An autonomous water heater, which does not depend on a centralized system, will come in handy in the country and in city apartments. Outside the city, communications are poorly developed, so home owners buy boilers. In urban environments, the constant water supply may be interrupted due to repairs or accidents. The water heater will not allow the tenants of the apartment to be left without hot water for a long time. Heating devices differ in characteristics, type, cost. Before choosing, you need to find out what boilers are and what properties they have.
The main types of water heaters
All types of water heaters can be divided into electric and gas. The latter are practically not used, as they are considered dangerous. Electric heaters or boilers are distinguished by their quiet operation, ease of use and long-term operation. What a boiler looks like depends on the type of heating.
According to the heating method, boilers are divided into three groups:
- Flowing. They represent an ordinary tap in which water is heated.
- Accumulative. They look like a container for liquid, where heating is carried out.
- Combined.
Both types can be installed at home and in the apartment. The choice depends on the operating conditions and the requirements for the boiler.
Flowing
Flow models are compact and instantly heat up water. The liquid comes into contact with a heating element (heating element) and enters the tap hot. Such devices are suitable for installation in an apartment, since they need water pressure to work. Power ranges from 3 to 27 kW. In apartments with a 220 V network, it is forbidden to install a boiler with a load exceeding 8 kW. In a private house with a voltage of 380 A, more powerful models can be installed.
Main advantages:
- Water heating rate.
- Minimum dimensions.
- Appearance. The heater, which looks like an ordinary tap, is especially relevant. It will fit into any interior.
- Water heats up only when needed. The rest of the time, cold water flows from the tap, energy is not consumed for heating.
- The absence of an accumulation system does not impose restrictions on the amount of hot water.
Disadvantages:
- The impossibility of using powerful models in houses with poor electrical wiring.
- High energy costs. Not suitable for installation as a permanent source of hot water.
- Risk of fluid overheating. It is necessary to select a model with a temperature limiter.
Instantaneous water heaters are divided into two groups. There are non-pressure devices that heat the liquid only for one point of the water intake, and pressure ones, which are built into the riser of the water supply system and can heat water for different rooms.
Cumulative
Devices with a storage tank are large compared to flow-through ones. The volume of the tank ranges from 10-20 to 80-200 liters. Cold and hot water are mixed in the vessel and fed through the mixer. When the liquid starts to cool down and drops below the set temperature, the boiler starts heating it again. Floor or wall installation.
Most often, water heaters, large in volume, are installed in country houses. It is necessary to determine in advance how much water it will be designed for. Which boiler to choose for a private house depends on the number of residents. One shower requires about 40 liters of water. Miniature appliances with a volume of about 24-30 liters are placed in the apartment.
The positive aspects include the following:
- Profitability. The power of the complete device is 1.5-3 kW. Can be plugged into 220 V.
- One boiler is enough to provide hot water to all water intake points.
- Duration of work with correct operation.
The disadvantages include the size of the boiler and the heating of the entire volume of water at once. Heating time can be up to 4 hours.
Combined
Such heating devices are practically not used. They combine a storage and instantaneous boiler. They can work in two modes. The maximum weight of the device is 6 kg, the volume of the tank is 10-30 liters.
Heating element types
In home boilers, two types of heaters are used - heating elements or a spiral element. The latter are rarely used, since they are difficult to repair.
There are two types of heating elements - wet and dry. Wet is immersed in water and works like a boiler. Scale builds up on it quickly. It is inexpensive. Dry ten does not interact with water, as it is protected by a special flask. Its heat transfer is higher, the service life is longer, but the price also increases by 1.5-2 times.
There may be several heating elements. It depends on the volume of the tank and the additional functionality of the water heater.
Internal coating
Serious requirements are imposed on the inner coating, as there is constant contact with water. As a result, corrosion can form. To avoid this, the following materials are used:
- stainless steel;
- enamel coating;
- glass ceramics;
- titanium sputtering;
- plastic cover.
The selection of material follows from the finances and requirements for the boiler itself. The cheapest and most unreliable are plastic coated models. Best performance for stainless steel appliances. They work up to 10-12 years. The cost of such devices is high. The most expensive are titanium water heaters, the service life of which reaches 15 years.
Enamel and glass-ceramic devices are considered less durable. Moreover, in terms of properties, they are similar to stainless steel. The enamel has high antibacterial and anticorrosive properties. May be damaged by temperature fluctuations and interaction with solid particles. They serve an average of seven to ten years.
Tank shape and color
Heaters can be round or rectangular. Its properties do not change from this. Round models are cheaper, but they are more massive in design. Rectangular appliances take up less space and can even be hidden in a closet. A thicker insulation layer is installed in them.
The choice of colors is small. The most popular heaters are white, gray and silver. A device of any range can be made to order.
Vertical and horizontal heaters
Depending on the installation features, the water heater can be vertical or horizontal. They differ in design features and installation location.
The choice of a boiler for an apartment depends on the place that is allocated for the equipment. For a small room, it is better to choose horizontal appliances. They are more expensive and more difficult to maintain, but take up less space.
There are also universal boilers. They can be mounted in any way without affecting functionality or performance.
Boiler control
All parameters and operating modes are set manually or electronically.
Mechanically controlled devices are considered the cheapest, simplest and most practical options. In them, the heating level is regulated by turning the lever on the bottom of the boiler. There is a window on the body with which you can adjust the temperature. Such devices practically do not break. The disadvantage is that it is difficult to accurately adjust the heating level to degrees.
Electronic control is considered to be a more modern method of control. It is a display, buttons and sensors installed inside the boiler. The user can adjust the required temperature with an accuracy of degrees, create heating modes, and perform diagnostics. The cost of models is higher, the risk of breakage also increases. Electronic water heaters are sensitive to power surges.
Additional functionality and equipment
The boiler may have additional options. It is also important to pay attention to them. Depending on the functions, the equipment may also change. It is necessary to focus on the following factors:
- An additional layer of thermal insulation. The minimum thickness is 35 mm. For this, polyurethane foam can be used instead of foam rubber.
- Overheat protection. It is important to choose models with a protective function for country houses to maintain the safety of the home.
- Timer. It can be used to heat water at night when electricity is cheaper. Suitable for those who have a two-tariff electricity meter installed.
- Moisture protection. For a bathroom, a model with IP44 is needed, in other cases IP23 is sufficient.
- The presence of a power cable and a disruptive valve. There should also be factory brackets and clips to secure the case.
- The presence of a bushing for isolating currents.
Additionally, you will have to purchase water pipes, valves and connecting fittings. It is better to entrust the installation to a professional who will follow the instructions exactly. Otherwise, there may be problems with warranty service.
