Autonomous heating for multi-storey building

What is autonomous heating, how the process of connection looks like and what boiler is better to choose … These and other important questions we consider together with the experts of our company.

What is individual and autonomous heating

It may seem that autonomous is individual heating. But it is not so.

Autonomous heating is an own boiler room equipped in the residential complex or house. Thanks to the operation of the boiler room, there is heat and hot water in the apartments. In most cases, the owner of the apartment has the opportunity to adjust the temperature in his house, focusing on his own needs and costs.

Individual heating in the multi-storey building implies the equipment of the boiler directly in the apartment. In this article, we consider only the issues of autonomous heating – its features and advantages.

To organise autonomous heating, you can choose a boiler operating on gas, electricity, liquid or solid fuel. The most convenient options are electric or gas boiler. We will consider further the features and differences of these solutions. Meanwhile, we will discuss the connection and the necessary documentation for this.

Features of autonomous heating connection

According to the current legislation, autonomous heating can be connected only in the building with no more than 10 storeys. Connection features are presented below:

• In the building, signatures of all neighbours, which confirm their consent to disconnection from the centralised heating network are collected.
• The application with the minutes of the neighbours meeting and their signatures is submitted to the local government administration.
• Further the application is then submitted to the commission, which must consider the issue and make a final decision, and the local government administration receives it within 5 days. The applicant is given a copy of the document.
• In case of positive decision of the commission, the building is disconnected from centralised heating. After that and when the relevant certificate is signed, subscribers will no longer receive bills for payment of services.
• The next step is to work out a design that meets the legal requirements for building standards.
• In addition, it is necessary to prepare a special project under which the autonomous heating system will be implemented according to the peculiarities of the heat supply system in a particular locality.

After the bureaucratic issues are solved, it is possible to contact a company dealing with the equipment of autonomous heating.

List of works:

• Installation of the boiler in a multi-storey house or residential complex. If you have chosen an electric unit, it is absolutely necessary to check the power of the electric main.
• Then the boiler will be connected to the electric or gas network, pipes will be connected.
• Not always, but in some cases it may be necessary to replace radiators or pipes.

Types of autonomous heating

Both gas and electric autonomous heating is a convenient option, but each has its own features.

Gas heating

When choosing a gas boiler model, note that the boiler can run on liquefied carbon dioxide or methane gas. Important specifications are as follows:

• capacity;
• material of the heat exchanger (cast iron, copper, stainless steel);
• number of circuits (double-circuit heaters also provide water heating);
• type of housing;
• quality automatics for safe operation.

Electric heating

Electric boilers can be electrode, induction, with heating elements, double-circuit and single-circuit. They differ in size and power. It should be noted that in the event of power cut, the heating will also be switched off. Therefore, you will have to invest in the purchase of special equipment, providing for additional costs.

If we talk about safety, then electric boilers win. There can be no leaky places in the network, and also their principle of operation is simpler than in gas boilers.

What type of autonomous heating is better

Autonomous gas heating:

• higher costs for the installation of the equipment;
• higher risk if the boiler breaks down and the necessary work is not carried out in time;
• the need to carry out regular inspections to assess the technical condition and check the tightness of the installation;
• no risk of being left without heating in case of power failure.

Autonomous electric heating of the apartment:

• no risks associated with gas leaks;
• lower costs for installation of the equipment;
• there is a complete dependence on the electric main – if there is no light, there will be no heat.

So, autonomous heating – gas or electric? Both options have their own features. The decision is yours, but with the choice of the type of autonomous heating is better to contact the professionals.