Instantaneous electric water heaters on the faucet: the subtleties of use and tips on choosing

For the rapid resolution of the problems of hot water supply, a new device has recently appeared on the market - a flow-through electric heater that is put on the faucet. This new product differs from all of its predecessors by its small size, ease of installation and favorable price.

The instantaneous water heater is a portable compact model that provides uninterrupted hot water supply. The feasibility of its installation depends largely on the frequency, intensity and basic conditions of use.

Such the device mounted on the crane allows you to quickly solve all the problems associated with the lack of warm water, moreover, it does not require large expenditures of time and money - hot water appears in the house in just a few minutes.

The first models proposed on the market were “clumsy” both in terms of design and safety, their operation was fraught with the risks and hazards of electric shock without any full protection.

But times go by and technology does not stand still.

Thus, we can safely say that modern instantaneous water heaters on the faucet are safe instruments that provide an efficient and fast supply of hot water. High-quality, reliable, ergonomic ... but very voracious - electricity bills with the frequent use of such devices grow quite noticeably.

The structure of such a heater includes:

• TEN high power;
• temperature control;
• fasteners for connecting to the water supply system;
• hot water tap;
• emergency shutdown device;
• thermal sensor;
• water filter;
• safety relay.

Some manufacturers offer models, supplemented by digital thermometers, as well as sensitive sensory regulators, with which you can adjust the degree of heating "on the fly." From a conventional mixer, a flow heater is distinguished by an electrical wire that reaches for an AC network.

Using such a device, it must be remembered that the connection of running water and current can be very dangerous.Therefore, when choosing a model, preference should be given only to quality products from proven manufacturers. This is exactly the case when you do not need to save money - an attempt to purchase a cheap device with low protection options can turn into a big tragedy for users.

Protection of quality water heaters includes several components:

• special waterproof shells to completely exclude contact of water with electrical components;
• UZO - a device built into the faucet that turns off the heater in case the mains voltage exceeds the standard level, thanks to this function, the device is protected from burnout;
• shutdown system devices with a decrease or decrease in pressure - in this case, the device stops working at a pressure of less than 0.4 atm and more than 7 atm;
• temperature control sensor water - to ensure safe and uninterrupted operation, the temperature of the water in the device should not heat up more than 60 degrees, therefore a special sensor turns off the heating when it reaches this value, and when the temperature drops, on the contrary, turns on the heating element, thanks to this water is reliably protected from overheating;
• silicone damper - protects the device from damage as a result of mechanical damage.

It should be noted that the instantaneous water heater is not an addition to the faucet - it is an alternative to the latter, which completely replaces it and complements its functionality. This design is mounted in the kitchen sink, and then connected to the plumbing and electrical network. Electrical connection is made using ordinary wire with a socket.

The work of instantaneous water heaters is quite simple: when the tap is turned on with water, the heating element automatically starts to work. and after a few seconds, hot water begins to flow. Most models heat up to 40–60 degrees, however, the degree of heating can be adjusted to your liking. Hot water supply stops as soon as the faucet closes.

A model with separate adjustments - in this design there are two knobs: one regulates the force of the pressure, and the second - the temperature, as a result - the ability to get exactly the temperature that is needed at a particular point in time.

Heaters with liquid crystal controllers and touch screens - they allow you to set any heating modes, however, their cost is quite high.

However, if you do not have the opportunity to buy expensive models, then you can stop at the simplest options - you can adjust the temperature in any, even the budget modification itself - for this you just need to turn the knob.

Unfortunately, nothing perfect has yet been invented, so a portable water heater, like any other technology, has its pros and cons. The advantages of flow heaters are numerous. Among them:

• Small dimensions. For small rooms, this argument can be considered as the main one. The heater of this type takes only space under the mixer in the sink or kitchen sink.
• High heating rate. Any model, regardless of its power, warms up to the desired temperature in a maximum of 30 seconds, even drives cannot boast the same results, usually they are turned on in advance, at least half an hour before use.
• Constant heating level. In modern models, the degree of temperature heating is controlled by an indicator that monitors the situation and corrects the operation of heating elements.
• Attractive appearance. In the building stores there is a wide choice of models of different colors, matte or glossy, as well as having a wide variety of shapes and vents.
• Easy installation. Actually, the technology of installation of the heater is identical to the installation of a conventional sink tap, the only difference is the need to connect to the power grid and special grounding of the structure.
• High efficiency. The heater never runs idle, heating is performed only “in fact”, that is, during system start-up, if the tap is turned off, electricity is not consumed.
• Low price. The cost of the flow thermocrane is much lower than the prices of storage boilers.

Among the shortcomings, many note the high energy intensity of the product.Its average power is about 2.5–4.5 kW, which significantly increases the cost of electricity if the device is used frequently.

However, manufacturers of flow modules do not agree with this statement and argue that the devices work economically due to the fact that they consume electricity only at the time of operation of the faucet, while boilers are turned on every 25-40 minutes regardless of whether hot water is required for the moment or not.

However, the cons are not limited to this.

• Users also note limited capacity - this means that the amount of heated water does not exceed 6 liters per minute, which is 2 times lower than that of a gas burner. In addition, when using the device there is a high network load,Therefore, if the “protochnik” is mounted in a building with old wiring, then it is desirable to connect a separate cable, otherwise the probability of a short circuit is high.
• Keep in mind that regardless of the network status, the “protochnik” must be installed through a reinforced socket, which is necessarily connected to the RCD.

• Thermal valve can serve only one point of water intake - the volume of hot water cannot be divided into several streams, so at the same time it is impossible, for example, to take a shower and wash dishes with hot water.
• Repair of such models also delivers a lot of trouble - to restore the device in the event of a breakdown is almost impossible, since the remnabore for such devices is almost never on sale, most often it is necessary to purchase a new device.
• Finally, low-power models have another drawback - they cannot heat water by more than 25 degrees - in summer this value is quite enough, however, with the onset of winter, it is almost impossible to achieve the desired 35–40 degrees.

It should be noted that, despite the shortcomings described, portable devices are optimal in conditions of unstable water supply., if network outages occur regularly, but do not exceed 1–1.5 months per year. The device is suitable for country houses, where the consumption of hot water is seasonal, in the cottages - for arranging summer kitchen. In other words, a thermocrane is justified in all situations when hot water is not required constantly and only in limited quantities.

The first models of flow heaters were of extremely poor quality; they did not provide any protection against electric shocks, adjustments, and the design did not differ in particular aesthetics. Moreover, the constructions were clad in bulky plastic housings and, in the literal sense, “mounted” on water taps. Water entered inside the device. there passed through the heater, and then poured out of the hole. Using such a crane was a really risky job.

But everything flows, everything changes, and the development of technology, too. Now there are a variety of options for flow-through heaters, which are conventionally divided into two types: this is a heating nozzle of a removable type and mixers with built-in heating elements.

In addition, there are various options for instantaneous water heaters. For example, instant heating mixer - such products occupy the overwhelming part of the segment of thermocovers, they work in three basic modes:

• hot water supply - in this case, the mixer handle looks to the right, and the system comes into action, providing an inflow of warm water;
• cold water supply - the lever is turned to the left, while turning, the system turns off the heating and cold water flows from the tap;
• shutdown - the mixer handle is in the lowered position, the system is completely de-energized and the water supply is stopped.

As a rule, the temperature is regulated by changing the degree of pressure.

Heater-nozzle - a model that is attached to the mixer. Its undoubted advantages are obvious: compact and easy installation, no need to equip a new mixer and an affordable price.

Based on customer reviews, a rating of the most popular brands was compiled. Among the leaders of sales can distinguish products of several brands.

The heater of this company is considered the most popular on the market, since even medium power devices are enough to heat water to a comfortable temperature. At the same time, the heating rate is high - so, the water reaches the mark of 60 degrees in just a minute. At the same time the product is simple and easy to use, its installation is not difficult.

However, users note that when turned on, hot water flows in a thin stream, and if the pressure is made stronger, the water becomes barely warm. In addition, the device requires a large amount of electricity.

Another popular brand with a maximum heating temperature of 60 degrees. The faucet has high performance characteristics: RCD, which significantly increases its safety, the device is equipped with a sensor that shuts down the installation in case of insufficient or excessive water pressure, this faucet allows you to comfortably take a shower, and also has the ability to connect a filter for water treatment.

Very stylish faucet with blue and blue lights, thanks to which the heater looks very impressive. Maximum heating also does not exceed 60 degrees. power is 3 kilowatts, the device is supplemented by a built-in thermostat, through which you can set the desired water heating temperature.

It is an inexpensive device made in China, it has an average power and does not have any additional functional elements - however, the cost of this option is relatively low.

This is a powerful flow thermocrane, which has a serious protection: the heater is made of heat-resistant polymer, and the heating temperature is 30-60 degrees. All elements are covered with a special insulating layer.

One of the most popular brands in the market of water heaters, produce products of various modifications, including miniature ones, their power depending on the model reaches 15 kW, and the capacity can be 7 liters per minute.These are reliable, durable and highly effective devices.

Users also note the high quality of Poseidon, Unipump, Alvin and Aquasan products.

Modern industry offers the broadest choice of different solutions for instantaneous water heaters: pressure and non-pressure, electric, gas, powerful and weak, so it is not so easy to make a choice.

Nevertheless, there are several points that need to be paid attention to when making a purchase decision.

• To start design. It is obvious that everyone chooses a model to his own taste, so that it fits harmoniously into the interior of the kitchen, the market today is filled with a wide variety of products from eastern countries, most of which are not credible in terms of safety of use. That is why certified models are always preferable to the thermocrane manufactured in the underground workshop.
• Producing country - this is quite a significant parameter, as a rule, products of European brands are distinguished by higher quality and efficiency, than their counterparts from China and Korea. However, in fairness it should be noted that China is different from China - there are serious manufacturers in this country, but along with them there are also those whose products can only be called “terrible”.

Let us dwell on the criteria for a safe thermal crane.

• It is mandatory that the RCD, which is responsible for human safety and protects it from electric shocks, must be present on the crane, and in addition, it protects the device itself during power surges.

• The system must contain a sensor that is responsible for protecting the water from overheating - it turns off the device when the water heats up to 60 degrees, otherwise the device and the entire electrical system in the house as a whole may break down.

• Protection against water hammer - such damage can destroy even the most powerful and powerful devices, so they must be reinforced with silicone dampers or elements made of polymeric materials inside the heater body.

• It is very important that each wiring of the device is reliably protected by an insulating layer, otherwise water will get inside and then an electric shock will not be avoided.

And, of course, an important parameter that influences the choice of the optimal model is power. it is obvious that the higher it is, the greater the efficiency of the model, for example,A miniature model with a power not exceeding 3 kW is enough to provide summer residents with hot water during the summer period, but it cannot cope with effective heating from a cold season.

In conclusion, you should say a little about the connection. The crane with heat installation is mounted in the same way as an ordinary mixer, but there are two nuances.

• Thermocrane connects strictly to the pipe with cold water, although there are several models that make it possible to combine heated cold water and hot water coming from the tap, but they are rarely available on the market.
• Efficient use requires wires of a certain cross section, as well as a separate branch and mandatory grounding.

In general, thermo-taps are very useful modern devices for giving and in the bathroom to inhabitants of city apartments, which allow them to feel comfortable at the time when interruptions in hot water supply begin.

Delimano instantaneous water heater overview - in the next video.