How to choose an electric water heater. Video - Choosing a water heater

Can you present your everyday life without hot water? We think not. by the most the best assistant in this difficult matter, of course, there will be a boiler (water heater) designed to provide hot water and heat supply. And immediately a quite reasonable question arises - how, in fact, to do right choice? Let's try together to figure out what is right for your home.

At choosing a boiler(water heater) should carefully evaluate the main indicators:

• Boiler type
• Type of heater;
• Power;
• Housing material

Let's start with the main parameter - the type of boiler (water heater).

Type

Currently, boilers are of three main types:

• accumulative;
• flowing;
• bulk

Depending on the source of energy, boilers can be: gas and electric.

Most homes use an electric boiler. Such a device operates from a conventional electrical network, while not requiring additional connection to the power lines of the power supply. It's pretty convenient. However, in some regions, in order to save money, gas boilers are chosen or, with high operational characteristics, which are not inferior to their electrical counterparts. Gas boilers exist with open and closed cells. Therefore, when choosing this device It is also worth considering the funds that you are willing to spend to ensure that buy a boiler.

Since most consumers still prefer electric water heaters, so today we will talk about the choice of just such devices.

storage boiler

storage water heater- this is a special tank filled cold water, which is supplied under a certain pressure, for further heating to set temperature with the help of TEN. In a device of this type, the temperature range can be from 45 to 85 C˚. Temperature control is carried out both manually and with the help of an electronic control unit. If the heated water has not been used completely, it gradually cools down to room temperature. Storage boilers can be gas and electric. In addition, such devices can be presented in both horizontal and vertical versions. Installation of storage boilers is carried out exclusively on the wall.

Advantages

• large volume of water;
• low power consumption;
• no additional wiring required during installation;

disadvantages

• impressive dimensions of the tank;
• slow water heating

The flow boiler, unlike the storage analogue, has small dimensions, providing heating of large volumes of water. Such a device is able to maintain a temperature regime of 60 C˚. Water heating in flow boilers carried out using a spiral heating element, covered with a special insulating coating. Control temperature regime carried out using the control unit. As in the case of a storage boiler, the flow-through version of the water heater can also be electric and gas. Due to the relatively small size, instantaneous water heater allows various installation options - in the kitchen (above or below the sink), in the bathroom (above or near it), hidden option (in the wall).

Advantages

• fast and timely heating of a large volume of water;
• reliable tank and ergonomic dimensions (does not take up much space);

disadvantages

• excessive power consumption (if using electric version boiler);

This type of water heater, as a rule, is installed in houses, in the absence of a central cold water supply system - cottages, towns, villages. Bulk boiler is a special tank with a top lid, into which cold water manually. As a rule, such a boiler is equipped with a special thermostat on the side, which allows you to set the desired temperature. Bulk boiler can maintain a temperature in the range from 25 to 80 C˚. The heating element of the bulk boiler is located under the tap, which prevents its possible failure. Bulk boilers can be of two types: kitchen boilers and shower boilers.

Advantages

• perfect option for countryside in the absence of centralized cold water supply;
• tank ergonomics;
• low cost

disadvantages

• possible overheating of the heating element

tank shape

The shape of the tank is not an important parameter for choosing a boiler, but we will still consider it. Water heaters can be produced in three basic tank shapes: cylindrical, thin (or slim) and rectangular.

The next parameter to consider when choosing a boiler is the volume of the tank.

Boiler selection by tank volume is a priority, because you can immediately determine special purpose device. When choosing the volume of the tank, first of all, it is worth deciding on the volume of water that will be required to meet the daily needs of your family.

To correctly calculate the required tank volume, you can use the following data from the table below.

Modern water heaters differ depending on the volume of the tank: 400, 300, 200, 150, 120, 100, 80, 50, 30, 15, 10, 5. Choosing a boiler, it is worth considering the needs of each family member in the daily use of hot water.

Water heaters with a tank volume of 5 to 15 liters can be installed in the bathroom (for washing hands) and kitchens (for washing dishes), from 30 to 100 liters - for a bath (shower / bath), from 150 to 400 liters - for hot water supply Houses.

Based on the number of family members, experts advise choosing the following tank volumes:

• for 1-2 people - 30 and 50 liters;
• for 3 people - 50 and 80 liters;
• for 4-5 people - 80 and 100 liters;
• for 5-7 people - 120-150 l

Heating element type

TENY are intended for water heating in electric boilers. IN modern models appliances, the following two types of heating elements can be installed:

• dry heating elements;
• wet heating elements

Dry heating elements are a heating element placed in a protective tube (glass, mineral or ceramic). Such heating elements are more reliable and durable than dry heating elements due to their resistance to corrosion and scale formation. They also differ in high cost.

Wet heating elements are also called submersible, because they are located directly in the water. Outwardly, such a heating element is very similar to the boiler that we all once used. This type of heating element is prone to corrosion and damage, frequent breakdowns and overheating. However, the cost of such a heater is more attractive compared to a dry heating element.

For guaranteed protection of the water heater from corrosion processes, manufacturers equip the devices with a special sacrificial anode (it contributes to the oxidation and dissolution of corrosion and salt deposits on the installed heater).

In addition, almost all boiler models are equipped with a thermostat for temperature control and a thermometer with a temperature indicator in the tank.

next no less important parameter boiler selection is its power.

Power

The power of the device affects, first of all, the rate of water heating. And this means that the more powerful the boiler, the faster it is able to heat the required amount of water. For most boiler models, the power is 1.5 kW. At the same time, some manufacturers offer consumers boilers with a capacity of 1.4 kW and 2.0 kW.

Housing material

Before as choose a boiler for the home, you should carefully study other characteristics, such as the material of the case. The body of the boiler can be made of glassware, titanium alloy or stainless steel. The material plays enough important role when choosing, because the degree of protection of the tank against corrosion depends on its quality, and, accordingly, determines the overall service life of the product.

Boilers with inner coating made of glass porcelain and enamel. Tanks with enamel coating are much cheaper, however, and the service life of such devices is not long. When exposed to high temperatures, the enamel begins to crack, which means that such a boiler will soon become unusable. Water heaters with tank of stainless steel are more reliable and durable, as well as more resistant to corrosion. It is also worth noting that in boilers with a tank made of stainless steel, the walls are thinner, susceptible to possible water hammer (pressure drops), which often have Negative influence on the reliability of the whole structure.

At choosing a boiler it would not be superfluous to inquire about its heat-insulating layer, which is designed to maintain high temperature water in the tank without additional heating.

As you can see, before buy a boiler, it is worth stocking up on some baggage of information in order to be able to make the right choice in the future. Remember, the main thing is not the appearance, but the quality! We sincerely hope that with this article about, we were able to replenish the necessary baggage of your knowledge in order for you to do bargain purchase! Happy searching!

No one wants to be left without hot water, for example, because it is turned off in the summer. the only way out in such a situation is the organization of an autonomous supply of heated water. It can be arranged different ways, the most common of which is the purchase of a boiler. The article talks about how to choose the right boiler.

The principle of operation of boilers depends on their type. Let's consider what they are.

Boiler types

Boilers with indirect heating. They are usually installed in addition to single-circuit boilers and use heat from the water heated by them. They do not have built-in sources of thermal energy. As a rule, heating comes from the water of a single-circuit boiler, in addition to which, these devices are installed. They are expensive and heat up slowly.

IN storage electric boilers water is heated by heating elements in a special heat-insulated (so as not to cool) tank.

Flowing electric boilers have compact dimensions, water is heated almost immediately, but consume a lot of electricity.

Flowing gas boilers called known to all, ordinary geysers. Water is heated by a gas burner.

IN storage gas boilers water is heated in a special container, as a result of which gas consumption is more economical. Other fundamental differences from geysers at storage gas boilers no.

The most popular, affordable and at the same time durable are electric boilers. accumulative type.

Electric storage water heaters

As mentioned above, the heat source in them is a tubular electric heater (TEH). Electric boilers differ primarily in the type of heating elements - wet / dry, as well as in the material of the tank.
Wet heater, this is, in fact, a boiler built into the tank. If the water is hard, the boiler is very quickly covered with scale and can overheat, moreover, due to a galvanic reaction with the walls of the inner tank, the heating element is gradually but surely destroyed. To reduce the galvanic reaction, an electrochemical protection system based on a magnesium (rarely zinc) anode is used in the tanks.
Closed (dry) heating elements, as the name implies, do not have direct contact with water. They are protected either by special tubes soldered to the flange or by a flask. Scale, of course, is also formed on the protective flask, and this does not happen as intensively as in the case of wet heating elements. Maintenance of storage electric boilers is required once or twice a year.

Geyser

Geyser

Flowing gas boilers are characterized by high performance, affordable cost and easy maintenance. Work both on the main, and on bottled gas.
First, the combustion gas heats the heat exchanger, which in turn heats the water passing through it. The main disadvantages of gas water heaters are the need for a chimney, complex and expensive installation, a high fire hazard compared to electrical counterparts, and the need to collect all kinds of permits and documents for installation.
Combustion chambers, gas boilers can be open or closed type. The latter does not require auxiliary air supply. The highest efficiency for gas heaters of the first type.
Gas boilers can be with piezo ignition, electric ignition and hydro generator.
For the first case, an igniter is needed, in the second, a battery is required, boilers with a hydro generator turn on in the same way as the second, when the tap is turned, but they do not need batteries.
It will not be possible to choose the right boiler if you do not calculate its power and tank volume in advance.

Power

Approximate formula for calculating boiler power
P=Q*(T1-T2)*0.73
where Q is the water flow rate through the boiler (l/min), T1 is the temperature of the incoming water, T2 is the temperature of the outgoing water.
More about calculating the boiler power in

Electric boilers are the smallest. Those whose power does not exceed 3 kW can operate from a conventional power supply. back side medals - slow heating of water by electric boilers.
The power of most gas boilers is about 7 kW.

Volume of the tank

For those who live alone, 10-30 liters is enough.
For a young family without children, a 50-80 liter tank is suitable.
On the three people You need a tank with a volume of about 100 liters.
If 5 or more people live in the house, then for comfortable living capacity required
over 150 l.

How long it takes to heat a particular volume of water, you can find out from the instructions for a particular model.

The form

There are boilers of cylindrical shape, rectangular and so-called Slim units. The latter are cylinders with a diameter of no more than 38 cm, greatly elongated to increase capacity.
Cylindrical boilers are the most common. Rectangular, or flat as they are sometimes called, save space and are better in design.
Most boilers can only be positioned vertically, horizontal, or those that can be installed in any position, are more expensive, but fit better into the design of the room and save more space.
If you were unable to fully understand how to choose the right boiler, watch the video. After that, for sure, everything will become clear.

In contact with

Last update: 04-01-2019

On the Yandex market, more detailed information is in one place: boiler models, sellers, reviews, etc. The main thing is to choose options that are suitable, then it’s easier to search for shops in your city.

Important! Do not trust all the reviews that are written on the sites. Your best bet is to look for the negatives and see if there are details there.

Just laudatory at least do not say anything, as a maximum - purchased.

Compare options for water heaters

click on the picture to enlarge

Water heater prices vary quite a lot. start from 3,000 rubles and end with an amount of almost 30,000 rubles. It remains to choose, for this we put a tick "compare"(under the picture of the model), and on the right side we can then go to the comparison page.

We consistently remove everything that does not fit, leave a couple of boilers, in case the selected model cannot be found in stores.

click on the picture to enlarge

Since at the first purchase there is still a chance to do not optimal choice, then for myself personally I prefer to buy a cheap model first.

So you can see what is missing, what is not convenient, and after a while, replace it with more suitable option. After all, if you buy an expensive water heater, understand that it does not suit you and eventually change it to a new one, it is very expensive.

As you can see, choosing a water heater is not such a difficult process.

It remains to buy the model you like in one of the stores, and if not, then order it.

Ask your questions in the comments to the article, I will try to answer.

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

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

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

Electric flow units

A distinctive feature of flowing electric water heaters is their compact and easy to install. This is the perfect option for country house. Also, such a unit is easy to place in the bathroom, in kitchen cabinet or under the sink.

The water in this device is heated by a built-in powerful heating element located in a small tank through which the liquid 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 every wiring in the house can withstand such a load. Therefore, for the flow unit, it is necessary to pull a separate cable from electrical panel, and select the wire cross-section taking into account the load in a particular situation.

The disadvantages can also be attributed to the high consumption of electricity.

Electric storage boilers

This is the most common and popular type of device. The choice of such a water heater for an apartment can be considered the best option. An electric storage water heater not only heats the liquid to the required temperature, but also keeps the water hot for a long time, like in a thermos. Heat is retained by thick thermal insulation between the tank and the external tank of the device. Heated water is enough for use at several points at the same time. As a heat source in the unit, a heating element (tubular electric heater) is used. warm water rises and exits to the consumer through drain pipe, the fence of which is located at the top.

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

• tank material;
• types of heating elements - “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 also devices with containers made of of stainless steel, or from it, but covered with a layer of titanium enamel. Since water is constantly in the tank, corrosion of the welds is inevitable over time. To extend the service life of the internal tanks, the units are equipped with magnesium anodes(metal rods coated with magnesium). Therefore, before choosing a water heater, pay attention to the material of the tank and its internal coating.

Considering that models with stainless steel tanks are guaranteed for 7-10 years, then the choice of such a water heater for an apartment is preferable.

Varieties of heating elements

“Wet” heater looks like a normal kettle. It consists of copper tube, which is embedded nichrome spiral filled with a dielectric.

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

"Dry" heating elements have no contact with the liquid in the tank. They can be different in design, but they are united by the fact that the heaters are installed in special tubes soldered to the flange, or a protective flask, also installed on the flange, which is hermetically attached to the bottom of the tank.

As a result, boilers with “dry” heaters have a longer service life when working with hard water. Although scale is also collected on protective covers, it takes more time compared to open heating elements. That's why preventive maintenance and descaling is required to be carried out 1 time in 2 years. Also due to reduction of electrochemical corrosion, the internal tanks of the devices are longer in working order, provided that the magnesium anode has not been exhausted (it is required to check during maintenance).

Flow gas

Flow type gas heaters (geysers) are most often used in the private sector, where there is a gas and water supply and there is a chimney in the house. But before choosing a boiler for the house, in this case gas, you should consider that you will have to contact gas service for obtaining permission, and then to connect the device. It will also be necessary to make wiring for water.

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

Accumulative gas

As an alternative to a gas water heater for a private house, you can purchase a storage gas unit. The only difference between them is that there is a container for liquid in the water heater (accumulative). The water in the tank is heated in the same way, from the combustion of gas. heating temperature thermostat controls, which turns off the gas supply if the liquid has heated up to the desired temperature.

The advantage of such a device over a flow one is that heated water is constantly present in the system, and it is not necessary to turn on the heating column every time, which ensures more economical gas consumption.

Indirect heating units

Apparatus indirect heating does not have built-in heat sources. The water in the tank is heated from external sources . The most commonly used source is liquid from heating system, which, passing through the heat exchanger (coil), gives off energy to the water in the tank.

Due to the use of external heat carriers, the choice of an indirect heating boiler for the house will be economical option because gas and electricity are not consumed. But it should be taken into account that given type devices has high cost. And their volume can reach up to 1000 liters. An indirect heating boiler is rational to use in big 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, it is possible to install a heating element, after which it turns into a storage electric device.

Unit power

From what power the heater is used in the device, the time of heating the liquid in the tank to required indicators. Before you choose an electric water heater, you should know what is leading in this matter devices gas heating . They tend to heat water 2 times faster than analogues with heating elements. Not to mention indirect water heaters, the liquid in which heats up even more slowly.

In an electric storage water heater, 2 heating elements of lesser power are often built in to increase the speed of operation, or one, but powerful. The total recommended power should be 2 kW. It takes an average of 2 to 4 hours to heat water to 50 degrees, depending on the volume of the tank. This means that low-power devices should be bought if the need for hot water not high.

Water heater tank volume

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

Also for big family 7-8 people if it is private house, it would be more rational to choose a water heater (accumulative) of indirect heating. Among floor models you can choose a unit with the desired capacity, capable of providing hot water to the whole family. The purchase of a home indirect heating apparatus can solve the question of which better water heater to choose for a private house? For a better understanding of how much water is consumed per day, you can use the table below.

Water heater shape

By shape storage boilers There are: cylindrical and square (flat).

Cylindrical

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

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

There are also narrow devices, 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 with a circumference of 45-52 cm. At the same time, in order to increase capacity, the manufacturer increased their height.

The slim unit is very convenient in small apartments old building, which have very cramped bathrooms and limited space in the kitchen. This parameter is convincing in order to choose electric water heater small diameter. However, it can handle the same power as the standard one and has the same capacity by converting usable space in height.

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

flat

Flat models are no different from slims in their parameters. storage water heater flat shape takes up little space, has a nice design, fits well into the interior. Because such devices hiding in lockers in the kitchen or in the bathroom, you can easily 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 vertical ones. This placement allows you to maximize the use of free space, especially if it is limited to a small room.

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