If gas is supplied to your home, the question is: “Which is better - a gas water heater or a boiler?” - is not standing in front of you. In the article we will tell you how to choose a gas water heater. You will find out what are the advantages of the technology, its features and characteristics, which models are preferred by users.
Principle of work and varieties
There are two types of gas boiler:
- Flowing.
- Cumulative.
Flow heater also called gas column. It consists of a metal casing, heat exchanger and burner. As soon as gas enters, the burner fires. It heats the water that passes through the heat exchanger and exits through the mixer. The main advantages are quick heating and cheap fuel. However, to ensure multiple sampling points, you need to choose high power equipment.
Storage boiler Indirect heating is installed in separate rooms. The principle of operation is as follows: the water heater body is connected to the heating system and a double-circuit boiler (piping is in progress). Inside the tank there is a coil (heat exchanger) through which fluid circulates. A gas boiler heats the heat exchanger, it gives off heat to the water, which diverges through the system and is used in the kitchen or in the shower.
The advantage of gas is the ability to use a boiler at any time of the year. The volumes of water can be huge: 100, 150, 200 liters. In production, tanks of 1000 liters are used. There are wall-mounted models, but most often users choose floor options.
Features of choice
In one of the articles we wrote how to choose an indirect heating boiler, therefore, we will consider the features of the choice of gas instantaneous water heaters. What parameters should I pay attention to first of all?
Rated power
To make the right choice, pre-calculate the required amount of hot water depending on the number of consumers. Columns can be divided into three types according to power consumption:
- Low power - from 17 to 19 kW. Such devices are suitable for serving two consumers and two sampling points (for example, a wash basin and a shower). Issue about 8 liters per minute.
- Medium - from 22 to 24 kW. Installed in private homes for 3-4 users.
- High - from 28 to 30 kW. It can be used to set the bathroom and other purposes at the same time. Provides good head and heat.
Pay attention to the efficiency indicated in the document. There can be useful and consumed power - you need useful. Otherwise, you risk buying equipment that will not meet the requirements.
Type of ignition
Convenience and safety of operation depend on this criterion.
- Manual ignition. One of the first and budget models. To start heating, hold the button and bring a match to the igniter. This method is inconvenient and unsafe.
- Piezo ignition. The difference with the first option is that a spark appears when a button is pressed. Mechanical activation is convenient if the appliance is nearby.
- Electronic type. As soon as you open the faucet, a spark appears and starts the process. It lights up when the batteries are triggered.
- Hydro generator. The built-in mini-turbine rotates with a stream of water and generates a current. Flames appear when the tap is opened. The higher the pressure in the system, the more efficient the turbine will work and heating.
Modulation system
The flame intensity in the burner can be controlled by the user or by an electric relay. Modulation burners adjust power automatically. This is convenient if pressure differences are observed in the system. In this case, the device independently adjusts the heating force - water at the outlet of the same temperature.
Variety of radiator (heat exchanger)
Their quality and life depends on the material of manufacture. There are heat exchangers from:
- Become. Differ in considerable weight and resistance to corrosion.
- Highly refined copper. To the above qualities, you can add high heat dissipation.
- Copper. The radiator heats up unevenly, so cracks from a temperature difference appear quite quickly in it. Some manufacturers cover the product with heat-resistant paint, but still such a heat exchanger is not enough for a short time.
Conclusion of products of combustion
Since the heating in the flow heater is due to gas, its combustion products must be removed somewhere. Combustion chambers are divided into:
- Open. Such devices are equipped with a chimney and ventilation. Air that supports combustion comes from the room. They have a high efficiency. But not all apartments have a chimney.
Arrangement scheme:
- With a closed camera. The output is carried out using a fan through a coaxial pipe. Since there is no need to carry out a chimney, you can save money.
It is important to consider! If you have plastic windows installed, they may interfere with natural ventilation. As a result, the ignition may not work or function unstably. Way out: installing a ventilation valve. It crashes into the window part.
Safety operation
If you take a geyser for an apartment, take care of your safety. To do this, make sure that the equipment is equipped with devices that control its operation.
- Traction sensor. It works when the chimney fails. It closes the fuel start valve, eliminating poisoning by gas products.
- Ionization detector. Turns off the device when the flame goes out.
- Electronic control unit. It controls the operation of nodes, allowing you to set the optimal parameters to avoid overloads.
- Flow sensor. Starts the burner when the mixer is opened.
- Safety valve. It works at high pressure in the system, dumping its excess.
- Pressure detector. If there is insufficient pressure in the line, the burner will not turn on to avoid damage to the radiator.
What else should you consider when choosing? First of all, the features of the room.
- The presence of a chimney for the removal of combustion products.
- Amount of water consumed and sampling points.
- Availability of free space for installation, ease of use.
- Room design and technology.
It is better to entrust the installation of the device to a specialist. He must determine the draft, bring the pipe to the column.
If you compare gas and electric, the latter are easier to install. However, gas is cheaper to operate. Below we have collected the best models of water heaters.
Browse Popular Models
What flow technique do customers prefer? We compiled this review according to user reviews.
Bosch WR 10-2P
The Bosch instantaneous heater is based on a copper heat exchanger. Refined copper without foreign alloys has a high heat transfer. Productivity is 10 liters per minute. Water consumption and traction power can be adjusted separately.
The equipment has an open combustion chamber, therefore, requires a chimney. Mechanical piezo-firing. Maximum heat reaches 60 degrees. The gas burner is made of steel, the flame force is mechanically controlled.
Safety system:
- Provides constant pressure and pressure.
- There is a flame control ionizer.
- Traction sensor.
- Outlet temperature limiter.
Fuel consumption is 2.1 m3 / h. Case dimensions: 31x58x22 cm.
The cost is from 8,000 rubles.
Nikita
The BOSCH WR 10-2P speaker is generally satisfied. Thanks to piezo-ignition, the wick burns constantly, no need to light with a match. He wanted to take a shower or wash the dishes - he opened the tap and got a hot stream. You can even mix cold and hot water. Pressure gives out stable. Another important advantage: the equipment can be taken for the house where a gas bottle is installed. Works fine, verified. Not without negative aspects - this is scale. Periodically, parts must be cleaned of plaque, because the feed is reduced.
Oasis OR-20W
Simple rectangular case, discreet design. "Oasis" has a capacity of 20 kW and a capacity of 10 liters per minute. Management is fully automated. Ignition occurs electronically - using batteries. It works when the tap is opened.
An LCD display is installed on the case, where the selected parameters and temperature are displayed. The switch "winter-summer" allows you to adjust the heating, as well as save during the summer season. The combustion chamber is open.
Dimensions: 34x59x14 cm.
Price - from 5 000 rubles.
Dmitry
I chose a water heater along with a shower. I basically did not want an accumulative boiler, because the children are small, dangerous. In the Oasis OR-20W, the temperature is conveniently regulated, and in general, it does not require special settings. I set the parameters once, and I've been using it for three years now. The equipment economically consumes fuel, which is especially pleasing. And the price is not high. I advise everyone!
Ariston Fast Evo 14C
Stylish and modern equipment "Ariston" fits into any interior. The column with an open combustion chamber has an electric ignition. As soon as you open the faucet, the batteries work and give a spark. The LCD screen allows you to set the temperature with an accuracy of one degree.
Productivity is 14 liters per minute, and power is 24 kW. A multi-stage protection system ensures safety during operation. It tracks: traction, lack of flame, overheating. The heat exchanger is made of copper, so it has maximum efficiency.
The compact size 37x58x23 cm allows installation in a small room.
Cost - from 10 000 rubles.
Sergei
I bought "Ariston" after the leak of the Neva. I liked the design and automatic ignition. However, this model requires fine tuning. I suffered for a long time with installation and configuration, I had to use a manometer to find out the exact pressure in the system. If you set the parameters "by eye" the work will be unstable. And since the pressure changes in summer and winter, you have to reconfigure everything. In general, the operation is successful, but if you do not want to bathe with the settings - take another option.
Baxi SIG-2 14i
Practical device with electronic ignition and panel controls. Has an open camera. Power reaches 23.7 kW, can be regulated thanks to the modulation burner. The burner itself is made of steel. The built-in reducer allows to give out a stable pressure and heating without additional settings. The column delivers 13.6 l / min.
The hydraulics are made of brass, therefore they are not subject to scale. The heat exchanger is made of copper and coated with a layer that protects against condensation.
Safety system:
- The draft sensor stops the gas supply in case of problems with the chimney.
- Ionization control.
In the presence of a digital display. Dimensions: 36.3 x 65 x 24.5 cm.
Price - from 12 000 rubles.
Ruslan
I was looking for a reliable device with normal metal parts, not Chinese trash. Baxi SIG-2 14i is executed soundly, there is a protection system, and also a mechanical safety lock from carbon monoxide. The wick burns almost constantly, the carcass only when I leave for a long time. The Baksi company is known in narrow boiler houses, therefore, gas workers appreciated the quality of the installation.
Neva 4510m
After installing Neva, you can get 10 liters of hot water per minute. The power of the device is 17.9 kW. It can work even on liquefied gas from a cylinder. The panel is equipped with a display and two controls. The compact two-tier heat exchanger is made of reliable materials. The open combustion chamber is equipped with water cooling.
Kindle is performed automatically, electrically. It can provide no more than two fence points. Built-in overheat protection. Size: 29 × 56.5 × 22.1 cm.
Cost - from 5 000 rubles.
Evgeny
The column was bought two years ago, there are no special complaints. With reduced pressure, it may not turn on, but this is very rare. A friend of the gasman pushed for the purchase of the Neva. He said that they were almost not contacted by the repair service with this model. Whereas with others a lot of problems. For 2 years, only once replaced the batteries. So I recommend it.
Electrolux GWH 265 ERN NanoPlus
The heater "Electrolux" is equipped with a copper radiator for water, which is made using OXYGEN FREE technology. Free of tin and lead. The burner is made of steel, the ignition comes from the batteries when the valve is opened.
Characteristics: power - 20 kW, productivity - 20 liters per minute. In the case there is a window for flame control. The display allows you to conveniently use two controls.
The temperature limiter is integrated. Combustion products are discharged through a chimney. Dimensions of the model: 32.8x55x18 cm.
Price - from 5 000 rubles.
Alexei
The price is consistent with the quality. I can’t say that the assembly is bad. The technique functions normally, but some nuances must be taken into account. For installation, he called the guys from Mosgaz, they advised me that in this case it is undesirable to mix cold and hot water on a mixer. This reduces the life of the product.
Itself noticed that GWH 265 ERN NanoPlus reacts to pressure differences. When you take a shower and turn on the faucet in the kitchen, the temperature drops. In general, the quality of work can be correlated with the cost.
After studying the material and user reviews, you can make a choice. Before buying, decide what the device will be used for, and whether it can be installed in your room.