If it’s quite simple, then the principle of operation of the boiler is very simple - it is a device that heats water. But in the implementation of this simple idea, which provides comfortable living conditions for many people, you can approach it in different ways.
boiler working principle
The most common on the market are gas and electric boilers.
Content
gas boiler
The undoubted advantage of gas boilers is that hot water begins to flow into the tap after it is turned on almost immediately after it is turned on. You won't have to wait.
gas boiler
How does a gas flow boiler work
All main elements of the gas flow boiler are mounted inside a durable metal case. The water coming from the water supply line passes into the heat exchanger, under which the gas burner is located. The device is quite simple at first glance, but in order for the gas heater to work without accidents, the entire system must be equipped with rather complex automatic devices.
Immediately after you open a hot water tap, a valve opens in the boiler automation, which opens the gas supply.In good models, the incoming gas is ignited automatically, while in more modest ones you will have to press a special button for this.
From the combustion of natural gas, combustion products are formed, which are removed through the chimney. There are options for gas boilers with closed combustion chambers, in which combustion products are removed through a metal coaxial sleeve.
gas boiler connection
As a rule, gas heaters are mounted in houses connected to main gas supply systems. They certainly lead in terms of price-quality ratio under such conditions. Gas flow boilers are quite modest in size. The low cost of gas consumed for heating water makes them a good economical option. Thus, the cost of heating water in such a device is about three times lower than in its electrical counterpart. Apparently, as a result of this, and also because of the need to supply such devices with reliable automation, the cost of the gas column itself is higher than that of an electric boiler.
A gas flow boiler recommended for installation in an apartment can supply up to 17 liters of hot water per minute to the tap.
How to choose a gas flow boiler
The first characteristic that you need to evaluate when choosing such a device is its power. As a rule, manufacturers divide gas heaters by the number of liters of water that the device can heat per minute.
Therefore, it is necessary to soberly assess the possible consumption of hot water in your apartment, especially if it has several bathrooms. With low productivity, simultaneous morning washing will turn out to be somewhat uncomfortable. Usually, the temperature of the water supplied to the tap is regulated in a modern gas boiler using a thermostat.
At the same time, the system can automatically increase power when the number of consumption points increases. So, if you bask in the shower, then when you turn on the hot tap in the kitchen, the system will automatically increase the burner fire and the volume of heated water.
It is important to choose the type of ignition of the fire in your gas boiler. If in the past it was necessary to use considerable manual dexterity to light the burner, operating with a tap and matches, now boilers equipped with a piezo ignition system allow you to light a fire under the burner with a simple push of a button. There are also systems with automatic ignition, which is switched on by the flow of water. But with a long absence, it is better to turn off such a system in order to avoid trouble. Although very high-quality devices are equipped with a multi-stage protection system that will turn off the gas in any emergency, such as excessive heating or fire extinction, a sharp decrease in gas pressure or a stop in the water flow.
A system with "smart" electronic ignition can also work from built-in batteries, and such a column can significantly save gas consumption, reducing it by 15 percent. The HydroPower ignition system has no electrical power at all - the piezo ignition in it is powered by a small water turbine, which begins to generate current from the flow of water to it.
How to install a gas flow boiler
Due to the fact that geysers are classified as objects of increased danger, special requirements are imposed on them during installation. At the same time, they include not only the requirements for the equipment, but also the requirements for the room in which the device is installed. The installation of a gas boiler itself is usually entrusted to a specialized company.During installation, a gas pipe, cold and hot water supply pipes and, in some cases, an electric power cable are connected to the device.
electric boiler
Storage electric boilers are very popular in modern homes. They are installed both in private mansions and in apartment buildings. The volume of their tank varies from 30 to 100 liters. Such devices are included in the water supply system immediately after the main pipeline and can supply several taps with hot water. Additional options in such devices are special thermostats for continuous heating or for frost protection.
electric storage boiler
The installation of such a device is relatively simple - as a rule, a heater is installed in the water distribution system immediately after the connection of the water supply network of your house or apartment. It can be built in parallel with an existing hot water supply system and allows you to use hot water even when the main system is turned off.
The accumulative electric heater has a relatively small power of the thermal element, comparable to an electric kettle. It can be plugged into a regular outlet. But, nevertheless, in old houses, before installing a storage electric water heater, it is recommended to revise the power supply system and, if necessary, lay a new wire to the outlet from the switchboard and a separate circuit breaker.
The price of a household storage heater can depend on many factors, for example, brand awareness, its volume, and the power of the heating element.
The main factor determining the price of such a device is the volume and material of the storage tank.
The minimum required volume of the storage heater for a family of three is 50 liters. But in this case, in the morning you will only be able to wash your face. There can be no question of any showering by several household members. The most optimal volume will be a heater of 80 liters. In principle, this volume allows you to even comfortably take a bath.
Instantaneous electric water heaters
Such devices are usually used to connect one point of water intake. This is due to the fact that heating flowing water in a large volume requires a solid power of the heating element. This inevitably increases power consumption and often requires a separate power line. The most powerful flowers generally operate on three-phase electricity, which is simply not available in some homes. Also, such devices are very demanding on the quality of flowing water - they can very quickly become clogged with scale.
In principle, such a device is a pipe around which heating elements are located, controlled by automation. The undoubted advantage of such a device is its compactness - it can be installed literally in any free space.
Solar heating boilers
Despite the general severity of the Russian climate, solar water heaters have been steadily increasing the number of sales recently. This is primarily due to the fact that such a device has practically no operating costs. Once you spend money on a solar heating system, you can forget about the costs for several decades. Modern devices allow high-quality accumulation of heat, heating water and keeping it warm for quite a long time.However, the choice of such a device must be approached very carefully, because not every solar heater will work well even in a sunny pursuit in the harsh winter Russian climate.
As a rule, to complete a private house, it is recommended to install a solar collector with a storage tank with a capacity of 300 liters. Hot water in such a tank will be supplied by two collectors. It can be used not only for domestic purposes, but also, for example, for heating water in the pool.
The principle of operation of such a device is quite simple: pipelines with flowing water are placed in special transparent containers filled with either a heat-absorbing substance or simply vacuum.
The principle of operation of an indirect heating boiler
Boilers of indirect heating stand somewhat apart. They transfer heat from the main heat supply system or from an autonomous heating system to water used for domestic purposes through a heat exchanger. The fact is that water from water supply and heat supply systems cannot be mixed. The water in the batteries has a special chemical composition and is equipped with additives that make it unsuitable not only for drinking, but also for washing the body or dishes.
Ease of use
Any of the water heaters that differ in principles is quite accessible for self-assembly. Once installed, they generally do not require ongoing maintenance other than routine maintenance and safety checks.
When installing water heaters, first check the operating pressure in your water supply system and compare it with the nameplate data of the water heater. If these figures do not match, you may have to install a pressure reducer.
Experts believe that in the medium term there will be no fundamental changes in the market of water heaters. Mainstream engineering will strive to improve the energy efficiency of such devices. Which will receive better thermal insulation of tanks and the possibility of accumulating heat for a longer duration.
