Geysers on liquefied gas help consumers who have not reached the centralized gas supply. Most of the water heaters purchased by Russian citizens to work on natural gas is a cheap and reliable way to get hot water. Almost any column can be easily converted to liquefied gas, and some models were originally designed to operate on bottled gas.
How do they work?
The device is connected to a propane-butane cylinder. The process of heating water begins from the moment the tap is opened at the point of intake. Heating is performed at the moment of fluid flow through a metal heat exchanger - copper or steel. The heat exchanger itself is heated by a working burner. Heated water enters the intake, a hot stream flows from an open tap. How stable the water temperature is depends on the characteristics of the water heater - power and performance.
Read more on the page “Can a geyser work from a gas cylinder”.
Benefits
Pros of water heaters operating on propane:
- profitability - a cheap type of fuel and low cost of equipment;
- high value of the efficiency of the heat exchanger - reaches 88%;
- uses a hydraulic gas burner device that controls the flow of propane - it responds to changes in pressure;
- You can choose a modification that is suitable for specific requirements - a wide range of models is offered.
How to choose?
Flowing gas water heaters - natural or liquefied, have almost the same device. Differences in nuances - materials, control method, degree of automation. Important parameters when choosing a gas water heater:
- The method of ignition. Old versions were fanned manually - with matches and lighters. Today, manufacturers offer three ignition options - piezo, electro and from a hydro generator.
- Heat exchanger material. The life of the device depends on the quality of this part. If you buy a cheap Chinese device, the heat exchanger in it may turn out to be tin. Such water heaters do not last longer than three years.
- The inner diameter of the tubes in the heat exchanger. Wide tubes do not need to be descaled as often as narrow ones.
- Water block. More preferably metal. A cheaper alternative is plastic.
- Performance. When choosing this parameter, the volume of water flowing from the tap per unit time must be taken into account. The easiest way is to record time and see the result on a water meter. If the flow is less than 10 l / min, why take a model with a capacity of 15 or more l / min?
- Temperature control - manual or automatic. The first are cheaper. Adjustment is made by valves. In versions with power modulation, the temperature is maintained at a predetermined level automatically.
- Discharge of combustion products. A safer outlet through a coaxial chimney. With the power of the device, the diameter of the pipe grows. The second option is the output through a traditional chimney. The third - without a chimney. The latter can not be installed in a confined space and without ventilation. These are usually mini speakers - low power devices.
- Oxygen supply. In cheap versions, air is supplied through the vents. Minus - combustion products penetrate back into the room. Expensive devices are equipped with a pipe removed from the bottom of the device. The housing is additionally covered with lids - bottom and top, so that the combustion products do not penetrate the room.
- Power. 17–19 kW mini heaters are suitable for low-pressure systems with a single intake point. Powerful devices should be taken for a pressure of more than 10 l / min and with several points of water intake. Versions of 21–31 kW are not installed in apartments; these are options for country houses.
How to regulate fuel consumption?
Adjustment is carried out in order to save energy. To reduce gas consumption, regulate the water temperature and flame intensity. Three ways to adjust:
- step manual;
- stepless manual;
- automatic (flame modulation).
Gas consumption
The average user is interested in how much fuel his column consumes. If the apparatus works from a centralized gas supply, you need to know how many cubes are consumed per unit of time; if on propane, I wonder how one cylinder is enough? Costs depend on different characteristics and, above all, on heat output. An example of calculating the consumption of propane-butane. Initial data:
- specific heat of combustion - 14 kW / h;
- Efficiency - about 92%;
- burning 1 kg of a propane-butane mixture gives 12.9 kW / h.
Suppose we have a heater that produces 5 liters of hot water per minute, and fuel consumption is 1.5 kg per hour. A 50 L cylinder contains 42 L or 23 kg of propane-butane. After making simple mathematical calculations, you can find out that one cylinder is enough to heat 4,600 liters of water. Translated to watch - a little more than 15 hours of continuous heating. If you use hot water for 2 hours a day, then a month you will need 4 cylinders.
Are there any turbocharged models?
To heat the water, you can use a turbocharged water heater. Such devices do not need a traditional vertical chimney, the combustion products are discharged through a coaxial pipe led through the wall. On it, air enters the closed firebox - to maintain the combustion process. Turbocharged speakers have drawbacks: you need to make a hole in the pipe, ask the neighbors for consent to install equipment from above, the device is noisy due to the operation of the turbine. Plus, when working on propane-butane, you will also need to place a cylinder in the room. An important plus of the turbocharged versions is their versatility, they can be placed in any room, since a chimney is not needed. The second important advantage is that they do not “eat” home air.
Where is better to use?
Propane water heaters are appropriate in the country. There is often no centralized gas supply. And if people live on them only in the summer, then spending it is unprofitable. Therefore, the option with propane-butane is quite successful. In the country, you can wash yourself regardless of the availability of electricity.
Precautions
The cylinder must not be stored near a heat source. Also, direct sunlight should not be allowed. This also applies to the hose through which propane-butane enters the burner. It is forbidden to turn on the device if the cylinder has any damage. It should not be accessible to children and strangers.
Transition to alternative fuel
Most columns can be converted to an alternative type of gas - from natural to liquefied and vice versa. The changeover must be carried out by a service department that has the appropriate certificate. It is necessary to use sets of parts from the manufacturer. During readjustment, the collector jets are replaced: nozzles with a diameter suitable for the type of fuel used and for its pressure must be installed. When performing work, the device is turned off, the gas valve is shut off. After completion of work, check the tightness of the joints. On the device itself and in its instructions they write what it works on, the date of completion of the work, the organization - the contractor.
Montage
Cylinder requirements:
- the presence of a gear;
- pressure - 300 mm of water;
- productivity of the 1st phase - 1 m³ / h.
For installation, you will need a flexible hose with an inner diameter of at least 1.2 cm and a length of no more than 250 cm. Only use a special hose for propane-butane. When connecting, twisting and bending the hose near the tips is not allowed. If you have to bend the hose, then the radius should be more than 90 mm in external shape. The beginning of the bend is not closer than 50 mm to the tip. No kinks should be allowed; adapters and corner joints should be used. An excessively long hose is secured to the intermediate supports. Directly in front of the water heater, a valve is installed that shuts off the flow of fuel. After completing the installation, check all connections and the hose for leaks.
"Neva"
Water heaters "Neva" - products of JSC "Gazapparat". They are simple, reliable, economical and have low fuel consumption. Affordable. You can always find the necessary parts.
Neva 6011
Flowing column on propane. Estimated cost - 12 500 rubles. The modification is equipped with a function of automatic temperature support with an accuracy of 1 ° C. There is a digital panel, mechanical buttons. On the screen - temperature. Fault codes are also displayed here - there is a self-diagnosis. Reliable protection against emergencies. Technical features and parameters:
Productivity, l / min | 11 |
Rated thermal output, kW | 21 |
Natural gas consumption, m³ / h | 2,2 |
Weight, kg | 10,4 |
Minimum water pressure, bar | 0,15 |
Dimensions (HxWxD), mm | 565x290x221 |
- auto ignition;
- water-cooled open firebox;
- remote control is not provided;
- productivity - 11 l / min.
Neva 4510
Small 17 kW heater. Designed for 2 points of water intake. For control - an electronic system. There is auto ignition and indication. It weighs 10 kg. There is no constant burning igniter - this is a plus.
Productivity, l / min | 10 |
Rated thermal output, kW | 17 |
Natural gas consumption, m³ / h | 1,95 |
The consumption of liquefied gas, kg / hour | 0,77 |
Weight, kg | 10 |
Minimum water pressure, bar | 0,15 |
Dimensions (HxWxD), mm | 356x624x186 |
Neva 4511
Cost - 9 500 rubles. Wall option. Indicators - inclusion and pressure. Auto ignition and open firebox. Specifications:
Productivity, l / min | 11 |
Rated thermal output, kW | 21 |
Natural gas consumption, m³ / h | 2,2 |
The consumption of liquefied gas, kg / hour | 0,8 |
Weight, kg | 11 |
Minimum water pressure, bar | 0,15 |
Dimensions (HxWxD), mm | 290x565x221 |
"Vector"
"Vector" - budget speakers assembled from Chinese components. Many consider them to be the “last century”, but our consumers appreciate them for their simplicity and cheapness - the lineup consists of devices whose price does not exceed 4,000 rubles.
Despite the low cost, this equipment works properly, providing houses and apartments with hot water. All models have a stylish design, they can even become an element of decor. A distinctive feature is compactness. Chinese parts, if necessary, are easy to find in any market.
Management - knobs for adjusting the gas and water passing through the heat exchanger. Some versions are equipped with a mode switch - winter and summer. The disadvantage is the accelerated wear of spare parts. So, for example, the walls of the heat exchanger are made of copper, but this layer is so thin that they burn out over time. No flame control module.
Vektor JSD 20
Like all representatives of the Vector lineup, the column is notable for its low cost - it costs about 4,000 rubles. Compact, fits in the cramped kitchen. There is a digital display and auto ignition. The color is white, gold and silver. Closed camera. Electric ignition.
Vektor JSD 11-N
Compact version for a small room. There is an automatic fire attenuation sensor and protection against overheating. Heats up 5 l / min. It weighs only 4.5 kg, but is designed for only one point of water intake. Parameters:
Productivity, l / min | 5 |
Rated thermal output, kW | 11 |
Natural gas consumption, m³ / h | 1,5 |
The consumption of liquefied gas, kg / hour | 0,64 |
Weight, kg | 4,5 |
Minimum water pressure, bar | 0,15 |
Dimensions (HxWxD), mm | 270x370x140 |
Vektor Lux Eco 20-3
This new product from Vector has advanced protection that reduces the risk of overheating. The closed firebox is cooled by water. Selection and installation of temperature conditions. There is a digital display. Housing with a mirror panel. The model was developed taking into account the change in pressure in the water pipes. The average cost is 8,000 rubles.
Productivity, l / min | 10 |
Rated thermal output, kW | 20 |
Natural gas consumption, m³ / h | 2,76 |
The consumption of liquefied gas, kg / hour | 0,8 |
Weight, kg | 9,7 |
Minimum water pressure, bar | 0,15 |
Dimensions (HxWxD), mm | 350x628x212 |
Reviews
Vektor JSD 20: Ilya Ch., Maloyaroslavets
I have been using this column for 5 years. The batteries last for a year and a half. I set the temperature to 50 degrees - enough for a bath and a kitchen. When typing the bath, you have to turn the water on and off every 20 minutes, since the protection is triggered. I don’t understand why there are two modes - winter-summer, if you can always reduce the propane supply by the switch, and not turn off the extreme sections. After all, then there is a load on the central sections and wear occurs faster.
NEVA-4513: Elena Sh., Svetlogorsk
We bought the Neva specifically for giving - there is no gas supply, therefore it works from a cylinder. Installed quickly, there were no problems. They spent it sparingly, so for the summer we had one cylinder of 50 liters. I like quiet operation and automatic ignition. On the screen - water temperature. Good price. Now we think that it would not hurt to put the same in the apartment, so as not to sit without hot water during outages.
Choosing a liquefied gas column, you should take into account the residents' needs for hot water and choose its power correctly. It is from this parameter that the comfortable use of hot water will depend. It is important to pay attention to the design of the device: if you take a model with the possibility of readjustment, you can always convert it to alternative fuel.