What are the types of heating boilers

The boiler is the main element of the heating system of a private or apartment building. In order for the room to have a comfortable temperature even in severe frosts, it is necessary to choose the right equipment. Thermal equipment manufacturers offer a huge range of products. In order to avoid a mistake, it is worth studying the main points of the classification of boilers and the criteria for their selection.

Types of boilers by type of fuel

The purpose of the heating equipment is to heat the coolant to provide heating of the room. The types of boilers are the division of units according to their design features. Their main classification is based on the type of fuel. When buying, it is advisable to focus on an affordable and inexpensive energy resource.

Solid fuel

The units require solid fuels to generate heat. This option is used in private houses where gas mains are not available. Manufacturers offer the following types of boilers:

• Classic - any type of solid fuel is burned in the firebox to heat the coolant.
• Pyrolysis - the design involves two combustion chambers. In the first, fuel is burned, in the second, emitted gases. The equipment is more efficient, but more expensive.

The boilers operate on wood, coal, peat or pellets, which are compressed wood waste.

Pros:

• fuel availability;
• energy independence;
• environmental Safety;
• durability of operation.

Minuses:

• frequent laying of firewood or coal is required;
• low efficiency;
• inertia;
• ash pan cleaning required.

There are models of boilers for long burning. They require minimal human intervention. Fuel is loaded every 12 hours. The operation of the equipment is controlled by automation.

Electrical

Electric boilers are characterized by a high level of automation and versatility. They can be installed in an apartment, cottage, or in the country.

Types of electric boilers:

• Heating elements - the heating element is a tube with a spiral heated by an electric current. Several heating elements can be installed in the body to adjust the power of the unit.
• Electrode - the coolant heats up due to its own resistance to electric current. The device case is compact in size. The unit is efficient and has high efficiency.
• Induction - a type of electric boiler where there are no heating elements. It functions on the principle of electromagnetic induction. The equipment is safe and reliable. The downside is the large size and cost.

Among the three types of electric boilers, the most popular are heating elements and electrode models.

Pros:

• minimal maintenance;
• affordable cost;
• a wide range of sizes and power;
• operational safety.

Minuses:

• dependence on the power grid;
• high cost of energy.

Electric boilers are often installed as additional equipment. They are turned on at night when electricity tariffs are reduced.

Gas

The popularity of gas heating equipment is due to the cheapness of fuel, which gives a minimum of waste. The equipment is reliable and easy to maintain. There are various types of gas boilers on sale, differing in power and design features. The performance of wall-mounted units is on average 14-30 kW, floor-standing ones - 20-60 kW.

There are two types of gas boilers:

• Convection - the traditional design of the unit, operating on the energy of the combustion gas.
• Condensing - the equipment additionally uses the residual heat of flue gases. Energy is obtained by condensing steam on the walls of the second heat exchanger. The efficiency of such a system is more than 100%.

The main division of types of gas boilers occurs according to the installation method:

• Wall-mounted - the compact body of the equipment allows you to place the unit in any room. It is often chosen for apartments with individual heating.
• Floor-standing - bulky structures, according to the rules, are installed in a separate room. Their heat exchangers are made of cast iron. Powerful technology is capable of heating large houses.

Units with an open combustion chamber require the installation of a traditional chimney. Models with a closed chamber have a fan, so the combustion products are removed through a coaxial chimney. Heat exchangers of wall modifications are bithermic and separate. The material for them is copper and steel. Most of the products are manufactured in a double-circuit version.

The advantages of the equipment are:

• the ability to work on main and cylinder gas;
• automation;
• silent work;
• high efficiency.

The disadvantages of gas boilers include the need to obtain permission from the gas company to install equipment.

Liquid fuel

Liquid fuel boilers most often operate on diesel (diesel fuel). This is not the only type of oil that can be burned with a burner. There are models for oil development, gasoline, fuel oil. By changing the burner, you can switch to any of the listed oil products.

Pluses of units:

• The efficiency is 85-90%;
• simple operation;
• no permission required;
• work with any coolant.

Minuses:

• heating system equipment costs;
• high consumption of funds for fuel;
• noisy work.

To accommodate liquid fuel equipment, you will need a boiler room - a separate room with good ventilation. It is important to find a safe place to store flammable materials. In private homes, diesel boilers are not widely used. They are recommended for industrial applications.

Types of boilers by the number of circuits

The number of heating circuits determines the purpose of the equipment.

Single-circuit

The design of the boiler assumes only heating of the coolant circulating in the system. If necessary, a boiler is installed in which water is heated. Single-circuit models are usually available floor-standing.

Double-circuit

This type of heating boilers, unlike the previous one, allows you to simultaneously heat the coolant and water for domestic needs. There are two independent circuits inside the housing - one for a closed heating system, the other for DHW.

Equipment classification by installation method

Heating boilers are manufactured in two installation options: wall-mounted (mounted) and floor-standing. The first type has low power, but it is compact in size. The second type of equipment is characterized by high performance and significant weight. For some models, an additional foundation has to be installed.

Wall mounted

Wall-mounted models are compact in size and attractive in design. They are installed in the kitchen or hallway of a private house, in apartments separated from central heating. The small capacity of the units allows heating rooms with an area of ​​50-400 m2.

Floor standing

Floor-standing equipment is completed with cast iron or steel heat exchangers. It is heavy and bulky, but has a long service life. Floor-standing types of heating boilers include solid fuel and diesel models. Gas and electric units are also available for floor installation.

Types of units by electrical dependence: electrically independent - boilers with piezoelectric elements or other devices for ignition; electrically dependent with autostart - the unit starts up on its own after troubleshooting or power restoration; electrically dependent without autostart - the boiler power supply is switched on manually.

Types of heat transfer fluids

For efficient heating, a correctly selected heating medium must circulate in the system. The fluid must have good heat capacity and heat transfer as well as chemical inertness. The systems use two types of coolant:

Water

The simplest, cheapest and most affordable way to distribute heat through pipes and radiators is using water. The fluid is safe in the event of a leak. Distilled water does not build up scale on the heating elements and deposits in the pipes. With many positive qualities, it has disadvantages:

• freezes at temperatures below 0 ° C, may rupture the pipeline;
• corrosive to metal;
• preparation is required to exclude salts from the composition.

The use of water is recommended for residential homes. In other cases, it is better to abandon it in favor of antifreeze compositions.

Mixture with antifreeze

Various antifreeze liquids are collectively referred to as antifreeze. Ethylene glycol is most often used as a heat carrier. The composition prevents corrosion, scale formation and freezing of pipes. Its significant disadvantage is toxicity. Safe antifreeze propylene glycol has all the positive characteristics, but is less popular due to its high price.

Varieties of boilers by type of draft: natural draft - created without installing special devices, the advantage is independence from electricity; forced draft with air supply - the removal of combustion products and the flow of air into the combustion chamber is carried out using fans; forced draft without air supply - special equipment removes residues from gas combustion through the chimney.

Criteria for choosing heating equipment

When choosing a boiler, the main factor is the available type of fuel. The most economical option is gas equipment; the operation of an electric boiler will cost the most. The main selection criteria:

• Power - the area of ​​the room, the climatic conditions of the region, the quality of the building's thermal insulation are taken into account. The approximate formula for calculating the power is 100 W per 1 m2.
• Number of circuits - a single-circuit model is sufficient for heating, but a double-circuit version with hot water is more functional.
• The cost of heating equipment, its installation and connection to the system.
• The degree of automation - boilers with a control unit are easy to operate. They do not need constant human supervision.

The service life of boilers depends on the quality of workmanship. It is worth choosing products from well-known and respected brands. It will not be superfluous to find out about the availability of a service center in the city.