Installing and creating a circuit yourself
Creating a steam heating system with your own hands is not very difficult. By adhering to certain rules, you can confidently reach the finish line.
- To make a plan. The document is approved by government agencies. It indicates where the batteries will be located, the exhaust valve, the placement of the boiler, and the entire drawing diagram of the steam heating system.
- Carrying out work with your own hands in the boiler room. The room must be fireproof. The walls are lined with non-combustible materials. The foundation for the boiler is being poured.
- The boiler is installed at a level lower than where the piping and radiators are located. This installation ensures the circulation of steam in an upward direction throughout the heating system; the condensate will flow by gravity to the boiler. Pipes play an important role, they should not be plastic, it is better to use copper. Copper pipes are the strongest, can withstand high pressure, and will not crack during operation.
- Installing radiators with your own hands requires the ability to operate a welding machine. These elements are connected to the system by welding and threaded connections. It is imperative to ensure that the connections are tight so that the steam cannot leave its destination in any way in the future.
- The last stage is the installation of the boiler, various sensors, pressure gauge and other elements.
Steam generator and its importance
A steam generator for heating a house is an essential element that serves to heat water. The steam generator can be based on a heating element, use electrode heating or induction.
The steam in the steam generator is effectively used to heat private homes and buildings. The popularity of using steam generators is due to the large amount of energy when converting water into steam and condensation. Steam from the device is convenient for heating, heating various means, chemical reactors, etc.
Most often I use a steam generator to create:
- heat exchanger;
- heating system;
- steam jacket of autoclaves.
Steam generators (Figure 4) have significant advantages, unlike their own kind:
- Efficiency 98%;
- quick startup and quick shutdown of equipment (6 minutes);
- the most environmentally friendly heating method: steam does not harm the environment;
- economical heating option, no fuel costs.
A steam generator allows significant savings, since its use can make it possible to stop the centralized supply of coolant.
Rice. 6 Heating of a multi-storey cottage The stove and its role in steam heating
The oldest heating method is the stove. The building remains relevant to this day. The stove for steam heating a house (Figure 5) was the first to be used as the main heating element of the system. The process of heating a house occurs as follows: the fire heats the pipeline passing through the stove. The circulation of the coolant occurs due to the temperature difference.
There is no point in replacing a boiler with a furnace. But in a situation where the stove already exists, you can do without installing an expensive boiler.
It is not advisable to dismantle the stove in the house:
- firewood and coal are the cheapest resources for heating;
- disassembling the stove will require an investment of both finances and great effort;
- the steam heating system is not automatic, but mechanical, so the risk of breakdown is minimal;
- it is advisable to use the stove in country houses where there is a forest nearby;
- heating does not depend on the supply of coolant through pipes; the system is controlled personally by the owner of the house.
Disadvantages of using a stove:
- If the stove is located not directly in the house, but in another building, then large heat losses are possible. The situation can be smoothed out by insulating the pipeline connecting the house and the building with the stove.
- The temperature of the heated coolant often reaches + 100. The indicator can be reduced in the only way: by opening the firebox slightly, tightly closing the furnace vent, the internal temperature in the system can be stabilized. You should not hope that by stopping and lighting the fire in the stove, the temperature will drop.
- The system does not operate automatically. It is necessary to throw raw materials into the furnace firebox at night, otherwise the batteries will be cold in the morning.
- In the room in which the stove is located, a smoke screen may periodically appear.
- Contamination of the chimney and its periodic cleaning, the use of not always well-dried firewood, poor quality coal, and low atmospheric pressure are unpleasant aspects of using a stove in the system.
Heating a house with steam is beneficial if it is necessary to heat nearby outbuildings near the house or cottages with several floors (Fig. 6). If there are children in the family, it is better to keep them away from the equipment to avoid burns. Having weighed everything up, we can say for sure that a steam heating system is a cost-effective investment and is characterized by high performance.
kotlomaniya.ru
Steam heating in a private house: water, diagrams and do-it-yourself installation, advantages
The construction of a private house is not only about the harmonious layout of the building and decorative elements. Thermal supply and comfort of the premises play a huge role in comfortable living in the private sector. After all, winter, which lasts almost six months in Russia, can completely freeze your home if the room is not well supplied with heat.
Despite modern heating systems, steam heating in a private home is still relevant. This home heating system is considered reliable, versatile and easy to use.
The thermal function in such a system is performed by steam. Installing steam heating in a private house is possible without the help of specialists.
The operation of this system is quite simple. The boiler is heated by steam and serves as the main source of heat. The steam that enters special radiators and lines is produced by a steam pipe or a reduction cooling unit.
Steam heating in a private house can be performed using a single-circuit or double-circuit boiler. A single-circuit heating system is capable of heating only the room, while a double-circuit heating system also serves to generate warm water.
Schematic representation of the heating system of a private house.
The heating boiler plays a huge role in the quality heating of the room. The fuel with which the heating boiler operates comes in different types: solid, liquid, combined, and also produced using natural gas.
For high-quality operation of the system, you must choose the right pipes for steam heat supply. Special steam heating in a wooden house can be done using steel, stainless, galvanized, plastic or copper pipes. The choice of material for steam heating pipes depends only on you.
Steel pipes are quite often used to create a heat supply system. But they have one significant drawback: such pipes have low anti-corrosion properties. As for stainless and galvanized pipes, they are of fairly high quality and durable, but have a high price.
Copper pipes can be considered the most reliable. They are resistant to elevated temperatures and high pressure. Installation of such a pipeline is quite quick and easy. Copper pipes are expensive, so they are most often used to create a heat supply system in mansions and cottages, which are built according to special, exclusive projects.
The calculation and design of the heating system should be based on the following indicators:
- main pipeline length;
- number of additional adapters.
The heating boiler serves as the main source of heat. The calculation of the heat supply system is determined using the power indicators of the main heat generator in the room, the role of which is played by the heating boiler, and the selection of the power of radiators that will be suitable for each room of a private house. Heating calculations are made using the high-quality operation of the pipeline, pumps, automation equipment and special control devices.
Components of a vortex heat generator system.
The key role is played by the correct calculation of materials, their quality and the power of the main boiler. Steam heat supply in a wooden house or in any other private house requires special attention to the choice of heating pipes. Modern experts advise choosing plastic pipes, as they are the best option and can withstand pressure and temperature changes well.
Steam heat supply consists of the following parts:
- expansion water tank;
- boiler for heating water;
- convector;
- pipeline.
Before you begin installing a heating boiler in a wooden house, you should take care of the installation of pipes. There should be a convector under each window. It is advisable that you allocate a special place or room in your house for a boiler room. This is where you will install the boiler. Most often, a basement is allocated for the heating system. If you have chosen plastic pipes for installing a pipeline, then they can be installed in 2 ways: using special connectors or cold soldering.
Diagram of an electric boiler.
Main types of boilers and methods of steam heating
Currently, there is a wide selection of heating boilers. Heating in a wooden house is possible using the following boilers:
- gas;
- electrical;
- solid fuel;
- liquid fuel;
- combined.
The gas boiler remains popular. It is inexpensive and easy to maintain. Heating in a wooden house is very convenient using a gas boiler, since there is no need to make special fuel preparations. Solid fuel boilers are often used to provide heat to homes. Steam heat supply using solid fuel boilers provides regular heating of the room. Such boilers regulate the combustion process and the air supply to the combustion chamber.
Calculation of heat supply can also be performed for an electric boiler. The only disadvantage of such a system is that when an electric boiler is operating, there is a large load on the electrical network. It is believed that on average 3-4 kW of electricity is allocated to 1 private house. This amount of electricity is not always enough to connect an electric heating boiler.
Today, liquid fuel boilers are used as the main heating appliance. However, this method of heating a home is considered not environmentally friendly and not safe enough. Thus, the calculation of heating a house should begin with the choice of a heating boiler.
"Inside" of a gas boiler.
Steam heating methods
There are many ways in which steam heating can be carried out. The most popular is the heat supply system conducted from the stove. Such a system can be installed if your private home has a clay oven. Such furnace heat supply, as a rule, is carried out only in 1 circuit. It cannot be called economical, since it can only be produced using solid fuel, and this will cost slightly more than gas.
You can also use steam heating using wood. This method is quite convenient and profitable. In order to ensure high-quality heat supply using firewood, you should choose boilers that have a long burning time. With such a system, it is best to install the expansion tank on the top floor or attic.
A popular method is steam heating using coal. This method cannot be considered economical; moreover, it is inferior to the steam method using wood. Coal burns a little weaker than wooden materials, so experts recommend using an additional pump or installing a second circuit.
How to choose good equipment?
The choice of heating system depends only on your preferences. Before giving preference to one method or another, we recommend that you read numerous reviews describing the use of various heating equipment for the home. This way you will protect yourself from choosing low-quality equipment.
To live comfortably in a home, warmth is required. It doesn’t matter how beautiful a home is from the inside and how many people it accommodates if the heating problem has not been solved. Each home owner approaches this issue individually, guided by the climatic conditions of the area and their own capabilities. Some people prefer steam heating. You can assemble such a system with your own hands without much effort.
How the system works
Do not confuse water and steam heating at home. They have many functional differences, despite their external similarities.
Both of these types have components:
- boiler;
- radiators;
- pipes.
Steam heating is considered effective; you can get by with a small number of batteries
Steam is the coolant for steam heating of a private house. You can make such a system with your own hands, following the instructions for assembling and installing the components. For a water system, water plays the role of carrier. The boiler evaporates water rather than heating it. The coolant vapor moves through the pipes and becomes a source of comfortable temperature in the house. The steam cools inside, after which it condenses. In this case, 1 kg of steam is converted into 2000 kilojoules of heat. For comparison, water cooling at 50°C provides only 120 kJ.
In this video you will learn about the circulation of the system:
The heat transfer of steam is several times higher, which explains the high efficiency of this type of heating. The condensate formed inside the radiator passes to the lower part and independently moves to the boiler. There are several types of heating systems. In this case, the specification is carried out according to the method of returning the coolant, which has been transformed into condensate.
These are the systems:
- Closed. There are no contours in this case. Accordingly, condensate moves through pipes that lie at a certain angle. It goes straight into the boiler for further heating.
- Open. There is a storage tank here. Condensate enters it from the radiators, and the pump is involved in pumping it back into the boiler.
Why steam is better
If you wish, you can make such heating in your home, but these systems are not very popular today. Rather, only a few resort to it. At the same time, it is possible to highlight both advantages and disadvantages of such systems. .
Steam heating can be single-pipe or double-pipe - Heating efficiency. She's quite tall. That's why even a small number of radiators is enough to serve large rooms. Sometimes you can even do without them by installing only pipes.
- Reduced inertia. It promotes rapid heating of heating circuits. Accordingly, as soon as a few minutes pass after turning on the boiler, the rooms feel warm.
- Almost zero heat loss. For this reason, such a system is beneficial.
- Opportunity to use relatively rarely. There is a small amount of liquid in the pipes, so there is no need to defrost the system. As an alternative, it can be used in a country house where people visit from time to time.
You can install steam heating in a private house with your own hands according to the scheme if you have some experience. The main advantage here is efficiency. From the very beginning, the installation requires modest costs. In the process of using the system, insignificant amounts are spent.
Heating system overview:
But even with such an impressive range of advantages, there are significant disadvantages. They are associated with the use of water vapor as a coolant: its temperature can be quite high. Accordingly, all system components warm up to +100°C and even more.
You should not touch such a surface even briefly, so as not to get burned. Therefore, any pipes and radiators must be closed. The air in such a room actively moves. When steam heating is used, the air becomes dry and you have to use a humidifier.
Not all finishing materials used indoors can withstand proximity to extremely hot radiators and pipes, so their choice is limited. The best option would be cement plaster, which is coated with heat-resistant paint. Everything else does not guarantee safety. In addition, steam passing through the pipe is a source of great noise.
The system is not well regulated. Heat transfer is uncontrollable, so the room easily overheats. The situation can be solved by installing an automatic system that will independently turn off steam boilers for a private home when they overheat and turn them on when the room cools down. Another time-consuming, but more realistic way is to install parallel branches that will work if necessary. The main disadvantage is the emergency hazard of the system.
If the pipe or radiator is seriously damaged, hot steam under pressure will escape. This is unsafe; such options are not used in apartment buildings. When planning to install steam heating, the owner of a private household can obtain permission for this, but only at his own responsibility.
Main Components
The key component of the system is the boiler. Its main purpose is to convert water into steam. Later it goes into the pipeline.
The boiler must be powerful enough to pull two floors at the same time The design elements here are:
- pipe system;
- collectors;
- drum.
A container of water is also required. It is called the body of water. There is a special means of evaporation here, which plays the role of a separating element.
Steam space
Additional equipment can be installed here. It can be useful if steam separation is required. Intensive exchange between steam and water is the basis of boiler operation. Heating devices are divided into water- and fire-tube. In the latter case, heated gases move in pipe channels arranged in a container of water.
Water tube modifications work on a slightly different principle. Here water moves through channels built inside a chamber with gases. First it heats up, after which it begins to boil. Water moves naturally inside the boiler.
In all types of boilers, the same rule for converting water into steam applies. First, the liquid is carried into a reservoir located in the upper zone of the device. It then flows into the collector and rises into the drum located at the top, moving through the heating area. Steam is formed inside the pipe and goes up. It can move through a separator where it is separated from the liquid. Then it goes into the steam pipeline.
Heating can be easily installed with your own hands The boiler can use various fuel options. In accordance with these features, the design can be modified. Changes may also affect the type of operation of the combustion chamber. Let's say a grate is required for those cases where solid fuel is used. At the same time, special burners will be needed if the fuel is gaseous or liquid. Mixed options are more convenient and practical.
Radiators and pipe system
Temperature indicators in the steam system are within +100…+130°C. Compared to water ones, they are much taller. That is why it is not recommended to use similar equipment for arranging systems. This applies to pipes made of polypropylene and metal-plastic. The maximum performance indicators of these materials are within +90…+100°C; their use is strictly prohibited.
For the main pipeline, 3 types of pipes are allowed. Steel ones are considered the cheapest products. They manage to withstand temperatures of +130°C.
Condensation formed inside the parts leads to rapid destruction of the pipe material. We must not forget that steel is not resistant to corrosion. The aggressive coolant environment enhances this disadvantage. The connection requires welding, which requires a lot of time and labor. It is better to take galvanized steel pipes. These products withstand elevated temperatures and require the use of a threaded connection method. This approach greatly simplifies the workflow. The only thing that can serve as an obstacle to purchasing such products is their high price.
How to make heating in the house:
Another ideal option is copper pipes. The material is plastic, not afraid of thermal influences, durable, and not subject to corrosion. Soldering is used to connect copper components. Copper piping is durable, but expensive.
It turns out that in terms of the combination of price and quality, preference should be given to steel pipes that have a galvanized or anti-corrosion coating.
System classification
There are many variations on how to carry out homemade steam heating. These are one- and two-pipe varieties. In the first case, there is a continuous movement of steam through the pipe. First, it transfers heat to the batteries, after which they transform into liquid. Then it takes the form of condensation. To prevent the wearer from encountering obstacles, the pipe should be selected with a fairly large diameter.
Single-pipe and double-pipe
Single-pipe heating systems have many disadvantages. The heating of their radiators can differ significantly: the areas near the boiler heat up to a greater extent. The farther you are from them, the lower this figure is. On the other hand, such a difference can only be noticed in large rooms. In a two-pipe system, steam moves through one pipe and condensate leaves through the opposite pipe. Due to this, it is possible to ensure equal temperatures in all radiators.
A steam heating system has relatively low heat loss At the same time, pipe consumption increases significantly. Both steam and water heating can be single- or double-circuit. In the first case, the system is applicable for space heating. In the second, it acts as a water heater for domestic situations.
Other varieties
Heating wiring can also be different. There are three main options:
- With top wiring. The main steam pipeline is located at a higher level than the heating devices. Pipes extend from it towards the radiators. A condensate wire is installed near the floor surface. Such a system is easier to implement and works better.
- With bottom wiring. The main line is installed at a level lower than steam heating devices. It turns out that the same pipe, which should have an increased diameter, is designed in such a way that it provokes depressurization and water hammer. The fact is that steam moves in one direction, while condensate moves directly towards it.
- With mixed wiring. The pipe that passes steam is fixed slightly higher than the radiators in level. All other features coincide with the option of arranging the upper wiring. Due to this, it is possible to preserve all its positive qualities. The main disadvantage is the risk of injury. This is explained by easier access to heated pipes.
There is another classification. It is based on the internal pressure of the system. The main types are:
- Vacuum. The system is completely sealed. It contains a forming vacuum pump. Steam condenses at a lower temperature. It turns out that the system is more or less safe.
- Atmospheric. Compared to atmospheric pressure, the same indicator in the circuit cavity is several times higher. If an accident occurs, it will lead to negative consequences. Radiators operating in such a system can heat up to critical levels.
Despite significant limitations in the use of steam heating, it is used as an autonomous one. Often the reason for this is the insignificant costs of its arrangement. When deciding to create such a system, it should be understood that steam plays the role of a coolant here with all the ensuing consequences.
How to make a two-pipe heating system with your own hands:
From ancient times to this day, stove heating has successfully solved the problem of heating rooms in a private house. However, with a living space of more than fifty meters, it is hardly possible to achieve a comfortable indoor air temperature. Here you cannot do without an additional heat exchanger and radiators. Steam or water can circulate through the pipes as a coolant (hence the name).
Differences between a steam system and a water system
Some people believe that water and steam heating are the same thing, although they have significant differences. And the most important thing is that according to SNiP standards, steam heating is prohibited for use in residential buildings.
What's the advantage?
When using steam as a coolant, the heat transfer of heating devices is much higher, and the room warms up 3 times faster. Such heating is very easy to start even after a long absence, because the pipes do not freeze and there is no need to fill them with water or other coolant
A steam heating system has another significant advantage - it is cheaper than a water heating system due to compact and ergonomic equipment, for example, smaller diameter pipes are used than for a water system.
Negative sides
The most important negative feature is the short service life. Due to the inability to smoothly regulate the operation of the system, rooms are heated at different intensities, which creates certain inconveniences.
Choosing the best option for work is very difficult. Among other things, when pipes and radiators are filled with steam, an unpleasant noise appears. With steam heating, the pipes become so hot that you can easily get burned.
Principle of operation
The heat source can be a stove or boiler, where the water heats up to 100° C and begins to evaporate. The steam then flows through the pipes into the batteries and cools, forming condensation. The resulting water flows through the return pipe into the heat exchanger.
When choosing a boiler as a water heater, you should take into account its performance, which depends on the area of the room. In other words, the larger the heated area, the more powerful the boiler should be.
In those houses that already have steam heating installed, a solid fuel boiler is most often used. A gas heat generator has the highest efficiency, but using an electric boiler to heat a private house or other premises is not economically profitable due to high energy costs.
Bake
If a private house already has a stove, it can be successfully used as a heat source. Firstly, dismantling furnace equipment may entail additional expenses for repairs. Secondly, coal and firewood are cheap energy sources. And thirdly, the operation of the furnace does not depend on centralized gas and electricity supplies.
A heat exchanger is used as a steam generator, which you need to make yourself or order. The structure itself consists of metal pipes welded together. The key point is to check the heat exchanger for the stove for leaks.
To do this, pour kerosene into the device, and outline the seams with chalk. If the chalk has darkened, it means that kerosene has penetrated there and such a device cannot be used for a steam heating system.
Circulation system type
Steam heating of a house does not always require a pump, since with natural circulation the pipe layout allows water to move in a closed circle according to the law of gravity, without the forced action of electronics.
The location of the radiators and the outgoing pipeline is at the highest point relative to the incoming one. The difference in water temperature causes it to constantly move around the system. The forced heating system operates using a pump.
Forced heating system.
Implementation methods
Steam heating in a private or country house can be built using a one- or two-pipe scheme.
Single-pipe
In the first case, the batteries are connected in series. Steam passes through pipes from one radiator to the next, heating the first battery more than the others. Due to this feature, the single-pipe system is suitable for small rooms (up to 80 m²).
Two-pipe
A two-pipe heating circuit will cope with the main task in large houses. It heats all batteries evenly, since the inlet and outlet pipes are connected to the radiators in parallel.
Installation of heating from a stove
Steam heating is much more difficult to install than water heating, especially if it is organized from a stove burning wood or coal. Therefore, special attention will have to be paid to safety measures during installation and during operation.
Necessary equipment
Those who decide to make steam heating with their own hands will need the following equipment:
- radiators that are installed under each window;
- water boiler or steam generator (depending on the type of heating);
- heat-resistant copper or galvanized pipes through which steam and condensate will be discharged;
- connecting and transition elements (clamps, elbows);
- fasteners (brackets);
- shut-off devices (air outlet valves, valves);
- a hydraulic valve, with the help of which the steam pipeline is drained;
- pressure-reducing valve (reduces steam pressure in the system);
- cooling mechanism with gearbox;
- container for condensate;
- pump;
- welding machine.
Installation of system elements
When the furnace is installed, a heat exchanger is integrated into its firebox. Next, following the schematic drawings, radiators with air drain valves and pipes (supply and exhaust) are fixed under the window openings.
At the beginning of a steam heating system, a cooling structure and a pressure reducing valve are usually installed, and in the case of forced circulation, a pump is placed in front of the furnace. The container for collecting condensate is installed at an angle at the end of the heating chain. From it, water flows back into the tank.
The chimney of a brick stove with a built-in coolant tank needs more frequent cleaning.
When arranging natural circulation, it is better to make the stove in the basement of a private house. This will allow condensate to flow freely to the lowest point.
Don't ignore valve installation. They ensure the safety of the entire steam heating system and prevent emergency situations.