To always have hot water at home, choose a powerful appliance for heating it. Install it in your bathroom or kitchen. The hot water boiler is convenient to turn on, it is very compact.
However, it can be difficult to decide which one is better if you do not know what criteria to use. Masters are advised to read several materials on this topic. We will give you simple recommendations that will come in handy when you buy a boiler.
Manufacturer
Many Russians choose brand name products because they have won more trust from the people. Recent studies have shown that the most common brands are Ariston, Gorenje, Electrolux, AEG and Timberk.
In addition to these manufacturers, there are others, they are not so common, since their devices began to be sold in Russia not so long ago. Timberk boilers are cheaper than AEG, but with similar features. Before choosing a device, read the reviews, consult with the masters and friends.
Kinds
Boilers for heating running water are of different types. They can be electric and gas. Choose the most practical and convenient option for you. In addition, devices are flow or storage. Next, we will take a closer look at their pros and cons.
Models are distinguished as a separate type: they are connected to heating heating systems. This appliance is easy to install, takes up little space and heats water quickly.
There are two more types of boilers:
- Bulk. Install them in places where there is no water supply system (for example, in a country cottage or in a garage). You yourself fill the liquid into the tank.The crane for its supply is installed on the side. The container is installed above the washbasin.
- Heating taps. They look like a faucet with a built-in water heater. They work in the same way as the flow ones.
Characteristics of flow and storage models
We will give you a couple of tips and you will know which water heater to choose for your apartment. Each of them is universal in its own way. For example, devices that are of the storage type are more practical and economical. You can install electric models where there is no access to gas.
Advantages of flow heaters:
- suitable for small apartments or for a private house, where not much water is consumed;
- heat up quickly;
- low cost.
Horizontal and vertical
Vertical heaters heat water very quickly, so it is possible to reduce energy consumption. In them, the tubular electric heater is located at the bottom, and in the horizontal version, the heating element is placed on the side, which slows down the operation of the boiler.
Both types of boilers are sold in stores. We advise you to be guided by how much free space in your apartment. If you don't see much difference, then buy a vertical one. According to the characteristics, a vertical heater works just as well as a horizontal one, but they cost less.
What to consider when choosing
The advice of the masters will be useful to you when you decide to buy such a useful thing.If the hot water suddenly turns off, he can always help you out. A few simple tips will help you.
You will know how to choose a boiler that will last even if you have never done it before. We will list the characteristics so that you pay attention to them when buying a device. Knowing their pros and cons, you will know which water heater to choose for your apartment.
Volume
The smallest boilers for heating running water can hold up to 30 liters. They are well suited for country cottages, small kitchens or bathrooms.Perhaps, in order to take a shower, they are not suitable for you, for washing dishes or washing - completely.
In a 50 liter container, you will heat enough liquid for bathing one person. If there are several people in your family, buy a device for 80 liters, if more, then think about which water heater is better to buy in an apartment: for 100 or 120 liters.
There are boilers up to 300 liters, but they are not installed in apartments, these are devices for industrial enterprises.
tank coating
An electric water heater comes with different coatings. It can be glass porcelain, which is covered with enamel, or stainless steel. Models where enamel tanks are installed are cheaper than boilers for heating running water, covered with a metal layer.
Which option is better? Manufacturers themselves hint at the quality of materials. For example, for tanks coated with glass porcelain, the warranty is no more than a year, and for tanks made of stainless steel, the warranty period is much longer - 5 years and more.
Cumulative
Storage water heaters are larger in volume than flow-through water heaters, since they are equipped with a tank where the liquid is heated. If you turn on the faucet, cold water will mix with hot water.
When it cools down, the device starts to heat up again. Tank volumes can be from 10 to 200 liters. Such devices are installed on the walls or on the floor - depending on its capacity.
Which tank to choose? Focus on how much hot water you need. For one wash, a person needs from 40 to 50 liters, however, take into account that the heated liquid will mix with tap water.
The main advantages of storage heaters:
- economical consumption of electricity;
- high performance;
- long service life.
Storage heaters heat all the liquid in the tank. Therefore, if the capacity is larger, then you will have to wait longer (a 30-liter one will heat up in about an hour, and a 120-liter one in 4 hours).
Also make sure that there is enough space for cold water boilers. They are placed in bathrooms, so before choosing a device, take a tape measure and measure the space.
Small appliances are both vertical and horizontal. You can choose a built-in model to install it in the cabinet under the washbasin.
How the device works
Whichever hot water boiler you choose, the principle of their operation is identical. As soon as the water reaches the desired temperature, the boiler turns off. After the temperature is maintained automatically.
If the liquid cools down a bit or you add cold water, the water boiler stops working. When the temperature is set, heating stops. This is the principle of operation of electric storage water heaters. Devices do not overheat, operate in 2 modes with the ability to maintain temperature.
If you want to keep warm longer, use heaters. There is a simpler version of an electric water heater.Such models are not equipped with a thermostat. They are turned on and off with a toggle switch.
However, there is a possibility that the water boiler may boil and break if you forget to turn it off. It is possible to turn on the heating element in a stepped way.
You can install several of them to make 2-3 modes. One heating element should be the most powerful, while others, less productive, can work simultaneously or separately.
Why is this method used? In the summer months, you can turn on the boiler not at full capacity - its contents will quickly become hot. And in winter, you won’t have to wait long, because all the appliances will work simultaneously.
So you will regulate the speed and performance of the water boiler. For example, if you urgently need water for a private house, you drain the liquid and immediately turn on the device again. If there is no need, do not overload the network, run it not at full capacity.
What are the tanks made of?
To make a tank for storage and electric water heaters, manufacturers use stainless steel or ordinary steel. The latter is coated with enamel to protect against corrosion.
A boiler with a stainless steel tank is more practical, but it also costs more. But this equipment will serve you longer, because any enamel will peel off sooner or later.
Such a coating can last longer if you install magnesium anodes, which will need to be changed from time to time. The indicator keeps track of the state of the sensors.
How to choose a device
Most often, a storage water heater is installed in the country, in cottages and in high-rise apartments, where hot water is not supplied.How to choose an electric storage water heater for an apartment? The equipment is selected according to the volume of the container.
Calculate the approximate consumption and select the model (50 liters per person). The device heats the water up to about 70°.
If you dilute it with cold, you get about 150 liters of warm liquid. Masters advise to find out what the tanks are made of.
We recommend choosing a storage water heater with a stainless steel tank. Boilers operate in different modes. The price of models with a more complex scheme is higher.
Additional features, kit and installation
Before choosing a boiler, the masters advise to be attentive to other characteristics:
- The thicker the insulation layer, the longer the contents of the tank will remain hot. We recommend choosing polyurethane foam (about 4 cm thick).
- The operation of the water boiler is controlled by an indicator.
- Function of fast heating of water.
- Electric storage water heaters can be supplemented with a thermostat and a heating limiter (then the device does not overheat).
- Anti-icing protection (a good solution for giving).
- Some models have a timer that allows you to heat water at the set time.
- The boiler must be protected from moisture (minimum IP23).
Masters are advised to take into account the highest and lowest pressure indicators of an instantaneous water heater. Before installing the device, prepare a set of tools, fasteners, select a location. Wires and valves are supplied with the devices.
For installation, they buy brackets, fittings, filters, etc. How long you install the device will depend on how long it will last you.
Before installation, make grounding, check the pressure.Having learned all the characteristics, you can decide which water heater is better to buy in an apartment.
It is connected to the electrical wiring with a residual current device. If the unit is powerful (8 kW or more), then it is connected to a 3-phase network.
