Utilities tariffs are raising, but energy efficiency heat transfer area systems continue to evolve. Between the choice of payment at the established (not always fair) rate and payments for consumed heat, the choice in favor of the latter is obvious.
It is for the purpose of accurate accounting of the heat consumed for heating in apartment buildings that special calculating devices are installed. This article would help you; in clearing all the queries regarding the installation of heat meter.
Why is the heat meter common and how does it function?
A heat meter is an ultra-precise, high-tech device, the task of which is to record the heat common for heating a particular area. This is a complex of devices that calculate the consumed energy according to a strict algorithm without the risk of errors in the "human factor" format.
Installation location and guidelines for heat transfer area
Installation location - apartment buildings (the device can be common for the whole house or individual for each household).
Basically, installation of a heat meter is possible only under certain conditions. It:
- Firstly, Horizontal piping
- Secondly, separate inlet for the coolant
If several separate risers are drawn through the apartment, the installation of heat transfer area becomes impossible. It's all about the strict algorithm of work (like other high-precision computing devices).
Calculations for heat meter
The device receives data for calculation from indicators that are installed in a certain place. The conditional formula for calculating and converting the received data in giga calories per hour is as follows:
- First, Q = G * (t1 - t2), where the first parameter is the total flow rate of the coolant
- Second, remaining ones are the temperature level at the inlet, and at the outlet
- Also, the flow meter provides the first part of the indicators necessary for calculating
- Lastly, the temperature sensors installed, respectively, at the inlet and outlet
Factors impacting data accuracy for heat transfer area
There are some factors that directly or indirectly affect the accuracy of the data required for indicators of heat transfer area:
- The error that is associated with the rounding of the data that was received
- Low-current indicator, which is installed to control the flow rate of the coolant (its volume)
- High error (low quality) of temperature sensors (according to the standard, it should not exceed three degrees)
The obvious advantage of a heat meter is the complete autonomy of its operation - it is a device with the option of self-testing and self-monitoring.
About installation of heat meter
This is a specific piece of heat transfer area common to calculate utility bills. Accordingly, there are a number of requirements when installing a heat meter. First, this is the preparation and sending (or transmission) of a statement to the managing organization. For having technical conditions based on which the implementation project is drawn up.
After that, there is a choice of a contractor, whose task is to carry out organizational work and directly select one or another type of device with its subsequent installation. A mandatory step is to agree on the project with the management company and invite experts to check and commission the equipment.
The managing service must check the operability of the device, documenting its compliance with the project, submitting the equipment commissioning certificate. Despite the apparent complexity, the procedure for installing a heat meter is a justified and long-term investment.
Principle of operation for heat transfer area device
There are four main sources for heat transfer area to which the BKN is easy to connect:
- First, heat pump.
- Also, solar collector.
- Moreover, fireplace / solid fuel heat exchanger / stove.
- Lastly, electric underfloor heating.
To avoid a drop in temperature, a recirculation circuit requires. It allows the coolant to warm up evenly, while hot water will immediately flow from the taps at all points of the water intake (without the need to drain it).
The arrangement of the equipment is quite simple and therefore reliable: the BKN connects to the heating; the hot coolant enters the coil, because of which the water heats up
Heat exchanger types
There are several types of equipment for heat transfer area in the market. These are:
First and foremost, tank; with a capacity of 100, 150, 200, etc. liters with a coil located inside.
- Supplied with an electric heater.
Secondly, the heating element is located inside the tank. It can bring water to a higher temperature.
- With two heat exchangers.
Moreover, such devices are easy to connect to several heat sources, for example, a heat exchanger and underfloor heating.
- Combined type.
Finally, the coil tank is in a separate tank or surrounded by a stainless-steel circuit.
Rules for choosing an indirect heating heat exchanger
The priority should be to determine the optimal amount of hot water that requires for the household. The calculation is as follows: for 1 living person per day, 30 liters are needed. Accordingly, for a family of three, a volume of 100 liters will be optimal.
However, experts recommend not neglecting the stock and, if you have free space in the heat exchanger room / bathroom, install a 200-liter heat exchanger. Next - the type of connection. In this case, everything is standard: from behind, from the side or from below. Heat transfer area should be chosen well.
How to get perfect displacement in heat area
An important parameter is the coil area. The larger it is, the more coolant will "work" to heat the water and the faster its temperature will rise. The capacity is shown in the number of heated liters per hour. The optimal parameter should be considered about 800 liters.
Further - the heating rate, which depends on the temperature, which "gives" the heat unit. And finally, the material of the inner tank. Most often it is stainless steel, but some manufacturers also offer enameled cast iron.
For the correct choice of displacement, be guided by the following formula: about 7 liters of hot water goes to 1 kW of heat exchanger / furnace power. Accordingly, a 200-liter BKN is suitable for a 30 kW device. Hence you would have accurate values of heat transfer area this way.
Advantages and disadvantages in tanks systems
BNK models are popular, however, among the variety of types offered on the market, there are the most practical and durable ones. These are tank-in-tank systems. The water in it heats up faster and more evenly.
But the cost of such a heat exchanger is slightly higher than that of analogs with a coil. Its main advantage is practicality (suitable for all water intake points in the house), comfort (quick heating) and, of course, savings, since the power consumption for heating water using such a device is imperceptible.
