REGULUS-system heaters have been a bit of a problem for branch specialists, because they do not fit in the traditional nomenclature of heaters. They are not rib or panel heaters, nor they are convectors from definition. It’s true, they are similar to convectors in construction, but are much more closer to panel heaters in their function. The research made by ITGiS in Radom is clear on the subject. REGULUS-system heaters’ high durability on high pressure and temperature gives them exceptionally broad, universal application in heating department.
Other features that differentiate REGULUS-system heaters are: small total mass (heater with water), large heat exchange surface, relatively big (because of undulation) front surface facing the room, makes REGULUS-system heaters unique with high dynamic of work, at all temperatures of heating factor. They cope just as well in in low-temperature installation or steam heating.
Heat exchange surface
When classifying different ways of heating by comparing heat exchange surface, we get following order: surface heating, wall heating, REGULUS-system heaters, rib heaters, panel heaters with convector, panel heaters and at last convectors.
The greater the surface of heat exchange, the lower the temperature parameters needed to meet the heating requirements. In times of condensing boilers or heat pumps, together with good insulation, the possibility of using low temperature heating is the priority. Amongst the heaters, it is the REGULUS-system heater that has no doubt the highest effective heat exchange surface.
Floor heating, because of its greatest surface heat exchange, might meet the heating requirements with the lowest work temperature. However the flaw of surface heating is the long time of heating up or starting, and equally long time of stopping of heating. Surface heating has low dynamics of heating comparing to, also low temperature, but much more dynamic, REGULUS-system heaters. Slow working dynamic and high inertia of surface heating, comes from huge total mass, the second important criteria for various heating systems.
Total mass of the central heating system
The smaller the mass of the heat dissipation system, the quicker system reaches its full nominal power and quicker will it fulfill your heating function, meaning it is a system that is more dynamic. The heating system with a low total mass much faster reaches the desired temperature with lesser initial energy expenditure.
When the heating system is in continuous heating phase then the rate is still of importance only when the boilers are working periodically. While electrical convectors take off immediately after switching, floor heating needs many hours to be “recharged”. During the transitional periods this must result in sub-optimal energy management. The large mass of the heat dissipation system results in a large thermal inertia. Overheating of a room is uneconomic, since the higher inside temperature is in relation to the ambient, the greater heat loss occurs. The moment of effective heating for radiators with a large mass cames after a long time and lasts, despite that the preset temperature has already been achieved. The control electronics aimed at minimizing the economic impact of the large inertia of the system in case of system with low total weight is mostly redundant. The heating system with a low total weight not only allows the user quick access to the heat, but also to get exactly the desired amount of heat. Low-mass system can be used virtually throughout the year, because you do not have economic, financial dilemmas when it starts for a few dozens of minutes to correct the temperature.
Arranging heating methods according to total weight of the heat exchanger, we get the following arrangement: convectors, REGULUS-system heaters, steel panels, aluminum ribs, steel panels with convector, wall heating, underfloor heating. This means that it is the REGULUS-system heaters that excel in the dynamic process of heating in a group of water heat exchangers.
REGULUS-system – cooperation with the solid fuel boilers
There are no contraindications to mount REGULUS-system heaters to a heating system with solid fuel boiler. There are manufacturers of solid fuel boilers and fireplaces with water jacket who give REGULUS-system heaters full recommendation. Their reasoning is simple: what is the difference between 1 kW in REGULUS-system heaters and 1 kW in other radiators? None.
The boiler must always have the ability to work with variable power depending on the demand for heat or must be protected buffer tank heat. In the absence of such a buffer, it is an misconception to oversize the boiler power even a small degree in relation to the real needs. The use of large radiators, with high total mass, with the aim to protect the boiler from overheating is an error, both due to overpaying the radiators and subsequently their non-optimal and uneconomical work.
For many reasons, the best solution is water heat buffer associated with a lightweight, dynamic radiator system. In this case the boiler, regardless of the outside temperature, works in optimal parameters of its highest efficiency, the calorific value of the fuel consumed is 100% utilized. No harmful acids condense, destructive to chimney and boiler itself.
In systems with a heat buffer and the large mass radiators, profit from storing of surplus obtained heat will be wasted. Weight of water buffer is unnecessarily duplicated. Why collect the heat from the heat accumulator for the next heat accumulator?
The buffer can be charged at any moment favorable to the user, also using several sources of heat. The heat, in cooperation with the interior temperature controllers will be slowly and precisely dosed only through the radiators of low total mass, always working efficiently, even with a steady, gradual drop of water temperature in the buffer.
Optimal thermal comfort, optimal economic dimension of the heating process – the effect double-positive, possible only with dynamic REGULUS-system radiators.