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 powerful electrical wiring, gas or a chimney. All you need is to get acquainted with the principles of operation of various systems, select the appropriate scheme, and installation, if desired, can be done independently.
Where does the hot water supply of a private house begin?
Before proceeding with the installation of hot water supply of a private house, it is necessary to determine some 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, bath, shower, washbasin, jacuzzi, bidet, etc.
After you have decided where you will place the plumbing, you need to allocate a place in a private house for the installation of water heating equipment. To do 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. Polypropylene pipes are the most popular. You will need a certain number of fittings, couplings and other items 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 quickly help solve the problem of providing hot water 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 sources of water, and the water in them, as a rule, has a composition that is far from ideal. Therefore, such water cannot be used not only for cooking, but also in hot water systems. This is due to the fact that it contains salts of calcium, magnesium and other elements, due to which the water becomes more rigid.
What should be considered when organizing hot water supply of 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 circuit, obtain permission, and also install ventilation or a chimney, if necessary.
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. Fittings, silicone, tow, spare fasteners for pipes and batteries should be purchased. You also need a set of tools, consisting of a special soldering iron, scissors, a puncher, a screwdriver, a level and a hammer, several types of keys, pliers, metal scissors, etc.
The suspended boiler must be positioned at least 50 cm from the ceiling. For him and radiators use reliable fasteners. When you equip the boiler room, it is recommended to line the walls and floor with refractory tiles and do not forget to provide free access to the water heater for its periodic maintenance.
It is also necessary to install a chimney and ventilation system. You will also need a circulation pump, it is quite compact, able to provide 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 distortions must be avoided. Radiators are installed at the very last moment.
Make sure they are on the same level. The distance to the floor should be from 10 to 15 cm, from the wall - from 2 to 5 cm. By installing shutoff valves and temperature sensors, you can control the water temperature and shut it off if necessary.
If you do not have the necessary installation skills, it is better to turn to professionals. It is important to do the right calculations. The first thing you will need to do for the correct installation of the hot water supply of a private house with your own hands is a diagram.
Hot water supply of a private house: scheme with instantaneous water heater
The instantaneous water heater can be represented by:
geyser of hot water supply of a private house;
heating circuit for hot water supply of a private house from a double-circuit boiler;
electric instantaneous water heater;
plastic heat exchanger connected to the heating circuit.
A flowing 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 passes from the heater to the water instantly. In order to obtain water of the required temperature in a short period of time, the design of the flow heater provides for limiting the flow rate of water. The temperature is controlled by the amount of hot water flowing from the tap.
In order to supply enough hot water to one horn in the shower, the instantaneous water heater must have at least 10 kW. In order to fill the bathtub with hot water in 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 power of 28 kW or more.
In order to provide hot water supply to a private economy class house, a boiler of lower power is needed. Thus, the power of a double-circuit boiler is chosen based on the need for hot water consumption.
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 water in the pipes is determined by the amount of fluid flow. As a result, when you open another faucet, the temperature of the water and the pressure in the hot water supply system change dramatically. Therefore, it is extremely inconvenient to use water in two places at the same time.
With a small flow of hot water, the instantaneous water heater does not function at all, and in order to obtain water of the desired temperature, it is necessary to increase the flow of water.
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 first open the tap, will simply have to be drained into the sewer. This is the water that was already heated, but it had time to cool down.
Scale builds up quite quickly inside the heating chamber of a flow-through water heater. If the water composition 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 sewerage volumes, an increase in electricity consumption for heating water, 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 has 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 where the liquid is parsed.
In such a situation, it is advisable to install electric instantaneous water heaters. However, this method will be quite energy-intensive (power up to 30 kW will be required). As a rule, the power grid of a private house is not designed for such loads, besides, the cost of electricity is quite high.
How to choose a flow heater for hot water supply of a private house
The main parameter that is 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 intake:
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 / s).
For example, one instantaneous water heater is equipped with three points of analysis, represented by a sink in the kitchen, a washbasin and a bathroom (shower). If your goal is to choose a bath heater, then you will need a device 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.
In parallel, it will be possible to use hot water in both the shower and 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 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 may indicate the level of maximum performance of the device, but they do not write what temperature difference it is intended for. For example, you can purchase a geyser with a capacity of 10 liters per minute and it will heat up to a maximum of +35 ° C. Using the hot water supply of 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. The power of the gas appliance in this case 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 water movement in the pipe does not reach this value, the water heater will not start working. Therefore, it is often necessary to spend much more water than necessary. It would be advisable to choose 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, is from 5.5 to 6.5 kW. Provided that the maximum capacity of the device is between 3.1 and 3.7 liters/minute, the water is heated by dT equal to +25 °C. One device is designed to serve one point of water analysis 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 called a boiler) is a rather voluminous heat-insulated metal tank.
As a rule, the lower part of the tank of the 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 an indirect heating boiler is consumed from the top of the tank. At the same time, the lower part is instantly filled with cold water from the water supply, heated by means of a heat exchanger and flows upward.
In European countries, all hot water 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 heating 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 work with a layered heating boiler
Now the hot water supply system of a private house, equipped with a layer-by-layer heating boiler, is very popular. The water in such a device is heated using a flow 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 is the case if you use an indirect heating boiler.
Due to the fact that the top 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.
There are double-circuit boilers equipped with a built-in heater, or remote layer-by-layer heating. Thus, this equipment of the DHW system of a private house is less expensive and compact in size, unlike indirect heating boilers.
The water in the device is heated in advance, even if you do not consume 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
A storage boiler, the water in which is heated by a gas burner, is not so popular among domestic hot water systems. The use of two gas appliances - a gas boiler and a gas boiler at the same time is quite expensive.
Gas boilers are convenient to use in apartments with central heating, they are also often used in private houses with a solid fuel boiler, where hot water 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 characterized by a small power of gas burners.
A gas boiler, the volume of which does not exceed 100 liters, is mounted on the wall, and larger heaters are installed on the floor.
Water heaters use various methods of igniting gas - for this purpose they use a standby wick, electronic battery-powered or hydrodynamic ignition.
In the device, equipped with a standby wick, a small light burns, which is first lit manually.
Electronic ignition is connected to the mains or runs on batteries or accumulators.
The hydrodynamic ignition is activated by the rotation of the impeller, 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 what size boiler for a private house to choose:
the volume of the boiler, which will provide minimal comfort, is calculated based on the consumption of 20 to 30 liters of hot water per person;
greater comfort can be provided by the hot water supply device of a private house, the volume of which is from 30 to 60 liters per user;
for a high level of comfort, a heater is chosen, the volume of which is from 60 to 100 liters for each person living in a private house;
in order to fill the bath, you need about 100 liters of hot water.
When choosing a boiler, pay special attention to how powerful the heating element is. For example, to heat one hundred liters of water to +55 °C for a quarter of an hour, the boiler must be equipped with a heater (gas burner, etc.), whose power is 20 kW.
What are the advantages of hot water supply of a private house with water circulation in the system
Due to the use of a storage water heater in the domestic hot water system of a private house, hot water is circulated in the pipes. Each draw-off point is connected to an annular pipeline through which hot water is circulated.
The pipe section from each draw-off point to the ring pipeline should not be longer than two meters.
The circulation of water in the hot water supply system of a private house is ensured by the operation of a circulation pump with low power (up to several tens of watts).
In DHW systems of a private house equipped with a storage heater, the warm water supply mode is characterized by the following characteristics:
hot water is always available at the tapping points;
you can turn on the water at once at several points, while the temperature regime and the level of water pressure do not change significantly;
the ability to collect any amount of heated water, even the smallest.
In a DHW system of a private house with water circulation, energy is regularly consumed to ensure the operation of the pump and to compensate for heat losses in the boiler and pipes. In order to reduce the level of energy consumption, an automatic program is used that turns off the circulation of water during the period of time when it is not in demand. Insulation of the boiler and plumbing will also help reduce energy costs.
How to organize hot water supply of 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.
Used hot water goes into the sewer, taking with it a large share of the energy spent on its heating.
In order to reduce energy losses in a private house, an energy recovery scheme from sewerage should be used.
Cold water, before being in the heater, flows through the heat exchanger, into which, in turn, drains from plumbing equipment.
In the heat exchanger, two streams are distinguished - cold tap water and hot waste 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 of a private house with your own hands
To provide hot water in a private house, it is necessary to install a hot water supply system equipped with an indirect or layered 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 live in the country for only one season, the best option is a private house hot water system with a flow boiler.
This system is suitable for use in private homes where the heating source and tapping points 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 functioning of the system is contained in the instrument case. The arrangement of the hot water supply system of a private house from a boiler, the power of which is not 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 water supply mode if a buffer tank in the form of a conventional storage electric water heater is installed in the circuit between the heater and the water intake points. This device is recommended to be installed near the points of analysis, remote from the gas apparatus.
In the buffer tank scheme, hot water first enters the electric heater tank. Due to this, 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 temperature of hot water during the period of time when water is not being used. Thus, an electric water heater of a small volume (30 liters) is quite enough for you to comfortably use the hot water system of a private house.
The DHW system of a private house with a flow-through water heater, equipped with a built-in boiler or a remote layered heating boiler, will cost consumers an order of magnitude more expensive. But this equipment has undoubted advantages, in particular, it does not require energy consumption to maintain heat, moreover, it is as comfortable to use this device as an indirect heating boiler.
In a private house with an extensive hot water supply network, it is advisable to use a scheme 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 noted that this option requires a lot of installation costs.
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 in a private house, a storage electric water heater is installed next to the tapping points. The hot water circulation system is not provided in this case. It is best to place a separate storage boiler near remote draw-off points. And then the electricity for heating water will be spent more economically.
When water is heated to a temperature exceeding +54 ° C, water begins to release hardness salts. To avoid the formation of scale, it is recommended to heat the water to a temperature lower than indicated.
Flow-through water heaters are especially prone to scale formation. If the water has a high salt content (more than 140 mg CaCO3 per 1 liter), then instantaneous water heaters should not be used. Even slight deposits of scale can clog the channels in the instantaneous heater, as a result of which the flow of water may stop.
The water supply in the instantaneous water heater is carried out by means of an anti-scale filter, which reduces the level of water hardness. The filter is equipped with a replaceable cartridge, which is subject to periodic replacement.
To heat water with a high level of hardness in a private house, it is best to choose a hot water storage system with an indirect heating storage. Scale deposits on the heating element of the boiler will not interfere with the flow of water, but will reduce the performance of the boiler.
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. It is necessary to regularly carry out thermal disinfection of the hot water supply system of a private house and increase the temperature regime of water heating to +70 ° C for a certain time.
The creation of any engineering system, whether it is hot water supply of a private house or a heating system, cannot do without pipes, fittings and other consumables. An important aspect when choosing these plumbing 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 SantekhStandard, you get the following advantages:
quality products at reasonable prices;
constant availability of products in stock in any quantities;
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free delivery in St. Petersburg, Moscow, Novosibirsk, Samara, including to transport companies;
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The specialists of our company "SantekhStandart" are ready to help both individuals and companies choose plumbing equipment. All you need to do is call:
An electric storage water heater, or, simply, a boiler, has long and firmly entered our lives, providing additional comfort and allowing you not to depend on public hot water supply systems. This simple device automatically maintains the required water temperature, while having a certain supply of it. Industrially produced devices 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 principle of operation. However, when making a choice between one or another boiler model, one should not only understand how it works, but also understand the performance features of some of its components.
In fact, any water heater of this type is a large thermos with a tubular electric heater (TEN) inside, so the design of all boilers has the following elements:
- external housing with parts that allow you to mount the device on a wall or floor;
- internal tank;
- 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, it is impossible not to notice a big difference in price even between different models of the same manufacturer. It is due, first of all, to the technology and material of manufacture of the inner tank, as well as the presence of an electronic control and indication unit.
These parameters set 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 designs. Often, a thermometer is attached to the outside of the casing to monitor the operation of the device, as well as regulators or controls. The material for the manufacture of housings is steel sheet or plastic.
To install the boiler, there are fasteners in the housing design, 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 acts as 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 for 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 the formation of scale.
Paradoxically, the main disadvantage of such a coating stems from its advantage - the high hardness of the layer is of low plasticity 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 thermal expansion coefficients of glassware and steel, slightly improving the crack resistance of the layer. You can slightly reduce the harmful effects of temperature exposure by setting the temperature of the water in the boiler to no higher than 70 ° C, although you still have to warm up the device at least once a month as much as possible to comply with sanitary rules. Another disadvantage of the glass-porcelain coating of the tank is the increased weight of the boiler. Companies that produce water heaters with tanks of this type give a guarantee on their products for no more than 3 years.
Titanium coated steel tanks
By spraying titanium powder on the inside of the tank, excellent corrosion resistance is achieved. At the same time, this type of coating has high strength and mechanical resistance, having weak points only at welding joints. The warranty for a device with such a tank is up to 10 years, which is a huge advantage, even considering its rather high cost.
Stainless inner tanks
Such containers are devoid of the disadvantages of the two previous elements. Stainless steel, like titanium, is able to withstand the influence of impurities in the water, as well as corrosion. It is believed that stainless steel gives water a peculiar smell and taste that appears during its heating, but this is only 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 of warranty for such tanks, but they are the most expensive. Tanks made of stainless steel, as well as titanium-coated tanks are more prone to scale formation than glass-porcelain tanks, but this does not detract from their merits. In the inner tank there are pipes for cold water supply and hot water outlet, as well as an electronic heating and protection unit.
Heating and protection unit
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.
To heat water, heating elements of various capacities are used. Depending on the principle of heating, there are:
- "Wet" heating elements that are in direct contact with water, therefore, inevitably become covered with scale, which must be removed periodically, otherwise the heating element will fail due to overheating;
- dry heaters. They are deprived of this disadvantage, since they are installed in a metal tube, which makes contact with the liquid. Such a 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 models of boilers are equipped with several heaters. This design allows stepwise adjustment of heating, and also reduces the number of switching cycles for each of them (voltage surges during switching on devices affect their durability).
Together with the 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 temperature set by the consumer. Thermoregulators are used both of a mechanical type and electronic devices that work in conjunction with an electronic control unit. Often, the thermostat device includes a protective 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 back its particles. Such a scheme reduces the effect of electron washout from structural elements and they corrode to a much lesser extent. The magnesium rod itself is destroyed quite quickly and requires periodic replacement (when thinned to 10 mm or reduced in length to 200 mm). The control and indication circuit provides additional convenience when using the water heater, having the functions of finely adjusting the water temperature, turning on the heating by time, maintaining a different degree of heating depending on the time of day.
The principle of operation of storage water heaters
The scheme of operation of boilers is based on the principle of separation of layers of water with different temperatures. As you know, the warm layers of the liquid are at the top. Their selection from the water heater is carried out through a hot water outlet pipe, the length of which allows the use of its upper, warmest layer. Cold water, on the contrary, 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 does not allow the liquid to flow in a jet and thereby contribute to the mixing of warm and cold water.
The peculiarity of the warm liquid to rise up will not allow the use of a vertical boiler, placing it parallel to the ground. You should pay close attention to this when choosing the type of device for your needs.
Heating of cold water is carried out by heating elements (one or more). The thermostat monitors its temperature. When the set temperature is reached, it opens the electric circuit of the heater power supply.
Good thermal insulation allows you to maintain the desired temperature of the water, 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 turned on at high consumption, repeatedly increasing the heating power. This scheme increases the efficiency and reliability of the device.
The warm water taken from above is constantly replaced by a 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 at the outlet of the boiler drops over time, so it is necessary to choose the volume of the storage tank based on the size of the hot water intake.
It is possible for the thermostat to fail, in which case the water may 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 pressure limit 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 carrying out of periodic preventive measures, which consist in 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 pools - it is convenient, prestigious and relatively affordable. At the stage of planning the purchase and design of the pool, it is necessary to solve 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 water in the pool to the optimum temperature. Among themselves, they differ in the principle of operation, efficiency of use, economy of work and cost.
Pool water heating systems
Heating of water is necessary both for the pools located indoors, and for open pools. Of course, in the summer, the water in the pool will warm up quite well from direct sunlight, but with the approach of autumn, when the nights become cold and the days are getting shorter, there is a need for additional heat sources.
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 the elderly - at least 26 degrees.
It is possible to maintain the optimal temperature of the water in the pool with the help of special heating devices, the choice of which determines the heating system.
Pool water heating systems can be divided into two types:
- heating due to electric heater;
- heating by heat exchange.
The heating system based on heat exchange includes:
- heat exchangers operating on the basis of solar energy;
- 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: the principle of operation, advantages and disadvantages
instantaneous electric heater - the best option for a small 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 fluctuation.
The principle of operation of the heater: water circulates through the housing in which the heating elements are located. The body of the heater 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.
To accommodate thermal equipment, a separate large room is not required, since the heater has compact dimensions - a small covered booth is enough.
When buying a flowing water heater for the pool, you should pay attention to the following parameters.
- Device power (3-18 kW). Some models are designed for connection through a three-phase network. For indoor indoor pools, the heater power is calculated based on 0.3-0.5 kW per 1 sq.m. pools, for open - 0.5-1 kW.
- Maximum heating temperature. For most instantaneous electric heaters for pools, this figure is 30-40 degrees.
- Flow volume and working pressure.
- The presence of protective and control devices (overheating protection sensor, thermostat and flow sensor), which will protect the device from damage.
- Materials for the manufacture of an electric heater. Heaters made of stainless steel are considered more durable.
It should be borne in mind that with significant heat losses (open-type pools or pools located in unheated rooms), electricity consumption increases significantly
The power of flow heaters is not enough for large pools with a volume of more than 35 cubic meters, especially if such a pool is located on the street. In addition, such a unit cannot be used in a house with limited energy consumption or “weak” wiring.
Small heaters (power 3 kW) are often used to heat water in Intex pools and other inflatable and frame pools.
At the same time, it is important to remember that it is strictly forbidden to be in the pool during the operation of the heater!
Advantages of flow heaters:
- water heating occurs quickly enough;
- The thermostat can be used to control the temperature of the water;
- in the absence of water, a flow sensor is activated that turns off the water heating;
- compact dimensions of the equipment;
- control system - automated.
Disadvantages of an electric heater:
- significant cash costs for heating water (high electricity consumption);
- low power;
- Not all homes have the ability 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 outdoor and indoor pools.
Many people think that for an outdoor pool, the heat from direct sunlight is enough. 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 water in the pool becomes more adjustable.
The solar water heating system consists of three main elements:
- solar collector (tubes interconnected 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 the automatic diverter valve to direct the flow of water from the pool through the collector heat exchanger. Inside the heat exchanger, water will be heated due to the heat carrier circulating in a closed solar system (collector tubes).
When the set heating temperature is reached, the water flows back into the pool. If the solar collector has cooled down (cloudy weather), then water does not circulate through it.
The solar collector is usually placed on the roof or in a well-lit area.
The following types of solar collectors can be used to heat the water in the pool:
- highly selective flat and flat collectors;
- vacuum tube collectors.
Their choice will depend on the climatic conditions of the region, the installation site and the volume of heated water.
When calculating the dimensions of a solar system (collector area), a number of factors must be taken into account:
- pool parameters;
- pool type (indoor, outdoor);
- pool attendance;
- is the pool covered 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 surface area of the water, for an indoor pool - about 60% of this area
The advantages of solar systems include:
- versatility of use - can be used for heating water in the pool and for supplying a private house with hot water;
- ease of management;
- fast water heating;
- system maintenance costs are virtually non-existent.
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.
Outwardly, the heat exchanger resembles a large flask, and inside the device there is a coil through which hot water (coolant) passes. The water from the pool is around the coil, washes it, and heats up.
From the common 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 regulated by automation.
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 be reached only after 28 hours. Such a long and gradual heating is needed to avoid instrumental collapse associated with liquid expansion. Further operation of the device is to maintain the set temperature.
A heat exchanger is placed after the pumping and filtering station, but before the disinfection system, in order to avoid unnecessary contact of the equipment with chlorine contained in the water. In pools with sea or highly chlorinated water, it is better to install titanium heat exchangers.
Advantages of heat exchangers:
- saving money on water heating;
- 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 source of heat 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 multi-stage heat transfer from various heat carriers using condensate, gas compression, etc.
The initial source of heat (of the first stage of heating) can be domestic (industrial) effluents, heat released during flue gas cleaning, heat from groundwater, thermal waters. Any source that is at least slightly above the temperature of 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 soil temperature, the working fluid at the outlet warms up by a couple of degrees, and is sent to the heat exchanger, where it transfers the resulting 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 up to 25 atmospheres. When compressed, there is a sharp rise in temperature to 50-55 degrees. The resulting energy is spent on heating the house or water for the pool.
A significant proportion of energy is wasted on the functioning of the cyclic operation of the system (the refrigerant and the working fluid, having passed through the cooling system, meet and the cycle repeats).
The power of heat pumps is enough to provide full heating not only for the pool, but also for the country cottage as a whole.
Advantages of using heat pumps:
- fast and sufficient heating of water, premises;
- high power;
- use of alternative free heat sources.
To date, heat pumps have not found wide application due to their high cost.
Fuel water heater - the use of gas and liquid fuels to heat water
Fuel heater - equipment that runs on liquid fuel or propane (gas heaters). They are quite efficient and economical, provided that they are used not only to heat the pool water, but to heat the house.
Before using the fuel heater, you will have to solve a number of questions:
- obtaining permission to install equipment;
- registration and proper paperwork;
- installation of a fire-fighting system;
- construction of a chimney;
- control of fuel reserves.
To maintain the optimum water temperature 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 (house 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 of water in the pool
The efficiency of any heating installation will increase significantly if timely care is taken to reduce heat losses:
The type, power 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 modern and most economical device for heating water is an induction water heater. Unlike analogues, it is completely environmentally friendly, does not dry 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 space heating. 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 be much cheaper.
Pros and cons of induction devices for heating water
The device has a fairly simple design and does not require special documents allowing the 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 from 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 created by the coil.
- much cheaper than their counterparts, such a device can be easily assembled independently;
- completely silent (although the coil vibrates during operation, this vibration is not noticeable to a person);
- vibrates during operation, due to which dirt and scale do not stick to its walls, and therefore does not need to be cleaned;
- has a heat generator that can be easily sealed due to the principle of operation: the coolant is inside the heating element and the energy is transferred to the heater through an electromagnetic field, no contacts are needed; therefore, sealing gum, seals and other elements that can quickly deteriorate or leak will not be 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 a heating element;
Do not forget that the 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, the induction water heater 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 have to pay a decent amount of time for its use;
- secondly, the device gets very hot and heats up not only itself, but also the surrounding space, so it is better not to touch the body of the heat generator 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.
Do-it-yourself induction water heater: diagram
The device is a transformer having 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. Such material is well suited for heating water in boilers.
In addition to the transformer, the device has a generator and a pump (optional).
Scheme of a simple induction water heater. As you can see, the device has a fairly simple design and a small number of elements.
Units and parts of the heat generator
The device includes:
- an alternator that increases the frequency of the current;
- an inductor that transforms electricity into magnetic energy is a coil of copper wire;
- heating element, most often its role is played by a metal pipe.
Thanks to this design, energy transfer is carried out almost without loss. The efficiency reaches 98%.
Principle of operation
The 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 a standard frequency of 50 Hz.
In factory models, the current frequency reaches 1 kHz.
Do-it-yourself flowing induction water heater
Before proceeding with the installation, you need to stock up on the necessary parts. So, the best option would be a welding high-frequency inverter, a smoothly changing current range. Such a device will cost the least. 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 a metal and a polymer pipe along with a wire (it is used as a heating element). In the latter case, the thickness of the walls should not be less than 3 mm in order to calmly 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 the pipe with copper wire, making about 90 turns.
There are many options for assembling the device. We suggest trying to assemble the device according to the following scheme:
- Prepare the workplace, materials and tools.
- Fix a small piece of polymer pipe (remember that the minimum wall thickness should be 3 mm).
- Trim the ends of the core to leave 10 cm of spare wire for the taps.
- Mount a 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 top pipe through which hot water will exit.
- Mount the protective circuit of the device. It can be made from both polymer and metal.
- Connect copper wire to the water heater terminals, then fill the core with water.
- Check the functionality of the inductor.
Recommendations. It is better to install ball valves on all outlets for convenience and ease of dismantling the water heater in the event of a 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 for access to the control panel of the welding machine.
Induction water heaters for heating
Heating circuit, where an induction boiler serves as a coolant 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 is no longer suitable, you have to use a transformer with two windings. The latter transforms the eddy currents that occur on the primary winding into an electromagnetic field that 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 that can conduct electricity.
The boiler from the induction water heater must be equipped with two pipes for hot and cold water. Cold water will flow from the bottom, it must be mounted on the inlet section of the line, and a branch pipe must be placed on top, which will supply hot water to the heating system. As a result, the circulation of water is carried out naturally under the influence of convection without a pump.
What you need to know about security
Do not forget that we are dealing with a source of increased danger - an electric heater, so when assembling and using it, you must follow some rules:
Be sure to use a separate electrical line to connect the induction boiler, and also equip it with a safety group.
- If water circulates naturally in the boiler, then be sure to equip it with a temperature sensor so that the device turns off automatically when overheated.
- Do not plug a homemade water heater into a power outlet; it is better to run a separate line for this with an increased cable cross section.
- All exposed 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, you should not install it in a residential area, since the electromagnetic field has a bad effect on people's health.
- Don't forget to ground the inductor.
- Be sure to connect the device through the machine so that in the event of an accident, the latter will turn off 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
The induction water heater has a high efficiency, can act as a boiler for the heating system, self-assembly and installation is also allowed, and its use is in no way regulated 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 home-made) and has a bad effect on human health. Therefore, we recommend mounting the inductor in a private house or in the country.
There are two main ways to prepare hot water. First, the water is heated while moving through 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 storage. The energy source is usually gas, electricity or heated coolant from the heating system.
Flowing - high peak power
The flow heater must be relatively powerful in order to provide the required flow of hot water in the faucet. For a shower head, a power of at least 10 kW is required, for filling a bathroom - from 15 kW, for two hot water taps - from 20 kW.
Heating water with an electric instantaneous heater is not cheap. In addition, you need a three-phase connection (over 6 kW) and a special permit for high power.
Optimally, to provide several taps, install a compact electric flow heater on each of them. At the same time, protection is put against their simultaneous operation so as not to overload the network.
A cheaper option is to heat water with gas. A geyser, or a second circuit of a heating boiler, is used. The power of such devices can be enough for two taps, and hot water is cheaper.
Disadvantages of flow
With a flow circuit, the heater should be located as close as possible to the faucet in order to drain less water until it is hot. The recommended distance is no more than 5 meters. But in any case, there will be an overrun of water and energy. A similar drawback is typical for the storage heater.
Another drawback of the DHW (hot water supply) flow circuit is the inability to take some 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 are also wasted.
Pressure surges in the system bring discomfort, as they change the outlet water temperature.
In retail outlets, in order to sell an unsuitable flow-through electric heater, they simply indicate that it gives out so many liters of water at such a temperature, for example, +50 degrees, which is acceptable at first glance. But it does not indicate at what temperature the water is heated. The key characteristic of such an apparatus is the difference in temperature heating. 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 power of 1.5-2.0 kW is that it can be installed everywhere, 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 is heated gradually to a predetermined temperature, and during the intake a large flow rate 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 in agreement with Gorgaz, probably on a separate project. It is provided with air from the room (with an exhaust system).
Disadvantages of cumulative
- Limited water volume, which can create difficulties. For example, if one serving in the volume of the tank is used 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 kitchen are separated, then a separate storage tank must be installed for each tap.
- There is an overexpenditure of energy from the cooling of unused hot water in the heater.
- Excessive consumption of water when draining water from a tap that has cooled in the pipeline.
Indirect heating boiler - stable DHW system
The advantage of an indirect heating boiler is that the energy from the heating system is used for heating, which is plentiful and usually not expensive. Therefore, there can be a lot of hot water, its temperature is stable, and water is cheaper.
The indirect heating boiler is a storage capacity of 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 below a threshold value, for example +50 degrees, the boiler switches to heating the boiler. At the same time, it gives out an increased temperature; it works at full capacity, heating the DHW to the upper threshold value, for example, +60 degrees. Then it switches back to heating.
With buffer capacity - the highest energy reserve
In the buffer tank, the opposite is true - a large volume tank is used, about 1 ton or more is filled with a coolant, and the heated water moves in a spiral, i.e. direct heating takes place. But when additional taps are opened, its temperature changes slightly, since the design has a large reserve in terms of the amount of energy transmitted.
The temperature of hot water will be the same as that of the heat carrier of the heating system. Sometimes this is not suitable, so a mixing unit is also included in the water supply circuit to reduce the temperature ...
The buffer tank is mainly supplied with heating systems with solid fuel boilers.
Other features of water heating by heating
The boiler is often supplied with single-circuit gas or liquid boilers.
Another feature of the system is the possibility of creating a constant circulation of water through the annular water supply pipeline. Then, when you open the tap, you immediately get hot water. The cooling of water is not considered a loss of energy, because it is spent on heating the house.
There is still an opportunity to save money - an additional heating coil is placed in the boiler and connected to the solar collector. Solar energy is called free, the cost of solar collectors in this case pays off. This makes it possible to heat water in the summer, if there is not enough energy, the boiler is connected.
Layer heating boiler
The main disadvantages of a conventional once-through heating system with a gas heater (secondary boiler circuit) or an electric heater are solved by installing a layered heating boiler. One or more per faucet. It is a heat-insulated container into which hot water is supplied from above. From the same level, its fence is carried out.
Such a boiler makes it possible to simultaneously receive a lot of hot water of a stable temperature. With it, you can pick up "a little water", as well as ensure the smallest descent of the 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 limit of +60 degrees, so that thermal burns do not occur.
Now the most comfortable and economical solution for creating a hot water system is to install an indirect heating boiler, where possible. The remaining DHW schemes can be considered forced decisions that are dictated by circumstances, for example, savings in creating ...