What type of heating to choose for heating the attic over the steam room, how to equip an autonomous boiler with your own hands, to lay pipes, install radiators and choose the right individual elements of the system, you will learn from the material. Content:
- Heating types
- Autonomous system design
- Boiler selection
- Boiler installation
- Combustion products removal
- Water supply pump
- Attic radiators
The issues of insulation, ventilation and heating of the attic must be addressed even at the design stage of the bath. In this case, you can significantly save time and money by installing one common high-power boiler for the bathhouse and the attic. However, if the heating of the attic was not thought out at the initial stage, then you can resort to using an autonomous heating system.
Types of heating attic baths
Based on the budget or personal wishes, heating the attic can be organized in the following ways:
- Common system connection … In this case, the boiler and pump will require more power. If the heating was not designed during the construction phase, then the equipment will have to be replaced.
- Installing a fireplace … The construction of a classic structure will have to be abandoned due to its severity. The best options are electric models or fireplace inserts.
- Underfloor heating equipment … Such a system can operate on infrared, water or electric heating. Installed during the construction phase or overhaul. One of the most functional heating methods, since in this case the room heats up evenly around the entire perimeter, and warm air rises from the bottom up.
- Autonomous heating … This method is most popular if heating is planned to be done in an already built attic. It is also used when heating a bath with a traditional stove. It assumes a completely separate heating of the attic room.
To install an autonomous attic heating system, it is necessary to think over not only the project itself, but also to understand the installation of individual elements: a boiler, pumping equipment, radiators, pipelines, fittings (fittings, shut-off valves). It is also important to immediately determine the supply of air and the removal of combustion products.
Designing an autonomous heating system for the attic
When planning heating, immediately decide on the type of boiler, its location and the type of fuel. If the choice fell on a solid fuel, liquid or gas boiler, then think in advance how the combustion products will be removed. To do this, you can equip a separate chimney or connect the device to an existing one.
The organization of natural or forced circulation of the coolant is also one of the main issues. In the first case, the system is electrically independent, since it works without a pump. However, for its equipment it is necessary to use large diameter pipes and place them at the correct slope. Complex adjustment is considered one of the main disadvantages. Therefore, it is recommended to install forced circulation.
In order for the heat in the attic to be optimally distributed, it is important to choose the right piping layout. The best option is a two-pipe system with a circulation pump to circulate the coolant in a closed loop.
Choosing a boiler for heating the attic of a bath
First of all, you need to decide on the type of device. The market offers many models that run on different types of fuel:
- Gas … They are connected to natural gas pipelines. They can also run on liquefied bottled fuel.
- Liquid fuel … Such devices are mainly powered by diesel fuel.
- Solid fuel … They use coal, coke, firewood for their work.
- Electrical … Such devices are the easiest to operate, environmentally friendly and do not require additional chimney equipment.
- Universal … The most functional are boilers that run on all main types of fuel. They have two chambers: one for solid fuel, the other for liquid fuel and gas. In this case, the device is equipped with a special heating element.
The power of the attic heating device is not calculated according to the traditional formula 1 kV per 10 m2, since the ceiling in such a room is sloped. Calculations are made according to the principle of 500-700 V per 10 m2.
The cost of a boiler is determined not only by its power and type of burner, but also by the material of the body (steel, cast iron). It should be noted that foreign models are more functional due to modern automatic equipment. German and Swedish equipment is considered the highest quality and most durable, but it will cost a lot. Boilers brands Bosch, Vaillant, Viessmann cost from 28 thousand rubles.
In the middle price range, the most functional are Italian, South Korean, Czech, Spanish, Slovak and Japanese boilers. Firms such as Baxi, Beretta, Ferroli, Ariston, Protherm, Dakon have proven themselves well. Their price starts from 20 thousand rubles. The cheapest models are domestic ones, for example, "Signal". The price for them starts from 8 thousand rubles.
Instructions for installing a boiler in the attic of a bath
If you are installing a solid fuel appliance, then take care in advance of the supply ventilation of the room, taking into account the cross-section of 0.8 cm per 1000 V of the boiler power.
The installation is carried out as follows:
- Preparing the floor for installation. To do this, cover the location of the device with a non-combustible material. When installing a solid or liquid fuel device, we place a sheet of galvanized steel in front of the firebox.
- If it is planned to install an electric boiler, then we lay the wiring from a separate machine on the switchboard. We mount a separate socket. If the decoration of the room is made of combustible materials, then we carry out outdoor installation. When lining the attic with fire-resistant materials, we lead the cable inside.
- To install a gas boiler, we run a pipeline to the attic from a cylinder or a general natural gas supply system.
- We install the device. A liquid or solid fuel boiler should be located more than 0.5 meters from the wall. An electric or gas appliance is wall-mounted with dowels or fixed to the floor.
Please note that a device that is designed for natural circulation can be equipped with a pump and work on a forced one. If the device was originally made to work with a circulation pump, then it will not work to equip natural circulation.
Installation of the combustion products outlet system in the attic of the bath
The best option for installation in the attic is a coaxial chimney equipped with a forced draft system. To install it correctly and safely, proceed as follows:
- We prepare the exit to the chimney. The diameter of the outgoing structure is calculated according to the device passport. It must correspond to the section of the pipe of the device.
- We equip the chimney itself exactly. The pipe should go into the common outlet at a right angle and be no more than one meter in length.
- We install a draft stabilizer in the chimney.
- All seams must be sealed. For an electric boiler, the equipment of the combustion products removal system is not required.
A double-circuit steel chimney with basalt fiber insulation is best suited for chimney equipment.
Rules for installing a pump for water supply
When choosing a pump, it is important to take into account the necessary pressure for a complete water supply. It is recommended to install the device with a power reserve.
The correct and safe installation of the pump is carried out in the following order:
- We introduce a water pipe into the bath.
- We connect an intermediate buffer tank to it in the form of a hydraulic accumulator tank. In the system, it is a kind of water tower.
- We install a special check valve at the inlet to the tank. It is necessary to prevent water from flowing into the well. Some pumps are already equipped with a valve, so no additional installation is required.
- At the outlet from the tank, we fix the pressure gauge. With its help, it will be possible to control the pressure.
- Attach an automatic air inlet / outlet valve near the pressure gauge.
The pressure of the riser pipe is influenced by the immersion depth. If it is up to 50 meters, then the pressure will be about 6 bar, if up to 230, then 16 bar.
The specifics of installing radiators in the attic above the bath
First you need to decide on the type of radiators. Cast iron models are durable, corrosion resistant and have high thermal inertia. Aluminum or steel structures are lighter and more aesthetically pleasing, but have less thermal inertia. The most popular and functional are bimetallic radiators with a steel core and aluminum fins.
We install devices in this order:
- We install a pipe for heat distribution at the outlet of the boiler. Copper pipes are considered the most durable and high quality. However, they are expensive. Therefore, plastic and metal-plastic elements have been more popular recently. They are lightweight and resistant to corrosion, but can gradually deform when exposed to high temperatures.
- We fix a thermostat (automatic thermostat) on the pipe. It is required for temperature control.
- We connect radiators to the pipes.
Please note that it is necessary to install a heating radiator in the attic so that the upward flow of warm air passes near the window. This is necessary to blow off the glass and prevent condensation from entering.
Watch a video about the attic:
It is not so difficult to connect heating in the attic above the bathhouse if you choose the type of heater and fuel wisely. The given step-by-step instructions will help you decide how to heat the attic above the bathhouse and carry out all the work with your own hands.
