The history of the emergence and improvement of home heating designs is rooted in the depths of centuries. Today, there are many ways to create a comfortable temperature inside residential premises.
These are central heating radiators, mobile electric heaters, air heaters, underfloor heating and much more. Among all this variety, attention should be paid to such heating devices as a warm baseboard, electric and water warm baseboard. In this article we will try to convey to the reader the concept of what a warm baseboard is.
The principle of operation of warm skirting boards
The essence of the very idea of \u200b\u200bheating with warm baseboards is that the heating system is located around the perimeter of the room near the floor. The heated air in the convector slowly rises along the walls. Due to this, the entire volume of the room warms up.
Such a system of warm plinth, equipped with a thermostat with a temperature sensor, maintains a constant air temperature inside the room, does not form condensation on the glass of window frames, and prevents the appearance of dampness and mold on the walls.
Heat from convectors will not affect furniture Warm baseboards practically do not take up much space. Despite the high power indicators, furniture and other interior items can be safely placed near the convectors. The surface of the convectors does not heat up to a dangerous temperature level that causes burns.
The trading network offers for sale systems of warm skirting boards of two types. This is an electric skirting board and a warm water skirting board. Consider each heater.
How to make a warm plinth with your own hands, powered by the mains? Having skills in working with electrical engineering, you can assemble an electric warm plinth quite independently.
The heater consists of two horizontal copper tubes. The power cable, covered with silicone insulation, passes through the top tube. A tubular electric heater is threaded into the lower copper tube. The whole system is controlled via an air temperature sensor by a thermoregulation unit.
Heating element - conventional heating element When the temperature inside the room falls or rises, the heaters periodically turn on and off, thus ensuring a constant temperature regime.
They purchase a set of warm skirting boards based on the calculation of the length of the heaters, rotation angles and other related elements. The heating element itself is a tubular electric heater (TEH), enclosed in a copper sheath.
In turn, a copper pipe is threaded through a body of ribbed thermal reflectors (radiator). Electric heating modules are produced in several standard sizes. Depending on the length of the electric heater, its power changes, as can be seen from the table:
| № | Heating element length mm | Power Tue |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 700 | 140 |
| 2 | 1000 | 200 |
| 3 | 1500 | 300 |
| 4 | 2500 | 500 |
From heating elements of different lengths, installation of a warm plinth is possible on any area, any configuration.
Installation of electric plinth
Install the heating element 3 cm from the wall Only a person with extensive experience in electrical work can assemble his floor electric heater by hand. Calculate the dimensions of heating elements, make radiator nozzles, install connecting cables is a very difficult and responsible job. Therefore, it is easier to buy ready-made heating elements for warm skirting boards.
When a heating set of skirting boards has already been purchased, they begin preparatory work.
Knowing that the heated baseboard should not heat the walls, but the air, the fasteners are made such that the heating electrical elements are at a distance of at least 30 mm from the walls. The plinth must be 140 mm high.
Mount the electric heater in several stages:
- I install the mounting box at a height of 4 - 6 cm from the floor. Lead the power wires to the junction box.
- At a convenient height, a switch with a thermostat is mounted on the wall.
- A protective tape 3 mm thick is glued to the walls over the entire height of the plinth.
- Markings are applied to the walls for mounting under heated skirting boards.
- Drill holes for dowels in places where fasteners should be installed.
- Screws are screwed into the dowel through the technological holes in the brackets.
- A thermal heating module is hung on the installed brackets.
- Connect the modules with electrical wires in parallel.
- A residual current device (RCD) is connected to the system.
- Connect the air temperature sensor.
- Make control inclusion of an electroplinth. If a malfunction is found, fix it immediately.
- Install the skirting board.
The lining of the plinth is made of enameled metal panels or plastic. The cladding should not reach the floor surface by 20 - 30 mm. There are horizontal slots on the top of the panels. This design provides a constant movement of air masses from the bottom up. The lining of the plinth, in addition to its function as an air duct, plays a protective role against accidental mechanical influences.
Work related to the supply of electricity to the plinth, connection to the electric meter, installation of a thermoregulation system is best entrusted to a specialist.
Installation of a warm plinth provides complete electrical safety. The places where the wires are connected to the contacts of the modules are closed with heat shrink tubes. The tubes protect the contact surface from moisture. For more information on installing a warm skirting board, see this video:
Despite protection from moisture, experts warn that electric heaters should not be installed in rooms with high humidity.
Most often, such systems are installed in private homes.
Do-it-yourself assembled warm water plinth can create special comfort in residential premises. If you look at the water plinth from a constructive point of view, then we will see compact "stretched" modules in length.
For the installation of a skirting water heating system, private households or public institutions are most suitable. The necessary conditions for the installation of warm skirting boards are the presence of a gas boiler and central water supply.
In some cases, boilers operating on solid and liquid fuels are used. You will also need a reserve tank (water tower) to replenish the water level in the heating system.
Skirting convectors with a water coolant are installed along the perimeter of the room. Modular liquid electric heater can be of various lengths. In the corners of the room, the modules are connected with special corner elements, which fill the fully heated perimeter of the room. Thanks to this placement of skirting boards, the room warms up more evenly than when heating with conventional water radiators.
If you decide to install a hydronic baseboard heating system connected to a central heating system, you will need to obtain permission to install this equipment from the relevant utility companies.
Otherwise, you may be fined and forced to dismantle the heaters.
Hot water pipe connected to gas boiler The design of the plinth is quite simple. The upper pipe, as a rule, leaves the gas boiler system, passes through the entire perimeter of the heated area and passes into the lower return pipe. The lower pipe returns the cooled coolant to the gas boiler.
The pipelines are built into the housings of the finned heat transfer devices. Due to the ribbed structure, the heat transfer surface increases many times, which significantly contributes to the active circulation of heated air masses.
To install a warm water heating baseboard on your own, you must have sufficient experience in installing plumbing equipment. Telling below about the features of installing a warm water skirting board, we turn to just such people. This will help when choosing a particular heating system for your home.
The principle of heating a room with a liquid converter plinth is no different from heating with other devices.
Cold air enters through the bottom groove of the plinth body.
Passing through the heat exchanger, hot air slowly rises, evenly spreading throughout the entire volume of the room.
According to the laws of physics, the cooled air masses go down, thereby displacing the heated air up. Continuous circulation of the medium evenly heats the entire room.
Installation of skirting water heating system
In construction supermarkets, you can always purchase the ready-made system of water heating for skirting boards that you need. With even a little experience in plumbing work, you can easily make a warm plinth with your own hands. For more information about heating with a warm baseboard, see this video:
After the appropriate marking of the mounting points of the brackets and their installation, the fluid modules themselves are mounted (see above the installation of electrical skirting boards). Unlike electric heaters, the installation of liquid modules requires careful control of the tightness of the pipeline connections.
It is better to entrust the installation of the heating system of skirting boards to specialists.
Testing of installed skirting boards
Air molecules are much smaller than water molecules. Practice shows that checking the tightness of connections is more effective by creating a high pressure of compressed air inside the pipelines.
With the help of a compressor, an air pressure of about 5-6 bar is created in the pipes of the warm floor. All connections are covered with soapy water.
Bubbles will appear where leakage occurs. Leaks in the connections are eliminated and the entire system is re-tested for tightness.
The structure of the water skirting boxes is no different from the lining of electrical modules. The boxes are usually made of thin enameled iron.
Manufacturers, meeting the wishes of consumers, make skirting board cases of various colors. Basically, the assortment is dominated by cases of white color or with a surface imitating precious woods, natural stone or genuine leather.
The history of the emergence and improvement of home heating designs is rooted in the depths of centuries. Today, there are many ways to create a comfortable temperature inside residential premises.
These are central heating radiators, mobile electric heaters, air heaters, underfloor heating and much more. Among all this variety, attention should be paid to such heating devices as a warm baseboard, electric and water warm baseboard. In this article we will try to convey to the reader the concept of what a warm baseboard is.
The principle of operation of warm skirting boards
The essence of the very idea of \u200b\u200bheating with warm baseboards is that the heating system is located around the perimeter of the room near the floor. The heated air in the convector slowly rises along the walls. Due to this, the entire volume of the room warms up.
Such a system of warm plinth, equipped with a thermostat with a temperature sensor, maintains a constant air temperature inside the room, does not form condensation on the glass of window frames, and prevents the appearance of dampness and mold on the walls.
Heat from convectors will not affect furniture
Warm baseboards practically do not take up much space. Despite the high power indicators, furniture and other interior items can be safely placed near the convectors. The surface of the convectors does not heat up to a dangerous temperature level that causes burns.
The trading network offers for sale systems of warm skirting boards of two types. This is an electric skirting board and a warm water skirting board. Consider each heater.
Electric warm plinth
How to make a warm plinth with your own hands, powered by the mains? Having skills in working with electrical engineering, you can assemble an electric warm plinth quite independently.
The heater consists of two horizontal copper tubes. The power cable, covered with silicone insulation, passes through the top tube. A tubular electric heater is threaded into the lower copper tube. The whole system is controlled via an air temperature sensor by a thermoregulation unit.
Heating element - conventional heating element
When the temperature inside the room falls or rises, the heaters periodically turn on and off, thus ensuring a constant temperature regime.
They purchase a set of warm skirting boards based on the calculation of the length of the heaters, rotation angles and other related elements. The heating element itself is a tubular electric heater (TEH), enclosed in a copper sheath.
In turn, a copper pipe is threaded through a body of ribbed thermal reflectors (radiator). Electric heating modules are produced in several standard sizes. Depending on the length of the electric heater, its power changes, as can be seen from the table:
| № | Heating element length mm |
Power Tue |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 700 | 140 |
| 2 | 1000 | 200 |
| 3 | 1500 | 300 |
| 4 | 2500 | 500 |
From heating elements of different lengths, installation of a warm plinth is possible on any area, any configuration.
Installation of electric plinth
Install the heating element 3 cm from the wall
Only a person with extensive experience in electrical work can assemble his floor electric heater by hand. Calculate the dimensions of heating elements, make radiator nozzles, install connecting cables is a very difficult and responsible job. Therefore, it is easier to buy ready-made heating elements for warm skirting boards.
When a heating set of skirting boards has already been purchased, they begin preparatory work.
Knowing that the heated baseboard should not heat the walls, but the air, the fasteners are made such that the heating electrical elements are at a distance of at least 30 mm from the walls. The plinth must be 140 mm high.
Mount the electric heater in several stages:
- I install the mounting box at a height of 4 - 6 cm from the floor. Lead the power wires to the junction box.
- At a convenient height, a switch with a thermostat is mounted on the wall.
- A protective tape 3 mm thick is glued to the walls over the entire height of the plinth.
- Markings are applied to the walls for mounting under heated skirting boards.
- Drill holes for dowels in places where fasteners should be installed.
- Screws are screwed into the dowel through the technological holes in the brackets.
- A thermal heating module is hung on the installed brackets.
- Connect the modules with electrical wires in parallel.
- A residual current device (RCD) is connected to the system.
- Connect the air temperature sensor.
- Make control inclusion of an electroplinth. If a malfunction is found, fix it immediately.
- Install the skirting board.
The lining of the plinth is made of enameled metal panels or plastic. The cladding should not reach the floor surface by 20 - 30 mm. There are horizontal slots on the top of the panels. This design provides a constant movement of air masses from the bottom up. The lining of the plinth, in addition to its function as an air duct, plays a protective role against accidental mechanical influences.
Work related to the supply of electricity to the plinth, connection to the electric meter, installation of a thermoregulation system is best entrusted to a specialist.
Installation of a warm plinth provides complete electrical safety. The places where the wires are connected to the contacts of the modules are closed with heat shrink tubes. The tubes protect the contact surface from moisture. For more information on installing a warm skirting board, see this video:
Despite protection from moisture, experts warn that electric heaters should not be installed in rooms with high humidity.
Water warm plinth
Most often, such systems are installed in private homes.
Do-it-yourself assembled warm water plinth can create special comfort in residential premises. If you look at the water plinth from a constructive point of view, then we will see compact "stretched" modules in length.
For the installation of a skirting water heating system, private households or public institutions are most suitable. The necessary conditions for the installation of warm skirting boards are the presence of a gas boiler and central water supply.
In some cases, boilers operating on solid and liquid fuels are used. You will also need a reserve tank (water tower) to replenish the water level in the heating system.
Skirting convectors with a water coolant are installed along the perimeter of the room. Modular liquid electric heater can be of various lengths. In the corners of the room, the modules are connected with special corner elements, which fill the fully heated perimeter of the room. Thanks to this placement of skirting boards, the room warms up more evenly than when heating with conventional water radiators.
If you decide to install a hydronic baseboard heating system connected to a central heating system, you will need to obtain permission to install this equipment from the relevant utility companies.
Otherwise, you may be fined and forced to dismantle the heaters.
Water converter design
Hot water pipe connected to gas boiler
The design of the plinth is quite simple. The upper pipe, as a rule, leaves the gas boiler system, passes through the entire perimeter of the heated area and passes into the lower return pipe. The lower pipe returns the cooled coolant to the gas boiler.
The pipelines are built into the housings of the finned heat transfer devices. Due to the ribbed structure, the heat transfer surface increases many times, which significantly contributes to the active circulation of heated air masses.
To install a warm water heating baseboard on your own, you must have sufficient experience in installing plumbing equipment. Telling below about the features of installing a warm water skirting board, we turn to just such people. This will help when choosing a particular heating system for your home.
The principle of operation of water plinths
The principle of heating a room with a liquid converter plinth is no different from heating with other devices.
Cold air enters through the bottom groove of the plinth body.
Passing through the heat exchanger, hot air slowly rises, evenly spreading throughout the entire volume of the room.
According to the laws of physics, the cooled air masses go down, thereby displacing the heated air up. Continuous circulation of the medium evenly heats the entire room.
Installation of skirting water heating system
In construction supermarkets, you can always purchase the ready-made system of water heating for skirting boards that you need. With even a little experience in plumbing work, you can easily make a warm plinth with your own hands. For more information about heating with a warm baseboard, see this video:
After the appropriate marking of the mounting points of the brackets and their installation, the fluid modules themselves are mounted (see above the installation of electrical skirting boards). Unlike electric heaters, the installation of liquid modules requires careful control of the tightness of the pipeline connections.
It is better to entrust the installation of the heating system of skirting boards to specialists.
Testing of installed skirting boards
Air molecules are much smaller than water molecules. Practice shows that checking the tightness of connections is more effective by creating a high pressure of compressed air inside the pipelines.
With the help of a compressor, an air pressure of about 5-6 bar is created in the pipes of the warm floor. All connections are covered with soapy water.
Bubbles will appear where leakage occurs. Leaks in the connections are eliminated and the entire system is re-tested for tightness.
Skirting boards
The structure of the water skirting boxes is no different from the lining of electrical modules. The boxes are usually made of thin enameled iron.
Manufacturers, meeting the wishes of consumers, make skirting board cases of various colors. Basically, the assortment is dominated by cases of white color or with a surface imitating precious woods, natural stone or genuine leather.
Everyone knows the common methods of heating: underfloor heating and the installation of radiators. However, there is another unusual option - a warm water baseboard. This option cannot yet be called very common, but nevertheless it should be taken into account, because it combines the advantages of two types of heating at once: both radiators and underfloor heating. With the help of warm skirting boards, administrative and office buildings, as well as residential buildings and apartments are now heated.
Despite the fact that in our country what a warm baseboard is, it became known not so long ago, in Europe this method has been used to heat rooms for several decades. This technology is very simple, but at the same time quite convenient. The basis is metal (most often copper) pipes, they are also a heating element. Pipes are installed in the same place where the plinth usually passes, that is, along the perimeter of the room. Then they are closed with a metal box made of plates with a corrugated surface. Due to this design, the box acts as a heat exchanger, thereby increasing the efficiency of the structure.
In general, a water plinth consists of the following elements:
- front panel with holes that provide airflow (standard size: width - 3-4 cm, height - 15-20 cm);
- rear panel - facilitates installation of the structure and protects the wall from constant exposure to high temperatures;
- a heating radiator that performs the function of heating (standard dimensions - 1 m x 0.4 m x 1.6 m);
- swivel side plugs;
- a heat exchange module consisting of two tubes through which water circulates.
Currently, there is a variety of warm skirting boards (electric.) They differ from warm water skirting boards only in the type of heating element.
Due to the fact that the plinth is installed around the perimeter of the entire room, the heat gradually rises, and then the entire room is evenly heated. As a result, this technology does not cause temperature fluctuations.
Since the heating element is hidden under the front panel, it is not noticeable, which distinguishes it from massive radiators. As you can see in the photo, the warm plinth looks very neat, it can be additionally designed so that it better matches the overall style of the room.
The system is effective, but at the same time quite easy to install. With minimal skills, you can carry out the installation without involving professionals.
Advantages of baseboard heating
It is not difficult to explain the popularity of water baseboards in the USA and Europe, if you familiarize yourself with all the advantages of such a heating system. The advantages of the system are:
- Saving usable space in the apartment. The skirting board does not take up much space, which can be invaluable for the inhabitants of small rooms.
- Install a hot water baseboard do it yourself is not particularly difficult - this allows you to save money, since there is no need to pay for the work of the masters.
- Good room heating.
- High rate of efficiency.
- Efficiency.
- If there is a need for repair, access to the internal components is extremely simple: you need to remove the front panel.
- The appearance of the skirting board can be easily changed according to the requirements of the style.
- Skirting boards are available in different colors.
- It goes well with different floor coverings.
- The plinth consists of separate modules, each of which, if necessary, is easy to replace or upgrade.
- If you install a thermostat, then the heating will be maintained at the same level.
- Aesthetic appearance, no need to look for ways to hide the batteries.
- Heating takes place from different sides, and not from one.
- Compactness.
Heating with a water baseboard is the best option if you need a high-quality heating system that is compact and efficient, but at the same time easy to install.
Of no small importance is the fact that a warm baseboard is one of the few heating methods that is ideal for “non-standard” rooms (with a high ceiling, an arched entrance, a large number of window openings). Even in such rooms, the air warms up quite quickly and evenly.
A water warm skirting board can be used as an independent heating system, or can be combined with a more traditional one. For example, radiators or underfloor heating are often installed in residential premises, and water baseboards are installed on loggias, covered verandas, in closets, utility rooms and other rooms that are not used so often. A warm baseboard prevents the appearance of fungi, mold, as it heats up not only the air in the room, but also the walls. At the same time, the air does not become too “dry”, the temperature is maintained at an optimal level.
This avoids possible restrictions during heating planning in apartment buildings.
The water plinth is a low-temperature heat source, and therefore can be used in the same system with underfloor heating, without separation of circuits
Manufacturers of water skirting boards
There are a lot of manufacturers of warm skirting boards now, but when buying, you should always choose only the products of the most famous and reputable companies. Since a warm water baseboard is not yet a common method of heating, manufacturers' brands may not be well known. However, the most famous ones you need to know in order not to make a mistake in choosing:
- Mr. Tektrum (Russia);
- Thermia (Ukraine);
- Best Board (Austria).
The Best Board company produces a line of electric and water warm skirting boards, the latter being the most widespread. The company's products are distinguished by quality and practicality. Such skirting boards are very quickly assembled and disassembled, occupy a minimum of space, and are very convenient to use. Faceplates are available in a variety of styles and colors. At the same time, the cost of structures is rather big - one section (usually 1 m long) costs at least $ 100.
Slightly inferior to Best Board in terms of popularity is the domestic manufacturer Mr. Tektrum. This manufacturer focuses on budget buyers, so the prices for warm water skirting boards from Mr. Tektrum is significantly lower than its European counterparts. It was possible to reduce the cost of construction through the use of cheaper materials and components. What is especially pleasing is that, if it affects the quality of the structure, it is insignificant.
Tektrum water skirting boards are produced in Vinnytsia and just like Mr. Tektrum are aimed at average buyers. Skirting boards are of good quality, they work well both in houses and apartments, but one section costs 5 times cheaper than from an Austrian manufacturer.
Water or electric baseboard?
Currently, skirting boards are only water or electric, which makes it easier to choose a design. The main criterion can only be the characteristics and conditions of the room.
So, it is not always possible to install a warm water skirting board. The design of such heating requires a heating boiler that will “bring” the water to the desired temperature and direct it to the pipes. In this case, the temperature of the heating circuit must always be approximately at the same level.
For this reason, electricity may seem like a better option. It is already in the house and does not require the installation of additional structural components. Skirting boards with an electric heating element raise the temperature in the room faster than water ones. Electric skirting boards are easier to install - it is enough to run a heating cable from the mains (voltage - 220 W), fix it and close it with a front panel. It remains only to connect to the distribution unit, and the warm baseboard will start working. But in any case, the installation requires skills in working with electricity.
To ensure sufficient convection between the floor and the baseboard radiator, a wide gap is usually left
But at the same time, electricity tariffs are growing almost every year, and as a result, heating will cost much more. In addition, water heating is safer to use than electricity, and more convenient in terms of regulating the temperature of the room.
Installing a water plinth
In order to install a warm skirting board with your own hands, you need to prepare the following tools:
- wrenches;
- plastic scissors;
- pliers;
- a hammer;
- perforator or drill;
- wire cutters.
Before installing a warm baseboard, you need to measure the distance from the section to the collector connection. Using scissors, cut the plastic pipe of the desired size with a small margin. Apply so that the pipe outlet is 6 cm above the floor level, at least 15 cm must remain to the corner. The pipe must be laid into the floor or into the wall, as it is more convenient.
Glue the installation of skirting boards along the perimeter of the room, using glue or self-adhesive tape. The installation of profiles must be started from the corner. Cut the profile and install it in any convenient way: on silicone, double-sided tape or screw it to the wall (floor).
Then you need to install the holders. To do this, you need to drill a hole 15 cm from the edge of the profile, and for the rest of the clips - every 40 cm.
Then the convectors are installed. Cut the plastic pipe to the desired length, trying to make sure that it fits well with the section, no kinks appear. Put on the sleeve, nuts and rubber gasket on the copper pipes. Install the supporting sleeve into a plastic pipe, twist and tighten with an adjustable wrench of the desired size.
Attach the radiator to the wall. If brass ribs remain, remove them with wire cutters. Use an adapter to connect to the next section. Adjust the skirting board bodies so that there are no gaps, but 1 mm must be retreated from the corners so that later decorative elements can be installed. Attach the radiator to the wall again and remove unnecessary elements.
In the same way, the structure is installed and assembled on other sections. You need to collect, moving from one corner to another. For the section located in the corner of the room, you need to use special corner plastic pipes. The last section needs to be looped. This can be done with a special corrugated stainless steel sleeve.
At the final stage, decorative elements are installed - plugs, corner joints. The system must be connected to the collector, turn on the water supply. Next, you need to watch if water is leaking somewhere. This usually happens at the junctions. If this does not solve the problem, you need to turn off the water for a while and disassemble the structure. It is possible that the sealing gum is damaged, it needs to be replaced.
I like
The house should be warm and cozy, only in this case it will be pleasant to live in it.
Previously, fire was used for heating, then the turn of water heating and batteries came.
Today, the system is gaining popularity: despite some features, it is more convenient and practical.
Advantages and disadvantages
Plinth is a decorative element that covers the junction of the wall and floor below.
A warm baseboard is a small heating system that runs under the element.
At the same time, the height of the plinth rises to 12-15 cm, while its width remains unchanged - about 2-3 cm.
The system can be electric and water - each of the options has some features of operation and installation.
Like any system, baseboard heating has a number of advantages and disadvantages.
The first ones include:
Among the shortcomings can be identified:
- higher cost per acquisition;
- the inability to completely turn off the plinth, like a battery.
It is important to know: despite the safety of use, it is still not recommended to force a warm baseboard with flammable objects, especially when it is working at maximum.
Installation of the water version
not much different from the usual central heating battery: heating occurs due to the supply of hot water, which runs around the entire perimeter of the room. It is connected to a heating boiler and is a more economical option compared to an electric one.
The system consists of:
- a heat exchanger, inside which hot water circulates, it consists of two copper pipes, between which aluminum radiator plates lie;
- fasteners;
- external facade and plugs.
Take note: the total length of the water plinth should not exceed 15 meters, otherwise it will not be able to heat the entire room.
Installation of a warm baseboard is not difficult, you can do it yourself:
Installing a water plinth is not difficult, but if in doubt, you should contact the professionals.
Experts advise: if the perimeter of the room is more than 15 meters, it is necessary to install several closed circuits, each of which will lead to central heating.
Assembly of electrical models
consist of the same parts as water ones, but instead of a heat exchanger with water, they contain special copper tubes.
The system consists of:
- a heating rod located inside a silicone cable that can withstand temperatures up to +180 degrees;
- heat shrink tube with a diameter of 12 mm;
- clamp for grounding;
- heating register;
- connecting element;
- metal base, fasteners and external decorative elements.
Before installing the system, it is necessary to calculate the required power so as not to purchase a model that is too cold or too hot. To do this, take an average value of 100 W per 1 sq. m - it can be reduced or increased depending on the average temperature in the region.
Note: the installation of the electric skirting board should be above the floor, at a distance of about 1 cm - the wires should not lie on the floor.
Do-it-yourself system assembly includes several steps:
Specialist's note: electric warm baseboard must be grounded and tested to avoid serious problems.
Warm skirting is gradually becoming more and more popular with many families. Due to the uniform distribution of heated air, it helps not only to maintain the selected temperature, but also helps to eliminate excessive wall moisture.
The heating system in our time can be represented not only by classic, but also by various innovative devices that allow you to save on energy consumption without losing the quality of heating. Among the latter, a warm water baseboard stands out - due to the sum of its features, this device has gained the widest popularity. Why is it remarkable and why is it in high demand? In order to understand, we offer a comprehensive acquaintance with water skirting boards: what they are, what are their pros and cons, how to install equipment with your own hands, which manufacturers offer the best product and what are the user reviews - then we talk about all this in order.
Design and functional features
Externally, a warm water plinth is a long heating device with a height of no more than 20 cm, designed to be installed around the entire perimeter of the room with a break at the doorway. Structurally, it includes the following working elements:
- heating radiator - thin brass plates that heat the air in the room;
- heat exchange module - two tubes inside the radiator that circulate hot water;
- front panel with special holes designed for air circulation;
- rear strips protecting the adjacent wall from the high temperatures of the operating convector.
Advice. Heat exchangers with copper tubes are considered the most efficient - in terms of thermal conductivity, they surpass alternative modules with steel or mixed copper-brass tubes.
The average thermal power of devices is in the range of 200-240 watts.
The principle of operation of a warm water plinth is simple: first, hot water enters the heat exchange module and gradually spreads heat along the entire length of the device, then the radiator gives off heat to the lower layers of air, and the already heated flows move along the walls to the ceiling, slowly but evenly heating the entire perimeter of the room. At the same time, warm rising air does not mix with cold currents, which allows you to effectively heat the walls - after heating, their entire surface begins to radiate heat, maintaining a comfortable temperature in the room.
Water warm plinth
Advantages and disadvantages
The plinth heater of the water type has many advantages:
- Efficiency - due to the high speed of movement of the coolant, the device is characterized by increased heat transfer with minimal heat loss.
- Safety - when heating the air, the water device does not emit harmful substances and cannot provoke a fire of nearby objects.
- Comfort - the skirting board does not dry the air, maintains optimal humidity and prevents the formation of fungi, mold and condensation on the walls, thereby maintaining a comfortable microclimate in the room.
- Ease of operation - the device is easy to use and unpretentious in maintenance.
- Versatility - the equipment can be used not only in rooms, but also on loggias and balconies.
- Aesthetics - the water plinth is outwardly very neat, and its front panel can have a completely different design, so the device will fit into any interior.
- Durability - the device is reliable in operation, therefore it pleases with a long service life.
There are also disadvantages of a warm water plinth, but in a smaller amount:
- High cost - a baseboard heater for the entire perimeter of the room will cost several times more than traditional batteries.
- Temperature dependence - the device only works at a certain temperature in the heating system, therefore, if its indicator reaches a critically low level, the equipment may fail.
If these two minuses do not scare you, we suggest that you get acquainted with the features of the phased installation of a warm water skirting board.
Preparing for installation
The first step is the preparation of working materials and tools. To connect the water plinth you will need:
- protective plastic pipes for connecting the skirting board with a distributing heat source;
- adapters for connecting instrument sections;
- wrenches;
- pipe scissors;
- perforator;
- brackets;
- self-tapping screws and dowels;
- self-adhesive tape.
The second step is to determine the required number of water heater sections. When calculating, it should be taken into account that the length of one skirting board should not exceed 15 m, otherwise large heat losses can be provoked.
The third step is the removal of plastic pipes from a heat source: an individual boiler or a central heating system. First measure the distance from the distribution source to the first section of the skirting board. Then cut the pipes to the required length and connect them to the heating system through the floor or wall.
Installation of a warm plinth
Installing a warm baseboard
Now let's move on to the direct installation of a warm water plinth:
- Using self-tapping screws or glue, fix the bottom back of the skirting board to the wall.
- Fix a self-adhesive heat-insulating tape over the plank - its width should be equal to the height of the plinth.
- Using self-tapping screws, install the upper back bar along the upper edge of the tape.
Advice. On turns, connect the upper strips with plastic corners.
- Prepare the heating radiator - remove the two extreme lamellas and put the connecting nuts on the copper tubes.
- Use fittings to connect the copper pipes to the outlet plastic pipes. Install rubber gaskets between nuts and fittings. At the corners and ends of each circuit, install swivel pipe elements.
- Apply heat reflective tape to the inside surface of the front panel. Using brackets and self-tapping screws, fix the panel to the top and bottom rear rails.
- Install decorative elements: corners, plugs, caps for self-tapping screws.
Manufacturers of water heaters
Of course, one of the main conditions for the successful operation of a heating system based on a water plinth is the purchase of a high-quality device. And for this, you should understand the equipment manufacturers and their proposals. We single out here three companies that managed to prove themselves favorably in the market.
Mr.Tektum is a Russian manufacturer that produces water skirting boards with an optimal ratio of quality and price: these devices are highly functional, but quite affordable. They are easy to recognize even externally thanks to the stylish geometry of the front aluminum panel.
Rehau is a German company that produces warm water skirting boards in the best traditions of national quality: durable and reliable. A distinctive feature of the products is durability: equipment can last for decades without interruption.
Connecting a warm baseboard
Best Board is an Austrian brand offering high-end energy-saving skirting boards. A characteristic feature is the improved thermal performance, which is ensured through the use of our own innovative technologies in the production.
As you can see, a warm water plinth is a rather unusual, but steadily gaining popularity heating device. It is effective, durable, but most importantly - easy to install. So, if you have been looking for an alternative to traditional radiators for a long time, be sure: a high-quality water plinth, installed in accordance with all the rules, will perfectly cope with this role.
Installation of a warm plinth: video
Warm plinth: photo
