TOP 10 best UPS for a gas boiler: 2021 rating by price/quality and which one to choose with an external battery

The headache of every owner of a country house is the issue of uninterrupted power supply to the boiler and other equipment.
Unfortunately, the problem of constant power outages, at any time, is almost the norm for many.

First of all, this applies to private houses and cottages. If in summer you can somehow survive this, then in winter during the heating period, the disappearance of voltage can be critical for your heating system.

UPS or generator

This problem can be solved by installing an uninterruptible power supply. Simply called a UPS, uninterruptible power supply or inverter for a boiler.

Those who want to make a choice in favor of a generator, think about what will happen if the power goes out when you are not at home? How to switch the boiler to backup power in this case?

You will need models with an autostart system and other automation, but they cost completely different money.

In addition, often the lights are turned off not for long, but for a maximum of half an hour. You just take the generator out, fill it with gas, plug it in, start it, and all this in the bitter cold.

And in terms of the quality of the output voltage (frequency, sine wave), generators are noticeably inferior to inverters.

Therefore, the choice here is obvious for many.

Top UPS for 36 volts with 3 batteries

Set with 3 100Ah batteries for long battery life

Uninterruptible power supplies for 36V were the first to appear on our market. 3 external batteries allow you to ensure the maximum possible battery life and reduce the load current on the batteries and inverter, which has a positive effect on reliability, including loads close to maximum.

1 place. Lanches (East) L900Pro-H 1kVA ~18,600 rub.

The first place in the ranking is occupied by the product of the large Chinese concern East (www.eastups.com). Strengths:

• Informative display
• High resistance to load problems
• Reasonable price

Flaws:

• Unstable availability at the manufacturer's warehouse in Russia
• Low charge current – ​​6A.

This UPS model is optimal for reliable and long backup power. Note that high-power single-phase models (3, 6 and 10 kVA) have proven themselves to be excellent for backup power supply of medical and household equipment.

2nd place. Inelt (Eltena) Monolith K1000 LT (discontinued)

Once the most popular source for connecting external batteries from the Chinese plant Kehua Tech (www.kehua.com), adapted by Russian engineers from the Inelt company for the Russian market. Pros:

• High reliability
• Average input voltage range 120-295V

Minuses

• Outdated design
• Low charge current 5A
• Uninformative display

This UPS is presented in the rating as a tribute to its high level of reliability. The lack of timely modernization, low charging current and the importer's high price policy led to the loss of this device's once very noticeable market share. In 2021, the INELT Monolith E LT 1000 model for 24V with a charge current of 6A appeared in the product line; sales and operating experience will show the quality of this product in the future.

Before purchasing and installing a UPS for a boiler, read the manual:

manual-ups-tok-shop.ru

PS In our top list of the best uninterruptible power supplies for heating boilers, we presented brands known to a wide range of market professionals. Much of what is on the market and not presented in this article is products from the same factories under other names. We hope this rating will help you choose the best option, but our company’s engineers are also at your service to help you select and install the best uninterruptible power supply for gas boilers.

Useful links:

• Ready-made UPS kits for a gas boiler with an external battery
• Guide for connecting and operating a UPS for a heating system (*.pdf 0.8mb)
• UPS Helior Sigma 1KSL: you asked - we answer

UPS from a computer for a gas boiler

Just do not confuse this uninterruptible power supply with a UPS for a computer. The computer version uses built-in batteries.

They do not provide the full battery life that is required. Therefore, if you think “I’ll buy a more powerful UPS for my computer in the summer, and in the winter I’ll connect the boiler through it,” this is a misconception and a mistake.

Even if someone advises you to assemble a circuit for a computer UPS connected to external batteries, do not do it. Computer models have an approximated sinusoid, which will have a bad effect on the operation of the equipment. But more on this a little later.

Boiler equipment requires a power source with external batteries. At the same time, with the possibility of increasing power.

They will provide sufficient battery life.

What is the operating principle of a UPS? It converts DC voltage from batteries into AC voltage. In the event of a power outage, all consumers, without time delays, instantly switch to working from the battery.

And when voltage is supplied back from the network, the inverter automatically returns to normal power mode. This recharges the discharged batteries.

I. UPS with one external battery (12V)

We recommend using models with the connection of one external battery with small heating boilers with a maximum load of up to 300-400 W for short or medium battery life. There are 2 significant models on the market:

1 place. Eltena (Inelt) Monolith E 1000LT-12v ~21,450r.

Eltena with a charge current of 12A and one battery for 100Ah

A new model in the Monolith line from Inelt. A product of the Chinese plant Kehua Tech (www.kehua.com), adapted for the Russian market.

Advantages of the UPS:

• Good input voltage range 110-300V without switching to battery.
• The charging current is 12A, which is relevant when connecting a battery with a capacity of up to 250Ah.

The disadvantages include:

• High price for the device
• New 12V model for the manufacturer

2nd place. Helior Sigma 1 KSL-12V (no longer available in Russia)

This uninterruptible power supply, adapted by our engineers to Russian conditions, manufactured by Helior Corporation (www.heliortec.com) has been consistently ranked first in sales reports for several years now. Reasons for popularity besides affordable price:

• Lowest fan noise level among analogues (rotation speed depends on load)
• There is a special mode of operation from a generator (the permissible range of the input frequency is expanded)
• Compact size and can be used in two positions
• Sufficiently high reliability when working with heating systems

Weaknesses include:

• A relatively narrow range of permissible input voltage values ​​that the source can “pull” without switching to the battery.
• Average charge current, which allows you to connect batteries with a capacity of 30 to 150Ah.

Pure sine and its effect on the boiler

First of all, when choosing a UPS for a boiler, pay attention to the shape of the output voltage.

There are 2 types of output voltage:

• pure sine

• quasi-sine (square wave)

When choosing, always focus on a model with pure sine. Why is it important?

Boilers and its equipment do not like both voltage drops and changes in the frequency of the output signal. If you buy a UPS with a quasi-sine wave, the boiler may detect this voltage as an error and will go into trouble.

Electronics, of course, are not afraid of an irregular sine wave. But the pumps of heating equipment, such as RS or UPS, begin to hum.

The motor in the pumps is asynchronous and this pseudo-sine produces a lot of harmonics, which significantly reduce efficiency and cause heating and humming.

In addition, the boiler itself has its own built-in circulation pump, and sometimes more than one, hence such stringent requirements.

Always pay attention to the UPS's ability to withstand high inrush currents (two to three times). In addition to the boiler itself, there is also other equipment that needs to be powered, for example a submersible pump.

What else should you pay attention to when choosing?

If the heating system includes circulation pumps with high starting currents, then the UPS for this system must be selected based on its maximum (starting) power value, which exceeds the rated minimum by 3 times.

A computer UPS is not suitable for working with the boiler. It simply will not provide the required battery life. In addition, a device designed to connect a personal computer is most often characterized by an output signal in the form of a modified (approximate) sinusoid, and for the boiler to operate correctly, a pure (ideal) sinusoid is necessary.

Batteries can be located both inside the UPS case and outside it, in external structures: modules, racks, cabinets. Devices with internal batteries have a limited battery life and are suitable for operation either in a power supply system equipped with a generator, or in conditions where there are no long (more than 4 hours) interruptions in the power supply.

Some UPSs have a “cold” start option - if there is no input voltage, the device turns on using the energy from the battery. This option will allow you to start the heating system even if the mains power is turned off.

Calculation of power and battery life

What power should I choose for a UPS for a boiler room? The calculation here is not complicated.

Just add up the power of all electrical appliances that will be connected through it and multiply by two. If there is a deep-well pump, then by three - taking into account its starting currents.

The data can be taken from the passport or operating instructions, or viewed directly on the product bodies.

For example, for a boiler room where 3 pumps of 90 W each are installed and the boiler itself is 135 W, an inverter from 0.8 to 1.0 kW is suitable. At lower power, field switches (transistors) will overheat.

If the sum of all electrical appliances exceeds the power of the model you have chosen, suddenly you want to power any household appliances, light bulbs, then initially take them into account, and not just boiler equipment.

Here the power can vary from 1 to 5 kW.

How long will the selected UPS operate in autonomous mode? It all depends on the batteries. Here is a table with characteristics of battery capacity and connected load:

It clearly shows in hours and minutes how long your uninterruptible power supply will last for independent operation from the network.

What parameters are of primary importance when choosing a UPS for a boiler?

A competent choice of UPS is a guarantee of reliable and high-quality operation of both the device itself and the equipment connected to it. When choosing a UPS for a boiler, you need to pay attention to the following device parameters:

• phase pattern - must correspond to the phase pattern of the input network and load (most household boilers are designed to operate from a single-phase network with a voltage of 220/230 V);
• rated output power - must be no less than the load power consumption, otherwise the UPS will not cope with its tasks and the money spent on it will be wasted. It is recommended to choose a UPS for a boiler with a rating that exceeds the actual power of the planned load by 20-30%; this reserve can compensate for possible overloads;
• operating time in autonomous mode - must be sufficient to ensure the operation of the boiler for the period necessary to eliminate a fault in the input network or start a backup source of electricity (generator). The actual duration of operation of the UPS in the absence of electricity depends, firstly, on the number and capacity of the battery, and, secondly, on the power consumption of the equipment connected to the device. It should be understood that the same UPS model at different loads has different autonomy times;
• case design – should provide the most convenient location of the UPS. It is recommended to think over the mounting method in advance and make sure that the dimensions of the product correspond to the place of intended use. It is important to ensure that there is a gap of at least 20 cm between the ventilation holes located on the UPS case and the nearest surface.

Before purchasing a UPS, many people think about whether there is a difference between choosing a UPS for a gas boiler and for a solid fuel boiler. You should understand that there is no difference! You need to look not at the type of boiler, but at its characteristics, the main one of which is power consumption.

Installation location

It is better to place the UPS near existing outlets. If it is not large, then it is not at all necessary to hang it on the wall, just place it on the nearest shelf. The main thing is not to block the ventilation holes.

At the same time, do not forget to comply with the rules of the PUE. The minimum distances from gas pipes to sockets, including the UPS, must be at least 0.5 m.

Regarding the placement of batteries. Fashionable AGM models are afraid of elevated temperatures of more than 30 degrees. And near the boiler the temperature will clearly not be room temperature.

Therefore, place the battery as far as possible from heating pipes and hot boiler equipment.

Let's draw the line

I will name the best models, in my opinion, from those presented in the review for each price category.

If the question arises, which budget model to choose, then the best option would be Powerman Online 1000 BA . Double conversion of electricity, high accuracy of compliance with specified parameters, stylish design and reasonable price are the key advantages that encourage the purchase of this particular device.

It so happened that all devices in the middle price range were at the upper limit at a given cost. Therefore, the choice will be made based on the technical parameters of the UPS, reliability, and ease of use. The Energia PN-750 model best meets these criteria . This is an easy-to-use uninterruptible power supply, has an optimal set of functions and is very reliable. And you don't need to buy additional batteries.

Car batteries or AGM, gel

Many consumers often use car batteries for uninterruptible power supply, which is absolutely not allowed. These batteries are fire and explosive.

They are designed for starting currents, and accordingly do not provide the autonomous operation that is required of them. Therefore, here you need to use specialized batteries using AGM or GEL-gel technology.

AGMs have a service life of 6 to 10 years, and gel ones from 10 to 15 years.

Also, gel ones are not afraid of deep discharge.

In addition, both models are fire and explosion-proof for any premises and do not emit any gases. Of course, they cost more, but if earlier the prices differed significantly, today you can find models with a difference of only a couple of thousand.

Automotive types are not designed for a large number of charge-discharge cycles, but specialized ones with a regular discharge of 30% can be painlessly recharged up to 700 times!

That is, a regular one from a car will last you for a maximum of six months or one heating season, and AGM or gel ones should, in theory, last at least 10 years.

Moreover, high-quality UPSs initially have built-in deep discharge protection. Accordingly, this will further increase the battery life and ensure the longevity of the entire system.

Just be careful and check the battery release date in advance, even in the store. It may not be clearly indicated by numbers, and the sellers, modestly keeping silent about this point, will sell you an old, stale model.

Here, for example, is a table decoding the release date of Ventura brand batteries. Code GF11 PJB6VVK3EA and its decoding based on the first characters. Other brands may vary.

It turns out the release date: 2017-June-11.

Budget models up to 12,500 rubles

Despite all the advantages of expensive models, there are also decent options among devices in the budget price category.

Energy PN-500 - from 8,100 rubles

Uninterruptible power supply Energy PN-500 is a multifunctional device that monitors the presence of voltage. Other features of the UPS include:

• the presence of a sound indicator that is triggered when changing operating modes;
• automatically tripped fuse, prevents the possibility of short-circuiting and overloading the device;
• overheating protection provided by an additional cooling system;
• functional graphic display.

All information about the operation of the Energy PN-500 UPS for boilers is displayed on a small screen with a pleasant neon backlight, which allows you to control the process of supplying voltage at any time.

The manufacturer claims a mode switching time of 5 ms.
In my tests it was twice as long - 10 ms. Despite the presence of deviations, it does not seem critical to me. Characteristics table Energy PN-500

Consumer review. Fedor Klyuchnikov : “A little noisy, but overall an excellent device.”

Works stably for several years. All parameters correspond to the calculated ones. Easy installation, no special skills required for installation: the instructions describe the entire process in detail.

It’s a little noisy in charging and battery modes, but for me personally it’s not critical. It stands next to the boiler and you can’t hear it in the house.

Video review:

Bastion TEPLOCOM-250+ - from 10,400 rubles

For a stable electrical supply to gas boilers with a power of no more than 250 VA, the wall-mounted uninterruptible power supply Bastion TEPLOCOM-250 Plus is perfect.

Features and advantages of the model:

• The device operates from a built-in battery up to 40 Ah. A convenient indicator of operating modes will help the user monitor the performance of the device. The peculiarity of the model is the ability to mount the UPS on a wall or table.
• I didn't like that there was no external connector for connecting batteries. In order to add capacity, you will have to disassemble the case and extend the connecting wires.

Characteristics table BASTION TEPLOCOM-250+

Consumer review. Nikolai Ukleiko: “Long switching between modes.”

Over the course of two years of use, I was unable to catch up with the boiler several times: it lost power and rebooted. I don't think this should happen. I also don’t like that there is no battery charging indication. It is impossible to determine what condition the battery is in.

Review of a similar model:

Powerman Online 1000 VA - from 11,500 rubles

Uninterruptible power supplies of this type are an excellent option for ensuring a stable supply of electricity to industrial and household heating equipment that has increased requirements for the quality and reliability of power supply. The key advantages and features of the Powerman Online 1000 BA UPS include:

• always sinusoidal output voltage;
• the ability to extend battery life due to the double conversion function;
• compact sizes,
• high accuracy of the specified voltage from 2% or better;

The most important thing, in my opinion, is that the device switches with lightning speed from the main network mode of operation to the battery, which ensures the correct operation of the electronics in the “brains” of the boilers.
I am glad that there are internal protections against overload and short circuit. Powerman Online Specifications Chart

Consumer review. D.Petrovich77, forumhouse:

Advantages:

• Low price (for online);
• high power;
• there is a display;
• convenient European sockets.

Flaws:

• The fan is noisy;
• Instructions for use with errors.

Very cheap for online. All the necessary information is displayed on the display. Consumption shows correctly.

There are different operating modes. It can work as a linear-interactive one, it can bypass the uninterruptible power supply, only with a noise-absorbing filter, there is a bypass.

Watch the video:

Types of UPS

Always strive to buy those inverters that initially have a voltage stabilizer built into them.

According to this parameter, UPS can be divided into 3 types:

• off line - whatever voltage is supplied to them, this is what comes out

An alternating voltage of 200V was supplied, and the same alternating voltage of 200V was received at the output. If the network parameters deviate beyond the minimum or maximum ranges, it will simply turn on the inverter and begin to take energy from the battery.

Some people wonder why their batteries drain so quickly. Although there seemed to be no outages. Just check the input voltage and everything will become clear.

• on-line - in them the alternating voltage is first converted into direct voltage, corrected, and then alternating voltage is output again

That is, all bad network parameters (sinusoid, voltage drops, frequency) are leveled and smoothed to nominal values.

• linear-interactive - they do not convert the frequency, but only have a built-in stabilizer

The best and most advanced models today are online.

They must be installed if you have temporary or long-term power supply from a generator.

There, problems are often observed with frequencies other than 50Hz.

Necessity of acquisition

Modern gas boilers require a constant connection to a power source. The control unit, circulation pump, ignition system and forced ventilation operate from the mains.

Advanced users install special modules with which they control the system remotely.

If the power goes out, the device continues to work. Most models are capable of not only providing the boiler with power, but also adjusting its operation during power surges.

Benefits of an uninterruptible power supply:

• reasonable cost;
• simple installation that does not require special knowledge;
• excellent operation during voltage surges;
• automatic control of all parameters;
• service life up to 7 years;
• silent operation.

Do you need a stabilizer if you have a UPS?

The power supply to country houses is characterized not only by frequent interruptions, but also by low quality input voltage. However, the UPS should not be considered a panacea for these ills.

Not all models can “pull” too low a voltage (less than 170-180V).

With such a drawdown, the device will go into error, turn off and beep. Accordingly, the boiler will turn off along with it, or it will immediately switch to the battery.

At the same time, the UPS itself may indicate that it is designed to operate at a voltage of 180V. What's the matter, were they deceived in the store?

The fact is that for the initial start-up such instances require a minimum of 190V, and only then, in the event of further drawdown, they can draw both 180V and 170V, and maybe lower.

Therefore, if you really have serious and constant problems with input U<200V, you will still have to install a normal inverter stabilizer at the input.

Otherwise, the boiler will be constantly powered only by batteries. And this will not increase their service life.

The inverter stabilizer calmly levels the parameters to normal, starting with drawdowns up to 90V.

Average price category from 12,500 to 25,000 rubles

Mid-price UPSs are also suitable for home use. Unlike budget options, they use more reliable circuitry elements and add additional functions: selection of operating mode, sound alarm, synchronization with a PC, etc. These devices are much more powerful than their cheap counterparts.

ELTENA (INELT) Monolith K1000LT - from 21,800 rubles

ELTENA (INELT) Monolith-K1000LT

The system of double voltage conversion from mains to battery mode (online) guarantees a reliable and stable power supply even in the absence of electricity.
I consider it an advantage to have protection against short circuits, interference, impulses, and equipment overload. The UPS can be equipped with an additional battery complex with a capacity of up to 150 Ah. Characteristics table ELTENA (INELT) Monolith K1000LT

Consumer review. Viktor Andreev: “Fulfills its tasks.”

In addition to the heating equipment, I connected several backup lighting lamps in the boiler room. Withstood a shutdown lasting 1.5 hours. Noisy fan, needs to be installed in a separate room

One more point: It is not clear where it was made. This is not indicated either on the packaging, or on the case, or in the instructions... *1

Brief overview on video:

Energy PN-750 - from 22,400 rubles

Compared to earlier and less powerful uninterruptible power supplies from this brand, the Energiya PN-750 UPS features an updated color LED display. It displays information for working with the device: network parameters, battery status, etc. The amount of charging current varies depending on the state of the battery: discharged batteries are supplied with increased values, which gradually decrease towards the end of full charging. This control helps extend battery life.

Pros of the model:

• extended input voltage range (within 155-275 Volts);
• pure sine wave output;
• built-in adapter for voltage control and stabilization;

I liked that the device comes with a pair of 100 ampere-hour batteries.
In my opinion, this is a real savings! Characteristics table Energy PN-750

Consumer review. Anna Cheremushkina: “Inexpensive domestic UPS.”

We have been using it for about 2 years. There was not a single failure. In our village the lights are often turned off in winter. The UPS helps a lot.

More details in the video:

BASTION SKAT-UPS 1000 version D - 24,600 rubles

The model is designed for boilers that require load zeroing.

The advantages of the Bastion UPS SKAT-UPS 1000 are obvious:

• control of output parameters within an error of 2%;
• stability of output voltage frequency;
• prompt warning of the occurrence of electrical impulses and faults with high frequencies;
• full automation of the process of transition from the main mode (network) to the backup mode;
• presence of an automatic BYPASS bypass system;
• zero grounding module, ensuring continuous operation of the device in reserve mode.

Characteristics table BASTION SKAT-UPS 1000 version D

Consumer review. Semyon Shirokov: “Stable and reliable device.”

The main selection criterion that I emphasized was the ability to work with precision measuring instruments of the boiler installation. This model does not create distortion in the output signal and does not interfere with the network. My entire smart home system works without failures and SKAT-UPS 1000 is one of the elements that ensures reliability. My impressions of the work are positive. I like that there is a visual indication of operating modes and an audible alarm.

Original video from the manufacturer: