Gas water heater: from selection to installation

How to choose the right geyser and what to look for when buying? This question interests everyone who wants to use hot water supply at any time of the year. A gas water heater is considered practical and can provide several water intake zones. Let's define and choose which brands have proven themselves best and what to look for when choosing.

Distinctive characteristics of a gas boiler

The choice of heating equipment for an apartment or a house is a serious undertaking, so first you need to understand why this device is in demand. For this, we note the main advantages of the devices:

• Ease of use.
• Attractive design.
• Long operation.
• Safety of use.
• If we compare them with boilers, then gas systems have acceptable dimensions and are not inferior to them in power.
• Powerful wiring is not required - electrical models, if good power is required, require a separate power supply installation.
• The equipment may not be used in non-gasified rooms - for this it is necessary to buy a model with the possibility of power from a gas cylinder.

Characteristics of a gas boiler

Modern technologies allow the production of practical, economical and powerful equipment, which is characterized by highly efficient work. Without decent technical support it is impossible to lead a modern life, as people are accustomed to comfort and want to use the benefits of life to the maximum. That is why they do not want to depend on communal services and purchase a gas boiler in their apartment or cottage. Also, the main criterion is energy savings, because a gas water heater consumes less money than electrical analogues.

But, like any equipment, a water heater has some disadvantages:

• The complexity of installation and connection - it is desirable that a professional is engaged in installation.
• Constant and timely maintenance.
• The risk of gas leakage - a high level of explosiveness of natural gas forces everyone to clearly control the operation of the equipment. For example, a device with a piezo ignition must be extinguished when all are absent at home.
• It is necessary to wait until the water warms up - electrical devices heat the water immediately.

Despite a number of minuses, it is necessary to install gas devices in houses where gas is supplied - they consume little energy and provide several water draw-off zones with hot water at once. A drawback of boilers is also the fact that their use in some structures is unacceptable. It is also impossible to install in new homes where gas is not provided.

Temperature setting and flame adjustment option

Display for setting the gas boiler

For a comfortable setting of the equipment, it is necessary to choose a boiler with a screen on which the temperature of the heated water is indicated. Gas flow boiler should be comfortable in operation. Here, not only the level of gas used must be adjusted, but also the pressure. Thus, it is possible to obtain the functioning of the device even with a minimum pressure of water.

It is desirable that there is an LCD screen that will track the final temperature of the water.If there is no screen, the heating scale will have to be adjusted according to the sensations that there is a risk of burns.

There is a temperature setting in all gas equipment, but the automatic flame adjustment function is not in all models. It allows you to maintain the temperature of the water when changing the pressure of water and gas. Conventional devices change the temperature of the water when the toilet works or when an adjacent tap with cold water is turned on. The presence of the fire adjustment function allows you to keep the temperature at the selected level.

Security systems

Everyone knows that natural gas is considered an explosive substance. Its presence in the air adversely affects human health. Therefore, high-quality equipment must respond to the following security systems:

• Fire adjustment.
• Traction adjustment.
• Limited level of heating.
• Pressure mechanism.

The flame control system operates on the basis of a thermocouple. The most expensive speakers have ionization control with high speed. If the fire goes out for some reason, the security system will quickly block the gas supply. It is also desirable to have a draft control that helps prevent a gas explosion and leakage of combustion substances into the room. The set limit for heating does not allow the heat exchanger to overheat due to incorrect settings. If a water pressure mechanism is present in the system, it prevents the device from continuing operation due to deformation of the heat exchanger or leakage. The more protection features a device has, the higher consumer safety will be.

Gas boilers and protection systems

Criterias of choice

How not to make a mistake in choosing a gas device? To make the right purchase and not regret it, let's highlight the column selection criteria. What to pay attention to?

• Manufacturing company. The total power of the device depends on this indicator, because we are talking about a specific amount of water that the equipment can heat in a short time. Gas systems come in three types: low power (17-19 W), medium (22-24 W), high (28-31 W). The choice of a specific model depends on the personal needs of the consumer and the number of points of water intake. If water will be used at several points, then it is better to choose a device with high performance.
• Type of ignition. The time has long passed when the column was turned on with the help of matches, since today it is a modernized equipment: you just need to turn the tap and the device will start working. Automatic ignition is the most reliable, and this is confirmed by the facts. A spark appears with a turbine or batteries, and the wick burns only when water is consumed. Piezo ignition is a popular way, but uncomfortable. Since ignition is performed by pressing the button, that is, if the column is in a difficult to reach zone, then it will be difficult to reach this button. Moreover, after ignition, the wick does not go out using gas.

Piezo Boilers

• Type of burner. In order to correctly choose a boiler, it is important to rely on this indicator. A stable burner requires mechanical adjustment. Convenience is not provided here, since the water pressure in the device is changeable. But a burner with adjustable power is a convenient option, as it adapts to the pressure of water, allowing you to get the optimum temperature.
• Safety.

The best geyser is one that has a three-stage protection system and automatically turns off when the fire extinguishes, in the absence of traction or the occurrence of reverse traction. It is also important that the device has a safety hydraulic valve that protects the equipment from overheating.

• The removal of combustion substances. Gas systems are chimney and turbocharged. In the first version, the boiler is connected to the chimney, in the second - the device throws combustion substances out into the street.
• Manufacturer. This is a large-scale topic, so we will consider it in more detail and present you with a rating of the most reliable and profitable geysers.

Scheme of gas storage water heater

How to choose a gas water heater for installation in the bathroom and where is it better to install it?

Everyone wants to make the bathroom as functional and comfortable as possible, because it is not only a place for hygiene, but also for relaxation. Volumetric gas equipment usually does not fit into the idea of ​​an aesthetic and comfortable bathroom, although today you can find columns that decorate the bathroom.

It is important to follow two rules:

• The niche should be larger than the device itself.
• It is necessary to make free access to the system.

Site selection and installation methods

In old houses - such as the Khrushchev - the project involved installing a gas device in the bathroom. A chimney and ventilation were carried out there, so the installation of the device in another place was not agreed upon by the authorities.

Today, building requirements make it possible to install gas electric devices in any room of the house, but it is important to observe several main methods:

• The device must have free access, which will allow you to carry out preventive or repair measures at any time.
• A gas water heater should not complicate the stay in the bathroom, interfere with the use of furniture or plumbing.

Installation of a boiler in the bathroom

Installation requirements and rules

If you have chosen the ideal zone for mounting the column in the bathroom, you must follow the requirements noted in the technical documentation, otherwise the gas authorities will prove the illegality of your actions. The following is a list of basic requirements for which installation in the bathroom is allowed:

• The gas system must not hang on a wall lined with flammable finish.
• The system should be located at least 150 mm from the furniture and side walls.
• For devices mounted in enclosed enclosures, a regenerative pipe must be installed.

Also, gas installations may have questions if conditions that cannot be met in standard city apartments are met:

• The room in which the equipment is installed must be at least 15 square meters.
• The room should not have a swing open window, the dimensions of which are not less than 0.45 m2.

Often, when the last points are not observed, the eyes are closed.

Requirements for installing a boiler in urban apartments

TOP 4 most popular manufacturers

The assortment on the market is quite impressive, so it is very difficult to answer the question of which gas system is best. For this reason, we highlight a list of popular brands whose products are in demand:

• Ariston - The equipment of this brand occupies a leading position, because at an affordable cost you can get high-quality Italian equipment. Gas instantaneous water heaters Ariston are highly durable and have the option of maintaining the set temperature. The main components of the equipment are made of composite material, which guarantees a long service life and resistance to rust.

• Thermaxi - Gas systems are created in China, but at the same time are in demand due to their high quality. Their main advantage is the use of a modulation burner. Also, the assortment of the Chinese manufacturer consists of models that allow you to get 12 liters of hot water per minute - you can connect three water sources to such a device.

• Vailant - The German manufacturer offers high quality devices. Such devices have reliability and ease of maintenance. They have no problems and are used for a long time, thanks to the presence of a durable copper heat exchanger.

• Beretta - instantaneous water heaters from the Italian manufacturer have only positive feedback from users: comfortable use, attractive appearance, decent quality of components, a large selection of models. The model range includes systems with electric ignition and fire adjustment function.

If you want to choose a high-quality and reliable gas water heater, we suggest using the recommendations of our article and paying special attention to the characteristics of each of the boilers. And then you can choose the best geyser for an apartment and a private house, which will best meet your requirements and desires.