Every year, work is carried out at housing and communal services facilities to prepare them for work in the winter. At this time in residential buildings turn off the hot water. Hot water can also be turned off in case of accidents at boiler houses or heating mains. In order not to stay on for a long time without hot water, use electric heaters: flow-through or storage. To heat water up to comfortable temperature instantaneous water heaters with a power of at least 5, and preferably 7 kW are required. This is an unaffordable luxury for ordinary apartments, where the electrical wiring is designed for electrical appliances with lower power consumption. Storage water heaters significantly benefit in this regard. Heated water retains its temperature for a long time, as it is in a thermos. It is important to decide where and how to install the boiler in the bathroom so that its operation is safe. Gas heaters should be installed exclusively by specialists from organizations servicing gas networks.
The volume of the heater is selected depending on the number of people in the family. For one or two people, 30–50 liter volume is enough. A family of 3-4 people will need a minimum of 50-80 liters.
Tools and materials
To install an electric water heater, you will need the following tools:
- perforator;
- drill, tile drill;
- adjustable wrench;
- anchor bolts (usually included);
- flexible hoses in a metal braid, if it is not possible to install water supply from pipes;
- two ball valves;
- tees, fittings and other elements of the water supply network (depending on materials);
- marker;
- ruler;
- level.
Note! The choice of rubber hoses must be approached very responsibly, since a low-quality product will not last long and can cause flooding of the apartment.
Choosing an installation location
The storage water heater occupies part of the room, so the place for its installation should be chosen taking into account this feature, as well as as close as possible to the risers of hot and cold water supply and intra-apartment wiring. A waterproof socket with grounding must be installed at the installation site. If electrical knowledge is not enough, then the work of laying the electrical wire and installing the socket should be entrusted to an electrician. Typically, a water heater is installed above the toilet or on the wall next to the washbasin, where it does not interfere with the use of the bathroom. The wall must be solid (concrete, brick). A water boiler has a large mass that the wall and anchors must support.
Installation
Before installation, you must carefully study the instructions to know how to properly connect the heater to the water supply network.
Having determined the location of the boiler, it is necessary to mark the points for the anchor bolts. The height of the mounting line is determined by fitting the boiler. Held horizontal line marker or pencil. The distance between the fastening points is measured between the holes on the bracket with back side boiler.
If the wall is tiled, then first drill holes into the concrete without using impact drilling mode, and moisten the drilling site with water. Then holes are drilled in the main wall where the bolts are inserted. Having secured the anchors, the storage device is hung on them.
Note! The drill diameter should be more diameters an anchor bolt and a drill, since when drilling through the wall through the tiles, this lining will crack.
Before connecting to the water supply, you need to study the diagram again. IN new apartment when planning an internal water supply network, connections for connecting the boiler can be immediately provided, to which it is connected using flexible hoses.
Connecting the water supply
The essence of connecting a storage tank is that water comes from the system with cold water and after heating it is fed into the system with hot water. In this case, the internal hot water supply must be shut off so that heated water does not enter the common system along the riser.
Note! If the indoor wiring is made of copper or plastic pipes, then it is advisable to use the same materials when connecting the heater.
Connection points can be places threaded connections. These are connections between water meters and further internal wiring, mixer hoses with pipes. We will not consider connection technology with cutting pipes, cutting threads, soldering copper, and welding plastic.
Simple connection option
Let's consider connecting a boiler to a system with minimal structural and financial costs– through flexible hoses.
Video
Here is an example of connecting a boiler to a water supply and electrical network:
2016-11-28 Evgeniy Fomenko
Unlike flow models, storage water heaters have big sizes due to the presence of a tank. Before buying a boiler for yourself, you need to think about where it is better to hang the water heater in the bathroom. A common option is visible in the photo.
When choosing a future location, it is important to consider several factors:
- The wall to which the water heater is attached must be load-bearing. Allowed to be mounted on concrete and brick walls. It is prohibited to hang boilers on plasterboard partitions.
- You need to consider the convenience of water supply. A location is selected that is as close as possible to water communications.
- Plan how the wires and electrical outlet will be located. Even if the bathroom already has electricity, it is advisable to install a new one copper cable and connect it to a separate machine. The wire must be grounded. It is prohibited to install sockets above the bathtub and shower.
- In the future, access to the boiler connection point must remain for repairs if necessary. For prevention, you should check the condition of the heating element from time to time. There must be space to remove it.
- We need to think about access to sewerage, to release water from the overpressure valve.
When choosing the optimal location, you should strive to ensure that the housing does not interfere with movement and occupies a minimum amount of room volume. To do this, they try to hang it as high as possible.
The most common places for a water heater:
Compact vertical models can be hung almost anywhere. They are very compact and will not interfere, even if they are mounted on the side of the bathroom.
Easiest to install floor model. Such water heaters occupy less space and do not require installation on walls. The water supply is from the rear. Such boilers can be placed under the sink or in any free space.
Tankless water heaters are smaller and typically fit under the bathtub or in a sink cabinet.
In the video below you can see about the original invisible hatch, which allows you to hide the water heater if you place it in a niche or in a wall with sewer pipes:
2016-11-28 Evgeniy Fomenko
Unlike instantaneous models, storage water heaters are large due to the presence of a tank. Before buying a boiler for yourself, you need to think about where it is better to hang the water heater in the bathroom. A common option is visible in the photo.
When choosing a future location, it is important to consider several factors:
- The wall to which the water heater is attached must be load-bearing. Allowed to be mounted on concrete and brick walls. It is prohibited to hang boilers on plasterboard partitions.
- You need to consider the convenience of water supply. A location is selected that is as close as possible to water communications.
- Plan how the wires and electrical outlet will be located. Even if the bathroom already has electricity, it is advisable to install a new copper cable and connect it to a separate machine. The wire must be grounded. It is prohibited to install sockets above the bathtub and shower.
- In the future, access to the boiler connection point must remain for repairs if necessary. For prevention, you should check the condition of the heating element from time to time. There must be space to remove it.
- We need to think about access to sewerage, to release water from the overpressure valve.
When choosing the optimal location, you should strive to ensure that the housing does not interfere with movement and occupies a minimum amount of room volume. To do this, they try to hang it as high as possible.
The most common places for a water heater:
Compact vertical models can be hung almost anywhere. They are very compact and will not interfere, even if they are mounted on the side of the bathroom.
The easiest way to install a floor model. Such water heaters take up less space and do not require installation on walls. The water supply is from the rear. Such boilers can be placed under the sink or in any free space.
Tankless water heaters are smaller and typically fit under the bathtub or in a sink cabinet.
In the video below you can see about the original invisible hatch, which allows you to hide the water heater if you place it in a niche or in a wall with sewer pipes:
If you decide to purchase a water heater for your bathroom, you need to choose it responsibly. Understand which types of boilers are best suited for installation and how much power they consume. Will it be profitable for you to operate the heater? You will find answers to questions in our publication.
Let's start with the features of the devices. If you have not yet made your choice, think about where you will install the device.
- Wall mounted models are more compact and are limited to a volume of 100 liters. Can be placed horizontally and vertically.
- Floor. They are distinguished by their large dimensions and capacity - from 120 to 1000 liters. You will need a lot of space for installation.
By type of connection there can be:
- Electrical. The most popular and practical. They can be installed independently. Power ranges from 1.5-3 kW to 5-25 kW per hour.
- Gas. Operation is cheaper, water heats up quickly. However, installation is only in places with gas supply and the possibility of organizing a chimney. Installation will require permission and should only be carried out by a specialist.
- On solid fuel and diesel. These devices operate from a combustion boiler and are installed in separate rooms.
Water heaters can be instantaneous, storage, or indirect. The latter are not suitable for installation in the bathroom because they take up a lot of space and require connection to the boiler. Let's take a closer look at the first two options.
Flow heaters
The devices operate according to the following scheme: a flow-through heating element is installed in the housing, and water passes through it. It quickly heats up to the set temperatures, so you don’t have to wait for a hot stream to come out of the tap. A big plus is its compactness.
Varieties:
- Stationary type. Requires a separate installation space and is capable of providing multiple collection points. Can be mounted in a niche or cabinet under the sink.
- Attachment on the crane. The compact device is installed directly on the crane in front of the gander. Capable of providing hot water in the sink, but not suitable for showering.
Electrically heated tap. The heater has its own mixer. Uniform design allows you to warm up large quantity water than the nozzle. It's enough to take a shower.
To evaluate which device is better to buy, let’s consider the advantages and disadvantages of a flow generator.
- Compactness. If the bathroom small sizes, a stationary device or a faucet attachment is suitable.
- Fast heating. Within 30 seconds, the hot stream enters the mixer in the amount for which the device is designed.
- Convenient installation. The product is light and compact, you can hang it on any wall.
- Low cost - compared to storage boilers.
- High power and energy consumption. The option of connecting to a regular outlet is eliminated, since the device is designed for 5-25 kW per hour. You need thick wiring and a Euro socket with grounding.
- The temperature and pressure force depend on the pressure in the line.
- Inability to heat during a power outage. Since the flower does not have a storage tank, you will not be able to get hot water.
If you want to take a full shower, install a stationary electric boiler. More powerful models capable of providing multiple collection points.
As the name suggests, the boiler consists of a tank in which water accumulates. Inside there is a heating element for heating and a thermostat that constantly maintains the temperature. Thermal insulation of the tank reduces heat loss.
Advantages:
- Less power and energy consumption. The storage devices consume 1.5-3 kW per hour. First, the heating element heats the water to the set temperature, and then the boiler maintains it.
- Selecting the volume of water. Select a tank according to resource costs. 80-90 liters is enough for a family of three.
- Constant availability of hot water. The advantage of the storage device is that even if there is a power outage, the reserve will be enough for you to take a shower, and maybe even a bath.
- Ability to set convenient parameters for saving energy. In this case, you can dilute hot water with cold.
- The storage capacity is sufficient not only for the bathroom, but also for serving the kitchen.
Flaws:
- The larger the volume, the larger the dimensions. In a small room it may be out of place.
- Installation features. A large tank full of water weighs a lot. This means that installation is only possible on a reliable brick wall.
- Long heating. Every 10 liters are heated for 30 minutes.
Which boiler to choose
The choice is based on several other points. Be sure to take them into account when purchasing.
Moisture protection class. Since the enclosure is installed in a damp area, it must be properly protected. The icons look like this: IP31. The last digits may differ for each model, for example, the first digit indicates protection against foreign objects:
- 1 - from large objects, no larger than a hand.
- 2 - from objects the size of a finger.
- 3 - no more than 1 square mm.
- 4 - from dust.
The second number serves as protection against moisture:
- 0 - no protection.
- 1 - from the top leak.
- 2 - from splashes at an angle of 60 degrees.
- 3 - from splashes in any direction.
- 4 - protects even from jets.
Tank material. The most reliable products from of stainless steel serve up to 10 years. Less durable enamel containers - up to 7 years of service.
Form. Can be round, flat, square. It all depends on the type of accommodation.
Installation. Do not forget that for a heavy storage boiler you need solid wall. And for flow-through - reliable wiring.
Heating element type. A lot of scale forms in the storage device, so give preference. They are enclosed in a flask that protects them from plaque.
Features of operation. Before purchasing, calculate how much water your family needs and what the power of the device should be.
Control method additional modes and functions.
Price also plays a role, and the choice of manufacturer depends on personal preferences.
How to heat water in the bathroom? Conclusion: purchase an electric flow or storage boiler. Pay attention to the protection of the device from water, volume and power. Check the documents and clarify the specifics of warranty service.
Water heater with possibility remote control ABS Velis Evo Wi-Fi (Ariston). Photo: Ariston
Electric water heaters with a water tank (boilers) are usually used in cases where electricity is the only possible way receiving hot water and the network does not allow high loads. The fact is that even to heat a small amount of hot water for kitchen needs when using flow heater power required is 3–4 kW. And to obtain an intense shower jet, you will need a flow jet with a power of 10–15 kW. Not every city and especially suburban electrical network can withstand such a load; it is simply impossible to connect an instantaneous water heater.
Electronic thermostat Ariston CoreTech and ECO EVO function will help reduce energy consumption by 14%. Photo: Ariston
Electric storage heaters load the network much less: their power consumption is usually 2–3 kW. Of course, they spend additional energy to keep the water hot, but the tanks in modern models are equipped with good thermal insulation, the quality of which largely determines the constant daily heat loss - the most important technical parameter storage water heater. IN best models boilers with highest class energy efficiency And constant daily heat loss does not exceed 1 kWh (more precisely, 0.8–0.9 kW for 100-liter tanks at a temperature of water in the tank of about 60 ° C and air in the room 20 ° C), and for the same boiler class below (B) the daily heat loss is approximately 1.5 kW. Over the course of a year, a class A heater, operating 24 hours a day, will spend approximately 330 kWh of energy to keep the water hot.
Types of Electric Water Heaters
Electric boilers are divided into several types depending on the capacity and design of the tank, and the method of installation of the device.
Boilers for the kitchen
These models are equipped with small tanks with a volume of 5–15 liters. Thanks to this, the devices are compact in size, allowing them to be placed in the kitchen - a room where there is often a lack of space for numerous. Kitchen boilers, in turn, are divided into models with bottom supply, adapted for installation above the sink and faucet, and models with top supply. The latter can be placed under the sink.
Separately, we can highlight non-pressure water heaters, in which the water in the tank is under atmospheric pressure and flows out solely under the influence of gravity. Such models are usually used in dacha conditions and are designed exclusively for one point of water consumption.
Kitchen boilers are usually equipped with simple electromechanical controls without additional functions and are distinguished by an attractively low price - they can be purchased for 4–5 thousand rubles.
Bathroom boilers
There is a greater variety of sizes here, functionality, and the price range is wider. Models for are usually equipped with tanks with a capacity of 30 to 300 liters. Models with tanks up to 100 liters inclusive are made in the version for wall mounting, models with a volume of over 100 l are intended for floor mounting. Bathroom boilers are available with both electromechanical and electronically controlled.
Available with tanks different shapes- from cylindrical to flattened (boilers with a flat tank). The material from which the tank is made is enameled or stainless steel. As an internal protective coating In addition to enamel, plastic and durable glass ceramics are used.
Concerning brands, then among the most popular are AEG, Stiebel Eltron and Vaillant (higher price category), Ariston, Atlantic, Ballu, Bosch, Electrolux, Gorenje, Haier, Polaris, Timberk. The price of a bathroom boiler depends on the capacity of the tank (the larger, the more expensive), the material from which it is made (stainless steel is more expensive), the thickness of the walls and the type of control (mechanical or electronic). A simple 30-liter heater can be purchased for 5–6 thousand rubles, and a powerful boiler with a 100-liter steel tank costs several tens of thousands of rubles. Most expensive models manufacturer Stiebel Eltron cost about 100 thousand rubles.
What to look for when choosing a heater
Tank
What to look for when choosing storage heater? First of all, on the size, configuration and material of the tank.
Capacity
It is recommended to select the tank volume depending on the number of users. For one owner, a boiler with a volume of 30 or 40 liters may be suitable; for a family of two or three people, it is recommended to choose a tank of 60–80 liters, and for large families It’s better to play it safe and buy a boiler with a tank of 100 liters or more. Of course, it all depends on the tastes and individual preferences of the owners. Some people like to take hot baths, while others are quite happy with a cool shower.
When making calculations, it should be taken into account that the boiler is capable of producing water heated to a temperature of 60–70 °C; accordingly, if you dilute hot water with cold water to an acceptable temperature of 35–40 ° C, then, say, from 100 liters you will end up with approximately 200 liters.
4 capacity options
- 10–15 liters. Water heaters are not large volume, designed for short-term use. As a rule, their main area of application is the kitchen.
- 30 liters. Water heaters have below average capacity. They can be used in the kitchen and, in some cases, in the bathroom, if there is only one user (and without any special complaints).
- 50–80 liters. Water heaters of medium capacity, a universal option, can be used anywhere. They are good in the bathroom for a small number of users.
- 100 liters or more. Large volume water heaters provide high level comfort, but difficulties may arise with placing models of this size.
Dimensions, shape and weight
Unfortunately, a storage water heater that is too large takes up a lot of space. Let's say, a 100-liter boiler with a traditionally shaped body is a vertically standing cylinder with a diameter of approximately 0.5 m and a height of about 1 m. Placing such a water heater can become a serious problem, especially considering that the device weighs approximately 130 - 140 kg, not every wall will support it.
To simplify the task, manufacturers offer various modifications of devices, in particular boilers with a flat tank. This form is more difficult to manufacture and therefore more expensive, but a flat body is easier to place in conditions of limited space. In addition, the flat body puts less load on the fastening elements on which the water heater is suspended from the wall. Another option for solving the “placement problem” is water heaters with the possibility of horizontal installation (a cylinder or flattened body is mounted so that the axis of symmetry is directed parallel to the ground level). This modification of the boiler can be placed high under the ceiling or, for example, above the front door.
The most popular are storage water heaters of 50 and 100 l; It is believed that such a volume will meet the needs of a family of three.
Housing and protective coating material
The internal tank of the water heater can consist of black steel coated with enamel or stainless steel. All internal tanks are irreparable, so one of the main criteria when choosing a boiler is the reliability of the tank. Unfortunately, it is impossible to find out on your own how well the tank is made. This can be indirectly estimated from the warranty period. The warranty on enamel tanks usually ranges from 1 year to 5–7 years (7 years is very rare). Guarantee period The service life of a stainless steel tank is 5–7 years.
As experience shows, appearance The device is not so important for buyers; most of the models presented in stores have a white or steel body.
Other options
What else should you pay attention to when choosing an electric water heater? accumulative type?
Maximum temperature
Typically, storage water heaters are designed to produce hot water at temperatures from 60 to 85 °C. You shouldn’t strive too hard for high values: it is known that scale forms at water temperatures exceeding 60 °C. Therefore, it is good if the water heater has an adjustment option maximum temperature heating: by setting it, say, at 55 °C, you are guaranteed to protect the tank from scale formation.
Built-in RCD
Serves to prevent damage electric shock in case of water heater breakdowns. Built-in ones are available in many models from Ariston, Electrolux, Ballu, Polaris, Timberk and some other manufacturers.
Half power
A mode that allows the heater to operate at half the maximum power. This option is useful, for example, in the case of using powerful (about 3 kW) water heaters that create a large load on the network.
If free space at home does not allow you to place a water heater of the required volume, take a closer look at models with increased power of heating elements up to 3 kW - they can minimize interruptions in showering for family members.
Frost protection
A useful option for our climate. If the water temperature in the water heater drops below a certain limit (for example, to 6 °C in the Vaillant eloSTOR VEH basis model), it will immediately turn on automatic protection from freezing, which will heat the water to 10 °C.
Removing the heating element from the bottom of the water heater. Photo: kuchina/Fotolia.com
At the bottom of most models there are inlet (blue) and outlet pipes. Photo: mihailgrey/Fotolia.com
How to extend the life of a water heater
The magnesium anode is located in any electric water heater and serves to protect the water heater from corrosion. When heated hot water releases active oxygen, magnesium, as a more active metal, attracts this oxygen to itself, preventing it from oxidizing the internal walls of the tank. During operation, the magnesium rod inside the tank is constantly destroyed. For enameled tanks, the operating instructions usually specify routine replacement of this element every 2–3 years (the price will be from 150 to 1500 rubles or more). IN stainless steel tanks The magnesium anode is usually designed to last a lifetime.
You can also use pre-filtration of water. To do this, a cartridge filter is placed in front of the inlet pipe of the device, for example, based on a polyphosphate backfill. Such filters are specially produced for water heaters and washing machines, their cost is 2–3 thousand rubles.
How to extend the life of Baku
The easiest way is to keep the tank filled with water during operation. When an empty tank is stored, its service life sharply decreases due to the oxidation of microcracks in the enamel of the tank by oxygen contained in the air, with the formation of through corrosion. This, however, applies to a lesser extent to stainless steel tanks. They undergo oxidation welds, from which alloying materials burn out during high-temperature welding. Therefore, for seasonal operation of boilers with water drained before in winter It is better to use the most inexpensive water heaters with an enameled tank, understanding the limited resource of such a tank. Or use expensive water heaters with a stainless steel tank and high-quality welded joints, able to withstand water drainage. Unfortunately, the user cannot check for himself how well the welding is done. Here you can only rely on the reputation of the manufacturing company.
Modern models cumulative instantaneous water heaters more functional, but almost unchanged structurally. Changes are limited to the design and are limited to minor functional improvements. Thus, threaded heating elements are being replaced by elements with flange mounting. In addition to ease of replacement, this type of fastening extends the service life of the tank, since less welding is required to install the flange. The heating element itself can be in a copper or stainless steel housing. Copper heating elements are less durable, since the metal actively reacts with dissolved substances, but are more affordable. Heaters, as before, require maintenance. The anode, which protects the tank from corrosion, requires regular inspection and replacement. In addition to traditional magnesium anodes, there are non-replaceable electronic anodes, but their high cost makes them unpopular.