Access to hot water is essential. Many apartments, especially those in larger towns and cities, are hooked up to the so-called municipal network. In apartments where this is not possible, the most popular solution is to use instant or storage water heaters. How do such devices work and how do they differ from each other?
What is a water heater?
A water heater is a device that heats water on the fly (an instantaneous water heater) or stores heated water in a special tank (a storage heater, also called a boiler). What is worth knowing about these two devices?
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Capacity heater (boiler) - is an appliance that is equipped with a special tank for storing heated water until it is needed. Boilers are divided into pressurized and non-pressurized. The former are much larger, heating and supplying hot water to the entire house. They are usually installed, for example, in boiler rooms. The latter are smaller and usually supply hot water to only one room, such as a bathroom.
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Instantaneous water heater - is a device that heats the water that flows through it at any given time on an ongoing basis. We have a choice of electric and gas instantaneous water heaters. Such devices take up less space and, depending on the type, can heat water for one or more rooms.
What to follow when choosing a flow-through water heater for your home?
When choosing a flow-through water heater for your home, it is worth paying attention to several factors that can have a significant impact on its subsequent performance. What to pay attention to when looking for the device for yourself?
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Pressure - most instantaneous water heaters have a specific pressure range they can handle. It is worth checking this to avoid costly malfunctions later.
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Method of regulation - water heater manufacturers offer two methods of regulation: hydraulic (the stronger the water flow, the lower the temperature) or electronic (allowing precise temperature setting).
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Power - the higher the power of the heater, the faster the water will be heated. The most popular heaters are those with power between 3 and 4.5 kW.
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Type of power - you can opt for an electric or gas water heater. The former takes up less space and is cheaper to install, but the latter is definitely cheaper to operate.
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Flow water heater - single-phase or three-phase?
A single-phase water heater will heat water for one tap. Such a solution is used where you need quick heating of water for a single source, such as a sink or shower. Three-phase water heaters have higher power and can serve several points of consumption (such as a sink in the kitchen and a sink and shower in the bathroom). However, it is worth remembering that the individual points should not be very far from each other - when the water flows through the pipes for too long, its temperature may drop.
Is the instantaneous water heater safe?
Both gas and electric instantaneous water heaters are safe if they are installed correctly and according to the manufacturer's instructions. That's why it's worth taking care not only to choose the correct device, but also to ensure professional and expert installation.
A flow-through water heater will safely and quickly provide hot water to one or more places in your home
Photo: Imani © Unsplash
How to choose a capacitive water heater?
Decided that in your case a boiler, or a storage water heater, would be a better choice? Before you choose a device for yourself, check its parameters precisely.
What is worth paying attention to?
- Capacity - the capacity of the boiler should depend on your needs and those of your family. Capacity heaters from 15 to 30 liters will work well if you need a device that will provide water to one or two points, such as sinks. If you're looking for a boiler that will provide hot water for, let's say, a family of three, you'll need about 30-40 liters of water for each person. This means that for three people a device with a capacity of about 100-120 l will be the best.
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Installation type - small heaters up to 30 l can be under-sink or over-sink. Larger units are divided into vertical, horizontal and universal.
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Shape - most boilers can be divided into oval or flat. Choose one that better fits your room.
What is more worthwhile - a boiler or an instantaneous water heater?
It is difficult to clearly indicate which solution is the most cost-effective. It is assumed that if the demand for water is large, that is, for example, you live in a house with a family of several people, a boiler with a sufficiently large tank will be a better solution. However, if you have only few points that need to be supplied with hot water, an instantaneous water heater may be more cost-effective.
Whichever type of water heater you decide on, choose a device from a proven and experienced manufacturer. A thoughtful choice can guarantee you trouble-free use of your water heater for many years.
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