Installation of Heating Radiators by Yourself

Calculating the Number of Radiators and Choosing Their Placement

Structurally, radiators are divided into several types depending on their material: steel, aluminum, and bimetallic. Of course, there are other types, but due to their limited availability, we focus on these three.

Thus, heat output may slightly vary depending on thickness and material – steel radiators emit heat more strongly, aluminum ones less so. However, in general, the number of radiators needed to heat a room is calculated based on a ratio of 1 section per 1.2 m² in an apartment or 1 section per 1 m² in a private house.

It is best to install radiators under windows, as this helps reduce heat loss through the window and window sills. If more than one module (several sections assembled together) is used in a room, the others should ideally be placed in the diametrically opposite part of the room. If this is not possible for any reason, the maximum possible distance between modules must still be maintained to ensure even room heating.

Installation of Radiators

Installation is quite straightforward. We’ll go through the steps, assuming that the polypropylene piping for the heating system has already been installed.

• Two small sections of thinner pipe (e.g., if the main pipe is 32 mm in diameter, you can use 25 or 20 mm pipes) are branched off from the main heating pipe. This is done using tee fittings with different outlet diameters (either inserted into the main pipe or installed together with it). The spacing between branches is determined by the number of radiator sections planned for installation in a specific room. The spacing must equal the width of one module plus the size of two angled valves – "American-style" taps.
• Install transition fittings on the branch pipes to connect polypropylene to steel. A transition fitting is a component with one polypropylene outlet matching the branch pipe’s diameter, and the other end featuring a steel internal thread insert.
• Next, install angled valves – "American-style" taps – onto the threaded connection of the transition fitting, so that a module can be removed without blocking the entire heating system. Thus, when the valves are closed, the heat transfer fluid stops circulating within the specific module but continues flowing safely through the rest of the system.
• Finally, connect the multi-section radiator module to the valves via threaded joints. Before installation, two brackets for the radiator are mounted into the wall using plastic anchors, slightly above the intended mounting height (distance measured). These brackets will carry the main load of the filled (water-filled) module (typically, one section holds about 1 liter of water).

That’s it – simple and clear. The only point to emphasize again: ensure a difference in diameter between the main pipe and branch pipes for radiators. The physical principle is that as the heat transfer fluid circulates through the system, it slightly accelerates due to the reduced pipe diameter, thus favoring flow through the radiator module rather than bypassing it through the main line.