Hot water is not a luxury for a modern person. In it he is in dire need. In this regard, many owners of apartments in which a centralized water supply system cannot be provided with hot water supply round the clock and throughout the year, sooner or later begin to think about purchasing a device such as a water heater.
The modern market for household appliances offers many models. However, not everyone can answer the question of which water heater is best to buy in an apartment. Let's try to figure it out.
Electricity or gas?
Which water heater is better to buy in an apartment? The reviews of experts and consumers confirm that when choosing it is necessary to determine which source of energy will be used during the operation of this device. Depending on what will be supplied for heating the water, the units are divided into two types. They can be gas and electric.
Which water heater is better to buy in an apartment? Customer reviews suggest that gas appliances are cheaper to operate. At first glance, it might seem that for the owners of apartments this option will be most acceptable. However, this is not quite true. A cheaper gas- type water heater will bring the water to the set temperature very slowly. In addition, to install this device, you will need to attract specialists from the gas service to help. They will charge for shutting off gas, laying additional pipes and a ventilation duct. The result is a pretty decent amount.
Gas boilers heating an impressive volume of water are also quite expensive. In addition, there is no point in placing such units in a small apartment.
As for electric water heaters, all models of this type of devices operate from the network:
- 220 volts (single phase);
- 380 volts (three-phase).
Which water heater is better to buy in an apartment? User reviews indicate that the most powerful devices are connected to a 380 volt network. Such devices very quickly heat water, but at the same time their cost is quite high. In addition, for such units it will be necessary to carry out powerful wiring, and three-phase networks are not everywhere. In addition, for old city apartments it is not recommended to choose a water heater that consumes more than 5 kW. Otherwise, the network will simply be overloaded.
If the apartment is located in a new house, then the owner is given the opportunity to choose a more powerful device. At that, how many kilowatts can be calculated according to the existing project.
Which water heater is better to buy in an apartment? The reviews of many people who decided to purchase this useful device indicate that they are afraid of a sharp increase in electricity bills. But worry about this is not worth it. Electric water heaters, having average volume and power indicators, with their constant work, cost the owners no more than a couple of hundred rubles a month.
Installation location
Which water heater is best to buy in an apartment, it is necessary to decide not only on the basis of the type of energy it consumes. Users note that if the project does not initially provide for a place where the device should be installed, it is quite difficult to find free space. In addition, the entire structure together with water has an impressive weight, which makes it difficult to attach it to non-capital walls. All this is taken into account by modern manufacturers who produce devices of wall and floor type.
If you decide to buy a water heater in an apartment, which is the best of these two types? Wall-mounted appliances save space. Floor water heaters are reliably installed on the floor and do not cause a risk of collapse even with large volumes of water contained in them.
When choosing a wall option, before buying, you need to measure the width and height of the free space with a tape measure. This will allow you to find out the permissible sizes of the water heater and how to better position it.
Wall units are mounted either horizontally or vertically. At the same time, the manufacturer produces universal devices that can be arranged depending on the available space, as well as special models that have one or another configuration.
To date, the manufacturer offers such water heaters that can be installed directly under the sink. However, their main disadvantage is the limited amount of heated fluid.
Volume
This is one of the important parameters, which should also be taken into account when choosing a water heater. In order to determine the necessary tank volume, you will need to take into account the required dimensions of the unit, the number of connection points, as well as the number of family members. For those owners who purchase a water heater only for washing dishes, a tank volume of 10-30 liters is enough. But for taking a shower, more water is required (from 50 to 100 liters). If family members are used to taking a bath, then the maximum tank volume is required (up to 150 l).
Device type
Water heaters are of the following types:
- cumulative;
- flowing;
- cumulative indirect heating.
Let's consider them in more detail.
Storage water heaters
Units of this type are most popular. In such devices, the entire volume of water in the tank is heated. Storage water heaters bring the temperature of the liquid to a certain limit, and then maintain it at a given level. In this regard, such units are the most economical.
Which storage water heater is better to buy in an apartment? One that will allow you to take advantage of the required volume of water, because at its full consumption, you will have to wait again for heating a new portion of the liquid. In this regard, when choosing a model, it is necessary to calculate the size of the tank.
Instantaneous water heater
As for this type of heater, it has smaller dimensions. However, it should be borne in mind that this device does not allow water to warm up sufficiently and be very hot. Moreover, the power consumption of such units is greater than that of storage units. However, if we consider that heating occurs only at those moments when the owners go to the shower or wash the dishes, then the costs will not be very high.
But for apartments with old wiring, flowing water heaters are better not to buy. After all, previously designed networks will not be able to withstand the installation of units whose average power exceeds 6 kW.
Which instantaneous water heater is better to buy in an apartment? To select a device, you need to evaluate the load that will be exerted on the unit.
What power is the best heater to buy in an apartment? In the case when water will be used by up to three people, it should be approximately 12 kW. Such power will allow you to keep the performance parameter at the level of up to three liters of hot water for one minute. In this case, the maximum flow temperature will be at least fifty degrees.
How to determine which instantaneous water heaters for an apartment are better?
The choice of such a unit is based on the available parameters of its power supply. As a rule, water heaters of this type have it at 220 V with a frequency of 20 to 30 Hz. However, in cases where there are problems in the form of power surges in the houses, the model must be purchased at 30 Hz.
Accumulative indirect water heaters
According to user reviews, such units are the most economical. The fact is that their work is carried out with the simultaneous inclusion of a single-circuit heating boiler. In winter, such water heaters use the same energy that is intended for heating.
The main disadvantage of such a device is its difficult installation, which provides for insertion into the heating system. But if we consider the advantages of using this unit, then it is worth noting the lack of the need to connect it to the electrical network.
Indirect heating devices are installed, as a rule, in urban private or country houses in which there is an autonomous heating system.
Performance and power
Which electric water heater is better to buy in an apartment? To select the best version of the device, you need to look in the instructions for its performance, which directly depends on the power.
The strongest dependence of these indicators is observed in instantaneous water heaters, as mentioned above. In such units for a comfortable consumption of hot water, the power should be above 12 kW. The storage devices have enough power of 2 kW. The performance of this type of devices will be at a sufficient level.
TENY
When deciding on the choice of a heater, this parameter also needs to be paid attention to. Manufacturers offer models in which either one or two heating elements are provided.
In the first case, water heaters use energy, which is controlled by automation. In this case, to maintain a predetermined temperature level, the device turns on the economy mode. After the full use of water in such units, further heating is carried out slowly.
Which water heater is better to buy in an apartment? At high hot water flow rates, models with two heating elements are the most preferable option.
Other selection criteria
Modern devices for heating water are characterized by low heat loss. This indicator is only a few degrees during the day. This is made possible thanks to the good thermal insulation of the tanks, for which polyurethane foam, fiberglass or expanded polystyrene are used.
Choosing a water heater, you can compare the indicators of heat loss for different models. To do this, you need to clarify this parameter in the instructions supplied with the device.
No less important is the service life of the device. On average, it is 5 years, but at best, the manufacturer will indicate a period of up to 7 years. This parameter characterizes the reliability of the water heater. After all, the service life will directly depend on the material used for the tank, as well as the quality of the applied anti-corrosion coating.
You need to navigate when buying a water heater and its price. It will be directly dependent on all of the above parameters, as well as the instrument’s marking.
Manufacturers
Which company is the best heater to buy in an apartment? Ariston offers low-cost, but at the same time reliable devices. Available at their cost are units manufactured by the Swedish company Electrolux. This manufacturer is considered a leader in the segment of gas water heaters. Electric units of the Electrolux company are of high quality, and at the same time as expensive as Bosh brand products.
Cheap, but at the same time fairly high-quality heaters offered by Thermex are becoming increasingly popular in the market. Devices from manufacturers such as Drazice and Gorenje also get good user reviews. What brand of water heater is better to buy in an apartment if you need to install a compact device? In this segment, the leader among manufacturers is AEG. Below are the most popular models of water heaters.
Ariston ABS BLU R 80V
This water heater stands out among other models with negligible heat loss. The device is very convenient in everyday use due to the lower water supply provided in its design. The main material for the manufacture of the instrument tank is hardened steel. At the same time, the manufacturer reliably protected the device case from heat loss by covering it with an aluminum plate.
Users note that the temperature of the limiting heating of water in such an aggregate reaches almost 3-4 hours. Pleasing consumers and a capacious tank of 80 liters, which can be easily mounted on the wall. During operation, it is convenient for the owners to monitor the temperature of the water in the tank, which is displayed on a special thermometer.
AEG RMC 75
According to user reviews, this instantaneous water heater is very easy to install. In addition, the device is characterized by productivity and practicality of use.
The instantaneous water heater of this model is able to bring 4-5 l of water to the desired temperature in just one minute, while consuming 7.5 kW. According to user reviews, the model is perfect for simultaneously connecting to multiple points of water intake.
The design of the device provides for the installation of a copper heater. He has an indication of work and mechanics. Users note that the model has reliable protection against overheating, as well as from water entering it.
This high-quality device receives many positive reviews due to its compactness, as well as stability in operation and durability.
Timberk SWH RS1 80 V
This model, according to consumer reviews, is quite productive, protected and stylish. The manufacturer offers users a device with excellent performance and a pleasant design. The tank volume of this model is 80 liters. In it, water is heated in just two hours. In this case, the device consumes 2 kW.
User reviews note that water heating time can be accelerated. To do this, just connect the second heater.
The stylish and durable steel casing of the water heater has no seams. This significantly reduces the likelihood of leaks, as well as corrosion.
The device has a thermometer, which makes it possible to independently adjust the water temperature, as well as obtain data on the progress of the process. The model has reliable protection against electric leakage, as well as from overheating and excessive pressure.