Visiting a dacha in cold weather requires heating the space and choosing the right heating system or heating device. It's worth considering how to heat a dacha economically in winter when designing it, purchasing it, or undertaking a major renovation. The type of heating will determine the temperature regime, frequency of use, and comfort.
Types of heating systems for country houses
The types of heating systems may depend on the available energy resource, design features, climatic conditions, and the budget of the dacha owner.
The main types of space heating are:
- gas heaters;
- electric heaters;
- furnace equipment;
- equipment operating on liquid fuel;
- equipment operating on solid fuel;
- universal heating systems.
Choosing each heating method requires budgeting expenses and taking into account the area of the building that needs heating. The choice of heating method will determine whether the temperature remains above zero while the property is away from the house.
Heating a country house with electricity
Heating a country house with electricity in winter is considered one of the most economical methods of heating. Electric heaters require less installation time than furnaces. And the constant rise in electricity rates is driving the development of cheaper, more energy-efficient heating systems.
To heat a house use:
- oil heaters;
- fan heaters;
- UFO;
- electric convectors;
- infrared heaters;
- infrared panels;
- heat guns;
- warm baseboards;
- electric mattresses.
All of the listed types are easy to use and install. The downside is significant energy consumption.
Oil heaters
Oil-filled heaters have been widely used for the past twenty years. However, they are not as efficient as innovative models that can quickly heat a room. An oil-filled system takes a relatively long time to heat the entire room. It can only heat the air around it, although some upward and lateral convection occurs. Oil-filled heaters can be floor-standing or wall-mounted if there are small children in the home.
Oil-based systems are inexpensive. The latest models are equipped with humidifiers, saving you the expense. The unit operates reliably for several days without interruption and is silent, making it ideal for use in an office or bedroom. There's no risk of burns from the oil, as all components are concealed inside the unit.
Fan heaters
A dacha can be heated with a fan heater. Fan heaters are among the fastest heating devices. With the fan on, the room can warm up to 21 degrees Celsius in a short period of time. However, this type of fan is not an economical way to heat a house. It consumes a lot of energy. It requires close supervision during operation, as its fire safety rating does not allow it to operate unattended.
The cost of the product depends on the fan power and ranges from 600 to 8,000 rubles.
UFO
The UFO is considered a unique device, first heating people and objects, and then the objects transfer their heat to people. UFOs can heat even outdoors in windy weather, making them suitable for areas with poor insulation, terraces, and balconies. UFOs are suitable if there is no independent heating system or if the heating needs to be moved outside. The device begins heating within 30 seconds of being turned on. Some devices can be used in the rain, as they are waterproof.
Electric convectors
Convectors are widely used in summer cottages and other types of spaces. They can be wall-mounted or wheeled. Portable models are convenient for heating multiple rooms. The cost of a convector ranges from 3,000 to 6,000 rubles. If you're heating a room with convectors, it's best to choose models equipped with a thermostat. Convectors are expensive, but they're energy-efficient.
Infrared panels
IR panels with an infrared sensor are an ideal heating device for winter weather. Because the panels are immobile, they are mounted on walls or ceilings. They are controlled using a temperature sensor. While panels heat rooms in a country house efficiently, the IR rays are harmful to humans and significantly dry out the air. Installation of one panel costs approximately 4,000 rubles. Specific mounting hardware is suitable for wall and ceiling mounting.
Infrared heaters
Infrared heaters primarily heat objects, walls, and floors. Infrared waves are perceived by the skin, similar to sunlight. The room is heated locally where the waves hit. The waves propagate through an aluminum reflector. Each unit is equipped with a thermostat and a tilt sensor. Ceiling-mounted units are the most convenient. Infrared units with carbon and tubular elements are considered the best models. Units with ceramic elements have a short lifespan.
Heat guns
A heat gun is selected based on power, voltage, runtime, and noise level. A heat gun for a summer house must be equipped with an exhaust system. If there's no gas, a portable or stationary heat gun can be used to heat the house. It's best to choose a device with thermostatic control, an overheating sensor, and a metal housing. For a house or summer house, a rectangular heater with a mesh heating element is best, as it doesn't dry out the air.
Warm baseboard
Cold penetrates the house through walls and cracks. It's actually better to heat the entire area of the house. Installing heated baseboards is a good idea. The system heats up quickly, dries the walls, and creates a heat shield. Baseboards use hydronic, eclectic heating. Compared to other eclectic heating systems, they offer energy savings of up to 30%. Baseboards are inexpensive, easy to install, and come in a variety of colors. They heat objects first, then the air, which is important when choosing a heating system.
Electric mattress
An electric mattress is placed under the bed linen and plugged into an outlet. This mattress is like one large heating pad. The mattress warms the entire bed, which is better than an electric blanket. To ensure a long-lasting electric mattress, choose a synthetic material. The mattress should also have a temperature control. For initial warmth, it's best to select the maximum setting. For a comfortable sleep, the temperature will need to be lowered.
The auto-off feature provides additional safety while sleeping and when leaving the house. The adjustable heat zones help set a comfortable temperature for each partner or warm a specific body part.
Stove heating
Heating a summer house in winter is possible without electricityStove heating is durable, quickly warms the house, and maintains the temperature for a long time. This type of heating is suitable if the dacha is rarely visited. Bake Can be combined with a fireplace. A disadvantage of stove heating is the continuous supply of fuel and the need to clean the chimney. Stove heating can come in several forms, including brick, metal, and solid fuel stoves. Before building a stove, a project is developed, including drawings and diagrams.
Features of brick ovens
When creating a stove heating system, the first step is to determine the location of the brick stove. Brick oven It should be placed near a load-bearing wall in the center of the house for maximum heat output. If the stove structure weighs more than 650 kg, the foundation must be checked for strength and ensure it extends more than 1 meter into the ground.
Heating with a stove operates on a variety of fuels:
- tree;
- coal;
- bush peat;
- anthracite.
Fuels are classified by their heat output and heat storage capacity. Some are used to reheat a cold stove, while others are used to retain heat for long periods of time.
Heating your own home with a stove is quite competitive even compared to gas heating.
The advantages include:
- readily available and relatively inexpensive fuel;
- the possibility of installation in any place that is difficult to access for communications;
- is an ecologically clean system for both humans and nature;
- construction does not require large financial expenditures;
- no need to prepare the oven before use.
A brick heating system is not complicated, and a small stove can keep 30 square meters of space warm.
Like any heating device, the stove has its drawbacks.
To store firewood and coal, you'll need to build a place away from moisture and open flames. And in cooler weather, you'll need to purchase fuel in advance, which will increase the storage space.
Another disadvantage is that the stove takes up some free space in the house, and it takes some time to warm up and maintain a comfortable temperature.
Long-burning stove
Long-burning stove Made of cast iron or steel, they retain heat in the room, especially at night when it's not possible to add wood, as in a conventional stove. The firebox in this type of stove is divided into two sections. It is more spacious, and some models feature an air convection system or a water heat exchanger. A long-burning stove can operate in two modes. Fuel consumption is negligible. The wood burns very slowly, allowing you to switch from active operation to smoldering mode by adjusting the air intake. Fuel should be added no sooner than after 5 hours.
The disadvantages are:
- complex tincture;
- increased requirements for the chimney;
- inability to use liquid fuel;
- gas entering the chimney at a low temperature, which contributes to the formation of condensation.
Heating with metal stoves
Metal stoves are considered continuous-fired. Unlike brick and cast-iron stoves, metal is lightweight and takes up little space. A great example of a metal stove is a potbelly stove, which you can build yourself. A metal stove heats up quickly, but it cools down just as quickly as it heats up.
It's important to know that metal stoves have a low fire safety rating, so their walls are reinforced with special fire-resistant layers. A metal stove is significantly cheaper than a brick stove. Modern heat-resistant materials guarantee a stove lifespan of over 10 years.
Liquid fuel stoves
The most popular liquid fuel stoves run on diesel fuel. A 2.5 kW heating stove consumes 200 g of diesel fuel per hour. The stove weighs up to 10 kg. When using these stoves, it's important to understand the following operating features:
- the stove is lit in the open air;
- Due to the pungent odor, it is not recommended to regularly use the device for heating living spaces;
- During regular use, it is necessary to clean the burner and change the filter.
Liquid fuel stoves are best used for non-residential areas of a summer house. They are best for heating garages and utility rooms.
Solid fuel heating devices
A solid fuel heating device can serve as both a primary and a secondary heating source. A distinctive feature of these boilers is the smoldering of wood. A solid fuel air-fired boiler is better than a liquid fuel boiler for a country house. The air-fired system operates like a fireplace and quickly fills the house with warmth. This boiler is frost-resistant. Solid fuel boilers can be equipped with a cooktop. This type of boiler can use coal or wood.
You may be interested in:Universal heating boilers
These types of boilers are compatible with a variety of fuels, ensuring the boiler will continue to operate even if the primary fuel is in short supply. This allows you to choose the most cost-effective fuel, saving money.
The main types of heating installations include:
- Gas and diesel fuel. The combination differs in fuel price. The advantage is that the only difference is the burner type. Switching between the two can be done in a minimum amount of time;
- Gas, diesel, and solid fuel. The device is a leader in reliability among competitors. The boiler is easy to assemble and has a minimum of parts that could break. Its advantages include a wide range of fuel options. Wood and coal are the primary fuels. Gas and diesel fuel are optional.
- Gas, diesel fuel, and electricity. Electricity is used more for maintaining the boiler system than for heating the building. The burner can be used with the boiler, which will reduce gas costs.
Positive aspects:
- constant heat even when there is a shortage of one of the fuel types;
- selection of fuel type based on its cost and financial capabilities.
Negative points:
- the price of the device will be significantly higher than the cost of a conventional boiler,
- There is only one main type of fuel, and auxiliary ones will not work as efficiently, which must be taken into account when choosing.
Gas heating
Gas heating for a summer house is a complex engineering system. Before installing expensive equipment, proper thermal insulation must be ensured. An ideal system should operate silently, efficiently, warmly, and discreetly. Gas equipment requires regular maintenance and preparation for the winter season. Maintenance must be performed by qualified specialists.
A hydronic system is best suited for gas heating. If the system will not be filled during the winter, the pipes must be filled with antifreeze. This will prevent the system from freezing. Installation of gas equipment includes the installation of radiators that will transfer their heat to the room. Heating system installation has its own specific requirements, which a specialist should advise you about.
In conclusion
The choice of heating system depends on your budget, how often you live at the dacha, and the layout of the space. If you plan to live at the dacha during the winter, consider gas, electric, or stove heating. If the house layout and utilities allow, you can use heated baseboards or underfloor heating. For short-term winter stays, you can use electric heaters, oil heaters, convectors, or heat guns. The main requirements for any heating device are safety, comfort, and ease of use.
Reviews
Arthur, 38 years old
I heat a 15-square-meter room at my dacha with two oil-filled heaters. It's suitable for short-term temporary stays. However, I plan to install a stove, as I plan to spend more time at the dacha in the winter.
Maxim Mikhailovich, 54 years old
After the gas price went up, I installed an electrode boiler that operates on the "Winter-Summer" principle. I'm happy with the boiler; it heats a 25-square-meter area perfectly. However, before installing the equipment, I insulated the dacha to better retain the heat.
Semyon, 40 years old
I initially considered installing a boiler, but realized the system would be expensive, and I'd have to live at the dacha to pay for it. So, I decided to heat the dacha with a homemade stove. I'm only at the dacha a few days during the winter, so this heating method suits me just fine.