How To Choose The Right Instantaneous Water Heater For An Apartment

2023 Author: Philip Bishop | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-08-25 07:54

• Operating principle, power, reliability
• Management is the key to correct work
• Provide a comfortable life
• Overview characteristics of flow heaters

It is difficult to imagine the life of a modern person without communal amenities that make life convenient. Especially when there are interruptions in the summer with the prevention of hot water. Methods for heating and supplying water exist using storage or instantaneous water heaters. One of the most effective and quick ways to achieve the presence of hot water in an apartment is to use instantaneous water heating systems. Before you buy a suitable instantaneous water heater in Leroy Merlin, it is important to learn how to choose the right model depending on your needs.

Operating principle, power, reliability

Electric water heaters, according to their principle, can be either storage type or flow-through. In both cases, a heating element immersed in a stream of water is used.

Flow-through electric heaters can be divided into two main types:

• gravity, low power and capable of serving one or two points of analysis;
• pressure head installed on the input pipelines and allowing water to be supplied to several consumers.

It is possible to successfully choose a model suitable for specific conditions after consulting with professionals in the heat supply, as well as after a comprehensive assessment of the possibilities of electrical wiring, since the power consumption of the device can exceed 10 kW. Higher power pressure heaters should already be connected using three-phase wiring and voltage equal to 380V.

The main parameter when choosing an instantaneous heater is its performance and power. To accurately determine these parameters, you first need to know the required flow rate of the heated stream. In this case, the calculations imply the presence of several consumers of different classes in the house. The following values are taken as a basis:

• using a washbasin - up to 4 liters / min and temperatures up to 40 degrees
• use of a kitchen sink - up to 5 liters / min and temperatures up to 50-60 degrees
• ensuring taking a bath - 10-12 liters / min and temperatures up to 40-45 degrees

The required power supply is easy enough to find by making simple calculations. To do this, you need to multiply the water consumption by a coefficient equal to 2-2.5. Hence, it turns out that the minimum requirements can be a unit with a capacity of 8 to 12 kW, which is not always possible to install in houses with old wiring.

The way out of this situation is to perform electrical work related to ensuring the necessary parameters or the use of models with a relatively low power (up to 3.5 kW) in which different modes can be used and water consumption is reduced due to the special section of internal pipelines and nozzles.

If it is possible to arrange a three-phase electrical network with a voltage of 380 V, it is possible to install closed-type flow heaters of high power - from 12 to 36 kW. This option is feasible, as a rule, in cottages with the necessary electrical network.

In any case, the installation of such an energy-intensive device as an instantaneous heater requires the provision of all measures for the correct arrangement of the electrical network. Wiring is carried out on a separate branch of copper wires with a cross section of at least 4 mm ^2, preferably 6 mm ² with double insulation. The socket must correspond to a load of 16-25 A and above, or an input automatic device must be used in a separate waterproof box. In the switchboard, it is necessary to equip an automatic device with an RCD and the required magnitude of the tripping current when disconnected. It is compulsory to carry out work on the manufacture of a ground loop in all places where it will be, water is taken from the heaters. All connection work must be carried out in accordance with the instructions, as well as the operation manual.

Management is the key to correct work

The control system for the operation of water heaters is of the following types:

- Hydraulic, operating on the principle of interaction between the membrane and the stem. Switching between operating modes will occur by the pressure of the passing flow, however, this method is very inaccurate and allows serving a maximum of two parsing points.

- Electronic, where all regulation processes are based on microcontrollers. These models allow you to adjust the flow and temperature conditions most favorable for a particular situation. At the same time, it is possible to significantly reduce the cost of consumed electricity and provide the necessary conditions for comfort. The disadvantages of such a system are its high cost and poor maintainability.

Provide a comfortable life

In addition to their main functions, flow heaters allow performing the following additional functions:

• limiting the degree of heating of the device body using a temperature sensor, which increases the safety of operation;
• high-precision heating of the flow to eliminate uncomfortable temperature changes;
• parental control system that prevents unauthorized activation of the heater;
• ensuring the disinfection of the internal cavities of the device by heating the flow to the maximum temperature;
• regulation of pressure and temperature values during prolonged heating, to reduce electricity consumption;
• ensuring work according to a pre-selected control program;
• the possibility of using a remote control panel and parameter control.

The appearance of an instantaneous heater, corresponding to the design of the room, will be an excellent addition to the interior of a bathroom or kitchen. Also, its dimensions and access to connectors should ensure the possibility of carrying out preventive maintenance.

The main suppliers to the market are German and Swedish manufacturers of electrical equipment, which have successfully mastered the production and sale of high-quality heaters. Firms such as AEG, Thermex, Electrolux, Bosch produce a fairly wide range of models that can satisfy various customer requirements.

Overview characteristics of flow heaters

Elecrolux Smartfix 2.0 S is a non-pressure type flow-through heater for supplying one parsing point. Copper heating element with a power of 3.5 kW, provides a capacity of 2 l / min, which is enough to meet the necessary needs for hot water. The control system works according to the hydraulic principle, while it is possible to apply 3 power modes. Excessive heating is monitored by thermal sensors. The connection to the water supply and power supply is quite simple, although it requires qualified personnel.

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Thermex Stream 500 is a rather compact heater, equipped with outlets for connecting a tap and a shower head, which provides the possibility of universal use of the device. The maximum power equal to 5 kW and the productivity of 3.8 l / min will provide hot water for an apartment or a small country house. A feature of the model is the ability to use two modes of operation during heating, which will help save energy and reduce the load on the network. A thermal sensor prevents overheating of the body parts, and a pressure switch will prevent the heater from turning on in the absence of water. The tubular heating element has a ceramic filling, which, together with a copper bulb, increases the service life of the device. Operation control is carried out through indicators and buttons on the front surface.

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AEG RMC 75- pressure-type heater with a capacity of 7.5 kW, which allows to provide several points of analysis with hot water with a temperature of up to 60 degrees with a capacity of l / min. The device is simply mounted in the water supply system, does not require drastic changes in the electrical network. The use of innovative microcircuit control allows for precise adjustment of the leaving water temperature depending on the pressure. The control unit remains operational even during long-term operation due to the cooling of the body by the incoming cold stream. The use of two heating elements, together with copper flasks, can significantly increase the resource of the device. In addition to the temperature controller, a heating limiter is built into the heater design. The control of the device is quite simple - the approximate temperature parameter is manually set,and the rest of the functions are taken over by automation.

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Thermex System 800 is a fully automated pressure-type heater. The power of the device is 8 kW, while the productivity is 6 l / min. These parameters allow you to provide multiple hot water supply points. The small dimensions of the device allow for mounting in various options. The flow is heated by elements located in copper bodies, supplemented with ceramic filler. This solution reduces the appearance of corrosion on flow and heating elements. Temperature parameters are regulated by sensors and relays, which allow achieving the most comfortable parameters. The plastic body is highly durable and looks stylish in any interior.

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Bosch ED12-2 S- a flow-through heater of a pressure type, designed to provide a sufficiently large demand for hot water in a large apartment or cottage. The power of the device is quite large - 12 kW, but this is compensated for by the high performance - 7.5 l / min, during long-term operation. The high reliability of the device is ensured by the operation of three high-quality heating elements, protected from corrosion damage and scale. Sensors of temperature, pressure and water consumption allow to obtain hot water at a fairly low cost of electricity. The control unit, as well as the heating and pressure sensors, allows the heater to operate in automatic mode with a high degree of safety for users. The power supply is carried out through a three-phase 380 V network, while separate wiring is required.

In any case, the selection and installation of a rather complex device, such as a flow-through water heater, must be made in proven companies with experience and specialists of sufficient qualifications to ensure long-term and reliable work to create comfort.

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