The right choice of water heater

Among the huge number of models of boilers on the market, it is quite difficult to determine the choice of a suitable unit. How to choose the right water heater among this set?

Types of water heaters

Before choosing a boiler, you need to decide on your needs, and think about the needs for which the unit will be used. All devices are divided into several types:

• electric, flow type;
• electrical storage type;
• flowing gas;
• accumulative gas;
• devices of indirect type.

Electric flow units

A distinctive feature of flowing electric water heaters is their compact and easy installation. This is an ideal option for a country house. Also, such a unit is easy to arrange in the bathroom, in the kitchen cupboard or under the sink.

The water in this apparatus is heated by the built-in powerful heating elements located in a small tank through which the fluid passes. When water comes into contact with the heating element, it quickly heats up and goes to the place of consumption. The only drawback of such boilers is that they have more power up to 8 kW and above: not all wiring in the house can withstand such a load. Therefore, for a flow-through unit, it is necessary to pull a separate cable from the electrical panel, and select the wire cross-section taking into account the load in a particular situation.

The disadvantages also include high electricity consumption.

Electric storage boilers

This is the most common and popular type of apparatus. The choice of such a water heater for an apartment can be considered the best option. Electric storage water heater not only heats the liquid to the required temperature, but also keeps the water hot for a long time,as in a thermos. Heat stored by thick insulation between the tank and the external tank of the device. Heated water is sufficient for use at several points simultaneously. TEN (tubular electric heater) is used as the heat source in the unit. Warm water rises and goes to the consumer through a drain pipe, the fence which is located in the upper part.

For storage devices, there are several recommendations on how to choose the right boiler, based on the design features:

• tank material;
• types of heaters - “wet” and “dry”.

Inner tank material

Modern boilers are equipped with an internal tank with glass ceramic coating. Such a coating protects the tank from corrosion, but is very sensitive to temperature changes, as a result of which microcracks can form. But there are devices with containers made from of stainless steel, or from it, but covered with a layer of titanium enamel. Since the water in the tank is constantly, then over time, corrosion of the welds is inevitable. To extend the life of the internal tanks in the units are installed magnesium anodes (metal rods with magnesium coating). Therefore, before choosing a water heater, pay attention to the material of the tank and its internal coating.

If we consider that the model with stainless steel tanks is guaranteed for 7-10 years, then the choice of such a water heater for an apartment is preferable.

Varieties of heaters

“Wet” TEN similar to a regular boiler. It consists of a copper tube into which a nichrome spiral embedded in a dielectric is embedded.

During operation of the heater, as in the case of the boiler, the accumulation of scale is inevitable. And if the water in the pipeline has an increased rigidity, then the surface of the tube will very quickly become covered with bloom, as a result of which the heat transfer will be lost. The heater will start to overheat, and eventually it will burn out. Consequently, in areas where water has high hardness indicators, it is not recommended to install boilers with open heaters. Therefore, before you choose an electric boiler for an apartment, you should consider the chemical composition of water. In addition, the open parts of the heater enter into a galvanic reaction with the internal tank, from which it undergoes electrochemical destruction.

“Dry” heaters do not have contact with liquid in the tank. They can be different in design, but they are united by the fact that heaters are installed in special tubes, soldered to the flange, or a protective flask, also mounted on the flange, which is tightly attached to the bottom of the tank.

As a result, boilers with “dry” heaters have a longer service life, provided they work with hard water. Although the scale is collected on protective covers, but it takes more time compared to open heating elements. Therefore, preventive maintenance and descaling is required 1 time in 2 years. Also due to reducing electrochemical corrosion, the internal tanks of the devices are longer in working condition, provided that the magnesium anode has not been developed (it is necessary to check during the prevention).

Flowing gas

Gas heaters flow type (geysers), most often used in the private sector, where there is a supply line of gas, water and the house has a chimney. But before choosing a boiler for the house, in this case a gas one, it should be taken into account that it is necessary to contact the gas service for obtaining permissionand then to connect the device.It will also be necessary to make a wiring for water.

The liquid in such a device is heated by passing it through a heat exchanger located in the case of a gas column. In turn, the heat exchanger is heated by the gas burning in the chamber.

Accumulative gas

As an alternative to the gas column for a private house, you can purchase a gas storage unit. The only difference between them is that in the water heater (accumulative) there is a container for the liquid. The water in the tank is also heated by the combustion of the gas. Heating temperature thermostat controlswhich shuts off the gas supply if the liquid has reached the right temperature.

The advantage of such an apparatus over flow through is that the system constantly has hot water, and you do not need to turn on the column for heating each time, which ensures a more economical gas consumption.

Indirect heating units

The device of indirect heating has no built-in heat sources. The water in the tank is heated from external sources. Most often, the source is liquid from the heating system, which, passing through a heat exchanger (coil), transfers energy to the water in the tank.

Due to the use of external heat carriers, the choice for a boiler for indirect heating will be an economical option, since gas and electricity are not consumed. But it should be noted that this type of device has a high cost. And their volume can reach up to 1000 liters. Indirect heating boiler rationally used in large houses (if the number of households is more than 6 people), institutions, cafes, canteens and restaurants, where a considerable consumption of hot water is expected.

In the indirect installation of heating elements is possible, after which it turns into a cumulative electrical apparatus.

Unit power

The heating time of the liquid in the tank to the required parameters depends on the power used by the heater in the device. Before you choose an electric water heater, you should know that they are leading the way. gas heating devices. They tend to heat water 2 times faster than counterparts with heating elements. Not to mention the indirect water heaters, the liquid in which heats up even more slowly.

Into an electric storage water heater, 2 heating elements of lower power are often built in to increase the speed of operation or one, but powerful.The total recommended power should be 2 kW. On heating water up to 50 degrees, on average, it takes from 2 to 4 hours, depending on the volume of the tank. Hence, low-power devices should be bought if the need for hot water is not high.

Water heater tank capacity

What water heater, and with what volume to choose for the house? The solution of this question should be top priority. Many make the mistake of buying a large volume when buying, guided by the thought “the more, the better”. But, in fact, you will receive unjustified power consumption, since the device will spend more time on heating water than a similar one - smaller. In addition, the dimensions of such a device will take up more space, and therefore should be guided by their needs. The figures below show the approximate indicators that should be used to select the volume of the unit. They depend on how many people will use hot water.

1. For one man The choice of a water heater with a volume of 10 to 30 liters will suffice, provided that you have to use one or the other: either a sink or a shower.
   
2. Choosing a 50-80 liter boiler will satisfy the need for hot water. couples.
   
3. If in the house 3 households, you already need a storage water heater of 80-100 liters.
   
4. For four people The purchase of a device with a volume of 100 to 120 liters is recommended.
   
5. For a family in which 5 or more people, it is necessary to purchase a device with a higher volume - 150 liters or more.

Also for a large family of 7-8 people, if it is a private house, the choice of water heater (accumulative) indirect heating will be more rational. Among floor models You can choose the unit with the desired capacity, capable of providing hot water the whole family. Buying a household device indirect heating can decide the question, what is the best water heater to choose for a private home? For a better understanding of how much water is consumed per day, you can use the table below.

Water heater shape

The shape of the cumulative boilers are: cylindrical and square (flat).

Cylindrical

Most buyers, choosing a water heater for an apartment, opt for a cylindrical shape models for vertical placement.They have the following advantages:

• devices are compact and do not take up much space;
• cylindrical shape has a maximum contact area.

There are also narrow apparatus in the form of a cylinder, the so-called slim water heaters (from the English “slim” - thin). They differ in diameter (from 38 cm and less) from standard units having a circumference of 45-52 cm. At the same time, in order to increase capacity, the manufacturer increased their height.

Slim-unit is very convenient in small apartments of the old building, in which there are very close bathrooms and space in the kitchen is limited. This parameter is convincing for choosing such a small diameter electric water heater for such housing. However, it can work with the same power as the standard one, and has the same capacity due to the conversion of the usable space into height.

The disadvantage of slim units is that some manufacturers, to increase the volume of the inner tank without increasing the outer diameter, reduce the insulation layer. Because of this, the liquid in the tank cools faster, and the device is forced to turn on more often.

Flat

Flat models are no different from Slim their parameters. The accumulative water heater of a flat shape takes up little space, has a nice design, fits well with the interior. Since such devices hiding in lockers in the kitchen or in the bathroom, it is easy to choose the thickness of the device required for this.

There are also models for horizontal placement. But the cost of such devices is higher than the vertical ones. Such placement allows maximum use of free space, especially if it is limited to a small room.

When choosing a suitable unit for home use, it is important to find a compromise, based on rationality, so as not to damage the facilities and financial savings.