How to choose a water heater: the most comprehensive list of evaluation criteria

The problem of hot water supply faces not only the owners of country houses and cottages. It is relevant for residents of apartments in cities, so the decision to choose a water heater is important for many people. In order for the acquired model to provide the desired level of comfort, it is necessary to clearly determine the range of its technical parameters before purchasing.

What are the water heating systems?

Today, apartments have all types of, so to speak, energy carriers that are used by heating boilers. Consider the different types of water heaters with reference to the specific equipment of housing.

1. An electric water heater is the most common type. This is a large tank covered with a thermal insulator. Heating is carried out by one or several heating elements, power - AC 220V.
2. Indirect heating water treatment systems are used in apartments with their own boiler. It may be part of the gas equipment of the heating structure. To construct underfloor heating today, electric boilers are used that are suitable for connecting to indirect heating boilers.
3. Water heaters based on the use of eddy currents are a rather non-standard class of devices in the territory of the former USSR. Energy is transferred to water in such installations from a metal heat exchanger and a spiral conductor, which are heated by Foucault currents. Water heaters of this type are effective, but have special conditions of use.

A separate class is instantaneous water heaters at heating elements. It is better to buy them only for use in houses without gas supply, where powerful electric networks are built to withstand heavy loads. The flowing heater, providing not only domestic needs, but also a comfortable shower, consumes solid power. Therefore, if the wiring in the apartment can provide from 7 to 10 kW of constant load, feel free to buy a flow unit.

Instrument capacity

Before considering the requirements for devices of one class or another, it is necessary to outline the recommended parameters of storage water heaters. They look like this:

• a boiler capacity of 30 liters is enough if one person lives in the apartment. A good heater of this volume will provide domestic needs, allow you to take a quick shower;
• A small family of 2 will choose the right one with a 50 liter heater. This volume is enough for a shower, washing dishes and other needs. But if you fill the bath, the next person will have to wait for the water to heat up;
• For a family with a child, it is better to choose a water heater, the volume of which varies between 50 and 80 liters. The first figure will make you put up with some restrictions, given that the child needs to be bathed often enough. The second - will allow you to exist quite comfortably;
• for a family of 3-4 people, the minimum boiler volume indicator is 80 liters;
• tanks with a capacity of 100-150 liters will provide water to a large family. Even 6 people, provided that each of them does not want to take a bath at the same time, will be able to comfortably use a shower, satisfy household needs.

Larger tanks in the apartment can be a problem. The fact is that the standard recommended load on the floor is 400 kg per sq.m. But in fact, in the bathrooms there is already enough equipment, the bathroom is filling, there are people.In addition, interfloor slabs of the dome type (their individual types) may not withstand a constant load at the technological limit.

When choosing a record-high boiler for your home, you should definitely consult a minimum at home management company. The device can be hung on a load-bearing wall, a special case is apartments adjacent to the elevator shaft, the construction of which is very strong.

Instrument life

The key building block of any boiler is its water tank. Let us dwell on the most common solutions on the market.

1. Enamelled steel tank. The most inexpensive and common solution. It has a key drawback: due to the accumulation of salt deposits and temperature changes, the protective coating is broken with time, the walls of the tank corrode and collapse. The declared tank life in most cases is ensured. But you should not count on the eternal operation of the device.
2. Ceramic-coated steel tank. Here the reliability is higher than that of the previous example. Ceramics are stronger, more durable, but its fragility is higher. If you select a boiler model with good protection against emergencies, the tank will show very solid indicators of durability. But it is worth buying a boiler from the position of a rational approach. The characteristics of standard ceramics and different marketing versions of “BIO”, “self-healing”, “especially durable” are almost the same, and the price of the device can vary significantly.
3. Stainless steel tank. The most expensive solution with record durability. The capacity will definitely survive several replacements of heating elements, and failure most often occurs due to defective welds.

In modern models of boilers, tools are used to reduce corrosion. The so-called magnesium (found - zinc, having a high depletion rate) anode is a useful part of the design, which will significantly increase the life of the boiler. In the course of work, it is gradually depleted, but the replacement of this element is not difficult and can be carried out independently, about once every 2 years. Therefore, if it is possible to purchase a boiler with a magnesium anode for an apartment, this model should be preferred.

The issue of stability of the heating rate

Before choosing a water heater, it is necessary to consider the characteristics of the models responsible for the stability of heat transfer. This directly affects the bills received for electricity, as well as the life of the heating elements, heating elements. The following common technical solutions are offered on the market:

• single heating element, for the replacement of which the boiler will require the participation of a specialist equipped with the necessary tools. Such a device is unpretentious, the heater works for a long time, however, over time, due to the deposition of salts, the rate of water heating decreases;
• single heating element requiring periodic cleaning. A segment of the market for water heaters, attractive to people who want for a little money to get a functional and convenient device. The heater of such a boiler can be easily pulled out of the housing for cleaning or replacement. Manufacturers particularly recommend periodic maintenance to maintain heat transfer rates;
• glass-coated heaters. There are cheaper models where the heater is in ceramic or composite flasks. The most fault-tolerant and reliable solution. The boiler does not require cleaning. The heater does not come into contact with water, corrosion does not occur, the characteristics of the heat transfer system change slightly as lime sediment accumulates. Special chemicals are used to clean the boiler, but in practice they use methods to improve water quality.

The last segment of appliances that are convenient in an apartment is water heaters using eddy currents.It is more rational to consider their requirements in a separate section, since the preparation tools used will be useful for all types of electric boilers and indirect heating devices.

How to stabilize the performance of a water heater

Water quality directly affects the stability of the performance of a water heater, and for devices using eddy currents, is one of the key factors responsible for efficiency. The use of cleaning filters will improve the characteristics of the liquid, which will positively affect the boiler. Outlining general mechanics thesis, we can formulate several recommendations:

1. Coarse mesh strainer is required.
2. The use of flask cleaners to remove fine calcareous impurities from water is desirable.
3. It is recommended to consult the local sanitary and epidemiological surveillance service on the nature of the chemical composition of drinking water in a centralized system.

The last point is worth dwelling in more detail, since it is it that is important for eddy current water heaters. The presence of impurities in the form of iron oxides in water increases its electrical conductivity. As a result, the eddy current heater can go into emergency mode due to exceeding critical system performance. Therefore, for the safe functioning of such a device, the use of a fine filter will be required, which will remove iron-containing compounds from water.

Water purification for all types of boilers will provide:

• low sediment accumulation;
• low scale formation on heating elements.

As a result of using even a pair of simple filters, the heat transfer rate when using purified water from mechanical impurities will be at a stable level for many years of operation of the device.

How to choose a device for a particular apartment

In some cases, it is rational to choose a model according to the balance of power and volume, and also resort to neutralizing factors harmful to the boiler. This is done based on the following principles:

• in apartments with weak wiring, where a large family lives, boilers of considerable power can cause the operation of electrical protection systems. To avoid this, choose a model with low power consumption, but a capacious tank. The device can work almost continuously with intensive water withdrawal, however, the load on the power grid will be within reasonable limits;
• To connect the boiler, it is recommended to conduct a separate power supply route directly from the apartment meter, equipped with its own automatic circuit breakers;
• in apartments where frequent subsidence or power surges are observed, it is recommended to use stabilizers, from which the boiler is powered. Such a device in most cases will not be able to affect the final period of heating the water, the amount of heat given by the heating element will change. However, the boiler will begin to work in a stable mode, which will increase the time between failures.

There is also the problem of insufficient water pressure. Everyone chooses her decision individually. Well pump pumps working in tandem with a hydraulic accumulator show themselves well. However, the specific implementation of the solution to the problem of the scheme is chosen by the owner of the apartment.

Instrument Format

On the market you can purchase a variety of formats of water heaters. They are made in rectangular cases, round, designed for hanging on the wall or installation on the floor. Slim type water heaters are especially suitable for installation in a niche, they are thin and compact.

There are even angular formats.

The choice of a specific product is made on the basis of the following criteria:

• if the design of the device provides for periodic cleaning or maintenance of the heater, the model should be chosen so that the element has free access;
• All floor-mounted water heaters offer a convenient pipe feed circuit.Preference should be given to models in which the connection zone is hidden from view after installation;
• models of wall mounting, allowing pipe supply not only from below, but also from behind, is preferable in modern apartments, where utility networks are hidden under the finish;
• should choose floor water heaters equipped with adjustable legs.

There are many more selection criteria for convenient use in a particular apartment. These include the location of the emergency water discharge point, the input of the power cable, and temperature controllers. There is only one conclusion - before going to the store, you should carefully examine the future location of the heating device and rationally evaluate the design of the boiler.

Correct connection is the key to security

A correctly selected boiler is only half the solution to the problem of hot water supply for an apartment. So that the device does not cause problems, it is necessary to foresee and neutralize possible troubles. There are no eternal things, water heaters sometimes fail. Therefore, you should consider and implement the correct connection.

1. The safety valve on the cold water supply pipe will protect the tank from rupture in the event of a failure of the temperature control system. This element will allow to relieve pressure in a centralized supply system and prevent a large-scale accident.
2. Shutoff valves at the inlet and outlet of water from the boiler are required. The device will require maintenance sooner or later. Cutting off the tank from the utility network will make this procedure easier and faster.
3. The drainage route to the sewer will be a convenient addition to the structure of the water heater connection. Connected to the water discharge point of the boiler, it will allow you to empty the tank for maintenance or repair quickly, without dirt and fuss with different household containers.

Knowing the intricacies of choice, you can get a safe, effective, durable water heater for a reasonable price, which will fully satisfy the needs of the family. And by properly connecting the device, it is easy to forget about any troubles, and repair and periodic maintenance will not look like a big problem.