How can you use a water boiler economically?

Saving rules when using a boiler

To reduce your water heater's electricity consumption, consider the following rules:

1. Initially, choose the best place to install the tank - the pipeline should not be very long. Water, passing through a long channel, quickly cools, which means that kilowatts are again needed for heating.
2. Set the operating mode - there should be a period of downtime and operation.
3. Carry out preventive maintenance related to the operation of the heating component. The heating element should be regularly descaled; this is the only way to increase the thermal power; thanks to periodic cleaning, it is possible to optimize the efficiency of the installation.

Storage water heaters

The principle of operation is simple: cold water automatically enters the boiler directly from the water supply and is heated inside to the desired temperature. When the water runs out or cools down, the boiler gains a new volume and turns on the heating.

Pros:

• a boiler can provide hot water to an entire apartment and even a private house;
• saves energy due to gradual, smooth heating of water;
• Maintains the required temperature for a long time thanks to thermal insulation;
• durable.

Minuses:

• when hot water runs out, it takes up to 20 minutes to heat a new volume;
• installation will require reliable fastenings and a lot of space;
• it is necessary to descale it every two years;
• consumes energy not only for heating, but also for maintaining the desired temperature.

On the cover: design project by Vera Sheverdenok

The optimal location for installing a boiler

If you do not have the skills to install a water heater, entrust this procedure to an experienced specialist. Evaluate at what level it is better to fix the device, make sure the strength of the wall. Before installation, turn off the water and connect it to the water supply networks, following a specific diagram.

To avoid leaks during operation, follow these recommendations:

1. Areas where pipes and pipelines combine are treated

   
   They look like Americans.

2. The faucet for draining water from the system requires reinforcement with a tee.
3. The safety valve fitting intended for discharge is covered with a transparent channel entering the sewer pipe.
4. If the cold water pressure is higher than the indicators indicated by the manufacturer on the surface of the water heater, install a pressure regulator, it will lower the pressure.
5. Watch for the shut-off valve.

It is also important to correctly connect the water heater to electricity, especially for a flow-through unit with high power consumption. Provide a separate cable coming from the metering device, and install automatic switches of the required rating here. Do not forget about grounding, otherwise it may be unsafe to use the water heater.

Features of economical use of the boiler

The decision to buy a storage water heater is being made by an increasing number of our compatriots, since the hot water supply system in our country leaves much to be desired. But in order for such water heating devices (boilers) to work as long as possible, it is important to know some of the features of their installation and operation. If you approach this issue correctly, you can not only extend the life of the boiler, but also reduce maintenance costs and, as a result, save money needed to pay for electricity.

Rest mode and boiler operation

Boilers are not used constantly, so it is advisable to designate periods of operation and downtime. The first start includes filling the water to the maximum level and heating to the maximum mark on the temperature scale recorded on the device body. The owner can choose the temperature to which the water should be heated: from 35 to 75 degrees. Modern models of heating products are equipped with an additional “Anti-Freeze” function - the mechanism maintains the water temperature at 10 degrees plus.

Setting the unit mode consists of the following rules:

1. Before turning on the tank, evaluate the filling level; if there is no water, you should not turn on the device, there is a high probability of the heating element breaking.
2. If the temperature is not set to the maximum, it needs to be adjusted once every two weeks - boiling water will destroy pathogenic microbes.
3. If boilers are purchased for a private home, it would not be superfluous to provide a mesh filter at the cold water inlet. Water hardness can be reduced by additional cleaning and getting rid of salts; this should also be done to extend the life of the unit.
4. Once every couple of years, clean the inside of the tank from scale.

A few more words about the operating mode of the device: by regularly turning the product off and on or, conversely, leaving it running for a full day, you can only dream of saving. These two methods do not work the same. In order to save money, the difference between the liquid entering the boiler and the water supply in the device is important. The smaller it is, the less electricity is needed for heating.

It turns out that it makes sense to set the heating temperature to 55-60 degrees and not turn off the structure all day long.

How to save energy when heating water with an electric boiler

The main disadvantage of electric boilers is that hot water is extremely expensive, since they use the most expensive energy - electricity. Therefore, the issue of reducing energy consumption to heat water sufficiently is relevant.

How to save electricity with a boiler? – interests a fairly wide range of people who use heating tanks in apartments, country houses, utility rooms, and factories.

A common cause of excessive energy consumption

Each boiler is equipped with a check valve, which also serves as a safety valve. Installed on the cold water supply pipeline, directly next to the boiler.

• If the check valve allows water to flow back from the boiler, then when the cold water supply stops and when the hot tap is opened (depressurization), it will go back into the cold pipeline under its own weight, where it will give off expensive heat to the environment or enter the neighboring apartment...

The correct operation of the valve must be monitored. If you suspect a water leak, it is more profitable to replace it than to wait...

The myth about saving, what you can’t save on

Everywhere you can find the statement that scale on the shade is the cause of excessive energy consumption. Allegedly, due to scale, the water receives less energy, while the electricity consumption remains the same. Naturally, this is not true.

The slightest significant thermal insulation of the heater leads to its critical overheating and burnout immediately. The heater will burn out, for example, if you turn it on without immersing it in water... If the scale significantly insulated heat and interfered with the dissipation of such significant powers, the electric heater would burn out almost instantly...

• The hopes of millions of users that after descaling the heater using, for example, citric acid, the boiler will heat water faster and more economically are completely in vain. Ten dissipates the same power, both with and without scale. And with a large layer of scale, at the slightest overheating, it breaks down, so it’s not superfluous to do preventive cleaning...

But how to reduce energy consumption with a boiler?

Volume savings

The most significant savings in electricity are hidden in the volume of heated water. There is a very big difference between heating a volume of 30 liters or 100 liters to 60 degrees C. Energy consumption with a large boiler is 3 times more. Meanwhile, in both the first and second cases, there is enough hot water to wash dishes, use the washbasin, and take a shower. The unspent energy of a 100-liter boiler will be used to heat your home at night, and the water will cool down significantly.

• With a small boiler, you can actually spend 2 times less electricity with the same water consumption for everyday household needs - washing dishes, washing, showering..., with the same provision of comfortable water use.

It turns out that the main energy savings are laid down when choosing a boiler. Small tanks provide significant savings, and these are statistics.

But how can you get a hot bath with a small tank? A boiler of 20 - 30 liters will not provide this, with its own power of 2 - 3 kW...

Energy savings with two boilers

Very small volume boilers are becoming popular - 5 - 10 - 20 liters, which heat water for a specific task - washing dishes or taking a shower. And they do this almost on the fly. Some manufacturers supply such units with powerful heaters of 2.5 -3.5 kW, creating such semi-flowing units - semi-boilers.

• Small boilers cope well with low water consumption - providing hot water with minimal heat loss to the environment. In addition, such tanks are installed next to the supply tap, for example, under the sink, near the shower, under the sink - as a result, the excessive consumption of water while waiting for a warm stream is also minimized, and heat leakage from the pipes is also minimized.

But the question of a hot bath remains. And it can only be solved by installing a “family boiler” - 70 - 110 liters in volume, for a specific purpose - bathing, shower for everyone, bath. Moreover, in this case, experts already recommend not saving on your own comfort. The 100-liter bottle will be the best choice in terms of price/quality, and lovers of water treatments, regardless of the price, should choose 120 liters.

Heating water by the hour - reducing electricity consumption

Advanced boilers are equipped with programming elements; you can set the on/off time with the heating temperature, and for several sessions per day.

• Heating at a specified time, for example, at 17-00, eliminates the need to keep the boiler constantly hot and significantly reduces heat leakage and excessive energy consumption.

But most installed water heating tanks are still simpler and are not equipped with electronic timers.

How to turn on the boiler on time?

You can inexpensively purchase an outlet with a timer that turns on and off at the right time. By turning on the boiler through it, you can save a lot.

Some manage to consume almost no electricity...

The energy consumed is directly proportional to the water temperature. You can save almost 2 times if you don’t use hot water every day at 40 degrees, but rather cool water, but not cold, at 25 degrees. And at both temperatures, the dishes will be washed, the washbasin will not fail... Meanwhile, electricity costs, especially taking into account the cooling of the remaining water (even in a small tank), will be too different.

• For those who want to save significantly, it is worth thinking about significantly reducing the water temperature, in cases where large values ​​can be dispensed with.

If we are talking about filling the bath, then, for those who like to save money, one or two buckets of boiling water from a gas stove will help reduce energy costs by half...

Heating water by indirect method

Dramatic savings in money occur only when the main source of energy for heating water is not electricity, but gas, firewood, coal, sun... Indirect boilers have a spiral pipeline inside through which coolant moves, heated by a heating boiler or solar collector. Such boilers are often equipped with heaters, which will help out if the main heating is turned off.

• For private houses in the summer and off-season, significant savings come from heating water with solar collectors. The simplest of them are made independently, using a black hose...

How to clean the heating element with your own hands

The dirtier the heating element in the boiler, the less its functionality. Electricity absorbs the layer of scale, removing it, the device is updated and works with renewed vigor. To clean the heating element with your own hands, follow the step-by-step instructions:

1. Drain the system.

2. Disconnect from the power supply and dismantle the heating element.
3. Add 1.5 liters of water to 15 grams of citric acid and mix.
4. Place the heating element in the prepared solution.
5. When the heating element is clean, put it back into the housing.
6. All that remains is to connect the product to the water supply and provide power.

Things to remember during installation

A storage water heater, the price of which depends on the manufacturer, power and functionality, is very important to install correctly. Naturally, there are certain installation rules, but you should not forget about some nuances. In order for the boiler to work without failures, it is worth connecting the pipes to the pipes using “American” ones, and installing the tap on the tee. Do not forget that a safety valve is used as an additional safety element to control the inlet pressure.

Economical boilers

If you want to save electricity, a flow-through unit was created just for you. It does not limit the owner’s volume of water, consumes little electricity, but you won’t be able to splash around in the bathtub. At the same time, significant network power is required, which not every private home can afford.

Among economical water heaters, storage water heaters from Ariston, designed for 50 liters and up to 200 liters inclusive, are breaking records. Following the leader of the rating are the famous Electrolux, Termex, Aosis.

By the way, it is not at all necessary to use an electric unit - you can install a gas water heater. A penny saves a ruble - remember this saying when using boilers sparingly.

We recommend reading on the topic:

1. How to choose the right storage water heater?
2. How to clean a boiler from scale with your own hands?
3. How to drain water from an Ariston 80 liter water heater?
4. How can you properly drain water from a boiler?

Extending the service life of the boiler

To avoid sudden temperature changes (especially for cheap water heaters), it is not advisable to set the heating to too high, which over time can cause cracking of the tank walls. Change the magnesium anode periodically (about once a year).

Choosing a quality heating tank

In order for the water heater to work for a long time, when purchasing, pay attention to the quality of the model. A good boiler must meet the following requirements:

1. Have sufficient power. It is important to calculate that it matches the quality of the wiring in the house. New wiring can withstand a load of 6 kW, and the old one - no more than 2.5 kW. Take into account the fact that more powerful models consume more electricity.
2. Boilers differ in their “filling”. Cheap ones have glass-ceramic and enamel coating, more expensive ones are made of titanium and stainless steel. But there is one caveat: some users of boilers with a stainless steel tank note the appearance of an unpleasant taste in the water.
3. The thickness of the tank insulation is at least 35 millimeters. The water heats up faster (less energy consumption) and the temperature is maintained longer.
4. There is protection against overheating.
5. The degree of protection against moisture and dust (IP) is no less than 23, and for a bathroom where humidity is high, no less than 44.
6. There is a frost prevention mode if the device is purchased for a summer residence.

It is important to choose a boiler by volume depending on the number of people living together. So, a 30 liter tank is enough for one person.

You also need to take into account that the devices are available with wet and dry heating elements. The second one is safer, as it eliminates the possibility of electric shock.

Instantaneous water heaters

The main difference from a storage water heater is that the water is not stored in the tank; heating occurs as the liquid passes through a heating element - a heating element (tubular electric heater). In addition, the instantaneous water heater is mounted directly to the pipe, since it is lightweight and compact.

Pros:

• small size and easy installation;
• fast heating;
• low cost;
• The water is heated only during use, so no electricity is wasted on maintaining heat.

Minuses:

• The power reaches 14 kW, so good wiring is necessary. Experts recommend installing an additional machine in the panel;
• seasonality: in summer the water warms up to 40°C, and in winter - up to 30°C;
• unprofitable with frequent use and high water consumption.

INMYROOM tip: instantaneous water heater

Ariston Aures

Suitable even for a tiny bathroom - its dimensions are only 183/290/108 mm. And instead of 8 kW of power, which is usually required for such models, this stylish baby consumes only 3.5 kW, which will significantly reduce your electricity costs.

What to do if the thermometer on the boiler does not work

The main function of the heater temperature indicator is to control the water temperature. As soon as the water reaches the specified parameters, the temperature sensor is triggered, sending a signal to the control module. It does not show the exact temperature; its main task is to convey the degree of heating of the liquid.

If you have just started using a water heater to heat water and observe strong errors: the indicator shows that the temperature is low, and boiling water is pouring from the mixer, then it is better to contact a specialist.

Do I need to unplug the boiler?

For economical use of the boiler to produce results, it does not have to be unplugged at night. The principle of its operation can be compared to a thermos. Heated water cools down slowly, especially if it is not used. It is quite possible that it does not turn on during the night.

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Another thing is safety. When leaving the apartment for several days, it is better to unplug the boiler. This way you will avoid short circuits or power fluctuations and protect your unit from breakdown. And yes, indeed, this is how to use the boiler economically. And if you really can’t wait, it’s better to turn off the boiler for a short period of time with a button rather than unplugging it from the socket.