Normative service life of a gas boiler. Frequently asked Questions
Any equipment has its own service life. Depending on the operating conditions, this period may vary to a greater or lesser extent, but there is always calculated indicator, which is guided by when choosing.
Service life of the wall gas boiler, which can be found in more detail at link, is 15 years provided timely Maintenance and replacement of broken parts.
Equipment class
Economical gas boilers are designed for extended service time - according to consumer reviews, this is 30 years of uninterrupted operation, when repairs were carried out as needed.
Aggregates of the middle group (middle class) with regular after-sales service rarely kept for more than 15 years. These devices are medium price category, the most popular among consumers, where unhealthy competition methods are used (premature wear of parts, failure of working elements, etc.). Savings of 15-20 thousand rubles ultimately lead to the need to either replace equipment or constantly contact service workers. In list common problems- loss of water temperature, unauthorized shutdown, burner attenuation, failure of the electronic unit, etc.
Burner type
Gas equipment works on two types of burners:
- atmospheric;
- inflatable.
In the first variant, the process of formation of the gas-air mixture occurs naturally. In the inflatable - in the first chamber, air is mixed with gas, passes into the second, where the combustion process takes place. In such designs, natural gas burns without residue, which increases the efficiency to maximum values and, together with it, reduces operating costs by an average of a third.
Electricity
Key problem normal operation gas equipment - unstable operation of the power grid. In the absence of a voltage stabilizer or at least a UPS, another power surge in the network can become fatal when the electronic control board, electrical and / or electrically controlled elements fail:
- ignition;
- gas valve etc.
heat exchanger
The material from which the heat exchanger is made is also important, how quickly scale will collect on it. In this case, the choice should be made in favor of separate copies, since on bithermic heat exchangers, in contrast to them, scale forms many times faster.
The intensity of the equipment
Initially, when choosing gas equipment, they make a calculation by power. Back to back should never be taken - with permanent job resources will run out very quickly. You should always make a margin of at least 20%. All equipment is built on impulse operation, respectively, the fewer impulses, the more stable the unit will work.
In any case, the gas boiler works exactly as long as its main components work. If you take preventive measures in a timely manner, install protective filters against scale, voltage stabilizers, undergo maintenance on time, you will be provided with more than 15 years of work.
We are often asked the question: how long does a gas boiler last? What determines the service life of a gas boiler? In our article today, we will tell you about it.
Scale. When water boils, the impurities contained in it, mainly calcium and magnesium salts in the form of carbonates, are deposited on the walls of heat exchangers and the inner surface of the pump housing. The rate of scale deposition depends primarily on the quality of the water. The so-called hard water contains a large number of salts, the less they are, the softer the water. But this does not mean that it is better to fill the heating circuit with distillate, which is harmful to the system. It will be correct to filter through household or, much better, specialized polyphosphate filters for heating systems. The fixed polymer salts on these filters precipitate scale-forming compounds and make the water softer, which significantly reduces the formation of scale. Modern polyphosphate filters are non-toxic and can be used not only for preparing water for the heating circuit, but also for hot water supply. Known and widespread filters are SVOD-AS (Russia) and DOSA PLUS (Italy). The most common SVOD AC 250 filter has a guaranteed resource of 42 tons of water, this excellent result. For a family of 3 people, it will last for almost a year; replaceable flasks with a reagent can be purchased separately.
The second factor influencing the rate of scale formation is the design of the heat exchanger. In our opinion, the most successful in this respect are the heat exchangers of Korean gas boilers RINNAI. Even in comparison with the leading Italian and German manufacturers, we see an advantage. Thousands of boilers installed in Tatarstan and having served for at least 7 years, even without polyphosphate filters, with virtually no reduction in flow due to scale, are proof of this. Well, a simple rule: bithermic heat exchangers are more prone to scale formation than separate ones, so don't skimp.
The third factor that determines the strength and speed of scale formation is the intensity of work. The more your gas boiler is loaded with work, the faster scale will form. This is one of the reasons why you should not take the boiler back to back in terms of power, it is better to take it with a margin. Since all gas boilers operate in pulse mode, the frequency of more powerful pulses will be less frequent, and the operating mode will be smoother.
The pump itself is subject to wear over time, primarily the rubbing mechanisms and the stuffing box, which begins to leak - this should be determined during regular maintenance.
Heat exchangers and a pump are expensive components of a gas boiler; it is their service life, coupled with the service life of the gas stop valves of the boiler, that limits general term operation.
The second enemy of a gas boiler, oddly enough, is unstable electricity. It is the unstable electricity of the network that disables electronic board controls, as well as electrical and electrically controlled components: ignition unit, gas valve and others. According to our observations, only in every fifth house the electrical indicators more or less correspond to the required ones. Long work gas boiler in a disturbed mode of energy consumption significantly reduces its service life. There is a way out: install either Voltage regulator , which will level it and protect it from surges, an uninterruptible power supply is an excellent option.
To summarize our article: the service life of a gas boiler is limited by the service life of the main components. In order for the gas boiler to serve reliably over the entire period and exceed it, we recommend using a scale filter and a voltage stabilizer, as well as choosing a powerful boiler with two heat exchangers, and of course, regular maintenance of the gas boiler. Do not forget also that even if the gas boiler has confidently served its time, but its generation has long been discontinued, and the service departments have no spare parts left, then it is also better to change it, or lay it in family budget money to buy a new one.
A heating gas boiler is a device that, by means of the combustion of fuel (natural or liquefied gas), heats the coolant.
The device (design) of a gas boiler: burner, heat exchanger, thermally insulated housing, hydraulic unit, as well as safety and control devices. Such gas-fired boilers require a chimney to be connected to remove combustion products. The chimney can be either a conventional vertical or coaxial (“pipe in pipe”) for boilers with closed camera combustion. Many modern boilers equipped with built-in pumps for forced circulation of water.
The principle of operation of a gas boiler- the coolant, passing through the heat exchanger, heats up and then circulates through the heating system, giving the received thermal energy through radiators, underfloor heating, heated towel rails, as well as providing water heating in the boiler indirect heating(if it is connected to a gas boiler).
Heat exchanger - a metal container in which the coolant (water or antifreeze) is heated - can be made of steel, cast iron, copper, etc. The reliability and durability of a gas boiler depends on the quality of the heat exchanger in the first place. Cast iron heat exchangers corrosion resistant and have long term services, but are sensitive to sudden temperature changes and are distinguished by significant weight. Steel containers can suffer from rust, so they internal surfaces protect with various anti-corrosion coatings, providing an extension of the "life" of the device. Steel heat exchangers are the most common in the manufacture of boilers. Corrosion is not terrible for copper heat exchangers, and due to the high heat transfer coefficient, low weight and dimensions, such heat exchangers are often used in wall boilers, but of the minuses, it should be noted that they are more expensive than steel ones.
In addition to the heat exchanger, an important part of gas boilers is a burner, which can be various kinds: atmospheric or fan, single-stage or two-stage, with smooth modulation, double.
To control the gas boiler, automation is used with various settings and functions (for example, a weather-compensated control system), as well as devices for programming operation and remote control of the boiler.
The main technical characteristics of gas heating boilers are: power, number of heating circuits, type of fuel, type of combustion chamber, burner type, installation method, pump and expansion tank, boiler control automation.
To determine required power gas heating boiler for private country house or an apartment, a simple formula is used - 1 kW of boiler power for heating 10 m 2 of a well-insulated room with a ceiling height of up to 3 m. If heating of a glazed basement is required winter garden, rooms with non-standard ceilings etc. the gas boiler output must be increased. It is also necessary to increase the power (about 20-50%) when providing a gas boiler and hot water supply (especially if water heating in the pool is necessary).
The peculiarity of calculating the power of gas boilers: the nominal gas pressure at which the boiler operates at 100% of the power declared by the manufacturer, for most boilers is from 13 to 20 mbar, and the actual pressure in gas networks in Russia can be 10 mbar, and sometimes even lower . Accordingly, a gas boiler often works only at 2/3 of its capacity, and this must be taken into account when calculating. In more detail with a table for calculating the power of a heating boiler, you can
Most gas boilers can transfer from work natural gas on the liquefied gas (ballooned propane). Many models switch to liquefied gas at the factory (check these characteristics of the model when purchasing), or nozzles (jets) are additionally supplied to the gas boiler to switch to bottled gas.
Pros and cons of gas boilers:
Boiler piping- These are devices for the full operation of the heating and water supply system. Includes: pumps expansion tanks, filters (if necessary), manifolds, return and safety valves, air valves, valves, etc. You will also need to purchase radiators, connecting pipes and valves, thermostats, a boiler, etc. The issue of choosing a boiler is quite serious, so it is better to entrust the selection of equipment and its complete set to professionals.
What is the best boiler? On the Russian market gas boiler equipment has its own leaders in quality and reliability. The best manufacturers and brands of gas boilers are presented in the assortment:
"Premium" or "Lux"- the most reliable and durable, easy to manage, the kit is assembled as a "constructor", more expensive than the others. These manufacturers include German companies
Any heating equipment has its own lifespan. Therefore, when choosing equipment, we pay attention to the quality of materials, strength and place of production. Every customer wants their heater to last as long as possible. To do this, it is important to understand what normative term gas boiler services. On average, he works 7–12 years.
What factors negatively affect performance and contribute to wear? How to prevent breakage? This article will help you understand how to choose and operate a gas boiler correctly in order to avoid rapid wear and tear.
What affects the life of a gas boiler
It is believed that the duration of the unit depends on its class. So, economy-class models serve on average from 7 to 12 years. In this case, the device is repaired as needed. Models of the middle class (middle price category), as the manufacturers promise, will work for 10-15 years.
Why is class taken into account? Because cheap devices use less quality materials, mechanical control often no display. They are not as efficient in operation and are not equipped with the latest features.
Boilers of the middle and highest price category are supplied with nodes from quality materials. They have built-in sensors, automation, self-diagnosis and useful functionality. Electronic control and the presence of the display make the use comfortable. But at the same time, the price of these devices is often "wound up" on the name of the manufacturer.
For example, such well-known brands as "", "", "", are much more expensive than less well-known ones. This is used by dishonest firms that, instead of expensive components, use lower quality Chinese ones. As a result, you overpay, and the life of the premium boiler is the same as in the economy segment.
What factors should be considered
In addition to class and price segment, for the duration of operation gas equipment other aspects are also affected.
Heat exchanger material
Why is the service life of a wall-mounted appliance shorter than a floor-standing appliance? Perhaps the type of placement matters? No, just floor units equipped with cast iron or steel heat exchangers. For the same period of operation, their percentage of wear is significantly lower than that of copper radiators, which are installed in mounted boilers.
Copper is thinner than steel, and during operation it lends itself to oxidation and corrosion. Backlash in the heat exchanger can be soldered, but the unit will not last long. Average term work - from 5 to 10 years maximum. Practice shows that copper radiators serve no more than 7 years, after which they must be repaired or replaced. They are more sensitive to the quality of tap water.
Wall-mounted appliances are less powerful than floor-mounted ones. This results in constant work maximum power and rapid wear.
The type of heat exchanger also matters. An ordinary coil can be descaled on its own, and the boiler will continue to work. Bithermic radiators are not subject to cleaning, and the replacement of the node is almost equal to the cost of a new device.
Burner type
Gas appliances have two types of burners:
- Atmospheric - take air from the room to maintain the flame. Combustion products are discharged naturally using traction.
- Supercharged or forced (turbo chambers) - clean air is taken from the street through coaxial chimney. The power of the flame can be adjusted, the smoke is removed by a fan.
What about operating time? Forced removal of combustion products is more efficient. The boiler works with greater efficiency, which increases the efficiency and reduces the load on its units.
In devices with an atmospheric combustion chamber, a lot of soot accumulates in the holes and on the elements. As a result, the equipment spends more power to maintain operation, heating temperature, so the nodes fail faster.
Electronics and automation
Electronic models are equipped with control sensors, self-diagnostics and require connection to the network. Instability in the network, power surges lead to damage to the elements. We recommend installing a voltage stabilizer.
Operation features
The service life of heating equipment initially depends on right choice. To do this, it is necessary to select the boiler, taking into account the characteristics of the room in which it will work, and the planned peak loads. It is recommended to choose a boiler with a power reserve of 15-20%.
Choose a room for the installation of equipment in accordance with the regulations. It shouldn't be damp inside. Corrosion quickly destroys the heat exchanger, so install an air vent to bleed excess air.
Install magnetic filters to prevent scale formation. They soften water by attracting heavy salts.
Also, the pressure affects the life span of the unit. To keep the performance stable, include in the expansion tank.
- Devices with steel and cast iron radiators have the maximum service life.
- Devices with forced draft burner are more efficient.
- With a voltage stabilizer, the equipment will last a longer time.
It does not depend on the manufacturer's forecasts how many years the boiler will work. Great importance has its maintainability. Therefore, it is better to choose so that if necessary it is easier to find service centres and spare parts.
Each person chooses the best for himself. In the concept of "best" each of the buyers puts his own meaning. Reliability? Security? Price? Appearance? All this can be correlated with gas boilers. What are the best gas heating boilers? It all depends on what features you prioritize.
Many gas boilers have an automation system, pumps that run on electricity. Such boilers cannot function without a constant supply of electricity. If there are power outages, such devices will not work.
It is necessary to consider: what type of boilers is suitable for floor or wall housing. If a boiler is required high power, it is best to choose floor type equipment. The disadvantage of such a unit is that it is necessary to allocate a separate room for it. For regular kitchen fit more compact version- wall-mounted boiler.
It is worth considering such a characteristic of boilers as the type of combustion chamber. Equipment with an open chamber burns the air in the room. Such boilers require an equipped chimney and a constant flow of air from the outside. It should also be noted that their body overheats, so a boiler with an open combustion chamber should not be installed next to counters, wooden furniture and curtains. Boilers with a closed chamber have a coaxial pipe in their structure, which absorbs air from the street and brings it back. Such a boiler is economical option, because in coaxial pipe there is a uniform mixing of gas and air, so the boiler body with a closed combustion chamber does not overheat.
The modern market is to choose gas heating boilers to your taste, and which one is better for the buyer to decide. The choice of equipment depends on the needs that are most important to the consumer.
Service life of a wall-mounted gas boiler
The life of a wall-mounted gas boiler is several times less than that of a floor-standing one. What caused such a significant difference? Direct dependence on the material from which the boiler heat exchanger is made: in all mounted boilers, the heat exchangers are copper, and in the floor boilers they are made of steel or cast iron. Copper gives the boiler relative lightness, but copper equipment is fragile and quickly becomes unusable. For such a heat exchanger, a high purification of the coolant is required. If it is not cleaned, copper will oxidize. At proper care copper heat exchanger will last 5-10 years. The service life also depends on the manufacturer. Mounted boilers have less power than floor standing ones, so often when used they have to work at full power, this reduces the life of the equipment.
Service life of floor boiler
Floor boilers have a much longer service life than mounted ones. This fact is also determined by the material of the heat exchanger. Heat exchanger made of steel or cast iron correct operation and the installation will last up to 20 years. Floor boilers are much more powerful than mounted boilers, so they are rarely turned on at full power. If you periodically carry out deep cleaning of the coolant, then the gas boiler will serve for more than a dozen years.
Each manufacturer claims its warranty periods for the operation of gas boilers, which are based on their technical specifications. Tip: for greater reliability, it is necessary to purchase gas equipment only from trusted brands, for example, and also trust their installation of boilers to professionals.
The cost of gas boilers
The cost of gas boilers domestic use fluctuates over a fairly wide range. Gas equipment, by comparing the indicators for the quality of work, safety, service life, ease of use, economy, you can create a conditional classification of price categories.
The price of gas heating boilers can be classified into 3 groups:
- High-quality and expensive gas boilers of German brands.
- The average price of a gas boiler with good quality equipment of Italian companies Ariston, Baxy, Beretta, Ferroli, Baxy, Fondital; Czech companies: Mora, Viadrus, Dakon; Korean firms: Olympia and Kiturami; Spanish firms: Roca; Japanese company: Rinnai.
- Cheap gas boilers of domestic companies: Zhukovsky Machine-Building Plant, Lemax, Rostovgaz oapparat, AGRORESURS.
Overview of gas boilers
"Prometheus" is a well-known domestic brand of energy-independent floor-standing boilers with a steel heat exchanger. Prometheus models are used for space heating large area up to 750 sq. meters. The efficiency is 92%. Microtorch burner with automatic ignition, plate heat exchanger made of steel ensures efficient and safe work heating system. This company produces not only high-quality models that can successfully heat areas from the size of one apartment to large buildings of various functions, but also affordable. Gas boiler "Prometheus" - the best combination of quality and price.
gas boilers Neva is a St. Petersburg brand of Gazapparat OJSC, which specializes in the production of gas boilers and water heaters. The company carefully checks and tests all equipment for performance, electrical safety and tightness. The range of gas boilers is represented by 3 classes suitable for any wallet: “economy class” (Neva brand), “comfort class” and “premium class” (Neva Lux brand ). Since 2005, the company has been assembling wall-mounted gas boilers from ready-made purchased European kits. Since 2007, she has been manufacturing Neva Lux equipment, which has parts manufactured by the company itself. All boilers are made in modern design, the consumer can purchase equipment at an affordable cost.
The Korean company Daesung is a leading manufacturer of heating boilers. The company's boilers are economical, of excellent quality and safe in operation. The first heat exchanger is made of copper, so it has high efficiency and, consequently, a long service life. The second heat exchanger is made of steel plates, so hot water will always be in any quantity and instantly. The boiler is usually used to supply hot water.
Mimax LLC is a domestic company, the main direction of which is the manufacture of automatic gas equipment. Mimax gas heating boilers have a 3 mm thick steel heat exchanger, thanks to which they have excellent heat dissipation. When assembling the equipment, heat-resistant materials are used to significantly reduce the temperature outer case up to 40 -50 °C. The efficiency of the company's boilers is 87%. Lifetime heating equipment is over 15 years old. The Mimax company has developed a series of universal boilers that operate on both gas and solid fuels. Wood, coal, peat are used as fuel. The average time of transition from one fuel to another does not exceed 1 hour.
Gastroy LLC is engaged in the production of gas boilers trademark"Ochag", which successfully sells 40 types of heating boilers. Among them are gas boilers for heating the hearth, designed to provide heat to small rooms with an area of about 1000 m². All Ochag devices are easy to use, have an excellent level of quality combined with reasonable prices.
Protherm's Medved gas boiler has a heat exchanger constructed from several links. This design allows the combustion of fuel to give maximum heat to the heating water. Advantages of heating equipment of the Bear series: compact dimensions boiler, easy installation, simple operation, efficiency is 92%, maximum heat transfer with minimum losses, regulation in two steps.
Both in the domestic and in the European market of heating equipment, worthy models are presented, from which you can choose a boiler that suits you in terms of functionality and price.