Models for domestic use allow heating from 10 to 18 liters of water per minute. Therefore, the first question that you need to ask yourself when buying this equipment is how much hot water is needed for consumption? You can familiarize yourself with our rating of gas water heaters, but first we will consider key characteristics.
Types of geysers
Among the whole variety of heating equipment with various operational characteristics, it is impossible to decide on the choice of a suitable model without experience. Therefore, you need to act consistently, and to begin with, deal with the classification. There are 2 types of geysers:
Flowing - differ in the small sizes, lack of the tank for hot water. The design consists of the following elements:
- small gas burner;
- gas pipe;
- collector;
- overheat detector;
- branch pipe for hot water;
- traction detector;
- heat exchanger;
- water regulator;
- outlet for the pipe;
- gas regulator.
If you decide to choose a flowing gas column, keep in mind that it has a small capacity. Therefore, to connect several points of the fence, you need to focus on powerful products.
Cumulative - equipped with a volumetric tank from 50 to 300 liters. Heat exchangers are more efficient, as well as thermal insulation. Therefore, you do not have to constantly turn on the device to produce hot water.
Instantaneous or storage water heater?
Talking about which geyser is better - flowing or storage, does not make sense! First of all, the choice depends on how much water is needed, and whether there is free space. Of course, the storage water heater is more powerful, more convenient to use, but more expensive and requires installation in a special place. This is due to a more complex design:
- large gas burner;
- traction stabilizer;
- divider;
- thermocouple;
- gas regulator;
- water temperature regulator;
- gas wick;
- protective covering;
- chimney base;
- water outlet pipe;
- drain cock;
- anode against corrosion;
- cold water pipe;
- protective cover;
- nozzle and damper.
Therefore, let’s say so, an instantaneous water heater is better for an apartment, but for the house it is worth considering the second option!
Performance calculation
You can find this characteristic in the technical data sheet of the equipment. In most cases, l / min or kW is indicated. For the correct choice of a geyser, you must calculate the power by the number of mixers, that is, the points of water intake. Suppose that 2 faucets are installed in the apartment, for example, in the bathroom and in the kitchen, the throughput of each of which is 6 l / min. It follows that for it is necessary to choose a gas column with a capacity of 12 l / min. If there are several bathrooms in the house, respectively, you will have to purchase a storage water heater.
Types of ignition of water heaters
- Manual - To start the water heater, it is necessary to set fire to a match and bring it to the omentum. This method of ignition is the most dangerous and inconvenient. Especially if the equipment is inaccessible place. The advantage is only in low price;
- Piezo ignition - Activation is carried out by pressing a button. An electromechanical match is already integrated into the system. A less dangerous option, but still involves user intervention in management;
- Electric ignition - An excellent solution for users who plan to choose a gas water heater. Moreover, there are volatile and independent models. The first option involves connecting to the mains through a special adapter. Such models will cease to function when a power outage occurs. Non-volatile models, in turn, can be equipped with a hydrogenerator that generates energy due to the flow of water or batteries.
Thus, the most convenient are models with electric ignition and hydrogenerator. They are the most expensive, but provide for complete automation.
Geyser Tips
Unfortunately, many users do not pay due attention to the quality of heat exchangers, relying only on brands and performance. It will be useful for you to know that these elements are today made of steel, simple and highly purified copper. The first option is affordable and reliable. However, steel adversely affects the weight of the structure. Due to the excessive amount of unnecessary impurities, the crude copper heat exchanger has a limited service life. In this case, the heat is distributed unevenly. For obvious reasons, when choosing a gas boiler for a home, it is better to give preference to a heat exchanger made of purified copper. Such material has a high efficiency and a long service life.
Water pressure
Experts also recommend paying attention to 2 parameters: the minimum pressure at which the device starts and the maximum pressure that the heat exchanger can withstand. The first characteristic is extremely important when choosing a flowing gas column, since in some rooms it may not turn on at all due to a poor communication network. It is desirable that the indicator was not higher than 0.15 bar. The maximum pressure must be taken into account for the reason that water supply systems are subject to water hammer. It is better for the performance indicator to vary in the range of 11-12 bar. During periods of shock, the pressure rises sharply, which negatively affects the life of the heat exchangers.
Carbon monoxide
According to the method of removal of combustion products, gas water heaters are classified into:
- With a chimney - a classic option for country houses, cottages.
- Parapet - the only acceptable option for those who plan to choose a gas column for the apartment. Installation provides for the creation of a special hole in the wall to remove carbon monoxide to the outside. This happens due to the operation of a special fan installed inside the case. An important requirement for the installation of this equipment is the presence of natural ventilation in the room.
Security systems
It should be said right away that the use of the following security systems is a mandatory measure if you intend to choose a gas water heater for the apartment:
- safety valve - vents excess in case of excess pressure in the pipeline;
- automatic shutdown - special sensors turn off the device when the required water temperature is reached;
- ionization detector - responsible for turning off the equipment if the flame goes out. A good alternative to this safety system is a combustion sensor;
- flow detector - responsible for the autonomous inclusion of a water heater when opening a hot water tap;
- draft indicator - blocks the inclusion of the device if poor draft is observed in the chimney.
Power modulation
Finally, I want to draw your attention to the presence of such a function as power modulation. If you do not know how to choose a gas boiler for an apartment, this option, which is responsible for controlling the flame intensity, will be useful to you. This happens depending on the pressure of cold water. As a result, the user gets the opportunity to always use hot water in the required volume, regardless of neighbors. As you know, in apartment buildings the pressure drops if several apartments in the riser use the water supply system at once.
