The Astra gas column has long been heard by Russian consumers. These inexpensive and functional devices that heat water in the homes of Russians, effectively convert low-cost energy into heat. Preferring a geyser to a boiler, homeowners rely on the economy of blue fuel, so it is not surprising that Astra, which is simple in design and affordable, is a success.
About Heat Exchanger
The manufacturer of gas water heaters Astra is the Russian company Heat Exchanger. This powerful enterprise is located in Nizhny Novgorod and has been engaged in high-tech production for 60 years. More than 50% of its products belong to the aviation industry, and water heaters make up only a fifth of the products manufactured by this giant. The columns produced by the plant operate only on natural gas. The removal of combustion products is carried out through the chimney. The company previously produced KG water heaters, today they are obsolete, and the plant offers Russian consumers more modern versions - economical, with high efficiency, durable and safe.
Why are gas water heaters popular?
It’s good when in the apartment hot water flows from the tap “by itself”, but some residents of apartment buildings can only dream about it. The deplorable state of utilities networks forces Russians to solve the problem of hot water supply by choosing between a boiler and a column. If there is no gas supplied to the house, there are no questions - you have to buy a boiler, in the presence of blue fuel a gas device is a more profitable option. The proposed models are distinguished by power and performance. The maximum value is 20 kW. Moderately spending gas, they save the money of their owners. The average price is 9,000 rubles. The diameter of the chimney is up to 12 cm.
Why are Astra Group of Companies good?
The Nizhny Novgorod enterprise offers not one or two modifications of gas-fired water heaters, but a whole model range, which presents columns of different capacities and capacities. All gas heaters can be divided into two groups:
- Flowing. Water is constantly heated. They are more compact, they can be placed in cramped rooms.
- Cumulative. Heated a certain amount of water - 50-500 liters. This option is selected according to the needs of the family.
Advantages of Astra products:
- Made in Russia. Therefore, they are inexpensive and can be repaired. If it breaks, you can always find a suitable spare part and repair it.
- The heating tank has a heat-insulating layer, so the heated water does not cool for a long time - resources are saved.
- Simple design - you can easily figure it out. Reliable device - verified by consumers. It’s easy to figure out how to use the device.
- There is nothing superfluous, no “functionality”, it just heats the water. This has a positive effect on price.
- Good performance - up to 12 liters per minute. This is enough for two points of water intake.
- Safety. The machine turns off the device in the absence of traction, when the water supply is cut off and in the absence of flame.
Model Overview
Astra 8910-00.02
Set on fire manually. Open type combustion chamber. Specifications:
- Power is up to 21 kW.
- Heats 12 liters of water in a minute.
- Gas consumption 2.3 m3 / h.
- Water pressure - 0.5-0.6 bar, this is respectively the minimum and maximum values.
- D chimney - 12 cm.
- Dimensions 70 × 37.2 × 23 cm.
- Weight - 15 kg.
To what temperature is the water heated? Within 35-60 ° C. For the column to work, it must be properly connected, supply gas and connect water. Gas is connected via ¾ inch pipes. Water connection - through ½ inch pipes.
You can independently adjust traction. Below is a thermostat. Very strong frame - can withstand any load. The power supply is protected by a special system. The fitting is adjustable with screws. A pressure regulator is provided. Traction is easily checked. Fast removal of combustion products. Compared with analogues of other companies, Astra Group of Companies are reliable and safe.
HSV 8910-08.02
Differs from the previous modification:
- Lower power - 18 kW.
- Lower productivity - 10 l / min.
- Lower fuel consumption - 2 m3 / h.
All other parameters are the same as for 8910-00.02. The design is also similar - an open chamber, manual ignition, etc.
HSV 8910-15
The device with an output of 18 kW differs from previous models by electronic ignition - it is made from batteries. This is a more comfortable solution, eliminating the need for the owner to have matches or a lighter on hand. The parameters repeat the previous model 8910-08.02. It differs only in the large diameter of the chimney - it is 13.5 cm. Warranty - 2 years.
HSV 8910-16
Power - 21 kW. It is ignited by electric ignition. Heats water at a speed of 12 l / h. Gas consumption 2.3 m3 / h. D chimney 13.5 cm. Water heater weighs 15 kg.
Astra 15
This is a modification of low power - only 13 kW. Heats up in a minute 12 l. Open type combustion chamber. It is kindled manually. The minimum maintained temperature is 35 degrees. It consumes 2.2 cubic meters of gas per hour. 1.2 inch pipe for cold water. 12 cm - d chimney. It weighs 15 kg. The device has earned mostly positive reviews. Attracts reliability - affects the high quality of the parts used, and high performance. The system can withstand pressure of 7 bar. There is a thermostat - it is at the bottom of the device. Estimated cost 8 500 rubles.
Astra 16
18 kW - power. High performance - 14 liters per minute. 11 cm - the diameter of the chimney. 5 bar - the maximum pressure maintained by the system. It consumes 2.1 m3 / hour. Weight - 14 kg. Manual ignition. Open combustion chamber. This modification also earned a lot of positive reviews. Consumers note the high performance of the device. The disadvantage is increased gas consumption. But the system quickly catches up the temperature. Cons - limited pressure parameters that the valve can withstand. There are burner breakdowns.
Which models are the best-selling?
Consumers are happy to express their emotions about domestic technology, mentally accustomed to scolding everything that has been done in Russia. When discussing Nizhny Novgorod gas water heaters, you need to be objective and take into account the realities of domestic consumption. Any equipment is prone to wear and can not work at full power for a long time: breakdowns and malfunctions are a common thing for equipment dealing with different types of resources. The most recognized among consumers are the GK models:
- Astra 8910-10 - became the No. 1 choice for utmost simplicity and low cost. Estimated cost 5,000 rubles.
- JSD20-10A. Consumers are attracted by electronic ignition and the lack of an ever-burning wick.
If the water heater breaks down
Before starting repair of gas water heaters - regardless of the type of breakdown, it is necessary to block the gas access. The device itself can not be removed - all structural details are available without dismantling. But the “facade” - the front cover of the heater, must be removed by unscrewing the side bolts with a screwdriver. First you need to inspect the heat exchanger - it is located behind the electrode, fixed by four bolts. Unscrewing the heat exchanger is not recommended.
When repairing the components of the device, the main thing is not to touch the fitting - this element is needed to measure the water pressure. If you accidentally damage the fitting, you will need to replace the head. The main malfunctions of gas water heaters:
- Contact contamination. Worn out contacts must be exchanged for new ones.
- Damaged heat exchanger. Correction - replacement.
If the speaker does not light
The most common trouble that happens with a gas water heater is that the column does not light up. The cause of the problem may be a lack of traction. Before turning on the column, you need to check the draft in the ventilation hole - light a match and bring it to the outlet of the chimney. If everything is OK, then the flame seems to be drawn into the hole - there is draft, and you can turn on the device. If the flame does not tighten, the chimney needs to be cleaned. This can be done independently, but in the absence of skills it is better to trust a specialist.
Another common malfunction that occurs with gas-fired water heaters is attenuation after ignition. If the wick goes out, you need to adjust the supply of cold water.
Typical breakdowns
It happens that the hydraulic unit breaks in the devices under consideration. It is dismantled simply, but is hardly put in place. Having disconnected the hydraulic group, it is necessary to immediately check the valves - they must be securely fastened. Should the valves move, or the connection density will be impaired, they must be changed immediately. When buying hydraulic unit components, it is important to know the modification of the hydraulic circuit.
Also in the HA, a breakdown of the electromagnetic valve may occur. This is a small problem, but if you do not solve it in a timely manner, the consequences can be the most serious. The valve may deteriorate due to clogging with combustion products - it is urgent to clean it of soot, otherwise there is a danger of explosion.
How much do spare parts cost?
The advantage of Astra heaters in the availability of spare parts. Since the devices are made in Russia, there are no problems with spare parts. The main thing is to order and pay. How much do spare parts cost? Tentatively:
- gas unit price - 1,500 rubles;
- the price of water - 1600 rubles;
- the cost of a magnetic plug is 200 rubles;
- repair kit for the water part - 150 rubles.
What tools are needed?
To connect, configure, repair or maintain the device, you can not do with one screwdriver, you need a set of tools:
- Adjustable wrench - 2 types.
- Pipe wrench.
- Gaskets - paronitic and rubber.
- Screwdrivers - Phillips and flat.
- 1-2 inch rubber hose and metal clamp.
- Special composition - remove scale.
- Bucket - drain the water.
Reviews
Irina T., Great Ustyug
For six years of use, our Astra 8910-10 has never broken. The price is acceptable, but in simplicity resembles old speakers. Heats water very well - you can make it very hot. For control - two handles that you almost never have to turn, only in winter - when the water is colder, and you need to add temperature. It burns well - no popping. The fuse burns constantly, so there is no need to spend money on batteries - they cost more than the gas burns in a fuse in a year. Minus - it makes a pretty loud noise.
Vitaly B., Luza
I thought that we had already learned how to make water heaters. But no - I bought Astra JSD24-12B and realized what is the difference between it and normal equipment from Ariston or Bosch. The price is low, but you can’t let out such nonsense - they say it was removed from production, but I managed to get to know each other. It is worth adding cold water in the mixer - it will go out immediately. Cannot set the desired temperature with the adjustment knobs. There is no electronic scoreboard at all - just some kind of dinosaur. But the instructions say - it has auto temperature control. Maybe it was, but it broke, most likely. And it constantly flows, forever something dripping. Only beautiful in appearance, inside - low quality.
Choosing a domestic-made water heater, you need to be doubly careful. A simple design and low price are a plus, but you may encounter obvious flaws and frankly low quality. Cheapness is a sure sign of the use of low-grade materials. In order not to encounter regular trivial breakdowns - leaks, burner damping, etc., choose models of the middle or high price segment. The purchase decision must be made based on needs, taking into account the technical parameters of the model. The pursuit of cheapness is obviously a losing option.