Private home owners are looking for ways to combine autonomous heating with domestic hot water supply. One of the solutions to the problem is to install a gas boiler with a boiler. Installation of such a unit is possible in all areas where there is a connection to the main gas supply.
Varieties and principle of operation of a gas boiler with a built-in boiler
Heating units equipped with a water heater differ in a number of characteristics. For a successful model selection, you need to carefully study all the relevant parameters.
Boiler location
Sometimes the water heater is purchased separately and installed next to the heating unit. In this case, the selection of the optimal tank volume for the boiler power is of great importance. If you use too large tanks, your home will not heat up well.
A boiler with a built-in boiler is a more compact option. Part of the generated heat is spent on heating the water in the tank and maintaining its temperature.
Number of contours
Single-circuit devices are capable of performing only one task - to heat the room. To make such a boiler perform two functions at the same time, an external boiler equipped with a heat exchanger must be connected to it. Units with two circuits integrate 2 units. One of them heats the liquid for supply to the heating system, the other is responsible for hot water supply.
The following types of double-circuit devices can be found on sale:
- Wall-mounted with a flow-through heat exchanger. Their advantages are small size, affordable price, ease of management and installation. Such a unit can serve 2 water points and heat up living space up to 300 m2.
- With a small (40-60 l) boiler mounted inside. The heated area in this case is equal to the previous version, but it is possible to supply water to 4 points at once.
- With a massive boiler for 80 liters or more.
Some products with a built-in water heater are equipped with all the necessary elements - a security system, mounting parts. Other equipment has to be purchased separately.
Installation method
Devices with a boiler are suspended and floor-standing. Equipment of the first type is more compact and lighter, it can be placed in a niche in the wall. Steel heat exchanger for lighter weight. Floor-standing units are more efficient, have a durable cast-iron heat exchanger. It is advisable to install them in a separate room. During installation, all instructions in the instructions supplied with the unit must be observed.
Principle of operation
The liquid for heating the house and household needs is heated simultaneously, passing through the pipes. The temperature rises due to the operation of the gas burner. The units use a priority supply mechanism: when the water supply tap opens, the system switches to providing hot water. Since it is used for a short time, there is no serious cooling of the air.
Selection criteria for double-circuit boilers
An important parameter of the device is power - it determines whether the boiler can heat the room and at the same time supply heated liquid without interruption. The required indicator is determined by the dimensions of the dwelling - the area and the height of the ceilings. If there is a shortage of thermal insulation, the power requirements increase.
The type of combustion chamber also matters. If it has an open design, the waste is discharged through a simple chimney. With a hermetically sealed chamber, the inlet and outlet of gases from the device are realized through a turbine mechanism. An economical option would be to purchase a condensing gas boiler with a boiler. Its design allows for more efficient use of fuel and less fuel consumption. In addition, the pollution of the atmosphere by combustion products is reduced.
The heat exchanger can be mono- and bithermal. The first option is more reliable and has a long service life. But in this case, the liquid for water supply and heating of the dwelling is heated separately.
Boiler location in the house
Floor-mounted models are installed in a specially equipped room. You can use the utility room for this. The floors must be non-combustible. If the device is equipped with a built-in burner, it will not work if it breaks down. Blast configurations are more profitable - you need to purchase them yourself, but they are easily replaced at home.
A suspended boiler does not require a special room and can be installed, for example, in the kitchen. Its compact dimensions allow it to be placed in a niche in the wall or in a small cabinet.
Calculation of the required boiler power
Before buying, it is important to calculate the optimal heat output. The roughest method relies on the area of the dwelling: it is assumed that for servicing every 10 m2, 1 kW of power is needed (if the height of the room does not exceed 3 m) and 20-30% of the stock is added to the result. However, the situation is influenced by a number of factors that are not taken into account in this method: climate, sources of heat loss, the amount of heated water consumed, installations of forced circulation of air masses.
A more accurate calculation will be obtained if we enter into the formula the specific coefficient determined by climatic conditions: for the south of the CIS it will be 0.7-0.9, for the central region of the European part of Russia - 1-1.1, for the northern regions 1.3- 1.4. Then the formula will take the form: N = S * k / 10where N - power in kW, S - area in m2, k - coefficient. If the boiler is purchased for heating and water supply at the same time, the result is multiplied by 1.25.
Advantages and disadvantages
The most obvious plus of a device with a built-in boiler is the combination in one unit of the functions of providing heating and hot water preparation. The unit will provide the family with a reserve of heated liquid for the duration of the gas supply shutdown. Water is supplied simultaneously to several points. The operating parameters (in particular, the temperature) can be adjusted by the user independently. Most devices are equipped with a thermal sensor and other security features.
The main disadvantage is the need to allocate a separate room for the boiler room for floor-standing boilers. Units with built-in storage are sensitive to strong supply voltage fluctuations.
When buying a boiler with a boiler, it is important to calculate the required power: if it is in short supply, it will not be possible to heat the home efficiently, and if there is an excess, a lot of fuel will be consumed. The tank used must be commensurate with the heating capacity of the unit.
