How to choose a good electric boiler: what to look for before buying?

The principle of operation of the flow device

Flow devices include a compact boiler that is capable of heating water in a short period of time. Cold water that enters the device instantly heats up to 45–60 degrees after passing through the heating element. Fast heating is possible due to the high power of the heating element.

Among the advantages of flow type equipment are:

• no need for frequent care and maintenance;
• the best operating option for houses with a short-term lack of water supply.

There are also disadvantages:

if hot water is required for only one point, then such a device is indispensable; when using the device to serve several points, the water will not have time to warm up to the desired temperatures.

If you still doubt what type your boiler should be, flow, storage or flow-accumulative, then view the further information that will help you decide on the selection of a model.

Scheme of the instantaneous water heater device

Types of heaters

All water heaters can be divided into two categories:

• gas;
• electrical.

Electric

Compared to the electric type, gas water heaters are much more economical from a financial point of view, largely due to the low cost of gas. And in terms of equipment installation, electric heaters are much simpler. There is no need to draw up a project for the placement of the device and obtain special permission for its installation.

In addition, all water heaters differ in the principle of operation, they can be:

• storage type;
• flow type;
• flow-accumulative type.

Cumulative

flowing

Flow-accumulative

According to external data, these structures are similar to each other. Storage and flow type designs are quite well known, in contrast to flow-storage devices.

Technical and operational characteristics

The biggest advantage of electric boilers is the automation system. It takes full control of the operation of the unit based on data on room air temperature or coolant temperature. It includes a voltage surge protection relay and a protection that is triggered in the absence of a heat agent.Almost always, it is carried out by a separate control unit with the installation of a shield panel.

Please note that manufacturers equip their models with an automation system in different ways, so find out the available functions of the boiler before buying. The possibility of autonomous operation of an electrical installation (without constant monitoring) is the best way to organize heating for summer cottages, garages and country houses, where the owners appear periodically

The use of electric water heating boilers is the safest option, and therefore does not require special permits and design studies for installation in residential premises. They are compact, silent and fit well into any interior thanks to their modern design.

Pros and cons

Features of work, as well as the positive and negative sides of these devices, will help you decide on the choice of model for your use.

To the pluses electric storage water heaters can be attributed:

• a large model range that can provide a device with any volume and power. In addition, by comparing the characteristics, you can choose a more economical model for your operating conditions;
• high efficiency rates;
• due to the fact that the storage water heater can be connected to one phase of the mains, it can be safely installed in a summer cottage or rural area;
• minimum heat loss;
• there are no restrictions on pressure, which is important not only for houses with a centralized water supply, but also for other sources of water supply;
• the vertical design of the tank can fit perfectly into any bathroom.

• waiting for some time for heating, which can take from 10 minutes to several hours;
• in a small room, the location of a sufficiently large storage tank is especially critical;
• scale formation and destruction of heating elements;
• high cost on models with scale protection.

The principle of operation and the advantages of these units

Typically, an electric boiler is a cylindrical hot water chamber. Inside there are heating elements, with the help of which electric current passes through the coolant, heating it. The unit is connected to a three-phase network with a voltage of 380 V. Most often, the automatic control unit for the operation of the device is placed in a separate control cabinet. There are also models of electric boilersthat use induction heating. There are no fundamental differences in the installation of these two types of boilers. Induction models are considered safer, and their efficiency can reach 90%.

Electric boilers operating on the principle of induction heating are considered safer and have a higher efficiency than electrode or heating elements. However, their prices are also the highest.

For more efficient operation of automation, it is recommended to connect a temperature sensor located in the heated room to the control unit. In this case, you can control the equipment taking into account changing weather conditions. In addition, the control unit is equipped with:

• automatic protection;
• automation scheme;
• contactors;
• devices for monitoring voltage and current load level.

This design allows you to automatically turn off the equipment in case of power surges or short circuits.Automation maintains the set temperature of the water in the boiler, and also monitors the heating of the device body and turns it off in case of overheating.

Modern electric boilers are equipped with an automatic control panel. The operation of the boiler can be programmed in such a way that the energy consumption is minimal.

The light indication informs not only about the device being turned on and working, but can also signal breakdowns, equipment switching to remote control mode, etc. If you need to heat up not only the coolant, but also provide the house with hot water, you should purchase a double-circuit electric boiler equipped with water boiler. Such a unit has a fairly high efficiency and allows you to spend electricity more economically.

The advantages of electric hot water boilers include:

• ease of installation (no need for a chimney, a separate boiler room, etc.);
• low equipment costs compared to other autonomous heating options;
• silent operation;
• stylish equipment design;
• the ability to install the boiler in almost any convenient place, on the wall or on the floor;
• environmental safety of the unit;
• the ability to control the operation of the device automatically or remotely.

When leaving for a long time, the owners of a private house do not have to turn off the heating system, since it is controlled automatically. It is possible to regulate the operation of some models of boilers even at a considerable distance using a mobile phone.

Comparison of domestic and foreign manufacturers

In the market of boiler equipment, in including electric, there is a constant struggle for a buyer between domestic and foreign manufacturers. The boilers of Russian enterprises have a simple design and mainly use parts and components of domestic production, which reduces the cost of production and repair costs. Most often, they are equipped with a discrete control system (strictly given values ​​of a variable value) and therefore are controlled in steps.

Foreign-made boilers are more difficult to operate and functional. They have a smooth adjustment system and in most cases are equipped with a display for displaying operating parameters. Many are equipped with a software module that allows you to set individual modes of operation and the frequency of tasks. Naturally, these functions lead to an increase in the cost of electrical installations.

It should be noted that the domestic manufacturer is not inferior in terms of assembly quality and equipment to foreign counterparts, but at the same time it wins in price. And given that the principle of operation does not depend on the manufacturer, then statements about super-economical boilers or increased productivity are just a marketing ploy.

The cost-effectiveness of electric heating directly depends on the heat-saving work carried out in the house. Cracks in windows and cold walls will waste heat and increase your energy bill. Therefore, the issue of heating the house should be addressed comprehensively.

Popular manufacturers

The leader among domestic manufacturers is RUSNIT JSC, Ryazan, which has a wide range of models of electric boilers and is constantly improving its products.The latest development of the enterprise is the RusNit MK GSM model equipped with a microprocessor and a GSM module.

Also popular are the models of Industrial Company LLC, Biysk, Altai Territory, specializing in double-circuit induction units, as well as the EVAN company from Nizhny Novgorod, which produces boilers of the WARMOS series (with a heating element) and EPO (electrode type).

Among foreign manufacturers, the most popular devices are KOSPEL (Poland) with the EKCO model range and Protherm (Slovakia) with SKAT series boilers. Their products are of high build quality and automation.

General requirements for the installation of equipment

There are a number of installation requirements:

• the distance from the flow taps to the boiler should be minimal, this will significantly save energy;
• if you plan to install a boiler in your home, make sure that the kitchen taps, bathtubs, showers and the boiler itself are located at a fairly close distance from each other;
• an electric storage water heater when placed on a wall, must be mounted on the condition of a reliable concrete or brick wall;
• until the boiler is filled with water, it is strictly forbidden to supply electricity to it;
• until the boiler is disconnected from the power supply system, water drainage is prohibited;
• it is impossible to connect an electric storage water heater to the water supply network, with a pressure above 6 atmospheres, without first installing a safety valve;
• electric storage heaters cannot be used without electrical grounding;
• electric storage water heaters must undergo periodic inspection and cleaning, which is carried out in compliance with all the recommendations and rules specified in the instructions.

About, how to choose a water heater electric storage in 2017. The advantage of mains-operated models is that they can maintain the temperature of heated water in an economical mode, moreover, they do not consume so much electricity and are connected to a conventional outlet. With all this, the cost of electric boilers for home use does not exceed 20 thousand rubles (the average price is about 10-12 thousand). Next, we will provide the most important tips for choosing a storage water heater for home, apartments and cottages.

Unit Features

The main elements of electric heat supply systems are electric hot water boilers that convert electricity into heat. Circuits with electrode water heating systems successfully cope with space heating and hot water production. Electrical installations have a number of undoubted advantages:

• • simplicity of technical execution of units;
  • control and regulation of the set temperature in the room;
  • fully automated mode of operation;
  • fire and environmental safety;
  • compactness of placement and noiselessness during the work.

Construction of cylindrical and ring types

To service a two-circuit system from heating and hot water supply, three-phase units at a voltage of 400V are used. The water heating elements are plate electrodes showing good efficiency in water with low electrical conductivity.

Devices with voltage from 6000 to 10000V are equipped with cylindrical or annular electrodes.

Features of the model for two-circuit systems

Electric boilers for double-circuit systems require a separate input of three-phase current, as they have a large power. If we proceed from the needs for heating, then the calculation must be made according to the ratio of 1 kW of power per 10 m2 of the heated area.

For the second circuit, which provides the house with hot water, additional power will be required, which is at least 25% of the value required to heat the home. The boiler produces hot water on the principle of an instantaneous water heater. Because the greater the power of the heating elements of the apparatus, the hotter the water in the tap will be with a good flow rate and water pressure.

Units on induction current

Boilers operating on induction current are a new technological solution in electric heating. They are an induction device with a steel core, which, when heated under the influence of electricity, immediately heats the coolant. The efficiency of such a boiler is 99%, and the water heating rate varies between 5–7 minutes.

The plant consists of an inductor, an expansion tank, a forced circulation pump and an automation system, which is located in a separate control panel. For a two-circuit system, the use of water as a heat carrier will be a prerequisite, since it is possible to use other substances to organize heating. As well as the ability to control the presence of water in the inductor, due to the possible breakdown of the apparatus during a dry pipe.

Units with heating element

Classical representatives of electric boilers are devices that heat the coolant with the help of heating elements. They have a simple design and consist of a tank, a heating element and a control system. Among similar devices, heating elements boilers have the lowest efficiency (95% versus 98–99% for electrode and induction boilers).

The main problem of their work is the deposition of scale, which leads to a decrease in productivity and an increase in energy costs. This is especially noticeable when using a boiler for a two-circuit system. Therefore, choosing such a boiler, you need to take care of the quality of the water supplied to it.

The principle of operation of the storage device

The principle of operation of such a unit is quite simple, it is a kind of thermos containing a heating element. After heating the water, its temperature is maintained according to the set mode, so once you adjust the flow, you can safely swim and not be afraid of unpleasant surprises.

The main elements of such a device include:

• frame;
• thermal insulation - in most cases, multilayer thermal insulation is used, which allows you to increase the heating efficiency and maintain the set temperature;
• anti-corrosion coating of the inside of the device;
• flanges - they are used to connect pipes for supplying and discharging heated water;
• valves;
• devices for monitoring the functions of the device, this is the choice of temperature and control over overheating of the device.

Scheme of the storage type water heater

Classification

Electric water heaters can be:

• pressure;
• non-pressure.

Non-pressure

pressure head

In simple terms, a non-pressure type boiler resembles boiling an electric kettle. The incoming water is heated and consumed.The advantage of this design can be considered simple installation and low cost. As for the cons, it’s a little more complicated here, such heaters require constant monitoring of the water level in the tank and the absence of pressure, since the flow occurs by gravity.

A pressure-type boiler of heaters is much better, since the change of water, as it decreases, occurs automatically, cold water enters, and heated water comes out.
If you are choosing equipment for a summer residence, then it is quite possible to use the first option of the heater, since its work will be directed to one type of consumption, for example, to a shower.