Contents
- №1.Types of gas water heaters: flow-through and storage
- Flow-through gas water heaters
- Storage gas water heaters
The first gas dispensers appeared as early as 1895 in Germany, and in Russia they began to be actively used only in the middle of the last century. Then the country experienced a housing boom, and hot water supply and a private bath became the essential attributes of a city apartment, only it was not possible to connect to the general hot water system. It was then that the Khrushchev and early Brezhnevka began to put columns - gas water heaters type flow. The choice was small, and in terms of ease of operation, the first units left much to be desired. Today, such devices have become more technological, functional and safe, and their range has grown significantly. Let's try to figure out how to choose a gas column for an apartment and a house, and we will figure out which parameters you should definitely pay attention to.
№1.Types of gas water heaters: flow-through and storage
Depending on the device, gas water heaters are divided into two types:
- flow-through;
- are cumulative.
Instantaneous wall-mounted water heaters are popularly called gas water heaters. They are the most common. Devices of accumulative type are practically not used in domestic spaces.
Instantaneous gas water heaters
The geyser does not have a storage tank and is designed for instant water heating. Inside the unit there is a heat exchanger through which the water tube passes. Under the heat exchanger is a gas burner. As a result of the combustion of gas, heat is generated which heats the water passing through the heat exchanger. Exhaust gases are collected in a manifold and displayed on the street. This is a schematic diagram of the column, but the features of the functioning of some nodes from model to model may differ.
In the simplest columns of the , the will have to be manually ignited; in the more expensive models, automatic ignition is provided: as soon as someone turns on the hot water tap, the column will start working and turn off when the tap is closed. The temperature of the water can be regulated both by a simple gearbox and by sophisticated modern electronics. 
From the school chemistry course, you must remember that the combustion of gas requires oxygen, which is contained in the air. Simple household speakers are equipped with an open combustion chamber and receive air from the room. Combustion products are discharged either through the standard chimney ( option for private houses) or through a horizontal pipe with a fan that provides forced traction. The latter option is used in apartment buildings.
Geysers are equipped with multistage security system , so they can not cause any harm, if, of course, the installation was carried out correctly, and you do not violate safety.
Advantages of geysers:
- compact .Even the most powerful unit that can heat water for several points of water intake does not take up much space, and can be very carefully disguised in the kitchen;
- cost effectiveness .To heat water using gas is much cheaper than using electricity. Moreover, in some cases, the preparation of hot water thus costs even less than its centralized supply;
- the ability to work with multiple points of water intake .To provide water for 3-4 or more water consumption points using a flow-through electric heater, you will have to take a device with a capacity of more than 8 kW, which means that the network with a voltage of 220 V will not be enough;, designed to work with the same number of water points, can be connected to ordinary urban gas lines - their capacity will be enough.
Some people manage to install the column even in rooms that are not connected to the gas pipeline, as there are models that allow the to be powered by the gas cylinder .
There are at the geysers and cons :
- more complex installation , when compared with electric heaters. You can't do it yourself - you need to attract specialists and get special permission;
- gas line must have sufficient capacity. As a rule, this is not a problem - in most apartments there will be enough power. Where only a gas stove is installed, the network capacity may be insufficient;
- products of combustion must be removed somewhere , therefore, will require the construction of the chimney. The easiest will be for residents of private houses and upper floors. The rest will have to build a chimney on the outer wall of the house or install a turbinated column and punch a hole in the wall;
- Hazard caused by improper operation of .To minimize the risks, purchase a column with automatic protection. By the way, all modern devices and the majority, released a decade ago, are equipped with the necessary security systems. In addition, it is important to ensure the inflow of the required amount of fresh air: 10 units of the volume of fresh air should be supplied to 1 unit of volume of the combusted gas.
Stored gas water heaters
Such devices on the design resemble electric boilers .The difference lies only in the source of heat: instead of electricity, gas is used here. The basis of this unit is a storage tank, where hot water is stored. In the tank passes the tube - a heat exchanger, inside which move the hot products of combustion of gas. A burner is installed at the bottom of the tube, where the combustion process takes place. So that the gases, moving up, have time to give all their warmth, the heat exchanger gets a complex structure with dividers.
The volume of the tank varies between 50-500 liters of , but the models of 100 and 200 liters are most common. For a family of 2-3 people suitable unit of 80-150 liters. The tank receives reliable thermal insulation, so a once heated supply of water can be stored for a relatively long time - there is no need to turn on the device every time. 
The main advantages of accumulative gas water heaters include:
- economy;
- availability of a constant supply of hot water;
- can be installed where the gas supply line is weak;
- the ability to work with a large number of water intake points.
These units take up a lot of space , but this is not their main drawback. They cost quite expensively , we haven’t acquired any distribution in our area, so the product range is extremely modest. Most opt for flow heaters or dual-circuit boilers. Due to the low popularity of this kind of units we will focus on how to choose a gas column - a device with a flow type of heating. 
№2.Power geysers
Gas output is indicated in kW.It is directly related to equipment performance and indicates how many liters of water per minute can heat the column. It is worth noting that the best gas water heater is not necessarily the most powerful device. It all depends on how many people live in the apartment, and how many of them can use hot water at the same time( or how many hot-water mixers are installed).It is believed that one mixer is able to pass 6-7 l / min. It is enough to multiply this parameter by the number of taps, throw a small margin and get the result. The power is indicated either on the column itself or in the technical documentation for it. For example, a 23-24 kW column allows heating about 14 liters of water per minute to a temperature of about 25 degrees.
According to their power, the columns are divided into several types:
- 17–20 kW - the minimum power sufficient to supply one intake point, i.e.it will be possible either to take a shower comfortably or to wash the dishes - and both will be difficult at the same time. Their productivity - 9-10 l / min, no more. Option for a small family or one person;
- 20-26 kW - Medium power columns, heat 15-20 l / min and are suitable for heating water to a comfortable temperature for 2-3 points of water consumption. The most popular option;
- more than 26 kW - powerful units for large families and private homes.
In pursuit of power, do not lose common sense and do not forget to consider the indicator of water pressure .It makes no sense to take a column designed for heating 25 liters of water per minute if the water supply network is not capable of providing such a pressure. 
№3.Type of ignition gas column
Type of ignition - one of the most important parameters of the column. It depends on him how often you will approach the device, as well as how safe and economical the process of receiving the flame will be. So, one of the following types of ignition can be used in gas columns:
- manual type of ignition , when you need to bring a match to the burner, in the columns that are currently produced, the is practically not used - this method went into the tradition, since it was not verysafe and extremely inconvenient, especially if the unit was in a hard-to-reach place. It makes no sense to dwell on manual ignition;
- Piezo Igniter - an improved version of the manual method. Here the spark is taken not from a match, but by pressing a special button. With its help, the pilot burner is ignited( as is the case with manual ignition).It is always on, in standby mode. When someone turns on the hot water, the main burner lights up, and after turning off the hot water, it goes out. Due to the fact that the pilot burner always supports the flame, cannot call such columns economical. But the devices with such ignition are inexpensive and are completely non-volatile - for areas with frequent interruptions in electricity this is the best option. In fairness, it is worth noting that the financial losses from the constant burning of the pilot burner are not particularly significant, especially in modern columns;
- electrical ignition .The gas supply and the start of its combustion occurs only when someone in the apartment turned the hot water valve. Till this moment gas is not consumed. When the valve is closed, access to gas is blocked by a special valve, and burning does not occur. That is why such speakers are considered as the most economical and modern , and there is no need to kindle a flame( even if it is done without a match, but only with a button) - a large plus in terms of the comfort of operating the .Minus - higher price such columns and dependence on the availability of electricity, but managed to get rid of the last minus in some models.
Electric ignition speakers can be divided into two types: volatile and nonvolatile. In a volatile ignition system is connected to a household electrical outlet. If you live in a city apartment and do not experience any special problems with electricity supply, then this is quite a good option. In non-volatile electrical speakers, ignition can be implemented in several ways:
- use of batteries .It is advisable to use powerful alkaline batteries and regularly change them, as lowering the supply voltage can cause characteristic popping when the burner starts. As a rule, the charge level is displayed. In some columns, batteries are used as a backup ignition system;
- hydrodynamic ignition .Energy sufficient for ignition is obtained by operating a small hydrogenerator. As soon as you turn on the hot water tap, the impeller begins to rotate and energy is generated for ignition, which takes a few seconds. Convenient and practical, only columns with a hydrogenerator are expensive, and if something happens, repairs will be difficult.
No. 4.Type of combustion chamber
To choose a gas column, you need to pay attention to the mass of technical details, and the type of combustion chamber is one of the most important moments. There are only two options:
- open combustion chamber;
- closed combustion chamber.
open camera speakers are the simplest and cheapest. They use the air from the room in which the device is hanging for burning gas. The fence is conducted through the holes at the bottom of the column. Such units are mounted in kitchens or in separate utility rooms( a great option for owners of private houses).Combustion products are discharged through the chimney due to natural draft. Such devices are characterized by minimal noise at work, but are more suitable for private homes, as they require connection to the chimney. In addition, in the room where the device will be installed, it is necessary to ensure adequate ventilation.
Columns with a closed combustion chamber get air from the street. The chimney in such units is horizontal, comes out through the wall and is represented by a coaxial pipe( pipe in pipe).Through the inner part of the pipe, the combustion products are output to the street with the help of a fan, and air is supplied through the outer pipe to the column. It is possible to install such a unit in any room, it is safer, but you will have to pay more for such a column, and the fan depends on the availability of electricity and is accompanied by a slight noise. 
№5.Removal of products of combustion
. We have already partially considered this question above, but now we’ll stop in more detail. By type of carbon monoxide removal columns are:
- classic, with chimney. Great for homes that already have a chimney. Otherwise, it will have to be constructed separately. For residents of apartment buildings, this option is in most cases impossible to implement;
- non-chimney, or turbinated .Combustion products are discharged through a pipe, an opening for which is made in the wall. Combustion products are exhausted due to fan operation.
The room in which the column is located should be well ventilated. If plastic windows were installed, you will have to equip them with a ventilation valve. 
№6.
column heat exchanger type The durability and wear resistance of the column is directly related to the material of the heat exchanger production:
- steel heat exchanger is inexpensive, weighs decently, is relatively reliable in operation. It is better to choose a model where the heat exchanger is made of stainless steel;
- high-purity copper resembles steel in its basic properties, but is distinguished by higher heat emission, therefore, it will be possible to extract maximum benefit from each cubic meter of gas;
- ordinary copper is heated unevenly, the fault is impurity. That is why many manufacturers cover the heat exchanger with heat-resistant paint, but it can only hold back the destructive processes in the heat exchanger for some time.
It turns out that stainless steel and refined copper will be the preferred options. 
№7.Water pressure and gas
Each column in the data sheet contains two basic parameters of water pressure: the minimum at which the unit will turn on, and the maximum - the pressure that the heat exchanger can withstand without losing its integrity. It is advisable, before choosing a gas water heater, to clarify all the parameters of your water supply network. For city apartments, where columns are operated( and these are mostly Khrushchev and Stalinka, i.e. old housing stock with worn communications), is better to choose a unit that can work with minimal water pressure. Therefore, pay attention to those devices that can heat water at a pressure already at 0.15 bar.
High pressure can be destructive to the column, and hydraulic shocks, alas, are not uncommon. Purchase units that are able to withstand a short-term increase in pressure in the network up to 11-12 bar. 
Also do not forget to clarify with which gas pressure column can work. In domestic pipelines, gas pressure is lower than in European( 13 mbar vs. 20 mbar), so when you buy a column from a European manufacturer, you need to ask what market it was produced for and whether it has a gas pressure regulator installed in order to maintain a constant pressure.
№8.Type of burner and modulation of power
Burners in gas columns can be of two types:
- with a constant power .The easiest option, the main advantage of which is cheap. If you change the water pressure, you will have to manually change the temperature on the column, and you can also suffer. If you do not change the temperature, the water can flow burning temperature. Suppose your neighbor turned on the water or someone flushed the toilet. The pressure of the water has gone down, and the power of the flame has remained the same, therefore, the reduced amount of water that will flow through the heat exchanger will heat up to uncomfortably high temperatures;
- with modulated power .Everything is much more modern here. You just need to enter the desired water temperature, and the power of the flame will be regulated depending on the water pressure. This is the preferred option. Of course, water temperature control is present on all columns, but conventional devices cannot adapt to pressure changes and gas pressure, and units with modulated power will, under almost any conditions, produce water with clearly required parameters. Such speakers are more expensive, but in operation are not only more comfortable, but also more economical.
Of course, the preferred option would be a modulated power burner. 
# 9.Gas Station Safety System
Many are still afraid of using gas columns. Data on the sale of real estate indicate that apartments with similar equipment are 15% cheaper than similar ones, but without geysers, and 70% of buyers do not even consider the purchase of such housing. If you come wisely to the choice and operation of the gas column, then all the risks can be minimized. It is important that the column is automatically turned off when there is no water supply, gas or the necessary traction, and does not allow carbon monoxide poisoning. To do this, modern units are literally packed with all kinds of security systems :
- ionization sensor turns off the device when the gas supply is stopped;The
- burning sensor also turns off the column if the flame goes out. Ionization and combustion sensors can be used in pairs;
- thrust detector will not allow you to turn on the column or turn it off in the absence of thrust in the chimney, saving the home from filling with carbon monoxide;
- flow detector ensures the normal functioning of the column and its inclusion when someone turned the hot water tap;The
- overheating sensor shuts down the column if the water temperature has reached the threshold value. Saves the heat exchanger from a gap, and the person - from burns;
- low-pressure water detector will not allow the column to turn on if the pressure in the water supply system is insufficient, thereby saving the heat exchanger from burning;
- emergency pressure relief valve protects the column from water overpressure;The
- temperature sensor for hot and cold water is needed to properly set the temperature of the water leaving the tap.
# 10.The best manufacturers of gas dispensers
It is difficult to argue with the well-known fact that well-known companies produce high-quality, reliable and durable equipment. When safety and comfort are at stake, it is better to overpay a little, but to sleep peacefully, therefore we recommend to pay attention to the geysers of such manufacturers:
- Bosch , Germany - high-quality reliable equipment with the ability to maintain water temperature at variable head. There are models of different capacities;
- Beretta , Italy - a wide range of gas water heaters. Each model is represented in the whole power range. The manufacturer pays attention and design, so for those who are not important to spoil the interior, these units are recommended for use;
- Zanussi , Italy is a reliable and inexpensive equipment, most models are made in the classical style. The main advantages: economical gas consumption, low noise, copper heat exchanger, work with networks with low water pressure;
- Ariston , Italy - functional speakers at affordable prices. All nodes that are exposed to increased loads are made of composite materials that are highly resistant to corrosion;
- MORA-TOP , Czech Republic - a manufacturer with great experience, produces very high-quality speakers with reliable and durable heat exchangers. All assembly steps are carried out in Europe, all parts are of European manufacture, so these columns can be trusted. In addition, each model, both the budget and the most expensive, uses a multi-stage security system;
- Vaillant , Germany - produces productive, unpretentious speakers that are remarkably suitable for use in our area;
- Electrolux , Sweden - columns with copper heat exchangers, excellent functionality and affordable price;
- Ladogaz , Russia - columns of domestic production, which are manufactured according to European technologies and are inexpensive. Models are quite economical and as much as possible adapted to our operating conditions;
- NEVA , Russia - St. Petersburg company, since the 90s has been producing geysers, working to improve their design and the constant expansion of the model range. Columns are able to work with a minimum pressure of water and gas, so in some cases will be indispensable.
Finally, we note that gas columns should not be afraid - just need to learn how to choose them and monitor compliance with the rules of operation.
