Types of water heaters and their brief description

Devices for heating water today are relevant not only for private homes, but also for well-equipped apartments, so the question of what kind of water heaters are and what model to choose, most consumers care about. In many respects, the chosen model of the water heater also depends on the design features of the equipment and on the goals that the person who sets it in his house depends on. Consider the main types of water heaters and their features.

Basic classification

Water heating equipment is divided into types for several reasons.

Depending on the heating method waters are:

• accumulative;
• flow-through.

Depending on the energy source:

• electrical;
• gas.

The principle of operation of electric storage water heaters

This type of equipment has a second name - boilers. They are available in various shapes, sizes and differ from each other in the type of installation. But the basic principle of the structure and work of this type is similar. They are a metal tank, on the inner side having a thermal insulating layer. Installed inside a heating element (TEN) and a temperature regulator (temperature sensor). Water comes from the water supply. Connects such equipment to a regular outlet. When the heating element heats the water to the temperature set by the user, it will work thermostatand the water will stop heating. If you leave the water heater turned on, it will maintain a certain thermal water level.

Types of storage water heaters by type of internal tanks

When choosing a storage water heater, it is important to pay special attention to the material from which the inner tank is made. First of all, he needs corrosion protectionbecause it is in constant contact with water. There are three types:

• with plastic tanks;
• with enamel tanks or glass-ceramic;
• with titanium tanks or stainless steel.

The first type is considered the most budget option - plastic by itself cheap stuff. But such tanks have a short service life, since at high temperatures the water can be easily deformed.

Bucky with enamelled use leading manufacturers in different price categories of this equipment. The main drawback is microcracks. They can be formed in the process of continuous operation of the device at high temperatures of heating water.

To extend the service life, it is best to set the mode to no more than 60 degrees.

It is worth noting that leading manufacturers use modern technology to increase the strength of the coating tank, without increasing the cost of their products. For example, the manufacturer of such equipment TIMBERK uses innovative technology SmartEN. This increases the mechanical strength even at high temperatures. And included in the coating silver and copper ions give the inner tank cleansing and antibacterial properties. This technology is used in the TIMBERK SWH FE5 series of 50 and 80 liters.

Water heater Timberk SWH FE6 80H

The most durable water heaters with titanium tanks or stainless steel. Their price is higher, but the service life is longer. They are not afraid of high temperatures and corrosion. Such tanks are installed in water heaters of leading manufacturing companies Termex, Gorenje.

Forms, sizes and type of control of boilers

The modern market of the equipment under consideration provides consumers with a huge selection of various types of electric boilers.

1. Different volume - most often buy models from 10 to 100 liters.
2. Different shape: round, flat, square. Round water heaters up to 30 liters are very popular, they are usually installed in the kitchen. If a larger model is required, for a bathroom, then the flat version will take up less space. It can easily be mounted on a free wall or above the toilet.
   
3. Vertical and horizontal. Most often, consumers prefer the first option. Before choosing it is necessary to determine the place of installation. Horizontal models are better to install over the door or other sanitary equipment.
4. By type of management: mechanical and electronic. The second option has the ability to fine tune, set the automatic shutdown or on. Such models are often equipped with a small screen.

The principle of operation of electric instantaneous water heaters

This equipment allows you to heat water directly at the time of its passage through the device. Fast heating of the water is facilitated by a high power heating element installed inside. And the more it is, the higher the performance of the device. For example, the model of the manufacturer THERMEX of the Stream series with a capacity of 3.5 heats every minute about three liters of tap water to 40 degrees.

Depending on the model, the power rating varies from 3 to 27 kW.

It is worth paying attention to this indicator when buying: install and connect to a conventional power grid can only equipment whose power does not exceed 12 kW (with modern wiring). Over already need three phase power supply.

The main advantage of these types of water heaters - compact dimensions and light weight, they are easy to install over the kitchen faucet or in the shower. The kit, as a rule, includes not only a faucet, but also a shower.

Accumulative gas boilers

By the principle of operation and structure, they resemble electric types of water heaters. The outer metal case, the inner tank also has a protective coating, only acts as a source of energy gas-burner. Such equipment provides for operation on liquefied or main gas, including on a weak stream, does not require connection to the electrical network.

It is worth noting that this species is less popular than its electric competitor. This is due to the high price, large size and the ability to install not in all homes. But, according to experts, the high price of such equipment will pay off during its operation, since gas, as an energy source, much more economical than electricity.

Depending on the features of the structure, such equipment is divided into two types:

• with a closed combustion chamber;
• with an open combustion chamber.

In the first case, no additional equipment is required for air removal, which means installation will be cheaper.

As well as electric boilers, they can be:

• wall-mounted - from 10 to 100 liters (for example, models Ariston SGA series);
• floor-standing - from 120 and more liters (as models of the Ariston NHRE series).

The gas structure also provides a control system with a choice of temperature conditions, is equipped with a thermostat to maintain the required temperature, shows how much hot water is left in the tank. Such equipment must be necessarily equipped security system.

Geysers

These are flowing gas water heaters of direct heating. By design, they are similar to electrical devices, only the gas burner acts as a power source, which is responsible for heating the water passing through the coil. The work is carried out due to the powerful energy released during the combustion of gas. The burner is connected after opening the faucet, through electrical ignition or a igniter, which burns with a constant small flame.

This design is quite compact, it can be installed under the sink or behind the bathroom. But the main advantage of gas flow equipment over electronic - high power. It varies from 17 to 30 kW. In this case, the cost of operation is less because of the cheapness of raw materials.

If the owner of the house can carry out the installation of electrical equipment independently, then only experienced specialists should deal with the installation of gas structures.

Different types of water heaters are available to the modern consumer. They all differ in the type of energy source, the method of heating water, volume, shape, control, and other design features. The choice of a particular model depends on the installation site and the tasks that this equipment will have to cope with.