Choosing a water heater for a summer residence

By energy source

This criterion takes into account the means by which heating will be performed. From this point of view, all devices are classified according to the heat source:

• electrical;
• gas;
• wood-burning.

In models of the first type, water is heated due to the presence of a heating element. They are most in demand in the described segment, since their capacity is sufficient to meet existing needs. If the house has electricity, there will be no connection problems. In addition, these units are affordable.

In models of the second type, water is heated by a gas burner.A gas heater with a shower for a summer residence is the best option if there is a connection to the central highways. Of course, there are modifications on sale that work from a cylinder. But their operation is hampered by the need to constantly fill this cylinder

And, from a safety point of view, such devices require special care. In a house where small children live, this is extremely difficult to implement.

A wide range of devices with a flow type of operation and with storage tanks are on sale, so this increases the possibility of choosing a device, taking into account the technical features of a country house.

Gas Models

A wood-burning water heater for a shower in the country is purchased by those who have problems with power supply at their place of residence. Its device resembles a potbelly stove. There is a firebox, a water tank through which the chimney pipe passes. Water is heated by heat from the stove and from the exhaust pipe. This design has its advantages:

• ease of use;
• reliability of work;
• the ability to use not only firewood for kindling, but also waste left after construction, old furniture;
• long operating periods.

Wood installations

Why, with so many advantages, a wood-burning shower heater in the country is a rarity today? Despite the fact that the tank is large, the water heats up unevenly inside it, so you have to wait a long time until each portion reaches the desired temperature. In modern models, containers are filled automatically, but firewood has to be added manually. Fuel today is expensive, its stocks must be constantly replenished, while you have to allocate a lot of space for firewood.Delivery and storage are difficulties that not everyone wants to overcome while on vacation. This explains why the popularity of the described units is falling.

Video description

The following video explains how easy pre-made titanium is to install:

Solar water heaters

Such devices are heated by solar panels. They are assembled from long tubes made of glass. Inside, such elements are filled with special compounds. They enhance the absorption of the sun's rays and produce energy that can be used to heat the drive. It is difficult to find a more environmentally friendly installation today.

But such a system has two significant drawbacks:

1. On days when the sun is tightly covered by clouds, you can be left without hot water.
2. The profitability of installing solar panels is most often a big question, especially if hot water in the country is needed from time to time.

Installations that heat water with the help of the sun

Conclusion

The material of the article describes in detail the existing classification of water heaters, ideal for operation in the country. When choosing a specific model, you need to focus on manufacturers with a good proven reputation. There are many domestic brands in the offered assortment. This is not surprising. Our engineers have been able to create instruments that are ideally suited to local conditions. They easily withstand power surges, pressure instability in the water supply and gas lines.

It will be easier to navigate when choosing a device if you decide in advance what type of heater the unit should have, what heating method will suit you. The next parameter is the volume of the tank and the power of the device.When specific technical parameters are on hand, the choice of a water heater will be greatly simplified.

Types of water heaters

Devices for heating water in domestic conditions are divided into two main types - flowing and storage.

The instantaneous water heater is designed to produce water with a temperature of up to 65 degrees in continuous mode. The temperature increase occurs in a chamber of limited dimensions, when water passes in direct contact with the heater. As such, heat electric heaters of various designs are used.

Adjustment of degree of heating of flowing water is made by means of special regulators.

It can be a plastic pipe wound with a coil of enameled copper wire. When the current passes through the wire, eddy currents are induced on the surface of the fuel elements, which heat them and the water passing through the pipe.

The disadvantages of the device include the need to use a circulation pump in such a system.

The storage water heater is a container with a volume of up to 200 liters, in which the desired temperature is constantly maintained. The heating time, depending on the capacity of the vessel, can reach 5 hours, but then the temperature is maintained constant.

The temperature ceiling can be quite high, up to 95 degrees, but in practice this is not applied. Normal mode is not more than 65 degrees, while using a mixer.

Water is heated in a storage water heater using electricity, natural gas and non-traditional sources such as solar energy.

Price category

The first thing they usually pay attention to when buying is the price of a heater.According to this criterion, one of the best options is a gas water heater.

But the installation of such equipment requires permission, and gas is often not available in the same places where there is no hot water supply (in the country or in a country house). Therefore, as suitable options, we will consider only electrical models in the article.

• For washing hands or dishes, you can buy an inexpensive instantaneous water heater for 1500-3000 rubles. If you need a device to provide hot water to the whole family, you need to take a model with more power, and therefore pay more - about 6-15 thousand rubles.
• The minimum price of a boiler with a volume of only 10 liters starts at 3,000 rubles. But models for 40-50 and even 80 liters will not cost much more - from 4-5 thousand. And the cost of the largest storage heaters, for 100-150 liters, rarely exceeds 30 thousand rubles.

It is worth considering that the cheapest models are not worth buying for permanent use. They are suitable for seasonal housing and can last no longer than 3-5 years. If buying a water heater every 3 years is not included in your plans, you should immediately choose reliable stainless steel equipment or more profitable steel models coated with zirconium or titanium enamel.

About the types and principle of operation of different heaters

Before proceeding with the comparison, we briefly list the varieties and design features of household water heaters. The first group - boilers - are insulated tanks with a capacity of 30 to 500 liters, heated by low-power heat sources:

• electric heating element consuming 1.5 ... 3 kW;
• gas burner with a thermal power of 3 ... 5 kW;
• a spiral coil heat exchanger connected to the heating system (more precisely, to the boiler).

Accordingly, all storage water heaters are divided into 3 types - electric, gas and indirect heating. Accumulation tanks up to 200 liters are offered in wall and floor versions, over 200 liters - in floor versions.

The principle of operation of the boiler is simple: a heating element, burner or coil heats the entire volume of water in the tank until the temperature set by the user is reached. Then the heat source is turned off and started only to maintain this temperature. The heating of the container lasts 1 ... 3 hours, depending on the amount of water and the type of heating element (the burner copes faster than the heating element).

Flowing water heaters differ from boilers in power - it is much higher. After all, the device must have time to instantly warm up the water as soon as the user opens the tap in the bathroom or in the kitchen. The heat source is the same heating elements and high-performance gas burners. The heater is turned on automatically - by a signal from the flow sensor.

In private houses and apartments, 3 types of instantaneous water heaters are installed:

• geysers;
• electric speakers for the shower;
• electric heaters in the form of kitchen taps.

The thermal power of columns running on natural gas starts from 8 kW, electric ones - from 3 kW (faucets for the kitchen). Flowing shower heaters consume more - from 8 kW. All household appliances of this type are designed for wall mounting.

Gas flow heater (photo on the left) and electric column

What water heater to choose?

Which option to choose - flow or storage? The choice largely depends on a number of factors and your personal preferences.

We can definitely say that the most practical option is a drive with a volume of about 50-80 liters, powered by electricity. Firstly, this source of energy is now almost everywhere, and the effect of a thermos will allow you to get water during the day with almost no heating and constant switching on. In addition, such a heater can be connected so that it supplies both the bathroom and the kitchen with water at once. We remember the disadvantages - it takes a long time to heat the water if it has cooled down or the tank has been refilled.

A gas heater is also a good option. And, perhaps, it is worth choosing it if you have gas connected to your house. The device is easy to maintain, inexpensive and economical, the water heats up quickly. The main thing is to ensure that the room with the installed heater is well ventilated with an exhaust hood.

Flowing gas water heater in the kitchen

An important parameter is performance. It depends on it how much water and for how long the heater is able to heat. Think about how much water you spend per day and, based on this, choose a device according to performance and power. If we talk about the drive, then everything is simple: it will heat up any volumes, you just need to wait. But the flow model heats the water right there, but the greater the pressure and water flow, the higher the power of the device should be. You can also mention ease of use here: think about which device, given their heating rates, it will be easier for you to use.

By the way, a lot depends on the desired level of water heating. Maybe you don't want boiling water coming out of a faucet. The main thing is to be aware of the power limits and check the condition of your wiring before you buy a very powerful protochnik.

Volumes matter too.So, for a large house, you need a heater-accumulator of 100 liters or more. But for a summer residence or a family of 1-2 people who live in a small apartment, a device of 30-50 liters is enough. There are capacious tanks for 200 liters - they are usually mounted on the floor, and not mounted on vertical surfaces.

Water heater takes up a lot of space

And how to calculate the optimal performance indicators of the protochnik? Estimate it by the flow rate, which can be calculated using the formula: V = 14.3 * (W / T2 - T1). T1 is the water temperature in the pipe, T2 is the selected liquid heating temperature, W is the heater power, V is the flow rate. Also, the speed of water in the pipes can be calculated by turning on the water and filling the container with it for one minute. Next, you just need to measure the amount of water that managed to flow out during this time. Now you can see which heaters manufacturers recommend for a particular flow rate.

Another nuance is the installation features. They also need to be taken into account. If you choose a drive, then keep in mind that you need to fix it on a solid, preferably load-bearing wall. Remember that it is very heavy - add the weight of water to the mass of the heater when it is full. Such devices should not be placed on plasterboard or wood walls. Well, remember about the availability of free space. Storage heaters take up a lot of space and cannot be installed in a room that is modest in size.

Another thing is the protagonist. It is light and small, and it can be placed in absolutely any room and on any wall. The main thing is to be able to connect it in principle because of its power.

Any heater needs to be serviced so that it serves for a long time and without complaints.Let's see what features the owners of drives and protochniks will have to face in this case. So, the drive should be regularly inspected and cleaned.

It is important to check the condition of the magnesium anode and even change it occasionally. In such a heater, scale may appear, which must also be removed.

If we neglect all this, then the service life of the device will not exceed five years in most cases. But with the protochnik, things are easier. It is only necessary to clean the heater sometimes, and that's it. And the service life of such a device is more than 10 years.

Replacing a heating element for a boiler

And a few more words about service. So, gas appliances in any case need to be checked every year. Still, you are dealing with gas, and its leakage can lead to tragic consequences.

storage water heater

It can be used in any residential or industrial premises. It operates on gas or electricity and heats water up to 80 degrees Celsius.

Scheme of the accumulative device

Principle of operation

The unit has a housing made of plastic or steel, inside of which there is a steel tank for liquid. The space between the body and the inner container is filled with heat-insulating material. Therefore, the water does not cool quickly.

The principle of operation of the boiler is based on heating water to a certain temperature. First, cold liquid enters it and is heated by a tubular electric heater (TENA). Hot water leaves the tank under pressure through a high outlet.

Inside there is a magnesium anode that prevents the development of corrosion on the internal components of the boiler and a thermostat that allows you to change the temperature of the liquid.

Characteristics

The main parameters of the boiler are volume and productive capacity.For domestic purposes, heaters are bought with a tank capacity of 40 to 150 liters. In industrial production, models with a volume of 200 liters or more are installed.

The power of the devices is from 1.2 to 2.5 kW. For example, a water heater with a power of 1.5 kilowatts heats 30 liters of liquid to 80 degrees in an average of 1.5 hours.

Manufacturers

Modern companies produce high-quality heaters of any size with different functionality. There are several firms that have earned a good reputation in the market, among them are Ariston, Termex, Eldom, Drazice, Roda, Atlantic, Vogel Flug and Klima Hitze.

Main types of devices

Cumulative

Basic structural elements

The most popular model, which is used to provide a private house with hot water, is a storage heater, better known as a boiler.

The design features of this device are as follows:

• The installation is connected to the water supply system, therefore boilers are used only where there is either a centralized water supply or an automatic pumping station.
• Through a system of valves that prevent reverse movement, water enters the storage tank (the optimal volume is from 50 to 100 or more liters).
• The tank contains a heating element connected to a thermostat. The operation of the heating part can be adjusted by setting the desired temperature on the control panel.
• The option to maintain a certain degree of heating is very convenient: the heater turns on only when the water in the tank cools down a few degrees below normal.

Storage boiler connection diagram

The key disadvantages of such systems are:

• High energy consumption.
• Dependence on the stability of pressure in the pipeline.
• Considerable cost.

However, the convenience that the boiler provides more than compensates for these disadvantages.

Flowing

A flowing electric water heater to the country house can be used where it is not possible to mount a full-fledged storage model. (See also the article Sports ground in the country: features.)

Features of such devices are as follows:

• The unit is mounted on the wall, as close as possible to the point of hot water consumption.
• A supply pipe is connected to the device, through which cold water enters.
• Passing through a system of tubes with internal heating elements, the liquid is heated to a certain temperature. The degree of heating can be adjusted on the control panel or using a special valve.

Flow system for the kitchen

Despite a sufficient level of convenience (we get heated water almost immediately), flow models have serious limitations:

Firstly, for their efficient operation, a consistently high pressure is required. If the water supply in your village provides it - well, if not, then you will have to install an additional pump with an expansion tank.

• Secondly, the performance of the device is low. You can wash your hands under a thin stream, take a shower - it’s already more difficult, but you definitely can’t fill the bathroom in this way.
• Thirdly, the features of the heating part affect the nature of the installation: the peak power of the instantaneous water heater is quite high, so the load on the wiring will be serious. To avoid accidents, it is worth connecting such devices through a separate RCD.
• It is also worth noting that the system works most efficiently on the principle of "one heater - one tap".So for the kitchen and the washstand in the country, you will have to buy two installations.

Placement under the sink

Autonomous

Self-contained bulk electric water heaters for summer cottages are used where water supply is not organized.

In fact, such devices are improved washstands:

• The basis of the system is a container (from 20 liters or more), inside which is a heat-insulating casing made of durable plastic.
• The top cover of the container opens, which allows you to pour water from a bucket or hose.
• Water heating is carried out due to the operation of the internal heating element.
• At the bottom there is a faucet that allows you to adjust the water pressure. There are also models with an additional tank for cold water: their tap works on the principle of a mixer, regulating the temperature.

Despite the fact that this model is inferior to the above in terms of convenience, it also has its advantages:

• Firstly, it is elementary mounted with your own hands: the tank can be hung on the wall or installed on a fairly solid base.
• Secondly, it can be used where the source of water is a well without a pump.
• Thirdly, such devices are quite economical in operation, and they are cheaper than flow and storage boilers.

Features of gas connections

When connecting gas stoves, columns and other types of equipment, flexible connections are also used. Unlike models for water, they are yellow and are not tested for environmental safety. For fixing, end steel or aluminum fittings are used. There are the following types of devices for connecting gas appliances:

• PVC hoses reinforced with polyester thread;
• synthetic rubber with stainless steel braid;
• bellows, made in the form of a corrugated stainless steel tube.

Holding "Santekhkomplekt" offers engineering equipment, fittings, plumbing and fixtures for its connection to communications. The assortment is represented by products and materials of well-known foreign and domestic manufacturers. Discounts apply for bulk purchases, and product quality is confirmed by standard certificates. For information support and assistance, a personal manager is assigned to each client. The ability to arrange delivery within Moscow and other regions of the Russian Federation allows you to quickly receive the purchased goods without any hassle.

Electric storage water heaters for summer cottages

The main condition for a comfortable stay, which a modern cottage has, is the presence of an autonomous hot water supply system. The best of modern household appliances for heating storage water are considered to be high-quality water heaters of well-known companies: Hungarian Hajdu, German Aeg, Italian Superlux, Ariston, Korean Hyundai, Russian Thermex, Elsotherm, Swedish Electrolux, Timberk.

An electric, energy-efficient storage water heater is the best solution to the problem, given the lack of a centralized hot water supply. Such a storage type water heating boiler is an original design consisting of a powerful electric heater and a heat-insulated tank. Usually the dacha is not used for permanent residence of the owners, therefore the correct choice of the volume of the storage capacity of the household heating device is of great importance for the economical consumption of electricity.A powerful boiler with a storage tank made of alloyed alloys quickly raises the temperature of the heated water in automatic mode, consumes a minimum amount of electricity.

High-quality storage water heaters for summer cottages will provide the necessary conditions for fruitful work and comfortable rest!

Which water heater is best?

To choose an electric water heater, decide how much and how often you need hot water. Situations are different, and solutions for them are also different. Let's look at some of the most typical reasons for buying water heaters.

So which electric water heater to choose

Seasonal shutdown of hot water

The work of utilities is organized differently in different regions. What they are united in is that they turn off the hot water supply for a while - to restore the system or for some other reason known to them. But the "temporary shutdown" has its own gradation. Somewhere they turn off for a couple of weeks, somewhere for the entire warm period of time. The solution for these cases might be:

If hot water is turned off for a couple of weeks, the best solution is to install individual flow tanks. They require minimal costs both in terms of purchase and in terms of installation / connection. A 2-3 kW power source is enough to take a shower with pleasant temperature water in the summer, and a less powerful heater can be installed for washing dishes.

If the “temporary shutdown” is before the start of the heating season, you need to approach the issue differently. There are several options:
The same individual flow drives.Even with not too much power in the warm period, they cope with the task. But the main drawback is that there is no supply of warm water. And further

When choosing, pay attention to the material from which the tank for heating water is made. Plastic for permanent long-term use are unsuitable and quickly fail

Models with copper or stainless tanks cost more, so when buying two pieces (in the bath and in the kitchen), you should already think about purchasing a pressure (system) water heater.
System flow drive. A more expensive solution both in terms of purchase (with a price of $ 200-250 and above) and in terms of connection. But there is water in the tap and in the shower, it is possible to set the required temperature. It can be turned on during the summer and off in the winter. It can also work if the water in the system is not warm enough in winter.
Storage water heater. A good decision if you have a place to place it. The advantage is that there is some reserve (in the amount of the volume of the tank) of hot water. Minus - you have to wait until the water heats up or find a model with a temperature maintenance mode.

To choose an electric water heater for the summer season, first decide whether storage or flow is more suitable for you. Both of them have their own "fans". There is another option - flow-accumulative models, but there are already very few of them and there is nothing to choose from. Although the idea is great.

There is no hot water at all

If there is no hot water at all, storage water heaters are most often installed. Now they are made like a thermos - in a layer of thermal insulation, which adds volume to them, but reduces the cost of heating water, as it cools more slowly.This is precisely the decisive factor - the availability of a supply of warm water. On the other hand, if you only need a couple of liters of warm water, you will have to heat the entire volume, which is also irrational. Another disadvantage is that usually a separate boiler is installed for each draw-off point. In the kitchen - a smaller volume, in the bathroom - more. Again, this is an additional cost.

There are two more drawbacks to accumulative ones: a considerable weight, which can withstand any fastener and not the most attractive look ...

The second way to make an individual hot water supply is to install a system instantaneous water heater and make hot water wiring from it. A good option if there is no way to put a gas column.

How to choose an electric water heater for a summer house or garden plot

If the cottage has running water, any of the described options is possible. Only system protochnik put extremely rarely

In any case, when buying a water heater of any type, pay attention to such a parameter as the minimum operating pressure. In dachas, it doesn’t happen big - about 2 Atm, or even 1 Atm or even less

So the lower bound is very important in this case.

An electric boiler for giving a bulk type can even be with a washbasin

If the country house has water from a well, even if it is a pump, but without a system that provides constant pressure, there is only one option - a bulk electric water heater. This is a good replacement for a bucket with a boiler. Much more convenient to use.

Electric storage water heaters

Storage electric water heaters are fairly simple and reliable devices, the main elements of which are an internal tank and a heating element - a heating element.The volume of the tank is usually from 10 to 300 liters, the power of the heating element is from 1.2 to 3 kW (but there are models of much larger volume and more power). These two parameters plus the cold water inlet temperature determine the heating time. For 10-15 liter tanks, it will take about 30-40 minutes, for 200-liter tanks - 5-8 hours. In addition to the tank and the heating element, as a rule, the composition of water heaters includes: a magnesium anode (prevents corrosion of the internal tank), thermal insulation (ensures the preservation of heat of heated water), a thermostat (allows you to set the desired temperature), an outer casing, a safety valve (to relieve excess pressure ). To determine the approximate time for heating water in the water heater to 50 ° C (with a heating element power of 1.2 kW), you can use table 1.

Table 1
Volume, l	Heating time, min
10	25
30	90
50	160
80	240
100	270

Which water heater to choose - recommendations

When we have studied the features of various household appliances, it becomes clear that the choice of a heater for hot water supply depends on the conditions of installation and operation. Hence a few tips:

1. In an apartment where the power supply is limited and a chimney is not built, you can only buy a storage electric water heater for 1.5 ... 2 kW. Another solution is a turbocharged column, provided that it is possible to coordinate the output of the coaxial pipe through the wall.
2. In a gasified private house, it is better to install a flow-through gas heater, this is the most profitable option.
3. In the absence of main gas, but with a permitted input power of 10 kW, definitely choose an electric column. It will take up little space and help save on electricity compared to a boiler.
4. In other cases, a boiler should be installed.To choose the volume of the water heater, study the table below, which shows the capacity of the storage tank, depending on the number of family members and the mode of operation.
5. An indirect boiler is very appropriate if there is a solid fuel boiler or a stove with a water circuit in a country house. It will help to remove excess heat generated by wood-burning heaters.

Most of the questions are caused by the use of a storage gas water heater. It is not very clear why to purchase and install a large tank, if it is cheaper and easier to buy a gas water heater. The application process is exactly the same. Judging by the reviews on the forums, such devices are not in great demand among homeowners.

Electric storage water heaters

On this topic:

BACK

FORWARD

1 of 5

Simple and modern devices - boilers, which consist of a water storage device for summer cottages and a heating element of a heating element. The tank capacity is usually 10 - 200 liters, and the heating element's power is 1.2 - 8 kW. The duration of heating depends on the volume of the tank, the power of the heating element and the temperature of the incoming cold water. For a 10-liter tank, half an hour will be enough, for a 200-liter tank, about 7 hours.

In addition, electric storage water heaters for summer cottages include: a magnesium anode (protects the internal tank from corrosion), a heat-insulating layer (allows you to keep warm), a thermostat (temperature control), an external housing, a safety valve.

A storage water heater has several advantages:

• keeps hot water in its container for a long time;
• in the event of a temporary power outage, it supplies previously heated water;
• it is possible to program the operation at night, heating water for a morning shower or in order to save energy;
• at a high location, it is an element that forms a pressure in the system.

Conclusion

We have provided enough information to decide which is better, a storage or instantaneous electric water heater for your home or apartment, how they differ, and which device is better to choose.

But you should once again pay attention to the fact that you have to choose from electric water heaters only when there is no access to main natural gas

Watch the video

When choosing a heater, evaluate this option. Here lies the answer to the most important question voiced in our article - which is more profitable for a flow-through or storage water heater.