Installation
The regular way to install a water heater.
The choice for this parameter depends primarily on how much free space is available for installing the device and what shape this space has. Therefore, when there is a lot of space (for example, the user has an entire wall in the boiler room of a private house at his disposal), this parameter can be ignored. But in cramped conditions, each installation method will have its nuances.
—
Vertical. Vertical arrangement devices, elongated in height. This option is well suited for narrow cramped spaces — for example, a bathroom in a small city apartment.
—
Horizontal. The horizontal layout is less suitable for tight spaces than the vertical one but in some conditions, it may be optimal — for example, if the place under the device looks like a low horizontal niche. Also, note that many instant water heaters are produced in this design (see "Type") — they do not take up much space, and horizontal orientation is considered optimal for such devices for several reasons.
—
Floor. Floorstanding models (as opposed to all of the wall mount options described above). The main advantage of such an installation is simplicity: there is no need to drill walls and prepare other special fasteners; it is enough to have free space on the floor. In addition, weight restrictions are not so critical for floor water h
...eaters, and this method can be used even for the most powerful, capacious and, accordingly, large models. On the other hand, free space on the floor is not always available, and this installation method is not suitable for cramped conditions.
— Universal (wall mounted). Devices that can be placed in any position — both horizontal and vertical (see above for details). The advantage of this option is obvious: the user can choose the installation method of his choice, depending on the situation.Tank volume
The volume of the tank installed in the storage water heater (see "Type"). It is one of the key parameters for such devices. On the one hand, a large tank allows you to keep a large supply of water and reduces the risk that it will run out at the most inopportune moment; this is especially important when water consumption is high, such as in a large family. On the other hand, a volumetric tank correspondingly increases the size, weight and cost of the entire device, requires reliable fastenings (when installed on a wall), and more energy is spent on heating and maintaining the temperature of the water in it. Accordingly, when choosing, it is worth not chasing the maximum volume but proceeding from the actual water consumption and this point of view determining the optimal capacity of the tank.
Some special tables and formulas allow you to calculate the optimal volume of the tank depending on the format of use (washbasin, shower, kitchen sink ...), the temperature of the water used and other parameters. These data can be found in special sources. Here we note that the smallest storage water heaters can hold only 5 litres; such devices are designed for washing, washing dishes for 1 – 2 people and other tasks that do not require a lot of water. The average value is considered to be a volume of 80 – 100 litres, such a tank is quite enough for an apartment in which 3 – 4 people live. In the largest models, the volume is already calculated in cubic metres; such water he...aters are designed, for example, for hotel buildings, showers in sports complexes and swimming pools, and other similar places where a lot of hot water is required.
Heating time
Time to heat the storage tank (see "Type"), filled with cold water, to operating temperature.
It is worth remembering that this characteristic is not 100% accurate. Manufacturers usually indicate the heating time for certain conditions: a filled tank, maximum heating intensity, and temperature rise (∆T) by a certain number of degrees. In practice, the heating time may differ, both one way and the other. For example, if the heating time for the device is 20 minutes at ∆T = 50 °C, then when the water is heated from 15 °C to 60 °C, the time will be shorter (∆T = 45 °C). Nevertheless, this indicator allows us to evaluate the overall flow rate of the boiler, and with equal ∆T and volumes, different models can be compared in terms of heating time.
Safety systems
The safety of water heaters can be carried out by such functions as
overheat protection frost protection,
dry heating protection,
surge protection,
electrical protection (RCD),
anti-legionella,
gas control and
draft sensor. More about them:
— Overheat protection. Water heater safety system that automatically turns off the power supply or gas supply (depending on the type) when the heating element reaches a critical temperature. It avoids overheating and the troubles associated with it, ranging from heater failure to fire.
— Frost protection. Function to prevent freezing of water in the circuits, tank and/or heat exchanger of the water heater. It will be useful when the device is installed in a room with a low temperature and works with long breaks. Frozen water expands, which can damage the device; to avoid this, the frost protection monitors the temperature of the water in the device and turns on the heating when this temperature drops to a critical level.
— Dry heating protection. A safety system that prevents the heater from being switched on without the presence of water in it. Since the heating element does not transfer heat to the water when turned on, it heats up very q
...uickly and, in a short time, reaches a high temperature that can lead to damage to the heater and even to a fire. The presence of protection against switching on without water allows you to avoid such unpleasant consequences.
— Voltage surge protection. System for protecting the heater from power surges. Electronically controlled models are usually equipped with such protection (see Control) since it is the control electronics that are most sensitive to problems with the power supply. Note that the capabilities of such systems are noticeably more modest than those of specialized stabilizers or protective systems: the “hardware” of a water heater can smooth out relatively weak power surges, but in case of serious failures, it will most likely simply turn off the device to avoid damage. However, this feature will be useful; except that in very unstable electrical grids, prone to frequent fluctuations, such a heater may require an external stabilizer.
— Electrical protection (RCD). Built directly into the heater, the RCD is a residual current device. Such a device is primarily intended to protect people from electric shock — for example, if the insulation is damaged and electricity leaks into the case or water. When a person comes into contact with this electricity, a so-called leakage current occurs. The RCD reacts to it and almost instantly turns off the power to the boiler, preventing electric shock.
Note that such safety devices are standardly installed directly in switchboards. However, the presence of an RCD in the water heater provides additional security. Naturally, such equipment is found mainly in electric models.
— Safety valve. A safety system that prevents a critical increase in water pressure in the heater. Usually, this protection is based on a safety valve that opens when a certain pressure level is reached and drains excess water, avoiding damage to the heater.
— Gas control. Gas heater safety system that automatically shuts off the gas supply in the event of a burner flame failure. It avoids filling the room with gas and possible unpleasant, and even tragic consequences. Resuming the gas supply after the protection is triggered must be done manually.
— Draft sensor. A sensor that monitors the presence of draft in the flue of a gas water heater. This function is especially important for models with open combustion chambers: in the absence of a draft, combustion products will fill the room where the heater is located. And this, in turn, can lead to a deterioration in people's well-being, health problems and even deaths. To avoid such consequences, this sensor, when detecting problems with the draft, turns off the gas supply and issues a warning about the problem. However, such equipment can also be found in models with closed combustion chambers. In them, the draft sensor performs mainly a diagnostic function, allowing you to determine what interferes with the normal operation of the burner.
— Anti-legionella. A function that prevents the growth of pathogenic bacteria in the tank and water heater circuits. Some types of such bacteria can live and multiply in fairly hot water — up to 60 °C. To avoid this, the anti-legionella system monitors the temperature of the water in the tank and periodically raises it to a level of about 65 °C. The specific methods of operation of such systems can be different: for example, some work strictly according to a set schedule (for example, once every two weeks), others turn on additional heating only if for some period (for example, a month) the water has not been heated to sufficiently high temperatures.Pipe connection
The direction from which pipes are connected to the heater. The choice for this parameter depends primarily on the characteristics of the place where the device is planned to be placed. Note that in universal models (see "Installation"), the place of connection of pipes depends on the method of installation, while specific options in different models may be different, this should be specified separately.
Weight
The weight of the device, excluding the water collected (passing) into it.
