To meet the needs of hot water supply in a private house or apartment, it is most often used geyser or an electric water heater (instantaneous or storage type). When choosing water heating equipment, several important points are taken into account:
- boiler cost;
- economical maintenance and energy costs;
- operational safety;
- installation features.
Which is cheaper - gas or electric water heater?
The cost of the equipment, if we take into account the column and storage boiler, approximately the same in build quality, are at different price levels. Pricing is significantly influenced by the “promotion” and popularity of the brand.An electric storage water heater TERMEX will cost from 5,000 rubles, a BOSCH water heater will cost from 9,500 rubles. A instantaneous water heater from Timberk costs from 2800 rubles. There are many options for geysers on the market that cost much less, presented in budget versions.
In addition to the cost, when choosing whether a gas or electric water heater is cheaper, you should take into account the cost of installation, service, obtaining permits for connection, etc.:
- Connection - an electric water heater differs from a gas water heater in that a project is not needed for its installation. A storage or flow-through electric boiler is as safe as possible. Electric water heating equipment can be installed in any room, regardless of the purpose and size of the room.
Gas equipment must be registered. If the highway is not connected to the house, then the project and installation work can cost up to 300,000 rubles. Estimated cost installation work in the apartment: - Service maintenance
- storage tank and the column must be inspected every year, making minor repairs. The magnesium anode in an electric water heater needs to be changed, and the heat exchanger in gas equipment must be cleaned of scale. Service costs vary.
The price is largely influenced by the distance of the official representative office of the manufacturer from the place of residence of the owner of the water heating equipment, as well as the territorial affiliation of the water heater brand. German equipment will be more expensive to repair than Korean or Italian equipment.
As for electric storage boilers, the cost depends on the type of anti-corrosion protection, internal covering containers. The most expensive tanks will be made from of stainless steel, equipped with titanium (instead of magnesium anode) rods.
Practice shows that of the two options for heating water (using electricity or gas), apartment owners often choose the one that is cheaper. Preference is given to equipment with compact dimensions. The advantage of geysers over storage electric water heaters is that they are small in size and can easily fit even on small kitchen. As for the flow-through electric boiler, it, having a relatively low cost, loses to the analogues described above due to uneconomical energy consumption.
Which boiler is more economical - electric or gas?
Methane gas remains the cheapest type of fuel. If you compare whether a gas water heater or an electric water heater is more profitable, and take into account only the cost of the energy carrier, you can come to an obvious conclusion. A flow-through boiler running on methane will be more economical. However, upon thoughtful consideration of this issue, it becomes clear that the benefits are not so obvious. To accept correct solution The principle of operation of the equipment should be taken into account.According to the laws of physics, in order to heat a liquid, the same power will be required when burning gas or operating a heating element from electricity. But the column and the storage electric heater work differently. Accordingly, costs may vary:
- Storage electric boiler- peak load occurs in the first 20 minutes. work. After heating the water to the required temperature heating element turns on for a short period of time, after 3-4 hours. Thanks to thermal insulation, heat loss is minimized. Heating element supports desired temperature spending a small amount of energy.
The main advantage of electric water heaters over gas ones is flow columns is that the cost of their use decreases depending on the increase in water consumption. Another advantage is that DHW needs are met instantly. Hot water is supplied immediately after opening the tap. - Instantaneous boiler- a gas water heater is more economical than an electric water heater if it is turned on for a long time. Peak load occurs at the beginning of work. At this moment the heat exchanger heats up.
If you take a bath or shower, it is cheaper to pay for a gas water heater than an electric water heater. But if you endlessly “pull” the tap, briefly turning on hot water, the savings will not be so obvious.
What is safer - a hot water heater or an electric water heater?
The answer to this question is easy to understand by the number of permits required for each type of equipment. Safety requirements stipulate:- For gas consuming equipment- preparation of a project for connection and placement, annual inspection of smoke ducts, the need for regular maintenance. If any violations are detected, the column is turned off.
The installation requirements of gas workers affect the total area of the boiler room and the height of the ceilings. They affect standards related to placement, ventilation systems, etc. The reason for this attitude is the high probability of a gas leak or explosion. Often the gas service simply refuses to install a gas water heater because the boiler room or house does not comply technical specifications to connect.
Many people resort to the need to purchase a device for heating water in the summer months, when the water supply is usually turned off. Residents also face this problem. country houses, since there is no centralized hot water supply at all in this case.
But what is better: a gas water heater or a water heater? Today we will tell you more about which one is better to choose for your apartment or house. To do this, let’s first get acquainted with the main characteristics and features different types devices.
Geyser
In apartments and houses, the most popular choice is a gas heater. It is easy to use, durable, safe, practical and extremely reliable. In addition, it allows you to heat water much faster compared to the electric model.
Job modern devices is fully automated. The burner is ignited when the device is started. At this moment, gas is supplied, and in its absence, the flame is switched off. The main advantage of this type of water heater is its efficiency, since gas costs much less than electricity.
These heating devices can be of two types:
- Cumulative;
- Flow-through.
The first option is mainly suitable for large families, which require large amounts of water consumption. In such a situation, you can install a tank with a capacity of about 200 liters, which is enough to shower two adults and three children. For a small family best option- This is a flow-through heater. When choosing it, you need to take into account the power. When using one point of water consumption, 19-20 kW is suitable, and for simultaneous use of water in two different places - at least 24 kW.
The advantages of a gas water heater are:
- Optimal gas consumption for heating;
- High efficiency;
- Low cost.
The disadvantage of the device is the need to install a hood when installing it, since during gas combustion harmful fumes and products are formed. They must be taken outside in a timely manner.
Electric water heater
The electric heater is alternative option gas, which is no less functional. It is usually used in apartments and country houses, in which there is no gas. It is also selected for installation in the bathroom and toilet, where gas supply is not possible.
In this case, water heaters are also divided into two types - storage and instantaneous. The first design option of the device heats the water in the tank to a certain temperature (usually about 37 degrees), after which it is maintained at a certain level.
When the tap is opened, the tank receives cold water, and when its full volume is exhausted, it takes a long time to heat the next portion. It depends on the type of heating element, tank volume, and also thermal insulation coating container walls. To reduce heat loss and save energy, the heater structure must be covered with special materials that retain heat.
Flow models have a compact design, but their disadvantage is high power and, accordingly, high consumption of electrical energy required for operation. In addition, their installation requires specialized knowledge and experience, and only a professional can handle it.
What to choose?
Are you choosing a device for heating water, but don’t know which is better – a gas water heater or an electric water heater? For an apartment or house with a gas supply, the first option should be used. It has a low cost, leads to low gas consumption, and is easy to use. However, the use of a geyser is associated with high danger.
Every year, installing an individual source of hot water supply in private houses and apartments is becoming more and more important. The era of centralized hot water supply is gradually becoming a thing of the past, because sometimes it may be more profitable to have your own water heater. This allows you to control costs for public utilities and save money at your discretion. The only question is: what equipment to choose for heating water? The purpose of the article is to give a detailed answer to this question, to determine which is better - a gas water heater or a boiler, revealing all the pros and cons of various water heating units.
Types of household appliances for DHW needs
At the moment, there are 2 types of water heaters that differ in operating principles: instantaneous and storage. Both use two energy sources: natural gas and electricity. Let's collect them all in one list:
- geysers for water;
- electric storage water heaters (boilers);
- gas storage heaters;
- electrical flow installations.
The first 2 types of water heating devices are the most popular; they constantly compete with each other, despite the difference in the energy carriers used. Gas water heaters are devices that directly heat running water in the heat exchanger with a burner flame. Hot water is supplied almost instantly, you just need to open the tap.
Electric boilers work differently: a tank filled cold water, gradually warms up with built-in heating elements. It makes sense to turn on hot water when the container has heated up to at least a temperature of 40 ºС, which will take 2-3 hours. If the temperature has reached the set temperature, but there is no water supply, the device maintains it at a certain level, turning the heating elements on and off.
Less common for supply hot water storage gas heaters are used. This product appeared on our market relatively recently and has not yet gained much popularity. Domestic gas boiler It is a kind of hybrid between a gas water heater and an electric boiler. From the latter he took the principle of operation, and from the column - a method of heating water and natural gas as a source of thermal energy.
And finally, instantaneous electric heaters operating on the principle of a gas water heater, only using electricity instead of natural gas. For this reason they got their name - electric speakers.
Despite the fact that they appeared on the market a long time ago, to this day they are truly exotic, as they are very rarely found in private homes. The reason lies in the device’s electrical power being too high; not every home has such power. Therefore, we can consider these heaters only for informational purposes. Now, to make a comparison, we will analyze each type of equipment separately.
Gas water heaters: pros and cons
The biggest and main advantage of units of this type is the ability to provide the house with hot water for an unlimited time. The burner of the device begins to heat the water almost immediately after opening the tap and will do this until the valve closes. This feature of geysers makes them the undoubted leader among all units in terms of comfort.
The only condition: the thermal power of the burner must be enough for all consumers. Modern turbocharged units are equipped with systems electronic control combustion intensity, as a result of which changes in water pressure have virtually no effect on its final temperature. But if thermal power geyser is initially selected incorrectly, then at high flow rates barely warm water will flow from all mixers.
An important advantage of gas instantaneous heaters is their small dimensions, allowing the device to be squeezed into the smallest kitchen. This is why speakers are so popular among apartment residents small area. In addition, the product is quite reliable (if you do not take into account Chinese products) and repairable. Due to the fact that water supply networks in the post-Soviet space leave much to be desired, the gas water heater periodically requires maintenance and cleaning.
Now about the disadvantages:
- Installation of gas-using equipment is a troublesome task and requires investment. You need to complete the project, get it approved, and then install and connect the heater, which only a licensed organization has the right to do;
- any gas water heater requires a chimney and supply and exhaust ventilation for its operation;
- for stable operation of the device you need a certain pressure of water and gas;
- In terms of efficiency, the column is inferior to a boiler; its efficiency is a maximum of 92% versus 98-99% for electrical appliances.
Another delicate moment. In many cities in winter time the inlet water temperature is very low. Gas flow installation, even the most powerful, is not able to heat up to normal temperature such water at normal flow rates. That is, when operating at maximum, the column will not produce the promised 10 l/min of hot water, but only 5.
Advantages and disadvantages of an electric boiler
The storage electric water heater has many advantages, which determines its high popularity:
- simple installation that does not require approvals or the involvement of specialized organizations;
- no chimney or ventilation required;
- independence from pressure in the water supply network and its temperature;
- high efficiency (efficiency up to 99%);
- the ability to simultaneously provide a large flow of hot water;
- The heating elements of a modern boiler do not come into direct contact with water and are not covered with scale.
The two main disadvantages of the unit are the limited volume of water dispensed and the need to wait for the next portion to heat up for several hours (from 1.5 to 5). An incorrectly selected tank capacity will lead to the same consequences as an incorrectly selected power column - cold water will run out of the tap.
The volume of space occupied by a boiler is quite significant compared to a gas one. flow apparatus. And, although there are tanks with a flat configuration, for an ordinary family of 3-4 people you will need a capacity of at least 80 liters, which is a significant disadvantage in an apartment. Because of this, the boiler in small bathrooms is suspended above the bathtub, often hitting the head against it.
Winner selection
Before resolving the dispute - boiler or water heater, let's say a few words about storage gas heaters. They are promising because heating of the entire volume of water in the tank occurs twice as fast as that of its electric “brother.” It is also independent of water pressure and is able to immediately provide high flow rates for domestic hot water. The disadvantages are inherited from the column: the need for permits, the complexity of installation and the need for a chimney and ventilation.
The question - which is better to choose - is not worth it at all when there is no gas supply in the house or an insufficient electricity limit; we consider the situation from other points of view. So, in the “ease of use” category, the gas water heater definitely wins; it allows you to get what you want almost immediately. On the other hand, installation of gas-using equipment will cost a pretty penny. Because installing a boiler will cost less and will be completed much earlier, it wins in the “cost and speed of installation” category.
Which heater will win in the “economical operation” category depends on the location of the user. It is clear that it will be more profitable for Russians to use natural gas, because in the Russian Federation it is much cheaper than electricity and the boiler will always be an outsider. But residents of Ukraine and Belarus have something to think about, for example, a multi-tariff electricity meter. Thanks to him, the storage heater can be in first place.
In the “reliability and service” category, friendship wins. And with tap water, rich in salts and impurities, which equally successfully attack the magnesium anode of the boiler and the water unit with the heat exchanger of the gas water heater. The anode “lives” from 2 to 5 years, during which time scale grows in the heat exchanger and dissipates rubber seals, so the question of which is more economical to maintain remains open.
Conclusion
The correct choice of this or that equipment depends on many factors. It is impossible to clearly give preference to electric or gas appliances. And for those people who have boilers with a good power reserve installed in their house, we can recommend an alternative - boilers indirect heating. These thermal units combine a lot of advantages and have almost no disadvantages.
2016-12-30 Evgeniy Fomenko
To figure out which is better – a boiler or a gas water heater, let’s look at the pros and cons of both devices.
Advantages of the boiler:
- Easy to install. For installation storage water heater no documents or permits are required. There is no need for good ventilation and a chimney.
- Possibility to provide warm water several water points at once.
- Independence from water supply pressure. Where the gas water heater does not turn on due to low pressure, the boiler will work properly.
- Silence. A tubular electric heater is used for heating, which does not make any sounds.
Disadvantages of storage water heaters:
- Long reheat time compared to columns. If the hot water in the tank runs out, you will have to wait 30 minutes for the next portion to heat up (the reasons why hot water does not flow are described).
- Limited amount of water. If you select the volume incorrectly, there may not be enough water to meet the FGP needs of all residents.
- Dependence on electricity. If you turn off the lights in the room, the water will gradually cool down.
- Large dimensions. This can be a problem in small apartments with small bathrooms where every square meter is important.
Indirect water heater
- Scale accumulation. From time to time the boiler requires cleaning to remove salt deposits. If you do not carry out regular preventive maintenance, then over time the water takes longer to heat up.
In turn, geysers have the following advantages:
- Instant heating. When you open the tap, literally within a few seconds the consumer receives hot water.
- Unlimited amount of water. If there is water in the apartment, the water heater can work constantly. The amount of water is not limited by the size of the tank.
- Small dimensions. New models are compact and do not take up much space in the kitchen.
- Independence from electricity. If the lights are turned off in the house, the speaker will continue to work.
Negative aspects of gas water heaters:
- Need for collection additional documents during installation. Before installing a gas water heater, you must coordinate the project with utility services and obtain permission.
- The need for a quality chimney. For a gas water heater to operate, combustion products need to be vented outside. To do this, you need a chimney, the condition of which will have to be monitored all the time.
If it gets clogged, then best case scenario the protection will work and the flame will go out. If for some reason it does not work, there is a danger of carbon monoxide poisoning.
- Dependence on pressure. If the water supply system has low pressure, the gas will not open and the water dispenser will not work. Modern models with the ability to regulate the pressure inside the device partially solve this problem.
Also, if two water points are connected and you turn on the water at the second, the temperature at the first will drop. This is not very convenient when the water temperature changes while taking a shower.
- Impossibility of placement in the bathroom. According to gas safety standards flow heaters It is prohibited to install in bathrooms.
To decide what to choose, it is important to consider the installation location. If you live in a private house that is heated by a boiler, it is advisable to purchase an indirect heating boiler, which will be most profitable.
Part of the heat that goes into heating will go to heating tap water. It is advisable to purchase a combined model that has an additional heating element to provide hot water supply in the summer.
In an apartment where there is no gas meter and 1-2 people are registered, you need to install a gas water heater, which will be cheaper than a boiler due to the fixed payment for gas. An additional argument would be small size apartments, for Khrushchev would be better suited compact gas flow heater.
If you have a night tariff for electricity, purchase a boiler with a large tank volume, because it will be most economical to turn it on at night and then use heated water during the day. Thermal insulation is installed between the body and the tank, due to which cooling occurs very slowly.
Usage autonomous systems water heating is becoming widespread not only among owners of private housing construction, but also among residents apartment buildings. If for some this is the only way to increase the comfort of living in the absence of a central water supply (hot, cold), then for apartment buildings installation of autonomous systems is due to interruptions in water supply and inconsistency temperature regime established standards.
The main criteria for choosing heating devices are:
- performance (power);
- efficiency;
- conditions and features of equipment installation;
- price.
All these features directly depend on the type of energy carrier used, which are mainly gas and electricity. Modern geysers and electric heaters can fully satisfy the need for hot water. Each type of heater has its own advantages and disadvantages.
What is a geyser
A geyser is a type of device in which heating occurs under the influence of a gas burner flame. There are two types of water heating equipment. Cumulative (boiler) and flow-through. The most widespread are flow-type devices.
Advantages of a geyser
The main advantage is the cost-effectiveness of the equipment with sufficient high performance. To additional positive qualities The following characteristics should be included:
- Small dimensions;
- The ability to use hot water at any time during the entire service life;
- Availability of control and measuring equipment and electronic system control allows you to regulate the combustion process depending on the existing water pressure in the system and at the outlet at the sampling points.
Using a boiler allows you to have a large amount of water on hand at one time, but heating it will require a certain period of time.
The choice of equipment should be made based on the expected water consumption and installation of the hot water supply system. If there are several sampling points (taps, mixers), you should choose equipment with higher power. A specialist can calculate the required power.
Flaws
The disadvantages of gas heating devices is the need to develop project documentation, approval from regulatory authorities, complexity of installation. The installation is not economically feasible in the absence of a centralized gas supply. Using liquefied (ballooned) gas will be too expensive.
IN electrical appliances A heating element is used as an element for heating water. Based on the type of design, they are also divided into storage and flow. But the latter require the use of heating elements of increased power, which creates an additional load on the electrical wiring and increased energy consumption.
Therefore, a boiler (storage) type system is most often used. This option can be used to simultaneously heat a large amount of water, depending on the capacity of the tank used, and as a combined system.
In this case, after heating to a certain temperature, water can flow to the sampling points. The automation used in these devices controls flow and supply, provides switching on and off heating elements, depending on the set operating modes.
Advantages
The main advantage of electric heaters is that there is no need for additional approval for installation. The installation and connection process is simpler compared to gas equipment.
A comprehensive solution for simultaneous heating and water supply allows you to simultaneously use several taps or mixers for selection. Reliability and safety during operation is another plus in favor of these devices.
Flaws
The main disadvantage is considered to be high energy consumption. Modern electric heaters, due to the installed electronic equipment, are designed to operate in standby mode. Switching on is carried out depending on the modes of use and the amount of water consumption. In most cases they are always on.
The disadvantages include the possibility of failure of the heating elements due to scale deposits due to poor quality water. But modern heating elements have a ceramic shell that prevents the process of scale deposition. They are more expensive, but their service life justifies their cost.
Conclusion
The conclusion from all of the above is that the choice of water heater should be made based on the operating conditions of the device itself. More economical gas equipment not always able to provide sufficient heating of water at high flow rates.
Installation costs are higher than for electric heaters. In its turn, electrical devices require high-quality electrical wiring and with constant operation, financial costs can be quite significant. The choice always remains with the consumer.
