Domestic water heater: types, features, how to choose a good boiler

Household water heater, or boiler, is a device, thanks to which there is always hot water in the house. Different types of water heaters are available, and each has its own features. The main difference is in the temperature source that heats the water and in the design of the equipment. How to choose a good water heater?

Types of household water heaters

Electric water heaters run on electricity. They are safer to use and easier to install, but they are not completely safe. If there is a malfunction, the boiler can electrocute. You need to check its technical condition regularly. Electric boilers can be expensive to run because of the cost of electricity.

Gas water heaters run on natural gas or liquefied petroleum gas. They can be more economical to operate, but require installation by a professional and good ventilation.

Electric and gas water heaters can be of these types:

• Storage water heaters are large tanks that heat and store water. They can be powered by electricity or gas. Their main advantage is that they provide a large supply of hot water. But this equipment takes up a lot of space. It takes time for the entire volume of water to heat up.
• Flow-through water heaters heat water as it passes through the system. They are compact, mounted on the faucet. The water gets hot immediately, no need to wait. But flow water heaters must have enough capacity. Good water pressure is also required.

How to choose a good household water heater

Determine the type of water heater you need: storage or flow, electric or gas. Flow-through water heaters are good when you need to save space and energy. They are suitable when you need to get hot water at once, but not very much. Their capabilities are enough for small apartments with no more than 2-3 people.

Accumulation water heaters are better when you need a lot of hot water at once, for example, for a house with a large family. They are also chosen when you need to use water for the shower and kitchen at the same time.

A few tips on choosing a good water heater:

• Calculate the volume of the water heater. It depends on the number of people in the house and their needs for hot water.
• Take into account the size of the room where the boiler will stand. Accumulation models require more space.
• Calculate how powerful a water heater is needed. For flow-through models, this is especially important.
• Pay attention to the energy efficiency of the device. When it is high, electricity consumption is lower.
• Choose a boiler that has all the necessary functions, such as thermostat, overheating protection and operation indication. You may need a boiler with remote control.
• Evaluate whether the boiler is easy to operate and whether it is easy to set up.
• A good boiler has quality materials and construction. This increases the service life of the water heater.

Choosing a boiler, it is important to consider not only the price, but also how it will work for many years. Research reviews of different water heater models and manufacturers. The experience of other buyers can tell you a lot.