Comparison of bimetallic and aluminum heating radiators

Selecting the appropriate heating system for your house is crucial to preserving efficiency and comfort in the winter. Radiators are an essential part of any heating system because they help distribute heat evenly throughout your room. Two common choices for radiators are aluminum and bimetallic models. To assist you in making a wise choice, we’ll examine each of their distinct benefits and factors in this post.

Usually made of steel and aluminum, bimetallic radiators combine two distinct metals in their construction. This combination provides a strong, long-lasting heating solution that is resistant to temperature swings and high pressure. Strength is provided by the steel core, and effective heat transfer is ensured by the aluminum surface. Because of their design, bimetallic radiators typically last longer than other kinds, which makes them a dependable option for a lot of homeowners.

Conversely, aluminum radiators are renowned for their quick heat conduction and lightweight design. They heat up quickly, so you can potentially save money on energy costs by warming your home more quickly. Additionally, aluminum doesn’t corrode, which is a big plus in moist settings. But compared to bimetallic models, aluminum radiators might not be as strong and might be more prone to physical harm.

When weighing the advantages and disadvantages of aluminum and bimetallic radiators, it’s critical to take your needs, your budget, and your home’s condition into account. Which type of radiator is best for you can depend on a number of factors, including your heating needs, insulation quality, and the size of your space. You can select a heating solution that will offer the best comfort and efficiency for many years to come by carefully considering these factors.

Making the correct radiator choice is essential for effectively heating your house. Aluminum and bimetallic radiators are two common choices, each with a unique set of advantages. Bimetallic radiators offer long-lasting and effective heat distribution by fusing the heat-conducting properties of aluminum with the strength of steel. Conversely, aluminum radiators are corrosion-resistant, lightweight, and heat up quickly. Aluminum radiators are frequently more affordable and energy-efficient than bimetallic ones, despite the latter’s potential superior strength. Knowing the distinctions between these two kinds will enable you to make an informed choice that will keep energy expenses under control while maintaining a warm and comfortable home.

How to visually distinguish bimetallic radiators from aluminum

The weight of aluminum and bimetallic radiators is one of the primary distinctions. Because the heaters of the first type have a steel or copper core, they are much harder. Their visual differences will be determined in part by this core.

Aluminum is easily distinguished from steel by color when it comes to docking sections or heating system connections. Steel is even easier to distinguish. Horizontal pipes will typically form a distinct border between two metals, as if they were "dressed" into an aluminum corps.

Differences of bimetallic and aluminum radiators

Aluminum devices come in two varieties: extrusion (produced using the extrusion method) and casting. Anodized heaters are made of high-grade aluminum and undergo annealing oxidation to provide extra strength and corrosion protection.

Bimetallic radiators, according to many manufacturers, are superior to aluminum in many ways, more dependable, and offer a better "price-quality" ratio. Sellers and other experts alike frequently echo them. Together, we can determine which radiators are warmer and by how much by examining the actual indicators of the equipment that can heat a closed space that is, say, 24 m 2 in size:

• Aluminum radiator Rifar Alum 500 12 sections (width 960 mm, height 565 mm),
• Bimetallic radiator Rifar Base 500 12 sections (width 948 mm, height 570 mm),
• radiator aluminum anodized tangerino tangerine 500 12 sections (width 1 076 mm, height 540 mm).

Comparison of heat transfer

In terms of heat transfer per liter of coolant, bimetallic devices require 25–35% less coolant than their aluminum equivalents and are unquestionably (more than 30%) superior.

Heat transmission through heating radiators Analyzing and contrasting different indicators and computation techniques

Requirements for the coolant and service life

Aluminum radiators require high-quality coolant and are not resistant to corrosion. Don’t fall for the trickery used by producers and retailers to suggest that the film that forms when aluminum comes into contact with air will effectively prevent corrosion on the device’s inner surface.

This is accurate—but only in the perfect setting. The protective film is mechanically exposed and destroyed as soon as the aluminum battery enters the system where there is a share of abrasive suspensions in the coolant. The same mechanical particles will start to damage the radiator’s already thin walls after the protective layer is destroyed. It is possible to add coolant’s alkalis and acids to them, which when combined with a high fluid temperature will weaken the heater walls and cause violent chemical reactions that produce a lot of gas.

Please be advised that the pH level of acidity for aluminum radiators should be between 7 and 8.

Because the heaters use small diameters, hard water with technical impurities contributes to the sulfenting of the tubes, which decreases the battery’s efficiency and creates channels for the coolant inside the device. This is a feature of bimetallic radiators as well as aluminum radiators, with the latter more so because they employ thinner fluid channels.

Steel-core bimetallic radiators can be used in environments where the pH indicator is between 7 and 10, but they still require high-quality coolant and are prone to corrosion. The purity of the coolant is crucial, as the copper core is impervious to corrosion and does not tolerate any kind of coolant.

Because of their lengthy lifespan, aluminum radiators manufactured with anode oxidation technology also have a large margin of strength and are resistant to all forms of corrosion.

Compatibility with metals

Any kind of core for a bimetallic radiator can be used with any device without posing a design risk. In contrast, the aluminum counterparts are subject to several limitations when copper elements are present in the system.

• The direct connection of aluminum batteries and copper pipes, fittings, fittings;
• The use of a coolant with high acid-base indicators is unacceptable;
• The use of the coolant with a high content of technical impurities is unacceptable;
• Joint use is allowed exclusively in a closed heating system, in which the loss of the coolant will not exceed 3-5% per year;
• In the technical parameters of the radiator specified in the manufacturer’s documentation, it should be indicated that a joint installation of the device with copper elements of the system is allowed.

Corrosion forms when copper and aluminum come into direct contact and does so more quickly. Furthermore, the "dirty" coolant has the power to quickly break down the protective layer that covers copper and aluminum, to trigger intense chemical reactions that result in strong gas formation, and to encourage the buildup of copper ions on the radiator surface, which, as was already mentioned, will eventually cause corrosion.

Copper pipes and components are found in a lot of boilers and water heaters. Furthermore, there is no need to worry if these are the only copper components in the heating system because the coolant’s copper ion content will be so low as to be overlooked.

Maximum permissible working pressure

Every radiator under consideration is resistant to hydraulic boards and has a high working pressure ceiling.

It should be noted that regular aluminum and bimetallic batteries have similar properties, with the exception of the anodized devices’ marginally higher value. However, keep in mind that the damaging effects of an aggressive environment can severely erode the aluminum radiator walls, which, when combined with a hydraulic jacket, will cause the device to fail.

In-depth analysis of bimetallic and steel heating radiators

Water volume in the section

The coolant volume in the section is 0.18–0.25 liters for bimetallic radiators and 0.25–0.4 liters for aluminum radiators, or 1.5–2 times more. Bimetallic devices have higher heat transfer at the same time.

Examine how one section of the radiators that were previously chosen transfers heat.

Consequently, one could argue that bimetallic heaters work better.

When discussing the inertia of radiators, they examine how fast they warm up before producing heat as well as how precisely and swiftly they adjust the room’s temperature when adjusting the heating system’s settings. Since all of the models are taking into consideration heat up and cool down quickly, they have low inertia.

The maximum temperature of the coolant

The maximum power specified by the manufacturer of a given device is used to determine its effectiveness. This parameter is used to calculate the approximate area or volume that the radiator can heat to the desired temperature. When selecting a heater, the following formula can be used to get an approximate estimate of the key indicators:

"The air temperature in the room" – "the temperature of the "feed" + "temperature return") / 2 = 70 ° C,

Where the coolant’s temperature outside and indoors differ by 70 °C.

The equation will be made simpler by the knowledge that the coolant between the "feed" and "return" should differ in temperature by 20 °C.

The difference between the "feed" and "return" temperatures is 20 °C.

The feed’s temperature equals the return’s temperature plus 20 °C.

Setting all the parameters and computations in the first formula and then assuming that the room needs to be heated to 23 ° C, we obtain:

(("Return’s" temperature + 20 °C) + "Return’s" temperature) / 2 – 23 °C = 70 °C;

The result is 70 °C (2 * "Temperature" Reveals " + 20 °C) / 2 – 23 °C.

"The return" + 10 °C temperature is 23 °C, or 70 °C;

"The return’s temperature is 83 °C;

We determine the required "feed" temperature as follows:

The feed’s temperature is equal to 83 °C plus 20 °C, or 103 °C.

Let’s discuss the computation that was done.

Sometimes, clever manufacturers and sellers will state that a radiator’s maximum heat transfer or that of one of its sections while omitting to mention other equally significant parameters. Since the majority of contemporary boilers are unable to heat the coolant to 90 °C, this indicator typically reads between 80 °C and 90 °C. Additionally, because the boiler will not be able to heat the coolant to 103 ° C, the device’s heat transfer will be greatly reduced.

Find the lowering coefficients for the necessary operating conditions in the technical documentation before calculating the required number of radiator sections.

The complexity of the assembly and installation

Aluminum and bimetallic radiators are made using sectional and monolithic methods. One of the benefits of using monolithic batteries is that they are stronger and can withstand higher temperatures and pressures.

Joint leaks are possible with sectional analogs. It’s crucial to keep in mind that standard seals can only be used in heater assemblies when the system is filled with water. When using glycerin, ethylene, or propylene glycol as a coolant, paronite gaskets that are more resilient to high temperatures and abrasive media must be installed.

Depending on the device’s core, bimetallic radiators can be assembled using either copper or steel nipples. For the assembly of brass or bronze fittings, which are aluminum equivalents.

Extrusion-produced aluminum battery components are welded to one another. Although less expensive, this kind of radiator is more susceptible to changes in coolant quality, pressure drops, and other factors.

Long and low heating radiators: a thorough examination smaller coolant volume, fashionable design, and more comfortable heating

The following are the most popular ways to connect bimetallic and aluminum radiators:

1. Side.
2. Diagonal.

It is important to keep in mind that aluminum devices are made of soft material and can burst if you apply too much force when tightening an element or node if you drop or hit them during assembly or installation.

However, because aluminum radiators are simpler, it is easier to assemble and install them. In order to prevent the device from being destroyed during the water jacket, it will also be necessary to install pressure gearboxes, membrane dungeons for hydraulic boards, and a "fainter" to remove the formed gases after they are connected.

Price

Dependable anodized aluminum products cost twice or more as much as their equivalents. Additionally, cast aluminum radiators are roughly 10% less expensive than bimetallic radiators.

There are slight differences in price, and occasionally there are no differences at all, for specific aluminum and bimetallic devices. However, premium bimetallic models from well-known brands that are produced with the newest advancements in surface coloring and high pressure are far more costly than their aluminum counterparts.

Comparison with the example of two models

We conduct a detailed comparison of two models that share comparable features and specifications, such as the Rifar Base 500 12 sections (948 mm width, 570 mm height) and the Rifar Alum 500 12 sections (960 mm width, 565 mm height).

Ceteris paribus, bimetallic radiators require less coolant, as the table makes evident. While the cost difference of 1 kW is only 5%, the difference in the cost of the chosen models is only roughly 10% due to variations in heat transfer.

Aluminum and bimetallic options are two common options available when selecting radiators for your home heating system. Before selecting one, it is crucial to comprehend the distinctions between the various types as each has advantages and factors to take into account of its own.

Bimetallic radiators have a reputation for being strong and long-lasting. These radiators provide a combination of strength and heat conduction because they are made of two different metals, typically steel and aluminum. This implies that their performance won’t be affected by high pressure or temperature changes. Their longevity and efficiency can make them a more cost-effective option in the long run, even though they may initially cost a little more.

Aluminum radiators, on the other hand, have superior heat conduction and are lightweight. They are perfect for homes with contemporary heating systems because they heat up quickly. They might be more vulnerable to damage from high pressure or problems with water quality, though, and they might not be as strong as bimetallic radiators. Despite these disadvantages, aluminum radiators are frequently less expensive, which makes them a popular option among many homeowners.

To sum up, the decision between bimetallic and aluminum radiators ultimately comes down to your personal preferences, financial constraints, and the state of your home’s heating system. In case long-term efficiency and durability are your primary concerns, bimetallic radiators could be the best option. On the other hand, aluminum radiators might be a better option if you’re searching for a less expensive option with rapid heat conduction. To find the best option for your house, carefully weigh your options and speak with a heating specialist.

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