Recently, electric storage water heaters have become increasingly popular, so the question of choosing such a device is considered quite relevant. So that the questions that arise do not lead you to a dead end, you need to know the design features and the principle of its operation, this will help you choose the right model that meets your requirements.

Types of heaters

All water heaters can be divided into two categories:

• gas;
• electrical.

Electric

Compared to the electric type, gas water heaters are much more economical from a financial point of view, largely due to the low cost of gas. And in terms of equipment installation, electric heaters are much simpler. There is no need to draw up a project for the placement of the device and obtain special permission for its installation.

In addition, all water heaters differ in the principle of operation, they can be:

• storage type;
• flow type;
• flow-accumulative type.

Cumulative

flowing

Flow-accumulative

According to external data, these structures are similar to each other. Storage and flow type designs are quite well known, in contrast to flow-storage devices.

Flow-accumulating devices

What attracts flow-storage devices? This boiler design is considered universal, due to the combination of the characteristics of two devices. Among the advantages of a device with a flow-accumulating system include:

• operation of the device in two modes;
• low weight of the structure, usually no more than 6 kg;
• small dimensions;
• ease of installation.

The size of the reservoir in the flow-heating device can vary from 10 to 30 liters. For a country house, this volume is quite enough.

The principle of operation of the storage device

The principle of operation of such a unit is quite simple, it is a kind of thermos containing a heating element. After heating the water, its temperature is maintained according to the set mode, so once you adjust the flow, you can safely swim and not be afraid of unpleasant surprises.

The main elements of such a device include:

• frame;
• thermal insulation - in most cases, multilayer thermal insulation is used, which allows you to increase the heating efficiency and maintain the set temperature;
• anti-corrosion coating of the inside of the device;
• flanges - they are used to connect pipes for supplying and discharging heated water;
• valves;
• devices for monitoring the functions of the device, this is the choice of temperature and control over overheating of the device.

Scheme of the storage type water heater

The principle of operation of the flow device

Flow devices include a compact boiler that is capable of heating water in a short period of time. Cold water that enters the device instantly heats up to 45–60 degrees after passing through the heating element. Fast heating is possible due to the high power of the heating element.

Among the advantages of flow type equipment are:

• no need for frequent care and maintenance;
• the best operating option for houses with a short-term lack of water supply.

There are also disadvantages:

• if hot water is required for only one point, then such a device is indispensable; when using the device to serve several points, the water will not have time to warm up to the desired temperatures.

If you still doubt what type your boiler should be, flow, storage or flow-accumulative, then view the further information that will help you decide on the selection of a model.

Scheme of the instantaneous water heater device

Classification

Electric water heaters can be:

• pressure;
• non-pressure.

Non-pressure

pressure head

In simple terms, a non-pressure type boiler resembles boiling an electric kettle. The incoming water is heated and consumed. The advantage of this design can be considered simple installation and low cost. As for the cons, it’s a little more complicated here, such heaters require constant monitoring of the water level in the tank and the absence of pressure, since the flow occurs by gravity.

A pressure-type boiler of heaters is much better, since the change of water, as it decreases, occurs automatically, cold water enters, and heated water comes out. If you are choosing equipment for giving, then it is quite possible to use the first option of the heater, since its work will be directed to one type of consumption, for example, to a shower.

Advantages and disadvantages

Features of work, as well as the positive and negative sides of these devices, will help you decide on the choice of model for your use.

The advantages of electric storage water heaters include:

• a large model range that can provide a device with any volume and power. In addition, by comparing the characteristics, you can choose a more economical model for your operating conditions;
• high efficiency rates;
• due to the fact that the storage water heater can be connected to one phase of the mains, it can be safely installed in a summer cottage or rural area;
• minimum heat loss;
• there are no restrictions on pressure, which is important not only for houses with a centralized water supply, but also for other sources of water supply;
• the vertical design of the tank can fit perfectly into any bathroom.

• waiting for some time for heating, which can take from 10 minutes to several hours;
• in a small room, the location of a sufficiently large storage tank is especially critical;
• scale formation and destruction of heating elements;
• high cost on models with scale protection.

Criterias of choice

Electric storage water heaters may have some differences based on their performance, used as criteria for selecting equipment. But when comparing the technical characteristics of models, do not forget to compare them with your requests.

Volume

The size of the tank can vary from 10 to 200 liters, when purchasing equipment with a large volume, it is necessary to remember its expediency. In order to determine the volume of the device you need, you need to know the approximate daily allowances per person. On average, these indicators look like this:

• 1 person takes from 10 to 50 liters;
• on two - from 50 to 80 liters;
• for three people, including one child - from 80 to 100 liters;
• for a family of four - from 100 to 120 liters.

The shape of the model and its execution

Accumulative electric heaters are made in various versions. The main criterion for selection is the form and method of placement of the device, relative to your home and its free space.

According to the method of fastening, the heaters are divided:

• to horizontal;
• vertical.

According to the method of installation, heaters are divided into three categories:

• floor;
• wall;
• embedded.

According to the cross-sectional shape, heaters are:

• rectangular;
• rounded;
• square.

Based on all the parameters, the main criterion is the location of the device. When choosing vertical models, you will always get faster heating. Therefore, this design is always in the first place, you need to choose a horizontal arrangement only when there is nowhere to place a vertical tank.

Power

The power of any model depends on its volume. Naturally, for a tank of 10 liters, less energy will be needed. If different models have the same volume but differ in power, the time to heat up is usually significantly different. For example, a water heater with a power of 2.5–3 kW will heat 150 liters in 3–4 hours, to a temperature of 15–65 degrees.

Power

Internal coating

The coating inside plays an equally important role in terms of efficiency and durability of the structure. The ability of the device to function without repair and maintenance depends on the quality of the coating.

• functional titanium coating is considered to withstand high temperature fluctuations and the negative impact of salts in the water;
• Enamel, ceramic and glass porcelain coatings have anti-scale properties. But there is also a rather significant minus, this is the vulnerability of the coating to an increase in temperature.

Visually, it is very difficult to determine this, in appearance it is an ordinary surface containing small microcracks, which will subsequently lead to the destruction of this layer. Therefore, such water heaters do not like temperatures above 60 ° C.

• stainless steel surface coating is considered the best option, comparing the cost of the device with its operational capabilities.

Installation of equipment

Installing an electric storage water heater or boiler is quite simple. The whole process can be divided into three stages:

• the first stage is to fix the device on the surface of the floor, wall. The wall-mounted option is more time-consuming, since it will be necessary to prepare special holes and fix brackets or dowels, depending on the size and weight of the device;

Mounting the heater on the wall

• the second stage involves connecting the device to the pipeline. This stage is the most important, as it will require compliance with the rules for the tightness of the joints. Then it remains a matter of technology, for convenience, the pipes for the inlet and outlet of the water are marked with different colors: for the entrance - blue, for the exit - red. After installation, pay attention to the safety valve; if installed correctly, its arrow points to the tank;

Connecting taps to the boiler

• connect the boiler to the power supply - this is the third and crucial moment. It must be carried out in strict observance of the instructions for the device. It must be remembered that the connection of the device should be carried out only when the switch is turned off, and it must be started when the tank is filled with water.

You can take care of the quality of the incoming water into the tank by equipping a special filter on the pipeline with cold water. By installing such a device, you will significantly reduce the amount of scale that forms.

General requirements for the installation of equipment

There are a number of installation requirements:

• the distance from the flow taps to the boiler should be minimal, this will significantly save energy;
• if you plan to install a boiler in your home, make sure that the kitchen taps, bathtubs, showers and the boiler itself are located at a fairly close distance from each other;
• an electric storage water heater when placed on a wall, must be mounted on the condition of a reliable concrete or brick wall;
• until the boiler is filled with water, it is strictly forbidden to supply electricity to it;
• until the boiler is disconnected from the power supply system, water drainage is prohibited;
• it is impossible to connect an electric storage water heater to the water supply network, with a pressure above 6 atmospheres, without first installing a safety valve;
• electric storage heaters cannot be used without electrical grounding;
• electric storage water heaters must undergo periodic inspection and cleaning, which is carried out in compliance with all the recommendations and rules specified in the instructions.