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Do-it-yourself heating technology in a dacha. Do-it-yourself heating options for a country house

Do-it-yourself heating technology in a dacha. Do-it-yourself heating options for a country house

The process of building a country house, in addition to erecting walls, installing floors and roofs, includes many activities that subsequently ensure the comfort of residents. One of the most important stages of work is the installation of a heating system, which ensures the possibility of living in the cold season. The improvement and spread of construction technologies make it possible to make the best choice from a variety of heating options for a country house.

Types of heating - pros and cons of different systems

Despite the periodic emergence of new types of heating, such as solar heating, the vast majority of country house owners use classic heating methods that have been proven for decades. The most common of them:

1. Heating with solid fuel.
2. Gas heating.
3. Electric heating.

In addition, at the moment there is a large selection of solutions that use combined fuel, that is, they can heat a building using both electricity and by burning various types of fuel.

Each option has its own advantages and disadvantages. The simplest and cheapest way to heat a country house is to use a gas-fired boiler. Its advantages are obvious - low cost of fuel, heating according to the “turn it on and forget it” principle, the ability to adjust the required temperature in the rooms, safe operation thanks to modern equipment. Gas heating has only one drawback - if there is no centralized gas main near the country house, you will have to install a separate pipe at your own expense. The costs of such work are comparable to the cost of building a house.

Boilers running on solid or liquid fuel will cost less, but their feature is an increased fire hazard. It is also necessary to constantly monitor the availability of the fuel necessary to generate heat, so this option cannot be called autonomous. Such solutions are perfect for those cases when a country house is used periodically, upon arrival the boiler is flooded and fuel is added throughout the entire period of stay in the country house to maintain the optimal temperature in the premises. Operating heating systems powered by wood, coal or fuel oil will cost more than using gas equipment, but much cheaper than electricity.

Heating systems using electricity are the most convenient and safe to use. The advantages of this solution are its complete autonomy, no need for fuel storage, and the ability to automatically adjust the temperature in the room without outside intervention. Modern electric heating systems even have the ability to be adjusted remotely from a smartphone, if there is a cellular connection in a suburban area. The disadvantages include the high cost of electricity and equipment when using individual devices in each room.

Also, for each specific country house, the choice of heating system will depend on the area and duration of operation:

1. A small country house with an area of up to 30 m², used in the summer. It is preferable to use solid fuel convection boilers that do not require connection to coolant lines, or gas boilers that operate independently from a liquefied gas cylinder.
2. A one- or two-story house with an area of up to 100 m², used for year-round living. In this case, it is advisable to use a centralized heating system with coolant supplied through pipes to the heating radiators. In this case, you can use a gas, electric, solid fuel or combined type of boiler, depending on the availability of energy resources.
3. Country house with an area of 100 m². Buildings of this type are usually built in holiday villages where there are centralized boiler houses, or where a gas main runs throughout the village. It is recommended to use central heating or gas, but in the absence of such an option, you can also use boilers of any type with a circulation system with a liquid coolant.

Calculation and preparatory work

Modern heating boilers, especially those using natural gas as fuel, require fairly high qualifications during installation. However, with the proper desire, it is quite possible to install heating in a dacha with your own hands.

Regardless of what type of boiler is used as a heat generator, the pipe layout and principles of coolant circulation are the same and depend on the design features of the house and the materials used.

When calculating the power of the boiler and installed radiators, the following standards should be adhered to per 10 m²:

1. For southern regions – 0.8–1.0 kW/10 m².
2. For the middle zone - 1.0–1.5 kW/10 m².
3. For northern and cold regions – 1.6–2.5 kW/10 m².

Before starting work, you must purchase all the necessary equipment and consumables:

Single-circuit heating system

A single-pipe or single-circuit heating system, also called “Leningrad”, involves the following stages of work. First, the cold coolant is heated in the heating device (boiler) to the required temperature. Then, as a result of the operation of the circulation pump, the heated liquid moves through the pipes and sequentially enters the heating devices, releasing thermal energy to the rooms in turn. Thus, the liquid cools down on each radiator and the coolant reaches the last radiators already cooled down, as a result of which the room farthest from the boiler turns out to be the coldest, and the whole house warms up unevenly.

Work on installing the heating system should begin by installing heating devices (radiators), an expansion tank and a heating boiler at pre-selected locations. In this case, you must adhere to some rules:

8. The distance from the window sill to the radiator must be at least 70 mm. This is necessary to form an optimal flow of heated air.
9. The distance from the heating device to the wall is at least 50 mm, otherwise, due to poor circulation, the radiators will not have time to warm the air flow to the desired temperature.
10. The expansion tank is located near the boiler, usually in the attic.
11. We install the circulation pump at the final stage of the water flow cycle in front of the boiler.
12. If a boiler with an open flame is used, it is necessary to provide metal pipes for it - adapters 0.5–1 m long, to the ends of which metal-plastic or propylene pipes will be connected.

After all the devices are securely fixed in their regular places, we begin the installation of pipes. For greater aesthetics, it is advisable to carry out all work using a building level.

1. At the end of the first adapter pipe, screw in a tee, to one end of which we connect the pipe going to the expansion tank, to the other - the pipe going to the first heating device.
2. We must connect the inlet pipe from the boiler to the upper (inlet) hole of the radiator.
3. We connect the outlet pipe from the first radiator to it from below and connect it to the inlet (upper) hole of the second radiator.
4. Similarly, we connect all remaining heating devices.
5. Connect the outlet pipe of the last radiator to the inlet of the circulation pump.
6. Connect the pump output to the boiler inlet adapter pipe.

Important! When using a circulation pump in a liquid heating system, we strongly recommend using a backup (bypass) path for the movement of liquid. This will greatly facilitate the replacement of the device in the event of its failure, which is not so rare.

After installing the system, it is necessary to check it for leaks. To do this, fill the coolant through the expansion tank, turn on the circulation pump and carefully monitor the devices and connections for leaks until all elements are completely filled with liquid.

Double-circuit heating system

A two-pipe heating system for a summer residence requires greater material consumption and, accordingly, labor costs. Its main difference from the one described above is the use of two circuits, one of which supplies hot coolant simultaneously to all heating devices, and through the second the liquid moves back to the boiler. Thanks to this scheme, heating of all rooms of the house is carried out evenly. The main features of installing such a system are as follows:

1. We lay pipes of both circuits along the entire perimeter of the house.
2. Using tees, we remove a piece of pipe from the supply (hot) circuit to each heating device and connect it to the upper (inlet) hole of the radiator.
3. We also take a piece of pipe from the outlet of each radiator and connect it with a tee to the return (cold) circuit.

Thus, the cold circuit begins at the first heating device and ends with a connection to the circulation pump, and the hot circuit pipe begins at the tee at the heating boiler and ends with a connection to the inlet of the last radiator.

Electric heating is more expensive, but safer

Heating using electrical energy can be carried out in two ways. The first is the use of a boiler powered by an electrical network, which, similar to a gas or solid fuel one, heats a liquid coolant, which, in turn, heats the premises of the house.

The second method is to use autonomous heating devices in each room of the dacha. This option is more expensive, but has several advantages:

The absence of liquid circuits simplifies the installation and further operation of the entire heating system.
Individual temperature control is possible in each individual room.
Modern electrical appliances have built-in protection against overheating and short circuits, which significantly increases the operational safety of the entire system.

The most commonly used electric heating devices in the country include: an infrared emitter installed on the ceiling or wall; convector heater; a mobile system of warm electric floors, which is made in the form of a film and is easily spread (removed) if necessary.

The dacha plot, as a rule, is not visited by the owners very often: on weekends or even once a month. That is why there is no point in installing a stationary water heating system here - it will take a lot of effort and money. In this case, it is best to install electric heating in your dacha yourself. Next, we will look at the main advantages of electric heaters and an overview of the most suitable equipment for a country house.

System advantages

The main advantages of electric heating in the country are:

Economical. Oddly enough, if the heaters are turned on infrequently, the monthly bill for light will be several times less than with other options for heating rooms.
Ease of installation. Typically, electric heaters are either floor-mounted or wall-mounted. You can simply connect them to the network via a plug and socket. If the equipment is powerful, a separate group of wires is output from the junction box. In any case, it is easier than installing radiators and connecting a water heating boiler yourself.
Easy to use. Electric heaters are easily programmed by thermostats and control units. You can set the program for a month almost for every specific day. In addition, the electronics will control the temperature, using their power efficiently.
Reliability. Another advantage of electric heating in the country is its high durability. The equipment will not fail due to scale, there will be no water leaks or other problems.
Mobility. Convectors, IR panels, oil heaters and fan heaters can always be moved from place to place without significant dismantling work.

And this is not all the advantages of the system. As you can see, making electric heating at the dacha with your own hands will be quite the right decision in some cases. We’ll talk further about when exactly this heating option is more profitable to use!

Suitable equipment for specific conditions

First of all, it must be said that for each specific case you need to choose the right electric heating system for your dacha. It all depends on how often you visit your country house and for what purposes it was built for you. Let's consider each of the existing situations in more detail.

Rare visit

If you visit your dacha plot extremely rarely, especially in winter, then of course there is no point in installing a capital heating system at your dacha yourself. Here it is recommended to use the connection of electric convectors, fan heaters or oil radiators. Convectors can be wall-mounted, floor-mounted, or installed on casters. Each type of design has its own advantages and disadvantages. We recommend that you immediately read the tips on how to buy the most suitable model for heating your dacha.

As for fan heaters and oil heaters, they allow you to warm up the room in the shortest possible time, which is exactly what you need for a rare visit to the dacha.

Weekend getaway

If the country house is represented by an insulated capital building, it already makes sense to make better electric heating for the country house yourself. The one that was recommended best in this case is one that allows you to warm up a room in a short period of time and maintain a certain temperature in the house for as long as needed.

A heated floor alone may not be enough if you decide to install electric heating in a dacha with an area of 100 square meters or more. In this case, it is recommended to supplement the system with high efficiency and relatively low energy consumption. A combination of heated floors and IR panels, as shown in the block diagram above, will allow you to quickly and inexpensively warm up a country house for a weekend getaway in winter.

Frequent visit

Well, the last option, which is the least common, is a country house in which the owners spend a significant part of their time. Under such conditions, it is necessary to take care of high-quality heating, and if there is no gas at the dacha, be sure to make electric heating yourself.

It is no longer rational to use equipment with high energy consumption - fan heaters and oil heaters. A more competent solution would be to work together with water radiators. In addition, it is recommended to connect electric heated floors in the rooms, and, if necessary, install IR ceiling panels controlled by temperature controllers. Such a dacha heating system does not require the installation of a chimney, obtaining various permits and calling a specialist for installation work, which makes it the best if there is no gas on the site.

Video review of an economical heating system for a large country house

What could be the “pitfalls”?

Well, as you understand, there is no ideal option for all conditions, and the problem that you may encounter when independently connecting electric heating at your dacha is frequent power outages in the area. Indeed, in many villages problems with electricity still arise, and in our case, if there is no light, then there is no heat.

The inability to connect to the gas mains does not always mean a return to solid fuel. Electric heating of a country house is a convenient and safe way to heat it during the cold season. There are several types of electrical systems to choose from, with one common advantage - all the energy received without loss is used for heating, ensuring a high level of efficiency.

Requirements for heating systems of country houses

Electric heating systems used for country houses must meet certain requirements:

The heating element must withstand low temperatures. If water is used as an energy carrier, it will be necessary to constantly drain it to prevent freezing and bursting of pipes.
High humidity requires the installation of devices with high-quality waterproofing; materials must have increased resistance to corrosion.
Fast heating.
For greater comfort and savings, it is necessary to have a controller that controls the heating intensity.
Safety. It is necessary to install safety equipment that stops the operation of the entire system in the event of a breakdown or emergency.

Types of systems

Electric heating of a country house according to the heating method is divided into:

Traditional, with fireplaces and stoves.
Convector type. The device works according to the classical principle: cold air enters the lower part of the stove, is heated in the middle section and exits through the upper ribbed chamber.
Warm floor. More often used as an additional type of heating to the existing one.
Using infrared equipment (IR). The device converts energy into infrared radiation, distributed around the perimeter of the room. IR heats objects and people, the air is heated a second time, from objects.

Installation location:

Electric wall heating allows you to save living space and at the same time is safer to use than floor heating. It is advisable to design the installation location in parallel with the interior design.
Floor-standing. They can have legs, wheels, and be built into the floor. Mobile installations are often less powerful than wall-mounted ones.

Traditional system

The most practical, but expensive system involves the installation of an electric boiler and radiators with liquid coolant.

Advantages:

Allows, in addition to heating the house, to obtain hot water.
Security and full automation.
Silence.

Flaws:

An expensive and complex system, for the installation and connection of which it is necessary to invite a qualified specialist.
Thermal energy is transferred through a liquid medium.
Complex electrical connection system.

The electric heating circuit is implemented in one of two ways:

Single-circuit: heating only.
Double-circuit: heating the room and water.

Standard set of equipment: boiler, pipes, shut-off valves, safety group, pressure gauge, check valve, expander and circulation pump, radiators.

Fireplaces and stoves are very popular for country houses, allowing not only to heat the home, but also to decorate the interior, giving an atmosphere of comfort.

Convector system

The most economical types of heating include the convector model. To obtain a convenient and modern system, wall-mounted types are used, while saving room space and making heating optimally safe. Floor-standing models are also offered, the convenience of which lies in their mobility.

The design is:

Hermetic metal or glass case, a tube with a heating element and magnesite is sealed inside.
Double insulated wiring.
Temperature sensor.
Thermostats: electronic, mechanical.

Advantages:

Relatively low price.
Double insulation and a sealed housing allow operation in damp houses.
No additional grounding required.
Automatic and silent operation.
Quick installation, easy to remove and carry in the car.
Safe heating temperature is 65°C.

Flaws:

Individual connection, with wiring throughout the house. A specialist is required.
It does not belong to the category of particularly effective in the cold season, it is more suitable for transitional seasons or in conjunction with another heating system.
Not much, but it dries out the air.

Warm floor

Implementing electric heating of a country house by installing a heating element under the flooring is not a new idea; it can be implemented in several ways:

A thick and powerful electrical cable will require a concrete screed at least 3 cm high, since it is this that will accumulate and release heat. This type is considered more energy efficient than convectors.
There are also types of heated floors “to create comfort”, these include: film types (infrared type), the use of mats, thin-diameter wires.

Installation will require a qualified specialist, since any malfunction will require dismantling the flooring.

An undeniable plus is a warm floor, a room free of heating devices and noiselessness.

Infrared heaters

Electric heating of a country house, based on the use of infrared heaters, is the most modern solution, as it avoids energy loss during air circulation.

Advantages:

Economical in energy consumption.
Heating speed.
Inexpensive and fast installation.
Does not dry out the air.

To obtain high-quality heating, it is necessary to consider the correct installation, since when mounted on a ceiling, the height of the room should not be less than 2.5 meters. When installing on a wall, it is necessary to calculate the correct direction of the radiation.

Electric heating: installation price

The choice is greatly influenced not only by the cost of the device itself, but also by how correctly and professionally the electric heating will be implemented; the price also depends on the region. To the cost of the equipment set, it is worth adding a separate cable to the house, installation of a panel with safety equipment and its grounding.

The most expensive to install is the traditional system with installation prices ranging from 1,000 to 3,000 rubles on average per device; the cost of connecting and starting the boiler depends on the complexity of the work, from 4,500 rubles. Plus the cost of pipes, the boiler itself and radiators.
Installation of heated floors will cost from 400 rubles per m2, to this price it is necessary to add auxiliary work for installing electric cables in the walls.
The cost of an IR device is determined by the power, the cost of a device per 1 kW is on average from 3000 rubles, installation of 1 unit - from 500 rubles.
Installation of a convector system - from 3000 rub.

Note! The cost of operating any heating system depends not only on the devices, but also on the quality of the home’s thermal insulation.

Electric heating: customer reviews

in a country house is irrational, but it all depends on the length of stay. If we are talking about a two- or three-day visit, many buyers advise installing electric heating convectors with a thermostat, wall-mounted or hanging infrared heaters. For long periods of stay, it is more comfortable to have a full-fledged traditional heating system, and it is also possible to connect a GSM module.
It is recommended to install devices that can be easily replaced if they break down and can be taken out in the trunk of a car so as not to worry about their safety.
Opinions regarding the use of heated floors differ greatly, since safety and effectiveness depend on the type of system and correct installation

Whatever electrical appliances are purchased for heating, the main conditions are their quality and the correct connection diagram, implemented by specialists.

If you intend to equip your dacha with a heating system, then first decide on heating equipment. To do this, you need to analyze the following parameters:

material used in the construction of the house;
available energy resources;
distance from the site to the nearest power line.

Based on this, select the type of future system.

Stage 1. Selecting the heating type

First, decide what the heating system will be like. In this case, everything depends on the specific circumstances, so we will consider the most common options.

Option #1. Small country house

If the cottage is small and is used only in the summer, then you can equip the simplest system.

Attention! You can do electric heating. Firstly, it is quite easy, and secondly, the costs will be insignificant, since the system will be used infrequently.

There is another option - install a small-sized convection oven (for example, “Buleryan”). Such units can operate for quite a long time, and one load is enough for a long time. And if we take into account power outages, then this heating method is preferable.

Option #2. Two-story house (area less than 150 m?)

Such cottages can be used for year-round living. If there is no gas supply, you can choose one of two possible options:

In the second case, antifreeze must be used as a coolant, otherwise the system will need to be drained before each departure and refilled upon return.

Attention! In order to reduce heating costs, it is worth insulating the dacha with high-quality thermal insulation material.

Option #3. A complete country house

If the house is located in a cottage community and has all the amenities (including gas), then it can be used for permanent residence. In this case, water heating is more suitable.

If possible, you can additionally equip a “warm floor” system.

Attention! As you can see, in most cases it is advisable to use water heating. It is important that it be as autonomous as possible, so it is better to opt for natural circulation.

The system can be of two types:

open;
closed.

If antifreeze will serve as the coolant, then choose the second option.

By the way, you can also read about installing heated floors yourself on our website.

Stage 2. Calculation of equipment power and number of radiators

It is better to entrust this procedure to specialists, but if you wish, you can make all the calculations yourself - using the formula (1 kW x 10 m?).

Increase the resulting figure by the coefficient of reference to the location of the site:

If you plan to use hot water for domestic needs, then add another 25% to the resulting value (the boiler in this case must be double-circuit), then another 20% for unforeseen situations.

Attention! The easiest option to implement is considered to be a single-pipe closed system, popularly known as “Leningradka”. About her in a thematic video.

Video – “Leningradka”

Stage 3. Installation of the boiler

Installation of the heating system begins with the installation of the boiler. If possible, place the boiler in a separate utility room - this will allow you to equip a ventilation system. This is especially true for solid fuel devices, which emit a lot of soot during operation. If you install such a boiler in your house, you will have to breathe soot all the time, and the interior decoration will be hopelessly damaged.

If you cannot use a separate room for some reason, install the boiler in one of the non-main rooms - for example, in a pantry or hallway.

Stage 4. Piping

Wiring is perhaps the most important and responsible stage.

To complete it you will need:

radiators (according to the number of windows);
building level;
pipes (more details about their choice are at the end of the article);
pencil;
shut-off valves;
brackets;
expansion tank (its volume should be equal to 110% of the volume of the entire circuit);
circulation pump (to determine the power, multiply the total area of the house by one hundred watts).

Attention! Bimetallic radiators or aluminum products are most suitable for dachas. They heat up fairly quickly and are light in weight.

The wiring procedure is as follows.

Step 1. Using special fasteners, pipes are installed (according to a pre-drawn plan).

Step 2. Heating radiators are hung.

Step 3. Shut-off valves are installed.

Step 4. An expansion tank is installed at the highest point of the system.

Carry out all the work in exactly this sequence and move from the heat generator to the radiators. Upon completion of installation, remove the film from the radiators and perform piping (its technology depends on the material from which the pipes are made).

Attention! The distance between the radiator and the window sill must be at least 7 cm, and between the radiator and the floor - 10 cm. In addition, the gap between the device and the wall must be at least 5 cm.

Stage 5. Installation of “warm floor”

As an additional source of thermal energy, you can use a “warm floor” system. It is advisable to purchase an infrared system, but there are also water ones.

Before starting installation, take care of:

hydro- and thermal insulation material;
infrared film;
thermostat;
final coating (the best option is laminate).

Step 1: Clean and level the floor surface.

Step 2. Install a thermostat on one of the walls of the room (at a height of 0.7 m).

Step 3. Place the thermal insulator and secure it with mounting tape.

Step 4. Lay down the infrared film. Leave the areas where large stationary furniture will be placed “empty”. Insulate the joints with bitumen tape.

Step 5. Connect electrical cables to the outer sheets of film.

Step 6. Connect cables to the thermostat and test the system.

Step 7. Cover the floor with laminate.

Read about more detailed instructions for installing film heated floors on our website.

Alternative - “warm baseboard”

An alternative to water heating can be a radiant panel system, which is installed around the entire perimeter of the room and is called a “warm baseboard.” The thermal energy generated by such a system is distributed along the walls and rises along them. A kind of heat shield is formed that prevents heat loss and moisture condensation.

Attention! When using a “warm baseboard”, the surface of the walls warms up evenly, without any cold zones. At the same time, the walls themselves begin to radiate heat, which creates the most comfortable conditions in the house.

About the working principle

This system is a prefabricated aluminum box. The height of the box is 14 cm, width is 3 cm. “Warm plinth” runs on coolant (it is advisable to use antifreeze) and is installed instead of a regular plinth. In the box itself there is a heat exchanger - a pair of copper tubes on which brass lamellas are strung. The system is connected in the same way as conventional radiators.

Attention! There are modifications of the “warm baseboard” that can be connected directly to the electrical network.

After installation, the “plinth” is connected to the hot water supply and “return”, for which you can use polyethylene or polyvinyl chloride pipes. Each “plinth” can be equipped with a separate thermostat, thanks to which the minimum temperature will be maintained in your absence. This way you will save significantly on electricity.

Such a system in combination with an electric boiler is a real godsend for a summer house. “Warm baseboard” is reliable, safe, and will pay for itself in the shortest possible time. Its only disadvantage can be considered its dependence on electricity, the supply of which, as is known, often fails.

Pipe selection

When choosing pipes, consider not only your financial capabilities, but also the area of the house, the material used in its construction, as well as the type of heating system chosen. The modern range of such products is quite wide, but all products can be divided into three large groups.

Results. How to save on heating your dacha

As you know, the efficiency and speed of heating a room largely depend on heat loss. It has been proven that approximately 1/5 of all heat escapes through old wooden windows, the same amount through doors, about 2/5 through walls, and another 1/10 through the floor. Therefore, before the start of the heating season, try to eliminate all sources of heat loss and insulate the dacha. In this case, within an hour after arrival you will feel no less comfortable than in a city apartment.

And one last thing. In terms of consumption, the most economical fuel is gas. Therefore, if it is possible to connect to the central gas supply, then take advantage of it.

Video - Do-it-yourself heating at the dacha

Currently, an increasing number of people are purchasing summer cottages with the aim of not only growing their own vegetables and fruits, but also the opportunity to relax in the fresh air. And, of course, one of the traditional events is the construction of a new or improvement of an existing house.

It should be noted that the times when any building was intended for short-term stays (during periods of bad weather or extreme heat) or storage of work clothes and tools for agricultural work are gone. Modern garden houses are increasingly being built that are capital and comfortable - with a foundation, durable enclosing structures, good finishing and equipment - because... the owners initially plan to live in them for the entire summer cottage period (from April to October), and in some cases permanently. Therefore, one of the important issues that has to be resolved is how to organize heating in a dacha so that it is efficient and economical during operation.

Factors determining the choice of heating scheme for a country house

Today there are a large number of heat supply options, but not all of them are suitable for heating a country house. When choosing the optimal scheme, the following factors should be considered:

location (dacha cooperative, cottage community, village, etc.);
accessible utilities (water and gas pipelines, electricity, sewerage, etc.);
period of use of the house in the country (weekends, summer season, year-round);
characteristics of the building (materials from which it is constructed; presence of thermal insulation; fire safety class; dimensions, including configuration, number of floors);
financial opportunities;
level of complexity of the heating system (whether it can be done completely or partially with your own hands).

Ways to heat a country house

All existing options for heating a country house can be divided into two groups:

short-term (periodic) use;
constant or long-term use.

Options suitable for periodic heating of a country house

If you plan to live in a country house only on weekends or during the summer holiday period, it is advisable to choose simple heating methods that can be easily done with your own hands. These include:

heat supply using a stove or fireplace;
providing heat through electrical appliances, incl. oil radiators, convectors, infrared heaters.

Stove heating

It should be noted that one of the common and once popular options for heating a country house was stove heating. Despite the fact that the stove usually has large dimensions and requires a chimney, it was in demand among summer residents. This is explained by the following advantages:

energy independence - as you know, not all dacha farms had access to electricity, and during periods of bad weather or sudden cold snap, the only way to provide heat was a stove;
ease of maintenance - the main condition for maintaining such equipment is timely removal of ash; in addition, it does not require special preparation before use and during periods of long absence of the owners;
availability of fuel - as a rule, there is no shortage of firewood in a country house where trees of various types grow; it is also easy to purchase a certain amount of other types of fuel (coal, peat);
possibility of cooking.

To organize such heating of a country house, you can make a stove yourself (laid out of refractory brick, welded from steel or cast iron) or purchase modern factory-made models that are not only more efficient, but also safe (Buleryan, Professor Butakov and etc.).

Figure 1 – Brick stove for a country house

Figure 2 – Industrial stove for a summer residence

If there are several rooms in a country house, the stove is usually placed so that heat flows into each of them.

An alternative to a stove for heating a country house can be a fireplace, which will not only provide heat, but also give the interior a noble look.

Electrical heating devices

Currently, not only populated areas, but also almost all dacha cooperatives are electrified. Therefore, the simplest way to organize short-term heating of a country house is to use various heaters that can be easily purchased.

Figure 3 – Convector for heating a summer house

Keep in mind that most heating devices that run on electricity consume a significant amount of energy. Therefore, before organizing such heating, it is necessary to check the condition and power of the wiring.

One of the effective methods that has been gaining popularity in recent years is the use of infrared emitters of various types. Unlike electric heaters, they consume less electricity, do not dry out the air, and do not require constant monitoring of their operation. If such devices are equipped with an automatic control system, they can be used for a long time even in the absence of the owners, and can also be programmed for a specific mode.

Figure 4 – IR heater for a summer residence

It must be borne in mind that power outages, especially for dacha farms, are not a rare occurrence. Therefore, to be able to heat a country house, it is recommended to provide additional options (for example, a stove or fireplace) or purchase uninterruptible power supplies.

Heating for a long-term country house

In the case where living in a country house is planned all year round (or most of the time), the heating system must meet the following conditions:

be reliable and durable;
ensure uniform heating of all available premises;
does not require large expenses during operation.

Depending on the size of the house, the availability of communications, and the availability of any type of fuel at the dacha, air and water heating schemes can be successfully used.

Air heating of a country house

It should be noted that in Western countries, the air heating system has almost completely replaced the water heating system. And this is due to the following factors:

economic efficiency - such schemes are distinguished by simpler technical solutions, which reduces the cost of purchasing the necessary materials (including equipment, components), and the operating cost of an air heating system is 20-30% lower than a similar water heating system;
simplicity of installation work and the possibility of carrying it out at any time - it is much easier and faster to install air ducts, almost all elements can be made and assembled with your own hands, in addition, for such a scheme you can use any heat source (solid or liquid fuel stove, electric or gas boiler );
sufficiently rapid heating of the premises;
ease of regulation of the intensity of air heating in individual rooms - this is done using valves;
aesthetic appearance - in most cases, the air box and hoses are placed in walls, ceiling structures, floors, and the outlet openings are framed with ventilation grilles.

One of the important advantages of this scheme is the possibility of air conditioning, humidification, and air purification using the same air ducts, but for this you will have to purchase additional appropriate equipment.

Figure 5 – Scheme of air heating at home

It must be borne in mind that air is characterized by low heat transfer. Therefore, to raise the temperature in the house to the required level, a much larger volume of heated coolant will be required than in water systems. At the same time, pumping air is easier than any liquid.

Water heating of a country house

A water heating system requires an analysis of possible schemes and selection of the optimal one, preliminary calculations of the required power of the heat source (boiler, hot water stove) and heating devices, as well as the selection of their types, rather high costs for the purchase of equipment, materials, components, as well as accuracy and accuracy during installation work.

This option is most widespread in the presence of a water supply system, a gas main or a stable power supply, i.e. when the country house is located in a cottage community, village, village. Under such conditions, almost any scheme can be envisaged, and many works can be done with your own hands, for example, piping radiators and the boiler with polypropylene pipes, installing and connecting radiators.

But even in the absence of these communications (for example, in a traditional dacha cooperative), it is possible to use such a system, taking into account the following restrictions:

It is recommended to provide a hot water furnace running on liquid or solid fuel as a heat source;
the heating system must be gravitational (with natural coolant circulation);

Figure 6 – Scheme of a gravity heating system

It is not recommended to use water as a coolant; the best option would be to use antifreeze: saline solutions, compositions based on ethylene or propylene glycol, glycerin.

It must be remembered that if antifreeze is used, the heating system must be closed.