Single-circuit boiler in the apartment. Which gas boiler to buy for an apartment
The ideal gas boiler for a small apartment should be: with a modulating burner, power 1 kW / 10m, condensing, with a built-in boiler. In this article I will explain why I have such an opinion and whether it is realistic to find a unit with similar characteristics for a price not half a carton.
I will not write what a single-circuit and double-circuit boiler is, about the advantages of a particular heat exchanger, about the differences between wall and floor models, about standard and condensing boilers. I will try to go through the especially important nuances of choosing a boiler specifically for a small apartment, according to the most interesting and more or less affordable models.
Choosing a boiler for a small apartment
For an apartment, there are certain "iron" criteria for selecting a boiler. The gas boiler must be with a closed combustion chamber (turbo). But how many circuits should be in your boiler is a matter of taste. Detailed analysis types of boilers was in the article. I'll just explain my IMHO.
Single loop or double loop?
Everywhere and everywhere I read about how convenient a double-circuit boiler is - it heats, and it heats the water in a flow, and the size is small and beautiful. In theory, this is true, but in practice - hot water starts flowing from your tap after 30-40 seconds, you can’t rinse an apple in the kitchen and you can’t wash your hands hot. For the sake of hot water, you have to take a boiler with too high power (the exception is boilers with a modulating burner or stepped power).
The required power is calculated very simply- 1 kW per 10 m. My forty-meter apartment needs 4 kW, but taking into account heat loss (until the balcony is glazed) - let it be 6-7 kW. I have 24 kW without the ability to adjust the power (Nova Florida Vela Compact CTFS 24, far from the cheapest boiler). All these kilowatts go to hot water, which must be opened with maximum pressure in order to have time to at least rinse your hands with warm water at the end of washing - this is a water consumption that simply does not make sense to close, since the boiler will terribly drive the burner. In addition, the 24 kW burner lubricates to the fullest, and at 35 degrees of coolant, the boiler clicks literally every 30 seconds. I don't like double-circuit boilers, and I wrote about their shortcomings and alternatives in the article.
But, in fairness, I should note several technical improvements that make double-circuit boilers a more expensive and attractive choice:
- Modulating burner
- Built-in weather control
- Condensation
- Built-in boiler
- preheating hot water.
I will dwell on some of these features in more detail.
Modulating burner
Simulated burner, or modulation gas burner- the ability to gradually reduce and increase power depending on the needs of the room. The presence of a modulating burner is indicated by the power range, for example 9-24 kW. Since the boiler constantly cycles (on-off) at medium temperatures, gas flashes at full power quickly wear out parts, overuse gas, and this constant clatter is annoying.
A modulating burner works like this: when the shutdown temperature approaches, the electronics sends a command to reduce the gas supply to the gas valve, the burning time increases and the boiler cycles less. Such burners work in conjunction with an external atmospheric sensor.
There are also two and three stage burners with mechanical gas valve control.
Boilers with a modulating burner, which you should pay attention to:
- BAXI ECO COMPACT 18Fi($ 500) - 18kW, copper heat exchanger, continuous flame modulation for both heating and hot water supply, pressure gauge, heated floors, built-in weather-dependent automation and a bunch of other goodies.
- Immergas EOLO Mythos 24-2E($ 560) - 23.6 kW, stainless steel heat exchanger, modulating burner, auto-diagnostics, Antifreeze system, simple thermostat connection.
- Vaillant ecoTEC pro VUW INT 236/5-3($ 1200) - a condensing boiler, 19.7 kW for heating and 23 kW for hot water, a stainless steel heat exchanger, a two-stage pump, a modulating burner with a range of 28%, electronic sensors for everything, a chic look.
- Viessmann Vitopend 100-W 23 kW WH1D256($650) - 23 kW, modulated atmospheric burner, built-in weather-compensated control function, self-diagnostics, frost protection system, boiler pump blocking protection, system for removing thermal inertia from the heat exchanger, electronic system boiler operation safety, manometer.
Built-in boiler
Built-in boiler solves the problem of temperature fluctuations due to unstable water pressure, burner cycle, it becomes possible to use water wisely. The volumes of the built-in boiler from 30 to 100 liters for mounted models fully satisfy the needs of a small apartment and a family of 2-3 people. The water tank is located in close proximity to the firebox, this is a functional and economical solution.
If the water in the boiler runs out, the flow mode works. The built-in boiler makes it comfortable to use hot water at 2-3 tapping points. It is especially important that the burner is not affected by the pressure of the water in the system, as with flow-through use - those who have encountered underpressure of water on the floors will understand what I mean without further ado. Gas boilers with a built-in boiler are much cheaper than with a separately mounted indirect heating boiler and do not take up half the kitchen.
Gas boilers with a built-in boiler, which you should pay attention to:
Immergas ZEUS 24 kW($850) - 24 kW, copper heat exchanger, 45 liter boiler, electronic ignition and electronic flame modulation; antibacterial protection of the boiler, self-diagnosis with LED indication; protection against jamming of the circulation pump.
BAXI NUVOLA 3 140 Fi BS($ 1000) - 14 kW, copper heat exchanger, 30 liter boiler, heated floor, flame control, thermostat against overheating of water in the heat exchanger. A very good option for a 1-2-room apartment and a small family.
Westen Boyler Digit 240/60Fi($ 1300) - 24.4 kW, cast iron heat exchanger, 60/40 liter stainless steel boiler, built-in weather-compensated automation, 2 temperature conditions, antifreeze system.
Chaffoteaux Niagara C Green 25 NG($ 1500) - 23.5 kW, stainless steel heat exchanger, 45 liter boiler, modulation mode from 25%, modulated pump, simplified connection of external devices, built-in weather-dependent operation.
Viessmann Vitopend 111 24 kW WHSB047($1400) - 24 kW, 46 liter boiler, primary monothermal heat exchanger, plate heat exchanger for domestic hot water, stainless steel stratified storage boiler, two-speed circulation pump heating circuit with integrated deaerator, storage tank charging pump, two-stage AC fan, modulating burner, built-in weather-compensated function, self-diagnosis.
However, for myself, I will consider a single-circuit option paired with an electric boiler. He gave his calculations of the consumption of gas and electricity using examples in a previous article.
Single-circuit gas boilers you can more accurately select the power for your area than double-circuit ones. Their filling is simpler, so much less breakdowns are fixed. One of the advantages of one circuit and a separately arranged hot water supply is that in the event of a breakdown, you will not stay in a cold apartment with ice water flowing from the tap. Practice shows that the fewer functions a device has, the more reliable its design.
In single-circuit models are quite popular domestic boilers: Lighthouse, Atem, Danko. Although most of the reviews and discussions go to boilers in private homes, our boilers are praised for adapting to low-quality gas and hard coolant, for cast-iron heat exchangers. In addition, almost all domestic boilers are equipped with SIT, Honeywell, Kape, Polidoro automation; English, German and Italian burners. But I will not pay attention to individual models of domestic gas boilers - there are too few live reviews of use in apartments.
Models of single-circuit boilers that you should pay attention to:
- BAXI LUNA PLATINUM 1.12GA($ 1250) - 12.4 kW, condensing, stainless steel heat exchanger, the ability to control solar collectors, a circulation pump with full modulation, etc.
- BAXI ECO FOUR 1.140Fi($580) - 14 kW, copper heat exchanger, modulating burner, smooth electronic ignition, high-speed energy-saving circulation pump with built-in automatic air vent, pressure gauge, etc.
- Vaillant turboTEC plus VU INT 202/3-5H($ 800) - 6.8-20 kW, copper heat exchanger, the ability to tune to partial power, built-in circulation pump with automatic stage switching, status monitoring and troubleshooting on the display using the diagnostic system (DIA-System).
- Viessmann Vitodens 200-W 19 kW($ 2200) - 19 kW, stainless steel heat exchanger, MatriX modulating cylindrical burner, Lambda Pro Control combustion controller built into the burner automatically optimizes the combustion process for various kinds gas, Vitotronic controller with text and graphic display.
- Westen Pulsar D 1.140Fi($550) - 14 kW, cast iron heat exchanger, stainless steel secondary heat exchanger, with LCD display, electronic self-diagnosis system and built-in weather-compensated automation, can operate in two temperature conditions, and etc.
If I missed any nuances or was wrong, you are welcome in the comments, I will definitely supplement the material. I hope that buying a gas boiler for an apartment will not be a headache for you.
Many citizens are concerned about the burning question of how to choose a gas boiler for an apartment and make heating system. Due to the high cost of centralized heating and hot water supply, it has become much more profitable to install such equipment in urban dwellings that will provide not only comfortable warmth in the cold season, but will also allow you to uninterruptedly receive hot water. And let the setting gas boiler and entails considerable costs and a significant number of permits, this cannot be compared with the benefits that the user receives from his work.
Types of gas boilers
Before buying a gas boiler, you need to determine the type that is most suitable for certain conditions.
Boilers are divided by location and are parapet, floor and wall. According to the method of removal of combustion products, they can be chimney, chimneyless, as well as turbocharged. They also come in single and double sided.
For an apartment, gas boilers that are not located on the wall are best suited. Their advantages are that they are whole units that have all the necessary equipment necessary for the good functioning of the heating system. They can be both single-circuit and double-circuit, with the latter generating both heat and hot water, and for the first option, an additional heat exchanger is needed so that the boiler water heats the cold water from the water supply. Wall-mounted boilers can be with an open combustion chamber, that is, they operate on natural draft and with a closed chamber in which combustion products are forced out.
Floor gas boilers are equipped with two types of burners: atmospheric - simple and quiet, and pressurized. The latter can boast of high efficiency, and therefore are more expensive.
Power
The power of any boiler is measured in kW. It should be taken into account that a high-power boiler will produce more hot water than is required, so if you choose a high-power device, then it should be single-circuit. In this case, it is more expedient to use a boiler or heat exchanger for the production of hot water. The approximate power of the boiler must be calculated before choosing a gas boiler for an apartment. This is done on the basis that 1 kW is required per 10 m2 of the room, with a ceiling height of up to three meters. You also need to take into account the volume of the room, its insulation, window sizes and the number of additional heat consumers. Usually this requires an accurate thermal calculation.
Hot water
To obtain a normal supply of hot water through a gas boiler, it is necessary that its power be at least 24 kW. The need for water is determined by the amount of its consumption when the taps of the bathroom, sink in the kitchen, shower, sinks are simultaneously open.
Safety of gas boilers
Modern gas boilers have a high degree of safety and reliability. As a rule, they are designed in such a way that in case of loss of fuel, flame, lack of smoke removal, in case of overheating of water in the system, lack of voltage in the network, their work is immediately blocked. After that, they can either be started manually, or they will automatically start on their own when all problems are successfully resolved.
Wall mounted gas boilers
Gas is needed for space heating. It is installed in all residential and administrative buildings that are not connected to a centralized heating system. They also provide hot water for domestic needs. The second circuit can be used even in summer to provide warm water for showers or kitchens when the main circuit is switched off.
Classification of hinged gas boilers
The power of double-circuit power ranges from 12 to 35 kW, which allows you to choose the best option for rooms with an area of 50-350 square meters. At the same time, boilers are represented on the market by dozens of models of various manufacturers and price ranges. It should be noted that the cost of wall heating appliances one and a half to two times less than outdoor counterparts.
Among other advantages, ease of installation stands out, which will not only speed up the installation of a two-circuit heating system, but also reduce the total cost of equipment installation work. It is not at all necessary to build a boiler room or utility room separately. Attractive appearance and relatively small size organically fit into the existing interior.
The classification of gas heating boilers is based on certain criteria:
- Power is the main characteristic. When choosing a model, one should be guided by the fact that 1 kW is able to provide heat for about 10 square meters of a room with ceilings no higher than 3 meters.
- The presence of a second heating circuit. Single-circuit heaters are installed in cases where the budget for the purchase is limited, and only heat in the room is needed. The double-circuit option is selected depending on the needs for hot water. If you need up to 10-15 l / min of water with a temperature of about 30 degrees Celsius, then it is quite enough to purchase a flow-type device. A boiler can satisfy a large need for hot water. It constantly contains a reserve of at least 40 liters.
- Method for removing exhaust gases. Natural draft appliances are great for buildings equipped with wells and chimneys for venting gases. If there is no such channel in the building, then boilers with a forced method of removing combustion products should be chosen. They are equipped coaxial chimneys, which structurally represent a "pipe in a pipe". The inner one serves as a channel for the removal of gases, and the outer one for the intake of fresh air. Thanks to such an air exchange system, oxygen in the room is not burned. In addition, there is no need for a decent investment in the construction of a traditional chimney.
- Hearth ignition method. Models with piezo ignition must be started manually (buttons), and electronic ignition provides for fully automatic start of the boiler. Moreover, such analogues are more economical, since their design excludes igniters with a continuously burning flame. They automatically resume heating in cases of gas supply after a temporary shutdown.
Almost all wall boilers equipped with control devices necessary for safe operation. The main ones are:
- flame sensor - blocks the gas supply when the hearth is attenuated;
- thermostat - turns off the boiler at a critical value of the water temperature;
- device for blocking the operation of equipment in the event of a power outage;
- device for blocking the operation of equipment when gas is turned off;
- traction control device;
- gas control device - in case of a critical decrease in gas supply, the heating boiler stops working.
Brand name equipment
wall boiler
Domestic manufacturers cannot fully satisfy the needs of Russians in high-quality heating equipment. Therefore, along with the products of the Russian companies "Lemax", "Conord", "Borinskoye" and others, imported models are widely represented in the windows of specialized departments. Well-known world brands attract buyers due to high quality, cost-effectiveness and reliability of products.
Distinctive features of the equipment of some foreign manufacturers:
- VAILLANT. The most popular is the "ecoTEC" series, which is characterized by a reduced emission of harmful substances. Combustion products are removed forcibly, and therefore the length of the chimney is small. Air intake for combustion support can be carried out from outside or from the room.
- VIESSMANN. The German manufacturer supplies equipment with a closed or open combustion chamber. Differs in the small sizes thanks to what perfectly fits even among kitchen furniture. Able to work under gas pressure of 13 Mbar, maximum power - 24 kW.
- JUNKERS. The second circuit is equipped with a turbine, which allows you to instantly get warm water at the desired temperature. And this does not affect the operation of the main circuit.
- BAXI. Able to work with a decrease in pressure up to 5 Mbar. Noiseless devices with high coefficient of efficiency.
- PROTHERM. Double-circuit Protherm boiler - a device with a bithermic heat exchanger. Independent regulation of water temperature in the circuits. Easy to manage and affordable.
- HERMANN. Excellent electronic performance and design. Possesses high rates of profitability and heat exchange.
- IMMERGAS. Models of the Italian manufacturer are very compact. The depth of the devices does not exceed 25 centimeters. The power of the models is 24 and 28 kW.
- FERROLI. Decent capacity storage tanks made of stainless steel. They are characterized by reliable operation of heat exchangers.
- BERETTA. A very wide range of models, different in their characteristics and purpose. Reliable pumps, insulated air intake chamber. Designed for operation in climatic zones with outdoor temperatures below -25 degrees Celsius.
- ARISTON. The brand produces convenient, reliable and safe products. The boilers are easy to maintain. All nodes are accessible from the front panel.
Most models of well-known manufacturers have a guarantee of 10-15 years. After the expiration of the guaranteed period, the equipment must be replaced, since its further operation becomes unsafe.
Commissioning and start-up of the boiler
The long period of operation of modern equipment in climatic conditions Russia allowed specialists to systematize information. Their experience will be useful for anyone who wants to purchase new double-circuit heating systems for their home. Before heading to the store for a purchase, it will not be superfluous to familiarize yourself with some tips:
- when buying a boiler for a small facility (50-70 sq. m.), special attention should be paid to the lower power value. In the case when the minimum parameter slightly exceeds the calculated data, it is advisable to purchase and install a thermostat in the system. It will significantly reduce the number of equipment starts and thereby extend its service life;
- the main problem in the operation of the heat exchanger is the deposition of salts. For areas with hard water that does not undergo preliminary preparation (softening), it is more expedient to buy a boiler not with bithermic, but with separate heat exchangers. In this case, it is not directly heated by the burner, and the likelihood of scale formation is much less;
- for large apartments and houses, where the use of several points of hot water consumption (jacuzzi, bathtubs, dishwashers, etc.) is envisaged, the power of a double-circuit boiler may not be enough to simultaneously provide all bathrooms and units. In such cases, it is better to buy an additional boiler. It should be noted that it can be combined (not counting single-circuit) only with double-circuit gas boilers Vaillant - subject to the availability of an additional set of equipment.
Important! If the boiler is purchased for country house where there is no centralized gas supply to work on liquefied gas, it is necessary to warn the supplier (seller) about this in advance. Such equipment is not included in the basic package. The system must only be adjusted by a qualified technician.
- to be able to connect several circuits to the device (warm floor, thermal ventilation, radiator, etc.), you need to take care of the supply additional equipment with which the connection will be made. In this case, it is better to entrust the calculations and selection of components to a specialist;
- when buying a boiler, it is advisable to purchase an automation kit for controlling the temperature in the room. The cost of its purchase will be returned in the form of saved gas, and comfort in the rooms will be ensured from the first day of the heating system.
It should be noted that gas heating equipment does not tolerate accidents and inattention. You should buy it in specialized stores. It will not be superfluous to consult a specialist regarding specific operating conditions. The ideal option will be the purchase of gas boilers in trade and service centers that offer professional equipment maintenance throughout the entire period of operation.