Dry heating element in a water heater: advantages and disadvantages, comparative characteristics with a submersible element

Buyers planning to purchase a boiler will certainly come across a special terminology that not everyone understands. Among the basic concepts, "dry ten" is in the lead. Consultants actively offer products with just such a component. In order to be fully armed when going to the store, you need to figure out what is the difference between a dry element and a wet one, as well as the advantages of each of them.

The main differences

To begin with, it is worth understanding the very concept of dry ten. Just recently, about 10 years ago, only water heaters with a wet heating element existed on the Russian market. Such a device is much more expensive, but despite this, a boiler with a dry heating element conquers everything great popularity in apartments, dachas and even in private houses, where hot water for some reason unavailable.

The most common design option was previously a system with a wet or immersed water heating element. The device resembles a huge boiler, which, in fact, is. In other words, it is a hollow tube made of copper or steel with a nichrome spiral inside. The rest of the space is filled with any material with high thermal conductivity, most often it is quartz sand.

This design is a heating element that is placed directly into the tank, where it comes into direct contact with water. Perhaps the only drawback of such a heating element is the scale that forms on its walls, increasing the consumption of heat energy and reducing the rate of heat exchange of the apparatus.

The design of a dry heating element is significantly different. The device assumes the presence of a ceramic insulator, in pairs of which a rheostat wire is placed. Since the structure should in no way come into contact with water, it is placed in a special closed flask. The protective tank is made of metal and has a corrosion-resistant coating. Manufacturers often place an additional layer of oil to enhance thermal conductivity.

Advantages of dry heating elements

If we compare a dry structure from a submersible one, the first will have a lot of advantages:

• lack of scale;
• compact size;
• ease of maintenance;
• excellent performance;
• long service life;
• lack of air congestion.

The main problem with all water heaters is scale. The reason for the formation of this layer is low-quality water and the fact that the surface of the heater is in contact with the liquid. With harder water, scale forms much faster, and the lime layer is thicker and denser. Because of this phenomenon, the heating rate is significantly reduced, and the service life of even the most expensive water heater is noticeably reduced.

The dry design is reliably protected from such troubles, since contact with water does not occur, which means that scale cannot form.

Since most developers allocate catastrophically little space for the toilet and bathroom, the second important criterion for choosing a boiler is its size. The dry heating element is rather diminutive in size compared to its "wet" cousin. Since the dimensions of the water heater itself are significantly reduced, the manufacturer may reasonably install two or even three heating elements, which allows the consumer, if desired, to heat the water in literally a few minutes. Moreover, the consumer is not afraid of interruptions in the operation of one of the heaters, since he can always use the rest.

High productivity and ease of maintenance

Since no scale builds up on the dry element, the hot water production rate is significantly increased. To fulfill its direct duty, the water heater does not spend a large amount of energy, which puts the dry heating element one step higher in comparison with the wet one.

Another important feature of the tubular element is the ease of repair. Despite the fact that such an element is durable, it can still fail. In order to repair the device, you do not need to completely dismantle the tank. It is enough just to unscrew the protection and remove the element. After inspection and repair, the heating element is put back. According to a similar scheme, the tank is descaled every six months. In this case, the heating element is not affected, but only the inner wall of the tank is cleaned.

The durability of the water heater

Due to the fact that the heating element itself does not come into contact with water and is not covered with scale, its service life can drag on for 5-6 years, while the submersible heating element will have to be changed every 2 years. With the current prices for components, such an advantage allows you to save a lot, even despite the fact that a water heater with a dry heating element costs an order of magnitude more.

Manufacturers also made sure that the boiler does not turn on if there is currently no water in it. Dry start protection is installed in absolutely all dry cell water heaters. This function allows the unit not to burn out and last longer.

If, nevertheless, repair of the element is required, the variability of such a water heater will be a pleasant surprise. Tubular heating elements are not much different from each other, so finding the right part is not difficult.

Boilers with dry heating elements are durable for another reason - the absence of air locks. Owners of water heaters with submersible heating elements annually spend a lot of money on repairs for this very reason.

Comparison of disadvantages

In nature, ideal things simply do not exist, so such convenient and high-quality dry heating elements also have their drawbacks:

• Dry heating element can only have a straight shape. Because of this, the minimum volume of the boiler is 30 liters.
• High price. The cost of a boiler with a ceramic tubular element is 1.5-2 times more expensive than a water heater with a wet heating element. Of course, the money spent is paid off by years of uninterrupted operation of such a device, however, when buying, you will have to part with a significant amount.

Top Models

For those who have not yet decided which boiler to buy, and do not trust the consultants in the store, you can pay attention to the TOP 3 models, which by all criteria will satisfy even the most capricious consumers.

Atlantic vertigo

A product of the joint production of France and Egypt. The boiler has as many as two tanks and is currently a unique and unique model. No brand has yet been able to repeat this design. The equipment works silently, and the control takes place using a simple digital interface.

Advantages:

• a thermostat that allows you to stop heating at a certain, ideal temperature for the consumer;
• equipped with a high-speed heating system Boost;
• Smart is provided - a mode that allows you to turn on heating with exactly the settings that the user used most often;
• the presence of tanks for 30-80 liters;
• durability achieved by using a magnesium anode and dry cell;
• ease of installation (both vertical and horizontal);
• the tank is guaranteed for 7 years;
• miniature models (no more than 30 cm deep).

The disadvantage of this model is that the maximum volume of 80 liters is hardly suitable for a large family.

Boiler Fagor CB ECO

The water heater from a little-known Spanish manufacturer has two dry tubular elements of 0.8 or 1.2 kW. A wide range is represented by boilers for 30-200 liters of water. The unit has several control modes. The consumer can set various parameters and put into operation one heating element, both elements, or set the automatic mode.

Pros:

• a wide range of models for any displacement;
• the presence of a dry heating element;
• titanium anode that does not require replacement;
• unique thermal insulation system;
• Durable titanium-coated steel tank
• high warranty period;
• the possibility of vertical and horizontal installation;
• electronic thermostat.

Minuses:

• short power cord;
• ECO mode does not allow setting a comfortable temperature.

Gorenje OGBS100SMV9

Relatively inexpensive boiler made in Serbia. The model has a white flat body that can be successfully combined with almost any bathroom interior. The tank is equipped with a modern overheating protection system, and there is a magnesium anode in the tank for corrosion protection. These properties almost completely eliminate the breakdown of the unit.

Advantages:

• the presence of a dry heating element;
• affordable price;
• electronic control panel;
• heating temperature up to + 85C;
• Smart system that remembers settings;
• the opportunity to purchase a boiler with a volume of 30 to 120 liters.

Disadvantages:

• only vertical installation is possible;
• the tank is covered with enamel from the inside.

Recently, dry element water heaters are gaining more and more popularity. If earlier the buyer was more concerned about the price, now the preference is given to quality. Similar models can be found at any manufacturer, so those wishing to purchase durable equipment will be offered a decent selection of models for every taste, volume and wallet.