Electric water heaters are an excellent solution for an apartment, cottage and a private house. Boilers can be chosen in any size, depending on consumption, to choose a design that suits you. The main thing is that they are safe to operate, unlike gas ones. After reading our article, you will learn: what types of boilers are, how they work, what are their advantages over others.
Varieties of water heaters
Devices for heating water can run on electricity or gas. The advantages of the former are ease of operation and installation. If the gas heater requires special communications, permission for installation, calling the master, then the electric heater can be installed anywhere. It is suitable for bathroom, kitchen.
There are several types:
- Flowing.
- Cumulative.
- Flow-storage.
Combined indirect heating devices can also be attributed to this category. They can be used for heating in conjunction with a boiler. And inclusion with TEN allows to operate the device in the summer. How to choose an indirect heating boiler, read in a separate article.
The design and operation of all heaters are different. Therefore, before buying, you need to accurately determine the installation location, the amount of water consumed, as well as the power that the wiring can withstand.
Flow boiler
It is a metal case, inside of which a heating element is hidden. The flow of water passes through the heater and is discharged to the mixer. The device provides instant heating of water, it is compact and light.
It is worth considering that:
- The wire saws are high-power and consume a large amount of energy. Often, new wiring is required to install them.
- Water heating directly depends on the temperature of the liquid at the inlet. The passport may indicate a heating of 25 degrees. If at input 15, the flow warms up to 40 ° C.
- Problems with pressure in the system affect the operation of the equipment. It may not turn on.
Instantaneous water heaters are divided into pressure and non-pressure.
- Pressure can provide several sampling points.
- Pressureless installed specifically on the shower or sink. They are placed above the intake point so that the water flow is normal.
How to choose a flow-through boiler, read in the previous article.
The electrical circuit of the device:
Accumulative water heater
It is a storage tank in which water is collected. The tank itself is made of stainless materials. A layer of thermal insulation is laid between it and the body, which allows you to maintain the water temperature when the device is turned off.
Inside are the heater and a magnesium anode, which protects the walls and parts from corrosion. The storage capacity can be 5, 10, 50, 100 liters. For a family of three, structures up to 150 liters are installed.
By type of placement, liquid products are:
- floor;
- wall mounted;
- horizontal
- vertical
- cylindrical and flat;
- corner placement.
Such devices are convenient to operate, since the principle of accumulation allows you to receive hot water even when the power is turned off. Not without flaws:
- A large body requires a lot of space. On the other hand, you can choose a vertical model and place it under the ceiling, so as not to interfere. Consider the heavy weight of the device. Installation can only be done on a brick, solid wall.
- The first time you turn it on, you will have to wait several hours until all the liquid warms up.
- The equipment requires constant maintenance. The magnesium anode must be replaced once every six months or a year. It is required to clean the tank from scale and to prevent breakdowns.
Despite this, the storage boiler is convenient for families with children, since hot water can be obtained at any time.
Instantaneous storage boiler
A rare group of goods that combines the advantages of both types. They have two heating elements that operate separately. These water heaters are of high power, therefore, require thick wiring and a special outlet.
You can use the products in the accumulation mode (usually the tank is not more than 30 liters), and also run as flowing ones. But the cost of technology is too high: the price of some models is 100,000 rubles.
There are "pseudo" flow-accumulating devices. They work on the principle of a flow-through, but water immediately passes into the tank (no more than 10 liters). They do not differ in special functionality, because their cost is from 5,000 rubles.
Parameters and characteristics of water heaters
How to choose the best device? You need to correctly match your needs with the capabilities of technology.
Volume and performance
What to consider when choosing a tank capacity:
- The number of people living.
- Water consumption.
- The presence of small children.
- Permanent or temporary use.
It is also worth considering the size of the room, the number of fence points. For example, for a family of 3-4 people, a boiler for 100-150 liters is suitable. If you want to install in the country, then choose a capacity of 50-80 liters. For one sampling point, for example, in the kitchen, 15-30 liters will be enough.
When choosing a grooving machine, consider its productivity per minute. So:
- Two liters per minute is enough to use the sink: washing, washing dishes.
- Productivity from 3.5 liters is enough to take a shower.
- 7-10 liters is enough to provide several points.
Power
It is especially important for flowing products: the higher this parameter, the more sampling points can be provided. To find out how much energy a technician consumes, take a look at the documentation.
Type of management
There are two of them:
- Hydraulic Control is carried out by the flow sensor. As soon as the mixer opens, heating occurs. Closes - work stops. This is not very convenient as you cannot control the temperature.
- Electronic control allows you to manage all processes. The display monitors the set temperature, the parameters are maintained and stored even when the power is turned off.
A heating element
According to the type of construction, the heating elements are tubular and spiral. Tubular heats the flow faster, and is also less prone to scale. Whereas the spiral heats longer and is overgrown with deposits.
On installation, the heater can be dry and wet. Dry heater does not immerse in water. He is in a protective flask, therefore he serves much longer. An ordinary element is constantly in contact with water, needs to be cleaned and replaced periodically.
Anticorrosion coating
Since the tank is constantly filled with water, it is important to pay attention to its protective coating.
- Glass porcelain. Manufacturers give a guarantee for a product no more than a year. The material is not susceptible to corrosion, but is sensitive to the effects of bacteria, temperature extremes.
- Enamel coating made of titanium. Resistant to corrosion and microorganisms. Service life - up to 7 years.
- Stainless steel can last up to 20 years.
- Copper. It has good heat dissipation, hygiene and a long service life.
The tank cannot be replaced, therefore, the choice should be taken responsibly.
Rating of popular models
Which boiler to buy? We have studied customer reviews and are ready to present the most interesting models of water heaters.
Timberk SWH SE1 15 VO
Wall-mounted water heater with a 15-liter tank. Thanks to its compact dimensions - 39x39x39.5 cm - it can be installed under the sink. Power is 2 kW, which allows you to quickly heat water and not create a load on the wiring.
The mechanical regulator allows you to set the temperature, including in Comfort mode. The maximum performance reaches +70 degrees. The product received protection against excessive pressure, inclusion without water, overheating. Wall coating - glass ceramics. The heater is made of copper, has a long service life. Weight - 8 kg.
Cost - from 5 000 rubles.
Irina
I chose the technique of small size, because the bathroom is very small. SWH SE1 15 VO liked the interesting design. Carries out heating quickly, for one person spaciousness is enough. Installation took place without a hitch, now I am happy to take a shower and I'm not afraid of constant outages.
Thermex Light MS 30
Model "Termex" flow-accumulating type. It has the advantages of a machinist:
- Ease of installation.
- Compact size: 40x58x27.5 cm.
- Fast heating with a powerful heater up to 2.5 kW.
The storage tank holds 30 liters. Belongs to non-pressure types, therefore a shower head is supplied. Connection is made to one sampling point. On the panel, a mechanical lever controls the temperature. The tank is made of plastic. Protection against overheating, overpressure is provided.
In running mode, the heating time is 30 minutes.
Price - from 6,000 rubles.
Ekaterina
Bought for an apartment for the period of seasonal outages. In general, satisfied with the operation, but there are comments. The instruction is incomprehensible and very short. It is not clear how to connect the device. Self-installed in the shower for now. Also, the fasteners are not suitable for installation on a concrete wall, we bought it ourselves. For rare use, it will do.
Electrolux EWH 80 Formax
Despite the good capacity of the storage tank - 80 liters, the size of 45.4 × 72.9 × 46.9 cm and the rectangular shape of the case allow you to place the equipment in a small room. There are two adjustment knobs on the panel: one is responsible for switching on, the other for adjusting the temperature to 75 ° C. You can set the ECO mode (heating to 55 ° C).
The Electrolux EWH 80 Formax is equipped with two dry heating elements with a power of 2 kW. Provides multiple points. The inner walls are enameled, thermal protection made of polyurethane foam. The kit includes an UZO machine, a safety valve.
The cost is from 9,000 rubles.
Victor
Heater EWH 80 Formax suited us in size and functionality. Installed in a horizontal position. I am glad that there are two TENA inside. If one breaks, the other will replace. In the daytime, we set the ECO mode, so that there is constant hot water. I haven’t found any flaws yet, the installation went without problems.
Ariston ABS BLU EVO RS 30
An inexpensive electric cube-shaped Ariston boiler. Small sizes 44.7 × 44.7 × 38.9 cm significantly save space. A convenient adjustment knob allows you to set comfortable indicators up to + 75 ° C. Protective shutdown protects the user from electric shock.
Features:
- Nanomix technology allows you to quickly heat water (+ 15%).
- Enamel AG + tank sheeting with a warranty period of up to 5 years.
- Capacity is 30 liters.
Weight - 12.8 kg.
Price - from 4 000 rubles.
Michael
Connection performed independently, nothing complicated. Heater liked the modern design. It consumes less electricity than an electric kettle, so it does not create a load on the wiring. What I didn’t like - the adjusting wheel sets the temperature inaccurately.
Gorenje GBFU 100 SIMB6 / SIMBB6
Reliable and inexpensive model from the Simplicity design series. Comes out in white and black. The volume is 100 liters. Universal wall mount: vertical and horizontal. The inner walls are covered with protective enamel, a magnesium anode is installed.
There are two dry heating elements with a total capacity of 2 kW. Mechanical regulator (+ 15-75 degrees). There is an ECO mode, as well as frost protection. Thermal insulation is 17 mm.
Dimensions: 45.4 × 94.8 × 46.1 cm, weight - 34 kg.
The cost is from 9,000 rubles.
Maxim
I bought the model on the advice of a friend and was pleased. Mounted case horizontally to save space. The assembly is good, Serbian. Two heating elements are in the protective flanges, operate sparingly. I recommend to buy if you are looking for equipment for long-term use.
Compare your needs and room features to choose the right boiler for your home or apartment.