How to choose the right boiler?
A boiler can be called an indispensable home appliance. It allows you to not depend on the work of utilities and always have hot water on tap. The water heater also helps to save money, since the cost of electricity that will have to be spent on heating 1 cube of water is an order of magnitude lower than the price of 1 cube with central water supply. And for owners of country houses where there is only a cold water supply, buying a boiler will be the only way to provide themselves with hot water. But whatever the reason for buying it, you need to know how to choose the right boiler. This is what we will discuss further in the article.
How to choose a boiler volume?
The first thing you need to pay attention to when choosing this equipment is the volume of the boiler. To determine this parameter, it is necessary to proceed from the following factors:
the number of people who will use hot water;
- number of water intake points (bathtub, kitchen sink, bathroom sink, etc.);
- desired water temperature;
- average time for taking water procedures;
- permissible waiting time for heating a new portion of water.
On average, one adult needs up to 30-50 liters of hot water.
The second thing you should pay attention to when choosing a boiler for a summer cottage or apartment is the place where it will be installed. A large tank requires more free space. At the same time, large models are an order of magnitude more expensive than small water heaters.
To calculate the optimal tank volume, you can also use the following formula:
Р * (t ° - t1) / (t2 - t1), where
Р — the amount of fluid needed by the family per day.
To determine this indicator, it is necessary to take into account the main areas of water use. For example, 5 liters is enough to take a shower for 1 minute. If the procedure takes 10 minutes, and there are only 4 people in the family, then the amount of liquid will be equal to 5 * 10 * 4 = 200 liters per day.
t ° — the temperature of the hot water at the outlet of the tap.
The optimal water temperature so that it does not need to be mixed with cold water is 38 degrees. This figure may vary slightly depending on the preferences of the household.
t1 — the incoming water temperature. Usually in the summer it is 16 degrees, in winter it is about 9 degrees.
t2 — heating temperature. This figure can reach 85 degrees or more.
How to choose a boiler for a home by the shape of the body?
The body of an electric boiler can have a different shape:
Cylinder. Due to the fact that such a boiler is the easiest to make, their cost is the most affordable. In addition, cylindrical options are the most common, so the user has the opportunity to choose any option for himself, based on its functionality, volume and other criteria.
- Slim boilers have a compact and attractive appearance. They take up a minimum of free space. This model simplifies the contact of cold and heated water, so it will heat up faster.
- Rectangular models. They have a thickened insulation layer, which provides significant savings. They fit perfectly into niches and are highly technological.
Dry or wet heating element
The tubular heater of an electric boiler for a private house can be:
Wet. It has the shape of a curved heating element that resembles a conventional boiler immersed in water. The main advantage of such a boiler is its low cost. However, this equipment cannot be called very reliable, because due to contact with water, scale will gradually form on its surface. Therefore, if the water quality is poor, you will have to change this heating element very often. In addition, such a boiler can be electrocuted.
- Dry. Such a water heater is considered the most reliable because it is completely isolated from water by a special flask. This provides it with protection against scale formation and breakdowns. But the cost of such a boiler will be almost 2 times higher. In addition, if it fails, you may face the problem of finding a new heating element.
What to choose a coating for the tank?
The water heater tank can be made of the following materials:
Enameled steel. Each manufacturer has its own enamel composition, which allows you to reliably protect the container from corrosion. But whatever the coating, there is always the possibility of enamel cracking during temperature changes. Some manufacturers equip their products with a magnesium anode, a device that can "take away" corrosion. But the service life of the anode usually lasts several years, after which it needs to be replaced, and the cost of such a device is high.
- Stainless steel. This material is not afraid of destruction by water. At the same time, even it cannot be called absolutely safe. Welding is used in the manufacture of the tank. The structure of the metal at the weld may be disturbed, which does not exclude the possibility of corrosion in these areas. An exception would be the use of high-tech welding. At the same time, the cost of such a water heater will be quite high.
How does the water heating time depend on the power of the heating element?
The higher the power of the water heater heating element, the faster the water will heat up in it. On average, it takes from 15 minutes to 3 hours to heat up to the optimum temperature.
However, there are some nuances here. The higher the power indicator of the water heater, the more demands are placed on the electrical network, sockets and the machine. Often they have to be changed on purpose. Therefore, before choosing an electric water heater for an apartment, you need to think carefully. Is it worth taking a powerful model and redoing the repair or is it better to give preference to a weaker device, but spend more time waiting for the water to heat up.
Is it possible to connect a boiler to a solid fuel boiler?
An indirect heating boiler can be connected to the Altep solid fuel boiler. It is a large volume tank with a built-in heat exchanger inside. Water is heated from the boiler connected to the water circuit.
There are two options for connecting a boiler to a solid fuel boiler:
With the use of a three-way valve. In this case, two circuits are made: one for the heating system, the second for water heating. A three-way valve is mounted at the outlet of the solid fuel boiler after the pump. It is connected to the thermostat and, if necessary, changes the flow, transferring it to the radiator. When the water in the boiler is cold, the valve switches to heating it. After it warms up to a certain temperature, the coolant is switched back to the heating system.
- With the use of two circulation pumps. The wiring diagram is almost the same as in the first case, only here there is no valve, and instead a pump connected to the thermostat is mounted.
How to choose a boiler for water heating depends on many criteria. But taking them all into account, you will be able to choose the best equipment that can provide your family with hot water.
To calculate the optimal tank volume, you can also use the following formula:
Р * (t ° - t1) / (t2 - t1), where
Р — the amount of fluid needed by the family per day.
To determine this indicator, it is necessary to take into account the main areas of water use. For example, 5 liters is enough to take a shower for 1 minute. If the procedure takes 10 minutes, and there are only 4 people in the family, then the amount of liquid will be equal to 5 * 10 * 4 = 200 liters per day.
t ° — the temperature of the hot water at the outlet of the tap. The optimal water temperature so that it does not need to be mixed with cold water is 38 degrees. This figure may vary slightly depending on the preferences of the household.
t1 — the incoming water temperature. Usually in the summer it is 16 degrees, in winter it is about 9 degrees.
t2 — heating temperature. This figure can reach 85 degrees or more.
The body of an electric boiler can have a different shape:How to choose a boiler for a home by the shape of the body?
Cylinder. Due to the fact that such a boiler is the easiest to make, their cost is the most affordable. In addition, cylindrical options are the most common, so the user has the opportunity to choose any option for himself, based on its functionality, volume and other criteria.
Dry or wet heating element
The tubular heater of an electric boiler for a private house can be:Wet. It has the shape of a curved heating element that resembles a conventional boiler immersed in water. The main advantage of such a boiler is its low cost. However, this equipment cannot be called very reliable, because due to contact with water, scale will gradually form on its surface. Therefore, if the water quality is poor, you will have to change this heating element very often. In addition, such a boiler can be electrocuted.
What to choose a coating for the tank?
The water heater tank can be made of the following materials:
Enameled steel. Each manufacturer has its own enamel composition, which allows you to reliably protect the container from corrosion. But whatever the coating, there is always the possibility of enamel cracking during temperature changes. Some manufacturers equip their products with a magnesium anode, a device that can "take away" corrosion. But the service life of the anode usually lasts several years, after which it needs to be replaced, and the cost of such a device is high.
- Stainless steel. This material is not afraid of destruction by water. At the same time, even it cannot be called absolutely safe. Welding is used in the manufacture of the tank. The structure of the metal at the weld may be disturbed, which does not exclude the possibility of corrosion in these areas. An exception would be the use of high-tech welding. At the same time, the cost of such a water heater will be quite high.
How does the water heating time depend on the power of the heating element?
The higher the power of the water heater heating element, the faster the water will heat up in it. On average, it takes from 15 minutes to 3 hours to heat up to the optimum temperature.
However, there are some nuances here. The higher the power indicator of the water heater, the more demands are placed on the electrical network, sockets and the machine. Often they have to be changed on purpose. Therefore, before choosing an electric water heater for an apartment, you need to think carefully. Is it worth taking a powerful model and redoing the repair or is it better to give preference to a weaker device, but spend more time waiting for the water to heat up.
Is it possible to connect a boiler to a solid fuel boiler?
An indirect heating boiler can be connected to the Altep solid fuel boiler. It is a large volume tank with a built-in heat exchanger inside. Water is heated from the boiler connected to the water circuit.
There are two options for connecting a boiler to a solid fuel boiler:
With the use of a three-way valve. In this case, two circuits are made: one for the heating system, the second for water heating. A three-way valve is mounted at the outlet of the solid fuel boiler after the pump. It is connected to the thermostat and, if necessary, changes the flow, transferring it to the radiator. When the water in the boiler is cold, the valve switches to heating it. After it warms up to a certain temperature, the coolant is switched back to the heating system.
- With the use of two circulation pumps. The wiring diagram is almost the same as in the first case, only here there is no valve, and instead a pump connected to the thermostat is mounted.
How to choose a boiler for water heating depends on many criteria. But taking them all into account, you will be able to choose the best equipment that can provide your family with hot water.
However, there are some nuances here. The higher the power indicator of the water heater, the more demands are placed on the electrical network, sockets and the machine. Often they have to be changed on purpose. Therefore, before choosing an electric water heater for an apartment, you need to think carefully. Is it worth taking a powerful model and redoing the repair or is it better to give preference to a weaker device, but spend more time waiting for the water to heat up.
An indirect heating boiler can be connected to the Altep solid fuel boiler. It is a large volume tank with a built-in heat exchanger inside. Water is heated from the boiler connected to the water circuit.
There are two options for connecting a boiler to a solid fuel boiler: How to choose a boiler for water heating depends on many criteria. But taking them all into account, you will be able to choose the best equipment that can provide your family with hot water.Is it possible to connect a boiler to a solid fuel boiler?
With the use of a three-way valve. In this case, two circuits are made: one for the heating system, the second for water heating. A three-way valve is mounted at the outlet of the solid fuel boiler after the pump. It is connected to the thermostat and, if necessary, changes the flow, transferring it to the radiator. When the water in the boiler is cold, the valve switches to heating it. After it warms up to a certain temperature, the coolant is switched back to the heating system.