Water heaters how to choose a good model - types, description

Tired of adapting to the schedule of hot water supply or even warming the water in pots and bowls? Then it's time to buy a water heater! Today, manufacturers offer a huge range of boilers, differing by the method of heating water, the source of energy and a number of technical and operational characteristics. The following information will help you understand the intricacies of choosing a water heater and come to the most successful solution.

Classification of boilers according to the process water heating

According to the water heating method, all existing boilers can be classified intoaccumulative and flowing.

Cumulative water heaters

The construction of the storage boiler is a sealed tank. First, the container is filled with liquid, and only after that it starts heating. The main characteristic of a storage boiler is its volume.

Average power consumption. All modern models of storage water heaters can operate in standard and accelerated modes. The standard mode is suitable for regular use, the accelerated mode is designed specifically for situations where there is a sudden need for a small amount of warm water.

One of the important advantages of the storage tank is the simplicity of its installation and connection to the water supply system, the convenience of operation, the possibility of inclusion in an ordinary electric network.

The main disadvantage of this kind of aggregates is their size. In this case, the larger the volume of the tank, the heavier it is. We will not only have to figure out where to hang the barrel, but also make sure that the wall can withstand its weight.

Storage water heaters are best suited for installation in apartments and houses used for permanent residence.

Flow-through water heaters

Such units lack the key disadvantages of their accumulating "brothers".A flow-through water heater is a compact unit that provides almost instantaneous heating of water. The liquid is heated during the passage through the boiler, which eliminates the need for its accumulation and saves space required for installation of the device.

The main disadvantages of a flow-through water heater are high power consumption and high loads on the network. In this case, this kind of units are demanding for electrical wiring - simply fix the device on the wall and plug it into the outlet in most cases impossible.

Flow models are best suited for kitchens, cottages and houses that are not used for permanent residence.

Filling water heater

For plots without running water( garden, cottages, etc.) the water heater is perfect. The design is made in the form of a container with an average volume of 15-20 liters. The product has a low weight, which allows you to hang it almost anywhere.

The principle of using such a water heater is as follows:

• water is poured into the tank;
• heater is connected to the mains;
• after a while( depending on the installed power of the heater) you can open the tap and use the heated water at your discretion.

If necessary, a water hose with a shower head is connected to the water heater.

Classification of boilers by source of energy

When choosing a water heater, you need to pay attention not only to the method of heating the liquid, but also to the source of energy. There are water-heaters that can receive energy from:

• firewood;
  

  Water heater for wood burning

• ;
• gas;
• of sunlight.

Wood water heaters

The principle of operation of a wood-burning water-heater is in many respects similar to the mechanism of action of the stove - to produce heat, wood is burnt. Such heaters are mainly used in cottages, in public and private pools, trains, etc.

Wood-water heaters The installation consists of three main elements: a furnace, a tank and a mixer. Combustion of solid fuel takes place in the furnace. Heated air rushes into the pipe, launched through the tank, and gives its heat to the liquid.

This water heater has many disadvantages. The main one is the need for regular laying of fuel manually, which is not particularly convenient. Also a disadvantage of this design is the relatively long time of heating the water.

Electric boilers

The most popular modification of the water heater. Heating water is carried out with the help of powerful TEN installed inside the structure. Advantages of the electric heater are the following factors:

• simplicity of installation and connection;
• economy of operation;
• high efficiency;
• can be used almost anywhere, where there is access to electricity.

Gas Water Heaters

Similar installations have found wide application in a private household. They can be connected both to a fixed gas pipeline and to LPG cylinders.

Gas installations are very convenient to use, however, in terms of economy, they noticeably lose their electrical counterparts.

Solar heaters

A rapidly growing type of water heating equipment. The design is based on special collectors. They accumulate solar energy and use it to heat up the liquid in the storage tank.

The main advantage of solar water heaters is the economy of operation. Such devices do not need external power sources.

Disadvantages:

• comparatively high price;
• long heating time;
• dependence on the level of illumination.
  

  Solar water heaters

For permanent use, solar water heaters are not suitable.

The main technical and operational characteristics of the

flow-type water heaters. By choosing the optimal heating method and the most convenient heat source, you can go on to consider the key characteristics of the water heaters. When choosing a water heater, pay attention to the following:

• power of the device;
• material of the inner coating of the tank and its volume, if a storage model is chosen;
• reliability and operational safety.

Power

This indicator directly affects the duration of the device and the intensity of water heating. Among all the models of water heaters considered the best are electric and gas, while gas equipment, other things being equal, an average of 2 times higher than the performance of units operating from electricity.

The gas installation operates at constant power and heats the water in the shortest possible time. The device with a power of 2-3 kW for 3-4 hours can heat 150 liters of water on an average of 50 degrees.

In electrical models for heating liquid meet TEN.As a rule, boilers are completed with 2-3 heating elements with a total capacity of about 2-3 kW.If the demand for a large amount of hot water is not available, some of the heaters can be switched off and save electricity

Thus, for a family of 3-4 people, a 2-3 kW water heater will suffice. In the rest, be guided by your requests.

Coverage of the tank

The lifetime of the unit depends largely on the material of the internal coating of the storage tank. In total, 3 kinds of coating are used: sputtering on a titanium base, glass porcelain, stainless spraying.

The best option is a titanium or stainless steel coating. Such spraying will quietly last 7-10 years or more. Stainless steel and titanium are resistant to temperature changes and normally withstand the effects of various impurities present in the water.

Glass-porcelain is a more budget option. However, for a long service life of a water-heater with such an internal coating it is not necessary to count - the manufacturers give them a maximum of 1-3 years guarantee. Steklofarfor badly tolerates aggressive effects and high temperatures. In such conditions, the material is quickly covered with microcracks and begins to rapidly deteriorate.

To increase the life of the internal coating, manufacturers complete their products with special magnesium anodes. In the water heater with stainless or titanium sputtering, such anodes, as a rule, do not have to be changed. If the internal walls of the tank are covered with enamel, the magnesium anodes should be replaced at least annually.

The volume of the tank

The capacity is one of the key parameters of the storage water heater. When determining the optimal volume, think about everything in such a way that water is not just enough, but with a small margin.

Choose the capacity of the tank to suit your needs. So, for washing dishes, enough tank and 10-20 liters. If the boiler will heat water for shower, bath and other household needs, pay attention to models with a volume of at least 80-100 liters.

Important! The tank capacity is directly related to a number of other parameters. The more spacious the boiler, the more time it will take to heat the water. And the place a big barrel will take a lot.

Consumables	Shower / kitchen sink	Shower / kitchen sink	Shower / kitchen sink / bath	Shower / kitchen sink / bath
	1	2	3( 2 adults + 1 child)	5( 2 adults + 3 children)
Consumption of hot water	10-30 liters	50-820 liters	80-100 liters	150-200 liters
Recommended volume of water heater	50 liters	100 liters	150 liters	300 liters

Safety and reliability

When choosing a water heater you needpay attention toa number of additional parameters. First of all, find in the technical description of the model the value of the maximum heating temperature. The best option is 60-65 degrees.

Well, if the boiler is equipped with a temperature sensor and a thermostat.

No less important is the quality of the internal thermal insulation of the tank. The more effective it is, the less as a result you will have to spend money on paying bills.

Choosing a water heater is not such a difficult task. Now you own all the necessary information for this. Determine the most suitable for you heating option, the most convenient source of energy, optimal power and other significant characteristics and go for a new water heater.

IP - the lass of electrical safety of the boiler. First digit IP - protection of the boiler against foreign bodies	Decoding	Second digit IP - protection against water	Decoding
0	no protection	0	protection missing
1	protection against large foreign bodies( arm size)	1	protection against falling water droplets
2	protection against mediumforeign bodies( finger size)	2	protection against falling water droplets when the shell is deflected by an angle of up to 15 °
3	protection against foreign bodies 2.5 mm in size	3	rain protection, spray at 60 ° angle
4	protection against shallow(less than 1 mm)	4	Spray protection in any direction
5	Partial dust protection	5	Water jet protection
6	Complete dust protection	6	Protection against powerful water jets
7	Protection against temporary immersion in water
8	Protection against long-term immersion in water

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