Comfortable accommodation in a private two-story house depends entirely on the communications complex, among which the heating network occupies one of the main places. Is not it? It is she who is responsible for maintaining the optimal temperature and maintaining the building itself. Agree, the temperature in the room is one of the main components providing a comfortable stay.
It depends directly on the choice of a heat source and its proper connection whether you can maintain the temperature necessary for living. Here we will help you understand how the heating system of a two-story house functions, and which wiring diagrams are recognized as the most effective.
Here you will find information about the types of coolants, methods and features of their connection. For clarity, the material is accompanied by wiring diagrams, as well as videos that will help expand knowledge about the heating systems of private houses.
What does the heating system consist of?
It is quite difficult to choose the equipment necessary for assembling the heating system on your own. To do this, you need to have special engineering knowledge, be able to calculate heat loss, navigate in detailed calculations and installation nuances.
We recommend contacting professional heating engineers who, as a result of preliminary calculations, will select the optimal heating scheme.
If you have the appropriate education or you already have experience in installing a heating wiring in a two-story house, then you can choose the heating scheme option yourself, using useful information and proven skills.
Choosing a heat source
The heart of the heating network is a heat generator that heats the coolant to the optimum temperature and, if its technical capabilities allow, maintains the set parameters around the clock.
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Use of a solid fuel boiler
Oil boiler in the heating scheme of a private house
Electrical version of the unit for the heating system
Popular and popular gas equipment
Among modern heat sources in private two-story houses, almost everything is used, sometimes 2-3 types are combined.
Possible types of heat generators:
- heating boilers;
- infrared emitters;
- ovens (Russian, Dutch, Canadian);
- fireplaces;
- solar collectors, heat pump units and other types of alternative equipment.
Actively used heating boilers, which can be classified by type of fuel:
- liquid or solid fuel;
- gas;
- electric.
The second and third options are more economical, and if gas or electricity is connected to the house, then it is worth choosing them.
A 28 kW wall-mounted gas boiler with two independent circuits, a closed combustion chamber and convenient electronic ignition is an excellent option for a 2- or 3-story house
If the cottage is built on a non-gasified area, the electric boiler becomes the main one, and a fireplace or infrared heating is used as a backup, reserve source.
The sequence of operation of the electric boiler: the coolant is heated to a temperature set by the user, moves through the pipeline to radiators located on two floors, partially cooled and, under the action of the circulation pump, is again sent to the boiler (+)
The use of alternative heat generators largely depends on the climatic conditions of the region, in addition, the minimum set of relatively expensive equipment (for example, solar collectors) will pay off after at least 3 years.
The diagram shows the advantage of an infrared heating system: IR radiation provides a comfortable temperature in the lower part of the room, with a convective heating method, on the contrary, warm air always rises to the ceiling
Which coolant is better?
The heat generated by a gas boiler or other heat generator cannot by itself spread through all rooms. For this purpose, a coolant is needed - a substance that freely moves through pipes and has the necessary technical characteristics.
There are technologies for using heated air, especially relevant in houses with stove heating, a fireplace or electric heating. But, unfortunately, in order to ensure effective functioning it has insufficient parameters of heat capacity, density and heat transfer.
The layout of the air heating system in a two-story residential building. The arrows indicate the movement of cold and warm air, which provide ventilation and air conditioning (+)
Unlike gaseous, liquid substances have an excellent ability to absorb heat, to give it away and to maintain a predetermined temperature for some time. In this sense, an ordinary “conductor” is ordinary water. When heated, it fills the pipes and radiators, gradually giving off heat to residential premises, and the circulation ensures the constancy of the process.
For houses with permanent residence, optimal systems with water as a coolant. In order for heating equipment to go without repair for longer, and the pipeline is not covered with plaque, water is driven through filters and enriched with special additives and inhibitors.
Non-freezing antifreeze HotPoint 65 is used in heating and air conditioning systems, designed for 10 heating seasons or 5 years of continuous operation
If the house is a temporary refuge or serves as a holiday destination on weekends, it is better to use antifreeze instead of water. This is a liquid solution with a chemical composition, one of the components of which is propylene glycol or ethylene glycol.
Chemicals prevent the coolant from freezing even during the freezing of the building and constantly maintain the network functionality in the operating mode.
Convector and radiator space heating
When designing a heating project for a two-story or three-story house, both radiators and convectors can be used as heating devices.
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The principle of operation of convectors
Movement of heated air
The scheme of heating the air in the room
Floor heater
Convector in a water heating system
Gas convector in a country cottage
Electric heater
Radiators, or radiators, are most often equipped with centralized systems. They have a combined principle of operation: they transmit thermal radiation and heat the air that circulates around and passes through the “ribs” of the products.
The principle of operation of convection equipment: space heating using natural air circulation. One standard appliance is able to maintain a comfortable temperature in a room of up to 20 m²
Combined heating appliances are considered the best option for arranging a two-story private house.
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Radiators heat the air mass with both convection and radiation. Those. they process the flow passing through the device and transmit thermal radiation to the room
Depending on the design features of the device, convection accounts for 50 to 75% of the heat generated in the room
The distribution of convective and radiated energy generated by devices is affected by fins. The more fins the radiator has, the more radiation and less convection
Radiators used in heating circuits are divided according to the material used in the manufacture of the housing. The most famous of them is cast iron
Steel heating radiators are cheaper and lighter than cast iron counterparts. They are produced in sectional and panel versions.
Gradually, but extremely persistently from the market, pig-iron and steel products are superseded by ultra-light aluminum batteries and their improved bimetal options
When installing heating in large rooms with high ceilings, it is recommended to install radiators with increased finning
In small rooms with low ceilings, it is better to use batteries with insignificant fins, in which thermal radiation predominates.
The principle of operation of radiators
The proportion of convective radiator heating
Fins for heating radiators
Cast Iron Heating Battery
Steel appliance heating system
Aluminum and bimetal batteries
Convection-dominated radiators
Batteries for small rooms
Convectors have a more open design, consist of copper tubes and heat exchangers. The air enters the heat exchangers, heats up, rises up, freeing up a place for a new portion of unheated air. The device is protected from cooling by a volumetric casing.
In the heating schemes of two-story houses, both radiators and convector-type heaters are used, the choice of devices is great due to the variety of designs, sizes and shapes.
Global Style Extra sectional bimetal radiators made of steel (internal structure) and aluminum (external frame), working pressure - 35 atm
Short description of household radiators
All types of home heating radiators can be classified by the material from which they are made. Modern models of heating appliances are made from the following metals:
- cast iron;
- aluminum;
- steel.
There are also copyright models created in a vintage style, but they are quite expensive and are most often made to order. Ceramic and forged products are much less common than factory stamping.
Cast iron radiator for heating the living room, made in retro style. The metal surface is covered with heat-resistant paint and painted with floral ornaments.
Previously, cast iron sectional radiators were common, and now they can be found on sale. Cast iron is valued for its durability and low requirements to the characteristics of the coolant, however, a large weight is considered a minus. Weight should be taken into account if the project involves the installation of a radiator on a light wall.
Sectional, that is, prefabricated, models are also made of aluminum. They differ in light weight and aesthetic appearance, but do not come into contact with copper parts and react negatively to some types of coolants.
Royal Termo Revolution aluminum heating radiators are ideal for private systems. The special shape of the sections provides maximum heat transfer. The cost of 1 section is 500 rubles.
Steel radiators are panel, made of pieces of sheet steel, and sectional, consisting of several modules. The first option is considered more reliable due to a simple two-way threaded connection. Steel perfectly tolerates any coolant, by weight lighter than cast iron, but heavier than aluminum.
Any type of radiator is suitable for a two-story house; when choosing, you need to focus on the type of coolant, the features of the system installation and interior design.
Forced Circuit Efficiency
The prevailing part of modern heating systems can fully function only when creating artificial circulation, that is, one in which the coolant moves inside the network due to the operation of the circulation pump.
Diagram of a heating system with a gas boiler in a 2-storey building: equipment and metering devices are installed on the ground floor (in the basement, in the basement), in a specially equipped room with good sound insulation (+)
For a forced circulation device in a building with several floors, there are its own premises:
- installation of a pipeline of a smaller diameter, which facilitates the assembly of the wiring as a whole;
- provision of zone adjustment (along with or instead of general);
- the presence of 2 or higher floors does not affect the heating efficiency;
- lowering the temperature of the coolant without changing the parameters of heat transfer;
- the possibility of using inexpensive plastic pipes.
The disadvantages include the availability of power supply - interruptions are possible, but they can be easily avoided using redundant UPSs. The problem of louder noise is also solved by laying a layer of noise insulation in the boiler room.
Scheme of water heating with forced circulation: 1 - gas or electric boiler; 2 - riser; 3 - pipe to the expansion tank; 4 - riser for draining; 5 - upper horizontal wiring; 6 - an expansion tank; 7 - circulation pump type; 8 - return line
The most suitable place to insert the circulation pump is where the temperature drops to a minimum, that is, immediately in front of the boiler, on the return line.
Natural circulation as an alternative
Now autonomous heating networks with gravitational circulation, that is, operating according to natural physical laws, can be met extremely rarely.
The principle of operation is explained by the difference in the density of cold and heated water and the presence of an additional monitoring device - an expansion tank, which is installed in the upper part of the riser with hot water.
The scheme of the heating system in a two-story house with natural circulation: a vertical riser crosses both floors and ends in the attic, by the expansion tank, and the lower circuit is located in the basement or on the first floor (+)
A feature of the natural type network is the inclined arrangement of horizontal pipes (reverse and distributing) and the location of the boiler - it is installed at the lowest possible level. The coolant is supplied through an expansion riser, the discharge of cooled water (or antifreeze) through the return.
The advantages of the gravity circuit are independence from electrical power, ease of installation, and the absence of noise emitted by the circulation pump.
Features of a one-pipe heating system
The choice of one- or two-pipe heating does not depend on the number of storeys of the house - both types are suitable, but for buildings with 2 or more floors, a circulation pump is required.
The most effective is considered to be heating with a liquid coolant (water or antifreeze), while for small one-story houses, for example, summer cottages, other options can be considered.
Principle of work and distinguishing features
Heating radiators, according to a one-pipe scheme, are connected in series, that is, the coolant first enters one device closest to the boiler, from it through a pipeline to another, etc. The looped loop, which is a network, is also suitable for a 2-storey building, as it is conveniently located along the walls around the perimeter.
The simplest single-pipe heating scheme for a 2-story building: from the supply riser, the coolant enters the heating radiators connected in series
The presence of stop valves can improve the use of the system. For example, the Mayevsky crane is designed to remove air “plugs” that often occur during downtime, that is, in the summer. In addition to it, various models of balancing valves, ball valves, special regulators are used.
The forced circulation method in a single-tube design with a temporary absence of electricity can be replaced by a natural one, but this requires the installation of a membrane tank and the location of horizontal pipes at an angle of 5 °.
Assessment of disadvantages and advantages
The main advantage of single-pipe networks is considered to be easier designing and the installation itself. The minimum of pipes allows you not to focus on the complex layout of the premises, but simply lay the pipeline strictly along the perimeters of both floors. Savings on the acquisition for a single highway of a smaller number of elements — pipes, cranes — are also appreciated.
One pipe takes up much less space than two, so it can be masked under the floor covering, quietly laid in doorways, that is, installed without disturbing the interior.
One of the main disadvantages of the one-pipe system, relevant for a house with 2 floors, is the quick cooling of the coolant during sequential movement through radiators (+)
The disadvantages include the need to purchase a more powerful circulation electric pump, as a result of which the payment for electricity increases. It is more difficult to regulate the temperature level in a design with serial connection: when the heating intensity decreases in the nearest radiator, the temperature in the entire line will automatically decrease.
Common Connection Options
If you decide to equip a one-pipe system, you have to choose between two types:
- simple scheme without regulation;
- "Leningradka" with the ability to turn off individual radiators.
By the method of management, the first option is clearly inferior to the second, its only plus is the budget cost.
Installation of a simple single-pipe system of horizontal or vertical type is simple and reliable, however, the temperature in the network cannot be adjusted (+)
Installing a “Leningradka” will cost a little more, because in addition to pipes, you must purchase a set of shut-off valves. Bypasses and valves can reduce / increase the amount of coolant supplied to the radiator.
The scheme of the Leningradka device: with the help of shutoff valves, it is possible to temporarily turn off individual unnecessary radiators without changing the functional qualities of the entire system as a whole (+)
Leningradka is recognized by professional heat technicians as the best single-tube system for a 2-story residential building.
Complete set and installation of equipment
Standard equipment for assembling the system:
- circulation pump;
- gas or electric boiler (power depends on the size of the house, the characteristics of the coolant, etc.);
- expansion tank;
- pipes of 20 mm and 25 mm;
- adapters, gaskets, plugs;
- set of radiators;
- Mayevsky cranes.
Along with steel pipes, polymer or metal-plastic can be used, with the latter being preferred.
In heating circuits with closed expansion tanks, air is vented using automatic air vents equipped with shut-off valves and floats, or Mayevsky taps that supply each radiator
First, find a suitable place for the boiler and mount it, then collect the pipeline leading to the radiators. In places of radiator branches and bypasses fix tees. The pump is cut into the return, next to the inlet to the boiler, and connected to the power supply.
The installation location of the open expansion tank is the highest point of the system, the closed one can be mounted in any convenient place, for example, in the boiler room. Radiators are hung from the walls using special fasteners, equipped with plugs and taps.
Two-pipe heating system for a 2-storey building
Truly comfortable living conditions can be achieved only with the installation of a two-pipe heating system. Its design allows you to adjust the temperature in individual rooms and save energy resources.
How does a dual trunk circuit work?
In contrast to the one-pipe scheme, the two-pipe scheme consists of a pair of highways with different purposes: one of them delivers the coolant, the second brings it back. The radiators are not connected in sequential order, but in parallel. One circuit, with a heated coolant, departs from the riser to the radiators of both floors, the second is mounted to the outlet of the boiler and is also bred on both floors.
Radiators are equipped with thermostatic valves, allowing you to set a comfortable temperature. If desired, it is possible to reduce the intensity of heating to partially or completely block the flow of water into the device.
Some of the devices are fundamentally cut into the return line, for example, a membrane tank for regulating pressure, a circulation pump and a safety valve are traditionally mounted in front of the boiler
In modern 2-storey houses, two-pipe structures are used, since they are much more efficient than single-pipe structures:
- reduce pressure loss;
- do not require a powerful pump;
- keep the temperature of the coolant the same for each radiator;
- allow you to use many different thermal devices inside one system (for example, radiators, convectors and "warm floor");
- make it possible to repair and replace parts without compromising overall functionality.
The main disadvantage is the difficulty of self-installation - during assembly, consultation and control of professionals are required.
Successful two-pipe system solutions
There are many incarnations of various schemes, but when designing a project, one should proceed from individual requirements.
The simplest scheme for arranging a heating system in a 2-storey building. It is characterized by the following items: 2 circuits for heating and hot water production, liquid coolant, forced circulation (+)
A number of universal schemes are suitable for providing heat to houses of various sizes and floors.
Detailed two-pipe wiring diagram for a one-story house with a fully equipped basement. The problem of thermal insulation of the floor in the basement is solved by connecting the water system "warm floor"
If you install additional equipment, such as a membrane tank, the heating system will expand.
A and B are two variants of the wiring device, upper and lower type. Additional equipment: expansion tank, Mayevsky cranes, overhead line (+)
The following diagram combines the three most popular wiring diagrams.
Level 1 - dead-end wiring with parallel installation of both circuits; Level 2 - counter wiring, characterized by a two-way radiator connection; 3 - collector wiring with improved balancing
All of these schemes are suitable for heating a 2-story building.
Information videos will expand your knowledge of heating systems for 2- and 3-story buildings.
Clip # 1. Connection diagram of a double-circuit radiator heating system with "warm floors":
Clip # 2. The layout of the heating system in a 3-storey building (using the "Leningrad"):
Clip # 3. Practical application of the system with natural coolant circulation (on a solid fuel boiler):
Thus, two-pipe heating systems with a liquid coolant equipped with a gas or electric boiler and a circulation pump can be considered the most effective. Combined systems are more effective, the selection of heat sources depends on the number of storeys and the design of the house.
In any case, to draw up an individual scheme, we recommend consulting with heating engineers and designers.
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