Boiler for heating water: a step towards independence from utilities

Tags:Kitchen

Every summer, city dwellers face the same problem: the lack of hot water due to the planned renovation of the city water supply system. Sometimes this process drags on for a couple of months, and you rush with bowls and pots from kitchen to bathroom and back, cursing city services and complaining about life. But getting rid of this inconvenience is very easy: just buy a boiler to heat water. Our material will talk about how to choose a water heater, how to install it and what you should remember during operation.

Water heater - a guarantee of hot water supply in the house

The content of the article

1 What is a boiler: application, device and principle of operation
2 Where are hot water boilers used?
3 The basic principle of the boiler
4 What does a water heater consist of
5 Size matters
6 What determines the heating time of the boiler
7 Classification of hot water units
8 How to choose a boiler and not be mistaken
9 Manufacturers you can trust
- 9.1 Boilers for heating water: price and best models
10 Installation of a water heater
- 10.1 Video: how to install a water heater with your own hands
11 Final conclusions

What is a boiler: application, device and principle of operation

From a purely technical point of view, a boiler is a device for heating water and keeping it warm for use. Consists water heater from a volumetric container with high-quality thermal insulation and a heating element. Temperature control of the device is provided by thermostats. You can buy a boiler for heating water at any hardware store. The range of devices with such a purpose is quite large, and our task is to understand all this diversity and make the best choice.

Where are hot water boilers used?

A boiler for heating water can completely replace the centralized hot water supply. It is used in private houses and apartments, in catering establishments, kindergartens and schools.

In such a device, water is heated for sanitary needs.

It should be noted that the quality of the water from the water heater and from the centralized main canal is still different, no matter how some might argue the opposite. Judge for yourself: for centralized water supply, water is heated in boiler rooms and sent through a separate pipeline. Hot water pipes are constantly exposed to high temperatures. They are destroyed by adding substances unusual for it to the water.

But if you have a boiler in your apartment, then the water will be of much better quality. You send clean cold water from the tap into it and immediately get the result at the exit, without sediment, rust and other "gifts".

This is all about sanitary water. But there are also boilers for drinking water, they are used for other purposes. Tea boilers are installed in canteens, cafes, bars and restaurants. They can be of different designs. Some are built on the simple principle of a boiler. Usually these are large containers of 10-90 liters. They can be bottled or have a continuous supply of water for preparing drinks. There is also a second option - geyser-type heaters.

Tea or coffee is brewed with steam. Geyser boilers are usually small - up to 15 liters

The basic principle of the boiler

A water heater is a primitive device with a simple device and an understandable principle of operation. A boiler device for heating water is just a tank and a heating element. There is no secret in how a boiler for heating water works. The heating element contacts the contents of the tank, raising its temperature, and the double walls of the tank retain heat, just like a conventional thermos.

The diagram shows how the boiler works

Containers are usually made of stainless steel, resistant to high temperatures and not subject to corrosion. The inner space of the tank is covered with glass porcelain. It does not allow moisture to come into contact with the metal and keeps it in its original form, without entering into any chemical reactions.

There is one small nuance in the storage water heater device: hot water is taken from the upper layers. There the liquid has the highest temperature. Its cool layers are at the bottom, where the hole for the fence is located. Dividers are installed on the inlet channel, they do not allow hot and cold layers to mix. The heating elements are located below.

The warmed moisture naturally rushes upward, and at the exit you get the desired result. If you put the boiler on its side, it will not work for obvious reasons.

There can be several or one heating elements - it depends on the volume of the tank and the design of the device. The thermostat opens the electrical circuit when the temperature of the tank contents reaches the required values.

To minimize energy consumption for heating, the device has good thermal insulation and maintains the temperature of the contents as long as possible.

Advice! If hot water is drawn quickly from the boiler, the temperature of the liquid will drop. For this reason, before buying a device, decide on its purpose. It's one thing if you just need hot water for the kitchen, and another thing if the water heater will serve the bathroom.

What does a water heater consist of

We have already touched on the boiler device when we talked about the principle of its operation. Let's consider it in more detail.

External enclosure. The shape of the outer body can be cylindrical, rectangular or oval. Its design depends on the imagination of the manufacturer's designers. Monitoring and control devices are fixed on the outer part of the case. Hanging appliances have space for wall mounting. Don't be alarmed if the outer casing is made of plastic. Modern heat-resistant materials are in no way inferior to metal.

The outer casing of the water heating tank can be vertical or horizontal. Vertical appliances are considered more efficient

Tank. The internal container of the boiler, tank in tank, must be resistant to high temperature impact. In addition, the inner tank must not rust and release toxic substances into the liquid. To accomplish these tasks, manufacturers are inventing new coatings and sprays with different performance characteristics ^

Glass enamel. To protect the tank from corrosion, glass or porcelain is sprayed onto its inside at a temperature of about 850 degrees Celsius. The resulting coating does not oxidize, does not allow the formation of scale. Everything is fine, but the hard layer of coating crumbles over time due to the expansion of the tank at high temperatures. Sometimes titanium is added to the composition to keep the material from cracking. Such tanks are very heavy, it is undesirable to set the temperature in them above 70 degrees. Manufacturers guarantee 3 years of service for such devices.
Titanium. The titanium powder makes the inside of the tank resistant to corrosion. Titanium is an expensive metal, so these tanks are not cheap. The only weak point of the coating is the weld seam. Manufacturers guarantee 10 years of device service.
Stainless steel. Stainless steel is a resistant material for the tank. It does not enter into chemical reactions, it is elastic enough to expand when heated. The only catch is that scale forms in them. To extend the service life, it is advisable to regularly clean the tank from deposits. For the rest, there are no complaints about such a tank. A guaranteed 10 years of service in practice can turn into 20.

It is impossible to say unequivocally which material of the water heater tank is better. Select the device taking into account your financial capabilities and operating conditionsand

Heating element for a water heater. Heating elements are mounted inside the tank on metal flanges. In some tanks, there may be several heating elements, this allows you to accurately control the temperature. Heating elements are different in power and the principle of interaction with the liquid:

Wet. Have direct contact with moisture. During operation, scale forms on them. If not cleaned, the heater will fail pretty quickly.
Dry. Hidden inside a metal casing covered with glass or porcelain. Convenient in that they do not suffer from scale.

Scale does not form on "dry" heating elements, they will last the entire warranty period of the device

Thermoregulator. The thermostat starts the heating element when the water temperature drops below normal. These elements can be electronic or mechanical. Mechanical ones are considered more reliable, and electronic ones allow more accurate temperature control.

In modern models, the thermostat can turn off the water heater if, for some reason, there is no water in the tank

Magnesium anode. Not everyone knows what the anode in the boiler is for. In fact, this element protects the metal in the boiler structure. It gives up its particles, reducing ion exchange inside the case. From time to time the anode needs to be changed, it practically “melts” during operation.

The magnesium rod is replaced if it becomes thinner than 1 centimeter or shorter than 20 centimeters

The magnesium rod is changed if it has become thinner than 1 centimeter or shorter than 20 centimeters

Size matters

We have already said that with a large intake of water, the temperature inside the tank drops and you should know exactly how much volume you may need during the operation of the device. Another factor can influence the choice of the tank. The place for installation does not always correspond to the required volume storage water heater... 50 liters is a relatively small tank, but it can be installed even in a small bathroom or in the kitchen, but a one-liter whopper cannot always be attached.

You may have to compromise when choosing the volume, if only the water is hot enough

Please note that the larger the tank volume, the slower it will warm up. Here's some information for comparison:

Volume of the tank	Heating time up to 45 degrees	Tank height, cm
Boilers for heating water 30 liters	42 minutes	30-45
Boilers for heating water 50 liters	1 hour 10 minutes	50-60
Boilers for heating water 80 liters	1 hour 50 minutes	75-80
Boilers for heating water 100 liters	2 hours 19 minutes	Up to 120

The most popular are small square-shaped water heaters. They can easily fit in a kitchen cabinet. These mini water heaters have a long service life and good thermal insulation.

What determines the heating time of the boiler

Without a doubt, the volume of the tank affects the heating time of the water in the storage water heater, but there are other factors that you should be aware of. The rate of temperature rise depends on the power and surface area of the heating element and the heat transfer coefficient.

In tanks using open fire, the liquid heats up faster. You can add fuel to increase the temperature.

Electric boilers heat up more slowly, their capacity is limited by the capabilities of utilities

If the heating element is covered with scale, this will reduce the heating rate. Devices that are not regularly cleaned consume more electricity and fail quickly.On sale you can find devices that heat water using free solar energy. Such complexes include a storage boiler and solar panels, which are mounted on the roof of the building. So far, these are new technologies, but they have already proven themselves perfectly even in the cold climate of the Far East.

The only drawback is that the system only works during the day.

But it should be noted that the heating rate in such devices is quite high and not much water heating time is needed.Returning to the topic of electric water heaters, it should be noted that if the device has not one, but two or more heating elements, the required temperature is reached faster. The heating elements are connected if there is a large consumption of the contents of the tank and are turned off in standby mode, when only one of them is enough to maintain the temperature.

In gas water heaters, the water becomes hot instantly. Heating takes place in a coil located above the burner. This is handy if you decide to wash the dishes, but you won't get the temperature you want if you are trying to fill a bath. The temperature of the liquid will drop quickly if the valve is fully opened.

Advice! To reduce the cost of heating the water, use additional thermal insulation. A layer of polypropylene or other insulating material will increase the efficiency of the device.

Classification of hot water units

Home boilers can be classified according to two main characteristics: by heating method and by energy source. Let's consider the most popular types of devices.

Heating type

By the type of heating, water heaters are divided into devices with indirect or direct heating. Each of these types has its own advantages, disadvantages and operating features.

The principle of operation of indirect heating boilers and their advantages

The peculiarity of the boiler for heating indirect water is that it does not use its own heat source. It heats water using an external device such as a boiler or heating radiators.

Indirect heating boiler

Such a device allows you to make up for the lack of hot water in case of interruptions in the main line. The device consists of a heat-insulated body and a tank with a spiral-shaped heat exchanger. The design maintains the temperature of the liquid for a long time. The coolant circulates through the coil and heats the liquid. The movement of the coolant is provided by a pump, which is turned off by a thermostat when the required temperature is reached. Before making a choice in favor of such a device, study the capabilities of your heating system and determine if it can cope with heating water in the right quantities and at the same time normally perform its main task.

The advantage of indirect type water heaters is that you can maintain the temperature in a large volume of liquid without spending extra money on electricity. From such a boiler, you can simultaneously supply water to the kitchen for washing dishes and to the bathroom for washing. But it should be noted that the cost of the tank and the price of its installation "bite". So before you save on the energy source, you will have to shell out a tidy sum for the arrangement of the system. Water in indirect boilers heats up slowly.

In addition, such tanks take up a lot of space, they are usually installed in boiler rooms, and not every house has such a room.

What is the difference between a direct heating boiler

Direct-fired gas boilers differ in that they have a tank in which the water coming from the water supply is heated using a burner or heating element, if it is an electrical appliance. After the hot water has been drawn off, the container is filled up again and the process continues.

Direct heating boiler

Direct heating boilers can be floor-standing or wall-mounted. They are usually compact and can be placed not only in the boiler room, but also in the kitchen or bathroom. The rate at which water is heated in such devices depends on the source of energy they use. If the device uses gas fuel or has a solid fuel principle of operation, it must be equipped with chimney. The main advantage of such devices is in the rapid heating of water, and the main disadvantage is in energy costs.

Drive type

By the type of storage water heaters are divided into flow and storage (capacitive). Let's consider their characteristics.

Operation of instantaneous boilers for water heating

Devices with a flow-through system can be used in a private house and in an apartment. In such a device, the water heats up almost instantly thanks to the super powerful heating elements. The more water is consumed, the more heating elements are connected. This mechanism allows you to economically consume electricity. The device is protected from overheating by a special system that does not allow water to boil and burn hands.

All the necessary information about the operation of the device is placed on the electronic display. It shows the water temperature, the number of connected heating elements and the liquid flow rate per minute. If the temperature in the tap exceeds the permissible values, the device will give a signal.

There are models with a remote control, but in practice, rarely anyone uses them

The main advantages of flow heaters are considered to be the absence of restrictions on the amount of hot water and the compact size of the device. It may just look like a tap head. The main argument of opponents of such systems is that a separate wiring with a powerful cable is required to connect the device. But if we are talking about a device with a low power, up to two kilowatts, it is quite possible to use a regular outlet.

You can buy a flow-through boiler in household appliances stores, its cost starts from 2 thousand rubles

You can buy a flow-through boiler in home appliance stores, its cost starts from 2 thousand rubles

Capacitive (storage) boilers for water heating

The storage type water heater has a very simple design. Water enters the tank, heats up in it and is kept warm. The thermostat in the installation monitors a constant temperature in the tank, heat is retained due to high-quality thermal insulation.

When buying storage water heaters for summer cottages, you should pay attention to safety devices. The kit should include a water sensor, safety valve and draft indicator.

It is not difficult to install such a boiler, electrical appliances work from a regular outlet

Important! The socket for connecting a water heater must be equipped with a grounding.

Several taps can operate simultaneously from a tank water heater. But in order to ensure full heating of bathing water, you will have to install a container of at least 80 liters, and for it you will need to find a place in the house. To constantly maintain the temperature of the contents of the tank, the device constantly turns on the heaters, this affects the amount of electricity bills.Among other things, capacitive devices require periodic maintenance: descaling and replacement of anodes.

Food type

You can get heat energy for the boiler from different sources. The most primitive devices can be fired with wood or diesel fuel, gas or electric water heaters are installed in most homes, and solar energy devices are gaining popularity.

Appliances for solid and liquid fuels are used if the house is located far from the main gas pipeline and the power of the electrical network does not allow connecting an electric boiler

On the advantages of gas and electric boilers Much has been said, but solar heaters are the future. Free heat quickly pays for all equipment costs. On the net you can find many recommendations on how to make such a device with your own hands from scrap materials. Here's an example of such a video:

Advantages of electric boilers for heating water

If we analyze the sales of boilers with different sources of thermal energy, then electrical appliances will surely take the first place. Electric boilers for water have a lot of positive qualities. They are easy to install, energy efficient and have a high efficiency. It is not always possible to connect to the network gas, but there is electricity in every house - and this is another undoubted advantage of these devices.

The safety of electrical devices of modern manufacturers is at a height, they have a full set of sensors and regulators that turn off the power supply in an emergency

Electric water heaters for the apartment are controlled by a remote control. It is very convenient in conditions of constant rush of the townspeople.Modern electric tanks for heating water are equipped with an electronic display on a liquid crystal basis. You can easily control the heating temperature and monitor the operation of the device. An electric boiler for heating water can also be hydraulically controlled. This is a more primitive option based on adjusting the filling of the tank with a tap.

With all the undoubted advantages of this type of heating, electric tanks also have disadvantages. And the most basic of them is the price of electricity. No matter how you save, operating such a tank will cost you more than a gas boiler.

Benefits of using gas boilers for water heating

The main advantage of gas boilers for water is your cost savings. So far, gas in our country is a more profitable fuel than electricity. So both heating systems and appliances for cooking and heating water on gas - all this will cost you less than electric ones.

To install a gas water heater, you do not need to "conjure" with electrical wiring. The maximum that may be required is to connect the pump if the tank is equipped with it, but there are not many such models. And even if there is no possibility of connecting to the main gas, you can get out of the situation by connecting a storage gas boiler to cylinders with liquefied blue fuel.

The main drawback in this system is that it cannot be installed and connected by oneself. Installation will require the help of certified specialists, otherwise the gas industry will not give the go-ahead for the operation of the device.

The supplier's representatives will visit you annually and check the equipment is working properly. You will have to pay for this

The operation of gas appliances requires increased safety measures. Water heaters are installed in rooms with reliable ventilation system and chimney.

How to choose a boiler and not be mistaken

What criteria should be used to select a water heater? There are several important parameters to watch out for:

power of heating elements;
tank dimensions;
tank material and coating;
completeness of security systems;
warranty period of operation;
price.

It is clear that the larger the tank, the better.It makes no sense to buy a small container for a large family and vice versa, put a huge tank if there are only two of you. There are approximate standards on how to choose a boiler for a house according to the number of residents:

1 person - 10 liter tank;
a family of 2 people - 30-50 liters;
family of 4 - 100 liters.

Advice! Before you buy a large tank, consider whether the wall you are planning to mount it to can handle the load.

The higher the declared power, the faster the water heats up and the more energy is consumed. Consider this. There are huge tanks with low power, they will heat up for hours, you will get tired of waiting for a bath while the water heats up.

We have already talked about the materials of the tank, but it is worth recalling that stainless steel is an expensive material with a long service life. Divide the cost of such a boiler by 15 and compare with the cost of a porcelain-lined tank divided by the three-year warranty.

Pay attention to the recommended place for installing the device. There are water heaters that are mounted directly above sink or below it, having horizontal and vertical placement, floor or wall.

Think about where it would be more convenient for you to place this device

And two more important aspects in the question of which electric boilers are better to choose are prices and firms. There is only one advice - trust manufacturers with experience and reputation among buyers. Do not seek to buy the cheapest device, as they say, the stingy pays twice.

Manufacturers you can trust

Before you buy an electric boiler for heating water, study the range of manufacturers that have the most positive feedback from customers.

There are five favorites in the race for the consumer:

Brand name	Description
BOSCH	The products of this company are traditionally considered reliable and easy to use. Devices of this company are assembled in several countries, experts advise choosing Bulgarian-assembled water heaters.
ARISTON	Household appliances from this manufacturer are among the best-selling in our country. The cost of devices is in the middle price category, but Ariston water heaters are famous for their long service life.
GORENJE	Boilers from this manufacturer are ideal value for money. They use dry heating elements, they are not covered with scale and serve for a long time. Users note the excellent thermal insulation of the tanks. The temperature in them can last up to two days.
THERMEX	Thermex heaters are distinguished by their attractive design and exceptional reliability. The manufacturer gives a confident warranty period of 10 years, but in practice the devices can last twice as long. The heating elements in the water heaters of this company are coated with a silver alloy, which makes them almost eternal.
ELECTROLUX	A wide range of water heaters from this company will allow you to choose a device that is suitable for the specific conditions of your home. On sale there are flow-through and capacitive models that are compact, attractive in appearance and reliability.

Boilers for heating water: price and best models

Considering the winners of the rating of the most reliable boiler manufacturers, we have selected for you the most popular models according to Yandex.Market, you can compare prices:

Volume of the tank	Bosch	Ariston	Gorenje	Thermex	Electrolux

	Model / price, rub.
Boilers for heating water 30 liters, price	Tronic 1000T ES30-5 / 5377	ABS BLU R 30V Slim / 5015	FTG 30 SM B6 / 7500	Hit H30-O / RUB 4910	EWH 30 Royal / RUB 6800
Boilers for heating water 50 liters, price	Tronic 1000T ES50-5 / 5619	ABS PRO ECO PW 50V / 6650	OTG 50 SLSIMB6 / 6840	Round Plus IS 50V / 7900	EWH 50 Royal Silver / 13490
Boilers for heating water 80 liters, price	Tronic 2000T ES80-5 / 7290	ABS PRO R INOX 80V / 8345	OTG 80 SL B6 / 8248	Flat Plus IF 80V / 11895	EWH 80 AXIOmatic / 9200
Boilers for heating water 100 liters, price	Tronic 2000T ES100-5 / 8500	ABS PRO R INOX 100V / 9224	TGU 100 NG B6 / 6780	Round Plus IR 100V / 10210	EWH 100 Royal / 12235

Installation of a water heater

After you have made a difficult choice, all that remains is to install a water heater. Take your time, you should prepare carefully. First of all, decide on the installation site. Please note that the tank will have to be descaled from time to time, so there should be an approach to it. The wall on which you plan to hang the boiler must be strong enough, because it will have to cope not only with the tank, but also with the weight of its contents. Connecting a storage water heater requires analysis and preparation electrical wiring.

Advice! Check the condition of the water pipes and risers in the house. If they are overgrown with rust, they should be replaced, the tank needs a full pressure of water.

And finally, a small master class on how to turn on a boiler to heat water:

Photo	Description of work
	Measure the height and width of the tank before starting work. Consider whether it will fit in the planned installation location.
	Use anchor bolts for installation. They hold the heavy tank securely against the brick wall.
	To determine the location for the bolts, measure the boiler mounting plate.
	Mark the wall. Determine where the top of the device will be. It should not block ventilation openings or rest against the ceiling.
	If the bathroom walls are tiled, don't drill them straight away with a large drill. Use sequentially # 5, 8 and 10. So the decorative coating will not crack, and the holes will be even and neat.
	To avoid chips, you can strengthen the drilling site with tape.
	Install the anchors and hammer them lightly. Do not overdo it, otherwise the tile will burst.
	Tighten the fasteners tightly with a wrench and pliers.
	It remains only to hang up the tank and check its vertical level.
	Wind up the inlet and outlet pipes with tape or fum thread. Some experts recommend using tow, it is more reliable.
	A safety valve is installed first. When the pressure in the tank rises above 8 atmospheres, it will release and normalize the situation.
	All elements of the system must be screwed on tightly, so you will avoid leaks.
	Connect the tank to cold water and a hot water pipe. Install taps at the connection point. If a water heater is needed only when the main hot water is turned off, install a tap to shut off the main, otherwise your device will heat the entire riser.
	Connect the connecting hoses to the boiler using the same tape or thread of fum or tow.
	Boilers usually have a fairly short cord, so it would be correct to connect a grounded protected outlet to it.
	Before connecting the appliance, examine the protective mechanism located on the cord. It has a button to check if it works. In the event of a voltage drop, the mechanism is triggered, turning off the power supply.

Important! All work is carried out with disconnected water and power supply.

A video on the topic will help you visualize the whole process more clearly:

Video: how to install a water heater with your own hands

Final conclusions

A boiler is a device that is able to provide your home with hot water on a permanent basis or during a shutdown of the central line. The cost of the device is relatively low - about 5-9 thousand rubles.

For this money you will get a full hot water supply

To select the appliance, consider the most economical energy source, your family's needs and specific accommodation conditions. An electric boiler is not difficult to install with your own hands; to connect a gas device, you will need to invite certified craftsmen.

Don't forget to share your experience and send us your comments!

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