How to choose a storage water heater for a private house. Mechanical or electronic thermostat

Anyone modern man it is enough to figure out how to choose a water heater for an apartment to forget about power outages forever. hot water.

With the onset of summer, utilities begin to perform a variety of repair work which may take more than one week. All this time, residents of apartment buildings are forced to sit without hot water. It is clear that such a life cannot be called comfortable. And in winter, there are cases when high-rise buildings are left without hot water due to accidents and breakthroughs in heating mains.

Boiler in the bathroom

People who are not satisfied with the periodic lack of hot water in their homes are now purchasing special installations. They are called water heaters or boilers. These devices provide citizens and owners of private dwellings with hot water. all year round. The affordable cost of such equipment and the relative ease of installation make water heaters very popular.

There is only one problem for potential users of boilers. It lies in the fact that there is a huge range of such equipment on the market today, and many do not know how to choose a water heater for an apartment among the many models presented.

You can purchase a gas or electric boiler, as well as an indirect heating unit.

For a private house, in addition, it is easy to buy special units or units that operate on liquid fuel. But we will not talk about them in this article. We are only interested in the equipment that is installed in apartments of high-rise buildings.

Gas and electric water heaters are divided into two types. They are cumulative and flowing. You can also find a combined flow-storage electric boiler. To determine which heater is best for you, you need to understand the main differences between different types and criteria for selecting the ideal unit. This is what we'll do.

Water heaters operating on gas are made in the form of a metal case in which a burner and a set of automation are mounted, ensuring safe and efficient work equipment. Fuel begins to flow into the burner immediately after the heater is turned on. Its start (ignition) is made manually or automatically.

The gas boiler is equipped with a metal coaxial sleeve for smoke removal (such models are usually bought for a private house). In residential high-rise buildings, such a channel is not needed. In them, combustion products are discharged through a common chimney. Sleeve water heaters have closed cell. And those who join common chimney equipped with open chambers.

Gas boiler in the apartment

It is not difficult to choose the right gas heater for your home. If you use a lot of water, it is recommended to buy a storage device. It has a separate tank in which the water is gradually heated. For singles and small families, it is better to install flow equipment in apartments. In it, the water is heated while passing through the boiler.

Immediately, we note that you need to take into account the power gas equipment. The higher it is, the more efficiently the water heater will work. However, even very powerful gas installations are characterized by rather compact parameters.

The disadvantage of boilers operating on gas is considered to be high cost. From this point of view, electric heaters are many times better than gas ones. In addition, electrical equipment can be installed in a home where there is no gas. For these reasons, it is electric boilers that are currently truly in demand.

The flow boiler heats the water immediately after it is turned on. It features excellent performance. Such a device heats water in unlimited volumes to a temperature of about + 60 °. The essence of his work is simple. Cold water is supplied to the boiler, where there is a heating element (usually made of copper), which has a high power - from 3–4 to 20–24 kW. At the exit we get hot water.

Everything is simple. But if you choose to install flow boiler at home, you should immediately replace the electricity meter and wiring. The load on them will be high, the old equipment may simply not withstand such power. It is also worth taking care of connecting a good circuit breaker.

Instantaneous electric water heater

The flow heater is mounted, as a rule, for one draw-off point. It is installed on the kitchen faucet, where you wash the dishes, or in the bathroom for a shower. If there is a desire to connect many points of water analysis to one device, it is necessary to purchase a unit with a maximum power (16–24 kW). A less powerful device will not be able to heat water for several taps to a comfortable temperature.

For a house or apartment with single-phase sockets (at 220 V), it is better to purchase a modest heating unit. Take a boiler with a power of no more than 8 kW. If the dwelling is equipped with sockets for 380-volt voltage (houses with electric stoves), higher power heaters can be installed.

As you can see, the right choice instantaneous water heater ny device is quite simple. It is only important to take into account the technical potential of the electrical wiring in the apartment and determine the volume of hot water that you plan to consume.

And one moment. Electric boilers differ in installation technology. They are:

• Non-pressure. Such units are mounted next to the tapping point.
• Pressure. These devices are installed directly in the water pipe.

In apartments, it is better to mount pressure units, and non-pressure units are more suitable for a private house.

In apartments with independent heating and in private houses where there is no central water supply, it is not economically profitable to operate flow devices due to big expense electricity. In such dwellings it is better. It is supplied with a reservoir with a volume of 10-500 liters. Such a water heater is mounted on the wall or on the floor. It guarantees a constant supply of hot water, the amount of which is determined by the needs of the residents.

Storage boiler in the bathroom

Thermally insulated container (oblong or round shape), which has storage boiler, has a heating element. The latter heats the water up to 35–85 °C and constantly maintains the liquid at a given temperature level. You can open the faucet at any time and get hot water. The set liquid temperature is maintained automatically.

This principle of operation of the unit guarantees low electricity costs. It is also important that storage water heater any model plugs into a 220-volt outlet. The power of the storage water heater is not more than 3 kW. An important advantage of such boilers is the ability to supply hot water to all apartment water points.

Tips for choosing a storage device:

1. Calculate the consumption (approximate) of water per person per day. Multiply this value by the number of permanent residents and you get the volume of the tank that the boiler should have.
2. Take into account the free space in the room where the water heater will be installed. Buy a device that will fit in the room without any problems, will not interfere with the residents and at the same time will fit well into the interior.
3. Do not take too large a boiler. It makes no sense to spend money on heating water that you will not use.

An interesting alternative to storage and flow units are indirect water heaters. They are universal devices that are able to heat water through heating pipes (water).

Indirect heating boiler

The advantages of such installations are as follows:

• low weight (maximum 5–6 kg with a 10–30 l tank);
• compact dimensions;
• work in two modes (direct heating and accumulation a small amount hot water).

The disadvantage of indirect boilers is the complexity of their selection and installation. It is impossible to purchase such a unit without the help of a specialist. All calculations for the installation of a water heater and its cooperation in an existing heating system must be carried out by a trained engineer. Otherwise, the boiler (and the heating system itself) will function inefficiently.

A modern city dweller is quite whimsical, and therefore he does not feel very comfortable living in a country house or in his hometown without hot water. Of course, boiling water for tea is not at all difficult, but heating a large volume of it for washing can be very problematic.

Electric and gas water heaters will help you solve the problem of hot water supply.

Today we will learn how to choose a water heater. You need to take this seriously, because in the event of a wrong purchase, you risk being left not only without hot water, but also without a home, since cases of fires due to overly powerful heating devices are far from rare.

What are they like?

Such equipment can be classified according to dimensions, performance and principle of operation. In addition, these devices differ in the method of installation and features of their design. Generally speaking, the following types of heaters are distinguished:

Gas.
Electrical.
Compact.
Oversized.

They can be designed to heat both 10-15 liters and thousands of liters of running water per hour. There are models with a banal manual control, but in Lately more and more varieties equipped with complex electronic units, with which the water temperature can be kept within strictly defined limits. Some heaters are installed on the floor, some can be hung on the wall ... In a word, there are plenty of options! So how to choose a water heater and not get confused in all this diversity?

About the principle of action

As we have already said, according to the principle of operation, they can be divided into gas and electric. If your house has gas, then the first type is preferable, since this equipment is much more economical, and it is much cheaper to operate. Besides, gas-burner is able to heat water several times faster than electric heating elements. That's what a gas water heater is good for. How to choose the most optimal model, starting from the main characteristics of various types?

Flow and storage: which is better?

Both gas and electric water heaters are divided into storage and flow models. The accumulative heater is a kind of "thermos". The container is protected by heat-insulated walls, under the protection of which the heated water is able to remain warm for a long time even if the gas or electricity is turned off. In everyday life, you can hear the term “boiler” much more often.

The advantages of this type of devices are quite extensive: they are economical, safe, simple and cheap to operate. Their choice will be ideal if you need to bring hot water to several points at once. Unlike flow-through varieties, they can produce different pressures of water, while maintaining its set temperature.

The most economical and cheap in operation are storage gas heaters. They consume a meager amount of electricity, which is spent only on the operation of automatic control systems. However, today we will talk about how to choose an electric water heater: these models are much more common due to the fact that not every locality in our country has gas.

Storage water heaters differ in tank size, power and design features. Tanks are small, medium and large capacity. Water heaters small capacity They are quite compact, making them easy to install in any apartment. Large capacity models can be used for heating multi-room apartments and offices, cafes and shops.

Disadvantages of drives

The disadvantages of this technique include its large dimensions, the need for long work to heat all the water in the tank (less true for gas modifications), as well as the need for periodic monitoring of the state of the heating element. The fact is that in most regions of our country there is very hard water, the scale from which tends to quickly disable powerful heating elements.

When you completely use up the portion of hot water accumulated in the tank, you will have to be patient, since the new volume may well heat up for several hours (depending on the power and principle of operation). Note! If your heater is installed in a cottage that winter time is not heated, it must be completely drained of water before leaving.

As for the installation method, storage electric heaters are the best with this: they are wall-mounted and floor-mounted, with a horizontal and vertical arrangement of the container. Many models are universal. They can be installed in any way, depending on your preferences and the specific situation. If we talk about gas varieties, then they can only be installed vertically.

Now we will talk about how to choose an instantaneous electric water heater. It is not so difficult.

Advantages of flow models

As the name implies, such models are designed to heat running water. Their advantage is that they allow you to get hot water immediately after opening the tap. Despite their compact size, they are able to meet the water needs of any household. In addition, they can be easily disguised, which is especially appealing to fans. modern minimalism in home decor.

Unlike the varieties described above, these water heaters can be wall and floor, with vertical and horizontal arrangement, have the most different shape corps. But how to choose a flowing water heater, if you also remember about their shortcomings?

Disadvantages of "protochnik"

The only, but extremely serious drawback is the fact that the operation of this kind of heaters requires an electrical network that can withstand very significant loads. Accordingly, there is no longer any talk of saving electricity. In addition, few models of flow heaters can heat water to the same extent as their storage "colleagues". In a word, before choosing a water heater for a private house, think carefully: can your wiring withstand such a load?

General characteristics of flow-through varieties and problems associated with them

Such devices are able to quickly heat up running water. From this we can draw a simple conclusion about their high power. It is quite fair - even household models can be designed for 27 kW. Of course, wiring in most domestic apartments and houses will not withstand even half the value of such power, but such varieties are in demand among construction contractors: these heaters are the best fit to meet the needs of the construction team.

Needless to say, to equip your apartment with something like this, you will have to completely replace the wiring and spend money on running a 380 V network, since standard 220 V is no longer suitable for power over 5.5 kW. In principle, before choosing a flow-through water heater, in any case, we strongly advise you to make a complete revision of all house wiring, since its unsatisfactory condition, even in a short period, can lead to very big troubles!

Important! Thus differing from their accumulative "relatives", flow heaters are largely dependent on temperature. cold water at the entrance. The difference between the indicators should not exceed 25°C. Please note that it is better not to heat liquids to a boil, since in this case the heating element fails very quickly due to the mass of scale formed on it.

If you organize the supply of preheated water, then it will be possible not only to increase the maximum temperature of the liquid at the outlet, but also to save a significant amount of electricity. Modern automatic heating systems allow you to accurately maintain the desired water temperature even if its pressure in the water supply system changes dramatically. If the liquid supply stops completely due to some kind of malfunction, then the same systems will automatically turn off the equipment.

Since owners most often want to choose an instantaneous electric water heater country houses, which can be empty for weeks, this option is extremely important and useful.

Hot water quantity

However, you can change the heating modes depending not only on seasonal factors, but also on your own preferences and needs. It should be remembered that the average 7 kW water heater can produce a maximum of four liters of hot water in winter, and in summer, when the liquid inlet temperature can reach 18 degrees Celsius, this volume can be increased to 5.5 liters. This performance is sufficient not only for taking a shower, but also for relatively fast filling baths.

By the way, how to choose a storage type water heater?

Choosing a storage heater

If you are going to choose a boiler according to the volume of the tank, then you definitely need to know your daily requirement in hot water. Do not forget that the pressure in storage models is maintained by a constant influx of cold water! Thus, if you need 10-15 liters per day, then it is advisable to buy a boiler with a capacity of at least 30 liters. So how to choose a storage electric water heater, focusing on the needs of the people living in the house?

Experts say that 10-15-liter models are enough for periodic washing of dishes and hands, but it is unlikely that they will be able to take a shower with their help. Of course, if you are not a supporter of hardening cold water. In the case when you still want to stand under jets of hot water, keep in mind that in one minute a person spends about four liters of water in the shower. Of course, these are average figures, since everyone is fond of water procedures to varying degrees.

So which water heater is better to choose? On sale you can even find tanks of 300 liters, which should be enough to meet the needs big family under conditions of frequent power outages. If we talk about boilers that are connected to the heating system, then they can contain more than a ton of water.

As for their cost, there is a rather interesting situation: a large water heater costs a lot, but the cost of heating a liter of water in it is much lower than that of less capacious models. This is due to the fact that large containers cool down more slowly, and therefore the water remains hot much longer, it does not need to spend additional electricity to reheat it.

Here's how to choose a storage electric water heater when it comes to meeting your hot water needs.

Operating principle

The principle of operation of such equipment is as simple as possible: when the tap is opened hot water leaves one branch pipe towards the consumer, and to balance the pressure, cold liquid begins to flow into the container. Note that the latter enters the tank from below.

Many people think that cold water can only come from the plumbing, but for many models, the pressure that can be created using some kind of storage capacity suitable volume. In the latter case, the height difference must be at least two meters.
So how to choose a storage water heater if your house does not have a central water supply? Is this option realistic in this case?

However, in this matter the situation varies from manufacturer to manufacturer. Usually, optimal value four to six atmospheres are considered. In the event that this value can be exceeded in your home, it is better to install a special gearbox that will protect your equipment.

In addition, in this case, it is imperative to choose a model that has safety valve. If the water overheats and it is possible to break the walls of the storage tank, the device will simply dump excess liquid and steam through a special drain valve.

The output of storage boilers is open and closed. If you plan to buy a water heater to supply water to only one point with a large liquid consumption ( kitchen sink in a cafe, for example), it is more expedient to purchase a variety with an open exit. Please note: when turning on such a heater for the first time, you must wait until the tank is completely filled, and the hot water tap must be fully open! However, wiring at several points at once is much more often required, and modifications with a closed output are excellent for this purpose.

About the durability of the storage tank

Note that the period of the operational period directly depends on the material from which the container is made. Durability is especially important for those buyers who do not know how to choose a water heater for an apartment: if the tank leaks in a private house, nothing bad will happen. But if 100-300 liters spill over the heads of your neighbors from below ...

Please note that a leaky tank cannot be repaired, since restoring the thermal insulation layer at home is unrealistic in any case. Accordingly, it is necessary to pay special attention to the quality of painting and the characteristics of anti-corrosion coatings.

The most durable are those tanks that are made of normal of stainless steel passed through the passivation procedure. As a rule, they are guaranteed for at least eight years. Much more common are models with a carbon steel case coated with titanium oxide enamel. Such paint does not crack even with significant temperature changes, and therefore the warranty period for the tank is at least five or six years.

But the cheapest are tanks made of ordinary steel coated on the basis of standard enamels. They are not suitable for serious use, and the warranty for such models does not exceed three years. However, in last years accumulative heaters made of plastic are becoming more and more common. They are strong, light, not afraid of corrosion. The guarantee for them is set within five years, but experts say that their practical service life is much longer.

Here's how to choose a storage water heater, focusing on the characteristics of the paintwork of its body.

Note that in order to increase the durability of heating elements, which are very vulnerable, good producers magnesium anodes are installed inside the tanks. Their service life is about two years, after which a mandatory replacement is required. Before buying, you need to ask how costly this operation will turn out and how realistic it is to get new anodes from this manufacturer.

Characteristics of heat-insulating materials

In more expensive models, rigid polyurethane (PPU) is used for thermal insulation. In ordinary varieties, ordinary basalt fiber is most often used, the characteristics of which are very far from optimal. PPU insulation is much stronger, more reliable and more durable. In addition, due to the excellent thermal insulation qualities of this material, tanks based on it are smaller and lighter. Before choosing a water heater for an apartment, be sure to take this into account! This feature will be especially appreciated by homeowners on upper floors.

Terms of water heating

In a normally insulated tank, water cools down by about half a degree in one hour (assuming the power is off). Heating can vary from 30 to 90 degrees. This indicator does not depend on the temperature of the incoming water. In expensive models, there is often an additional electronic unit responsible for maintaining this temperature within ± 0.5 degrees Celsius. Experts say that 100 liters in the standard model warm up to 70 degrees in about four hours.

About equipment power

If you are going to buy a model with a power of 2.5 kW and below, then you don’t have to worry about the state of your finances, since you can get by with the existing wiring (if it is in good condition, of course). Appliances with a power of 2.5 to 5.5 kW require a separate cable from the switchboard and a separate block of reliable fuses. If for your purposes you cannot do without buying something even more powerful, then in this case you will have to fork out for a 380 V network.

Before choosing a water heater for a summer residence, consult with electricians. Even if you install a low-power storage model, it does not hurt to stretch a separate cable with a machine from the switchboard.

Today on the market you can find quite a few quite expensive models with electronic control units that can operate at a power of two to six kilowatts and at the same time be operated in networks of both 220 and 110 V. In our country, today you can most often find boilers for 80-100 liters with a capacity of up to 2.5 kW inclusive.

Characteristics of the heating elements used

Heating elements are of "wet" and "dry" types. As you might guess, in the first case, the heating elements are immersed in water, and therefore the presence of a magnesium anode, which we talked about above, is especially important for them.

Of course, if the heating elements fail, you will have to completely drain the water from the storage tank and disassemble almost the entire device. On the contrary, “dry” heating elements do not have direct contact with water, scale does not settle on them, and for their repair there is no need to turn into a professional mechanic, since this procedure is carried out without completely disassembling the boiler.

If there are two such elements in one heater at once, then this significantly increases its overall reliability. Even if one of them fails, in any case, there will be a reserve element. It is even better when the heater allows you to choose how many heating elements can be turned on in one case or another: to quickly heat a large amount of water (provided that other electricity consumers are turned off), it is better to use two at once, while only one heating element can be left overnight. On the same element, it is better to leave the boiler in the “thermos” mode, when the set temperature needs to be maintained for a long time.

If we talk about how to choose the right water heater, one cannot fail to mention all sorts of additional options that sales consultants love to talk about.

Necessary and convenient additional functions

Oddly enough, but for once the eloquent stories of marketers turned out to be true: the digital control unit is really worth it to overpay for it. With it, you can control the filling of the tank and the flow of water to the nearest liter, set individual water heating modes and do other things. Besides, in emergency or in case of a malfunction, an error code will be displayed on the display, which will speed up and reduce the cost of the diagnostic process and subsequent repair several times.

Here's how to choose a water heater, paying attention to the various features of these devices. Summing up, we can formulate the basic principles that should be followed. First, you need to accurately determine the needs of the family for hot water. Secondly, take into account the condition of the electrical wiring in the house. Thirdly, choose only those heaters whose body is painted with titanium dioxide paint.

By the way, what brand of water heater to choose? We urge you to opt for the products of well-known companies: Bosh, Ariston, Siemens, Aquatex and the like. Their equipment is reliable and will serve you for a long time.

Regular use of hot water Everyday life- a habitual action that most people do not attach importance to. However, during the period of summer preventive work, many are deprived of elementary benefits.

In this situation, a storage water heater will come to the rescue, replacing the centralized supply of hot water. How to choose a boiler, we will answer this question in detail.

Water heating methods

First of all, you should decide on optimal source water heating. There are electrical and gas boilers, as well as aggregates with indirect heating water. From the point of view of the speed of execution of the main function, the gas model wins. Before choosing such a boiler, think about the associated disadvantages:

• high price;
• additional equipment of the room with gas pipes;
• arrangement of the chimney;
• complex process of obtaining permits.

The combination of these factors crosses out the only advantage, so you rarely meet those who want to choose a gas boiler.

The indirect heating boiler performs exclusively the function of a thermos. The principle of operation is based on heating water in a coil, which is additional element heating system. However, the presence central heating eliminates the need for additional hot water storage. Some models are equipped with an electric heater that ensures operation in the absence of a centralized hot water supply. Evidence of the impracticality of the indirect heating boiler is the lack of high demand.

Most consumers tend to decide to choose an electric boiler. Such a storage water heater has a lot of advantages:

• acceptable pricing policy;
• does not require additional engineering structures;
• allows you to choose a convenient location;
• ease of installation;
• safe operation.

Only the high cost of electricity and a long heating process can darken the rosy picture, if you choose an electric model with a large tank volume.

Storage water heater design

Based on the reasonable popularity of the electric boiler, let's look at its design and specifications in more detail. The unit includes the following main elements:

• storage tank, equipped after installation with two pipes, for cold water supply and hot water intake.
• thermostat and thermometer;
• magnesium anode prevents the formation of hard scale.

Between the inner tank and the outer shell is a thermal insulation material that turns the electric boiler into a thermos, long time keeping warm. Used as thermal insulation mineral wool, polyurethane or foam. The unit comes with mounting brackets.

Optimal tank volume

To choose the right electric boiler for an apartment, first you need to decide on the volume of its tank. Manufacturers offer a wide range of options:

• minimum volumes 5 and 10 l;
• average from 30 to 80 l;
• large tanks holding 100, 120 and 150 liters.

There are also more capacious models that are better to choose for complex operation. The required volume is determined based on several parameters: how many family members will use the unit, for what needs it is intended, how many sampling points are equipped, existing place for installation.

If the electric boiler will be used exclusively for washing dishes, it is enough to choose a model with a volume of 5 to 30 liters. If you need to take a shower or bath, start from the number of people living in the apartment:

• 80 liters is enough for the only inhabitant of the apartment;
• for 2-3 persons, a volume of up to 120 liters is suitable;
• for 4 or more family members, it is preferable to choose a unit for 150-200 liters.

Remark ! An increase in volume proportionally increases the power of the boiler, the heating time and, accordingly, the consumption of electricity. At the same time, its cost increases slightly.

Specifications

Having studied the technical characteristics of an electric boiler, it will be easier for you to choose a model according to your existing needs and conditions for installation.

Power

Main element electric model storage water heater - heating element, on which the power of the equipment depends. It is an electric spiral, dressed in metal tube, for the insulation of which dielectric sand is used. It is most practical to choose a boiler equipped with a heating element with a power of 1 to 3 kW, in exceptional cases, the option of installing a heating element with a power of up to 6 kW is used. Greater power contributes accelerated process liquid heating, however, the load on electrical network increases significantly and energy consumption increases.

Some models of electric boilers are equipped with two heating elements. This option is better to choose if there is no frequent need for rapid heating of water. This will reduce the load on the power grid. Another advantage is the ability to operate equipment when one element fails. However, duplicating a heating element significantly increases the cost of an electric boiler.

According to their design, heating elements are divided into open and closed. The open view is in direct contact with water, for which it is called "wet". Among the advantages can be noted cheapness. However, regular exposure high temperatures provokes the formation on its surface limescale, resulting in poor heat transfer. It is more susceptible to corrosion and has a shorter warranty period.

It is much more practical to choose a closed heating element for an electric boiler. Thanks to special protection in the form of a metal or ceramic sleeve, it excludes contact with water, for which it is popularly called "dry". The absence of direct contact with the liquid gives an electric boiler equipped with a closed heating element a number of advantages:

• reducing the aggressive impact of salt deposits;
• the level of safety is higher than the open design;
• extended period of operation;
• when replacing, no draining of the liquid is required.

Important ! A magnesium anode is installed to reduce the aggressive effect of salt deposits (prevents the formation of hard scale). The effect lasts for a year, after which the element must be replaced.

Additional installation of cleaning filters with magnetic or polyphosphate filling and their timely change will prolong the uninterrupted operation of an electric boiler with a closed heating element.

Control

The electric boiler can be selected with manual or electronic control. Principle of operation inexpensive models extremely simple: the thermostat connected to the power supply reacts to the temperature sensor signal, after which the heating element comes into action. To control, just turn the knob. Such electric boilers do not allow for precise regulation. temperature regime, but are characterized by a high degree of reliability.

In an effort to improve electric boilers, manufacturers offer to choose models with electronic control. In this case, the boiler is equipped with a microprocessor and has a lot of additional features:

• heating temperature control with an accuracy of 1 °;
• various modes of operation (inactivity at night, morning heating, daytime pause, etc.);
• self-diagnostics with display of information.

Such innovations significantly increase the cost of an electric boiler and make it vulnerable to voltage drops. Therefore, before choosing a unit with electronic filling, take care of installing an uninterruptible power supply system in the apartment.

Advice ! To increase the period of productive operation of an electric boiler allows limiting the heating of the water temperature to 60-70 ° C.

Interior fittings

To choose the right boiler means to study all its components. important place in the electrical unit takes internal coating storage tank. The cheapest models are equipped with containers in which the function corrosion protection performs glass porcelain or enamel. Feature such materials - when the temperature rises above 70 ° C, microcracks appear on the surface. Guarantee period manufacturers per capacity is 1 to 3 years. Therefore, it is better to choose an electric boiler model with a stainless steel storage tank or titanium coated. The period of operation in this case is extended to 7-10 years.

For long-term preservation of heat, the electric boiler is equipped with thermal insulation materials, due to which the water temperature in the idle state drops by 1 ° C in 2 hours. If you choose a model with a double or triple layer of thermal insulation used by German manufacturers, the heat loss during the day is only 5 ° C, which provides significant energy savings.

The situation when there is no hot water supply is possible in apartment buildings. The issue of organizing the supply of hot water is also relevant for private housing construction, when the owners must independently equip communications. Therefore, the question arises of choosing a water heater.

Types of heaters and their features

When choosing an electric boiler, you should decide on the type of device that will suit you in specific conditions. Water heaters are:

• flowing;
• accumulative;
• combined (flow-accumulative).

Visually they are similar. The shape of the boilers can be rectangular and cylindrical. The size of the devices depends on the volume of the container located in it.

Flow heaters

Internal structure and principle of operation

water heater flow type small and is characterized by the ability to heat water almost instantly without volume limitation. High level performance is achieved due to the features of the device. The flow of cold water upon entering the device moves through the flask, where it is subjected to intense heating using a tubular electric heater (TEH). The heating rate is provided by the characteristics of the heating element, which is made of copper. A significant indicator of the power of a copper element placed in a small-sized case stands out from them.

One instantaneous water heater unit serves only a single point of water intake. The use of this device for several points will not give the desired effect.

Compact device

This device does not require complex maintenance. The use of flow heaters is advisable if there is a need to organize emergency supply warm water for a short time.

The main characteristic of flow-through water heating equipment is the power indicator. It is high for devices of this type, the minimum value is 3 kW, and the maximum value is 27 kW. Reliable electrical wiring is required for trouble-free operation of the equipment. So, in the process of choosing a water heater, attention should be paid mainly to power.

Equipment with a power of up to 8 kW is allowed to be connected to a single-phase network with a voltage of 220 V.

Devices with more power are included in three-phase networks with a voltage of 380 V.
Another characteristic of the device is the amount of water that it heats per unit of time. Units with a power of 3 to 8 kW are capable of heating 2-6 l / min. This job takes less than 20 seconds. Equipment with such performance is able to 100% satisfy household water needs.

The decision to purchase one or another instantaneous water heater is based on the need for hot water and the characteristics of the electrical wiring. As for choosing a brand of device, rely on consumer reviews and sales ratings.

Method of installation of instantaneous water heater

The compactness and low weight of these devices expand the choice of mounting location. As already mentioned, there are wiring requirements due to the high power electrical equipment. The cross section of the wire should be within 4-6 square meters. mm. In addition, the passage of currents through the circuit necessitates the installation of a meter rated for at least 40 A and appropriate circuit breakers.

Connection of instantaneous water heaters is carried out in two ways:

• Stationary. In this case, in the water supply system, the processes of intake and supply of heated water occur in parallel. To connect in this way, tees are cut in and valves are mounted in the corresponding pipes that supply cold and hot water. After that, the pipe with cold water is connected to the inlet of the device, and at the outlet the hose or pipe is equipped shutoff valves. After checking the tightness of the connections plumbing fixtures start the electrical part of the equipment.
• Temporarily. With this method of connecting the heating device, a shower hose is used. IN right time it is easily blocked and transferred to the main hot water line. Connecting the equipment consists in inserting a tee into a pipe with cold water, to which a tap is mounted, and connected to a flexible hose at the outlet of the heater. To start the equipment, open the water and turn it on to the electrical network.

Advantages and disadvantages of flow equipment

The advantages of a flow type water heater are obvious:

• compactness;
• ease of installation;
• average cost.

The disadvantages of this equipment include:

• electricity consumption is large;
• it is necessary to have a constant high pressure of water supply;
• the use of the device is limited in the case of installation of equipment on the top floors of multi-storey buildings for the reason described above.

These shortcomings can be avoided by using storage-type water heaters.

Storage water heaters

The scope of such boilers

The autonomy of the water supply system is ensured by the installation of flow type heaters. However, there is a problem with determining the device model for DHW.

The volume of some models of storage heaters is 500 liters. For domestic needs, such a volume of water is not required, therefore, devices with a capacity of 10-150 liters are most in demand. In accordance with this indicator, the equipment is floor or wall.

Device and principle of operation

An electric storage boiler consists of a round or cylindrical tank in which a heating element is installed. The design is placed in the body, and between it and the tank there is a layer of thermal insulation. The heater is designed to heat water in the temperature range of 35-85 degrees Celsius. Due to the heat insulator, the set water temperature is maintained for 2-3 hours. When the temperature of the water in the tank drops to the value set by the system, the heating is switched on automatically. When the water temperature reaches the required level, the heating element also automatically turns off. The operation of the device in this mode saves energy consumption.

A device for controlling the temperature in the water heater tank is called a thermostat. It is included in the design of any boiler. Additionally, electric heaters have the following options:

• accelerated heating;
• antibacterial treatment of the container;
• control in different modes.

The electrical types of these devices operate at a standard voltage of 220 V and do not require special equipment and specific characteristics of the network. Moreover, the devices have a power of 2-3 kW, which is comparable to an electric kettle. Such characteristics are the indisputable advantage of the units.

Low energy consumption does not affect the performance of the water heater. The device is capable of providing hot water to all water intake points in the house at the same time.

What to consider when choosing a storage boiler?

Before choosing a boiler, it is important to determine the volume of the tank. The calculations should take into account the need for hot water, but also prevent unproductive operation of the unit. In addition, it must be understood that an increase in the volume of the container leads to a proportional increase in the duration of its heating. If it takes about 10 minutes for water to reach a temperature of 45 degrees Celsius in a ten-liter device, then 100 liters will heat up to this temperature in 4 hours.

Water consumption is determined based on the number of water intake points in the house and the number of people living in it. By multiplying these two values, the volume of the boiler is calculated.

The location of its intended location influences the choice of a water heating device.

The dimensions of the device require free space. Depending on the design of the cold water supply system, the optimal installation location and connection to it is determined. In order to save space, options for models with horizontal placement, which are mounted at ceiling level, can be considered. Manufacturers of heating appliances make the case with such a design that it easily fits into the interior of the room.

How to install a storage water heater

Installation of a storage electric boiler is carried out according to the following algorithm:

• Mark the attachment points of the water heater, depending on their design. Next, holes are made into which dowels are inserted. The latter are necessary for reliable fastening of the hooks in the wall. Take into account during the markup some margin of space that will be needed when putting on the hooks of the device.
• After making sure that the fastening is reliable, they begin to connect the device to the water supply system. This requires pipes or flexible hoses, which will connect the water supply at the inlet and outlet to the water intake points. The use of flexible hoses is recommended as they modern models able to withstand high pressure and are easy to install and do not require the use of additional sealing. Be sure to install on the cold water supply to the boiler check valve which is included with the equipment. Connecting the boiler to a hot water tap does not require any additional devices.
• After completing the installation of water communications, it is necessary to open the hot and cold water taps to remove air. An indicator of its absence in the system is a stable flow of water. At the same time, the described procedure serves to check the tightness of the connections.
• If the tests have shown the reliability of the system, then it is allowed to connect the power supply using an individual circuit breaker or by plugging the plug into a socket. When properly connected to the electrical network, the corresponding indicator lights up. Further, the required water temperature is regulated as indicated in the instructions attached to the boiler.

To provide a private house or cottage with hot water, an electric water heater is often used. How to choose an electric storage water heater? To do this, it is necessary to take into account a number of factors, pay attention to the main parameters of the equipment.

A little about the device

An electric storage water heater is a tank inside which a heating element (or heating element) is located. In some models, two heating elements are installed (as a rule, in large volume tanks).

Cold water enters the storage tank of the device and heats up there to the temperature set by the user (50-85 degrees), after which it is maintained automatically. When the faucet is opened, hot water flows out, and the tank is refilled with cold liquid. Heating elements are connected and heat the incoming water.

The volume of the boiler at the electric heater can vary from 10 to 200 liters, the power of the heating element is from 1.2 to 2.5 kW. Depending on these 2 parameters, the water heating time is also determined. Naturally, larger containers require longer heating times.

Modern kettle with a power of 2.4 kW

It looks like an electric water heater (power consumption 1.5-2 kW)

Comparative table of Termex boilers: volume, power, heating time

To prevent the formation of corrosion inside the tank, a special magnesium anode is installed. Also, the device of an electric water heater includes a thermostat that allows you to set the heating temperature, a heat-insulating layer that helps retain heat, a safety valve designed to bleed overpressure in the tank.

Connecting an electric boiler

Modern devices are produced with two types of heating elements: “dry” and “wet”. The second option is a classic heating element, made in the form of a boiler. Such a heating element is in contact with water. It consists of a spiral placed in a tube of various configurations. The tube is made of copper or stainless steel, filled with insulating material inside.

Photos of Termex boilers: small, large

Boiler with electronic control and liquid crystal display

"Dry" heating element does not come into contact with heated water. It is placed in a special hermetic case resembling a flask. A “dry” heating element is more reliable: it is not subject to corrosion and scale settling, and it excludes electric shock in case of destruction or short circuit. In addition, the service life and heat transfer of such a heating element is better.

Electric storage devices have a number of advantages:

1. Minimum electricity costs. Even devices with a large tank require only 1.5-2 kW of electricity.
2. No additional wiring required.
3. Providing hot water to several consumers at once.

Have water heaters and disadvantages:

1. High cost compared to other types of devices.
2. Large dimensions.
3. If the water consumption is high or when it is first turned on, it takes a long time to heat up.

Despite these shortcomings, electric water heaters are very popular.

How to choose the right electric water heater

Choosing the right water heater will provide the house with a constant supply of hot water. What should be considered when choosing? Which device to choose? It is important to pay attention to the following criteria:

1. The volume of the water heater. The volume should be calculated taking into account the number of residents and the number and type of water intake points. Naturally, the washbasin and shower differ in the amount of water consumed. Accordingly, five people will pour out much more water than one. On average, one person consumes the following amount of water:
   • washbasin - 6 - 18 liters of water;
   • kitchen sink - 20 - 30 liters;
   • bath - 150 - 180 liters;
   • shower - 50 - 100 liters.
2. tank material. Electric water heaters are available in enamel and stainless steel. Enamelled tanks are cheaper, but stainless steel tanks will last longer and be more reliable.
3. The shape and dimensions of the device. It is necessary to choose such water heaters that harmoniously fit into the room, successfully fit into the intended place. It is worth noting that it is necessary to leave 30 cm below and 10 cm above the free space.
4. Power. Power depends primarily on the volume of the tank. You should also consider the condition of the wiring. In some models, two heating elements are installed. One, as a rule, has a higher power.
5. Manufacturer. It is recommended to pay attention to the manufacturer of the electric storage water heater. You should choose devices from manufacturers that are well-known and that have long established themselves in the market with better side. Imported equipment is more expensive than domestic. However, this does not mean that Russian water heaters are inferior to foreign products.

And a little more about the choice

In addition to the main parameters, it is recommended to take into account other characteristics. You should pay attention to the type of heating element ("dry" or "wet"), and the degree of protection of the water heater. The degree of protection, according to the International Protection Class system, is indicated by the letters IP and two numbers. The first digit characterizes the degree of protection of the device against damage by various foreign objects, the second digit indicates the class of protection against moisture penetration.

The material from which it is made, and its thickness indicate the duration of maintaining water at a given temperature. The most commonly used foam rubber or foamed polyurethane. It is better to choose thermal insulation from rigid polyurethane foam with a thickness of 50 mm. You can also opt for a thickness of 35-40 mm.

And a couple of words about management. On the outside there is a device on / off button, an on indicator, a thermostat regulator, a temperature scale (not available in all devices). More expensive models can be equipped with LCD displays and touch controls, additional options that make it easier to control the operation of the water heater.

Tables of water consumption when using a boiler

Thus, choosing an electric storage water heater is quite simple. The main thing is to evaluate the required power and volume of the device, which will provide the house with the required amount of warm water.

About storage electric water heaters. Video