Hot water supply of a private house is an important engineering system, the arrangement of which always remains an urgent issue. This is a necessary condition in order to fill the house with coziness and make it comfortable for living. The installation of modern water heaters successfully solves the problems of hot water supply and heating in a private house, and for this it is no longer necessary to have a powerful electrical wiring, gas or chimney. All you need is to familiarize yourself with the principles of operation of various systems, choose a suitable scheme, and, if desired, you can carry out the installation yourself.
Where does the hot water supply of a private house begin?
Before proceeding with the installation of hot water supply for a private house, it is necessary to determine some of the parameters of this system.
First of all, you need to figure out what kind of plumbing you will use, in what quantity and where you will place the equipment. As a rule, this is a sink, bathtub, shower cubicle, washbasin, jacuzzi, bidet, etc.
After you have decided where you will place the plumbing, you need to allocate space in a private house for installing water heating equipment. For this, it is necessary to take into account the technical capabilities of the device. Experts recommend placing it at the same distance from hot water consumers.
Then pipes and all related fittings are already selected. As a rule, pipes with a diameter of 15 or 20 mm are suitable for internal wiring. For these purposes, galvanized or non-galvanized pipes are used, as well as products made of metal-plastic, polyethylene or polypropylene. The most popular are polypropylene pipes. You will need a certain number of fittings, couplings and other elements that must be purchased in the required quantity in accordance with the wiring plan for the hot water supply system of a private house.
Today there are a large number of companies that will promptly help solve the problem of providing hot water supply to a private house, as well as provide the equipment necessary for water purification. These procedures are mandatory, since in private houses, as a rule, wells, artesian wells, etc., serve as water sources, and the water in them, as a rule, has a composition far from ideal. Therefore, such water cannot be used not only for cooking, but also in hot water supply systems. This is due to the fact that it contains calcium, magnesium and other elements, due to which the water becomes harder.
What should be considered when organizing hot water supply for a private house
As a rule, the installation of any water heater in a private house is carried out by a professional, since for this it is necessary to prepare a suitable scheme, obtain a permit, and also install ventilation or a chimney, if the need arises.
If you use plastic pipes, the installation process is greatly simplified due to their durability and strength, moreover, these products do not require the use of a welding machine. You should purchase fittings, silicone, tow, spare pipe and battery fasteners. You also need a set of tools, consisting of a special soldering iron, scissors, puncher, screwdriver, level and hammer, several types of keys, pliers, metal scissors, etc.
The suspended boiler should be positioned at least 50 cm from the ceiling. Reliable fasteners are used for him and the radiators. When you equip the boiler room, it is recommended that the walls and floor be tiled with refractory tiles and do not forget to provide free access to the water heater for periodic maintenance.
It is also necessary to install a chimney and ventilation system. You will also need a circulation pump, it is compact enough, capable of providing a constant pressure, as a result of which the water heats up quickly.
If you are working with plastic pipes, you will need an assistant, since the connection is instantaneous and it is necessary to avoid distortions. Radiators are installed at the very last moment.
Make sure they are level. The distance to the floor should be from 10 to 15 cm, from the wall - from 2 to 5 cm. By installing shut-off valves and temperature sensors, you can control the water temperature and shut it off if necessary.
If you do not have the necessary editing skills, it is better to turn to professionals. It is important to make the correct calculations. The first thing you will need to do for the correct installation of hot water supply in a private house with your own hands is a diagram.
Hot water supply of a private house: a circuit with an instantaneous water heater
A flow-through water heater can be represented by:
a gas water heater for hot water supply of a private house;
heating circuit for hot water supply of a private house from a double-circuit boiler;
electric flowing water heater;
a plastic heat exchanger connected to the heating circuit.
An instantaneous water heater in a private house begins to heat water from the moment the hot water tap is opened.
All the energy that is spent on heating the water is transferred from the heater to the water instantly. To obtain water of the required temperature in a short period of time, the design of an instantaneous heater provides for limiting the water flow rate. The temperature is regulated by the amount of hot water flowing out from the tap.
For a sufficient supply of hot water to one horn in the shower, the power of the instantaneous water heater must be at least 10 kW. In order to fill the bath with hot water within a reasonable time, a heater power of more than 18 kW is required. If at this moment a hot water tap in the kitchen is opened in parallel, then for comfortable use of hot water it will be necessary to use a heater with a capacity of 28 kW or more.
In order to provide hot water supply for a private house of an economy class, a boiler of lower power is needed. Thus, the power of the double-circuit boiler is selected based on the needs for the consumption of hot water.
The hot water supply scheme using an instantaneous water heater is not able to provide economical and comfortable use of hot water in a private house for a number of reasons:
The temperature and pressure of the water in the pipes is determined by the value of the liquid flow rate. As a result, when you open another tap, the water temperature and pressure in the hot water supply system change dramatically. Therefore, using water in two places at the same time is extremely inconvenient.
With a low consumption of hot water, the instantaneous water heater does not function at all, and in order to obtain water of the required temperature, it is necessary to increase the water consumption.
Hot water supply is provided with a delay. In this case, the waiting time depends on the length of the pipe laid from the water heater to the place where the water is drawn. A certain amount of water, when you just turn on the tap, will simply have to be drained into the sewer. This is the water that was already heated, but it managed to cool down.
Scale accumulates rather quickly inside the heating chamber of the instantaneous water heater. If the water is very hard, you will need to descale the device frequently.
Thus, the operation of an instantaneous water heater in the hot water supply system of a private house provokes an unreasonable increase in water consumption and the volume of sewage drains, an increase in electricity consumption for water heating, and also does not allow comfortable use of hot water in a private house.
At the same time, the hot water supply system of a private house using an instantaneous water heater is very popular among consumers, since it is distinguished by a relatively low price and compact dimensions of the device.
This hot water supply system in a private house functions more efficiently if a separate instantaneous water heater is installed near the place for parsing the liquid.
In such a situation, it is advisable to install electric instantaneous water heaters. Nevertheless, this method will be quite energy-consuming (power will be required up to 30 kW). As a rule, the power grid of a private house is not designed for such loads, and besides, the cost of electricity is rather high.
How to choose an instantaneous heater for hot water supply in a private house
The main parameter that they are guided by when choosing an instantaneous water heater is an indicator of the volume of water that it is able to heat.
In order to comfortably use this water heater in a private house, you should adhere to the following indicators at the points of the fence:
from the sink tap - 4.2 liters per minute (0.07 liters / second);
from a bath or shower tap - 9 liters per minute (0.15 l / sec).
For example, one instantaneous water heater is equipped with three parsing points, represented by a sink in the kitchen, a sink and a bath (shower). If your goal is to find a heater for your bathtub, then you need an appliance capable of delivering at least 9 liters of water per minute at a temperature of 55 ° C. This water heater allows you to use hot water from two sources at once - a sink and a washbasin.
It will be possible to use hot water in parallel both in the shower and in the washbasin if the heater produces at least 9 l / min + 4.2 l / min = 13.2 l / min.
Manufacturers, as a rule, in the technical characteristics of the device indicate the maximum performance indicator, taking into account the heating of water for a certain temperature difference, dT, for example, +25 ° C, +35 ° C or +45 ° C. Thus, if the temperature of the water in the water supply system is +10 ° C, then the temperature of the tap water after heating will reach +35 ° C, +45 ° C or +55 ° C.
It should be noted that a number of sellers can indicate the level of maximum performance of the device, but they do not write for what temperature difference it is intended. For example, you can purchase a gas water heater with a capacity of 10 liters per minute and it will heat up to a maximum of +35 ° C. Using hot water in a private house with such a device may not be so comfortable.
In this case, in a private house, it is better to use a gas water heater or a double-circuit boiler, the highest performance indicator of which will be at least 13.2 l / min at dT equal to +45 ° C. In this case, the power of the gas appliance will be approximately 32 kW.
When you choose a device for hot water supply in a private house, you should also pay attention to the minimum performance indicator at which heating is activated.
If the speed of movement of water in the pipe does not reach this value, the water heater will not start working. Therefore, it is often necessary to consume much more water than necessary. It will be advisable to select a device with the lowest minimum performance, for example, no more than 1.1 liters per minute.
The maximum power of electric instantaneous water heaters, often used in a private house, ranges from 5.5 to 6.5 kW. Provided that the maximum productivity of the device is from 3.1 to 3.7 liters / minute, the water is heated by dT equal to +25 ° C. One device is designed to serve one point of water sampling in a private house, which can be a shower, washbasin or sink.
Is it profitable to supply hot water to a private house with a storage heater (boiler) and water circulation
A storage water heater (otherwise it is called a boiler) is a fairly voluminous heat-insulated metal tank.
As a rule, the lower part of the tank of a water heater contains two heating elements - an electric heat exchanger and a tubular heater powered by a heating boiler. A boiler is used to heat the water in the tank.
Such a heater is also called an indirect heating boiler.
Hot water in the indirect boiler is consumed from the top of the tank. In this case, the lower part is instantly filled with cold water from the water supply system, heated by means of a heat exchanger and supplied to the top.
In European countries, all DHW systems in modern private houses are necessarily equipped with such an element as a collector (solar heater). In order to connect the solar collector to the bottom of the indirect boiler, an additional heat exchanger must be installed.
The water in the boiler is heated by a solar collector. In the event that this is not enough, a boiler or electric heater should be connected.
How does the hot water supply of a private house with a layer-by-layer heating boiler work?
Nowadays, the domestic hot water supply system, equipped with a layer-by-layer heating boiler, is very popular. The water in such a device is heated using a flow-through boiler of a double-circuit boiler. Such a heater is not equipped with a heat exchanger, due to which its cost is significantly reduced.
Heated water comes from the top of the tank. Instead, cold tap water immediately begins to flow into the lower part. With the help of a pump, water from the tank passes through the flow heater, then enters the upper part of the tank. Thanks to this, the consumer instantly receives hot water, while there is no need to wait until the entire volume of water is heated, as in the case if you use an indirect heating boiler.
Due to the fact that the upper layer of water warms up quickly enough, you can install a more compact boiler in a private house and reduce the power of the instantaneous water heater.
A distinction is made between double-circuit boilers equipped with a built-in heater or a remote layer-by-layer heating. Thus, this equipment of the domestic hot water supply system is less expensive and compact in size, in contrast to indirect heating boilers.
The water in the device heats up in advance, even if you do not use it. The amount of heated water is enough for several hours of consumption.
Due to these properties, the water in the tank heats up for a long time, while the thermal energy in the hot water will constantly accumulate. Therefore, such a heater is also called a storage water heater.
Due to the long duration of water heating, you can give preference to a relatively low power heater.
How to choose a storage gas water heater for hot water supply of a private house
The storage boiler, in which the water is heated by means of a gas burner, is not so popular among the domestic hot water supply systems. The use of two gas apparatus - a gas boiler and a gas boiler at the same time is quite expensive.
Gas boilers are convenient to use in apartments with centralized heating, they are also often used in private houses with a solid fuel boiler, where hot water supply systems with liquefied gas are used to heat water.
Gas heaters are equipped with open and closed combustion chambers, with forced flue gas removal and natural draft in the chimney.
The market offers models of storage gas boilers for private houses that do not need to be connected to a chimney. Such devices are distinguished by the low power of gas burners.
A gas boiler, the volume of which does not exceed 100 liters, is mounted on the wall, and heaters of a larger volume are installed on the floor.
In water heaters, various methods of gas ignition are used - for this purpose, a standby wick, electronic battery-powered or hydrodynamic ignition is used.
In the appliance equipped with a duty wick, a small light burns, which is first lit by hand.
Electronic ignition is connected to the mains or runs on batteries or rechargeable batteries.
Hydrodynamic ignition is activated by the rotation of the turbine, which, in turn, is activated by the flow of water.
The comfort of using hot water in a private house directly depends on the volume of the storage heater. But the larger the boiler, the higher its cost and the more expensive the cost of its maintenance and repair work.
How to determine which boiler size for a private house to choose:
the volume of the boiler, which will provide the minimum comfort, is calculated based on the consumption of 20 to 30 liters of hot water for each person;
greater comfort can be provided by a domestic hot water device, the volume of which ranges from 30 to 60 liters per user;
for a high level of comfort, a heater is chosen, the volume of which ranges from 60 to 100 liters for each person living in a private house;
in order to fill the bath, you will need about 100 liters of hot water.
When you choose a boiler, pay special attention to how powerful a heating element it is equipped with. For example, to heat one hundred liters of water to +55 ° C within a quarter of an hour, the boiler must be equipped with a heater (gas burner, etc.) with a power of 20 kW.
What are the advantages of hot water supply in a private house with water circulation in the system?
Due to the use of a storage water heater in the DHW system of a private house, hot water is circulated in the pipes. At the same time, each draw-off point is connected to a ring pipeline through which hot water is circulated.
The pipe section from each draw-off point to the ring pipeline should be no longer than two meters.
The circulation of water in the DHW system of a private house is ensured by the operation of a circulation pump with a low power (up to several tens of watts).
In domestic hot water supply systems equipped with a storage heater, the hot water supply mode has the following characteristics:
hot water is always available at the draw-off points;
you can turn on water at several points at once, while the temperature regime and the level of water pressure do not change significantly;
the ability to draw any amount of heated water, even the smallest.
In the DHW system of a private house with water circulation, energy is regularly consumed to ensure the operation of the pump and compensate for heat losses in the boiler and pipes. In order to reduce the level of energy consumption, an automatic program is used, which turns off the circulation of water during that period of time when it is not in demand. Also, the insulation of the boiler and water supply will help reduce energy costs.
How to organize hot water supply for a private house through a heat exchanger
In Western Europe, as well as throughout the world, a variety of energy saving methods are very popular.
The used hot water goes into the sewer, taking with it a large proportion of the energy spent on heating it.
In order to reduce energy losses in a private house, an energy recovery scheme from sewage should be used.
Cold water, before being in the heater, flows through a heat exchanger, into which, in turn, it is drained from plumbing equipment.
The heat exchanger distinguishes between two flows - cold tap water and waste hot water, which collide, but do not mix. A certain amount of heat from hot water is transferred to cold water, and already warm water enters the heater.
The diagram shown above shows that only plumbing equipment that runs on hot water is directed to the heat exchanger. This scheme is very beneficial for all methods of heating water in a private house.
How to make hot water supply for a private house with your own hands
To provide hot water supply in a private house, it is necessary to install a hot water supply system equipped with an indirect or layer-by-layer heating boiler with a volume of at least one hundred liters. This system provides the comfort of using heated water, economical fluid consumption and less sewage. The only drawback of such a system is the high price of the device.
If the budget is limited or you only live in the country for one season, the best option is the DHW system of a private house with a flow-through boiler.
This system is suitable for use in private homes where the heating source and taps are not too far apart. A maximum of three water taps can be connected to one instantaneous water heater.
Such a system is relatively inexpensive, while the disadvantages of its use are not particularly pronounced.
A double-circuit gas boiler or gas water heater will not take up much space. All the equipment necessary for the system to function is contained in the instrument case. The arrangement of the domestic hot water supply system from a boiler, the power of which is no more than 30 kW, does not require a separate room.
The hot water supply system of a private house with a gas water heater or a double-circuit boiler is characterized by a stable mode of water supply if a buffer tank is installed in the circuit between the heater and the points of draw-off in the form of a conventional storage electric water heater. It is recommended to install this device near the sampling points, which are remote from the gas apparatus.
In a circuit with a buffer tank, hot water first enters the tank of the electric heater. This ensures that the tank is always filled with hot water. The electric heater in the tank is able to compensate for heat losses and maintain the required hot water temperature during the period of time when the water is not used. Thus, an electric water heater of a small volume (30 liters) is enough for you to comfortably use the domestic hot water system.
The DHW system of a private house with a flow-through water heater, equipped with a layer-by-layer heating built-in or external boiler, will cost consumers an order of magnitude more. But this equipment has undoubted advantages, in particular, it does not require energy consumption to maintain heat, besides, using this device is as comfortable as an indirect heating boiler.
In a private house with an extensive hot water supply network, it is advisable to use a circuit with a storage boiler and water circulation. Only this scheme is able to provide maximum comfort and economical use of hot water. However, it should be borne in mind that this option requires high costs for its installation.
Experts recommend purchasing boilers that come with a boiler. Only in this case, the parameters of the boiler and the boiler will exactly match each other, while the main part of the additional equipment is located in the boiler body.
If heating in a private house is provided by a solid fuel boiler, in this case it is advisable to install a buffer tank - a heat accumulator, to which a hot water supply system with water circulation is connected.
In some cases, to provide hot water supply to a private house from a solid fuel boiler, an indirect heating boiler is connected, which is additionally equipped with an electric heater.
Often, only electricity is used to heat water in a private house where a solid fuel boiler is installed. To provide hot water supply in a private house, a storage electric water heater is installed near the water points. Hot water circulation system is not provided in this case. It is best to place a separate storage boiler next to remote taps. And then electricity for heating water will be consumed more economically.
When the water is heated to a temperature exceeding + 54 ° C, the water begins to release hardness salts. To avoid the formation of limescale, it is recommended to heat the water to a temperature below the specified one.
Instantaneous water heaters are especially prone to lime scale formation. If the water has a high salt content (more than 140 mg CaCO3 in 1 liter), then instantaneous water heaters should not be used. Even minor scale deposits can clog the channels in the flow heater, as a result of which the water flow can be interrupted.
The water supply in the instantaneous water heater is carried out by means of an anti-scale filter that reduces the level of water hardness. The filter is equipped with a replaceable cartridge that must be replaced periodically.
To heat water with an increased level of hardness in a private house, it is best to choose a storage hot water supply system with an indirect heating accumulator. Scale deposits on the boiler heating element will not impede the flow of water, but will reduce the boiler's performance.
Do not forget that prolonged heating of water to a temperature of less than +60 ° C can provoke the appearance of Legionella bacteria, dangerous to humans, in the storage tank. Thermal disinfection of the hot water supply system of a private house should be carried out regularly and the temperature regime for heating water should be increased for a certain time to + 70 ° C.
The creation of any engineering system, whether it is hot water supply in a private house or a heating system, cannot do without pipes, fittings and other consumables. An important aspect when choosing these sanitary products is their quality. Only a trusted supplier with an excellent reputation will be able to provide you with the high quality materials necessary for the durable and trouble-free operation of any engineering system.
So, cooperating with SantechStandard, you get the following benefits:
quality products at reasonable prices;
constant availability of products in the warehouse in any quantities;
conveniently located warehouse complexes in St. Petersburg, Moscow, Novosibirsk and Samara;
free delivery in St. Petersburg, Moscow, Novosibirsk, Samara, including transport companies;
delivery of goods to the regions through any transport companies;
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registered in Russia trademarks, which is an additional protection against low-quality counterfeits.
The specialists of our company "SantechStandard" are ready to help you choose sanitary equipment for both individuals and companies. You just need to contact by phone:
An electric storage-type water heater, or, in a simple way, a boiler, has long and firmly entered our life, providing additional comfort and allowing you not to depend on communal hot water supply systems. This simple device automatically maintains the required water temperature, while having a certain supply of it. The devices produced by the industry have a variety of shapes, sizes and external designs. Despite the apparent differences, at their core, all water heaters have a similar design and a single operating principle. However, when making a choice between a particular model of a boiler, one should not only understand how it works, but also understand the features of the execution of some of its components.
In fact, any water heater of this type is a large thermos with a tubular electric heater (TEN) inside, therefore, the design of all boilers has the following elements:
- external casing with parts that allow the device to be mounted on a wall or floor;
- internal tank;
- a heat-insulating layer between the inner container and the body;
- tubular electric heater;
- thermostat with the ability to adjust the heating temperature;
- safety valve;
- protective magnesium anode;
- control and indication circuit.
When choosing a boiler, one cannot fail to notice a big difference in price, even between different models of the same manufacturer. It is primarily due to the technology and material of manufacture of the internal tank, as well as the presence of an electronic control and display unit.
These parameters determine the convenience of using the device, as well as the duration of its service.
Frame
Cases of water heaters have both strictly cylindrical and oval and even rectangular shapes, various colors and design designs. Often a thermometer is attached to the outside of the housing to monitor the operation of the device, as well as regulators or control elements. The housings are made of steel sheet or plastic.
To install the boiler, there are fasteners in the housing structure, depending on the type of placement (wall or floor installation scheme). The space between the body of the water heater and the inner tank is filled with heat-insulating material - most often dense polyurethane plays its role.
Inner tank
The design of the internal tank of the boiler must meet the criterion of increased corrosion resistance and at the same time withstand constant temperature changes, therefore, manufacturers pay a lot of attention to this element, developing new tank coatings and applying methods of protecting it.
Steel tanks coated with glass enamel or glass porcelain
Such a coating is obtained by spraying a protective layer with its subsequent firing at a high temperature (up to 850 ° C). Glass enamel is not capable of oxidation, therefore it does not corrode at all. In addition, its smooth surface resists limescale build-up.
Paradoxically, the main disadvantage of such a coating stems from its advantage - the high hardness of the layer is low-plastic and over time, constant changes in water temperature lead to the formation of microcracks in its layer, which ultimately contribute to the destruction of the tank.
Manufacturers are constantly looking for new formulations for this type of coating. For example, the addition of titanium powder equalized the temperature coefficients of expansion of glass porcelain and steel, slightly improving the resistance of the layer to cracking. It is possible to slightly reduce the harmful effect of temperature exposure by setting the water temperature in the boiler to no higher than 70 ° C, although you still have to warm up the device as much as possible at least once a month in order to comply with sanitary rules. Another disadvantage of the glass-porcelain coating of the tank can be considered the increased weight of the boiler. Companies producing water heaters with tanks of this type give a guarantee for their products for no more than 3 years.
Titanium coated steel tanks
By spraying titanium powder onto the inside of the tank, excellent corrosion resistance is achieved. Moreover, this type of coating has high strength and mechanical resistance, having weak points only at the welding joints. The warranty for a device with such a tank is up to 10 years, which is a huge advantage, even if you take into account its rather high cost.
Stainless internal tanks
Such containers are devoid of the disadvantages of the two previous elements. Stainless steel, like titanium, is able to withstand the effects of impurities in the water, as well as corrosion. It is believed that stainless steel gives water a peculiar smell and taste that appear during its heating, but this is just speculation, absolutely not confirmed by scientific research. It is known that "stainless steel" does not enter into a chemical reaction with water. Manufacturers also give up to 10 years warranty for such tanks, but they are the most expensive ones. Tanks made of stainless steel, as well as those with titanium spraying, are more susceptible to scale formation than glass porcelain, but this does not detract from their merits in the least. The inner tank contains pipes for supplying cold water and removing hot water, as well as an electronic heating and protection unit.
Heating and protection unit
The elements responsible for heating water to a certain temperature, as well as protecting the metal of the inner tank from destruction, are installed on a metal flange, which is connected by means of a seal to the inner tank of the device.
Heating elements of various capacities are used to heat water. Depending on the heating principle, a distinction is made between:
- "Wet" heating elements, which are in direct contact with water, therefore inevitably become covered with scale, which must be periodically removed, otherwise the heating element will fail due to overheating;
- dry type heaters. Devoid of this drawback, since they are installed in a metal tube, which makes contact with the liquid. This scheme allows you to get rid of scale not only on the heater, but also on the tube covered with a layer of glass porcelain.
Some boiler models are equipped with several heaters. This design allows for stepwise regulation of heating, and also reduces the number of switching cycles for each of them (voltage surges during switching on of devices affect their durability).
Together with heating elements, a thermostat and a magnesium rod (anode) are installed on the flange. The thermostat is responsible for turning on the heating element when the water temperature drops below the set by the consumer. Thermoregulators of both mechanical type and electronic devices operating in conjunction with an electronic control unit are used. Often, the thermostat device includes a safety shutdown circuit for the heating element in the absence of water in the tank. The magnesium electrode is designed to reduce the exchange of ions of metal components inside the boiler, giving up its own particles in return. This scheme reduces the effect of leaching electrons from structural elements and they corrode to a much lesser extent. At the same time, the magnesium rod itself collapses rather quickly and requires periodic replacement (when thinning to 10 mm or reducing the length to 200 mm). The control and indication circuit provides additional convenience when using the water heater, having the functions of precise adjustment of the water temperature, switching on heating by time, maintaining a different degree of heating depending on the time of day.
The principle of operation of storage water heaters
The boiler operation scheme is based on the principle of separation of layers of water with different temperatures. As you know, warm layers of liquid are at the top. They are taken from the water heater through a hot water outlet pipe, the length of which allows the use of the upper, warmest layer. Cold water, on the other hand, enters the lower part of the tank, where the water heaters are installed. In addition, a divider is installed on the short inlet pipe, which prevents the liquid from flowing out and thereby facilitates mixing of warm and cold water.
The peculiarity of the warm liquid to rise up will not allow the use of a vertical design boiler, placing it parallel to the ground. You should pay close attention to this when choosing the type of device to suit your needs.
Heating of cold water is carried out by a heating element (one or more). A thermostat monitors its temperature. When the set temperature is reached, it opens the electric power supply circuit of the heater.
Good thermal insulation allows you to maintain the desired water temperature, spending a minimum of energy on its constant heating.
In the case of using several heaters, one heating element is used to maintain the temperature at a given level. The rest are switched on at a high flow rate, increasing the heating power many times over. This scheme increases the efficiency and reliability of the device.
The warm water taken from the top is constantly replaced by the newly heated liquid, which is supplied from the main. This is how the continuous heating process works. With a high flow rate, the temperature of the water leaving the boiler drops over time, therefore it is necessary to select the volume of the storage tank based on the amount of hot water draw-off.
A thermostat failure is possible, while the water can boil, as a result of which the pressure in the internal tank rises to a dangerous level. To prevent an accident, a safety valve is installed on the cold water supply pipe - when the maximum pressure is reached, it opens, thereby dumping part of the liquid into the supply line. The same valve is used to drain water from the device during maintenance work.
A detailed video on the boiler device is presented below:
Do not neglect the periodic preventive measures, which include cleaning the boiler from scale and rust. They will allow the device to work reliably and efficiently, as well as save you from unplanned expenses.
Swimming pools are gaining popularity every year. Owners of private houses and suburban areas are increasingly installing swimming pools - it is convenient, prestigious and relatively affordable. At the stage of planning the purchase and design of the pool, it is necessary to resolve a number of issues related to water heating. After all, you want to use the pool not only in the hot summer, but also in the cold season.
There are special devices that heat the pool water to the optimum temperature. They differ among themselves in the principle of operation, efficiency of use, economy of work and cost.
Pool water heating systems
Water heating is required for both indoor and outdoor pools. Of course, in summer, the water in the pool will warm up completely from direct sunlight, but with the approach of autumn, when the nights are getting cold and the days are getting shorter, there is a need for additional sources of heat.
For comfortable swimming in the pool (depending on the category of "bathers"), the water temperature should have the following indicators:
- for active, sports games - 22 degrees;
- for children - 28-30 degrees;
- for adults - 24-26 degrees;
- for elderly people - at least 26 degrees.
It is possible to maintain the optimal temperature of the water in the pool using special heating devices, the choice of which determines the heating system.
Pool water heating systems can be divided into two types:
- heating by means of an electric heater;
- heating by heat exchange.
Heat transfer heating systems include:
- solar heat exchangers;
- heat exchangers, in which the main sources of heat are the central water supply system, a heating boiler;
- heat exchangers using other heat sources (heat pump).
Based on the calculation of water heating in the pool, which will take into account all the design and operation features, a water heating system for the pool is selected.
Devices for heating water: principle of operation, advantages and disadvantages
instantaneous electric heater - the best option for a small-sized pool
An electric pool heater is perhaps the easiest and most affordable way to heat water. The main purpose of the device is to heat a continuous flow of water with minimal pressure fluctuations.
The principle of operation of the heater: water circulates through the body in which the heating elements are located. The heater body is made of stainless steel, titanium or high-quality plastic, and the heating elements are made of durable stainless steel alloys that can withstand high temperatures. An electric heater is installed behind the filtering equipment, so the water enters the pool already purified.
A separate large room is not required to accommodate heating equipment, since the heater has compact dimensions - a small covered booth is enough.
When buying an instantaneous water heater for a pool, you should pay attention to the following parameters.
- Device power (3-18 kW). Some models are designed for three-phase connection. For indoor pools located indoors, the heater power is calculated on the basis of 0.3-0.5 kW per 1 sq. M. swimming pools, for outdoor ones - 0.5-1 kW.
- Maximum heating temperature. For most instantaneous electric heaters for swimming pools, this figure is 30-40 degrees.
- Flow volume and working pressure.
- The presence of protective and regulating devices (overheating protection sensor, thermostat and flow sensor), which will protect the device from damage.
- Electric heater manufacturing materials. More durable heaters are considered, the body of which is made of stainless steel.
It should be borne in mind that with significant heat loss (outdoor pools or pools located in unheated rooms), the power consumption increases significantly
The power of the flow heaters is not enough for large pools with a volume of more than 35 cubic meters, especially if such a pool is located outside. In addition, such a unit cannot be used in a house with limited energy consumption or "weak" wiring.
Small heaters (3 kW) are often used to heat water in Intex pools and other inflatable and frame pools.
It is important to remember that it is strictly forbidden to be in the pool while the heater is in operation!
Advantages of flow heaters:
- water heating occurs quickly enough;
- using a thermostat, you can regulate the temperature of the water;
- in the absence of water, the flow sensor is triggered, turning off the heating of the water;
- compact size of equipment;
- control system - automated.
Disadvantages of an electric heater:
- significant cash costs for water heating (high energy consumption);
- low power;
- not all homes have the option to install this system.
Solar collectors - an innovative approach to pool heating
The sun is an inexhaustible source of heat that can be effectively used to heat water in indoor and outdoor pools.
Many people think that there is enough heat for an outdoor pool from direct sunlight. However, this statement is only true when the pool is located in a sunny area. And if it is located under a canopy or indoors? With the use of solar systems, solar heating of the pool water becomes more regulated.
A solar water heating system consists of three main elements:
- solar collector (tubes connected to each other on a large screen);
- pump filter;
- control valve.
The mechanism of action of the solar system is quite simple. In intense sunlight, the sensors command an automatic diverter valve to direct the pool water flow through the collector heat exchanger. Inside the heat exchanger, the water will be heated by the coolant circulating in the closed solar system (collector tubes).
When the preset heating temperature is reached, the water flows back into the pool. If the solar collector is cold (cloudy weather), then water does not circulate through it.
The solar collector is usually located on the roof or in a well-lit area.
For heating odes in the pool, the following types of solar collectors can be used:
- highly selective flat and flat collectors;
- vacuum tube collectors.
Their choice will depend on the climatic conditions of the region, the place of installation and the volume of heated water.
When calculating the size of the solar system (collector area), it is necessary to take into account a number of factors:
- pool parameters;
- pool type (indoor, outdoor);
- pool attendance;
- whether the pool is hiding or not;
- required water heating temperature (minimum and maximum);
- installation location and angle of inclination of the collector.
For an outdoor pool, the installation surface should be about 70-100% of the water surface area, for an indoor - about 60% of this area
The advantages of solar systems include:
- versatility of use - it can be used to heat water in a pool and to supply a private house with hot water;
- ease of management;
- fast heating of water;
- there are practically no system maintenance costs.
Disadvantages of using a "solar" system:
- the heat transfer coefficient of the collector decreases sharply in cloudy weather;
- the purchase of equipment and the installation of a solar system is quite expensive.
Heat exchanger - significant savings on water heating
To heat the water in the pool, heat exchangers are often used, which are connected directly to the heating system of the house.
Externally, the heat exchanger resembles a large flask, and inside the device there is a coil through which hot water (coolant) passes. Pool water is located around the coil, washes it, and heats up.
From the general heating system, water enters the coil thanks to a circulation pump, the operation of which is controlled by a solenoid valve. The valve, in turn, is controlled by a thermostat. The owner of the pool sets the temperature level, and the rest of the process is automatically controlled.
The main criterion for choosing a heat exchanger is its power, which can reach 200 kW. The choice of power directly depends on the volume of the pool.
When the heat exchanger is started for the first time, the required water temperature will only be reached after 28 hours. Such a long and gradual heating is needed to avoid instrumental collapse associated with liquid expansion. Further work of the device is to maintain the set temperature.
A heat exchanger is placed after the pumping and filtering station, but in front of the disinfecting system, in order to avoid unnecessary contact of the equipment with the chlorine contained in the water. In pools with sea water or highly chlorinated water, it is better to install titanium heat exchangers.
Advantages of heat exchangers:
- saving money on heating water;
- high power, which allows the use of devices for heating large pools;
- ease of management (all processes are automated).
The disadvantages of the heat exchanger include long-term heating of water.
Heat pump - environmental energy as a heat source for the pool
The use of a heat pump is a fairly new way of heating water, the operation of which is based on the principle of multistage heat transfer from various heat carriers using condensate, gas compression, etc.
The initial source of heat (the first stage of heating) can be household (industrial) wastewater, heat released during the cleaning of flue gases, heat from ground and thermal waters. Any source that is even slightly hotter than the pool water can be used by the heat pump to heat the pool.
The principle of operation of a heat pump is as follows. The working fluid (a mixture of antifreeze and water) is pumped through a pipeline located underground. Due to the temperature of the soil, the working fluid at the outlet is warmed up by a couple of degrees, and is sent to the heat exchanger, where it transfers the received heat to the refrigerant.
The refrigerant, in contact with the heated liquid, instantly boils - steam is formed, which enters the compressor and is compressed there to 25 atmospheres. When compressed, a sharp rise in temperature occurs up to 50-55 degrees. The resulting energy is used to heat the house or water for the pool.
A significant proportion of the energy is spent on the functioning of the cyclic operation of the system (the refrigerant and working fluid, having passed through the cooling system, meet and the cycle repeats).
The capacity of the heat pumps is sufficient to provide full heating not only for the pool, but for the country cottage as a whole.
Benefits of using heat pumps:
- fast and sufficient heating of water, premises;
- high power;
- use of alternative free heat sources.
To date, heat pumps are not widely used due to their high cost.
Fuel oil heater - using gas and liquid fuel to heat water
Fuel heater - equipment that runs on liquid fuel or propane (gas heaters). They are quite effective and economical, provided that they are used not only for heating the pool water, but for heating the house.
Before using the fuel heater, a number of issues will have to be resolved:
- obtaining permission to install equipment;
- registration and proper paperwork;
- installation of a fire protection system;
- chimney construction;
- control of fuel supplies.
To maintain the optimal temperature of the water in the pool, the following fuel units can be used:
Advantages of fuel heaters:
- economical fuel consumption;
- the possibility of complex use of the heater (home heating, water heating);
- system automation.
Disadvantages of heaters:
- difficulties in registration, registration and installation;
- high initial costs for the purchase of equipment;
- some systems require annual cleaning.
How to reduce heat loss in pool water
The efficiency of any heating installation will increase significantly if you take timely measures to reduce heat losses:
The type, capacity of the heating system and its cost will depend on the design features of the pool. It is better to entrust the installation of equipment to professionals who can guarantee the uninterrupted and safe use of heating elements.
The most modern and most economical device for heating water is an induction water heater. Unlike analogues, it is completely environmentally friendly, does not dry out or burn out the air, and meets modern safety requirements. It can be used both as an instantaneous water heater and as a boiler for heating a room. The device is usually bought in a store, we offer an alternative - self-production. In the latter case, the device may not have such an attractive appearance, but it will cost much less.
Pros and cons of induction devices for heating water
The device has a rather simple design and does not require any special documents for use and installation. The induction water heater has a high degree of efficiency and optimum reliability for the user. When using it as a boiler for heating, you don't even need to install a pump, since water flows through the pipes due to convection (when heated, the liquid practically turns into steam).
Also, the device has a number of advantages, which distinguishes it among other types of water heaters. So, induction heater:
In induction heaters, water becomes hot due to the pipe through which it flows, and the latter is heated due to the induction current generated by the coil.
- much cheaper than their counterparts, such a device can be easily assembled on your own;
- completely silent (although the coil vibrates during operation, this vibration is not perceptible to humans);
- vibrates during operation, due to which dirt and scale does not stick to its walls, therefore it does not need cleaning;
- has a heat generator that can be easily made sealed due to the principle of operation: the coolant is inside the heating element and energy is transferred to the heater through an electromagnetic field, no contacts are needed; therefore, sealing gums, oil seals and other elements that can quickly deteriorate or leak are not needed;
- there is simply nothing to break in the heat generator, since the water is heated by an ordinary pipe, which is unable to deteriorate or burn out, unlike the heating element;
Do not forget that maintenance of an induction heater will be much cheaper than a boiler or gas boiler. The device has a minimum of parts that almost never fail.
Despite the huge number of advantages, an induction water heater also has a number of disadvantages:
- the first and most painful for the owners is the electricity bill; the device cannot be called economical, so you will have to pay a decent amount of times for its use;
- second - the device gets very hot and heats up not only itself, but also the surrounding space, therefore it is better not to touch the heat generator body during its operation;
- third - the device has an extremely high efficiency and heat transfer, therefore, when using it be sure to install a temperature sensor, otherwise the system may explode.
Diy induction water heater: diagram
The device is a transformer with two windings: primary and secondary. The first circuit converts electrical energy into eddy currents, thereby creating a directional induction field, which provides induction heating. On the secondary circuit, the converted energy is transferred to the coolant (in our case, it is water).
It is important to consider the type of material from which the winding is made. So, in household models, copper wire is most often used. This material is well suited for heating water in boilers.
In addition to the transformer, the device contains a generator and a pump (optional).
Diagram of a simple induction water heater. As you can see, the device has a fairly simple design and a small number of elements.
Heat generator assemblies and parts
The device includes:
- an alternator that increases the frequency of the current;
- an inductor that converts electricity into magnetic energy is a coil of copper wire;
- a heating element, most often a metal pipe plays its role.
Thanks to this design, power transmission is practically lossless. The efficiency reaches 98%.
Principle of operation
An induction water heater consists of a generator, a coil and a core, the latter is heated by electromagnetic energy
The device converts electrical energy into electromagnetic energy. The latter, in turn, acts on the core (pipe), which heats up and transfers thermal energy to the water. All these energies are converted by an inductor consisting of a coil and a core. The generator is used to increase the frequency of the current, since it is difficult to achieve high heating with the standard frequency of 50 Hz.
In factory models, the current frequency reaches 1 kHz.
Diy flow induction water heater
Before proceeding with the installation, you need to stock up on the necessary parts. So, the best option would be a high-frequency welding inverter, smoothly changing current range... Such a device will be the cheapest. A more expensive option would be a three-phase transformer, which is the AC power source for the water heater inductor. In this case, it is worth using a coil of 50-90 turns, and as a material, take copper wire with a diameter of 3 or more millimeters.
As a core, you can use both metal and polymer pipes together with a wire (used as a heating element). In the latter case, the thickness of the walls should not be less than 3 mm in order to easily withstand high temperatures.
To assemble the water heater, you will need: wire cutters, screwdrivers, a soldering iron and a welding machine if a metal pipe is used.
Installation of an induction water heater
Wrap copper wire about 90 turns around the pipe.
There are many options for assembling the device. We suggest trying to assemble the device according to the following scheme:
- Prepare your work area, materials and tools.
- Fix a small piece of plastic pipe (remember that the minimum wall thickness should be 3 mm).
- Trim the ends of the core to leave 10 cm of the lead wire for the taps.
- Mount the corner on the lower outlet. In the future, the return from the heating should be connected here (if the heater is used as a boiler).
- Lay the chopped wire tightly around the pipe. It is necessary to make at least 90 turns.
- Install a tee on the upper branch pipe through which hot water will come out.
- Fit the protective circuit of the device. It can be made from both polymer and metal.
- Connect copper wire to the terminals of the water heater, then fill the core with water.
- Check the functionality of the inductor.
Recommendations. It is better to install ball valves on all outputs for convenience and ease of dismantling the water heater in case of breakdown. But it is not necessary to fill the pipe with metal pieces, since this does not give the desired effect. Do not forget to leave a window in the housing to access the control panel of the welding machine.
Induction water heaters for heating
Heating circuit, where an induction boiler serves as a heat carrier heater.
Such a device has proven itself not only as an instantaneous water heater, but also as a boiler for heating. True, in this case, the welding machine as a generator will no longer work, you will have to use a transformer with two windings... The latter transforms the eddy currents arising on the primary winding into an electromagnetic field, which is created on the secondary circuit.
In the heating system, the coolant can be not only water, but also oil or antifreeze. That is, any liquid capable of conducting electrical current.
A boiler from an induction water heater must be equipped with two connections for hot and cold water. Cold water will flow from the bottom one, it must be mounted on the inlet section of the line, and a branch pipe must be placed on top that will supply hot water to the heating system. As a result, water is circulated naturally by convection without a pump.
What you need to know about safety
Do not forget that we are dealing with a source of increased danger - an electric heating device, therefore, when assembling and using it, some rules must be observed:
Be sure to use a separate electrical line to connect the induction boiler, and also equip it with a safety group.
- If water circulates in the boiler naturally, then be sure to equip it with a temperature sensor so that the device turns off automatically when it overheats.
- Do not plug a home-made water heater into an outlet, it is better to lay a separate line for this with an increased cable cross-section.
- All open sections of wires must be insulated to protect people from electric shock or burns.
- Never turn on the inductor if the pipe is not filled with water... Otherwise, the pipe will melt, and the device will close or it may even catch fire.
- The device must be mounted at a height of 80 cm from the floor, but so that about 30 cm remains to the ceiling. Also, do not install it in a residential area, since the electromagnetic field has a bad effect on human health.
- Do not forget to ground the inductor.
- Be sure to connect the device through the machine so that in the event of an accident, the latter disconnects the power from the water heater.
- A safety valve must be installed in the pipeline system, which will automatically reduce the pressure in the system.
Conclusion
An induction water heater has a high efficiency, it can act as a boiler for a heating system, self-assembly and installation is also allowed, and its use is not regulated in any way by the law of the Russian Federation. But still, before using it, it is worth weighing the pros and cons. Despite its high efficiency, the device consumes a large amount of energy, is considered unsafe (especially homemade) and has a bad effect on human health. Therefore, we recommend installing the inductor in a private house or in the country.
There are two main methods for preparing hot water. First, the water heats up while moving along the heater and is supplied to the water intake. Such a heater is called a flow heater.
The second way - a large volume of water is heated in a heat-insulated container, then it is gradually consumed. Such a heater is called a storage heater. The energy source is usually gas, electricity, or hot water from the heating system.
Flow-through - high peak power
An instantaneous heater must be relatively powerful in order to provide the required flow of hot water in the tap. A shower head requires a power of at least 10 kW, for filling a bathroom - from 15 kW, for two hot water taps - from 20 kW.
Heating water with an electric flow heater is not cheap. In addition, you need a three-phase connection (over 6 kW) and a special permit for high power.
Optimally for providing several taps, install a compact electric instantaneous heater on each of them. At the same time, protection against their simultaneous operation is put in order not to overload the network.
A cheaper option is to heat water with gas. A gas water heater or a second heating boiler circuit is used. The capacity of such devices can be enough for two taps, and hot water is cheaper.
Disadvantages of flowing
With a flow-through circuit, the heater should be located as close to the tap as possible in order to drain less water until it gets hot. The recommended distance is no more than 5 meters. But in any case, there will be an overconsumption of water and energy. A similar disadvantage is typical for the storage heater.
Another drawback of the flow-through scheme of hot water supply (hot water supply) is the inability to pick up a little hot water. Each device has its own minimum power. Therefore, at low water consumption, it simply does not turn on.
As a result, water and energy was also overrun.
Pressure surges in the system cause discomfort as they change the outlet water temperature.
In retail outlets, in order to sell an unsuitable instantaneous electric heater, they simply indicate that it produces so many liters of water at such a temperature, for example, +50 degrees, which at first glance is acceptable. But it is not indicated at what temperature the water is heated. The key characteristic of such an apparatus is the difference in heating temperatures. After all, cold water is usually +6 - +10 degrees, and not +15 or +20.
Accumulative water heating system
The main advantage of an electric storage tank with a capacity of 1.5-2.0 kW is that it can be installed anywhere, in any house and apartment, where there is a 220 V power supply. Its volume is usually 25-150 liters (running volume 50-100 liters) ... The water in it heats up gradually to a predetermined temperature, and during the intake, a large flow is possible, the temperature decreases gradually.
It is cheaper to heat water with a gas storage heater with a low-power burner (up to 3 kW). The fact is that such a heater does not need a special chimney. But it can be installed only by agreement with Gorgaz, probably on a separate project. Provided with air from the room (with an exhaust system).
Disadvantages of savings
- Limited amount of water, which can be difficult. For example, if one portion of the tank volume is consumed for bathing, then it takes a long time to prepare the next volume.
- The heater must be installed next to the water intake, if the bathroom and the kitchen are separated, then a separate storage tank must be installed on each tap.
- There is an overconsumption of energy from the cooling of unused hot water in the heater.
- Excessive consumption of water when draining water from the tap, which has cooled down in the pipeline.
Indirect heating boiler - stable DHW system
The advantage of an indirect heating boiler is that the energy of the heating system is used for heating, which is abundant, and it is usually not expensive. Therefore, there can be a lot of hot water, its temperature is stable, water is cheaper.
The indirect heating boiler is a storage tank for 100 - 300 liters. Heating is carried out by a spiral pipeline through which a coolant heated to 80 - 90 degrees moves.
Heating systems are created in such a way that when the hot water supply cools down below the threshold value, for example +50 degrees, the boiler switches to heating the boiler. At the same time, it gives out an increased temperature and operates at full capacity, heating the hot water supply to the upper threshold value, for example, +60 degrees. Then it switches back to heating.
With a buffer tank - the largest supply of energy
In a buffer tank, the opposite is true - a large-volume container is used, about 1 ton or more is filled with a coolant, and the heated water moves in a spiral, i.e. direct flow heating occurs. But when additional taps are opened, its temperature changes insignificantly, since the structure has a large reserve for the amount of transmitted energy.
The hot water temperature will be the same as that of the heating medium in the heating system. Sometimes this is not suitable, therefore, a mixing unit is also included in the water supply circuit to reduce the temperature ...
The buffer tank is mainly supplied to heating systems with solid fuel boilers.
Other features of heating water heating
The boiler is often supplied with single-circuit gas or liquid boilers.
Another feature of the system is the ability to create a constant circulation of water through the circular water supply pipeline. Then, when you open the tap, we immediately get hot water. Cooling water is not considered a waste of energy, because it is used to heat the house.
There is also an opportunity to save money - an additional heating coil is placed in the boiler and connected to the solar collector. The energy of the sun is called free, the consumption of solar collectors in this case pays off. This makes it possible to heat the water in summer, if there is not enough energy, the boiler is connected.
Layer heating boiler
The main disadvantages of a conventional direct-flow heating system with a gas heater (second boiler circuit) or an electric one are solved by installing a layer-by-layer heating boiler. One or more for each crane. It is a thermally insulated container into which hot water is supplied from above. Its fence is carried out from the same level.
Such a boiler makes it possible to simultaneously receive a lot of hot water at a stable temperature. With it, you can pick up and "a little water", as well as provide the smallest descent cold. A conventional heating boiler can also be used as such an intermediate storage.
Error - incorrect connection of the DHW boiler
One of the common mistakes when creating a hot water supply system in a house is connecting an indirect heating boiler to the second circuit of a double-circuit boiler. This circuit itself is designed to prepare hot water, therefore, it has a maximum temperature limitation of +60 degrees so that thermal burns do not occur.
Now the most comfortable and economical solution for creating a hot water supply system is to install an indirect heating boiler, wherever possible. The rest of the DHW schemes can be considered forced decisions that are dictated by circumstances, for example, savings in creating ...