The parapet gas boiler is an integral part of private houses and apartments, converted to autonomous heating. This is a unit that works independently of the availability of electricity and a central chimney. The product has a closed combustion chamber, from which smoke is discharged through a pipe through the wall to the street. Thanks to this, the parapet boiler can be installed even in small rooms without the risk of being poisoned by the products of gas combustion.
The history of the creation of a parapet gas boiler
The product was created in the early nineties of the last century, when mass private construction began and people refused to use central heating. The universal furnaces used then could operate on any fuel, but an open-type burner was installed in them. Since domestic enterprises were massively closed, and foreign products were unavailable, it was decided to develop and put into production a boiler of its own production that meets all the requirements for power and safety.
The works were carried out at the factories "Thermo" Ukraine and "Luch" Russia. In 1996, the first two-circuit samples with compactness, power of 10 kW, efficiency of 0.92 and a closed combustion chamber went on sale. These boilers became prototypes for units that are still being manufactured today.
Boiler device
The heating device is small in size, which makes it possible to install it in the kitchen, bathroom or basement level. The presence of convection openings in the casing allows the unit to be used as an oven, which makes it possible to abandon the installation of piping and batteries in the room.
The device of the products is quite simple:
- durable body covered with heat-resistant enamel;
- closed combustion chamber;
- gas-burner;
- wick;
- heat exchangers (copper or brass coils);
- chimney with wind protection.
The product includes automatic control and monitoring devices. These include a thermocouple, an air draft sensor, and a thermometer.
Main differences and characteristics
The various models are available in floor and wall mounting, left-hand and right-hand designs. Depending on the purpose, they are equipped with one circuit - only for heating or two - to additionally heat water for domestic purposes. In terms of control level, devices are automatic and manual. Electricity is required for the automation to work. If it disappears, the boiler shuts down. Manual products are practically independent of external conditions and can even operate on a gas cylinder. The burner is switched on and off by a thermocouple and a permanent burning wick.
Pros and cons
The main advantages of parapet boilers:
- high performance;
- closed combustion chamber for complete safety;
- compactness;
- functionality;
- versatility;
- ease of use and maintenance.
The disadvantages include the need to drill a hole for the pipe in the wall, which negatively affects the supporting structures. If it is not a problem to put a gas boiler in a private house, then it is almost impossible to equip a city apartment with it, due to the current moratorium on such events.We should not forget about the high cost of equipment and work on its installation.
Criteria for choosing a parapet gas boiler
Since a gas boiler is purchased for decades, its choice must be taken as responsibly as possible.
When buying, you should pay attention to the following criteria:
- Heat exchanger steel thickness. It should not be less than 3 mm, preferably made of non-ferrous metal or stainless steel.
- Product design and efficiency. To save money, it is better to take dual-circuit devices with an efficiency of 0.92 and higher.
- Dimensions and dimensions. If the area of the room allows, it is advisable to dwell on the floor version. This type of boiler is more reliable and unpretentious.
- Location of connectors for connection. Depending on the installation location, a type of product with side or rear connection is selected.
- Power. The unit should be purchased at the rate of 1 kW per 10 m² of the total area of the house with a 15% margin for extremely cold periods.
- Chimney material. The pipe should be made of thick stainless steel, resistant to high temperatures and the formation of soot inside the channel.
- Ease of installation. The cost, duration and labor intensity of work on the installation of a heating system depends on this.
- Functionality. A single-circuit boiler is smaller and cheaper, but does not solve the DHW problem.
You can get information on which parapet boiler is better to choose for your home in a specialized store that sells certified products.
The principle of operation of a parapet gas boiler
The operating principle of an autonomous boiler is quite simple:
- The wick ignites the burner, which heats the heat exchanger.
- Water flows naturally or under the influence of a pump along the circuit.
- After heating the working fluid to the set temperature, the thermocouple closes the gas valve and combustion stops.
- When the coolant cools down to the set value, the valve opens, and a constantly working wick ignites the gas.
A coaxial chimney is connected to the boiler. It is a two-pipe structure. Smoke is removed through the inside, and fresh air is supplied to the combustion chamber through the outside.
Do-it-yourself boiler installation
The boiler must be installed by gas experts. A property owner can prepare a basement or wall spot for it, drill a chimney hole, and make piping for heating and hot water. The fixing of the device and the connection of communications are performed by the wizard. Exceptions are cases when the boiler is connected to a gas cylinder.
To prevent the wind from blowing out the boiler, it is necessary at the installation stage at the end of the chimney to make a protective cap that will extinguish turbulence and strong air flows. From time to time, the inner pipe must be cleaned of soot, as internal deposits reduce draft.