Flowing water heater for the bathroom. How to choose a water heater for the bathroom. Flow or storage heater

Repair of heating networks, interruptions in the supply of water - situations familiar to many. Of course, an hour - another can be tolerated. And if the repair is delayed? There is already a need for a water heater in the bathroom. Installing this device can completely solve all problems with interruptions in hot water. But the product market offers many water heating systems. This article will help you choose the right device.

There are several types of water heaters for the bathroom, which can be divided into three types:

geyser in the bathroom;
electric water heaters;
indirect heating devices.

Gas heaters are known to us under the name "columns". If they are installed - the owners appreciated their effectiveness. 16 liters of water can be heated in one minute. If it is possible to install it in the house, it is preferable to opt for this type of water heating. Owners of private houses are in a favorable situation.

But in order to install a gas boiler in the bathroom, you will need a chimney in the house and a lot of approvals and permits from regulatory organizations. It is better to choose electrical systems. They can be divided into:

Storage water heaters that use a boiler.
Systems of flow heating of water.

In storage systems, water is heated using a heating element. But in order to heat the boiler, heating elements of another type can be used. In water heaters of the flow type, heat exchangers of various designs are used to heat water. The choice of electric water heaters must be approached very carefully. Here you will need to take into account several conditions:

how many people live in the house;
how water is used;
wiring condition.

Speaking of wires. If the house is old, then most likely it will be necessary to replace the supply wiring with a grounding device.

Storage water heaters

It is the storage system (boiler) that has become widespread in Russian apartments. They can heat cold water and supply hot water either for the whole apartment or just for the bathroom.

The boiler is valued by the consumer for its low energy consumption and the presence of a certain supply of already heated water. Of the disadvantages that the boiler has, these are large dimensions to provide boiling water supplies for a small family of three. The water heater in the bathroom can be selected in a variety of designs and shapes. They may differ from each other in technical characteristics (for example, water consumption) and appearance. The spread in energy consumption is usually small - 1.4-2.5 kW. But the design and construction can vary significantly between different types.

To choose a boiler, you need to pay special attention to its durability. To a greater extent, it depends on the heating element - the heating element. According to their design, they are divided into two types:

Boiler with dry heater (in this version, the heating element does not come into contact with water).
Water heaters for a bathroom with a "wet" heating element, has direct contact with tap water. Such devices have a shorter service life due to constant contact with the city water supply, which contains various impurities.

Flow-through water heating systems

If you want to provide an apartment with an alternative source of hot water, you can pay attention to flow systems. They are of three types:

Stationary flow systems. They are mounted as a separate element, since they have a larger volume and require a separate place for installation. It could be under the bathtub or under the sink. The latter is equipped with a decorative pedestal, in which the entire water heating system is successfully “hidden”.
Water heaters in the bathroom as a nozzle on the faucet. This universal device is put on the mixer tube in front of the rotary gooseneck. For the needs of washing or for cleaning dishes, this design is ideal, but such a device cannot provide such a device to take a bath or wash in the shower.
Faucet with electric water heating. A new type of instantaneous water heater heating device. It has its own water mixer. The water heats up in the same way as the nozzles but much faster (depending on how much the cold water supply is open). Such a system is quite realistic to apply in conditions where there is no hot water. For example, in cottages. It will not be possible to wash in the bathroom (the water will cool down), but it is quite possible to take a shower. Such a device is inexpensive, installed by the forces of its home "craftsman" and is characterized by low power consumption. Such a water heater in the bathroom has recently become very popular.

Preparing for installation

To begin with, before purchasing and installing a boiler, it is worth considering the connection system and designating the place where the entire structure will be located - in the bathroom itself or in the adjacent toilet.

If you decide to do the installation on your own, then it makes sense to prepare the necessary tools for work in advance:

measuring tool,
hammer drill,
keys set,
flat or Phillips screwdriver (preferably a set),
pliers with cutters.

To connect the water supply and withdrawal system for the bathroom water heater, prepare in advance:

tow with fum tape,
plumbing fixtures (3 taps for storage devices and 2 taps for flow),
tees (quantity to be determined based on the type of connection),
metal-plastic pipes or special connecting hoses.

Most likely, you will need to either change the electric / wiring or conduct a new one. For this purpose you will need:

three-core wires,
fuse - automatic,
power socket.

We connect the water heater

There are two options for connecting a water heater for a bathroom: a temporary scheme or a permanent one.

With a temporary option, there are no difficulties. For this:

A tee cuts into a pipe with a cold water supply.
A stopcock is installed.
Connect the shower or faucet to the outlet of the heater.

In any case, when installing water heaters for a bathroom, it is necessary to carry out a minimum of construction and installation work:

The distance between the fasteners with which the boiler is equipped is measured with a tape measure and transferred to the wall.
A puncher drills holes in the wall for anchor bolts.
Anchor hooks are installed.
The whole boiler is hung on the wall.

When installed permanently, a flowing water heater is most often done so that it works in tandem with a common water supply system in a dwelling. To do this, the work process goes like this:

tees must be inserted into existing pipes;
stop valves are installed;
connect the cold water supply pipe to the water heater above the bath (the connection point is marked in blue);
connect boiling water from the boiler with metal-plastic pipes with a tee with a mixer;
All connections are carefully checked. If there are leaks, they must be eliminated;
open the cold water supply to the system and connect the appliance to the socket.

Everything - the house is provided with an alternative source of hot water. If a boiler is installed, the work process is almost the same. The only thing is that before turning on the boiler, it is necessary to let it completely fill with water. To remove air from the tank, both supply and water intake taps must be open. If there are no leaks and the air is completely removed, the bathroom water heater is connected to the mains.

Now there is an idea about how and how you can connect alternative hot water systems and install water heaters in the bathroom. For a more complete understanding of the process of installing a water heating device, you can watch the video and read the installation manuals that are supplied with flow systems.

To solve the problem of constant hot water supply in the bathroom, it is easiest to install an instantaneous electric water heater for the shower. It has significant advantages over a storage device, which we will discuss in detail in this article. And we will also pay attention to the minuses, the main one is the need for a special approach when providing electricity.

Also in this material we will give recommendations for choosing a suitable water heater, including the calculation of sufficient power. We will designate the best manufacturers of electric models, focus on installation and maintenance. Indeed, for uninterrupted operation, it is necessary not only to correctly calculate the parameters, but also to carry out the installation in a qualified manner.

The choice of a water heater for a shower between a flow-through and storage type of device is not always unambiguous. Each of them has its pros and cons, and the solution in most cases depends on the capacity of the power supply system.

The internal structure of the device

In bathrooms, non-pressure water heaters are installed for one collapsible point. They are designed for a single consumer, have 1-2 heating elements and rarely exceed 8 kW. A, sufficient for the operation of such devices, should be from 0.03 to 0.6 MPa.

The device is turned on when the flow sensor is triggered. The overheating sensor determines the water temperature and turns off the heating elements when it goes beyond the allowable range.

The indicator signals to the user about the operation of the heating elements. If it is turned on, and the water does not heat up, then this means a breakdown of the heating element - the most common problem with instantaneous water heaters.

The device of the Thermex instantaneous water heater does not differ from similar devices from other companies. However, when repairing, it is better to use original parts.

For all water heaters, the place for connecting the hose from the water supply is marked in blue, and for the shower head or faucet - in red

The placement of sensors for the flow of water and its overheating does not allow the heated jet to pass in the opposite direction. Therefore, for the safe operation of the device, it is necessary not to confuse the connection points of the cold water inlet and the heated outlet.

Also, for many devices, a limitation on the maximum temperature of the incoming water is prescribed. As a rule, it is 30-35 degrees. If this value is exceeded, the overheating sensor will definitely work and the water heater will turn off. Therefore, it is impossible to connect the device to a hot water pipe when, according to the consumer, insufficiently heated water flows there.

Advantages of flow models

The first advantage of the flow device is the significantly smaller dimensions. Placing it in a shower room and installing it yourself is no problem, while finding a place for a massive tank of a storage water heater and it creates noticeable difficulties.

The second advantage is the significantly lower cost of a domestic instantaneous water heater designed for a single point of consumption. Depending on the configuration and brand, the price range of such devices is 1,700 - 8,000 rubles, while the price of a simple storage water heater with a tank capacity of 30 liters or more starts at 5,000 rubles.

Maintenance and repair of storage devices must be carried out more often, and it is more expensive. In addition, not every consumer can carry out their independent installation and connection, which incurs additional costs for paying for specialist services.

When using a storage water heater, the number of people must be taken into account when calculating the volume of the tank. However, in the event of the arrival of guests, it may not be enough. The flow analogue is devoid of such a disadvantage.

We have more criteria for comparing instantaneous and storage water heaters.

Nuances of connection and operation

For trouble-free operation of an instantaneous water heater, you will need to study the principle of its operation and know the main technical characteristics of the device. There are also nuances of connection and maintenance that will avoid problems during its operation.

How to connect the water heater correctly?

There are water heaters with bottom, top and side water supply. In bathrooms, as a rule, use the lower option. It is necessary to determine the optimal connection method before purchasing the device, since it is forbidden to install it in a different position.

Connection to cold water occurs in two ways:

to the shower connector of the faucet-shower switch;
directly to the cold branch of the water supply.

The first method leaves the opportunity to use a standard water tap to get cold water bypassing the water heater.

In a user-designed plumbing system, shut-off valves must not be used after the instantaneous water heater. Otherwise, it will lead to its overheating, even if there is a shutdown function by a temperature sensor. This rule is directly indicated in the instructions for many devices.

A typical option for connecting a flow device to a cold water system. Shower switch and faucet are located before the water heater, and after it the flow is free

According to the requirements of electrical safety, regulated for hygienic premises GOST R 50571.7.701-2013, sockets for 220 volts must be installed in the third zone (further in plan than 60 cm from the shower, bath or sink tap) and must comply with the degree of protection IPX4 or higher.

At a distance of more than 3 meters from the water supply points, ordinary class sockets can be installed. IPX1.

Despite the fact that the instantaneous water heater is designed for wet rooms and has good tightness, when choosing an installation site, it is necessary to take into account the undesirability of direct hot water jet. This is how the case heats up, which will negatively affect the tightness of the connections and the performance of the control panel. In addition, the ingress of water reduces the strength of fixing the device to the wall.

Fastening to the wall occurs by standard methods using screws. The weight of the device is from 1 to 3 kg, so no measures for reinforced installation are required. Some owners do without fixing the device, but this is not necessary, since there is a risk of the device falling and depressurizing during its operation, which is dangerous for people in the room.

Do you want to install a flowing water heater on your own? We recommend that you familiarize yourself with the installation.

If it is not possible to install a water heater outside the bath or shower, then it should be placed as high as possible. In this case, the amount of water falling on it will decrease.

In addition to wiping the surface of the water heater with soapy water, periodic maintenance consists in changing the filter installed on the cold water supply.

For this, the following actions are performed:

disconnect the device from the power supply;
close the tap on the water supply;
unscrew the hose;
remove and rinse the mesh filter;
assemble the device in reverse order.

For trouble-free operation, it is important to properly configure the equipment.

The water temperature must be set in the following order:

Open the faucet and wait for the water to flow from the water heater.
Turn on the water heater. After 10 seconds, the temperature will become constant.
If the temperature is not suitable for taking a shower, then by adjusting the pressure and operating modes of the water heater, change it.

After each action to change the pressure of the water supply or the power of the heating elements, it is necessary to wait 10-15 seconds to establish constant temperature values.

We have provided detailed instructions for the operation and maintenance of the water heater.

Conclusions and useful video on the topic

Mounting to the wall, connecting the water supply and starting the water heater Electrolux Smartfix:

An example of incorrect use of a water heater. The device is not fixed, the faucet is installed after the hot water outlet:

The calculation of the required power of the instantaneous water heater, its fastening and connection to the water supply can be done independently. The greatest difficulty is the safe provision of the device with electricity. Choosing a well-known manufacturer will ensure that problems are quickly resolved if the device breaks down.

Do you want to ensure the year-round availability of warm water in the shower by installing a flow-through model of a water heater, but your friends convince you of the inefficiency of such a solution? Ask your questions under this article - real owners of instantaneous water heaters will share with you their experience of use and their own opinion on the advisability of installing it.

Every person has a problem with hot water from time to time, and therefore, in order not to rely on centralized water supply and constantly have hot water in the bathroom, you should think about installing a water heater. Which water heater to choose for the bathroom, we will tell you right now.

Today we decided to slightly change the format of the article and not just talk about the advantages of certain water heaters and consider instantaneous and storage water heaters for the bathroom, but immediately move on to readers' questions, which we will answer. So, questions and answers that will quickly guide you when choosing a water heater for the bathroom.

Which water heater to choose?

We suggest you consider only two types of water heaters - instantaneous and storage. We want to say right away that instantaneous water heaters are more suitable for a kitchen or bathroom for summer use, since you will not be able to get a standard strong pressure of hot water with their help. But, on the other hand, you can consistently get warm enough water that you can rinse in, in which you can wash, and so on. If you are more interested in a relaxing bath or a large amount of hot water for other needs, we recommend you a storage water heater, but remember that there is one definite disadvantage - storage water heaters heat water for a rather long time.

Which instantaneous water heater to choose?

If you opted for a instantaneous water heater, then we recommend that you purchase a device according to the following criteria:

Sufficient power for heating water;
Easy-to-install shape and size of the water heater;
Compulsory quality assurance of internal manufacturing materials, certified production;
Nice design of the water heater, because most often, it is in plain sight.

Which storage water heater to choose?

When choosing a storage water heater, we advise you to pay attention to the following:

Water heater power, water heating time, electricity costs;
The volume of the tank, the possibility of reheating water and maintaining the temperature;
Automatic control - on / off when a certain temperature is reached;
The quality of the internal equipment - the tank, the heating element, and so on;
Protective functions of the water heater - automatic shutdown, check valve operation, etc.;
Warranties and documentation for the water heater;
Appearance, shape, dimensions.

What brand of water heater is better to choose?

Many of us are interested in which water heater company is better to choose? This is the right and timely question, because we need quality and durability, practicality and ease of use, and therefore, we need to focus on brands that have earned consumer trust.

So which brand of water heater should you choose? We offer you the following options: Ariston, Atlantic, Delfa, Electrolux, Ferroli, Fregia, Garanterm, Combustion, Nord, Nova tech, Round, Termex, Thermo.

Naturally, this is only a small part of the bathroom and kitchen water heater manufacturers that you can choose from.

How to choose a water heater by type?

If we are thinking about which water heater to choose for an apartment, for using hot water in the bathroom and in the kitchen, then it is necessary to dwell not only on the external parameters and power of the devices, but also on their types. Of all the currently available, we decided to choose only those that can be placed at home.

Choosing a gas water heater

It is good if the house has the opportunity to connect a gas water heater, because in many houses this is not allowed. If the permit system passes, then you can always get hot water at an affordable price.

The installation of a gas heater takes place right next to the gas source, that is, if you need hot water in the bathroom, then it will come from the kitchen. Installation of a gas water heater is carried out only by specialists, in no case independently.

Choosing an electric water heater

An electric water heater is convenient in that it is installed in any convenient place where you can arrange the supply of water to the tank and its intake. The distance can always be adjusted by the length of the pipes. Naturally, maintenance of an electric water heater in the bathroom will be more expensive than maintenance of a gas one, since appliances with high power consume quite a serious amount of expensive electricity.

Installation of an electric water heater (flow or storage) can be done independently if you have already encountered the installation of such equipment and connection work.

Today we dealt with many issues and found out which company's water heater to choose, which water heater to determine for the home - electric or gas, storage or instantaneous. It remains only to talk about the installation and connection of water heaters, which we will do in one of our next articles.

How to choose a water heater for the bathroom (video)

When choosing a water heater for a bathroom by type, be sure to make sure that it can be connected at home.

Which is better to choose a water heater: we draw conclusions

We believe that for use in the bathroom, where you wash and rinse, take baths and do light laundry by hand, an electric storage water heater is most suitable. He can always give a certain amount of hot water, which is necessary for use. If the hot water in the tank is over, then it seems to us that waiting for it to heat up for a couple of hours will not be a particular problem. Of course, you may have a different opinion, and we do not forbid you to think subjectively and do not impose your own opinion, but simply give good advice.

An electric water heater is a profitable and convenient alternative to central hot water supply, even to classic boilers. Such a device is capable of heating a large amount of water in a short time, which will be enough for the bathroom and even the kitchen.

The problem of buying a boiler becomes especially acute for owners of private country houses, where there is no central water supply at all, and for apartment residents in the summer, when scheduled shutdowns and interruptions begin. It is in such cases that a water heater becomes a real necessity, capable of improving and facilitating everyday moments.

Flow boiler

Today, due to the high demand for water heaters, the plumbing market offers us a lot of options, different in cost, principle of operation and quality.

Variety of water heating devices

The first question that the consultant in the store will ask you is: “Which device do you want, electric or gas?”.

There are electric and gas water heaters on the market. The latest models, unfortunately, are not so popular, as they are not suitable for every home, and their installation is quite complicated. In installation and operation principle, electric water heaters are more simple and convenient, so their market share is larger and more profitable.

Types of electric water heaters:

flowing;
flow-accumulative;
cumulative.

Each of the types has a number of advantages and disadvantages, so the choice of a particular model should be made according to the technical characteristics of a particular product. The main difference between the devices is the dimensions. When choosing, keep in mind that flow-accumulative mechanisms were able to collect all the advantages of both options.

As practice shows, buyers are more interested in flow products, so we recommend that you take a closer look at such a profitable bathroom equipment.

Instantaneous water heater

Flow type water heater

The flow-type device looks quite compact and neat, which distinguishes it favorably from bulky boilers of 20-80 liters. The water heater does not have a storage tank, which makes it such a convenient size.

Water is heated through a flow mechanism, passing through a heat exchanger (heating element - heating element), reaching 40-600C and immediately entering the mixer, that is, for distributing water. This principle of operation ensures the ability of the device to heat an unlimited amount of water.

The heart of the instantaneous water heater can be called a high-power heating element, which is installed in the copper case of the device.

Unfortunately, such a device will work effectively only for one water intake point. Otherwise, the water flowing through the heating element will not have time to heat up to a comfortable temperature.

Advantages of the flow device:

compact dimensions, the device can be easily placed in a bathroom of any size;
the ability to get the maximum amount of hot water;
water heats up fairly quickly;
high service life;
does not require any maintenance;
easy installation and dismantling;
affordable prices for various models.

Thanks to a number of pluses, the variety of devices is growing, including their quality and additional features, so choosing the best model will be easy.

Disadvantages of instantaneous water heater:

a large amount of power consumption, that is, electricity;
connection to several points of water intake will reduce the efficiency of the device, that is, the level of water temperature;
most of the popular products have high power, which not every outlet can withstand;
a certain amount of water pressure is required.

If you need a constantly large volume of hot water, and the sockets cannot withstand the high power of an instantaneous electric water heater, you should consider storage devices. After all, not every apartment or house has the opportunity to use so much electricity.

Instantaneous water heater

If you decide to choose a flow mechanism, you can be offered a small type of water heater. They are forceful and non-pressure.

The pressure mechanism is quite simple, it has only an inlet and outlet for water. Installation is carried out in a "riser" and involves wiring to several points. The device turns on and off independently, reacting to the electric current of water.

A non-pressure instantaneous water heater has its own nozzle and acts as a shower, that is, for one water intake point. Such a mechanism is more often purchased for a summer residence than for an apartment, because two mixers on the same wall are useless.

Looking ahead, I would like to note that you need to choose a device according to the power that the electrical network at home can withstand in order to choose the right flow heater of a certain performance.

Recommendations for choosing a flow type heating device

Choosing an instantaneous water heater is not so difficult, the only important characteristic is the power of the product. The performance of such devices ranges from 3 to 27 kW, and the catch is that not all wiring is able to cope with the high power of an electrical product.

Pay attention to the types of flow heaters by power:

220 V - single-phase models;
380 V - three-phase models.

The first type - 220 V has some power limitations, the maximum allowable level is 12 kW. This setting indicates the maximum load level allowed for a home network.

Water heater doesn't look bulky

Electric three-phase models (380 V) have a correspondingly higher performance, the power of which reaches 30 kW. Such devices are connected to a three-phase electrical network. Such conditions often exist in homes where an electric stove is installed. Remember, three-phase models are designed for quite high loads than they are in ordinary homes.

Experts note that for a calm and continuous shower under hot water, you need a water heater with a capacity of 8 to 10 kW. It will not be difficult for you to choose a product, because almost every model is accompanied by a table by which you can determine the power you need.

To wash dishes, hands or wash yourself, you will need a simpler water heater with a power of 4 to 6 kW. For taking a bath and providing hot water to the whole house, consider devices with a capacity of 15 to 25 kW.

Flowing electric water heaters are often equipped with a built-in circuit breaker. Exceptions are a small part of the models.

The advantage is that the device turns on only when the tap is turned on, that is, it uses electricity only at the right time and not a minute more. Similarly, the system automatically turns off the heating device when the tap is closed.

Some models turn off on their own when the water overheats. However, more modern devices are already equipped with a thermostat that is able to maintain and control the set temperature.

Important details to know before buying a water heater:

One of the neglected moments is the issue of spare parts for the device and their cost. Sometimes it turns out that it is not possible to find at least one detail in our country for the simplest and most inexpensive model. Therefore, do not hesitate to check this nuance with the consultant.

A flowing water heater is a fairly practical and profitable purchase that will only please you. For a tenant of an apartment building, the device will be a pleasant addition during periods of interruptions in the supply of hot water, and for the owner of a private house, a water heater will become a real salvation and indispensable equipment.

It will not be difficult to choose a device, the main thing is to determine the power you need and the matter will remain small.

The presence of a water heater allows you to constantly have warm water in an apartment or a country house and use it not only for taking water procedures, but also for other domestic purposes. In addition, due to this device, it is possible to save significant funds on utility bills.

According to the principle of heating water, heaters can be of two types:

flowing. Advantages - the water heats up immediately after opening the tap. Disadvantages - low water consumption and high power. The minimum power is 5 kW, such consumption requires the alteration of all electrical wiring, safety fittings and permission to connect from the owners of electrical networks. Bathrooms are rarely used;
cumulative. They can have a volume of up to 150 liters or more, power in the range of 1–2 kW. The advantages are ease of use and accessibility. Disadvantages - increased heat loss. Even the most modern IP 55 class housing allows for minor losses of thermal energy; to maintain the water temperature in the required parameters, the boiler periodically automatically turns on. If, in order to save unproductive energy losses, the boiler is turned on only before taking water procedures, then you need to wait several hours to heat the water, the specific amount depends on the volume of the boiler, and this is rather inconvenient.

Storage boilers are most often used in bathrooms, they are easy to install, which makes it possible to do the work yourself. Storage boilers with electric heating have many modifications, before buying, you should familiarize yourself with the differences and choose the best option for yourself, taking into account the characteristics of the premises and the number of family members.

Characteristics of boilers	Short description
	Differ in the highest operational indicators, universal use. In bathrooms, devices with a tank volume of up to 100 liters are used.
	The special position allows installation in rooms with low ceilings. The disadvantage is that due to horizontal placement, the efficiency is somewhat worsened.
	They have a small width, can be installed in cramped spaces. By the principle of action do not differ from the first categories.
	The spiral is placed in a special heat-resistant flask, which eliminates the contact of conductive elements with water - increases the safety of use, it is allowed to connect to outdated electrical networks without grounding. In addition, scale does not form on the heating elements - the efficiency and service life increase.
	The risks of depressurization of the tank due to corrosion processes are completely eliminated. There is no need to mount a magnesium anode.
	Water heating is carried out by the heat carrier used for space heating. The advantage is the possibility of saving energy. Disadvantages - it works only during the heating period, the falsity of installation and maintenance increases. Almost never used in bathrooms.

Knowledge of the device and the principle of operation of the unit will allow you to avoid annoying mistakes during installation and operation, and this will increase the duration and safety of use.

electric boiler

What elements does an electric boiler consist of?

Bracket for fixing the boiler to the bearing surface. It is located in the upper part of the device, provides reliable fastening of the boiler. It is made of thick steel sheet, welded to the outer casing by resistance welding.
. The branch pipe for cold water has a small length and a jet divider. Due to this design, cold water is evenly distributed in the lower volume and does not mix with heated water by the pressure of the jet. Heated water rises due to the difference in the densities of cold and hot water. The hot water intake pipe has an increased length, the intake takes place in the upper most heated part of the volume.
thermal insulation layer. A very important element of the boiler, heat saving indicators largely depend on it. It is made from various modifications of foam.
Thermostat. Adjusts temperature values, automatically turns on / off the power. It is located in the lower part, this must be remembered when adjusting the temperature of water heating.
Inner tank. It can be made of stainless steel (expensive models) or ordinary sheet with an anti-corrosion coating.
. Power 1.5-2.0 kW, can be "wet" or "dry".
magnesium anode. Appointment - reduction of corrosion processes of the internal tank. How does it function? Water has oxygen that oxidizes iron. Magnesium is highly active and is the first to react with oxygen, due to this its concentration in water decreases, steel rusts more slowly. The frequency of replacement of the magnesium anode depends on the frequency of use of the boiler and averages 5–8 years.
In the photo - a new and used magnesium anode
. An ordinary bimetallic thermometer is used, the accuracy of readings is ± 2–3 ° С. Some modern models have electronic control units, but this does not affect the quality of operation. But the cost of the boiler increases significantly.
indicator light. Turns on when voltage is applied to the heating element and turns off simultaneously with it.
Outer case. It is covered with stable powder paints that reliably protect the metal from the negative influence of external factors.
Safety and check valves. Manufactured in one housing, they control the pressure in the boiler and protect against excessive pressure increase during water heating. The non-return valve performs two functions: it prevents emergency exposure of heating elements and prevents hot water from entering back into the water supply. In the absence of a valve, heated water enters not only for its intended purpose, but also to the entire plumbing system.
Photograph of the safety and non-return valves of the water heater
plastic sleeve. Used when connecting the boiler to metal pipes, lowers the voltage during a short circuit of the heating element. But it cannot completely protect users, we will talk about this in the article below.

Most of the boilers consist of such elements. Minor technical differences do not affect the installation process of the equipment.

Step-by-step instructions for installing a boiler

It is better to work together, if this is not possible, then call an assistant at least just to hang the water heater.

Step 1. Decide on the installation location of the storage boiler, draw up a layout of pipelines. You will need to supply cold water and hot water.

We recommend connecting according to the simplest and most reliable scheme. There is a shut-off valve at the cold water inlet, followed by a safety valve assembly with a return. A valve is not needed at the hot water outlet, it is enough to close one for repairs. If you wish, you can put valves at every turn and on every pipe, but the result of such work will only be negative. In addition to having to buy unnecessary elements, installation time will increase and the number of possible leaks will increase. Practice shows that all other shut-off valves are never used, only one inlet is always blocked.

Important. Try to install the unit at the maximum distance from the shower or bath. In these places, it will fog up, create inconvenience during the adoption of water procedures.

If you have new construction and pipe sockets have already been made in the wall, then the work is much simplified. And if the boiler is installed in an already operated bathroom? The water supply is best taken from the sink. Dismantle the connection at the cold water inlet and install a tee there. Connect hot water to an existing shower faucet. You can do this work quickly by using outdoor piping and flexible hoses, or you can ditch the walls and hide communications. The second option is much better, but requires more effort. In addition, it is not always possible to restore wall cladding with ceramic tiles in its original form. Decide for yourself which option to choose.

Step 2 Unpack the water heater and check the contents. What should be in the delivery is indicated in the manufacturer's instructions. In the same place, by the way, an approximate installation scheme is also given. From this diagram, only one point is important for you - how to connect the safety valve. We have already mentioned that it is located in the same building with the reverse.

Step 3 Purchase materials according to your connection scheme. Count their number and nomenclature, including corners and limit switches. Use FUM tape to seal connections. It not only performs its tasks perfectly, but also prevents breakage of nuts or threaded fittings of flexible hoses. Keep in mind that these elements are made of a beautiful, but very fragile silumin alloy, with the slightest excess of the allowable force, it cracks.

Step 4 Prepare your tools. You will need a drill with a puncher, a set of locksmith keys or one adjustable wrench, a screwdriver, pliers, a tape measure, a level and a pencil. Most apartment owners have this tool at home, there is no need to buy anything.

Important. If you fix the water heater to a solid brick or concrete load-bearing wall - great, their physical strength indicators allow you to hang such heavy devices. And if for some reason the boiler needs to be hung on an interior partition made of foam concrete, then certain difficulties arise. How to solve them, we will tell a little later in this article.

Step 5 If there is an assistant, lift the heater with it and lean it against the wall at the installation site, mark the location of the dowels with a pencil or felt-tip pen. Take it away and check the horizontal level with a level. Drill holes and install fasteners. You will have to hang the heater several times, it is difficult to guess the length of the fastener the first time. As soon as the device is fixed on the wall, you can release the assistant, all further work is done alone without any problems. Be sure to check the reliability of hanging. To do this, grab onto the upper part of the body, it must support your weight. No staggering and large distances from the wall are not allowed. Adjustment of the distance from the wall is done by tightening the fasteners.

If there is no assistant, then you need to mark the center of the fixation bar (bracket). Draw a horizontal line on the wall under the level and set the distances between the technological holes on it. You will have to lift the boiler alone, and this is quite difficult.

Step 6 Remove the plastic plugs from the pipes. Please note that it is blue on the cold water supply pipe, and red on the hot one.

Step 7 Start work by connecting cold water. Wrap about 6–8 turns of FUM tape on the threaded part of the outlet pipe, carefully press it around the thread with your fingers. You need to wind it in a clockwise direction, otherwise, while screwing on the tap, the tape will slip off and the thread will leak. Make sure that the tape does not cover the inlet.

Important. When purchasing taps and adapters, pay attention that they are connected without additional couplings. The more clutches, the more problems.

For example, if there is a thread on the inlet pipe, then buy a faucet that has a nut on one end and a fitting on the other. A valve is screwed onto the fitting, on the opposite side it also has an open threaded part. This means that one end of the flexible hose must have a nut, and select the other depending on the pipe end. We brought this example so that you understand the principle of completing pipelines with shut-off and other valves. The more different adapters there are, the lower the qualification of the master. Keep this in mind during any installation work.

Step 8 Connect the valve to the stopcock. Control his position, this is very important. There is an arrow on the body indicating the direction of water movement, observe this condition.

As a guarantee, before screwing in, check the operation of the safety and non-return valves. Raise and lower the lever for forced opening of the safety valve several times, check the actuation force of the shut-off valve with your finger.

Step 9 Connect the valve outlet to a cold water source according to your wiring diagram.

Step 10 Connect the hot water outlet to the faucet. If necessary, cold water from the boiler is also connected to it. To do this, put a tee at the inlet, after the tee another shut-off valve, and connect cold water to the mixer from the valve with a hose or plastic pipe.

Step 11. The electrical part is assembled at the factory, there is nothing to touch there. Connect the outlet and plug in the plug. When carrying out work on connecting electrical equipment, always follow the EMP.

Photo in the process of connecting wires

Installation is completed, check the operation of the boiler. First, open the hot water tap and turn on the cold water supply. Air should come out of the mixer, when the container is full, close the tap. Carefully inspect the entire connection for leaks, if problem areas are found, eliminate them. Set the minimum water heating temperature and connect the power to the boiler. Check if the indicator light is on, if the temperature switch works, how the thermometer behaves. After turning off the boiler, it is advisable to check the water temperature with an ordinary alcohol thermometer and compare its performance with that installed on the body. This will allow you to navigate more accurately with the actual water heating.

Due to the skillful use of the boiler, it is possible to achieve significant savings in electrical energy, increase reliability and duration of use.

What should consumers be aware of?

In bathrooms, it is more profitable to install devices with a volume of 80-100 liters. This water, heated up to +50-60°C, is enough for 2-3 people to take a shower or fill one standard bath. In addition, such boilers keep water warm for at least 12 hours, which makes it possible to turn on heating at night, when the cost of electrical energy is minimal, and take a shower in the morning and evening. The heater can be turned on manually or connected to a timer.
Small storage water heater under the kitchen sink
Manufacturers complete the devices with all the necessary safety fittings. Remember that the more you install additional valves, valves, etc., the more likely it is that one of them will fail. The axiom of all installation work: fewer components - higher reliability of the system.
Buy modern boilers. Manufacturers have provided for the possibility of emergency water leakage. It can occur in cases where the supply stops in the central water supply, water leaves the boiler and exposes the heating elements. For a device connected to the network, this means their burnout. Now the height of the pipe supplying cold water is always higher than the height of the heating element, the heater will always be in the water. You do not need to install additional protective fittings at your own discretion. By the way, the check valve is always built into the safety valve, both of them are located in the same housing. A check valve is included in the delivery.
Periodically check the function of the non-return valve, a small hole may eventually close with hard calcium deposits.
Never install additional valves to drain water from the boiler. It can be removed through the safety valve - open it with a special lever and all the water will go away.
There is no need to install separate water pressure reducers for boilers - all devices can withstand a pressure of at least 6 atm. What is 6 atm.? This is the pressure of a water column 60 meters high. In all cities, the pressure in houses is not more than 3 atm. If the building is high-rise, then it has its own additional booster pumps, and gearboxes have already been installed in apartments. You don't need to be smart about anything.
If you have partitions in the bathroom made of foam blocks, then pay special attention to fastening. The strength of the blocks does not guarantee reliable fixation, even special dowels may not withstand the heavy weight of the boiler. Professionals recommend first drilling conical holes of increased diameter in foam blocks, the base of the cone should be in the thickness of the block. Next, the hole is filled with a strong cement-sand mortar and brackets for hanging the boiler are fixed in it.
Use your best efforts to connect ground. In old buildings it is not, and this is very dangerous. Although some boilers are equipped with plastic sleeves to break the metal pipe, they do little to help. The fact is that water in itself is considered a good current conductor; if the heater breaks down, people are inevitably injured.
Boiler plugged in

The fact is that the water heater will consume maximum power for a long time, low-quality sockets heat up during this time, the plastic melts, the contacts oxidize. In the best case, your boiler will stop working, in the worst case, a fire is possible with all the sad consequences. How to choose the right outlet? On the body of the outlet, the current limits are indicated in amperes. To find out what power of electrical appliances it can withstand, you need to multiply the indicated current by a voltage of 220 V. For example, a 10 A socket can withstand a power of 2.2 kW. If the heating element of your boiler is 1.5 kW, then such an outlet can be used. If the heating element is 2 kW, then it is better to buy a 16 A socket. Pay the same attention to the cross section of the conductive cable.

Compliance with simple installation rules will make the use of the boiler long and safe. Find out the drainage channel for the shower under the tile at the link.