While all the world's experts are forecasting global warming soon, most of the year we have to heat our homes with special heating systems. Of course, the main part of any such system is the boiler, which is responsible for the generation of heat for heating residential areas. Today, you can find several options for such devices, each of which is distinguished by its pros and cons. This article will focus on electric boilers, because their popularity is growing every day, and manufacturers are expanding the available range. We will answer the question of how to choose the right electric boiler, and what you should pay attention to.
Features of electric boilers
Electric boiler manufacturers are well aware of the advantages of these systems compared to gas counterparts. That is why, having developed high-quality systems and providing the consumer with a sufficient selection of different models, they easily fixed the goods on the heating equipment market. The main feature of electric boilers is the versatility of their application. An electric current boiler can be installed at any facility with a power outlet. Electricity is much more affordable than gas networks, so it is not difficult to provide heat in the house. In addition, the electric boiler does not require additional documents from the gas service and can be installed in almost any room without risking its safety. An electric boiler runs on electricity, so you can forget about carbon monoxide emissions and all kinds of chimneys forever.
Advantages and disadvantages of electric boilers
Despite the above features of the system, you should fully familiarize yourself with all the pros and cons of this equipment. This will allow you to make the right choice when choosing heating equipment for your home. Among the advantages are the following:
- Ease of installation - absolutely all models of electric boilers are identical in their device and design. This allows you to install equipment in any room, because additional solutions, such as chimneys, are also not required;
- Easy operation - the interface of any boiler is simple enough, which allows you to quickly deal with all the settings and operating modes. And among the segment of expensive models, there are often boilers with an installed display that displays all the necessary information;
- High efficiency - the electric boiler is much more productive than gas equipment - the efficiency of some models can reach 98%;
- High safety - since the boiler is fully powered by electric current, it does not pose any threat to others;
- Compliance with environmental standards - absolutely all boiler models are made of environmentally friendly materials, and during operation the device does not emit harmful substances;
- The correct consumption of resources - any modern electric boiler is equipped with a power control system that regulates energy consumption only to maintain the previously set temperature;
- The presence of various modifications - a variety of modifications of electric boilers are available on the market, so you are very likely to be able to choose the option that suits you. So, for example, double-circuit boilers have become common models, allowing additional heating of water for use in domestic purposes;
- High reliability - choosing a boiler from a well-known manufacturer, you can easily use it for 7-10 years without repair. If we consider options for a cheap segment, then such boilers are able to work from 2 to 4 heating seasons;
- Reasonable price tag - as a rule, the price develops depending on the power and quality of the model. Despite this, the purchase of an electric boiler will cost less than a complete installation from scratch of a gas system in a private house;
- A large assortment - which electric boiler to choose, depends only on your requests.
Considering the cons, it is worth noting the following:
- High electricity tariffs. One of the main problems in the operation of these boilers can be expensive electricity. Of course, the boiler consumes a lot of energy, so at high rates it is worth paying attention to models with power control;
- Lack of autonomy. The main plus can be perceived as one of the minuses, because where there is no energy, such a boiler can not work;
- Difficulties with scale. If hard water flows from your faucet, then it can cause scale formation, which in turn can quickly destroy the tubular electric heater. Nevertheless, the problem can be solved by installing special cleaning filters.
What to look for when choosing equipment
Today there are quite a lot of specifications for electric boilers, so you should understand some aspects that will help you make the right choice.
Type of construction
There are two designs of electric boilers that allow you to install them on the floor or hang them on a special mount on the wall. Hanging boilers are the most popular since they do not require a large amount of space. If you need to heat a large room, then you should pay attention to floor models that cope with this task much better.
Power adjustment
According to the power adjustment, the models are divided into devices with smooth and stepwise adjustment. The first is most often available only in boilers from an expensive segment, as it requires a rheostat and other expensive parts. The device models with step adjustment is much simpler. The system consists of 3-4 heating elements, each of which maintains a certain temperature.
Type of connection
Electric boilers are divided into single-phase and three-phase. The first is enough 220 V for operation, and the second will need 380 V. The more power, the better the heating of the premises.
Rules for choosing an electric boiler
There is nothing complicated in choosing an electric boiler. The only thing worth starting from is your goal and budget. It is on this basis that you should pay attention to such parameters as the efficiency of the boiler and its power. The higher these indicators, the more comfortable you will feel during the heating season. However, any consultant will recommend that you choose a model that will have in stock about 30% of the power required in this house. This is provided in case of severe frosts and insufficient external insulation of the house. It is also strongly recommended that you purchase models from trusted and reputable manufacturers.
