Selection and installation of a water heater under the sink

A small water heater installed under the sink in the kitchen or bathroom saves space in small rooms. It is hard to imagine that in the last century, people living in private houses had to manually heat water to wash the dishes and solve basic household tasks. Today, the ability to install a water heater under the sink allows you to make life much more comfortable. Such equipment is installed not only in private houses, where there is no hot water supply at all, but also in well-equipped apartments, where there are failures with water supply.

Why install small water heaters

There are several reasons for installing such equipment; the choice of a suitable model largely depends on them.

1. In case of complete lack of hot water. In such rooms, not only a small water heater can be installed under a small sink, but also a large storage tank for a bath.
2. For use in the summer season. Every year in many cities in the summer hot water is routinely turned off for the diagnosis and repair of water highways. In order not to experience difficulties with the constant heating of domestic water, many people install this type of equipment in their apartments.
3. In case of sudden emergency shutdown hot water, when the house can be carried out construction work or replacement of pipes. In this case, it is recommended to use devices of small volume. The ten-liter water heater can easily fit in both under the sink and on the wall and will not take any trouble. In addition, it is worth noting that most often they are produced in classic colors that will not spoil the aesthetic look of the space.

Types of water heaters for installation under the sink

In fact, to make a choice that in the future will not have to regret, it is necessary to decide for what purpose the water heater will be used. From this depends largely on the type of purchased device. Each water heater consists of two pipes and heating elementwhich turns cold water into hot.

Electrical equipment is more popular because gas burners in many rooms cannot be installed due to design features.

Depending on the principles of operation, electric water heaters are divided into two types:

• flow;
• cumulative.

Flow through

In a flow-through device, the water, passing through a powerful heating element, immediately enters the faucet. Accordingly, the power of heating elements in such a device is high and amounts to 3 - 27 kW. Not every wiring is able to withstand such a load: in old houses the machine is also cut down at 5 kW. New and serviceable electrical network can withstand the device, designed for no more than 12 kW. For more powerful equipment required three phase connection.

Flow type water heater

Accumulative

Cumulative option, unlike the flow, has small capacity for storing water supplies, so they take up more space under the sink, and their cost is higher. But they benefit from flow-through performance, because the water in the storage tank is first heated for some time, and only then is fed into the faucet.

In addition, the power of their heating element below. For example, in capacitive devices from leading manufacturers Thermex and Gorenje, 15 liters of heating elements are installed, the rated power of which ranges from 1.5 to 2.5 kW. Accordingly, such equipment is suitable for connection to a conventional power supply.

If the flow-through device heats the entire flow of water at once and, depending on the power of the heating element, can heat up to 30-40 degrees (depending on the season) from 1.8 to 4 liters, then the storage boiler will take some time. In the case of water consumption, the tank enters the cold, where it mixes with the already heated. If the heating element is not given some time, the outlet water temperature will gradually decrease.

Hot water cylinder

How to choose the size of the boiler under the sink

For installation under the sink, both a small-sized storage water heater, such as the Thermex Hit series for 10 or 15 liters, and a device with a flow-through principle of operation, are suitable. Of course, in the case of installation of the second option, there will be more free space, but not every wiring will withstand its powerful heating element, and the use of such a device will affect more on electricity bills.

As for the boilers that can be installed under the sink, they differ in the volume of the water storage tank.

1. Ten-liter option suitable for a small family, no more than two people. For one person, such a supply of water may even seem redundant, but in this case, you can save money on energy waste. It is worth noting that if the tank is not turned off after each application, then you can see a tangible difference in the accounts. If you plan to install a tank for one person, then, as the best option, flow-through may be suitable.
2. Fifteen liter the option is perfect for a private house or apartment, where the family has one child of middle age.If the baby is still small, care for him will require more water, and in this case the tank may not cope with a large load.
3. Twenty liter The model today is considered one of the most optimal and sought after. If you carefully use the water supply, you can easily take even a shower to two adults, which is extremely important if the family lives in a private house. In this kitchen you can safely do all the necessary things, as there is enough water at any cost, even the most impressive. According to experts, this volume is enough to wash all the dishes after a wide feast, designed for five people.

If the active use of a water heater is meant for a large number of people, and there is no possibility to install a capacitive device, it is better to install a flow-through version under the sink. It can heat water in the required volume without restrictions. However, in this case it is worth understanding that the power consumption can grow several times. It all depends on how effectively it will be used.

Why need safety and check valves

Reliable water heater under the sink should be equipped security team, which includes a pressure regulator - it protects the device from water hammer. If the pressure in the network exceeds 4.5 atm, then for devices with a small tank in front of the safety valve it is better to additionally install a pressure reducer. To collect excess water between the valve and the main tank, you can mount the expansion tank. Its formation occurs when water is heated, since it expands under the influence of a heating element.

Check valve cumulative boiler performs several tasks.

1. Prevents water from flowing back into the mains. It guarantees complete filling of the tank. Otherwise, the heating element, which is not completely in the water, will fail during operation.
2. Emergency option to drain the water from the tank. For example, for dismantling or repair.
3. Protects the inner tank from bursting. This situation is possible when the thermal relay does not work due to a malfunction, and the heating element continues to heat the water up to boiling. Under the influence of high temperature and steam, the sealing of the tank can be broken.

It is installed during installation of the water heater at the cold water inlet to the boiler. In the event of a malfunction, the user will notice that hot water will flow from the cold tap. If such a situation is detected, an emergency repair of the protective device should be carried out. Otherwise, the consumer will pay for heating the waste water.

Safety valve

Sink Water Heater Manufacturers

When buying it is recommended to pay attention to the country of origin. As a rule, the most economical option is Chinese production, but after a small amount of time it will be necessary to replace the main parts, which will lead to additional expenses. Such manufacturers include Polaris, Ballu. However, it is these economical options that are the most popular today. More reliable are the models of German, Swiss or domestic production, for example Thermex, Electrolux, AEG, Gorenje.

How to install a water heater under the sink

In most cases, all materials necessary for the installation and connection of such equipment are included in the kit.If necessary, missing items should be purchased before installation. For example, in many budget models no check valve.

The installation process looks like this.

1. Water heater nozzles are equipped with stop valves.
2. A protective check valve is installed on the cold water pipe, a tap is placed on it, then an adapter to a metal-plastic pipe.
3. Only a tap and an adapter to a metal-plastic pipe are installed on the hot water pipe. Instead of polypropylene tubes can be used and flexible liner, which is most often included in the kit, but the first option is more reliable. In addition, metal pipes have a larger diameter, which reduces pressure and improves the flow of water.
4. Dismantling of the flexible hoses of the mixer and installation of tees to the point of water intake after the closing valves on the water supply system is being carried out. From the cold water supply pipe - to supply to the boiler, hot - to switch when the hot water is turned off.
5. Connecting the tank with the appropriate connections. In the process, it is necessary to seal all connections.
6. To prevent puddles on the floor from the safety valve, it is best to install a drain from the drain pipe with a drain to a sewer or any container.
7. Since this is an electrical equipment, an outlet should be connected to the water heater. To protect equipment in the shield should be provided local automaton.

It is possible to set the desired water temperature and connect the heating elements of the heater only when the tank is completely filled.

Water heater under the sink - this is the best option for small spaces. The type of equipment, capacitive or flow, is selected in accordance with the purpose of the device and the number of consumers. Installation is simple, but if a person has never dealt with plumbing equipment, it is better to entrust the work to qualified craftsmen.