Buying a gas heating boiler is not a cheap pleasure. Making such a purchase, you do not want the specified equipment to fail after just a couple of seasons, right? And such a nuisance can really be avoided if you have knowledge of the factors that affect the service life of a gas boiler in a private house. As well as information about the possibility of preventing early breakdowns.
It is to these issues that our article is devoted, in which we examined in detail the factors that have a direct impact on the duration of the service life of gas equipment. We have supplemented the presented material with visual photographs and useful thematic videos.
The content of the article:
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What does the service life depend on?
- Factor # 1 - heat exchanger material
- Factor # 2 - type of gas burner
- Factor # 3 - electronics functionality
- Factor # 4 - boiler price and brand
- Factor # 5 - equipment operating conditions
- Factor # 6 - errors in the installation of the system
- Factor # 7 - the wrong choice of the boiler
- Recommendations for extending service life
- Conclusions and useful video on the topic
What does the service life depend on?
A number of factors traditionally affect the duration of operation of any gas boiler. Which it is desirable to take into account even before the purchase of equipment.
Let's take a closer look at the main points that affect durability:
- Gas boiler type.
- Gas burner type.
- Efficiency and functionality of electronics.
- Price category.
- Operating conditions.
- Incorrect commissioning.
- Poor installation of heating systems.
- Wrong choice of boilers.
In addition, each item contains a lot of significant nuances that should be dealt with in detail.
Gas boilers are always affected by a large number of negative factors that can significantly reduce their service life. And whether it will become a reality or not depends only on the owner of the equipment
Factor # 1 - heat exchanger material
Modern gas boilers are wall-mounted or floor-standing. The first ones are compact, lightweight, so they are convenient to use when space is limited. The second category of equipment is massive and oversized.
The features listed above are not just the characteristics of the boilers, but the factors that directly affect the service life.
The reason is that the developers achieve lightness, compactness of hinged boilers by reducing the weight, dimensions of such an important structural element as heat exchangers. As a result, the walls of the housings of the mounted models are thinner and prone to overheating, have less resistance to corrosion, insufficiently efficiently cope with loads at pressure drops coolant.
In order for the gas equipment to serve for a long time, the necessary installation and maintenance work must be performed by specialists. This will reduce the likelihood of errors, and therefore extend the life of the boiler.
In addition, different materials are used for the manufacture of heat exchangers for both types of equipment. For example, for mounted boilers, it is most often used copper - as the lightest metal of all suitable for these purposes.
And this is the only advantage, because the performance of the specified material is close to mediocre. As evidenced by its tendency to oxidation and not the best protective qualities against pressure drops and their consequences.
Quite often, floor-standing boilers (less often mounted) are equipped with heat exchangers made of of stainless steel. But even with the same material of manufacture, the reliability of the structure is not always the same - the walls of the heat exchangers of ground-based products are usually much thicker, which prolongs the service life.
The most reliable metal used for the manufacture of heat exchangers is cast iron. It is resistant to corrosion, and if protected against significant pressure drops in the heating system and water hammerarising in this case, the specified metal will provide the longest service life of the heating boilers.
When using a boiler, a significant amount of combustion products is always deposited on the surface of its heat exchanger, which must be removed. Otherwise, they can lead to overheating and damage. And the replacement of the specified unit will not always be rational. For example, the cost of a bithermal heat exchanger can be an impressive 50% of the price of the entire gas boiler.
These features lead to the fact that the difference in service life can be impressive.
Factor # 2 - type of gas burner
Heat energy in boilers is generated by burning fuel. To ensure this procedure, gas burners are used.
Namely, the following varieties:
- atmospheric burner;
- forced draft burner.
Boilers equipped with equipment of the first type have a smaller resource - atmospheric burner. The reason is insufficient combustion of the gas-air mixture. As a result, a large amount of soot remains, which is deposited on the surface of the heat exchanger, air ducts and other structural elements.
And if the boiler is not serviced in a timely manner, then after a while the layer of combustion products becomes sufficient in order to reduce the transfer of energy to the coolant. And the boiler, in order to fulfill the given modes, has to work harder. Which leads to accelerated wear and subsequent breakdown.
The photo shows a boiler heat exchanger, the owners of which did not take any measures to extend the service life. As a result, the channels were almost completely clogged with dirt. And since this reduced heat exchange, the boiler had to work harder, which led to overheating of the heat exchanger surfaces.
Boilers equipped with forced draft burners. Because much more combustion air is supplied here.
This leads to its complete combustion, that is, a minimum amount of soot is formed. This means that the surfaces of the structural elements remain clean and the boiler does not need to solve the problem of heating the premises at the cost of wearing out its own parts.
Factor # 3 - electronics functionality
Today, the service life of modern gas boilers used in heating systems directly depends on their automation.
Because electronics perform the following functions:
- selects optimal operating modes, which reduces operating time, loads;
- performs self-diagnostics;
- prevents emergencies, which often become the causes of breakdowns (for example, overheating);
- protects circulation pumps from blockage.
Gas boiler automation allows you to perform a number of other important tasks. Which, in the end, extend the duration of operation, preventing breakdowns.
The more perfect the electronics, the more functions it performs. And the likelihood of errors and failures leading to negative consequences is lower.
Factor # 4 - boiler price and brand
In the field of gas heating equipment, the well-known rule applies - cheap can't be good. Therefore, it is more likely that products of well-known European and Japanese brands will withstand many years of operation without breakdowns.
The chimneys must be checked annually, before the start of the heating season. But many owners, as well as reviewers, approach this requirement formally. The result of inaction can be seen in the photo, which shows the chimney pipe almost completely clogged.
The reason is that the products of these manufacturers are designed to meet the stringent requirements of domestic markets. And in the manufacture of high quality materials are used. In addition, reputable companies have established quality control, which reduces the number of non-compliant boilers leaving the plant.
Factor # 5 - equipment operating conditions
The quality of the coolant has a significant effect on the service life. So, if the water is hard, with high acidity and contains various impurities, foreign particles, then you can be sure that after a few years the heat exchanger channels will be clogged with scale or corroded corrosion. Which will lead to an early failure of the heating boiler.
Equally important to ensuring durability is the quantity and quality of the air that is used to burn the gas. We have discussed the reasons for this in detail above, in the paragraph "Type of gas burner".
The main way to extend the service life is regular boiler maintenance. Such a procedure requires special skills and tools, so not everyone will be able to do the necessary work on their own. Desirable conclude a maintenance contract with a gas company.
Despite the extra costs (payment for the services of a master serving the boiler), you should not save on maintenance, since it is the service that can not only extend the service life, but also guarantee the safety of those living in home
And also the following points can lead to early wear:
- high humidity in the room where the heating boiler is installed;
- high / low temperatures, their drops.
Moreover, all of these factors actively affect the durability, both during operation in cold weather, and after the end of the heating season.
Factor # 6 - errors in the installation of the system
Poor installation of boilers leads to the fact that they do not work at optimal conditions. Often, air enters the heat exchanger channels, and dust collects on the surfaces of the burners. Which leads to increased wear.
A common cause of boiler breakdowns is improper installation of radiators and other products with which heating equipment works.
For example:
- Heating devices mounted at the wrong angle place high loads on the boilers. In addition, air appears in their channels, the presence of which leads to corrosion.
- Installed in the wrong place air vent will not work correctly. This leads to the airing of the system, and, consequently, to a decrease in its resource.
As a result, no matter how costly and troublesome it is, the shortcomings made during the installation of radiators and pipelines should be eliminated.
Factor # 7 - the wrong choice of the boiler
The lack of performance leads to an increase in the loads on the heat exchanger, burner, pumps, which, in turn, leads to their subsequent wear.
The durability of gas boilers largely depends on their structural reliability. The stock of which can only be provided by well-known manufacturers with a good reputation
Excess power is an equally problematic issue. Because of which the boilers are often turned on / off. And unsteady operating modes are a direct path to early wear.
We recommend that you familiarize yourself with selection criteria the best gas boiler.
Recommendations for extending service life
In order for the standard operating life of household gas boilers, established by the manufacturer, not to be significantly reduced, due to the problems listed in the article, it is necessary to perform a number of operations.
Firstly, even before buying the unit, you should determine its optimal power. The stock of which should be 10-15%. That is, if a capacity of 13 kW is sufficient for heating, then it is more expedient to buy a boiler with the specified parameter in the region of 15 kW.
Secondly, before connecting the unit, it is advisable perform a mains test and heating systems. And, if deficiencies are identified in the form of pressure drops, voltage, then they should be eliminated. In addition, it is necessary to flush radiators and pipelines. And also take care of the availability grounding.
Replacing an old product with a new one may not solve all heating problems. Therefore, before installation, you need to take care of a high-quality check of smoke exhaust systems, heating, power supply, and eliminate the identified deficiencies
Thirdly, it is imperative to perform coolant check. And, if the water is hard, there are impurities in it, then you need to take care of installing filters in the system with a sufficient degree of purification, which can be coarse, fine. It is not uncommon to use both types of equipment. Magnetic filters effectively deal with metal particles.
Fourthly, do not save on boiler installation, it must be performed by qualified specialists. From the moment of the test start-up of the unit, the protection should be Voltage regulator.
It is also advisable to apply:
- uninterrupted power supply unit - in the event of a light cutoff, this device will make it possible to exclude a malfunction in the system;
- dielectric inserts - they exclude the interaction of electric current with gas and the consequences of this.
Fifth, boilers are desirable use regularly. That is, do not turn them off when leaving for work and even a long absence.
The service life of the boiler will also extend its use in the off-season. Why choose the most economical mode.
Sixth, do not neglect boiler maintenance - this is the most important measure to extend their life. According to the guidelines, it must be carried out before the start of each heating season. But it is better if the owners carry out the necessary procedures 2 or even 3 times a year.
And not formally, but with cleaning the channels of boilers, pipelines, radiators, surfaces of heat exchangers, burners. And also by replacing filters, checking the operability of mechanics, electronics of units.
Seventh, it follows promptly respond to any warning signals electronics during operation.
Conclusions and useful video on the topic
The first video will help you understand how the owner of the boiler can influence the duration of its service life:
The following video will provide an opportunity to learn more about what contributes to the durability of the heating unit:
There are many factors that negatively affect the lifespan of boilers, including correct operation and regular maintenance.
Dealing with all the factors is not always easy, and often expensive. But you should remember about the result - with proper use and care, gas equipment will serve for a long time and safely..
What methods do you use to extend the life of your gas boiler? Share your personal operating secrets and useful observations with other users - leave your comments in the block below the article.
If you have questions about extending the service life of gas equipment, ask them in the feedback form - our experts and other site visitors will try to help you.
