Dependent and independent heating systems. The main differences

Dependent and independent systems are the two main varieties available for heating your home. Each meets various needs and tastes and has a unique set of benefits and features. It is essential to comprehend the distinctions between these systems in order to make well-informed decisions regarding the heating needs of your home.

Dependent heating systems are usually linked to a central source, like a communal boiler or a district heating network. Under these systems, heat is produced centrally and then sent via a system of pipes to different dwellings or structures. This indicates that since the central system controls the production of heat, homeowners have no direct control over it.

Conversely, separate heating systems run on their own within every single house or structure. These systems frequently consist of on-site heat-generating furnaces, boilers, or heat pumps. Due to their complete control over the heating system, homeowners can customize the temperature to suit their tastes and usage habits. Smaller residential buildings or stand-alone homes frequently have independent systems.

The degree of control and flexibility that separates dependent and independent heating systems is one of their main characteristics. Because heat generation is controlled centrally, dependent systems give individual users only a limited amount of control. Although this can be handy for maintenance and troubleshooting, some homeowners might not be able to get the customization options they want.

Independent heating systems, on the other hand, provide more flexibility and control. To lessen their impact on the environment, homeowners can modify temperature settings, plan heating cycles, and even use renewable energy sources. Long-term cost savings and increased energy efficiency are made possible by this flexibility.

The choice between dependent and independent heating systems should be made after taking into account various aspects, including initial costs, ongoing maintenance needs, and long-term energy efficiency. Homeowners can choose the solution that best fits their needs and preferences by being aware of the differences between these systems, guaranteeing warmth and comfort all year long.

In the world of home heating and insulation, understanding the difference between dependent and independent heating systems is crucial. Dependent systems rely on a centralized source, such as a district heating network or a boiler shared by multiple homes, distributing heat through pipes. In contrast, independent systems operate within individual homes, utilizing boilers, furnaces, or heaters that aren"t interconnected with neighboring properties. The main disparity lies in control and autonomy: dependent systems are managed by external entities, while independent systems offer homeowners more control over their heating preferences and usage. Additionally, maintenance responsibility varies, with dependent systems often requiring communal upkeep, while independent systems are solely the homeowner"s responsibility. Choosing between these systems entails considering factors like cost, convenience, and environmental impact, ultimately impacting both comfort and efficiency in heating a home.

Dependent system

The coolant that runs alongside the roads enters the house directly. Since the output pipeline—another name for leading—is where the coolant chosen to heat the building and provide warm water comes from, the system is also known as open. This design is well-liked for multi-family buildings, state institution buildings, retail establishments, banks, and numerous other structures.

The coolant is routed to heating devices if its temperature inside the supply pipeline falls below 95 degrees Celsius. The mixing elevator node must intervene when the temperature hits this threshold but is still below 105 degrees Celsius. It is placed at the cottage’s entrance to allow the hot coolant to become warm rather than hot when liquid, gas, or antifreeze from the radiators is added.

The principles of thermodynamics and molecular physics govern how the dependent system functions. A small discharge is produced at the heat generator’s input in parallel with the formation of high pressure at the heating boiler’s exit as a result of antifreeze or other coolant getting upstairs. Following that, the liquid tries to enter the area with lower pressure. This system operates in accordance with the coolant’s natural circulation.

In the USSR, this plan was employed quite frequently. The dependent heating system runs consistently and correctly. Small expenditures are needed for materials, installation, and repair. Installing extra pipes to supply the room with warm water is not necessary.

Minuses:

• Dispers and garbage from pipelines are inside the battery;
• когда происходит ремонт или замена оборудования, нередко случаются перепады давления, гидроудары;
• The coolant cannot be called high quality, since it runs along the old highways, which are most often already rusty;
• The quality of water or a mixture of antifreeze affects thermostatic valves, they break;
• It is almost impossible to adjust the temperature of the house on your own;

Types of dependent systems

Just one pipe Private homes are a perfect fit for the system. The circuit is closed at this point. After the pipeline is laid from the heating apparatus, it is connected to the radiators in turn before returning it to the boiler.

Standard single-pipe heating system

Both a horizontal and vertical scheme are present. The first method, which installs the batteries at the same level and is done from both below and above the floor, is better suited for one-story homes. The wiring travels up in a vertical direction from the boiler and is already distributed by batteries there. It descends once it has cooled.

The system is cheap, easy to install, and doesn’t cause any issues when it’s working. It also doesn’t require many components. You don’t need professional assistance to install it, making it perfect for tiny summer homes. Radiators nearer the heating source (boiler) heat up more quickly and intensely than radiators farther away. This is one of the drawbacks.

One of the most widely used systems was created in the Soviet era and is called Leningradka. It incorporates all heating components into one circuit, allowing the coolant to flow freely. Radiators are typically positioned along walls, primarily beside windows, and are used to heat water or a special boiler mixture that contains antifreeze. "Leningradka" is incredibly inexpensive, simple to install, and performs well; however, it needs to be balanced while in use.

Spider – The system was not so long considered outdated, but still remains popular because of its low cost. There is no need to install vertical wiring around the perimeter of the whole house, but at the same time the rooms still warm up evenly. The main advantage of the “spider” – the system is not dependent on the electric generator. During operation, it is very easy to regulate. Installation of this kind of system is difficult. It must only be installed in the attic, in connection with which the costs of additional insulation increase. You can not use antifreeze in such a system due to its evaporation inside the expansion capacity. Such a system spoils the interior, it is allowed to install it only for people with certain skills due to a difficult stage of design.

Independent system

An inventive solution for the cottage’s heating is an independent plan for the system’s unification. The central heat station receives the coolant from the source first. Afterwards, it enters the heat exchanger, which is the primary circuit. This occurs in the house’s heating system, also known as an additional contour, where the coolant circulating in it receives heat from the boiler room’s network water.

Special heat exchangers, known as plates, are installed to supply hot water. They can have any number; typically, two to five. Each heat exchanger has a specific function; the first one heats rooms, while the second one makes warm water available for homework. They are connected to highways.

The primary benefits of having a separate heating system are:

• Dependence on the quality of external characteristics, such as the quality of the coolant, the highways, disappears. There are no troubles due to pressure drops, the plate heat exchanger takes all the work on itself;
• It becomes possible to install thermostatic valves, adjust the temperature in the house;
• the coolant in the additional circuit can be cleaned;
• water that enters the highway, drinking;

One of the drawbacks of an independent heating system is that it can be rather expensive.

Types of independent systems

Two-pipe systems are better suited for multi-story structures. The highway is supplied by both vertical and horizontal wiring, which explains why the line is reversed. No matter how far away the boiler is, the benefit is still the same: the warring batteries. Every heating device is connected to a single riser that is part of the feeding line.

Radiators are connected independently on each floor’s riser for a vertical independent scheme. Each radiator has a direct flow and a reverse pipe brought in. Although such a system is expensive, it lets you control the temperature in every room. The horizontal scheme’s risers are connected to the batteries and placed in various locations throughout the house. Only experts are capable of doing installation correctly.

In order to preserve the interior decor of the rooms, the radiation system is installed beneath the floor. Hidden beneath the surface, metal-plastic pipes are laid from the distribution collector. You can set a specific temperature for every room with the system, but installation and maintenance costs go up at the same time. Additionally, you can turn off any radiator without completely shutting off the heating system. Every room has the same temperature throughout, and since there are no joints in the pipes, there is very little chance that any coolant or water will leak.

The schematic distinction between radial and two-pipe heating schemes

Warm floor – Popular system of heating of a private house. Pipe from metalloplasty or other suitable material is distributed from the collector. The warm liquid moves along the heating contour, giving energy to the screed, thereby warming it up. When the water cools down, it moves to the boiler, where it heats up again, then the process is repeated in a circle. Special limiters are built into the floor that do not allow water to cross a certain temperature threshold. At the same time, heating costs are reduced, but you will have to wait a very long time to install the floor heating system, spend a lot of money on it.

The decision you make for your home’s heating system—dependent or independent—can have a big impact on overall costs, energy efficiency, and comfort. Dependent heating systems use a single, centralized source—typically a larger heating plant or a municipal utility—to heat several homes or buildings. Conversely, independent heating systems run independently within every single home, using a variety of fuel sources like electricity, gas, or renewable energy.

The degree of control and customization that separates dependent and independent heating systems is one of their main characteristics. Dependent systems usually provide less flexibility because the distribution and production of heat are controlled externally. Due to the requirement for modifications to follow the schedule and guidelines established by the centralized provider, this may lead to restricted control over timing and temperature settings. Independent heating systems, on the other hand, give homeowners more freedom to customize their heating preferences to suit their unique requirements and tastes.

Dependent and independent options offer different benefits and challenges when it comes to heating system efficiency. Dependent systems may profit from economies of scale and centralized management, which could result in cost savings and optimal resource utilization, especially those driven by communal boilers or district heating. But over time, supply chain interruptions and changes in fuel prices may also have an impact on their dependability and affordability.

Independent heating systems, on the other hand, give homeowners more direct control over their energy costs and usage. Households can minimize waste and lessen their environmental impact by implementing smart heating technologies, selecting energy-efficient appliances, and investigating renewable energy sources. Furthermore, independent systems offer a certain level of resistance against outside influences, guaranteeing steady heating even in the case of interruptions to outside infrastructure or utilities.

In the end, the choice between dependent and independent heating systems is based on a number of variables, such as personal preferences, financial constraints, and regional laws. Some households might find simplicity and convenience in dependent systems, but others might value the flexibility and autonomy that independent alternatives provide. By carefully weighing the benefits and drawbacks of each strategy, homeowners can design their living spaces with comfort, efficiency, and sustainability in mind.

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