The problem of hot water supply is not only faced by the owners of country houses and cottages. It is also relevant for the inhabitants of apartments in cities, so the decision to choose a water heater is important for many people. In order for the purchased model to provide the desired level of comfort, it is necessary to clearly define the range of its technical parameters before buying.

Today, apartments have all types of, so to speak, energy carriers that are used by heating boilers. Consider different types of water heaters with reference to specific housing equipment.

1. An electric water heater is the most common type. This is a large tank covered with a thermal insulator. Heating is carried out by one or several heating elements, power supply is AC 220V.
2. Indirect heating water treatment systems are used in apartments with their own boiler. It may be part of the gas heating structure equipment. For the design of underfloor heating today, electric boilers are used, suitable for connection to indirect heating boilers.
3. Water heaters based on the use of eddy currents are a rather non-standard class of devices in the territory of the former USSR. The transfer of energy to water in such installations is carried out from a metal heat exchanger and a spiral conductor, which are heated by Foucault currents. Water heaters of this type are efficient, but have special conditions of use.

Flowing water heaters on heating elements act as a separate class. It is better to buy them only for use in houses without gas supply, where powerful electrical networks are being built that can withstand heavy loads. A flow heater that provides not only domestic needs, but also a comfortable shower, consumes solid power. Therefore, if the wiring in the apartment can provide from 7 to 10 kW of constant load, feel free to buy a flow unit.

Instrument capacity

Before considering the requirements for devices of a particular class, it is necessary to outline the recommended parameters of storage-type water heaters. They look like this:

• a boiler capacity of 30 liters is enough if one person lives in the apartment. A good heater of this volume will provide household needs, allow you to take a quick shower;
• a small family of 2 would be the right choice with a heater of 50 liters. This volume is enough for a shower, washing dishes and other needs. But if the bathtub is filled, the next person who wants it will have to wait for the water to heat up;
• For a family with a child, it is better to choose a water heater, the volume of which ranges between 50 and 80 liters. The first figure will force you to put up with some restrictions, given that the child needs to be bathed quite often. The second - will allow you to exist quite comfortably;
• for a family of 3-4 people, the minimum boiler volume is 80 liters;
• tanks with a capacity of 100-150 liters will provide water for a large family. Even 6 people, provided that each of them does not want to take a bath at the same moment, will be able to comfortably use the shower and satisfy household needs.

Larger tanks in an apartment can create a problem. The fact is that the standard recommended floor load is 400 kg per sq.m. But in fact, enough equipment is already located in the bathrooms, the bathroom is being filled, there are people. In addition, interfloor dome-type slabs (some of their types) may not withstand a constant load at the technological limit.

When choosing a record-breaking boiler for a home, it is imperative to consult at least the management company of the house. The device can be hung on a load-bearing wall, a special case is apartments adjacent to an elevator shaft, the construction of which is very strong.

Durability of devices

The key building block of any boiler is its water tank. Let's take a look at the most common solutions on the market.

1. Enamelled steel tank. The most inexpensive and common solution. It has a key drawback: due to the accumulation of salt deposits and temperature changes, the protective coating is broken over time, the walls of the container corrode and collapse. The declared service life of the tank is in most cases ensured. But you should not count on the eternal operation of the device.
2. Steel tank with ceramic coating. Here the reliability is higher than in the previous example. Ceramics is stronger, more durable, but its fragility is higher. If you choose a boiler model with good protection against emergencies, the tank will show very solid durability indicators. But buying a boiler is worth a rational approach. The characteristics of standard ceramics and different marketing versions of "BIO", "self-healing", "especially strong" are almost the same, and the price of the device can differ significantly.
3. Tank made of stainless steel. The most expensive solution with record durability. The container will definitely survive several replacements of heating elements, and failure most often occurs due to defective welds.

In modern models of boilers, means are used to reduce corrosion. The so-called magnesium (occurs - zinc, which has a high depletion rate) anode is a useful part of the design, which will significantly increase the life of the boiler. In the course of work, it is gradually depleted, but the replacement of this element is not difficult and can be carried out independently, approximately once every 2 years. Therefore, if it is possible to purchase a boiler with a magnesium anode for an apartment, such a model should be preferred.

The question of the stability of the heating rate indicators

Before choosing a water heater, it is necessary to consider the characteristics of models responsible for the stability of heat transfer. This directly affects the bills received for electricity, as well as the life of the heating elements, heating elements. The following common technical solutions are offered on the market:

• single heating element, for the replacement of which the boiler will require the participation of a specialist equipped with the necessary tools. Such a device is unpretentious, the heater works for a long time, however, over time, due to the deposition of salts, the rate of water heating drops;
• single heating element requiring periodic cleaning. A segment of the water heater market, attractive for people who want to get a functional and convenient device for little money. The heater of such a boiler can be easily pulled out of the body for cleaning or replacement. Manufacturers specifically recommend periodic maintenance to maintain heat dissipation rates;
• glass covered heaters. There are cheaper models where the heating element is in ceramic or composite flasks. The most fault-tolerant and reliable solution. The boiler does not require cleaning. The heating element does not come into contact with water, corrosion does not occur, the characteristics of the heat transfer system change slightly as lime scale accumulates. To clean the boiler, special chemicals are used, but in practice they use methods to improve water quality.

The last segment of appliances that are convenient in an apartment are water heaters that use eddy currents. It is more rational to consider their requirements in a separate section, since the means of preparation used will be useful for all types of electric boilers and indirect heating devices.

How to stabilize the performance of the water heater

Water quality directly affects the stability of the performance of the water heater, and for devices using eddy currents, it is one of the key factors responsible for efficiency. The use of cleaning filters will improve the characteristics of the liquid, which will positively affect the boiler. Outlining the general mechanics thesis, we can formulate several recommendations:

1. A coarse mesh filter must be installed.
2. The use of flask cleaners to remove small lime impurities from the water is desirable.
3. It is recommended to consult with the local sanitary and epidemiological supervision service about the nature of the chemical composition of drinking water in a centralized system.

It is worth dwelling on the last point in more detail, since it is he who is important for eddy current water heaters. The presence of impurities in the form of iron oxides in water increases its electrical conductivity. As a result, the eddy current heater may go into emergency mode due to exceeding the critical performance of the system. Therefore, for the safe operation of such a device, it will be necessary to use a fine filter, which will remove iron-containing compounds from the water.

Water purification for all types of boilers will ensure:

• low sediment accumulation;
• low scale formation on heating elements.

As a result of using even a pair of simple filters, the heat exchange rate when using water purified from mechanical impurities will be at a stable level for many years of operation of the device.

How to choose a device for a particular apartment

In some cases, it is rational to choose a model according to the balance of power and volume, as well as to resort to neutralizing factors harmful to the boiler. This is done based on the following principles:

• in apartments with weak wiring, where a large family lives, boilers of significant power can cause the operation of power protection systems. To prevent this from happening, choose a model with low power consumption, but a capacious tank. The device can operate almost continuously with intensive water extraction, however, the load on the power grid will be within reasonable limits;
• to connect the boiler, it is recommended to conduct a separate power supply route directly from the apartment meter, equipped with its own circuit breakers;
• in apartments where frequent drawdowns or power surges are observed, it is recommended to use stabilizers from which the boiler is powered. Such a device, in most cases, will not be able to affect the final period of water heating, the amount of heat given off by the heating element will change. However, the boiler will operate in a stable mode, which will increase its MTBF.

There is also the problem of insufficient water pressure. Everyone chooses her decision individually. The pressure pumps, paired with a hydraulic accumulator, show themselves well. However, the specific implementation of the problem-solving scheme is chosen by the owner of the apartment.

Device format

On the market you can buy a variety of formats of water heaters. They are made in rectangular cases, round, designed to be hung on a wall or installed on the floor. Slim-type water heaters are especially suitable for installation in a niche, they are thin and compact.

There are even angular formats.

The choice of a specific product is made on the basis of the following criteria:

• if the design of the device provides for periodic cleaning or maintenance of the heating element, the model should be chosen so that the element has free access;
• all floor standing water heaters offer a convenient piping layout. Preference should be given to models in which the connection area is hidden from view after installation;
• wall-mount models that allow pipes to be connected not only from below, but also from behind - it is preferable in modern apartments, where engineering networks are hidden under the finish;
• you should choose floor-standing water heaters equipped with adjustable feet.

There are many more selection criteria for convenient use in a particular apartment. These include the location of the emergency water drain point, the input of the power cable, temperature controllers. There is only one conclusion - before going to the store, you should carefully examine the future location of the heating device and rationally evaluate the design of the boiler.

Proper connection is the key to safety

The right boiler is only half the solution to the problem of hot water supply for an apartment. In order for the device not to create problems, possible troubles should be foreseen and neutralized. There are no eternal things, water heaters sometimes fail. Therefore, you should consider and implement the correct connection.

1. A safety valve on the cold water supply pipe will protect the tank from bursting if the temperature control system fails. This element will relieve pressure in the centralized supply system and prevent a large-scale accident.
2. Shut-off valves at the inlet and outlet of water from the boiler are required. The device will require service sooner or later. Cutting off the tank from the utility network will make this procedure easier and faster.
3. The drain route to the sewer will be a convenient addition to the water heater connection structure. Connected to the water outlet of the boiler, it will allow you to empty the tank for service or repair quickly, without messing around with different household containers.

Knowing the intricacies of choice, you can get a safe, efficient, durable water heater for a reasonable price that will fully satisfy the needs of the family. And by connecting the device correctly, it is easy to forget about any troubles, and repairs and periodic maintenance will not look like a big problem.