Easy to maintain and efficient heating! All these are the qualities of a heating electric boiler for the home
Electric boilers are widely used for heating houses due to their economy and simplicity. Such devices operate due to the current strength, which depends on the wiring and the area of the room.
This is why it is recommended to study the technical specifications, such as power and the presence of protective devices for safe operation, before purchasing.
The following parameters are also important: type of heating element; type of electric boiler; dimensions; efficiency level; sensitivity to voltage fluctuations; equipment with pressure and temperature sensors; availability of additional options (for example, using the boiler also as a water heater).
Content
Types of heating electric boilers, pros and cons of their use
Exists three main types of electric boilers. They differ in the heating method.
Induction
Recognized as the most modern option electric boilers. The work is carried out thanks to the induction coil made of ferromagnetic alloys, which heats the coolant. At the same time, the coil does not directly contact it, but passes along the perimeter of the unit.
Photo 1. Electric induction boiler connected to the heating system. The device is very compact in size.
This type of boiler does not have an electrode or a heating element, which has a positive effect on its efficiency. The heat carrier is not only water, but also any liquid. Among other advantages boiler:
- There is virtually no scale formation.
- The likelihood of leaks and breakdowns is minimized.
- Efficiency in energy consumption.
There are some downsides:
- The price is significantly higher than other types of electric boilers.
- Massive dimensions of the body.
Electrode
The heat exchanger is an electrode connected to the coolant. It is the electrode that heats the water by coming into direct contact with it.
This element transfers an electric charge to the water, which heats up as a result of self-resistance. In this process, the water molecules are decomposed into ions.
Advantages of Electrodes boilers:
- Safety.
- Ergonomics.
- Gradual transition to main power.
- Affordability.
- The energy consumption is lower than in heating element boilers.
Among the disadvantages:
- The electrodes are changed periodically, as they dissolve over time.
- The coolant is exclusively water.
- Continuous monitoring of optimal water circulation.
- Decreasing efficiency as the electrodes burn out.
Heating elements
This type of boilers belongs to the first group, the full name is thermoelectric heater. Operating principle similar to the operation of a regular kettle — water is heated by a heat exchanger, heat enters the room, natural circulation is ensured. Tubular heating elements — heating elements — act as an element for heating water. The temperature of the coolant is maintained automatically.
The advantages of this device include:
- Presentable appearance, small dimensions.
- Simplified equipment installation process.
- Average price category.
- Possibility of regulating the consumed power by switching on and off certain heating elements.
- Any non-freezing liquid can act as a coolant.
However, there is a big downside. — over time, scale accumulates on the heating elements, which leads to a decrease in heat transfer and higher energy consumption.
Which electric boiler to choose for heating a private house
Electric boiler is quite an economical way to heat an apartment or a small private house. However, it will not be effective if the room is poorly insulated.
When choosing an electric boiler pay attention to five main criteria. They determine how long and how effectively the device will last.
Power
She depends on the living space that needs to be heated. Special mathematical formulas have been developed to determine power.
The calculations take into account heat loss from doors and windows, the geographical location coefficient of the region, the presence or absence of ventilation, and the volume of the room.
However At the everyday level, it is much easier to follow a simple rule:
For the area in 10 square meters with ceiling height no more than three meters the boiler capacity is equal to 1 kW. If you install a double-circuit boiler, the power increases almost twice as much.
Attention! Experts recommend a boiler with an additional power reserve. This will come in handy in cases of a sharp drop in voltage in the electrical network.
Method of connection to power source
This parameter depends on the power of the device. Thus, a low-power boiler (4-6 kW) is connected to a single-phase network 220 V. The same power of the electrical network with good wiring will be enough for devices up to 12 kW. But boilers with even greater power operate smoothly only when connected to a three-phase network. 380 VSome manufacturers produce boilers immediately with two options connections.
Heating method
It is necessary to decide which type of device is preferable - induction, heating element or electrode. The heating element boiler is the most common option in terms of price-quality ratio. There are two types of heating element boilers: floor and suspended (wall). However, it is not enough to heat a large two-story house.
Photo 2. Electric wall-mounted boiler connected to the heating system. An expansion tank is installed next to the device.
In this case, it is better to choose induction boiler. It costs more, but is easier to connect to the heating system and heats a large living space well. Electrode type The boiler is practically no different in price from the previous version, but it is more demanding in operation.
Equipment
The basic package is cheaper, but this reduces the efficiency of the boiler. In the future, it becomes necessary to purchase additional components. The complete set includes: boiler:
- Circulation pump.
- Filter for fine water purification.
- Safety valve.
- Expansion tank (if the device will also be used as a boiler).
Important! Experts have calculated that Buying a fully equipped model will cost less, than gradually purchasing the missing elements.
Method of placement
There are floor-standing and wall-mounted boilers. The latter type of boiler is more compact, but less powerful — on average up to 25-30 kW. Floor-standing - ideal for heating large areas, but requires additional space.
The presence of a boiler control system plays an important role, which allows you to reduce costs for hot water supply and heating. The most common option is presence of a thermostatIt turns off the power to the boiler when it reaches the set temperature.
Photo 3. Electronic thermostat for an electric boiler. It can be used to control the temperature.
And they also pay attention to safety. Many modern models are equipped with protective devices, which will turn off the boiler in the event of unit overheating, sudden power surges or water freezing.
Reference. It is a big plus if the device is equipped with two separate modes for work in winter and summer.
Rules for using the device
Before installing the boiler, they find a suitable place for him. It is not necessary to allocate a separate room, as most modern models are quite compact and presentable. Often, such devices are installed in the bathroom, utility room or basement of the house - in close proximity to the heating pipe system. The main thing is that the walls in the room are not covered with flammable materials.
Check before installation a few points:
- If it is a wall-mounted boiler, you need strong wall, which will support its weight.
- For floor-standing unit, the floor is covered with a metal stand.
- It is important to create groundingTo do this, metal pins are connected to each other with reinforcement and mounted in the ground so that excess stress goes there.
- From several or at least from one side they leave free space for access person - in case the unit fails.
To ensure that the boiler operates without interruption, certain rules are followed operating rulesThe main ones among them are:
- For a heating system with an electric boiler connection it is better to use distilled water.
- You shouldn't use antifreeze. for the coolant.
- It is recommended to install a stabilizer, to protect the boiler from sudden power surges in the network.
Connecting a domestic boiler to electricity
It is best if a specialist does the installation and connection. If the boiler owner still prefers to do the installation himself, he studies Features of this process:
- Before installing it into a previously used heating system, washed with special solutions.
- If an electrode unit is installed, provision is also made for additional components: pressure gauge, check valve.
- Grounding is carried out using a copper cable with optimal 4 mm cross-section.
- For an open type system, provision is made shut-off valves.
- Need a separate one entry for electrical cables.
- Protective devices are mandatory. The heating element boiler is connected from the RCD and circuit breakers. For the electrode boiler, the use of RCD is prohibited, instead, the connection is made using separate circuit breakers from the electrical panel.
- To avoid short circuits, strict control is needed by power, cable core materials and wire cross-section (the higher the power of the unit, the larger the cross-section).
Stages the installation looks like this:
- On a hard surface under the boiler the fasteners are installed.
- It is being held grounding.
- The unit is being installed, is connected to the heating system. If the original design does not include an expansion tank or pump, they will also need to be installed.
- Commissioning activities are underway. At this stage, the tightness of the system is checked, unnecessary air is removed, and the boiler is tested in different operating modes.
The following tools are required for installation:
- Drill - for creating holes for fastening structures.
- The pipes are selected in accordance with the design data.
- Couplings.
- Hardware for fastening to the surface.
- Flanges.
- Mounting strip.
- A cable with a certain cross-section.
Useful video
Watch the video to learn how to make an electric boiler yourself.
What else to pay attention to
When choosing household appliances pay attention to the manufacturer. Famous companies are ready to provide a quality guarantee and are responsible for their product with their reputation. Therefore, experts advise choosing such manufacturers.
In today's market, the following companies have proven themselves to be the best: Bosch, Dakon, Vaillant. More affordable, but no less conscientious firms - Protherm, Kospel. There are also reputable companies among domestic manufacturers, for example, the company RusNit.
Photo 4. Electric boiler from the manufacturer Vaillant, connected to the heating system. Wall-mounted device.
So, the choice of an electric boiler is individual for every home. The main thing is to find a safe and modern model that will best meet all the required parameters and will last for many years.
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