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Heating systems: single-pipe, double-pipe.

Nowadays, houses are installed 2 different systems heating: single-pipe or two-pipe. Each has its own design features. Two-pipe heating systems are the most popular.

Nowadays, 2 different heating systems are installed in houses: one-pipe or two-pipe, and each has its own characteristics.

Single pipe heating system

To understand what it looks like, look at the ring with the stone. In the heating system, the role of stone is played by the boiler. What about the ring, it's pipes specific diameter, which run along the perimeter of the entire building. Radiators are connected to them. Water and sometimes antifreeze are often used as coolant. The functionality of a single-pipe heating system is based on the gradual release of heat by water. After passing through the ring, the water returns to the boiler at a lower temperature.

This circuit usually has natural coolant circulation. Hot water is supplied to the top floor first. And then, passing through the radiators, the released part of the heat descends to the boiler, achieving complete circulation. A single-pipe heating system can be supplemented with elements:

• thermostatic valves;
• radiator regulators;
• balancing valves;
• ball valves.

Thanks to them, it becomes more balanced and it becomes possible to change the temperature in certain radiators.

Distinctive features of the heating system

The biggest advantage is electrical independence, and the disadvantage is the pipes, which have a large diameter and are routed at an angle.

Compared to the two-pipe option, there are quite a few advantages:

• pipes can be diverted to the “warm floor” system or heating radiators can be connected;
• it can be carried out regardless of the layout of the room;
• it covers the entire perimeter with a closed ring;
• it is less material-intensive and has a lower cost.

During use, difficulties may sometimes arise with circulation through the pipes, but this is easily solved by installing pump equipment. It produces proper circulation of coolant through the pipes.

A vertical single-pipe circuit is a popular example of wiring in apartment buildings.

But horizontal is used mainly for heating large premises and is used very rarely in private buildings (mainly in small one-story houses). Here the supply pipe bypasses the heating devices, which are on the same level. The water in each radiator cools down and, approaching the last heating devices, becomes significantly cooled. This scheme will help reduce installation and piping costs, but has two disadvantages.

Firstly, this is a problem with heat regulation in any heating device. You cannot increase heat transfer, reduce it, or turn off the radiator. In installation practice, there is a jumper - a bypass, which allows you to turn off the radiator without turning off the system. Heating of the room is carried out indirectly through a riser or supply pipes. Another drawback is that you need to use radiators of the most different sizes. In order for the heat transfer to be the same, the first heating device must be very small, and the last one must be large. A horizontal single-pipe heating circuit is also used.

Two pipe system

There are several types of it. The principle of operation is the same and is as follows. Hot water rises through the riser and flows from it into the radiators. And from them, through highways and return lines, it enters the pipeline, then into heating device. With this system, the radiator is served by two pipes simultaneously: return and supply, which is why it is called two-pipe. The water in this system is supplied directly from the water supply. She needs an expansion tank, which can be either simple or with water circulation.

The simple one includes a container with 2 pipes. One is a water supply riser, and the second is used to drain excess liquid.

A more complex design has 4 pipes. 2 pipes provide circulation, and 2 others are needed for control and overflow, they also monitor the water level in the tank.

Two-pipe systems can be operated using a circulation pump. Depending on the circulation method, it can be with a passing flow or dead-end. In the second, the movement of warm water is completely opposite to the direction of the already cooled water. This scheme is characterized by the length of the circulation rings, which depends on the distance of the heating device to the boiler. The circulation rings are of equal length in systems with one-way water movement, all devices and risers operate under equal conditions.

A two-pipe heating system has a large set of advantages compared to a single-pipe one:

• the ability to distribute heat supply in different rooms;
• can be used on one floor;
• the shut-off systems for the return and supply risers are located in the basement - this significantly saves living space;
• minimizing heat loss.

The only drawback is the considerable consumption of materials: you need 2 times more pipes than for a single-pipe connection. Another disadvantage is the low water pressure in the supply line: taps will be needed to bleed air.

A horizontal closed two-pipe circuit comes with lower and upper wiring. The advantage of lower wiring: sections of the system can be put into operation gradually, as floors are built. The vertical two-pipe scheme can be used in houses with variable number of storeys. Any of the varieties of two-pipe circuits is more expensive than single-pipe horizontal wiring; for the sake of comfort and design, it is worth giving preference to the two-pipe circuit.

One-pipe and two-pipe systems: comparison

Single-pipe systems, unlike two-pipe systems, do not have return risers. The coolant from the boiler, under the influence of circulation pressure or a pump, enters the upper heating devices. Cooling down, it returns back to the supply riser and goes down. The radiators below receive a mixture of coolant from the riser and from the upper radiators. Passing through all radiators and other heat consumers, the coolant returns again to the boiler, where the process is repeated again. The temperature of the coolant decreases as it passes in a circle, and therefore the lower the radiator is, the larger the heating surface should be.

For single-pipe systems there are 2 schemes. This is a flow and mixed scheme. The flow circuit has a peculiarity - the complete absence of jumpers between the supply and the outlet from the radiator. These schemes are almost never used when installing heating systems due to their impracticality. One battery breaks, and you need to turn off the riser, because there is no way to bypass the coolant. The advantage of single-pipe systems is the lower cost of building materials and ease of installation. Installation of single-pipe systems requires overhead wiring.

A two-pipe heating system can be used in any house: multi-story, single-story, etc. A two-pipe heating system is easy to implement with conventional circulation, since its configuration makes it possible to organize the circulation pressure; do not forget that the boiler must be installed below the level of the radiators. You can organize a heating system with forced circulation, simply by placing a circulation pump in the circuit.

If it is possible to implement a ring circuit, then we need to do it. A two-pipe system usually needs to be installed where there are difficulties with gas, power outages, etc. For this system, a solid fuel boiler and pipes with a larger diameter are sufficient. Brought firewood or coal, and you don’t have to worry about frost.

Methods for installing heating systems

Installation methods depend on the characteristics of the system.

Price installation work heating is determined by the features specific project, and everything can be calculated only by specialists with experience in such work.

If you need to install heating with regular circulation, installing a system with a top spill will be effective. The water circulates through the pipes on its own. Systems with bottom spill do not provide efficient work without circulation pump.

Scheme of collector (radial) wiring of the heating system.

Installation methods are also classified:

• by type of wiring (collector, radial);
• by the number of risers;
• by type of pipe connection (side or bottom).

Heating installation with bottom pipe connections is the most popular. It becomes possible not to run the pipeline directly along the walls, but to hide it under the floor or baseboard. An aesthetic appearance of the room is achieved.

The main classification of installation methods is carried out completely depending on the diagram. You can install a two-pipe heating system or install a single-pipe heating system. In the second case, water flows through a pipeline through radiators, cooling along the way. The last radiator will be colder than the first. With a two-pipe system, 2 pipes are connected to the radiators: return and direct. This allows you to create the same temperature of the radiators. The first option is the simplest and cheapest, due to the low cost of materials. But it is only effective in small houses. If your house has an area of ​​over 100 square meters or has more than 1 floor, it is better to install two-pipe heating.

The two-pipe system gives great choice Radiator installation methods:

• serial connection;
• parallel connection;
• lateral one-way connection;
• diagonal connection.

Depending on the location of the supply risers, there are certain methods for installing autonomous heating:

1. Heating with horizontal wiring.
2. Heating with vertical wiring.
3. Heating without risers with supply and return lines.

A one-pipe system is cheaper. If you care about the quality of the heating system, there is no need to waste money on two-pipe wiring, since we get the ability to control the heat in the rooms.

Sometimes it is very difficult for an uninformed homeowner to decide on the choice of a heating system. This problem is as old as time. Disputes about which is better - single-pipe or two-pipe system heating has been going on for a long time and does not subside to this day. In our article we will try to objectively and impartially approach the issue by considering both schemes in relation to a private home.

Pros and cons of a single-pipe system

To begin with, let us recall that a single-pipe circuit represents one horizontal collector or vertical riser, common to several radiators connected to it by both connections. The coolant, circulating through the main pipe, partially flows into the batteries, gives off heat and returns back to the same collector. The next radiator receives a mixture of cooled and hot water with the temperature reduced by several degrees. And so on until the very last radiator.

The main difference between a one-pipe heating system and a two-pipe one, which gives it some advantage, is the absence of separation into supply and return pipelines. One highway instead of two is less pipes and work on their installation (punching walls and ceilings, fastening). In theory, it should be lower and total cost, But it is not always the case. Below we will explain why.

Thanks to the advent of modern fittings, it has become possible to regulate the heat output of each radiator automatically. True, this requires special thermostats with a larger flow area. But even they will not rid the system of its main drawback - cooling of the coolant from battery to battery. As a result, the heat transfer of each subsequent device decreases and it is necessary to increase its power by increasing sections. And this is an increase in cost.

If the main line and the supply to the device are of the same diameter, then the flow will be divided approximately equally. This cannot be allowed; the coolant will cool down greatly in the very first radiator. In order for a third of the flow to get into it, the size of the common collector must be made twice as large, and around the entire perimeter. Imagine if this two-storey house with an area of ​​100 m2 or more, where a DN25 or DN32 pipe is laid in a circle. This is the second price increase.

If in a one-story private house it is necessary to ensure natural circulation of water, then a single-pipe heating system differs from a two-pipe heating system by the presence of a vertical accelerating manifold with a height of at least 2 m, installed immediately after the boiler. Exception - pumping systems with a wall-mounted boiler suspended at the required height. This is the third price increase.

Conclusion. A single pipe system is complex. You need to very well calculate the diameters of the pipelines and the power of the radiators, and think carefully about the laying of the lines. Then it will work efficiently and reliably. The statement about the cheapness of the Leningradka is very controversial, especially when it is decided to assemble a circuit from metal-plastic pipes, you'll just go broke on fittings. Metal and PPR will cost less.

Pros and cons of a two-pipe system

All people who have the slightest understanding know the difference between a single-pipe and a two-pipe heating system. It lies in the fact that in the latter, each battery is connected with one line to the supply line, and the second to the return line. That is, hot and cooled coolant flows through different pipelines. What does this give? Let's present the answer in the form of a list:

• distribution of water across all radiators at the same temperature;
• accordingly, the number of sections does not need to be increased;
• it is much easier to regulate and automate the entire system;
• the diameters of the pipes for forced circulation are at least 1 size smaller than with a single-pipe scheme.

As for the shortcomings, there is only one that deserves attention. This is the consumption of pipes and the cost of laying them. But these pipes are of smaller diameter with a relatively small number of fittings. A detailed calculation of materials for one and the other system, as well as the nuances of their operation, are shown in the video:

Conclusion. The advantage of a two-pipe heating system is its simplicity. Master small house, who has correctly determined the power of the batteries, can randomly make the wiring with a DN20 pipe, and make the connections with DN15, and the circuit will work normally. As for the high cost, it all depends on the material used, the ramifications of the system, and so on. Let us take the liberty of asserting that a two-pipe scheme is better than a one-pipe one.

How to convert a one-pipe heating system into a two-pipe one?

Since the difference between one-pipe and two-pipe systems is the separation of two streams, technically the conversion is quite simple. It is necessary to lay a second pipeline along the existing main, whose diameter can be taken 1 size smaller. The end of the old collector must be cut off near the last device and plugged, the remaining section up to the boiler must be connected to the new pipe.

The result is a scheme with a passing movement of water, only the coolant leaving the batteries needs to be directed into a new main. To do this, one supply section of each radiator will have to be reconnected from the old collector to the new one, as shown in the diagram:

You must understand that during the remodeling process you may encounter difficulties such as lack of space for the second pipe, the inability to punch a hole in the wall or ceiling, and so on. Therefore, before starting such a reconstruction, you need to think through everything carefully. It may be possible to restore normal operation of the existing single-pipe system.

Conclusion

In the field of private housing construction, the advantages of a two-pipe heating system over a single-pipe heating system are obvious. But the latter does not give up its position, since it has many fans. In any case, the choice is yours.

Have you thought about installing water heating in your home? It is not surprising, because a single-pipe heating system for a private house can be traditional and completely energy-independent or, on the contrary, very modern and fully automatic.

But you still have doubts about the reliability of this option - you don’t know which scheme to choose and what pitfalls await you? We will help clarify these issues - the article discusses schemes for arranging a single-pipe system, the pros and cons that await the owner of a house with similar system heating.

The article material is supplied detailed diagrams And clear photos with image individual elements, used in heating assembly. In addition, a video has been selected with an analysis of the nuances of installing a single-pipe system with heated floors.

In low-rise construction, the most widespread is a simple, reliable and economical design with one highway. The single-pipe system remains the most popular way organization of individual heat supply. It operates due to the continuous circulation of the coolant liquid.

Moving through pipes from the source of thermal energy (boiler) to the heating elements and back, it gives off its thermal energy and heats the building.

The coolant can be air, steam, water or antifreeze, which is used in periodic residences. The most common.

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The unit consists of an air vent, a pressure gauge and safety valve for coolant discharge in emergency mode. Mounted with shut-off valves on the supply pipeline to allow shutdown in case of repairs.

If there is a rise in the pipeline, then it is located at its highest point.

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For every private household, the installation of a heating system is considered one of the fundamental issues. Modern technologies construction offer two options: one-pipe or two-pipe system.

Here it is important not to cheapen out by trying to reduce installation costs and purchasing materials. And only after understanding the operating principle of these systems, their advantages and disadvantages, can you make the right choice.

The operation of a single-pipe heating system occurs according to sufficient simple principles. There is only one closed pipeline through which the coolant circulates. Passing through the boiler, the medium heats up, and passing through the radiators imparts this heat to them, after which, cooled, it again enters the boiler.

There is also only one riser in a single-pipe system, and its location depends on the type of building. So, for one-story private houses it is best suited horizontal diagram, whereas for multi-storey buildings - vertical.

Note! To pump coolant through vertical risers, a hydraulic pump may be needed.

To improve the efficiency of a single-pipe system, several improvements can be made. For example, install bypasses - special elements that are pipe sections connecting the forward and return radiator pipes.

This solution makes it possible to connect thermostats to the radiator that can control the temperature of each heating element, or completely disconnect them from the system. Another advantage of bypasses is that they allow you to replace or repair individual heating elements without shutting down the entire system.

Installation features

So that the heating system long years gave warmth to the owners of the house, during the installation process it is worth adhering to the following sequence of actions:

• According to the developed project, the boiler is installed.
• The pipeline is being installed. In places where the project provides for the installation of radiators and bypasses, tees are installed.
• If the system operates on the principle of natural circulation, it is necessary to ensure a slope of 3-5 cm per meter of length. For a forced circulation circuit, a slope of 1 cm per meter of length will be sufficient.
• For systems with forced circulation, a circulation pump is installed. It is worth considering that the device is not designed for operation at high temperatures, so it would be better to install it near the entrance of the return pipe to the boiler. In addition, the pump must be connected to the electrical network.
• Installation of expansion tank. Tank open type must be at the highest point of the system, closed - at any convenient location(most often it is installed near the boiler).
• Installation heating radiators. They weigh a lot (especially when filled with water), so they are secured using special brackets, which are usually included in the kit. Installation is most often carried out under window openings.
• Additional devices are being installed - Mayevsky taps, plugs, shut-off devices.
• The final stage is testing the finished system, for which water or air is supplied to it under pressure. If the tests do not reveal problem areas, the system is ready for operation.

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All heating systems today are divided into two main types: single-pipe and two-pipe heating systems. Each type has its own characteristics and features, but two-pipe heating systems have become the most popular. Sometimes people wonder, single-pipe or two-pipe heating system - what to choose?

Single pipe heating system

Such a heating system is a closed loop, which is interrupted by the boiler. Installing such a system involves installing a pipeline throughout all rooms in the house. Radiators are connected to the pipes, and a coolant is introduced into the system (its role is most often played by distilled water), which ensures heat transfer to each room. The operating principle of such a heating system is based on the difference in water temperatures at the beginning of the cycle and during the reverse movement, that is, the water that has passed through the entire circuit returns to the boiler cooled.

Most often, this design uses natural coolant circulation. To do this, the heated water first rises to the maximum possible height, after which it gradually descends through the pipes, cooling as it moves.

The following can be connected to a one-pipe heating system:

• thermostatic valves;
• radiator regulators;
• balancing valves;
• Ball Valves.

These mechanisms allow for finer tuning of the heating system for high-quality and uniform heating of the entire building.

Characteristic features of a single-pipe heating system

The most important advantage of a single-pipe heating system with natural circulation is that there is no need for electricity. Instead, a significant disadvantage appears, which is expressed in quite large diameter pipes and the need to create a constant pipeline slope.

Advantages of single-pipe heating over two-pipe heating:

1. Pipes can be connected to " heated floors» or heating radiators.
2. Such a system can be installed in any room, regardless of the layout.
3. The closed circuit allows the entire building to be heated as a single piece.
4. Such a system is much cheaper because it requires much less materials.

When using a single-pipe system, the problem of “stagnation” of liquid in the pipeline very often arises. This problem is solved using a pump that cuts into the system immediately in front of the boiler, at the very end of the return line.

IN multi-storey buildings Most often, a vertical single-pipe heating system is used, while a horizontal one is better suited for compact one-story houses. In this case, all heating elements are located at the same height, which gives rise to the following problem: water that has cooled in one radiator approaches the next one already cold. Such a system is much cheaper, but also has significant disadvantages.

Radiators in such a system are not controlled: a horizontal heating system does not imply free adjustment of each heating device. If necessary, bypasses can be built into such a system, which make it possible to bypass the coolant bypassing a separate radiator, but such a device will make the system more expensive. Turning off the radiator leads to the fact that the room begins to be heated due to the heat coming from the pipes or riser.

In addition, for effective use For this system, it is recommended to use heating elements of different sizes. To equalize heat transfer, the first radiator installed should be quite small, and the last one should be much larger.

Two-pipe heating system

Despite the presence of a number of modifications, the two-pipe heating system operates on the same principle. The heated liquid rises through the riser, from where it enters the radiators. But if one pipeline circuit goes to the radiators, then the cooled liquid is removed using the second circuit. This is the point. Water enters such a system directly from the water supply. For the system to function properly, it needs expansion tank, which can be simple or complex.

The simple one contains a container to which two pipes are connected. One of them is a riser designed to supply water, and the second pipe allows you to eliminate excess liquid(read: " "). IN complex design Four pipes are installed, two of which are responsible for the circulation of liquid, and the other two monitor the water level in the system and the tank itself.

Two-pipe heating systems work well in conjunction with a pump. Circulation can be carried out either with a passing flow or with a dead-end method. In the latter case, the heated and cooled liquid move in the opposite direction. Both circulation circuits have the same length, so all radiators provide equal heat transfer.

A two-pipe heating system outperforms a single-pipe heating system in a number of parameters:

1. Possibility of precise control over the uniformity of heat supply in different rooms.
2. The system is well suited for heating single-story buildings.
3. Riser locking systems can be located in the basement, thus saving on usable area building.
4. There are practically no heat losses in this system.

The disadvantages of a two-pipe system include it high cost: the number of pipes will double compared to a single-pipe analogue. In addition, air will periodically appear in the supply line, and to eliminate it, it is necessary to install taps.

A horizontal closed two-pipe circuit can be equipped with upper and lower wiring. Using lower wiring allows you to add new heating devices to the system gradually, as new floors are built (more details: " "). The vertical system is well suited for houses with variable number of storeys. In any case, a two-pipe heating system will cost more than a single-pipe one, but its use will provide much greater comfort and convenience.

Single-pipe or two-pipe heating system: advantages and disadvantages

There are no return risers in single-pipe systems. The movement of the coolant in this case is ensured by natural circulation or a pump. The cooled liquid enters bottom part system, and along the way it is mixed with coolant from the supply riser. A closed circuit ensures constant circulation of fluid in the system. As water passes through the pipeline, it cools, so the surface area of ​​the heating device located further from the boiler must be larger in order to increase heat transfer.

Single-pipe heating systems can be built according to two schemes: flow-through and mixed (read: ""). IN flow diagram There are completely no workarounds, so if one heating element fails, the entire system has to be turned off. This option is currently practically not used, since it is extremely irrational. Nevertheless, single pipe systems have a low cost due to a minimum of materials and simple installation. When installing such systems, top wiring is required.

Installation of heating systems

Single-pipe and two-pipe heating systems are installed differently, and the installation of a suitable system will depend on the selected parameters, and any specialist can calculate the cost of installation. If natural circulation is chosen for installation, then it would be advisable to install the upper wiring, and if you have a pump and there are no problems with the power supply, you can use the lower one.

Additionally, installation methods heating systems can be classified by:

• type of wiring;
• number of risers;
• type of pipe connection.

Bottom connection pipes is the most common. Usage this method allows you to run pipes under the floor or baseboard, which has a positive effect on the interior of the premises (more details: " ").

The main classification of heating installation methods is still based on the chosen scheme. Single-pipe and two-pipe heating systems have a lot in common, but the difference between them is too great to put them on the same page. The advantages of single-pipe heating are obvious: low cost and ease of operation. But this system also has a lot of disadvantages, and the most important of them is that if the area of ​​the house is too large (more than 100 sq.m.) or if there is a second floor, the single-pipe scheme simply will not justify itself. In such cases, it will be much more profitable to opt for a two-pipe heating system.

Last option It also makes it possible to choose the appropriate method of installing radiators:

• sequentially;
• parallel;
• diagonally;
• on the side.

You can see the installation methods in detail in the photo.

The classification of installation methods can also be carried out according to the location of the risers:

• heating with horizontal wiring;
• heating with vertical wiring;
• heating without risers.

Conclusion

The single-pipe system is cheaper and simpler. The two-pipe system is more convenient and reliable. Regardless of whether a single-pipe or two-pipe heating system is installed in the house, heating of the premises will still occur. Final choice depends on the homeowner, but still the two-pipe system has a large number of advantages, and its performance characteristics indicate that using such a scheme in your home will be more profitable and convenient.

The video shows a single-pipe and two-pipe heating system for comparison: