Type of fuel consumed.
The choice is usually between gas and electricity. Each type of fuel has its own advantages and disadvantages.
An electric boiler is faster and more economical to install – no need to lay pipes or do earthwork. You can install it on your own without fear that smoke will go around the house due to some mistake.
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Another plus is that these boilers are more environmentally friendly. The disadvantage of such heating is the high price of electricity. Also, the power of electric boilers depends on the mains voltage. If traffic jams fly out when you run more than five household appliances, do not expect high temperatures from an electric boiler.
Gas heating is cheaper in terms of fuel costs but more difficult to install. If the house needs to be connected to communications, you will have to lay pipes and a chimney. But if you already have a fuel source, the installation will be much easier.
In any case, only professionals should be engaged in the installation and maintenance of a gas boiler. The most profitable option is natural gas. The difference between them is simple: thanks to the principle of condensation, the boiler does not emit water vapor together with the smoke but turns it into a liquid and uses the released heat.
Power
Calculate this parameter before buying so that there is enough heat for the whole house, but at the same time, you do not overpay for a too energy-intensive boiler. Power is usually calculated based on the heat loss of the building. Still, for convenience, you can take the principle of 1 kW per 10 m² of housing plus 25% (you need to add another quarter in case of abnormally cold weather). It turns out that if the area of your house is 150 m², the boiler power in kilowatts should be:
(150: 10) × 1.25 = 18.75
If the device heats the home and heat water, you need to consider the hot water supply cost – hot water supply. You can proceed from calculating 5 kW per tap, 7 kW per shower, and 10 kW per bath.
If the house from the example has two taps, a shower, and a bathroom, you need to add 5 + 5 + 7 + 10 = 27 kW. As the final power, you need to take the highest value, since at night the main load goes to heating and a little to hot water supply, and during the day it is vice versa.
Efficiency
The boiler efficiency is the ratio of the fuel introduced and the heat that was released from it. Simply put, efficiency indicates how efficiently the boiler uses fuel. This parameter is important to consider for several reasons.
First, your utility bills depend on it. Let’s say a gas boiler needs seven times less fuel than an electric boiler to heat the same area. Secondly, less energy-intensive appliances are more environmentally friendly. But remember that saving energy should not affect performance: you take a boiler for heat.
Durability
The service life of your boiler is directly related to its quality. First, all internal mechanisms must be tested. Find out when purchasing what safety certificates the equipment has.
Secondly, the boiler’s outer panels must also be strong and made of quality materials that do not scratch or abrade. If you save on material, there is a great chance of overpaying later: the device can often break down, quickly rust, or, worst of all, explode.
Resistance to temperature conditions
This parameter is similar to the previous one – we are talking about the quality of the materials from which the boiler is made. But pay special attention to it if you live in a region where it is freezing in winter, cold water is often turned off, or the temperature outside the window changes frequently.
For example, yesterday +15, and tomorrow 3 degrees of heat. To not break due to drops, the metal must be dense enough, but at the same time possess ductility, that is, not be brittle.
Stealth
A good home boiler should be quiet so that you and your family don’t have to over-shout its buzz. This requires a silencer and soundproofing panels. Keep in mind that the quietest boilers are those with a modulating pump.
Another criterion for invisibility is the size of the heater. If he takes half a bath and everyone stumbles over him, such a boiler will be annoying even with other advantages. Get a compact device that won’t steal much space.
The convenience of the interface
The first thing you need to pay attention to is manufacturability. A modern digital interface will be much more comfortable than mechanical knobs and levers. It will also make it easier for you to adjust the temperature you want.
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One more point: the interface of any boiler should be simple, intuitive. Otherwise, you will have to get used to it for a long time or explain, say, to elderly family members how to deal with a complex menu.
Design
Yes, you can make a niche in the wall and hide the heater. Or equip a separate boiler room, if space permits. But there is another option: buy a beautiful device that will fit into the interior. You can find boilers in different colors and formats: wall-mounted, floor-standing, narrow, wide, black, white, or steel.
Adapted and translated by Wiki Avenue Staff
Sources: Life hacker
