Everyone who does not have centralized hot water supply in an apartment thinks about how to choose an electric instantaneous water heater. A modern person depends very much on how comfortable his living conditions are. Finding an apartment that does not use hot water every day is difficult enough. No one will heat the water with a boiler or a kettle in order to wash themselves, and this is not necessary, because there are instantaneous water heaters for an apartment.

How to choose an electric instantaneous water heater

Traditionally, instantaneous water heaters are installed in the kitchen

Variety of domestic water heaters

Modern water heaters are very popular, since recently private housing construction has become very widespread. In city apartments, these devices also found their significant place, because disconnecting from hot water supply is not a rarity in our cities. Moreover, many houses are not connected to it at all.

Water heaters the industry produces on various types of consumed energy. The most widespread are gas and electric. The former are most often used in private houses or in gasified city apartments, but the latter are more widely used, especially in the city. There are two types of water heaters for an apartment: instantaneous and accumulative... Let us consider the first type in more detail, since it is an order of magnitude cheaper and less than the second.

An example of the distribution of supply pipes from a water heater to consumers

An example of the distribution of supply pipes from a water heater to consumers

How to choose an electric instantaneous water heater

Unlike a storage type boiler, which heats a large volume of water for a long time, an instantaneous electric water heater installed directly on the tap does it in a matter of seconds. All this is due to the peculiarities of its design. The device of such a boiler is not very complicated, so its description will be clear to everyone. Inside a small-sized housing, which comes in various shapes, there is a tank or coil. It has a high-power electric heating element. It can reach 5 - 7 kW, which is comparable to the power consumption of all other electrical appliances in the apartment.

Various options for connecting and using an instantaneous water heater

Various options for connecting and using an instantaneous water heater

Useful advice! When it is finally decided to choose an instantaneous electric water heater as the main one for providing the apartment with hot water, then be prepared for high energy costs. Indeed, only thanks to such a high power, the device is able to provide instant heating of the water flowing through it.

The tank with the heating element has an inlet for a cold water flow and an outlet for a hot one.Water from the water supply system through flexible fittings, the connection diameter of which is 1/2, enters the heating tank and, flowing through it, manages to heat up very much. Moreover, the degree of its heating depends not only on the power of the heating elements set by the rheostat, but also on the intensity of the water flow. That is, if you open the tap strongly, the water will not have time to heat up to the maximum. At the exit from the heater, water is supplied either directly to the tap, which can be one piece with the device, or completely to the entire hot water supply system of the apartment. There are models of instantaneous electric water heaters for the shower, which are popular because they have a watering can in the kit.

Instantaneous water heater for hot water supply is located under the kitchen sink

Instantaneous water heater for hot water supply is located under the kitchen sink

This is the basic principle of operation of instantaneous boilers. However, their work would not be so convenient and comfortable if it were not for the auxiliary elements. Any heating device, first of all, is equipped with a special relay that protects against overheating. It turns off the heating element when the permissible temperature is exceeded. This can happen for a variety of reasons, such as a lack of water in the system or too low a head.

Useful advice! If an emergency shutdown of the water heater occurs as a result of the thermostat triggering, then it is necessary to call the wizard, as written in the instructions. However, if you know how to handle electrical appliances, and the warranty for the water heater has already expired, then you can unlock it yourself by pressing the button reset, which is located inside the device on the thermostat housing. Before making this manipulation, the device must be turned off from the network.

Scheme and principle of operation of an instantaneous water heater

Scheme and principle of operation of an instantaneous water heater

Before choosing an electric instantaneous water heater, ask the seller about the availability of automation in it. This system allows you to automatically start and stop the device as a result of the passage of a stream of water through it. A sensor installed inside the device registers the beginning of the movement of water through the pipe. This happens when you open a hot water tap. The sensor sends a signal to the automatic control unit, which instantly closes the circuit and turns on the heating element to the power set by the manual rheostat.

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Pros and cons of flow type water heaters

Having understood the principle of operation and the internal structure of flow-type water heating devices, we can note their advantages and disadvantages:

  • the main advantage is that this type of device is very small in size. In certain circumstances, this is of great relevance. Some models can even be installed inside a kitchen unit without interfering with anything;
  • very fast heating of the water jet to the required temperature level. This property is liked by those who need hot water immediately and in not very large quantities;
  • very low price for most models of these devices.
The wall-mounted water heater is compact and will easily fit into the bathroom interior

The wall-mounted water heater is compact and will easily fit into the bathroom interior

If you decide to choose an instantaneous electric water heater, how is it permissible not to know about the shortcomings of the device? The main disadvantage of this device is its high power consumption. However, if you do not use hot water very often, then these expenses will be fully justified. The second disadvantage is that the hot water temperature is very difficult to regulate. This is especially true where the pressure in the water supply system is not constant and its jumps are observed. Heating depends on the flow rate, so it is necessary to adjust each time the pressure changes.

Useful advice! When installing an instantaneous water heater, make sure that the pressure level in the water supply system is always stable. Otherwise, refuse to buy this type of device, since pressure drops can lead not only to their emergency shutdown, but also to burns. One solution to this problem is to installwater pressure regulator.

To use hot water only for washing dishes, a small-capacity water heater will suffice

To use hot water only for washing dishes, a small-capacity water heater will suffice

When you come to the store to buy a water heater, you should already know exactly where it will be installed. If you want to put an instantaneous electric water heater on the faucet for washing dishes, then buy a model that does not have too much power and is installed directly above the sink. There are types that are mounted instead of the usual mixer to the sink. The crane is located directly in their body. Such devices do not consume very much electricity, but their power is absolutely sufficient for the function of washing dishes.

If it is necessary to connect the device in the bathroom, in order to wash, a more powerful device is required. An instantaneous electric water heater for a shower, as a rule, is already equipped with a flexible hose with a watering can, which eliminates the need to install additional equipment. Its power is designed for the functions it performs.

Hot water consumption table depending on the type of consumer to which it is supplied

Hot water consumption table depending on the type of consumer to which it is supplied

Useful advice! When using flow type water heaters for a shower, observe safety precautions. Make sure the temperature is stable before entering the tap. In the shower, it should be possible to turn off the water flow in an emergency in order to avoid burns when the pressure in the system drops.

If you expect to provide a sufficient amount of hot water for the entire apartment, including the kitchen and bathroom, then purchase a powerful, productive device that can support a simultaneous flow from at least two taps. When buying, you must not forget about the manufacturer of the product. After all, unknown trade marks can not only break down quickly, but also pose a certain danger during use. Remember that this is a device with a very high power, which is coupled with water that conducts electricity well.

To use a water heater to supply water to several consumers, you need to choose a more powerful model of the device

To use a water heater to supply water to several consumers, you need to choose a more powerful model of the device

Since there is something to choose an electric instantaneous water heater, you need to take this very seriously. First, the main condition is safety. Secondly, it is necessary to choose the most optimal power. Third, the device must be suitable for its intended purpose.