The choice of a furnace for a bath is a responsible matter. It is important not to miscalculate and find the very "middle ground". After all, if it is decided to take a heater with a large supply of power, then it will warm up the room very quickly. But it’s impossible to take a steam bath - it will be impossible to keep the temperature of the air and stones at the right level. A low-power stove "pleases" the opposite problem: a long warm-up of the room. And, even if time does not seem to be a critical factor, it will be difficult to catch and keep the optimal temperature in the steam room.
Determination of the necessary heat transfer power
To avoid getting acquainted with temperature problems, it is enough to focus on the recommended 1 kW of power per 1 m3 of the room. True, there is a trick here: the classic calculation of the volume is not suitable. Yes, the calculation is based on the area and height of the steam room. But to them it is necessary to add the area of all “cold” elements multiplied by a factor of 1.2, whether it is a decorative wall cladding or a window.
For example: the length of the room is 2 m, the width is -1.5, the height is 2.2. There is a window of 60x60 cm. The wall near the stove is finished with ceramic tiles at a height of 80 cm, the total length of the finish is 1.5 m. To determine the required power, first calculate the volume of the room: 2 * 1.5 * 2.2 = 6.6 m3 . Then the sum of the areas of the window and tile: 0.6 * 0.6 + 0.8 * 1.5 = 0.36 + 1.2 = 1.56 m2. The result is multiplied by a coefficient: 1.56 * 1.2 = 1.872 m3 And the last step is the summation of the net volume and the estimated weighting, rounded to the nearest whole number: 6.6 + 1.872 = 8.472 = 9 m3.
If the door leading from the dressing room to the steam room is glass, the calculation result is additionally multiplied by a factor of 1.5.
With the result of the calculations, it is already possible to go to the store for a bath stove. But when buying, you should pay attention to one more point: it is important to choose a device with a small, approximately 1-2 kW or m3 reserve. If you look at the working volume recommended by the manufacturer, which is indicated with an overrun, then you should focus on a larger number in the range. For example, in the design case, a furnace with a working volume of 5-10 m3 will be enough. But 7-12 m3 is already a lot.
General selection criteria
The material of the furnace. Steel products are in increasing demand. Choosing this option, you should pay special attention to chrome that prevents burnout. The minimum indicator is 13%. The optimal 15-17%.
The higher the chromium content, the less metal is oxidized when heated. As a result: clean air and almost complete absence of scale.
Brick and cast iron variations are also good. But the masters who were able to correctly put the first, even in antiquity, were at odds. And the second is too heavy and rather fragile, which led to the loss of popularity.
Features of the location of the furnaceplay an important role in terms of ease of maintenance of the furnace. There are only 2 options.
- Extra long are designed for wall mounting. The laying of firewood or the control of the combustion process in this case is carried out from the dressing room.
- Conventional, when the firebox door practically does not protrude from the body, simplify the installation of equipment. But the constant running of the "responsible" for the stove significantly reduces the pleasure of visiting the bath.
The firebox door can be classic - all-metal. But choosing the option with an insert made of heat-resistant glass can significantly facilitate the control of the combustion process.
Steam source there may be stones heated to 500 ° C. When a small amount of heated water is splashed on them, a so-called "Fine" fine steam. It is much more useful than “wet” steam resulting from boiling water, for which a tank is provided in the heater design.
A stove with a water tank is more expensive. Among its advantages, it is worth noting that there is no need to supply hot water to the bathhouse, since it can be dialed directly from the boiler. But if this point is not critical, then lovers of wet steam can equip the bath with a stove with a simple heater and an electric steam generator.
Design must comply with fire safety standards and ensure ease of use. The main signs of a good stove:
- rapid heating of stones to 500 ° C and long-term maintenance of their temperature;
- heating the air in the steam room to 80 degrees under the ceiling for a maximum of half an hour in the summer, and for 2-2.5 hours at an ambient temperature below -10 ° C;
- lack of burning and soot in the steam room.
This is a necessary minimum. Water tank and other functions depend only on the wishes and financial capabilities of the future owner.
Type of oven determined by the design features of the heater, which is of two types.
- Open when the room warms up due to the heat given off by the stones. Of the benefits - quick warm up. Of the minuses - it also cools not for long.
- A closed heater will warm the bath longer, because the process is due to convection. But the heat lasts longer.
If the stove is selected for a small bath and a small number of users, then the open type is preferable. If on the contrary, it is better to choose a closed heater, since it will save on fuel.
Duration of work on one tab fuel depends on the efficiency of the furnace. In brick, it is 85%. Steel ones are higher - from 90%. The larger the number indicated by the manufacturer in the technical specifications, the more modest the energy consumption. And in the case of solid fuel furnaces, the efficiency indicates the intensity of the filling of the furnace: a higher percentage is equal to a lower frequency of opening the door.
Features of heating the room. When the walls of the furnace do not heat above 40-45 ° C, and the bath is heated by air circulation through special channels - this is a "cold" option. Its advantages:
- safety - the possibility of accidental burns is completely excluded;
- slow cooling down.
There is one drawback: it takes a lot of time to warm up.
Hot stoves heat the bath with heat generated by over-heated 100 ° C walls. Convenient, fast, efficient. But it is also easy to burn yourself, therefore it is recommended to create a protective barrier of brick around the furnace. Another disadvantage is that this version gets cold quickly.
Type of fuel, perhaps one of the main selection criteria. There are 3 types of stoves.
- Gas - profitable, since blue fuel is much cheaper than analogues. But only specialists can install and connect such a furnace to the network.
- Electric ones are the easiest to install and operate, but constantly rising electricity tariffs impede their popularization.
- Solid fuel - "eat" firewood, briquettes and even coal. Popular among owners of private houses, which are not connected to gas. A strong middle, if you look at the parameters "simplicity", "price" and "quality".
Features of choosing a wood stove
Design features allow you to subdivide the furnace into:
- classic, with one-piece casing;
- mesh (open heater);
- with a pre-installed steam generator;
- with a water tank.
Principle of operation. Distinguish furnaces of prolonged and periodic heating. The former are characterized by a relatively small load of stones, the heating temperature of which rarely exceeds 350 ° C. Watering such a heater with water is not recommended, as this can trigger soot emission. Periodic heating furnaces load more seriously. The flame directly heats the stones, so that a high temperature of about 500 ° C is reached. Watering them with water can be done safely, since at such temperatures the soot burns out completely.
Manufacturer. The leaders in the production of furnaces are Finland and Sweden. However, if cast iron variations are interesting, it is better to pay attention to Russian manufacturers.
Features of choosing an electric furnace
The advantages of electric furnaces can be described in one word - ease. Comparatively low construction weight, ease of installation, maintenance and operation are implied. It warms up quickly, and the heat radiates soft.
Key selection criteria:
- the power of the device, which depends on the parameters of the bath;
- energy efficiency affecting upcoming electricity costs;
- size and shape;
- type of heater.
When choosing an electric furnace, it is important to pay attention to the possibility of supplying an appropriate power line. For units with a power of up to 7 kW, a voltage of 220 V is sufficient. With more power, 380 V.
Features of choosing a gas furnace
Benefits and important design features. The gas oven is compact, which saves usable space in the bath. It does not require constant monitoring of fuel and makes it easy to adjust the temperature regime. Its use significantly reduces fuel costs, especially when compared with an electric furnace.
Installing a gas furnace requires special skills. Any initiative without an appropriate education is strictly prohibited.
Selection recommendations. The gas furnace for the bath should be equipped with a gas recirculation system. It is also worth giving preference to a modulating type burner, which automatically controls the fuel supply depending on current conditions. The heat carrier water should be warmed up to not more than 70 ° C.
Focusing on the listed items, you can without any hassle choose an oven for a bathhouse that will fully satisfy the needs of the owners. At the same time, it will be possible to significantly save the time spent on the choice, because it is already known what it is worth paying attention to in the first place.
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