Mixing with hot water supply is one of the "old good traditions" of domestic communal services. Many apartment owners solve the problem drastically - refuse the service and install their own electric water heaters (boilers).
There is a problem: it is not always possible to buy a model that is suitable for a particular family. Tell me how to choose electric boilers for water.
Residents of high-rise buildings have to pay for the service, the quality of which usually leaves much to be desired. In some small towns there are no centralized hot water supply, and private household owners always need to take care of the DHW on their own.
Household appliances manufacturers produce not only electrical, but also gas water heaters. Electricity is expensive pleasure, and yet, if it comes to a boiler, it is better to choose an electrical appliance.
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Electric flow water heater is much easier to install and connect than gas. Another plus: for its installation, it is not necessary to undergo bureaucratic procedures to get permission
As for the accumulative devices, the choice is not so great. If it is assumed that the DHW system should be included only in the heating season, you can put an indirect heating boiler. If the hot water is needed not only in winter, but also in the warm season, there is simply no alternative to the electrical appliances.
The advantage of electrical appliances is compactness and convenient design. Even a spacious boiler can be installed so that it does not interfere with the bathroom, toilet or combined bathroom
Although the cost of electricity is steadily growing, boilers are still successfully competing with centralized hot water supply (which is also not checked). Their installation is beneficial because the owners always know exactly what they pay, and if necessary, you can find ways to save without losing the quality of DHW.
Features of choosing the right model
The electrical equipment is an autonomous system that provides hot water supply. The device can install any owner of a private house or apartment. It is connected to the water supply and power grid. Installation is relatively simple, and you can cope with it yourself.
The electrical boiler design consists of several nodes: housings, heater, thermostat, tank.
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There are two varieties of horizontal designs - with the side and lower location of the Tan. The model of the first type is preferable, because Water mixing in them occurs naturally
The boiler can be located on the floor or on the wall. Hinged models are much more convenient and popular with buyers. They do not occupy a useful area, and this is a valuable quality, if we are talking about a standard bathroom, where you have to save every square centimeter.
Usually the bathrooms do not differ in large sizes, so it is very difficult to highlight the place on the boiler. Alternative is obvious - placement of the device on the wall
Depending on the type of accumulative tank distinguish such types of boilers:
- Vertical. In such pots, the layers of hot and cold water are mixed naturally, in accordance with physical laws: cold liquid from below, and hot - top. Due to this, it retains its temperature longer. Therefore, most buyers choose vertical electrical boilers.
- Horizontal. The models of this type are chosen if there is no place to install a vertical electrical board. Water in them is heated faster, but it does not always have its temperature in the water disposal point justifies expectations, because Cold and hot liquid layers are mixed. If the TEN is in the side part, problems are also possible due to slow heating.
Some manufacturers produce models that can be mounted horizontally or vertically depending on the wishes of customers. Such electrical boilers are called universal.
Flat models attractively look and do not clutter space. They are as practical and spacious as cylindrical. However, some manufacturers reduce the thickness of the instruments at the expense of the heat insulation layer, and such tanks are worse held the temperature
It is more convenient to have a boiler next to the toilet, but not strictly over it. If the fasteners can not withstand and the device will fall, plumbing has no chance: it crouches the fragments.
The weight of the boiler itself is 15-20 kg (depends on the model). To this should be added the weight of water filling the tank. This is about 80-120 kg. It is better that the boiler in the fall does not hurt any fragile devices.
Criterion 2: Required tank volume
The sizes of the electric boiler are largely dependent on the volume of the tank. Also, this indicator determines how the device will often turn on and how much electricity is spent. If the tank is too small, it will quickly empty, there will be problems with the filling of the bath.
The boiler tanks are made of enameled and stainless steel. Both materials are durable, well tolerate high temperatures, but have their drawbacks. When choosing it is better to focus on the warranty period specified by the manufacturer
To determine the desired volume, you need to consider several factors:
- number of people in the family;
- bathing frequency in the bathroom;
- time intervals between bathing of different family members;
- the number of waterproof points with hot water.
Analysis of the situation with hot water will allow to identify the needs of the family and rationally spending electricity. So, for two people do not need a bulk boiler 100-120 liters. They simply will not be able to use so many hot water. But the 50-liter model is what you need.
Models for 80-100 liters use the greatest demand. Such a volume of hot water is enough for a middle family of 3-4 people
The model on 50 liters will not provide the needs of four people, because Water will not have time to warm up to the desired temperature. You have to buy a bigger boiler - from 80 to 120 liters (depending on the flow of water and the intended battlefield).
Such a model should be purchased if there is 1-2 people in the house. But there are nuances. For a set of a complete bath 50 l hot water may not be enough, especially if two people bathe with a small time difference. Need a more voluminous model
Any recommendations for determining the desired tank volume can only be common. Each particular family has its own traditions associated with hygienic procedures, and it should be navigated only on them.
Criterion 3: Power and type of Tan
Power is the most important criterion for choosing any electrical appliance. Theoretically, it should be considered first of all. In practice, buyers of boilers choose between heaters with a capacity of 1.5 to 2 kW. In the water heating rate there is a difference. It is noticeable, but not critical: the tank is warming up in 1-3 hours.
The heating time depends not only on the Tan, but also from other factors: the model of the device, the volume of the tank, the specified temperature. As for energy consumption, the 80-liter boiler consumes not much more than a 50-liter, because Both types of devices are equipped with identical 1.5 kW.
Heaters are two types:
- Wet. They work on the same principle that electric kettle, boiled. Tanes are in water and heat it directly. This positively affects the speed of heating, but due to contact with the liquid on the surface of the instruments, a scale (lime bloom) appears.
- Dry. Such tans are isolated from the water with a special flask. This reduces the risk of lesion to the current, and on the heaters is not scale. Dry tans are much more durable wet, but also stand accordingly.
Because of high power, a short circuit is possible when the boiler is turned on, so when it is installed, a separate copper cable is paved. It is better to choose a wire with a cross section of 2.5 mm. It is also necessary to establish the RCD (most often the device is included in the configuration of the standard boiler model).
Criterion 4: Model Design - Options
In some cases, the model form is of fundamental importance. Not only the aesthetics of the interior depends on the design, but also its functionality. You need to choose such a boiler that will not clutch the entire space of the room.
In addition to form and sizes, pay attention to the color. It does not play a fundamental role for functionality and ease of use of the device, but is important from the point of view of aesthetics.
Manufacturers produce models such forms:
- Cylindrical. The familiar "puzzled" boilers who prefer most buyers.
- Rectangular. Models, convenient for installation in built-in wardrobes, niches.
- Narrow. These are structures that reduce the width and thickness due to an increase in the length of the tank. They look very attractive and modern, save the area.
When buying flat trendy models pay attention to the brand. Unscrupulous manufacturers of boilers reduce the layer of heat insulator, which does not most effect on the operational characteristics of the instruments.
Criterion 5: manufacturer's warranty
Buying and installing a boiler is expensive, but quite affordable pleasure. You have to spend time and effort to choose from, search for the desired model, wiring laying, connection to the water supply. These are troubles, and will be offended if the boiler flows after a couple of years. So that this is not happening, it is worth abandoning the purchase of the device without a manufacturer's warranty.
If the seller for some reason does not make out a warranty card, it is better to give up the purchase of a boiler. There is a possibility that he is simply defective, but the problems will have to be corrected at its own expense.
It is necessary to carefully monitor such moments:
- warranty manufacturer on the tank and boiler itself (it can be different times, they should be felt);
- the presence of a license from installers (the wrong installation will lead to problems);
- the timing of preventive work (boilers need to be regularly servicing, cleaning the tanes, otherwise the heater will quickly braid, and the tank can flow).
It should be carefully examined by the technical documentation for the model you like, ask sellers, find out the location of the service center, which is engaged in warranty service. The price difference between the electric boilers is usually 10-20%. This is not the money for which it stands to risk comfort and create problems due to poor-quality equipment.
Experienced installers that have long been involved in the installation of boilers, recommend paying attention to such nuances:
- Reducer for boiler. The work of water heaters largely depends on the water pressure in the system. Even if it is normal, it is worth installing a high-quality gearbox. With the increase in pressure, leaks from under the safety valve may occur. The Boyler's explosion is not excluded, which will end with repairs in the bathroom and flooding neighbors.
- Equipment. Make sure the cable is included in the kit, and its lengths enough to connect the boiler. Sometimes the wire is better to buy separately. You should also make sure there is a pressure reducer, safety valve. In the absence - to purchase.
- Insulating sleeve. These elements are usually included in all mounting kits. They must be used to prevent the appearance of "wandering" currents.
- Fastening for mounted models. Boilers are attached to special brackets. They should be super high. If the fasteners in the set of the model cause doubts, it is better not to risk and independently purchased high-quality brackets or anchors.
Many of our compatriots are trying to do everything on their own. This applies to the installation of water heaters.
If there are skills to work with plumbing and electrical networks, you can mount and connect the boiler with your own hands. If not, you should not experiment, it is better to pay specialists.
Conclusions and useful video on the topic
We offer a selection of useful video instructions, thanks to which you can better understand the features of the choice of electrical goods.
Instructions for the choice of water heaters for premises of various purposes:
A few more useful tips:
Detailed explanation of the principles of operation of dry and wet shades:
ATLANTIC Model Review:
Ideally, the electric boiler should be chosen and installed in the process of repairing the bathroom. If you do it later, extra pipes will appear and cables that will be difficult to disguise.
If there are no options and the water heater is purchased after the end of the repair work, it is better to mount it closer to the waterproof points. It will help to save on materials and will have less on the interior of the bathroom.
