Hot water for a modern person is not at all a luxury. He is in dire need of it. In this regard, many owners of apartments, in which the centralized water supply system cannot provide hot water around the clock and throughout the year, sooner or later begin to think about purchasing such a device as a water heater.

The modern home appliance market offers many models. However, not everyone can answer the question of which water heater is better to buy for an apartment. Let's try to figure it out.

Electricity or gas?

Which water heater is better to buy in an apartment? Feedback from experts and consumers confirm that when choosing, it is necessary to determine which energy source will be used when operating this device. Depending on what will be brought up to heat the water, the units are divided into two types. They can be gas or electric.

Which water heater is better to buy in an apartment? Consumer reviews indicate that gas appliances are cheaper to operate. At first glance, it may seem that this option would be the most acceptable for apartment owners. However, this is not quite true. The cheaper type will bring the water up to the set temperature very slowly. In addition, to install this device, you will need to involve specialists from the gas service for help. They will charge for laying additional pipes and ventilation ducts. The end result is a pretty decent amount.

Gas boilers are also quite expensive, heating an impressive amount of water. 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 device are powered by a network:

220 volts (single phase);
- (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 heat water very quickly, but 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 available 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 building, then the owner is given the opportunity to choose a more powerful device. How many kilowatts to count in this case can be determined according to the existing project.

Which water heater is better to buy in an apartment? The reviews of many people who decide to purchase this useful device indicate that they are afraid of a sharp increase in electricity bills. But you shouldn't worry about it. Electric water heaters, which have average volume and power indicators, with their constant operation, cost the owners no more than a couple of hundred rubles a month.

Installation location

Which water heater is better to buy in an apartment, you need to decide not only based on the type of energy it consumes. Users note that if the project does not initially provide for a place in which 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 wall-mounted and floor-mounted devices.

If you decide to purchase a water heater for an apartment, which of these two types is better? Wall-mounted appliances save space. Floor water heaters are securely installed on the floor and do not cause the risk of collapse even with large volumes of water in them.

When choosing a wall-mounted option, before buying, you will need to measure the width and height of the free space with a tape measure. This will allow you to find out the allowable dimensions of the water heater and how it would be best to position it.

Wall units are mounted either horizontally or vertically. At the same time, the manufacturer produces universal devices that can be positioned depending on the available space, as well as special models with one or another configuration.

To date, the manufacturer also offers such water heaters that can be installed directly under the sink. However, their main disadvantage is the limited amount of heated liquid.

Volume

This is one of the important parameters that should also be taken into account when choosing a water heater. In order to determine the required volume of the tank, 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 sufficient. But to take a shower of water, you will need more (from 50 to 100 liters). If family members are used to taking a bath, then the maximum volume of the tank is required (up to 150 liters).

Device type

Water heaters are of the following types:

Cumulative;
- flowing;
- accumulative indirect heating.

Let's consider them in more detail.

Storage water heaters

Units of this type are the 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.

What storage water heater is better to buy in an apartment? One that will allow you to use the required volume of water, because when it is fully consumed, you will have to wait again for the heating of a new portion of the liquid. In this regard, when choosing a model, it is necessary to calculate the size of the tank.

Flow type 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 the water to warm up enough and be very hot. At the same time, such units have more than storage units. However, if we take into account 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, it is better not to buy instantaneous water heaters. 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 will need to evaluate the load that will be placed on the unit.

What power water heater is better to buy in an apartment? In the event that up to three people will use the water, 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 supply temperature will be at least fifty degrees.

How to determine which is better for an apartment?

The choice of such a unit is also 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 homes, a model must be purchased at 30 Hz.

Storage water heaters with indirect heating

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 involves inserting into the heating system. But if we consider the advantages of using this unit, then it is worth noting that there is no need to connect it to the electrical network.

Indirect heating devices are installed, as a rule, in urban private or country houses that have an autonomous heating system.

Performance and Power

Which electric water heater is better to buy in an apartment? To select the optimal 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 already mentioned above. In such units, for comfortable consumption of hot water, the power must be above 12 kW. In storage devices, a power of 2 kW is sufficient. The performance of this type of device will be at a sufficient level.

heating elements

When deciding on the choice of a heater, this parameter should also be paid attention to. Manufacturers offer models that provide either one or two heating elements.

In the first case, water heaters use energy, which is controlled by automation. At the same time, to maintain the set 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? With high hot water consumption, models with two heating elements are the most preferred option.

Other selection criteria

Modern devices for heating water are distinguished by low heat loss. This figure is only a few degrees during the day. This becomes possible due to the good thermal insulation of the tanks, for which polyurethane foam, fiberglass or expanded polystyrene are used.

When choosing a water heater, you can compare the heat loss rates for different models. To do this, you need to clarify this parameter in the instructions attached to the device.

Equally 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 on the quality of the applied anti-corrosion coating.

When buying a water heater, you need to focus on its price. It will be directly dependent on all the above parameters, as well as the brand of the device.

Manufacturers

Which brand of water heater is better to buy in an apartment? Inexpensive, but at the same time reliable devices are offered to consumers by Ariston. Affordable at their cost are units manufactured by the Swedish company Electrolux. This manufacturer is considered a leader in the segment of gas water heaters. Electrolux electrical units are of high quality, and at the same time are just as expensive as Bosh brand products.

Cheap, but at the same time, sufficiently high-quality heaters offered by Thermex are becoming increasingly popular on the market. Good user reviews are also received by devices from manufacturers such as Drazice and Gorenje. What brand of water heater is better to buy in an apartment if you need to install a compact device? AEG is the leader in this segment. Below are the most popular models of water heaters.

Ariston ABS BLU R 80V

This water heater stands out among other models with scanty 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 tank of the device is hardened steel. At the same time, the manufacturer reliably protected the body of the device from heat loss by covering it with an aluminum plate.

Users note that the water in such a unit reaches the maximum heating temperature in almost 3-4 hours. Pleases 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 capable of bringing 4-5 liters 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 several water intake points.

The design of the device provides for the installation of a copper heating element. He has an indication of work and mechanics. Users note that the model has reliable protection against overheating, as well as against water ingress into it.

This high-quality device receives a lot of positive feedback 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 volume of the tank of this model is 80 liters. It heats up water in just two hours. In this case, the device consumes 2 kW.