Horizontal water heaters: technical specifications and selection criteria

Modern water heaters provide hot water, regardless of the work of public utilities, or in places where heating mains simply do not exist. A horizontal boiler is an opportunity to improve your comfort, accompanied by ease of operation and economical power consumption.

A wide range of products with various features: capacity, tank volume and the like, will help you choose a boiler that will satisfy all urgent needs. To understand how to choose a suitable water heater, you need to get acquainted with the specifics of various types in more detail.

A horizontal water heater looks like a round container, semi-circular, oval or oval-flattened form. The outer casing is most often made of steel and coated with powder-based enamel. In order to improve thermal insulation, the inner side of the outer casing is covered with polyurethane foam, which is absolutely harmless to health.

Inside there is a second tank in which the water is heated. It is made of stabilized steel, and its inside is covered with biofilm, which improves water quality. The tank can be made of different materials, for example, from copper. The inner surface of the container is coated with titanium coating or dispersed enamel. Pipes of cold and hot water outflow are made of stainless steel. The element that heats the water - heating elements, consumes from 0.7 to 2.5 kW / h, which provides rapid heating of water. In a horizontal water heater, the liquid heats up to a maximum of 70 degrees, depending on the model, it takes 70-135 minutes to do this.

Features of the structure and functioningas well as used in the process of creating modern technologies provide horizontal water heaters a number of characteristic advantages.

• Economical power consumption. In comparison with flow-through devices, which must operate continuously in order for the water to be hot, the storage water heater consumes electricity only during periods of water heating, which reduces its total consumption.
• Thermos effect. The water heater is arranged in such a way, for example, from a stainless steel, that the heated water for a long time retains the heat produced, saving electricity.
• Sustainable design. The boiler is almost not destroyed during operation. Such indicators have been achieved through the use of modern resistant materials.
• Easy installation. The mounting device and the installation process itself do not require special skills and knowledge from the installer.

• Modern design. Like all household appliances, boilers are designed to fit harmoniously into various styles of interior.
• Universal installation. Although the boiler is called horizontal, it can be installed in an upright position.
• Durable case. The outer part of the water heater is made of durable steel, which makes it resistant to accidental impacts, falling on it of various objects and similar unforeseen situations.
• Outgoing water of any temperature. The mixing system allows you to get the output water of the desired temperature and immediately used for immediate needs.
• Can be mounted on the ceiling surface.. This unique feature saves usable space, and also helps to hide the equipment from the field of view as much as possible, thereby improving the aesthetics of the room.

In addition to positive features, horizontal water heaters have their drawbacks.

• The need for regular maintenance. In the course of operation, scale, dirt, fine particles should be removed from the boiler units, otherwise the equipment will not last for a long time. Such activities require additional costs on an ongoing basis.
• High price. Accumulative devices due to the greater consumption of material, and consequently, the number of parts are much more expensive flow analogues.

Horizontal water heaters are divided into subspecies according to various criteria: by heating element,by connection type, by material of manufacture, by tank volume and other parameters.

Subdivided into two main types according to the conditions in which the heating elements are operated.

• Dry. In such a boiler, the heating element is not in contact with water. The main advantage is the increase in the life of the heating element, in particular, and the entire unit as a whole due to the absence of corrosive processes on the water heating element. Another plus is that there is no danger of getting a discharge of electricity when the boiler insulation is worn or damaged.
• Wet. In this type of heater the heating element is immersed in water, as a result, the water heats up faster. The disadvantage of such devices is faster wear of the components in contact with water, and, accordingly, more frequent maintenance, which costs money.

Depending on the connection option, horizontal water heaters are divided into two types.

• Free-flow. This boiler is easier to install - it is mounted directly in the room in which water is used. The main disadvantage is the limited radius of hot water supply around the boiler.
• Pressure head. They are installed at the entrance of the water supply system and provide the entire living space with hot water. Often used in apartments and private homes.

The main parameter that determines the cost of water-heating equipment is the material from which most parts are made. There are several main types of horizontal boilers according to this criterion.

• Stainless steel. Allows you to use the heater without a magnesium anode, is highly resistant to corrosion processes, and therefore, long service life. On its basis, a large number of models are being in demand.
• Enamelled steel. Horizontal boilers made of this material have a reasonable price and no impact on the properties of water. The weak side is the need to use a magnesium anode, which protects the components of the unit from rapid deterioration due to corrosion.
• Steklofarfor. In many ways similar to the model of enameled steel, but is resistant to corrosive processes, as a result it can do without a magnesium anode.

Depending on the volume of the storage tank, horizontal boilers are divided into the following types:

• 15 litersminimal volume, used when washing hands or dishes;
• 30 liters, this amount of liquid is sufficient not only for dishes and hands, but also for cleaning;
• 50 liters, the standard and most common option, water enough to wash dishes, cleaning the premises or a hot bath by one person;

• 80-literin this case, bathing can be combined with the use of water for other purposes;
• 100 liters, there is enough water from this tank for hygienic procedures for two people, washing dishes and cleaning;

• 120-liter, enough for all of the above and there is still a small supply of water;
• 150 liters, will allow three members of the family to take a bath, and in addition, there will be a surplus for household needs.

The market of water heaters is filled with an assortment from various manufacturers who offer models with different features. Among the many models there are several boilers from brands with a proven reputation that are most popular and have positive reviews. This is a kind of rating manufacturers.

Ariston ABS VLS PW 50 - from the famous Italian manufacturer of household appliances. The model is distinguished by its economical power consumption, compact dimensions and excellent design. High efficiency is ensured by the presence of two heaters of different power: 1.5 and 1 kW, which allows you to vary the electricity consumption. And also provides a special system of protection against electric shock during operation. In addition, Ariston products are characterized by high quality of components, and, accordingly, reliability and long operational life.

The use of the patented technology Nanomix, which provides heating of a large volume of water with minimal energy consumption, as well as the ABS 2.0 system, which monitors the operation of the boiler and turns it off in the event of a malfunction.

Electrolux EWH 50 - floor and wall mounted boiler from the Swedish brand, producing high-quality household appliances. This model is characterized by an economical consumption of electricity, an excellent system for protecting the heating elements and the tank from corrosion processes and a modern design. In addition, the boiler has an improved electronic control system to optimize the flow of water and electricity.

Thermex Flat RZB 50-F - a horizontal water heater with compact dimensions, assembled in the Russian Federation, developed on the basis of European technologies, combines good quality and reasonable price.

Atlantic Cube Steatite VM 100 S 4 CM - boiler from a French manufacturer, has a high degree of protection against corrosive processes imposed by the control panel. The water heater is equipped with a dry TEN and a magnesium anode, the tank has a hygienic and antibacterial coating on the super-strong enamel made of titanium and cobalt. It can work in two heating modes: accelerated and economical.

Zanussi ZWH / S 30 Splendore is a water heater from an Italian company with a worldwide reputation. Power of heating elements 1.3 and 2 kW. Working pressure units from 0.8 to 6 bar. The range of heating water from 30 to 75 degrees. Reliable protection against electric shock and moisture - IP X4, overheating and dry running. And also the boiler is equipped with an emergency drain valve.

In the process of choosing a horizontal boiler, there are many points, for example, the parameters of the boiler, such as the capacity or volume of the tank, as well as the type of heating element and others, which should be noted. Following a certain sequence of criteria, you can choose the product that is best suited to perform the tasks.

• Connection type - if water is necessary for the whole house / apartment, it is not advisable to acquire a non-pressure boiler view.
• Volume of the tank - based on the daily needs and the amount of water on them leaving, you need to select the appropriate volume of the heater.
• Power - determines the rate of heating of water and, accordingly, the consumption of electricity, less powerful boilers by the amount consume less electricity, but require more time. The most commonly used units are from 1.2 to 3.0 kW.

• Material - plays a major role in the durability of the water heater. Stainless steel will cost and serve more, enameled steel is the most affordable option, steklofarfor has the best price-performance ratio.
• Type of heating element - How power affects the rate of heating, and the material - on durability, the choice between slower, but durable, dry and faster, but less reliable, wet.
• Control system - serious brands make it as simple and intuitive as possible for the user.
• Manufacturer - The last criterion, but not the least, is the manufacturer.

How to make a water heater with your own hands, you can learn from the following video.