Which pipes are better for heating a private house

To keep the house warm and cozy, you need to know how to properly install heating in a private house. To do this, it is important to choose high-quality pipes that will guarantee the stable operation of the heating system.

Heating pipes: what should they be like?

Pipes play an important role in the heating system. They are necessary for the circulation of the coolant in the system. The building materials market offers a huge selection of pipes. They differ in diameter, material of manufacture, price, etc. At the same time, each option has its own characteristics, positive and negative qualities. It is necessary to take them into account in order to ensure heating reliability and indoor comfort.

The following requirements are imposed on pipes:

1. Durability. Even with long-term operation of the heating system, pipes must maintain their integrity. At the slightest damage to their walls or air penetration, a corrosion process can begin. The pipe itself will begin to rust, and plaque will appear on its walls. If the pipe is severely damaged, leakage from the circuit will begin. This can lead to an emergency.
2. Low noise level.
3. Aesthetic appearance. It is not always possible to hide the pipe. Therefore, it should have an attractive appearance.

What should be considered when choosing pipes?

When choosing the best pipe option, experts advise paying attention to the following points:

1. The method of laying pipes. Wiring can be done in two ways: open and closed. With the open method, the pipes will not be hidden. With the closed method, they are placed in the wall, under drywall or other frame, under the floor.
2. Diagram of the heating system. In this case, you should pay attention to the type of room, whether it will be heated or not (for example, the installation is carried out in the basement).
3. Estimated temperature of the heat carrier and operating pressure. These indicators may depend on whether individual or centralized heating is used in the house.
4. Realization of heating. The system can be simple or complex, with the use of additional elements and configurations.
5. The total area of the room to be heated.
6. Ease of replacement or repair of individual system elements. Here you need to consider whether there is easy access to the batteries.

The requirements for laying the heating system and the performance characteristics of the material from which the pipes are made are considered separately.

Types of heating pipes

Before you install a heating system in a private house, you need to choose the material from which the pipes are made. They can be made of:

• steel (ordinary or stainless);
• polyethylene or polypropylene;
• copper;
• metal-plastic.

Steel pipes

In the past, this material was the most popular. Over time, manufacturers began to offer other equally worthy options. However, even today, pipes made of carbon steel can often be found in private homes. The advantages of this metal include:

1. Material strength and reliability. Steel has proven to be very resistant to sudden changes in temperature and pressure, as well as water hammer. This metal is also able to withstand significant mechanical loads.
2. Minimum thermal expansion rate. This avoids the need to install compensators in the heating system.
3. High thermal conductivity.
4. Low cost. This indicator often becomes the main one when choosing pipes.

But steel also has disadvantages that should not be forgotten:

1. Unstable to corrosion. Over time, the pipe lumen begins to clog, which prevents the coolant from circulating normally within the circuit. In addition, metal corrosion is fraught with pipe leaks and damage. This can be avoided by using the galvanizing method.
2. Steel pipes are large and heavy.
3. The installation of such pipes can be difficult. This is due to the fact that welding is required to connect the elements. Such work should be carried out exclusively by a specialist, as there is a high risk of damage to the surrounding surfaces. Instead of welding, some people prefer to use a threaded connection. However, the threading process itself is quite laborious. In this case, you will have to use a large number of corners, couplings, and other elements. Only if all the elements are installed correctly and efficiently will it be possible to achieve the quality and integrity of the system.
4. Steel is capable of conducting stray currents. This can cause damage to the inner surface of the pipes.

Stainless steel pipes for heating

Alloyed stainless steel is a more advanced material and is free of many of the disadvantages of steel materials. Stainless steel pipes are used in new and old buildings. Especially stainless steel pipes have become popular for plumbing and underfloor heating. This is made possible by the fact that the material bends perfectly.

Other advantages of stainless steel include the following:

1. Increased resistance to corrosion processes. The walls of such pipes do not accumulate plaque and scale. Therefore, they are characterized by high durability.
2. Ability to withstand significant mechanical stress and water hammer.
3. Minimum temperature expansions.
4. High flexibility without reducing the pipe diameter. This quality is especially useful when installing the system in places where space is limited. Also, due to their flexibility, stainless steel pipes are suitable for creating systems with different configurations and a small number of connections. Therefore, pipes made of this metal are very often used to create underfloor heating.
5. Easy to install.
6. High heat transfer performance.
7. Wide range of applications.

The disadvantage of stainless steel is its price. However, due to the simplicity and speed of installation, as well as the durability of the material, such costs can be considered justified. The only thing the user should pay attention to is the condition of the O-rings. On average, their service life is no more than 30 years. Therefore, it is recommended to check their condition periodically.

Copper pipes

Copper pipes for heating systems have been used for more than a hundred years, even though today materials with a cost several times lower have appeared on the market. This is due to the advantages of copper. First of all, they are as follows:

1. Durability. Pipes and fittings made of copper can serve for more than 100 years without losing their characteristics.
2. Resistance to corrosion and scale deposits on the walls, tightness and protection against air penetration. All this ensures that even after many years, the capacity of the copper pipe will not deteriorate.
3. Resistance to temperature fluctuations. Copper pipes perfectly withstand operating temperatures in the range of -200 to +500 degrees. In addition, they are resistant to sudden changes in pressure in the circuit.
4. High thermal conductivity.
5. Attractive appearance.

A disadvantage that can scare off buyers is the high cost of copper pipes. But if you consider that they will serve for 100 years or longer, the price of the material is more than justified. It is also worth considering the specifics of installing such products. Copper pipes cannot be combined with aluminum pipes. This is because both of these metals are capable of reacting with each other. Equally important is the quality of the coolant. Even minor metal elements in it can damage the surface of soft copper.

To extend the service life of copper pipes, it is important to avoid combining them with unalloyed steel products, as they are highly susceptible to corrosion.

Polyethylene pipes

This material is produced using a special technology that makes it possible to achieve its high strength. Polyethylene pipes have found their application not only in heating systems, but also in underfloor heating or hot water supply. The advantages of polyethylene pipes include:

• resistance to corrosion processes;
• minimum weight;
• flexibility;
• strength and durability;
• ability to withstand high temperatures and pressures.

The disadvantage of the material is its high cost and the need to use special equipment to create a heating system.

Polypropylene pipes

Polypropylene is a polymer with the following advantages:

1. Durability. On average, polypropylene pipes can be used for more than 50 years.
2. Resistance to corrosion processes. No deposits accumulate on the inner walls of polypropylene and their flow capacity is not impaired. Since the pipe is completely sealed, air penetration is completely excluded. If you choose a pipe reinforced with an aluminum film, the inner surface will be reliably protected from the effects of debris or metal elements that may be inside the system.
3. Light weight.
4. Strength and ability to withstand mechanical stress.
5. Resistance to too high or low temperatures.
6. Resistance to freezing. Since the material is able to expand, the pipe will not be damaged in the event of freezing inside the coolant. After it thaws, it will take on its original shape again.
7. Possibility of a tight connection through the use of welding or fittings.
8. Easy installation. Special fittings and a welding machine (soldering iron) are used to assemble the system.
9. Minimal noise level.
10. Safety for people and the environment.
11. Affordable price.

There are few drawbacks to this material:

• the need to use compensators due to high linear expansion;
• Impossibility of installation in fire hazardous areas.

Metal-plastic pipes

This material has an optimal ratio of quality and cost. Metal-plastic consists of several layers. The outside and inside are plastic. Between them is aluminum foil. The advantages of metal-plastic are:

• resistance to corrosion processes;
• no deposits on the inner surface;
• tightness;
• flexibility and ability to accept even complex configurations;
• long service life (about 50 years);
• ease of installation;
• protection against stray current.

The disadvantages of metal-plastic pipes are considered to be:

• low resistance to open flame and mechanical stress;
• minimal resistance to ultraviolet radiation;
• relatively high cost.

Selection of pipe diameter

Having decided on the material from which the pipes are made, it remains to choose the right diameter. To do this, take into account the area of the room and the speed of movement of the coolant within the circuit.

Pipes of too large a diameter will be ineffective, because the speed of the coolant movement in them will be insignificant, which means that the room will not be able to warm up sufficiently.

A pipe of too small a diameter is also not suitable, since the movement of water in it is accompanied by an increased noise level, and the system's service life will be reduced.

The optimal diameter is calculated based on the heat output. For example, if the ceiling height in a room is 3 meters, 100 watts of energy is required for each square meter of space for heating. Additionally, a margin of 20% is added. The resulting value is compared with a table that determines the optimal pipe diameter.

The choice of pipes for installing a heating system must be approached with the utmost responsibility. This is due to the fact that even a small mistake may require complete dismantling and new installation of the system.