Utilities annually "delight" users with a shutdown of hot water. Therefore, many switched to individual water heaters - some even make their own boiler. How to do this, to take into account how profitable the work is, read in our article.
Is it worth it to make a home-made water heater
To find out, you need to calculate the feasibility of the installation. Perhaps it is better to use the factory one?
Make calculations. To do this, consider:
- The price of hot water is 1 cube about 200 rubles.
- The heating temperature is 65 degrees.
- The heat capacity of water is 4200 J / kg.
- The inlet fluid temperature is 8 ° in winter.
Calculation is carried out according to the following formula:
A = 4200 * (65 - 8) * 1000 liters = 239.4 MJ
Next, you need to calculate the power of the heater to bring the liquid to this temperature:
N = A / t = 239.4 MJ / 3600 = 66.5 kW
Bottom line: a home-made device will be unwise to mount in a house or apartment. Cheaper to pay for utilities.
However, it can be suitable for summer use, because the liquid at the inlet will no longer be 8 degrees, but 15 ° C. Count:
N = A / t = 4200 * (65 - 15) * 1000 L = 239.4 MJ / 3600 = 58 kW
Consider:
- Heating from utilities does not always correspond to the declared 65 degrees. Most often it is 58-59 ° C.
- At the same time, a makeshift tank has heat losses that must be remembered.
Output: for constant use in the apartment a home-made water heater will not work - it is not profitable. It is easier to install a purchased boiler. But for a summer residence and a summer shower - a great option.
Type of fuel
The operation of the equipment is based on the coolant. What are they:
- Gas water heater. These are the most economical devices, however, self-manufacturing is strictly prohibited. Firstly, it is life threatening. In factories, the technician undergoes many tests and checks before entering the store. Secondly, even having made a heater, you will not receive permission for its operation. Moreover - you have to pay a fine.
- Wood boiler (indirect heating). The easiest way: you can organize a small stove, and install a boiler on top.
- Electric type most secure. It will be discussed further.
Pressure or non-pressure option
Accumulative electric water heater is better to choose a pressure head design - in the shower you will get a strong continuous flow. But for self-assembly, it will be necessary to organize a circulation pump, which will create pressure in the system. This complicates the task.
The non-pressure version is easier. To create it, you can choose any capacity: bucket, pan. The main thing is to install the tank higher so that there is a good flow of water.
The disadvantage of non-pressure systems is the inability to uniformly mix cold and hot liquids. Therefore, you need to heat up to 40 degrees and immediately use the contents.
What to make a tank
The housing is the basis of the future boiler. To create it, a material resistant to corrosion and rust will be required. Stainless steel, aluminum, plastic can be used. Iron is also used if it is treated with a special protective paint, otherwise water will be of little use.
Important! If you want to make a tank yourself, you will need a welding machine, as well as the experience of the welder.
As a result, water will accumulate in the tank and be heated by the heating element. You can take ready-made tanks: for example, to make the body of a gas cylinder, barrels of plastic.
How to make a tank for heating water
It is best to install a new cylinder for the water heater. First, prepare everything you need when working:
- Tool for welding.
- Tool for carving.
- Gas keys.
- Screwdriwer set.
- Drill.
- Balloon. If you buy a new one, choose without a valve. It will not be useful to you, and the product will cost more. If you are using the used version, treat the walls with a nitro primer to remove gas residues.
- 3.2 cm nuts.
- A heating element. Choose a heater with a thermal relay and low power.
- Tow or grease.
- Heat-resistant plastic pipes.
- Wiring and terminals for organizing connections.
- Stopcocks.
Stages of manufacturing at home:
- Prepare the cylinder. By welding, cut it along, carefully treat the inside with a nitro primer. Now it remains to weld the tank.
- In a clean container, make two holes with a drill: below for the intake of cold water, above for the withdrawal of heated liquid. The location corresponds to the laws of physics, because hot water rises.
- Weld to the tube holes. If both outlets are arranged from below, then the hot fluid tube should be the length of the casing.
- Install taps on the pipes. Connect a non-return valve to the cold, it will help to avoid the drain of contents into the sewer. A safety valve is placed on the hot, which will prevent the pressure from rising to a critical point.
- From above, where there was a gas valve, you need to install a heater. Secure it with 32 mm nuts. Insulate the element with tow or grease, and then fix the thermostat.
For ease of use, you can install the LED. So you will know when the heater turns on and off.
- To get a super-economical boiler, you need to insulate it. There is a simple way for this: a metal layer is selected over an area slightly larger than the body. Insert the finished housing into the prepared cylinder from the sheet. Fill the remaining space with thermal insulation material: isotone, polyurethane foam. Lids are welded on top and bottom.
- To install metal connectors, connect to the pipes. Hang the appliance in its intended place - consider its weight in the filled state.
It remains to perform a test run. To do this, the tank is filled with water and inspected for leaks. If everything is in order, you can connect the heater.
A simple option for giving
The storage heater can be made quite simply if it works from sunlight.
Prepare for the organization:
- 100-200 liter tank.
- Hoses, pipes for water supply.
- Corners to create a frame or other fasteners.
Implementation of plans:
- Make holes in the tank.
- Route pipes and hoses to them.
- Fix the structure in a calm place so that it is constantly exposed to sunlight.
- Take care of the gulf of water. A hose from a well may be used for this.
- Organize a shower outlet.
To enhance heating, the barrel can be painted with black paint. Arrange foil panels near the structure. They will reflect heat to the barrel, which will allow the contents to warm up by 40 degrees.
No empty capacity or barrels? Then use plastic bottles. Organizing an existing system is simple. You will need:
- bottles;
- sealant;
- cranes
- drill.
Proceed sequentially:
- At the bottom of each bottle, make a hole with a diameter of its neck.
- Insert the bottles one into the other until a battery of 10-12 pieces is assembled.
- In total it should turn out from five or more bands.
- Seal all connections.
- From above, at the entrance, install a tap. Do the same from the bottom.
- Organize a water supply or install containers.
Install the system on the roof for better heating. Depending on the size, the design will provide 2-3 people with warm water.
A home-made water heater is an excellent way out. In the summer, you can take a shower in the country, and if you make a device with a heater, then it will help you out at any time of the year.