Dependence on mains supply networks is one of the main problems in the communication arrangement of country houses. With all the advantages of electric and water heating, gas boilers in practice are many times more profitable, but far from all regions today the problem of the delivery of blue fuel has been solved. Therefore, as an alternative, many decide to use gas tanks. In the reviews of the owners, there are many disadvantages of this solution, including significant initial costs for equipment and connection, but in the future the situation will be improved for the better. Not without negative technical nuances of operating such systems, but, first things first.
What is a gas holder heating system?
The technology got its name from the tank - gas tank. This is a tank with a capacity of 3,000 to 10,000 liters. Although industry can use gas tanks with a volume of more than 50,000 liters. For a private house with an area of 100 m 2 , models up to 5,000 liters are recommended, and for two-story buildings - more than 9,000 liters. The gas holder acts as a fuel source for boiler heating operating on liquefied gas. That is, the system works on the principle of a domestic gas storage connected to home heating utilities. As emphasized in the reviews about the gas tank, autonomous gas heating of this type in terms of productivity is not inferior to district heating. But if the connection to the main line does not guarantee the stability of the heating, the autonomous system will be under the complete control of the owner. Modern models of such reservoirs are provided with means for monitoring temperature, pressure and tightness, therefore the slightest deviation from the normative indicators is recorded by the electronics with subsequent notification directly to the user and (if there is a corresponding agreement) the nearest gas service.
Features of the use of gas tank
Independence of heating can be achieved in different ways, but in each case the use of its own sources of fuel is provided - firewood, diesel and the same gas. For example, boilers can also be connected to cylinders, but this option justifies itself only in the case of temporary heating with modest requirements for the generation of thermal energy. The problem is that small containers require frequent replacement and, most importantly, regular connection to consuming equipment. In turn, owner reviews of gas tanks indicate that a volume of about 5,000 liters in the average operating mode is spent for 6 months. This is the main advantage of using such gas storages. Another thing is that there is a problem of placing a rather massive structure. In the area adjacent to the house there should be a free area for its installation.
Installation events
Gas holders can be buried in the ground, and can be placed on the surface. Both installation options have their pros and cons. In the case of an underground location, a pit of the appropriate size is dug, at the bottom of which a concrete support base is made. On it is the design of the gas tank and is fixed with metal beams, cables and ribbons from different sides. For surface installations, a foundation platform is also provided on which the tank body is mounted. The complexity of this installation option is the mandatory observance of the distance from residential buildings (20 m) and trees (5 m). That is, in a small area, it is simply impossible to use a land gas tank for a private house. Reviews of the owners of underground gas storages also reveal many operational disadvantages. The main one is the complexity of technical support for the design. Close contact with the soil implies the gradual destruction of even high-strength steel alloys with a corrosion-resistant coating. To visually check the integrity of the gas tank, you will periodically have to dig it out.
Gas tank maintenance
The main measure in servicing a gas storage facility is periodic refueling. As a rule, mixtures of butane and propane are used, the percentage of which varies depending on local climatic conditions. Refueling is performed when the gas content in the tank drops to a level of about 25%. Direct filling is carried out by special services with gas carriers and fuel supply hoses, which are immersed in the neck of the gas tank. Owner reviews often criticize the lack of professionalism of gas supply companies providing such services. Therefore, in order not to miscalculate in choosing a service for refueling a gas tank, you should pay attention to the following points:
- The presence of an invoice with a description of the composition and quality of the mixture provided.
- Use of specialized gas meters and level gauges to take fuel volume readings.
- Fleet size. Large companies always have at their disposal 4-5 gas carriers to cover the needs of consumers during periods of seasonal excitement.
- Availability of hoses of the required length. In advance, it should be estimated at what distance in the conditions of a particular section a tanker can direct a hose (on average from 20 to 50 m).
System Security Reviews
With all the advantages of gas supply communications, the threat of explosion has always been and remains the main reason for refusing to use such systems. However, users rarely report accidents and even leaks when using gas holders for a country house. Responses of owners note that, subject to the rules for filling the tank and regular diagnostics, it is possible to exclude disturbances in the operation of the equipment. In turn, experts indicate that the overflow of the gas tank may become the most likely threat factor. For this reason, again, professional gas filling services using meters only fill up to 85%.
Price issue
The main expenses the user will incur at the initial stage of the organization of the system. The most drastic reviews of owners of gas tanks relate to its price tag, which may be 150-350 thousand rubles. Entry-level models are offered by Deltagaz and VPS, while more reliable premium Chemet equipment costs more than 300 thousand.
As for the costs of installation and connection, the earthworks fit into 20-25 thousand, and installation with fastening operations can cost 80-100 thousand. Of course, when ordering turnkey equipment with complex installation and further maintenance from one company, you can expect a reduction in the amount of 15-20%. As for the feedback from owners of gas tanks on the cost of heating during operation, they are generally positive, since 1 liter of liquefied gas costs about 15 rubles. That is, a house with an area of 100 m2 will require approximately 30-35 thousand per year.
Tips for organizing the "Gas Holder" system
First of all, gas workers recommend purchasing only factory-made equipment that is certified according to GOST. Moreover, it is desirable that the installation company also engaged in the installation, the staff of which has an engineer who is familiar with all the nuances of the technical device of a particular gas tank. To heat a private house, it is desirable to purchase models of small capacity, sufficient to support the supply for six months. Also, do not save on modern electronics and automatic control systems - they will not only increase the safety of equipment operation, but also positively affect the ergonomics of control.
Conclusion
Autonomous heating systems are the best choice for owners of country houses. It is important that the system meets the requirements in terms of thermal energy productivity, and is also reliable and easy to use. With proper operation, these characteristics may well correspond to heating with a gas tank. The pros and cons of this solution should be carefully weighed and correlated with specific application conditions. For example, for a large area it will not be a problem to place a large tank at all. On the other hand, being in a cold region increases the requirements for gas mixtures, which necessitates their modification - accordingly, the savings on gas heating as such will not be so obvious.