Instantaneous water heater for shower in the country

Content

1 Requirements for electric instantaneous water heaters
2 How does an instantaneous water heater work?
3 We calculate the power of an instantaneous water heater
4 Pressure and non-pressure models
5 Several recommendations for using instantaneous water heaters
6 Recommendations for choosing an instantaneous water heater

Instantaneous water heaters allow you to instantly get hot water out of the tap. The devices are used in apartments, cottages, factories, and in general, wherever there is running water and electricity. There are also water heaters powered by natural gas. However, such models cannot be installed independently without a representative of the gas company and execution of the relevant documents. Now we will talk about choosing an electric instantaneous water heater for soul to the country, since this device is the best option for obtaining hot water without unnecessary problems.

Requirements for electric instantaneous water heaters

Manufacturers offer many models of instantaneous water heaters. They all differ in power, water throughput, heating element design, equipment, etc. The only thing these devices have in common is that they are all powerful and require connection only to a reliable electrical network.

Attention! A working water heater should not overload the home electrical system.Otherwise, it threatens to burn out the wiring.

If you choose a shower water heater, then the optimal model is one with a water flow rate of 6 l/min. When using a shower in winter, you need more power from the device. At this time of year the water temperature in the main is about +5^OC. To heat it for bathing in the shower you will need a pressure water heater with a power of 13 kW or more. A single-phase network will not cope with this, and you will need to connect to a three-phase line.

Not every owner of an apartment or cottage can boast of having a 380-volt network, so the best option for domestic needs are non-pressure water heaters. The power of such devices ranges from 3 to 8 kW, and they operate without problems from a single-phase network. When choosing a water heater for a shower in the country, it is better to give preference to a model with its own watering can nozzle.

Important! Regardless of the power of an electric water heater, it is connected only through a separate line to the distribution board.

Before purchasing an instantaneous water heater, you need to find out:

what maximum load can the home electrical network withstand;
Is it possible to install a three-phase network into an apartment or country house?
For which model of water heater are the water supply parameters suitable (constant pressure in the line is taken into account).

In apartments of modern houses, you can install an electric boiler of any power, even a pressure model of a water heater. According to existing standards, in new buildings the electrical network is designed to connect equipment with a power of up to 36 kW. For a shower, only a non-pressure device with a power of up to 8 kW is suitable.

How does an instantaneous water heater work?

In storage water heaters, the water is heated inside the container by an electric heating element. Flow-type devices are similarly equipped with a spiral or heating element, only they heat the liquid while it moves. Despite the greater power of the electric heater, flow-through models are sometimes more profitable to use than storage analogues. The fact is that the heating element consumes electricity when water is collected. In the storage tank, the heater is periodically turned on around the clock, even if there is no water supply.

The heart of the flow device is a hydraulic relay. From it comes the command to turn the heating element on or off, which depends on the speed of water flow. The hydraulic relay is adjusted to operate at a water flow rate of 2 to 2.5 l/min. If this value is less, heating does not occur. This function protects the device from burnout of the heating element.

Any instantaneous water heaters powered by electricity are divided into two types:

Electronic models heat water to specified parameters regardless of its initial temperature, flow rate and pressure in the pipeline. Water is heated by changing the power of the heating element.
For hydraulic models, the power of the heating element depends on the listed parameters. As water consumption increases, its temperature at the outlet of the tap will decrease.

All these subtleties of the design of instantaneous water heaters must be taken into account when choosing the optimal model for the shower.

We calculate the power of an instantaneous water heater

Professionals use complex formulas to calculate the optimal power of a device. At home, to choose a suitable model for a shower, let’s perform a simple calculation:

The first step is to determine the approximate water consumption at the water point where the heater is supposed to be installed. At the beginning of the article, we already found out that the optimal flow rate for a shower is 6 l/min. For reference, consumption at other water points: washbasin – 4 l/min, bathroom – 10 l/min, kitchen sink – 5 l/min.
Next, we will use the formula to calculate the power of an electrical appliance P=QT/14.3. Instead of Q we substitute the value of water flow. T – temperature difference indicator, which is in the range of 30–40^OWITH.

You can take another simple path in your calculations. It consists of multiplying the water flow rate by 2 or 2.5.

Pressure and non-pressure models

Initially, we touched a little on the topic of pressure and non-pressure water heaters. Now is the time to take a closer look at them. Since a non-pressure model is suitable for a dacha shower, we’ll start with that.

Non-pressure devices at the inlet are equipped with a shut-off device that neutralizes excess pressure in the water supply network. The water pressure inside the water heater is similar to atmospheric pressure. At the outlet of the device, it is not allowed to install any locking mechanism that interferes with the free flow of water. Heating of the moving liquid occurs even with pressure drops in the water supply system, but if it reaches a critical point, the heater turns off.

Important! A self-installed tap at the outlet of a non-pressure water heater can cause damage to the electrical appliance.

Non-pressure shower models are equipped with a shower head connected through a flexible hose. Moreover, the design of the watering can is slightly different from the analogues used in traditional shower systems.Special small holes create strong jets of water, even if the pressure in the water supply is below normal.

Advice! If a decrease in the thickness of the water streams is visually noticeable, it means that the holes in the watering can are overgrown with hard deposits. This often happens when using hard water. You can clean the watering can with any store-bought product that dissolves stone deposits.

The main advantage of non-pressure devices is the ability to connect to a two-phase home network. At the dacha, the device can be installed not only in the shower, but also in the kitchen. In apartments, non-pressure water heaters are rarely used due to their low power.

Pressure water heaters operate on a different principle. The devices at the inlet and outlet do not have shut-off devices. Installation takes place by inserting into the water supply system. Typically, a pressure heater is installed in front of the faucet of a sink, bathtub or washbasin. The device can be installed at several water points. The main thing is that the water supply layout allows this to be done.

Pressure water heaters are very powerful, due to which they manage to heat a large amount of water. An electronic on/off system, as well as overheating protection, controls the entire operation of the device. At the outlet, the water is always maintained at the set temperature.

Several recommendations for using instantaneous water heaters

So, we have decided on the model of instantaneous water heater, now we need to find out how to use it. The product should come with instructions, but a few additional tips from experts won’t hurt.

When choosing a mounting location for a flow device, take into account the following nuances:

We must remember that the device runs on electricity and for safety it must be protected from splashing water.At the same time, it should be as close as possible to the shower stall.
If the device is designed for different operating modes, it is hung so that it is convenient to reach with your hand to switch.
The optimal installation location is considered to be the area where it is easiest to connect the device to the water supply and electrical network.

In most regions of our country, water is hard. During heating, solid accumulations form on the walls of the device and the heating element, reducing the throughput. Installing a filter in front of the water heater will help avoid this problem. Otherwise, the device will have to be periodically removed for cleaning, if its design allows this.

Attention! After installing the instantaneous water heater, water is first released through it, and then voltage is applied. Performing the process in reverse will damage the device.

Recommendations for choosing an instantaneous water heater

An electric water heater must cope 100% with the task. To ensure that the purchased device does not disappoint you, we suggest that you familiarize yourself with several tips for choosing a model:

When using a shower in the country only in the warm season, a power of an electrical appliance of 3.5 kW is sufficient. Provided that water is taken at a temperature of 18^OThe output will be hot liquid with a flow rate of 3 l/min. For bathing in the shower with the onset of cold weather, it is optimal to purchase a water heater with a capacity of 5 kW or more.
When choosing an electrical appliance, you need to evaluate the stability of the water pressure. Otherwise, everything will end in a quick breakdown, or the water will not heat up at all.
It is important to immediately determine how many water points the device is designed for.If they are far from each other, it is wiser to buy several devices of lower power. They are installed directly near the water point.
For dacha showers, choose models with the highest degree of electrical safety. In any case, at least a little splash will get on it, and during adjustment you will have to handle it with wet hands.

In last place is the price of the product, because you cannot save on your own safety by buying devices of unknown origin.

The video talks about choosing a water heater:

Having decided to install a water heater yourself, you need to familiarize yourself with basic electrical safety rules and use the device only in accordance with the manufacturer’s recommendations.