How to choose a water heater?

In summer, there are often frequent interruptions in tap water in high-rise buildings. Repair work carried out by utility services is usually delayed for several weeks, so many have to forget about the comfortable environment. Having installed a water heater, you can solve this problem. In the modern market there is a wide variety of boiler models. In order to make the right choice, it is necessary to know the positive and negative sides of each type of water heater. In this article, we will look at how to choose a water heater and which model will be the most optimal.

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Principles of classification

To make it easier to understand all the diversity of such equipment, it is necessary to clearly imagine the criteria by which the classification is performed. The criteria and varieties will be as follows.

The principle of power consumption distinguishes:

• electrical devices;
• gas water heaters.

According to the size and volume of the water supply,

• generates large-scale devices for heating water;
• compact devices.

Important! Devices are able to heat up to ten liters of tap water, and up to a thousand liters of water per hour.

The control principle divides:

• elementary constructions with manual control mode;
• is a sophisticated system with an electronic control system that allows you to regulate and control the water temperature.

By installation method:

• Some water heaters are suspended on the wall.
• There are options that can be installed on the floor.

It is also possible to systemize water heating systems in terms of size, performance ratio and functionality. Also, devices for heating water can be classified according to their structural properties and installation options.

According to the way of water supply

Electric water heaters according to their design and heating method are divided into several types:

• storage water heaters;
• flow devices;
• flow-through devices.

The appearance of water heaters is very similar, since they are cylindrical or rectangular in shape, and on the main panel there is a regulating knob that adjusts the temperature.

Important! Storage water heaters of very large dimensions, as they are designed to heat large amounts of water. The flow-storage devices consist of the advantages of two types of electric heaters for water.

Next, we will look at some of the most popular types of water heating in more detail.

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Flow-through water heaters

A compact device adapted for instantaneous heating of water is called instantaneous water heating equipment, and such systems are highly efficient in operation.

Principle of operation

Cold running water, entering the heating device, passes through a flask into which the heating element is integrated. In this process, an instantaneous heating effect occurs up to 50-60 degrees.

In a compact housing, the high power of the copper TEN, which contributes to the instantaneous heating process.

Where applicable?

A flow-through water heater perfectly solves the problem of water supply with hot water only in the presence of a single point of water intake. If there are several water points, then the water passing through the water heater does not have time to warm up to the desired temperature regime. This equipment is reliable and durable in operation.

Important! It is recommended to choose a water heater with a flow system if it is necessary for use with a shortage of hot water in apartments and houses, as well as kindergartens, schools and other institutions, rather than on an ongoing basis.

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Storage water heaters

Manufacturers produce storage models with water volumes up to 10 000 liters. In residential apartments use these models with a smaller capacity of a tank from 8 to 200 liters, while taking into account the number of permanent residents.

Important! Such units for heating water take a lot of free space on the wall or on the floor, but in the apartment there is always the possibility of using hot water.

Design and function of the

The storage water heater can be in the form of a round or elongated thermally insulated tank, and inside the tank there is a heating element. The TEN device facilitates the heating of water to a certain temperature, which is in the range of 35 to 85 degrees. Within two or three hours the temperature regime remains constant.

If water cooling occurs and the temperature changes by only 0.5 degrees, the water heater for the heating process automatically starts. Then, automatic shutdown occurs again. Such a regime moment makes it possible to rationally consume electricity.

Important! The presence of a built-in thermostat in the construction of a storage water heater helps to maintain the set temperature. Some models are equipped with:

• additional function of accelerated heating process;
• control system with manual or automatic mode;
• antibacterial coating of the tank.

The power consumption of such water heaters is about 2-3 kW, like electric kettles. These models can operate at a voltage of 220 volts from an ordinary outlet.

Pros

In solving the issue, which water heater to choose, will help the main advantages. In this version they are as follows:

• The operation of the equipment is independent of the gas pressure and the water pressure. Thus, flow-through gas devices can operate at a certain pressure in the gas system to ensure uninterrupted heating of the water. Storage water heaters can work even at low pressure, but the time for heating the water increases. The same happens with water. All flow-through heaters can not function with a small head, while the storage devices fail to perform the heating process at the right temperature.
• The storage water heaters are able to function with several water intake points at the same time, for example, a bath and a kitchen sink, where a lot of water is consumed.
• Storage water heaters have a much lower incrustation process, while flow devices are more prone to settling of hard deposits.
• Household models with a large volume of water can provide hot water not only for washing dishes, but also allow all family members to take a bath.

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Flow-through models

Flow-through water heaters are universal devices for heating water. Units of this type combined the advantageous characteristics of both flow and storage devices.

The main advantages of this model:

• the ability of water heaters to operate in two modes;
• compact design;
• simple installation.

Important! The comparatively low weight of such models attracts many buyers. They are purchased both for apartments, and for country houses and country houses. At a weight of six kilograms, the volume of the boiler can vary from 10 to 35 liters, which is quite acceptable to many consumers.

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Gas accumulation water heaters

Water heaters of this type can be divided into:

• wall with a tank capacity from 10 to 100 liters;
• outdoor with a reservoir capacity of 120 to 10 000 liters.

Important! Both storage water heaters and flow-throughs are characterized by the presence of systems with automatic gas shut-off, in the case of an extinguished flame on the burner or if there is no draft in the chimney.

Application of

The difference between them lies in a one-time quantitative heating of water. It is the definition of this parameter that will help to choose the right water heater:

• As a rule, wall-mounted water heaters are more used for the apartment variant of a family of three or four people.
• Floor-mounted drives are purchased by small businesses or country houses, the area of ​​which is much larger than urban apartments.

Important! Most of the storage water heaters operate on natural gas, if necessary, they can easily be converted to liquefied gas.

Cons

The main disadvantages of gas water heaters:

• large dimensions of the boiler;
• limited volume of the tank;
• for a long time water heating;
• high price of equipment.

Important! There are models of gas water heaters of storage type, which have a large volume, are able to function as flow-through heating devices, the work of which is accompanied by rapid heating of water.

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Electric storage devices for water heating

In an electric water heater of a storage type for heating water, a certain time is required from 30 minutes to 8 hours. The duration of the heating process depends on the capacity of the equipment and the volume of the boiler.

Device

The main components of electrical equipment are the heating element and the internal tank. They will help you choose a water heater. The volume of the tank in the water-heating device can fluctuate within 10-200 liters, and the used power of the heating element is 1.2-2.5 kilowatts.

Important! The volume of the tank and the power of the heating element determine the rate of heating of the water. So:

• for a storage device with a reservoir volume of 10-15 liters, the heating process is 35-45 minutes;
• for a water heater with a tank capacity of 200 liters will take five to eight hours to heat the water.

The water heater also consists of:

• thermal insulation coating, which ensures the retention of heated water;
• magnesium anode, which protects the internal surface of the tank from corrosion;
• thermostat, which sets the desired temperature;
• safety valve, which ensures bleeding of excess pressure.

Advantages of

The advantage of electric water heaters lies in the functional features of the work. Once the water is heated to 50-70 degrees, the automatic mode of the equipment maintains this temperature. The water is heated a little and does not expend a lot of power. The small consumed power of the storage electric heater contributes to the increased demand among consumers.

Important! For consumers who need a large amount of hot water and in apartments where the wiring does not withstand the use of a powerful flow-through boiler, choosing an electric storage water heater is an ideal option.

Another advantage of using electric water heaters is the simultaneous supply of water to several water users. In the boiler there will remain a small amount of water, but very rarely a constant water flow is used for a long time.

Cons

Electric water heaters also have minuses:

• The presence of a high price factor.
• Limited volume of the boiler, so the warm water may suddenly end.
• If you increase the volume of the tank, you will need to enlarge the dimensions of the water heater, and for small rooms - this is not an option. In the modern market there are new models that can be installed under the ceiling. There are also model developments, which are placed in a standard cabinet with pipes, located in the bathroom.
• It takes a while to warm up the water.

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Use of indirect heating boilers

This kind of heater consists of:

• A steel container that is covered with a protective glass-ceramic layer. Also there are heaters, consisting of a stainless container, which is placed in a casing, where there is a highly effective thermal insulation. As a rule, such a boiler is placed near a single-circuit heating boiler.
• Heat exchanger in the form of a coil, which heats the water in the boiler. The heat carrier of the heating system - antifreeze and water, while passing through the coil promotes the heating of water in the tank. Some floor boilers have two heat exchangers.
• These devices have a temperature indicator. If it is necessary to heat the water, the boiler device in automatic mode is switched from electric heating to water heating.

Features:

• The proprietary indirect water heating device heats water from 0 to 60 degrees in less than half an hour.
• For boilers of floor type is typical accommodation near heating boilers. There are also wall models, but they are limited in capacity of the tank to 200 liters.
• All tanks of this type are characterized by a built-in "safety group", which protects the equipment from the effect of overheating and over-pressure.
• These boilers are equipped with a magnesium anode, which provides the maximum energy resource of the equipment.

Important! If the boiler is in the non-operating mode for a long time, it is necessary to drain the water.

Cons

Indirect heating boilers have negative aspects:

• availability of a limited amount of used water;
• electrical equipment is very cumbersome, due to installation only near the heating boiler.

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Which water heater to choose?

The main recommendations for choosing a water heater are as follows:

• You need to determine the functionality of the water heater and understand what you need to purchase for. So, the choice depends on what is required:
  • availability of a convenient kitchen device for boiling water;
  • device capable of supplying hot water when switching off the central water supply;
  • model for the constant presence of hot water in the apartment;
  • device providing hot water to the enterprise.
• Calculations are required to determine the planned water consumption. If you need to choose a water heater for a dacha or an apartment, you can handle the calculations yourself. For a large enterprise it is necessary to turn to specialists who are supposed to purchase a water heater.
• When choosing water heaters, it is necessary to pay attention to the good reputation of the manufacturers and a rather long warranty period.
• You have to think about where and how to install the water heater. In this case, it is necessary to take into account the dimensions of the installation and the technical requirements for the equipment, since there are various variations: vertical, horizontal, floor, wall.
• It is necessary to determine how the equipment will be installed - on its own or need to invite a qualified specialist.

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Other useful tips for choosing a storage water heater

Choosing the right storage water heater will help you with several useful and simple tips.

Amount of

When determining the volume of a water heater, it is necessary to know the number of people present in the apartment who will use hot water and the number of water intake points. One person spends an average at a time:

• washbasin - 5 to 18 liters;
• shower cabin - from 40 to 90 liters;
• bathroom - from 140 to 190 liters;
• kitchen sink - from 25 to 35 liters.

Tank material

The life of the equipment depends on the material used to make the tank. The tank, which has leaked out, can not be repaired, therefore it is necessary to pay attention to the paint quality and the characteristic features of the anticorrosion coatings:

• Tanks made of stainless steel are the most durable in use with a warranty of eight years.
• The carbon steel housing covered with titanium oxide does not crack at any temperature changes, and the warranty is six years on such a reservoir.
• The cheapest ones are containers made of ordinary steel, which are covered with standard enamels. But such tanks are not recommended for serious use, since the warranty period is only three years.

Dimensions

When selecting a heater, the following dimensions must be adhered to: the height of the unit should be 10 centimeters on the top and thirty centimeters from the bottom.

Power

The power selection depends on the required quantity of hot water and the quality of the wiring. In the modern market, there are expensive models with electronic control units that operate at a power of 2 to 6 kilowatts, using both 220 volts and 110 volts.

We hope that with our review of the types of water heaters and selection tips, you were able to determine which equipment would be more appropriate in your home.