Gas is an inexpensive and widespread fuel that is ideal for space heating. Therefore, gas boilers have always enjoyed well-deserved popularity. In this article, we will tell you how to choose a gas boiler for your needs and which 8 gas boilers are worthy of the title of the best.
CONTENT
- 1 What to look for when choosing a gas boiler
- 2 Top 8 best gas boilers
- 3 FAQ
What to look for when choosing a gas boiler
Principle of operation. Gas boilers can be convection or condensing. With the first, everything is clear: the burner burns gas and heats the water in the heat exchanger, and the combustion products are thrown into the chimney - a classic scheme with an efficiency of around 90%. Condensing boilers are much more interesting: to heat water, they use not only the energy obtained by burning gas, but also that which is released during the cooling and condensation of water vapor. This second stage, added to the boiler operation, allows to increase its efficiency up to 110%. But condensing gas boilers are much more expensive than convection boilers.
Heat exchanger material. Typically, the primary heat exchanger is made of cast iron, stainless steel or copper. Cast iron heat exchangers, as a rule, have the thickest walls, do not corrode and are distinguished by high thermal inertia, that is, they heat up for a long time, but also cool down slowly. The main disadvantage of cast iron is fragility, so you need to handle it with care. Stainless steel is much more ductile than cast iron, heat exchangers made of it are lighter and cheaper than cast iron, but they cool faster and tend to rust in the most interesting places. Copper is expensive and for this reason a rather exotic material for heat exchangers, but it conducts heat very well, which makes it possible to make highly efficient boilers of very compact dimensions. Almost the same can be said about aluminum heat exchangers: the main problem, as usual, is the price.
Thermal power. This parameter shows how much heat the boiler can produce. It is usually believed that to heat 10 square meters of a room with ceilings up to 3 meters and with normal thermal insulation, 1 kilowatt of thermal power is needed. When choosing a boiler, it is better to throw 20-30% to the calculated indicator, otherwise the device will work at the limit of its capabilities, which will negatively affect its service life. There is also no need to overpay for a too powerful boiler, otherwise it will simply burn out the gas in vain.
The number of contours. A single-circuit boiler provides housing with heating only. But the double-circuit can also be entrusted with hot water supply. The second option makes sense if you do not have a dedicated water heater.
Combustion chamber type. An open combustion chamber burns gas using ambient air. This is a simple design, which, nevertheless, requires the organization of a separate boiler room, because it burns out oxygen in the room, and for the emission of combustion products requires a separate chimney with a height of at least 6-7 meters. A closed chamber needs forced ventilation, but with the help of a small coaxial chimney, connected to the hole in the wall, it is capable of simultaneously pumping oxygen from the street and throwing combustion products. It is more efficient and safer, but expensive and electricity dependent.
Energy independence. Modern boilers are equipped with forced ventilation, electronic control, electric ignition, various protection systems and other chips that do not work without electricity. Boilers that definitely need an outlet are called volatile. Non-volatile models usually do not have additional functionality, but they also work without electricity.
Fastening method. Gas boilers can be wall-hung or floor-mounted. Typically, floor-standing models, large and heavy, are very powerful and are designed for heating large private houses. Wall-mounted options are smaller and lighter, less powerful and make the job easier. The choice between floor-standing and wall-mounted placement usually depends on how complex tasks the device must solve in your home.
Top 8 best gas boilers
The best single and double-circuit gas boilers
1. BAXI NUVOLA-3 Comfort 240 Fi 24.4 kW | Best double-circuit gas boiler
A classic convection gas boiler, endowed, however, with a number of very interesting features, thanks to which the manufacturer has every right to ask for an impressive 84,000 rubles for it. By and large, this two-circuit apparatus with a closed combustion chamber, efficiency of 92.9% and a maximum thermal power of 24.4 kW can be called rather a whole mini-boiler room than an ordinary boiler. The fact is that even a built-in 60-liter boiler is provided here, so that the unit will solve issues with hot water quickly and easily. Electronic control, copper heat exchanger, built-in circulation pump, room thermostat, display and remote control complete the picture of expensive but very decent equipment.
Price: ₽ 83 940
BAXI NUVOLA-3 Comfort 240 Fi 24.4 kW
2. Vaillant turboTEC plus VU 242 / 5-5 24 kW | Best single-circuit gas boiler
This single-circuit convection boiler is a little simpler and cheaper than the previous one, but at a price of 63,000 rubles, it also deserves membership in the major league. The unit is single-circuit, equipped with a closed combustion chamber with a copper heat exchanger and is capable of delivering up to 24 kW of thermal power with an efficiency of 91%. Electronic control with display, wall mounting. There is a built-in circulation pump and a 10 liter expansion tank. The functions of autodiagnostics, frost protection, pump blocking and overpressure, auto ignition, thermometer and pressure gauge are provided.
Price: ₽ 63 160
Vaillant turboTEC plus VU 242 / 5-5 24 kW
The best wall mounted gas boilers for home heating
3. Protherm Lynx 25/30 MKV 25 kW | The best wall-mounted double-circuit condensing gas boiler
Double-circuit gas boiler designed for wall mounting. The condensing design with a closed combustion chamber provides the device with an efficiency of 104%. The maximum thermal power of the unit is 25 kW, which is enough to heat a house with an area of 250 square meters. The aluminum heat exchanger is lightweight, compact and highly efficient. The functions of autodiagnostics and auto-ignition are provided, protection against freezing, overheating and pump blocking, gas control, safety valve, thermometer and air vent. The price of the issue is quite acceptable for such a rich functionality over 63,000 rubles.
Price: ₽ 63 000
Protherm Lynx 25/30 MKV 25 kW
4. BAXI Duo-tec Compact 1.24 24 kW Best Wall Mounted Single Circuit Condensing Gas Boiler
Powerful and efficient wall-mounted condensing gas boiler. The rejection of the two-circuit scheme allowed the manufacturer to make this unit, for all its advantages, relatively inexpensive: less than 54,000 rubles are asked for it. The heat output of the unit is 24 kW. The combustion chamber is closed, which gives an efficiency of 105.7%. Electronic control and forced ventilation make the boiler volatile. The primary heat exchanger is made of stainless steel. All necessary functionality and security systems are included as standard.
Price: ₽ 54 000
BAXI Duo-tec Compact 1.24 24 kW
5. Bosch Gaz 6000 W WBN 6000-35 C 37.4 kW | The best wall-mounted double-circuit convection gas boiler
A very efficient gas boiler with a classic convection scheme. Two circuits allow you to provide the house with not only heat, but also hot water. The maximum thermal power of the structure is a very impressive 37.4 kW. Electronic control is simple and clear. The copper heat exchanger provides high efficiency in a fairly compact size. The functions of self-diagnostics, flame modulation and auto-ignition are provided. There is protection against freezing, overheating and pump blocking, as well as a built-in thermometer and pressure gauge. You can become the owner of this unit for only 55,300 rubles and a little.
Price: ₽ 55 300
Bosch Gaz 6000 W WBN 6000-35 C 37.4 kW
6. Viessmann Vitopend 100-W A1HB001 24 kW | The best wall-mounted single-circuit convection gas boiler
For this wall-mounted single-circuit convection gas boiler, they ask for less than 37,500 rubles, although in terms of functionality it is not inferior even to much more expensive competitors. The maximum heating power reaches 24 kW. The closed combustion chamber and convection design provide 91% efficiency. The electronic control system is equipped with a display, a programmer and a self-diagnostic function. Protection against freezing, overheating and blocking of the pump, as well as auto-ignition, thermometer and pressure gauge are provided.
Price: ₽ 37 465
Viessmann Vitopend 100-W A1HB001 24 kW
The best floor standing gas boilers
7. Navien GA 23KN 23 kW | The best floor-standing double-circuit convection gas boiler
Quite heavy and efficient double-circuit boiler, designed for floor installation. The classic convection design and closed combustion chamber allow the unit to produce up to 23 kW of thermal power with an efficiency of 91.5%. The electronic control system is equipped with a room thermostat, display and remote control. There is auto-diagnostics, auto-ignition, flame modulation, programmer, frost and overheating protection, thermometer, pressure gauge, as well as a gas control function - everything you need and nothing more.
Price: ₽ 34 850
Navien GA 23KN 23 kW
8. Lemax Premium-25N 25 kW | The best floor-standing single-circuit convection gas boiler
The simplest and most inexpensive boiler in our selection. They ask for less than 29,000 rubles for it, but the manufacturer did not save on the main characteristics. This is a reliable single-circuit floor-standing unit with a capacity of 25 kilowatts, which is capable of heating a room with an area of up to 250 square meters. Convection circuit, open combustion chamber, which requires a chimney and a separate boiler room. Mechanical control and a minimal set of options make the boiler non-volatile. Steel heat exchanger, thermometer, gas control. Decent device without garbage functionality.
Price: ₽ 28 770
Lemax Premium-25N 25 kW
FAQ
Why does the water pressure drop in the gas boiler?
There may be several reasons for this. Let's say the water pressure in the heating system drops when it just fills up and air leaves it. This process in some cases can take up to two weeks. In addition, there may be a leak in the system - then it must be found and eliminated. The exact answer about the causes of the drop in pressure can only be given to you by a specialist after diagnosis.
Why does the gas boiler smoke?
There may be a lot of reasons here: low-quality fuel, lack or excess of oxygen, low gas pressure or coolant temperature, clogged burner. The exact answer can only be given after diagnosing your equipment.
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