Selecting the ideal heating radiators for your house is an important choice that will have a big influence on both your comfort level and your energy costs. It is crucial to comprehend the distinctions and benefits of options such as aluminum and bimetallic radiators in order to make an informed decision.
Bimetallic radiators bring together the best qualities of aluminum and steel. Effective heat transfer is ensured by the aluminum exterior, while strength and durability are provided by the steel core. Because of this combination, bimetallic radiators are a popular option for many homeowners looking to strike a balance between performance and dependability.
Conversely, radiators made of aluminum have superior heat conduction qualities and are lightweight. They are perfect for rooms that need fast heating or fluctuating temperatures, like bathrooms or kitchens, because they heat up quickly and react quickly to temperature changes.
Your heating requirements, your budget, and your aesthetic preferences are some of the considerations that go into choosing between bimetallic and aluminum radiators. Although bimetallic radiators are typically more expensive up front, their longevity and efficiency may result in long-term savings. Even though they are initially less expensive, aluminum radiators may eventually need more upkeep.
The decision between aluminum and bimetallic radiators ultimately comes down to your priorities and unique needs. You can pick the heating radiators that best fit your house and way of life by being aware of the differences between these options and taking maintenance, cost, and performance into account.
Criteria | Bimetallic Radiators |
Material | Combination of steel and aluminum |
Strength | Durable and resistant to corrosion |
Heat Conduction | Efficient heat transfer due to steel core |
Price | Usually more expensive than aluminum |
Weight | Heavier than aluminum |
Compatibility with Systems | Suitable for various heating systems |
Appearance | May have less variety in design options |
Advantages and disadvantages of aluminum radiators
About ten years ago, modern aluminum batteries—in their current form—literally stormed our market, replacing steel and cast iron radiators in seven mimic steps.
In actuality, pure aluminum is not the material used to make heating devices. Since the durability of this metal is the same, various alloys, including duralumin and silumin, are used with it in industry. Silumin, the material used to make heating batteries, includes a sizable portion of silicon (up to 13%) to lower the product’s cost and improve its strength while maintaining aluminum’s full thermal conductivity.
Heating aluminum radiators are designed with two large diameter horizontal channels and one much smaller diameter vertical channel per section. In order to guarantee the selection of thermal energy at the heated water flowing through the tube and the transfer of its air with the air, several ribs separate from it. Additionally, the room and radiant heat receive the ribs.
Why did these heating batteries gain secure top spots in our market so quickly? What makes them so good? The key lies in aluminum radiators’ benefits, which are best understood when compared to conventional cast iron heaters:
- The value of heat transfer. It is due to the physical properties of aluminum, only copper has the best indicators, but it is not more expensive. Sections of cast -iron and aluminum appliances with the same intersosseum have the thermal power of 140 and 180 watts, respectively.
- Small weight. Products are easy to mount even in design made of porous concrete. Cast iron batteries 3-4 times heavier.
- Quick heating of surfaces and cooling. Due to this property, the aluminum radiator is well lend itself to quantitative (in consumption) and qualitative (in temperature) coolant adjustment, supporting the required climate in the room. The cast iron heater is so inert that it is practically not amenable to automatic adjustment.
- Small capacity for coolant (0.15-0.25 l). It is due to small diameters of the ducts. Heating systems with similar devices are heated faster and require a smaller amount of energy, which means they are more economical. For comparison: at least 1 fits into the cast -iron section.5 liters of water.
- Affordable cost.
Aluminum batteries do, of course, have drawbacks. They are extremely rare, and nobody in the Western European countries gives them any significance. But these flaws proved to be serious in the actualities of the former USSR’s member states. To put it mildly, low-quality coolant and pressure spikes in centralized heat supply systems are the two causes. Unprepared network water reacts chemically with a radiator alloy, gradually dissolving it, due to its high oxygen content and pH of hydrogen, which is far from neutral.
Our home craftsmen love to ground various electrical appliances through central heating risers, so they add oils to the fire. The aforementioned chemical reaction consequently transforms into electrochemical corrosion, which explains why the heating batteries’ aluminum walls rapidly thin and fracture from the first hydraulic system.
The second disadvantage is that aluminum radiators are not designed to withstand high coolant pressure, which is a common occurrence in centralized networks. There are two causes: uncontrollable hydraulic boards during system startup in the fall, and increasing the pressure with larger pumps to deliver coolant to higher floors of tall buildings. The latter are especially risky since pressure surges can surpass the worker by three to four times.
Devices with a maximum operating pressure of 10 bar were initially introduced to the market; this quickly became problematic because the devices began to crack almost immediately after installation. The operating pressure of contemporary aluminum radiators is at least 16 bar.
We will discuss the so-called bimetallic radiators below, which were created and put into production especially for the former USSR as a result of European and later our manufacturers’ responses to these issues.
Choosing between bimetallic and aluminum heating radiators for your home is a pivotal decision that can significantly impact your comfort and energy bills. Bimetallic radiators, made of steel and aluminum, offer durability and corrosion resistance, making them suitable for high-pressure systems. They distribute heat evenly and efficiently, providing consistent warmth throughout your space. On the other hand, aluminum radiators are lightweight, quick to heat up, and highly responsive to temperature changes, making them ideal for rapidly heating rooms. However, they may not be as robust as bimetallic options and could be more prone to damage in high-traffic areas. Understanding the specific needs of your home, your heating system, and your budget will help you make an informed choice between bimetallic and aluminum radiators, ensuring optimal comfort and efficiency for years to come.
Advantages and disadvantages of bimetallic radiators
It is the same aluminum heating device on the outside. You can tell the difference just by glancing at the channels’ inner surfaces. It consists of one steel tubular frame that serves as the coolant channel for all of the channels, covered in castings from the same silumin. As though a steel frame boiling from pipes preceded the pouring in shape.
Bimetall within the segment
Bimetallic radiators have a tubular steel structure that is completely sealed, preventing any coolant contact with the aluminum alloy.
Fascinating fact: A frame of thin-walled pipes cannot be impressed or cooked when creating a bimetallic radiator by filling because the technology used during the casting process causes these tubes to experience a load. They would have only developed in half if they were composed of thin steel. Furthermore, the thick steel structure that is welded together can withstand pressures greater than 20 bar.
The following benefits of bimetallic batteries were made possible by the new constructive features:
- Almost unchanged, all thermophysical characteristics of the aluminum alloy that determine good heat transfer, small weight, small spaciousness and ability to regulate.
- Corrosion resistance. Heating bimetallic radiators will withstand rusting for a long time as steel pipes supplying the coolant. And modifications with a stainless steel frame are almost eternal.
- Resistance to hydraulic and high pressure.
- But now, instead of two eliminated shortcomings of silumin heating batteries, one new one has appeared – the high cost of the product. These are logical consequences of increasing the material intensity and complication of the technological process for the manufacture of bimetallic radiators.
Recommendations for choosing the best option
You should examine the technical specs of both types of heaters before making a decision. The parameters of the products made by the well-known Italian heating equipment manufacturer and marketed under the Radena brand are shown in the table below.
Note: In R500 size 500 mm, the bimetallic radiator with the R350 designation has an inter-axle distance of 350 mm, correspondingly.
After examining the technical information in the table, we can draw the conclusion that while the metal frame’s inclusion in the heater’s design increased its strength characteristics, it decreased the radiator’s heat transfer indicators. Simultaneously, radiator prices have gone up dramatically. As a result, there is no doubt about which batteries are superior because each type has its place.
Aluminum radiators can be used in individual heating systems of homes, apartments, or buildings as a whole in situations where the coolant pressure is low and, in the worst scenario, the quality of the coolant is comparable to that of drinking water. Even though bimetal devices are more expensive, it is preferable to install them in apartments where the systems are connected to centralized heating networks that have all of the aforementioned defects.
Selecting aluminum or bimetallic radiators for your home’s heating system can be a big choice. Each type has advantages and disadvantages, and being aware of these things will help you choose wisely.
Because aluminum radiators are lightweight, handling and installation are simple. Additionally, they heat up quickly, giving your living area instant warmth. Aluminum is also a good heat conductor, which guarantees effective heat distribution throughout the space. Aluminum radiators do have a disadvantage, though, in that they are prone to corrosion, particularly in places with hard water. The lifespan of aluminum radiators can be extended by applying inhibitors and performing routine maintenance to prevent corrosion.
Conversely, bimetallic radiators combine the benefits of aluminum and steel. Excellent heat conduction is provided by the aluminum exterior, while strength and durability are provided by the steel interior. Comparing this combination to pure aluminum models yields a radiator that is more corrosion resistant. Bimetallic radiators are a flexible option for many homes because they can be used in a variety of water conditions. Nevertheless, compared to aluminum radiators, they are typically more costly and heavier.
Choose between bimetallic and aluminum radiators based on your budget, your home’s heating needs, and the quality of the water in your area. Aluminum radiators might be a better choice if cost and quick heat distribution are your top priorities. However, if you value longevity and corrosion resistance, purchasing bimetallic radiators could prove to be a prudent long-term investment.
In conclusion, there are benefits and drawbacks to both aluminum and bimetallic radiators. The ideal option for your house ultimately depends on your personal requirements and tastes. Regardless of the type you select, extending the lifespan and efficiency of your heating system depends on proper installation and maintenance.