How to install a thermostat for a heating radiator. What heat regulator can be put on the battery

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Any system requires control, including heating. A thermostat can handle this task. The main function of the device is to control the level of coolant supply. It mounts directly to the battery input line. A thermostat for a heating radiator is used to control the temperature level in a room. In this case, you need to know how to choose the right device and how to properly mount it. This is what we will talk about in this review.

thermostat

A thermostat is a device that is installed at the inlet to the battery to control the flow of heat carrier. This device provides a comfortable temperature and saves money if meters are installed or there is a heating boiler. It allows you to disconnect a separate battery from the network, that is, it acts as stop valves.

The greatest benefit from a thermostat for a heating radiator is felt in those rooms where the temperature fluctuates throughout the day. For example, in a kitchen with south-facing windows.

Temperature control is carried out using a valve that is installed in front of the device. Thanks to modern developments, you can choose a model that fits perfectly into the interior of the room.

Options for thermostats for heating batteries

All thermostats work on the same principle: a movable valve inside the kit opens and closes the inlet flow in the circuit, depending on the parameters or type of thermostat. The bellows, which reacts to fluctuations in air temperature and interacts with the stem that opens the valve, is the main part.

The unit is divided into two options:

Liquid valve. The bellows fills with liquid and expands, thereby responding to changes. He has best performance reactions to pressure fluctuations, at a low cost (about 250 rubles).
Gas filled regulator. It has an almost instantaneous response to temperature fluctuations.

The device is affected by the following indicators:

Sunlight or drafts.
Outside temperature.
Auxiliary heat sources.
Installation in closed areas.

And also all units can be divided into subgroups according to the type of work.

Types of thermostats

Heating regulators for batteries can be classified according to the principle of operation:

Mechanical;
Electronic.

Each variety has its pros and cons.

Mechanical

The advantages include the absence of the need for food from the outside. The work is based physical ability expansion of substances when heated. By appearance resemble a valve with markings on the upper part, on which the temperature from +14 to +28 ° C is applied. It must be mounted in a horizontal position.

A mechanical thermostat for a heating radiator will give you the following advantages:

Save on the power carrier of the device and the cost itself.
Ease of operation.
Works completely autonomously.
There is no need to change the temperature regime in your absence.

Due to its merits, the device is in great demand.

Electronic

An automatic thermostat for a heating radiator controls the flow of coolant without external participation. The device has a built-in screen or panel with buttons.

The thermostat is equipped with a built-in or remote remote control sensor capable of capturing data on changes in air temperature. You can control it from a distance of up to four meters.

Useful information! The electronic thermostat has the ability to program the temperature to certain hours depending on the time of day.

The adjustment process itself occurs due to the bellows and. Additional features significantly increase the cost of the device. At the same time, the thermostat itself is able not only to reduce or increase the temperature in the room, but also to limit the flow of liquid, that is, to act as an automatic shut-off valve.

Electric thermal valves for heating will give you the following advantages in the operation of the entire circuit:

Even in your absence, it will independently regulate the temperature.
You can set maintenance minimum temperature for non-residential premises, which will be enough for the life of flowers.
Setting comfortable modes for different times of the day.

And also all automatic units are divided into:

closed logic
With open.

In the first case, the indicators are exposed. It is good for adjusting the home temperature.

In the second case, with open logic, the equipment is able to adapt to any system on its own. Only setting up such a unit already requires special skills and abilities, therefore it is used on an industrial scale.

The design of temperature controllers on heating radiators

The design features of the devices differ from the heating system. So, there are options for single-pipe and two-pipe systems.

At the same time, all mechanical thermostats are equipped with a sensitive head and a special valve that function with each other without additional energy consumption, since the connection is automatic.

The thermal head includes a drive, a regulator and the liquid element itself (gas or elastic). And also the design includes a thermoelement (bellows) - a device that is made in the form of a cylinder, and the walls with inside he has corrugated. This cylinder is filled with a working medium and reacts to a change in temperature.

As the temperature rises, the bellows expands and the stem closes off the heat carrier flow. As the temperature decreases, the opposite processes occur.

Useful information! Manufacturers guarantee long term bellows service that can withstand over a thousand compression/expansion cycles.

The electric thermostat in the configuration will have additional sensors and a programming system that allows you to set certain temperature conditions.

Choosing a device

To choose a thermostat for a heating radiator, you should determine the technical parameters of the installed heating system. Namely, before buying, you need to know:

Valve dimensions. Measure the diameter of the plug in the battery or where installation is planned.
One or two pipe system. With two pipes, the load on the thermostat is higher, therefore, it is necessary to choose equipment with more high level hydraulic resistance.
If the system with circulation pump, then the description of the thermostat will indicate whether it is suitable for it.

And also on your own or after consulting with the seller, choose the type of thermostat for yourself:

Mechanics or automation.
liquid or gas.
Temperature (from 5 to 30 degrees Celsius).

Note! Decide on the installation site before purchasing, in order to know whether you will need a straight or at an angle of 90 degrees.

Prices will vary between manufacturers, and they will be influenced by the mechanical or automatic temperature sensor for heating you choose.

For example, here is a table with an approximate cost.

	Danfoss	Overn trop	Luxor
Thermo- gulyators	835	610	765
Straight innings	790	738	518
Reverse innings	790	738	518
Lower corner for two pipes	960	770	890
corner innings	570	448	365

You can find cheaper models, as the price varies quite a lot from manufacturer. For automatic thermostats with a remote sensor, you can see prices from 750 rubles and more, programmable equipment costs from 680 rubles.

Prices are average, depending on the region and the purchase option (through a regular store or online).

Mounting the device

The process of installing equipment is simple, but if you do not want to carry it out yourself, you can always turn to professionals.

Instruction:

Disconnect the battery from the system. To do this, close the ball valve or shut-off valve. Then drain the water from the battery, blow out the radiator.
Remove the adapter. Before doing this, lay on the floor a lot of rags that absorb liquid. Secure the valve body with an adjustable wrench, and with the other remove the nut from the adapter tube. Next, remove the adapter from the instrument case.

Installing the adapter. Screw on the union nut and collar. At the same time, pre-clean the thread, and wrap it with a locking tape. Wrap should be clockwise, doing 3-5 times, then smooth the tape. Assemble adapter, heatsink and angle nuts together.
Mount the new collar. Install the collar and cap nut on the pipe. All actions are performed with a screwdriver.
Installation of a thermostat. Fasten the device in the direction of the arrows. Shade the nut between the regulator and the valve, fixing is done with an adjustable wrench. Tighten the nut at the same time. Do all actions carefully. After installation, make sure the fastening is secure.
Fill the battery with water.

Care must be taken when installing the sensor, as fragile parts are also included in its design.
Use the manufacturer's instructions.
The valve is installed in the hole in the radiator cap.
Position the thermostat horizontally.
It is necessary to install the valve in accordance with the indication of the arrows.
Before buying, you should decide on the type of construction.

If you cannot or do not want to install the thermostat yourself, contact the professionals.
The device must first be set up in indoors with tightly closed windows and doors.

Thus, the thermostat is very useful and necessary thing, which allows you to regulate the temperature of the air in the room, as well as save. It is inefficient to use the device only on cast-iron batteries, in all other cases it will quickly pay for itself.

If a properly calculated autonomous heat supply functions in the house, then adjustment will not be required for the radiators, since a stable temperature regime will be ensured in all rooms. But in apartment buildings, where residents often remodel heating systems, regulators will not interfere.

The need to adjust the heat transfer

There are two reasons why heating radiators need to be adjusted:

Reduced home heating costs. True, in an apartment located in high-rise building, you can reduce the amount of payments only if you have a common house heat meter. In a private household, in the case of installing an automated boiler, the installation of regulators is unlikely to be required. The savings will be significant.
The need to maintain the desired temperature in the premises. For example, in one room it can be 17 degrees Celsius, and in another - 25 degrees. To do this, you need to set the appropriate numbers on the thermal head or close the valve.

At the same time, it does not matter how the heated coolant enters the radiators - centrally or autonomously. It also does not matter which heating unit is installed in the system. The fact is that battery-powered regulators are not connected with boilers - they function independently.

Adjustment of heating radiators

To deal with the question of how to regulate heating batteries with a regulator, first of all, you should find out the principle of their functioning. By its design, the radiator consists of a labyrinth of pipes and fins. different kind providing increased heat transfer.

Hot liquid enters the inlet of the device, passes through the labyrinth and thereby heats the metal, and it gives off heat to the surrounding air. The fins on modern radiators are made special form, which improves the convection of air flows, and the heating of the room occurs quickly.

In the case of active heating from the batteries, a heat flow is felt. This means that with a change in the amount of heat carrier passing through the device, it is possible to adjust the temperature of the heating of the room, however, within certain limits.

It is for this purpose that special fittings are intended - thermostats and valves. But the heating regulator installed on the battery in the apartment is not able to increase heat transfer, it can only lower it.

The effectiveness of changing the battery temperature depends on:

on whether there is a power reserve for heating devices;
from the correct selection and installation of regulators.

Of no small importance is the inertia of the entire heating system and the batteries themselves. For example, cast iron, which is characterized by a large mass, changes temperature slowly, while aluminum heats up quickly and cools down in the same way. This means that there is no point in temperature-controlled cast iron radiators, since the result of this has to wait a long time.

Ways to increase the heat transfer of batteries

The presence / absence of the possibility to increase heat transfer depends on the calculation of the radiator power reserve. If the device is not able to produce more thermal energy, then no fittings will help.

You can try to change the situation in one of the following ways:

First of all, you should check if the filters and pipes are clogged. Blockages form in both old buildings and new buildings, as various substances enter the system. construction garbage. When cleaning does not give results, drastic measures must be taken.
Increasing the temperature of the coolant. This can be done in the presence of autonomous heat supply, but with centralized heating is unlikely.
Change connection type. Not all battery connection methods are equally effective. For example, the reverse side connection leads to a decrease in power by about a quarter. Also, the place of installation of the device affects the heat transfer.
Increasing the number of sections. If the location and method of connecting the radiators are chosen correctly, and the room is also cold, this means that the thermal power of the devices is not enough. Then you need to increase the number of sections.

If the heating system is equipped with temperature-controlled batteries, then they require a certain power reserve and this is their main drawback. As a result, the cost of arranging heating increases, since each section costs money.

Comfort cannot be achieved if the room is cold or too hot, so adjusting the heat in radiators is a universal solution to this problem.

There are many devices on the market that are designed to change the volume of coolant passing through the radiator. Among them there are both inexpensive and high-priced products. They come with different adjustment: manual, electronic and automatic.

Ball Valves

Valves are cheap, but at the same time inefficient control devices. At the entrance to the radiator is often installed Ball Valves that regulate the flow of water.

But this equipment also has other functionality - shutoff valves. Valves are used to completely shut off the flow of coolant in the system. For example, in the event of a leak heater ball valves located at the inlet and outlet of the radiator allow repairs to be made without stopping the heat supply and draining the liquid.

Ball valves do not adjust the heating batteries in the apartment. They have only two positions - fully closed and open. An intermediate location brings only harm.

The fact is that inside such a tap there is a ball with a hole, which is not threatened by anything in its normal position, but in all other situations, the solid particles present in the coolant grind it down and pieces break off from it. As a result, the tap will not be airtight and in the “closed” position, water will continue to flow into the battery, which is fraught with big trouble in the event of a device leak.

If one of the property owners has decided to make control of heating batteries using ball valves, it must be remembered that they should be installed correctly.

This method commonly used in apartment buildings. If the wiring is single-pipe vertical, then the pipe with hot water enters the room through the ceiling and a radiator is connected to it (read: "Correctly adjusting the heating batteries in the apartment - comfort in the house and saving money"). The pipeline departs from the second entrance to the device and goes through the floor to the lower room.

In this case, it is necessary to properly install the valves, since the installation of a bypass is mandatory. A bypass pipe is needed so that when the fluid flow to the radiator is closed, the coolant continues to circulate in the common house system.

In some situations, the tap is placed on the bypass in order to change the amount of water passing through it and thereby adjust the heat transfer of the battery. To ensure greater reliability of the heating system, at least three taps are installed: two will be cut-off on the radiator and function normally, and the third will become regulating.

But here we must not forget in what position the devices are located. Otherwise, you can completely block the riser and you will not be able to avoid both the cold in the apartment, as well as unpleasant showdowns with neighbors and representatives of the management company.

Therefore, when deciding how to regulate heat in batteries, experts do not recommend using ball valves. There are other products on the market that are specifically designed to change the amount of water circulating through the radiator.

needle valve

This device is usually mounted in the heating system in front of the pressure gauge. The valve smoothly and effectively changes the flow of the coolant, gradually blocking it. The design feature of this device is that the width of the passage in it is two times less.

For example, when installing inch pipes and the same section of the needle valve, its throughput will be only ½ inch. As a result, each device installed in the system lowers this parameter. Several products installed in series, for example in a one-pipe design, cause the last appliances to be slightly warm or cold.

Since the passage becomes very narrow, it is not recommended to install the needle device when solving the problem of how to control the temperature of the battery, because its heat dissipation is greatly reduced.

You can increase it like this:

removing the valve
doubling the number of sections;
by placing a device that has twice the number of couplings.

Control valves for radiators

To manually adjust the operation of heating devices, use special valves. Such cranes are sold with direct or corner connection. The procedure for regulating heating batteries using these devices in manual mode is as follows.

Turning the valve lowers or raises the stopper cone. In the closed position, the coolant flow is completely blocked. Moving up or down, the cone regulates to a greater or lesser extent the amount of circulating water.

Due to this principle of operation, such valves are also called "mechanical temperature controllers". They are installed on threaded batteries, and connected to pipes with fittings, most often of a crimp type.

The control valve used for heating appliances has the following advantages:

the device is reliable, it is not dangerous for blockages and fine abrasive particles present in the coolant - this applies only to high-quality products in which the valve cone is made of metal and carefully processed;
the product is affordable.

Control valves also have disadvantages - each time you use the device, you have to change its position manually and for this reason it is rather problematic to maintain a stable temperature regime.

For someone who is not satisfied with this order, and he thinks about how to regulate the temperature of the heating battery by another method, the use of automatic products is more suitable, which allows you to control the degree of heating of the radiators.

Automatic adjustment option

There are several ways to regulate the temperature in batteries. But automatic adjustment of the temperature regime in the room has an undeniable advantage. The fact is that by putting the regulator knob in the required position once, the property owner gets rid of the need to use it for a long time.

Battery regulation with thermostat

To ensure constant maintenance of the set temperature in the room, use thermostats for radiators (thermostats). These devices have other names - thermostatic valve, thermostatic valve, etc. There are many names, but they all refer to the same product.

The thermal valve and thermal valve are the lower part of the device, and the thermal head and thermoelement are the upper ones. Most of these products work without power sources. The exception is models equipped with a digital screen, in which batteries are placed in the thermostatic head. You won't have to change them often, since the current consumption is negligible.

The radiator thermostat consists of several components:

thermostatic valve, which is called the "case", "thermal valve", "thermal valve";
thermostatic head or "thermostatic element", "thermocouple", "thermohead".

The body (valve) is made of metal, more often of bronze or brass. Outwardly, its design resembles a manual valve. Many manufacturers make the bottom
radiator thermostat unified. This means that one housing can be mounted different types heads, regardless of their manufacturer.

Thus, it is allowed to install a thermoelement with different controls on the thermal valve - manual, mechanical or automatic, which is very convenient. If there is a desire to change the method of adjustment, there is no need to buy the entire device, you only need to install a different thermostatic element.

Automatic regulators differ in the principle of influencing the locking mechanism. AT handheld device its position is changed by turning the handle. As for automatic models, they usually have a siphon that puts pressure on
spring loaded mechanism. In electronic products, the processor controls the workflow.

The bellows is the main element of the thermoelement (thermal head). It looks like a small sealed cylinder, inside of which there is a liquid or gas. Both of these substances have a common property - their volume depends on temperature. When heated, the gas and liquid begin to significantly increase in volume and thereby stretch the cylinder.

The bellows under pressure on the spring blocks the flow of coolant. When the volume of the working medium decreases as it cools, the spring rises and thereby the fluid flow increases, and the radiator heats up again. Thanks to the use of such a device, depending on its calibration, the set temperature can be maintained with great accuracy - up to one degree.

Before using a radiator, everyone who decides to purchase a thermostat for it must decide what kind of temperature control it should have:

manual;
auto;
with built-in or remote sensor.

On sale there are also models designed for single-pipe and two-pipe systems, with cases made of different metals.

Application of three-way valves

One way to regulate heating radiators is to use a three-way valve. True, it is rarely used. Despite the fact that it is designed to solve other problems, its application is possible.

A three-way valve is mounted at the junction of the bypass with the supply pipe leading to the heating battery. To stabilize the temperature of the working medium, it is necessary that it be equipped with a thermostatic head.

When the temperature near the head of the three-way valve becomes higher than the set parameter, the fluid flow to the radiator is blocked - it is directed to the bypass. After the coolant cools down, the valve starts to work in the opposite direction, and the battery heats up again. This connection method is usually implemented in single-pipe heat supply systems, and with vertical wiring.

Summarizing

You can regulate heating batteries using several types of devices, but experts believe that best solution will use special control valves. Such products are manual taps and automated products - thermostats, and only in some cases it is possible to use a three-way valve with a thermal head.

In high-rise apartments with central heating, it is better to give preference to control valves or three-way valve. As for individual heat supply systems, the problem of how to reduce the temperature of the coolant in the heating battery is solved using thermostats.

If the owner of the apartment still prefers automatic adjustment of radiators, then a filter should be installed before the thermostat - it will trap most of the various impurities.

The main task of the heating system is to maintain a comfortable air temperature in the building. This temperature may be different, depending on the purpose of the room, but a prerequisite is its invariability throughout the day.

Indoors thermal energy comes from the heating system through the radiators. The amount of thermal energy given off by heating devices is regulated by the amount of coolant.

The device that regulates the flow of fluid entering the radiator is a valve or valve, which can be automatic or manual.

There is always heat exchange in the room with the surrounding space. This leads to an outflow or inflow of heat from the room, and, consequently, to a decrease or increase in air temperature in it.

To restore the heat balance in the room, it is necessary to increase or decrease the amount of heat coming from the heating devices. The thermostat on the battery, installed on the supply pipelines, will perfectly cope with this task.

Mechanical thermostat

This device consists of a valve and a sensitive element (thermal head). They function harmoniously without extraneous external energy. The thermal head is completed with a drive, a regulator and a liquid element, which can be replaced by an elastic or gas one.

It is necessary to choose a thermostat for a battery, taking into account all the factors that can further affect its operation. It is important to make a special calculation - only in this case this device will function as efficiently as possible.

Elements

The battery consists of the following elements:

compensation mechanism.
Stock.
Detachable connection.
Spool.
sensitive element.
thermostatic element.
Setting scale.
Cap nut.
A ring that fixes the set temperature.

Impact factors

The following factors can affect the temperature in the room, and hence the operation of the mechanical thermostat:

on battery

When the air temperature in the heated room changes, the amount of coolant changes. At the same time, the volume of the bellows changes, which actuates the control spool. The movement of the spool is directly related to the change in air temperature in the room. When the temperature changes, the sensing element reacts and actuates the regulator valve stem. As a result, the stroke change regulates the supply of coolant to the heating device.

Mounting

thermostat for battery mechanical type must be installed in the supply pipeline. In this case, the head of the thermostat must be located horizontally, must not be influenced by direct sun rays and warmth. If the valve is closed with a curtain or covered with furniture, then a dead zone is formed, in other words, the thermostat is not in contact with the temperature. environment, and for this reason it does not perform its functions effectively.

If another location this device is not possible, special sensors with an attached sensitive element are used, designed for remote control.

Electronic thermostats

Electronic heating is automatic device regulation, ensuring the maintenance of a given temperature regime in various thermal equipment.

AT heating system he carries out automatic control boiler and other actuators (valves, pumps, mixers, etc.). The main purpose of the electronic temperature controller is to create a temperature regime in the room that was predetermined by the user.

Principle of operation

Heating temperature controller electronic type equipped with a temperature sensor, which is installed in a place free from direct exposure to heating electrical appliances, it provides the device with information about the thermal state of the room. Based on the data received, the electronic device controls the elements of the heating system.

There are digital and analog thermostats with temperature control. The former are most widely used due to their functionality. Electronic type thermostats are:

Closed logic.
With open logic.

Closed logic is a constant algorithm of work in time and a rigid internal structure that does not depend on changes in environmental factors. Only certain programmable parameters can be changed.

The open logic thermostat is a freely programmable device, characterized by a wide range of functions and settings, it can be adjusted to any work and environmental conditions.

Unlike devices with closed logic, these devices are not so widespread. This is justified by the fact that their management requires a certain qualification degree. Therefore, not every ordinary citizen is able to understand the modes and settings of electronic thermostats. Wide application received open logic in the industrial segment, but over time it can become an integral element of the life of any person.

Installing a thermostat on a battery

During the installation process, it is very important to follow the instructions and not to place devices of this type in niches, behind decorative grilles and curtains. If for some reason this is not possible, a remote sensor is installed.

It is inefficient to install a thermostat for cast iron batteries, as they heat up and cool down for a very long time.

Before proceeding to the installation of thermostats, it is necessary to turn off the riser and drain the coolant from the heating system.

Only after that you can proceed to the installation of this device, it is recommended to perform them in the following sequence:

Setting

Setting the thermostat with temperature control is as follows:

All windows and doors are tightly closed in the room to minimize heat leakage.
In a room where it is required to maintain a certain temperature value, it is necessary to install
The valve opens completely, for which the head of the thermostat is turned all the way to the left, in which case the radiator will function with maximum heat transfer, the temperature in the room will begin to rise.
As soon as the temperature becomes 5-6 ° C higher than the initial one, you need to close the valve, for this its head turns all the way to the right, after which the air in the room will gradually cool down.
After the temperature has reached the desired value, the valve is slowly opened by turning the knob in left side. In this case, you need to listen carefully, as soon as you hear the sound of water and feel a sharp heating of the thermostat housing, stop rotating the head and remember its position.
The setup is complete. The room temperature will be kept accurate to 1 °C.

Thermostats on electric radiators

In conditions contemporary work utility companies, when during the cold season in apartments the temperature is not always the value necessary for a comfortable feeling, many people switch to electric heating devices. They can perform both the function of an additional and the main source of heat.

As a rule, today many manufacturers produce with a thermostat, which allows you to install individual temperature in each room. Electric radiators are a convenient alternative and a great addition to central heating.

Why do we need thermostats for heating radiators? How do they work? How to set the heater temperature controller correctly? In the article, we, together with the reader, will find answers to these and some other questions.

One of the first thermostats was a three-way valve on the supply line to the battery in Khrushchev.

Why adjustment is needed

Why do you need a thermostat for a heating radiator?

The answer is not as obvious as it might seem.

CO

Yes, of course, most often it is used to reduce the air temperature in the room at an excessively high temperature of the coolant.

Adjustment is necessary in the following cases:

If a thermal power the device is selected with a margin in case of extremely severe cold weather;

If there is a thaw outside;
In addition, the regulator for the heating radiator is useful for testing the temperature of the heating main. They are held annually shortly before graduation. heating season and are necessary to detect defects in heating mains and heating circuits, making them sensitive to extremely high temperatures of the winter temperature chart.

During the tests, hot water supply is turned off, and the central heating continues to operate normally. It is with these tests that a significant part of the complaints about the evil dwellers is connected: "it's warm outside, but the batteries are heating with might and main."

Heating system

Adjusting the temperature of individual devices is also useful for autonomous heating systems. It would seem that it is easier to maneuver the heating boiler mode: after all, with an increase in street temperature, the need for heat at home decreases. But no: in some cases it is more convenient to set the operating mode of a very specific battery.

The most obvious scenario is to limit the temperature in unused rooms. A complete shutdown of the heating will lead to freezing of the corners and window slopes, which will inevitably be followed by the appearance of a fungus, but lowering the temperature in the room to the minimum values \u200b\u200b(16-18 degrees) will help to avoid possible troubles.

Heating radiators with a temperature controller can significantly reduce heat consumption and, accordingly, heating costs. Savings reach 30-40%.

In addition, thermostats are needed for balancing dead-end heating systems. A small lyrical digression is needed here.

Two-pipe heating systems (with separate supply and return bottlings) are divided into dead-end (in which the coolant changes direction by 180 degrees when moving from the supply to the return thread) and associated (in which it continues to move in the same direction).

A dead-end circuit is necessary if the circuit breaks panoramic window or high doorway.

A passing circuit, or Tichelman's loop, is several parallel small circuits of the same length. Thanks to this feature, all heating devices connected to it have approximately the same temperature.

In a dead-end scheme, small contours have different lengths, due to which the owner of the house faces a couple of unpleasant problems:

The radiators closest to the boiler are always heated noticeably stronger than the far ones;
In severe frosts, it is possible to stop circulation through distant heaters with their subsequent defrosting. There were precedents in my memory, and more than once.

To solve these problems, balancing the heating system is used - an artificial limitation of the patency of the connections closest to the boiler batteries. In this case, the coolant is distributed more evenly over the sections of the circuit, the temperature of the radiators is equalized, and stopping the circulation through distant devices is made impossible.

Balancing is an artificial restriction of the patency of the connections of the heaters closest to the heat source.

Shut-off and control valves

Varieties

What shut-off and control valves can regulate the temperature of the heating battery?

For this purpose, the following are routinely used:

Throttles;
Thermal heads.

The needle throttle is a screw valve with a conical metal valve. The adjustment is extremely simple: the stem with the valve is screwed in and out, while limiting the flow of coolant through the hole in the seat.

The thermal head is an automatic regulator that allows you to focus not on the patency of the eyeliner, but on the air temperature in the room.

The principle of operation of low-cost thermostatic heads uses the expansion solids, gases and liquids when heated:

When the target temperature is reached, the expanding working body of the thermal head pushes the valve to the seat and shuts off the coolant flow;
When cooling, the valve is moved away from the seat by a return spring, and the heater begins to heat up.

Rough adjustment of the response temperature is carried out by a conventional screw mechanism that moves the valve closer or further away from the seat.

In addition, on sale you can find electronic thermal heads with a temperature sensor and a servo powered by a galvanic cell. They are easy to recognize by the screen, which shows the set or current room temperature.

Prices

How much do chokes and thermal heads cost?

Here are the approximate prices at the end of 2016 for Valtec products:

Alternatives

How else can you regulate the patency of the piping to the heater or the heating circuit?

To adjust the patency of individual sections of the circuit in the heating system, the following can be used abnormally:

Screw valves;
Ball and plug valves;

Gate valves.

I emphasize again: the use of valves as chokes for all of the listed elements of valves is an abnormal mode.

What does it threaten?

With a screw valve, the half-open valve will continuously move in turbulent flow coolant, since it is movably fixed on the rod. As a rule, throttling with a screw valve ends with a valve separation, after which the valve stops closing or opening;

According to the assurances of the manufacturers, in a ball valve, the half-open position of the valve usually leads to wear of the PTFE or Teflon rings that ensure tightness in the closed position - with quite predictable consequences. Less often, scale between the shutter and the body simply prevents the valve from closing;

However, the ball valves I use to limit the flow of water on the water supply have been in the half-open position for the past four years and still do not show signs of malfunction.

For semi-closed valves, the cheeks fall, completely blocking the passage for the coolant.

To prevent the cheeks in the half-open position of the valve from falling, first completely close it, and then slowly unscrew the stem with continuous monitoring of the pressure drop on the pressure gauge.

Mounting

Is it difficult to install a thermostat on a heating radiator with your own hands?

It is no more difficult than mounting a conventional valve on threaded connections. External thread on the eyeliner (corner, tee, etc.) it is wound with sanitary flax or polymer sealant thread (for example, Tangit Unilok), after which the thermostat is screwed onto it with an open-end, adjustable or pipe wrench.

Tangit Unilok is an ideal winder for heating threads.

A few nuances:

Do not use FUM tape for winding metal threads. The instruction is related to the fact that it leaks with minimal thread reverse;
Apply a little quick-drying organic solvent to the threaded sanitary flax. The paint, having soaked the organic fiber, will prevent it from rotting when the heating is turned off and burn out when it is turned on;

When assembling the threaded connection, do not use excessive force. Brass valve bodies are not durable and crack easily;

For aluminum or bimetallic battery it is better to buy an angle thermostat with an American (swivel nut with a rubber or silicone gasket). The American will significantly simplify and speed up the dismantling of the radiator during repairs in the room or if it malfunctions;

In the photo - an angle control valve with an American.

When mounting the thermal head, position it away from the ascending air flow from the radiator and supply lines. Heating by an external heat source will reduce the accuracy of room temperature control.

Conclusion

As you can see, thermostats are easy to install and are quite capable of providing significant savings to your money. The video in this article will help you learn more about them. I look forward to your comments. Good luck, comrades!

Controlling the temperature regime of heating operation is an important task both in terms of ensuring a comfortable temperature in the room and in terms of fuel economy. Excessive overheating of the air leads to increased fuel consumption, uncomfortable sensations for the inhabitants of the home. There are several ways and steps to adjust the operation of the heating complex. The most effective is thermostatic regulation of the temperature of heating devices. It is realized with the help of thermostatic devices. How to install a thermostat on a heating battery - this question will be answered by the material of this article.

The use of temperature control is caused by the need to provide comfortable conditions in the premises according to individual requests. Temperature control directly affects fuel consumption in autonomous heating. In the absence of regulation and monitoring, the room will be hot, and there will be a need for constant ventilation. Heat contributes to an increase in humidity and the occurrence of fungal diseases.

There are several levels of temperature control:

Boiler control (in autonomous heating version);
Control on the distribution manifold or individual branches of the heating system;
Adjustment on heating devices.

The first type is of a qualitative nature - a general temperature level for all consumers is set on the heat source. This process is carried out manually on the boiler panel or by installing a weather-compensated automation system to control the operation of the boiler in automatic mode, depending on environmental conditions. The inconvenience of this method lies in the general temperature regime for all rooms. Even the normative documentation speaks of the difference in the values of the temperature background for premises for various purposes.

Control on distribution manifolds, heating branches is a quantitative regulation - in this case, a change in the value of the mass flow rate of the coolant occurs. Branch adjustment is also of a general nature. The regulation on the collector is effective in the case of the layout of the heating system according to the collector-beam scheme.

The last step of control is adjustment on heating devices. It is the most efficient and accurate. On each device, you can set an individual mode for each room.

These methods are based on manual adjustment by the operation of the equipment and can be time consuming and general in nature. In these cases, the control mechanisms are boiler control units, manual shut-off and control valves (control valves, ball valves, special connection units for radiators and convectors).

Installing a thermostat on the battery allows you to automate control temperature regime device operation. The use of thermostats is possible on factory-made heating devices and distribution manifolds.

Types of thermostats

Thermostatic regulators have general principle devices and various actuators. The overall design consists of body, stem, seals, valve and connecting threads. The body is made of brass or of stainless steel. The body is equipped with threads for the inlet and outlet of the working medium. The direction of movement is marked on the surface of the valve with an arrow. At the water outlet, usually, instead of a thread, for ease of installation and assembly, an “American” type drive is installed. On the upper part of the body there is a connecting outlet with a rod. The output has a thread or special clamps for installing a thermal head.

The rod is equipped with a spring and is in a raised position without applying the force of the control mechanism (thermal head or handle) to it. At the lower end of the stem there is an actuator - a valve with a rubber (or fluoroplastic) lining. Under the influence of the drive force, the stem falls and the valve closes (or opens) the channel for the movement of the coolant.

This device is called a thermostatic valve. According to the control mechanism acting on the stem, the following types of thermostats are distinguished:

Mechanical;
Electronic;
Liquid and gas-filled;
Thermostatic mixers.

Thermostatic mixers are a special type of thermostatic fittings. They are the basis of the principle of operation of water heated floors. They set the temperature of the water in the heating circuits (as a rule, it does not exceed 50 degrees Celsius). The mixer for lowering the temperature of the heat carrier supplied from the boiler mixes cooled water from the return pipe of the underfloor heating circuits into the flow.

Mechanical thermostats

Mechanical thermostats are the basic model of thermostatic control valves. Detailed description thermostatic valve is given in the previous section. main feature mechanical thermostat - manual control of the valve. It is carried out with a plastic handle that comes with the product. Manual adjustment does not allow to achieve the required accuracy in the control of the heater. In addition, the strength of the plastic cap leaves much to be desired. Connecting mechanical thermostats to a battery is the first step to good control.

Electronic thermostats

An electronic thermostat is a thermostatic valve with a stem servo drive. The servomotor, according to the sensor data, drives the valve stem, regulates the flow rate. There are various layouts of electronic thermostats:

Thermostat with built-in sensor, display and keypad control;
Device with remote sensor;
Thermostat with remote control.

The first model is installed directly on the thermostatic valve. The model with a remote sensor has an actuator mounted on the valve and a remote temperature sensor. The sensor is installed at a distance from the radiator in order to objectively assess the air temperature in the room. It can also be installed outside the building - the adjustment takes place depending on the ambient temperature.

The electronic thermostat with remote control has a common unit that integrates the control of a group of thermostats according to the remote principle.

Liquid and gas-filled thermostats

This type of thermostat is the most popular. They are cheaper than electronic ones and are not inferior to them in terms of reliability. The principle of their operation is based on the use of thermophysical properties of certain liquids and gases.

A flexible vessel filled with a liquid or gas with certain properties is placed in the body. When the air is heated, the working medium of the reservoir expands and the vessel exerts pressure on the valve stem - the valve begins to close. When cooling everything happens in reverse order- the vessel narrows, the spring lifts the stem with the valve.

Thermostat installation and adjustment

How to install the thermostat on the battery correctly? Installing a thermostat on a battery is not a particularly complicated process; you need to have basic skills in working with threaded connections.

Mounting the thermostat on the radiator is carried out according to the following scheme:

If there are several heating devices in the room, the thermal head is set to the most powerful one;
Water is drained from the heater;
An “American” pre-wound with synthetic thread or linen is wrapped in the radiator pass-through plug;
The thermostatic valve is connected at the inlet to the thread of the pipeline (thermostats are installed only for the supply of coolant to the device);
The valve is connected to the "American" drive;
Pressure testing of mounted connections is carried out (the radiator is filled with coolant);
At the next stage, the thermal head is installed - it is screwed onto the thread or fastened with clamps with latches (locks);

The thermal head is installed horizontally to reduce the influence of the hot surface of the heater. An anti-vandal housing is sometimes installed on the thermal head.

The temperature setting is done empirically (experimentally). Often the adjustment scale does not correspond to the overall temperature in the room. The scale with divisions is adjusted in the laboratory, and in living quarters the thermal head can be affected by drafts and other factors.

The installation of thermostats will free the owner of the premises from constant manual control, provide a comfortable temperature in individual rooms, and reduce fuel costs.