Today, there are several types of water heaters. As a result, many citizens face a difficult task: which water heater is better to buy?
These units are divided by the fuel used and by the method of transfer of thermal energy.
Which water heaters are better?
If we compare water heaters for fuel - electric or gas, then the comparison will be in favor of the latter. This type of fuel, despite forecasts by energy market analysts about rising gas prices, remains by far the cheapest. And the costs of installing gas equipment, installing a chimney and the costs of further maintenance quickly pay off due to the low cost of water consumed.
Now we will consider which water heaters are better by the type of water heating. If we compare the flow and storage units, then there is a clear advantage of the flow, since the water heats up already a few seconds after turning on the device, and storage devices need this for some time. At the beginning of work or after a break in use in the storage device, water will be heated for several hours. Although it should be noted that with the correctly selected power of the heating element, this will take less time.
Also,
storage water heaters take up a lot of space. Instantaneous water heaters, although more compact, consume more electricity. The advantage of storage units is also that they are more reliable in operation, they are easier to install and maintain.
Thus, it is difficult to say unequivocally which water heaters are better. Summing up all of the above, one can thus characterize the advantages and disadvantages of the main types of water heaters.
- Flowing gas water heaters are compact, which allows it to be mounted directly in the kitchen. The disadvantage is their relatively low power.
- Electric instantaneous water heaters have advantages and disadvantages, as well as their gas counterparts. Their advantage is that it does not need a chimney, and the main disadvantage is the need to use high-power heating elements.
- Accumulative gas water heaters have powerful gas burners and highly efficient heat exchangers. In addition, they are very spacious: the volume of the tank can reach 300-500 liters. The only drawback is that the large size allows you to install them only in non-residential premises: boiler room, basement, in the attic.
- Accumulative electric water heaters are characterized by low power consumption. Their disadvantage is the large size.
- Which water heaters are best for homes of various sizes? Gas flowing devices are suitable for a gasified house, in which there is a sink in the kitchen and 1-2 bathrooms. If the house is not gasified, you will have to consider the possibility of a local power supply when installing a flow-through electric heater. The latter is impractical to install in a house with several bathrooms, showers.
The best choice for a gasified house can be considered a storage gas water heater. If there is no gas in the house, then you can use the same storage unit, but electric, consuming little electricity and quite simple to install and connect. Now, you have an idea of what water heaters are. Which is better to choose - you decide.