Which water heater is better - instantaneous or storage? Comparative review

Cumulative

A boiler is a classic version of water heating technology. The storage type water heater is equipped with capacious tanks. Depending on the modification of the product, the volume of the tank ranges from ten to a thousand liters.

Such equipment does not care about the power level of the power grid or the level of pressure in the water supply.The steel tank is covered from the inside with a layer of enamel, less often glass-ceramic.

The anti-corrosion properties of the coating ensure the safety of the tank in a humid environment. To maintain the temperature between the drive and the housing, a heat-insulating polyurethane foam layer is placed.

The heating process takes place with the help of one or more heating elements and a thermostat. The thermostat plays the role of a regulator of the set temperature.

Deciding on a model storage or instantaneous water heater, it is also worth finding out the presence of a safety valve. This structural detail is able to protect the heating element from breakage in the event of sudden pressure surges in the pipeline.

pros

The main advantage of storage tanks is economical energy consumption. Power in the segment rarely exceeds 3 kilowatts. This allows you to install the device without regard to the age and quality of the electrical wiring at home.

By heating the water to the designated temperature, the system keeps the indicator at the set positions until the tank contents are completely consumed. The result is a constant supply of hot water. No time is wasted waiting, as is the case with the flow. And the temperature of the water is twice as high.

It is possible to connect several points of water intake without regard to electricity consumption.

Minuses

• Dimensions. To install a storage boiler, a large area is required.
• Risk of scale formation. The constantly wet surface of the inner tank provokes the appearance of water stone. Scale can shorten the service life.
• Equipment installation is much more difficult. Mandatory involvement of specialized specialists is required.

Water heater selection options

Before buying a product, specific needs for hot water are determined, namely: consumption volumes based on the number of users and points of analysis, as well as the mode of operation.

Then the characteristics of the device are selected, the main ones being: type, power, capacity and performance; shape, design and material; methods of management, control and installation.

The separation is carried out according to 3 criteria: according to the method of heating, the devices differ in flow and storage; by type of energy carrier - electric, gas and indirect; conditionally for domestic purposes - for a private house, for an apartment, for a summer residence. For washing dishes you need up to 30 liters of water, for morning hygiene - no more than 15 liters, for taking a shower - about 80 liters, for bathing in the bath - about 150 liters.

1. Electric storage water heater

When choosing a tank, it is taken into account: a volume of about 30 liters is designed for 1 point of analysis and 1 person, at least 150 liters for 5 tr. and 5 people; the inner coating is enamel, glass-ceramic, titanium, stainless steel (the last 2 are more preferable); thermal insulation is made of foam rubber, polyurethane foam, mineral wool (the first is the least effective).

When selecting, the regularity is also taken into account: the larger the tank (usually 10 ... 300 l) and the lower power (usually 1 ... 2.5 kW), the heating time increases - up to 3 ... 4 hours. You can speed up the process if you have 2 heating elements, which are “dry” and “wet” - the first do not come into contact with the liquid, so they last longer

In addition, the purchase takes into account the equipment with automation and the method of installation - on the wall (up to 120 l) or on the floor (from 150 l).

2. Gas storage water heater

This device is similar in design to the previous tank, but there are cardinal differences in the “stuffing”, so other parameters are also subject to selection.

The combustion chamber is open and closed (the first is more popular); ignition differs piezoelectric, electronic, hydrodynamic; power is usually 4 ... 9 kW.

Since the "blue" fuel is explosive, the completeness of the security system is checked upon purchase: hydraulic valve, draft sensor, flame controller. When choosing in favor of this unit, you need to understand that gas is relatively cheap, but installation will be expensive. 3. Electric instantaneous water heater

It is a powerful compact device that is mounted on the wall. When choosing, you need to take into account: with a power of up to 8 kW, the device operates from a single-phase 220 V network, which is mainly present in apartments. At higher power, it is connected to a 3-phase 380 V electrical wiring, which is usually used in private homes.

With low productivity (2 ... 4 l / min), the product is excellent for summer cottages.

4. Gas flow water heater

The so-called column is installed both in houses and in apartments - it continuously supplies a different number of collapsible points.

When buying, you need to proceed from the calculation: at 17 kW, the productivity will be up to 10 l / min, and this is only enough for a sink or shower; 25 kW (≈ 13 l/min) is enough for 2 parsing points; more than 30 kW (˃ 15 l/min) will supply warm water to several taps.

5. An indirect heating boiler is mainly installed in country houses - it uses the energy of the heating system and does not depend on either electricity or gas.

In essence, it is a storage tank with a capacity of 100 ... 300 liters, which is installed near the boiler. When choosing this unit, it is necessary to determine the volume as accurately as possible, since if it is excessive, the heating process unnecessarily slows down.

It is advisable to purchase the device in a design that allows you to connect a heating element for the summer season

In addition, you need to pay attention to the warranty period, appearance and cost.

When is it appropriate to use a water heater?

So which water heater should you choose? Accumulative or flowing? Gas or electric?

1. Gas heater, as we have already said, is the privilege of residents of gasified houses and owners of gas tanks. Gas is much cheaper than electricity, which is why many people take advantage of the opportunity they have. Many, but not all. For example, owners of private houses with individual gas heating, as a rule, try to implement an integrated system with hot water heating for hot water from a heating boiler with an indirect heating boiler, if it does not have to pull hot water pipes to too remote points of water intake.

Boiler and boiler of indirect heating.

Often, residents of gasified houses and apartments prefer to install an electric heater, simply because it is easier to install and more convenient to use. In a word, even in houses with gas supply, the probability of finding a gas water heater and other hot water systems is about the same.

2. If there is no gas, there is, of course, not much to choose from - you will have to take an electric heater. But flowing or storage - depends primarily on the state of the power grid.If the network is not able to withstand the load created by the instantaneous heater, the storage heater becomes the only option suitable for your home.

If the power supply system at home is capable of providing any necessary power, then the choice between flow and storage models should be made based on the expected intensity of operation of the equipment. Will the water heater only replace the existing centralized hot water supply during periods of planned shutdown, i.e. work on the strength of a few weeks a year, or will he have to supply you with hot water all year round due to the lack of other sources of the latter?

3. For occasional use, it is more advisable to purchase an instantaneous water heater. It is compact and, therefore, does not take up too much space in an already cramped bathroom. Even an inexpensive non-pressure model of a relatively small capacity will help you survive several days / weeks allotted for the prevention or repair of the pipeline of a centralized DHW system.

Non-pressure instantaneous water heater with shower head.

4. In the same case, when the device is assigned the role of a constant source of warm water, then the accumulative one may be more convenient, although not cheaper. In country houses, where, unlike city apartments, the issue of lack of space is not so acute, you can meet a storage electric heater much more often than a flow one.

Large storage water heater.

As you can see, there is no unequivocal answer to the question of which is better - instantaneous or storage water heater.It depends on many factors, including the presence or absence of gas, the quality of the electrical wiring, the expected frequency of use of the heater, the location of the object to be supplied with hot water, your personal preferences, after all.

Electric storage, direct heating

Such a water heater organically fits into the interior of a bathroom or other room. It is intended for connection in apartments or private houses of the small area. The water heater can be installed independently, permits are not required for this. Usually it is a round or rectangular container, powered by the city power supply and decorated with a special casing. The water tank is made of enameled or stainless steel.

Heating elements are installed at the bottom of the structure. Depending on the model, the heater can be equipped with one or two heating elements. Branch pipes are installed for cold water inlet and hot water outlet. The temperature is controlled by a thermostat. The maximum temperature for most models is 75 degrees

Please note that the heater maintains the set temperature in automatic mode.

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.

Instantaneous electric water heaters

Electric instantaneous water heaters they are quite cheap (from 2 thousand rubles), but they consume a huge amount of energy and require high-quality wiring, as well as the installation of a separate machine for email. panel (for units with a power above 10 kW).

Electric instantaneous water heater

This type of water heater is not the best option for use in a private house (perhaps only for occasional use, as an additional source of warm water during periods when the central hot water supply is turned off). Powerful equipment that can satisfy the family's needs for hot water costs more than 40 thousand rubles. Cheap models (up to 5 thousand rubles) are relevant for heating small volumes of water to a temperature of no more than 35 degrees.

Instantaneous electric water heater

The equipment can be connected to a 220 or 380 V network.The power of the units is on average 3-8 kW, up to a maximum of 27 kW. Water in the tank does not accumulate, but heats up, passing through the heater, heat exchanger and filter system. It usually takes up to 20 seconds to heat up, during this period heaters up to 8 kW give out about 6 liters of warm water.

Installing a water heater (flow-through) is more suitable for small guest houses, summer kitchens or summer cottages in the absence of the possibility of supplying natural gas. Of course, there is an option to save on electricity by using water very sparingly, but this is not always possible, especially in large families with small children.

Instantaneous electric water heaters

How to choose?

When choosing an instantaneous water heater, it is necessary to clarify whether the heat exchanger is protected from scale and dirt particles from the water supply. According to the type of connection, instantaneous water heaters are pressure and non-pressure. The latter are considered less energy-intensive and are suitable for systems with pressure drops, but require the installation of a thermostatic mixer.

Flow models can be turned on manually or automatically when the tap is opened (the second option requires fine tuning, sometimes it does not work if the dynamic water pressure is insufficient).

Adjustment of degree of heating of water can be carried out smoothly or stepwise. With a stepped system, one or another heating element installed in the heater is connected. Smooth regulation is achieved by the operation of a rheostat (regulates the strength of the current passing through the heating elements), which is very convenient, but the cost of the device almost doubles.

It is worth paying attention to the quality of the thermal insulation of the device case and the presence of thermal taps, because.this affects the efficiency of the heater and energy consumption

Popular manufacturers and price range:

• AEG (8 - 60 thousand rubles);
• Electrolux (2.5 - 8.5 thousand rubles);
• Timberk (2 - 3 thousand rubles);
• Thermex (2.8 - 4.6 thousand rubles);
• Zanussi (2.3 - 2.7 thousand rubles);
• Stiebel Eltron (10.6 - 63.5 thousand rubles).

The principle of operation of instantaneous water heater

Water here passes through a tube with heating elements. It can be a heating element, or an uninsulated spiral. The advantage of the spiral is that scale does not settle on it, but it can burn out if air jams occur.

Instantaneous water heaters are much more powerful than storage water heaters, because they heat the water as it flows through the device, that is, very quickly!

The flow sensor installed in the device can regulate the inclusion of the required number of heating elements, which saves electricity a little.

Instantaneous water heater device

Overheating protection turns off the heaters when a certain temperature is reached.

There are models with electronic control and remote control. Such flow heaters display information about:

• water temperature;
• water consumption;
• the power of the heating elements at a certain point in time.

Comparative analysis of storage and flow type water heaters

When choosing a flow or storage water heater, what will help you to find out the comparison of the costs of their operation. It is also necessary to consider the features of the connection and how many people they can provide with heated water.

The cost of providing people with heated water is affected by its consumed volume directly by the residents of the house.Operating costs also depend significantly on the culture of consumption. If heated water is used wisely, people are guided solely by common sense, costs are reduced. When it is included on business and without business, financial costs increase significantly.

When calculating operating costs, it is taken into account that running water heating devices, in comparison with boiler tanks, do not require regular maintenance. There is no need to periodically replace the heating elements. For these reasons, the operation of flow systems is cheaper than storage equipment.

The cost of operating a boiler tank is greater than the cost of using an instantaneous heater

Appliances for heating running water are energy intensive. Therefore, it is recommended to use water as economically as possible. This is the only way to reduce the amount of funds needed to heat it. It is also possible to reasonably operate a boiler with a storage tank. Therefore, it is necessary to select an acceptable level of heated water consumption at a particular facility.

Installation Features

When deciding whether a flow or storage water heater to choose, you must always remember the need to create an additional water circuit when installing a storage tank. Without it, it is impossible to operate such boilers. The length of the water circuit depends on the installation location of the water heater.

At the same time, some flow heaters can be mounted instead of a faucet on the sink in the bathroom or a tap in the kitchen. When using this type of device, they do not need to lay additional water supply.However, most models of water-heating flow equipment are installed as close as possible to the draw-off point.

Instantaneous water heater installed near the sink

Meeting the needs of consumers

One of the tasks that needs to be solved when selecting water-heating equipment is the provision of hot water to all residents. When a family consists of 2 or even 3 people, a flow heater will do. You can even choose low-power equipment. At the same time, it will heat water only for one draw-off point. Therefore, the residents of the house will be able to use it exclusively in turn.

The storage tank-boiler can be selected to the required capacity. When determining its volume, the number of people living in the house is taken into account. This will allow, for example, one person to wash the dishes, and another to perform personal hygiene procedures in the bathroom.

Video description

The following video will help you choose a flow or storage water heater:

Briefly about the main

When choosing the best option for equipment, you should always remember that the difference between an instantaneous water heater and a storage water heater lies in the principle of operation. So, the first device heats running water, and the second - only a specific volume. At the same time, the accumulator further maintains a constant temperature of the already heated water in the tank.

Heaters are equipped with protection systems, wet or closed heating elements, mechanical or electronic control. Flow devices are mounted in the immediate vicinity of the water points, and for storage tanks, such placement is only desirable. In this case, the first type of equipment heats water up to a maximum of 65 ° C, and the second - up to 95 ° C.

The principle of operation of the storage water heater

A storage water heater is a container with a layer of thermal insulation, inside of which a heating element, a heating element, is built. Cold water from the tap fills the tank, and the thermostat turns on automatic heating. The water reaches the temperature pre-set by the owner, after which the thermostat turns off the heating.

Storage water heater device

A layer of thermal insulation turns the container into a thermos, where the water cools very slowly. As the consumer consumes water or it simply cools down over time, the thermostat turns on again and the heating process resumes.

The outlet pipe is located very high in the tank, water is consumed only when the water level rises to this pipe. Thanks to this, the boiler is always full of hot water.

Advantages and disadvantages of both types of water heaters

What is preferable - instantaneous or storage water heater? To answer, consider the pros and cons of the two types of technology.

Water heaters	Advantages	Flaws
Electric flow	compactness; high efficiency; uninterrupted supply of hot water	high power consumption; special requirements for electrical networks
Gas flow	compactness; reliability; high power; low natural gas costs; can be used for space heating	good water pressure is required; combustion products are emitted, therefore a chimney is required; mandatory compliance with fire safety regulations
Electric storage	unlimited number of water points; low power	large dimensions; significant time spent on heating the liquid
Gas storage	the number of collapsible points - more than 1; low power for heating large volumes of water; economical	significant size; high price

An analysis of the main pros and cons of two types of water heaters showed that all devices have both positive and negative characteristics.

Briefly about the main

When choosing the best option for equipment, you should always remember that the difference between an instantaneous water heater and a storage water heater lies in the principle of operation. So, the first device heats running water, and the second - only a specific volume. At the same time, the accumulator further maintains a constant temperature of the already heated water in the tank.

Heaters are equipped with protection systems, wet or closed heating elements, mechanical or electronic control. Flow devices are mounted in the immediate vicinity of the water points, and for storage tanks, such placement is only desirable. In this case, the first type of equipment heats water up to a maximum of 65 ° C, and the second - up to 95 ° C.

Popular models from well-known manufacturers

European brands Ariston, Electrolux, Indesit, Bosch, Valliant are the most reliable products according to customer reviews. The devices are adapted to the Russian parameters of water composition, pressure and other criteria. The working elements are made of stainless steel or nickel-plated steel and are equipped with high-quality parts that are protected by an anti-corrosion coating. The heaters are manufactured with increased fire safety requirements and serve for more than 10 years. Consider the most popular models.

Flow water heaters

1. Electrolux GWH 265 ERN Nano Plus. The device belongs to gas units with mechanical control.Additional features include overheating protection with safety valve. The device can operate at reduced gas pressure. Rated power of the device is 20 kW. The equipment is attached to the wall. The panel has a digital display, which makes the operation convenient and functional. The cost is from 6000 rubles.

2. VAILLANT VED 24H/7. The German electric water heater with a power of 24 kW is the best choice in its class. Thanks to a powerful heating element, water can be heated quickly up to 50C. The case is made of high-quality materials, with a high degree of protection: IP Cost from 11,800 rubles.

Storage boilers

1. AEG EWH 80 Comfort EL. The model of the German concern has an electric heating element. The water tank is 80 liters. The device operates at a low power of 1.8 kW. The digital display contains information about the set value of the set temperature and the included programs. The tank is protected from corrosion thanks to the enamel coating and the installed magnesium protective anode. The device operates in three modes. The cost is from 36100 rubles.

2. Ariston SGA 150. The body is made of high-strength steel, the inner wall of the tank is made of a waterproof enamel coating. The heating element is gas. The water tank is 155 liters. Additional features of the device include the presence of sensors for limiting temperature and smoke removal. The power of the equipment is 7.22 kW. The mass of the device is about 53 kg. The cost is from 29800 rubles.

When choosing between instantaneous and storage water heaters, buyers pay attention to the different opinions of people. About these devices they respond like this

I bought an electric flow-through water heater from the Swedish company Electrolux, model Smartfix 3.5, for a country house. The installation is simple: I screwed in the hose from the alluvial station, attached the second one from the mixer and installed the panel on the wall. From the shield I ran a socket and made a ground. The main advantages include good functionality, ease of use. The disadvantages are that equipment must be removed for the winter, otherwise the remaining liquid breaks the glass flask inside the device at a temperature of 0C.
Eugene, 34 years old, Moscow
Bought four years ago Ariston storage water heater, model ABS Silver Protection 80V. Very bribed that it is electric, and the volume of 80 liters. The tank coating is anti-corrosion and cleansing, so maintenance is easy. The power cord is equipped with a safety shutdown system. Cons of the device - takes up a lot of space, high cost, pluses - easy control and the presence of a thermostat.
Anna, 47 years old, Rostov-on-Don

Summing up, we can say that the storage heater is suitable in cases where hot water is required regularly and at full power. Devices can have 2 heating elements with the function of accelerated heating of the liquid. For a private building or a country house, an instantaneous water heater is definitely preferable.

Comparison of devices by main characteristics

To analyze the technique in detail by the main parameters, we summarize the characteristics in a table:

Index	Flowing	Cumulative
Maximum temperature	+50C	+85C
Dimensions	Light weight and dimensions	Heavy weight (up to 60 kg)
Water consumption	Significant	Acceptable
Energy consumption	The voltage level must be constant, a separate power cable is required for heating elements up to 27 kW. Energy consumption occurs at the time of water intake	Low power: 3-7 kW
Mounting	Easy fastening. For devices with a power of more than 9 kW, a separate electrical wiring is required - a three-phase network 380 V	Wall-mounted devices are mounted on a supporting base using brackets. No additional connection requirements
Heating element care	Clean the heater once every few years	Regular cleaning, replacement of the magnesium anode at least once every 6-12 months
Safety	for gas - an additional chimney and a ventilation system are needed; for electrical - observe safety measures during operation	RCD and grounding
Type of heating room	Country house, cottage, city apartment	Apartment, private household
Life time	Up to 5 years	Up to 10 years
Cost, rub	Over 800	From 3000

Comparison of water heaters

Which water heater is better flow or storage for an apartment? Most often, a small bathroom in an apartment cannot accommodate a large water heater and you have to make a choice, guided not only by price, but also by its compactness. To choose between two types of heaters, you need to make a comparison between their characteristics, find out about the possibilities of installation, about the electricity or gas consumed, about the heating properties.

Design features of electrical appliances

Consider the design of the units in order to answer the question: instantaneous water heater or storage, which is better?

The boiler looks like this:

• External case, on which there are special fasteners for mounting.
• Buck inside.
• The layer between the tank and the body is made of heat-insulating material.
• Tubular electric heater.
• Heating temperature control sensor.
• Safety valve.
• Magnesium alloy anode.

You can notice the difference in price even between storage heaters from the same manufacturer - this is due to the fact that the cost of the goods depends on the material from which the inner tank is made and on the electronic support of this equipment.

The electric instantaneous water heater has a simple design: water enters from one side through special channels and enters the chamber, where it is heated, then it also continuously exits from the other side of the column without lingering inside. Therefore, it is called "flow".

Installation and connection to pipelines

First of all, consider the installation of indirect heating boilers. Most often they have a wall mount and special anchors for attaching to the wall. The exception is storage water heaters, the mass of which is more than 100 kg. Then they must be installed on the floor without fail. Connecting them to the water supply is easy. There are two taps in the design: a pipe with cold water is connected to the first, and hot water is supplied from the second. A column may sometimes require permission to install it and reinforced electrical wiring.

Operational safety

The storage unit does not require constant water pressure and power supply

And for columns - this is an important condition. Only gas water heaters can be dangerous to humans, electric ones do not pose any threat if the installation was carried out correctly in accordance with the instructions and wishes of the manufacturer

Ease of use

A boiler can supply hot water to several outlets, such as a kitchen faucet and a bathroom shower. The column will not be as productive, since it can only give constant pressure to one water point, and if you turn on two taps at the same time, then the pressure will be small. But unlike storage equipment, the column provides constantly hot water, and the boiler, when it has used up its volume, again needs to fill the tank.

Final conclusions

Where and under what conditions is it advantageous to use instantaneous water heaters?

• In small kitchens - if there is nowhere to install even the smallest boiler, then installing a flow model will be the best way out;
• Where it is necessary to ensure quick preparation of hot water - whatever you say, but the hot water in the boiler may simply end;
• With low water consumption - if the water consumption is very small (for example, you just need to wash the dishes once a week), then an instantaneous water heater will be more profitable. As for the accumulative model, it will waste energy to maintain the temperature in vain.

You also need to take into account certain disadvantages of flow models - the need for powerful wiring, dependence on the temperature of the supplied water, temperature changes with changes in pressure.

As for storage water heaters, they are recommended for use under the following conditions:

• If there is free space or a suitable room, they are quite massive and voluminous;
• If it is necessary to maintain an almost constant water temperature - due to the preservation of heat, boilers (storage water heaters) provide water preparation with a given temperature;
• If it is necessary to provide several consumers with water at once, large-capacity storage water heaters are installed for this.