The household equipment market offers many alternative means of ensuring the autonomy of communication supply at home. For example, boiler plants allow you to create the optimal microclimate in rooms without central heating, and modern pumping stations effectively solve water supply problems. But meeting the need for hot water requires another unit. For such needs, an indirect storage water heater is used, which helps to solve household problems. For example, if you choose equipment with a tank of suitable volume, then housework in the form of washing, washing dishes and cleaning will be performed regardless of the main supply of hot water.
The device of water heaters
Structurally, any water-heating unit is a storage tank, that is, a boiler. In it, water is heated using a heat exchanger. The system also organizes the infrastructure of pipes forming a closed loop. Most modern models are indirect electric water heaters, which are distinguished by efficient operation and convenient control. Manufacturers usually use stainless steel as the material for the tank, and the surface is coated with special enamel protection against aggressive environments. A magnesium anode is also provided inside, due to which the electric potential in the boiler is controlled.
The outer surface of the tank has a heat-insulating coating. As a rule, polyurethane acts as a heater, which is distinguished by practicality, affordable price and durability in conditions of long-term operation. In the upper part, indirect domestic water heaters contain flanges with sleeves. This is a very important area, since it houses thermostat sensors, thermometers and anode holder.
Indirect heating features
Typically, electric or gas water heaters are used in a single complex with boiler equipment. In this case, they receive the necessary amount of heat from third-party equipment, therefore this mode of operation is called indirect. Despite the dependence on the boiler, such a boiler is able to provide hot water for several points in the house at the same time. It should be noted that indirect domestic water heaters do not consume either electricity or gas. They are powered by the heat generated by the boiler. The functioning of the equipment occurs automatically. Special devices determine the amount of heat required for supply to the drive. The water heated in the tank in the future can be used not only for domestic needs, but also in the heating system.
Main characteristics
One of the key characteristics is the volume of the built-in tank, which on average varies from 80 to 150 liters. Typically, 50-70 liter capacity is enough to service a one-story house. But for a larger family, you should buy a model whose tank holds at least 100 liters. Next, you need to determine the power, the average range of which is limited to 150-300 kW. This indicator directly affects the heating rate. An effective indirect water heater has optimal power and pressure indicators. By the way, the standard pressure level is 6 bar. Equally important is the availability of automatic controls for the unit. For modern models, the presence of a thermostat has long been a prerequisite for packaging, but there are also versions with ergonomic displays, timers and controllers.
Unit Installation Requirements
It is advisable to install the water heater near the boiler, therefore, this possibility should be provided even at the stage of designing the boiler room. The installation method is determined by the design of the unit, for example, there are floor, wall and suspension devices. At the same time, there are some nuances of installation depending on the power. So, models up to 150 kW can be installed in rooms with a ceiling height of at least 2.5 m and a total space volume of at least 15 m 3 . Also, an indirect water heater should be placed in the technical room only if there is a supply and exhaust system, a sewage system or a drainage receiver.
There are recommendations in the decoration of the walls - it is advisable to plaster them or cover them with tiles. If you plan to install the mounted model, you should make sure that the fasteners in the wall or on the ceiling can withstand it under the condition of maximum load. When performing a floor installation, it should also be ensured that the coating does not slip.
Boiler connection
For starters, posting is organized. All water supply circuits are distributed around the house in accordance with the project, after which you can proceed with the part of the electrical work. At this stage, the drive is connected to the network. It is important to consider that the system must be powered by sources for the operation of ACI systems with corrosion protection. Direct connection of an indirect water heater is carried out through a plugged socket, which eliminates errors in phase connections. The use of all kinds of extension cords and tees is excluded. Then, water is filled with subsequent air-breathing. During the first heating process, you should make sure that there are no leaks in the tank and adjacent unit wiring.
Maintenance
Typically, manufacturers indicate in the instructions the need for annual monitoring of equipment. In the process of this event, a full check of the drive itself, as well as the heating system as a whole, is carried out. The individual components of the boiler are also revised, including protective devices, connectors and a tank that must be cleaned of water stone.
Mandatory indirect water heater must be dry cleaned. This operation can be performed with a vacuum cleaner without using a washing mode. If during the inspection of equipment with an open tap an increased flow of water is noted, then, in the future, it may be necessary to control the pressure in the heating system or use a pressure reducing valve.
Manufacturers and prices
In the initial segment, Protherm offers fairly high-quality models. Units with a capacity of 100 l and 200 l with a capacity of up to 30 W can be bought for 15-20 thousand rubles. In the middle price segment, drives worthy of their characteristics are represented by the Gorenje brand. In particular, for 25 thousand rubles. it is possible to purchase an indirect water heater with a heating power of 2000 watts. If you need not only a powerful, but also a reliable unit, then you should refer to the Baxi line. For 50 thousand rubles. the manufacturer implements the Premier Plus model, which has a 100-liter tank with a capacity of 300 kW and a pressure of 7 bar.
Conclusion
This type of equipment is unique in terms of the lack of a decent alternative. Of course, it is possible to envisage other schemes for performing water heating with its subsequent distribution along the contours in the house, but any of them will be much more complicated in its configuration than indirect water heaters with their compactness and ease of operation. Of course, and they are not without flaws. Users, for example, note inaccuracies in the operation of automatic control systems, poor pressure control, problems in water supply, etc. But most of these shortcomings are characteristic only for models from the lowest price level.