Information
When constructing or renovating a residential space, one of the most crucial aspects is heating. Calculating an efficient heating system is a responsible task for an HVAC engineer. However, you can independently calculate the required radiators based on the room area using an online calculator. You only need to input the known data into the program.
Calculator Functions
The calculator for determining the number of radiators per square meter or by section power is an online program consisting of:
- a block of windows "Radiator Type";
- ten data input fields;
- a block of windows "Connection Type";
- four fields displaying the calculated results.
The program will calculate the number of radiator sections, the heat losses of the room, the specific heat losses of the room, and the amount of heat emitted by one section. All the obtained information can be saved in a PDF file or printed out.
How to Use the Calculator
To get the calculated results, follow the algorithm below:
- Select the required radiator type. The power of one section of the selected radiator type, in watts, will automatically appear in the field below.
- In fields 2-4, enter the room dimensions: length, width, height in meters.
- Select the glazing quality.
- Select the glazing area (equal to the ratio of the window area to the room area), in %.
- Indicate the level of insulation.
- Select the climatic zone - your region of residence.
- Indicate the number of external corners and walls of the room.
- Select the type of room located above the current room.
- Indicate the temperature of the heat carrier, in ℃. This is very important; for example, central heating provides 70-80 degrees, while a solid fuel boiler if there is underfloor heating at home, is set to 50-60 degrees.
- Select the planned type of connection.
After this, the following information will appear:
- Number of sections, in pieces.
- Heat losses of the room, in watts.
- Specific heat losses of the room, in W/m².
- Amount of heat emitted by 1 section, in watts.
Useful Information
The most important technical characteristics of various models of radiators are:
- Power of the radiator sections. The higher the power of the radiator, the greater the heat output and efficiency of the heating device.
- Working pressure of the radiator. A high threshold of this parameter allows it to withstand hydraulic shocks and pressure drops in the system, increasing the product's service life.
- Material and weight of the radiator. The type of material (metal, alloy) directly affects the strength and durability of the heating device, its corrosion resistance. The weight of the product is important during installation, especially if the radiators are to be installed by one person.
There are four main types of radiators on the market: steel, cast iron, aluminum, and bimetallic radiators.
Steel radiators – have good heat output and relatively low cost. However, they are not sufficiently resistant to hydraulic shocks and high pressure, and they are prone to corrosion. Steel radiators are divided into panel and tubular types.
Cast iron radiators – the most popular and durable type of radiators for centralized heating. They have excellent heat output, resistance to corrosion and hydraulic shocks. At the same time, cast iron radiators heat up and cool down slowly; they are heavy, which is a disadvantage during installation by one specialist.
Aluminum radiators – one of the most popular modern types of radiators. They are manufactured as cast and extruded aluminum radiators. They are characterized by high heat output and light weight, which is important during the installation of devices. However, they are sensitive to hydraulic shocks and pressure drops in the heating system, heating up and cooling down quickly.
Bimetallic radiators – have relatively the best characteristics among all types of radiators. They are made of two materials: an external aluminum shell and internal steel or copper tubes. They have high heat output and strength, good resistance to corrosion and hydraulic shocks, and are relatively lightweight.
To achieve thermal comfort, radiators need to have the correct surface area for heating the room without overloading the boiler. Other important factors include the material from which the radiator is made, which shows the heat transfer coefficient, or the temperature of the water in the system. The heat emitted by the radiator is provided by its radiating surface and must be maximally adapted to the user's needs. Specifically, the best radiators maintain a constant temperature regardless of the outdoor temperature.
To accurately calculate radiators, you can use the online calculator. The radiator power calculation calculator by room area and volume will help determine the required number of sections for each room. This is especially important for private houses and apartments, where an accurate calculation of the number of radiators is needed to ensure even heating of all rooms. You can calculate the number of radiator sections for both panel and other types of radiators.
Glossary
Heating radiator – a heating device consisting of individual tubular or elongated elements – sections, with internal channels through which the heat carrier, usually water, circulates. Heat from the heating radiator is dissipated by convection, radiation, and thermal conductivity.
Heat carrier – a liquid substance used to transfer thermal energy in heating systems. Water is most commonly used in centralized and private heating systems, less often antifreeze based on propylene glycol (safe for humans and recommended by many heating equipment manufacturers) or ethylene glycol (harmful to humans and not recommended by heating equipment manufacturers).
