Wood-burning water heater: device, operating principle and installation technology

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A wood-burning water heater is a separate type of heat supply system, which in appearance resembles a simple iron cylinder. It has a chimney outlet, a fuel supply chamber and an outlet valve. In order for the device to work for a long time and without problems, a constant flow of water into the system is necessary, which is why it is so comprehensively connected with water.

In our article we will analyze the features of wood-burning water heating boilers and present you with a small diagram of assembling a system for your home or cottage.

Wood-burning titanium device

It’s worth starting with the fact that this type of heaters was used back in Soviet times. Then the device had one name - Titan. This is where the synonym for wood heater came from. It was a structure of 2 components: the lower one was a chamber for burning fuel, the upper one was a tank with liquid. An additional chimney was installed through the top one so that all combustion products were removed from the house.

The chimney was made from a steel pipe for the wood boiler itself (on average from 70 to 100 mm in diameter). Ordinary Titans had the design that we described above. But there were other models that had an additional chamber for collecting charcoal.

At the same time, in such wood-burning boilers, not one smoke outlet was installed, but several - of a smaller cross-section and over the entire plane. This was necessary in order to create greater contact of water with the heaters. After all, the whole process took place not only through a steel cylinder, but also through chimneys.

The operating principle of a wood-burning water heater, no matter what the design of the model, boils down to one thing:

• wood was immersed in the chamber and set on fire;
• excess heat and gases from combustion were removed to the street through pipes;
• the water tank was heated by the increase in temperature of the metal walls.

To put it bluntly, the Titan was a real samovar. It was a simple design, but it was less useful than modern models, because a lot of heat was discharged outside without being used. The efficiency was decreasing, and something had to be done. To increase efficiency, they began to increase the height of the cylinder in order to capture more of the plane.

Modern design of a wood-burning water heater for a summer residence

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Titan manufacturers are still producing their products, but with some modifications. Among them are the following:

1. Heating elements are installed in the water tank instead of a wood chamber.
2. Not only fuel tanks are possible, but also electric ones.
3. Installing a thermostat to set the temperature correctly.

Modern devices make it possible to reduce the time required to maintain the heater, so this option is very suitable even for an apartment. The presence of a heater on heating elements does not require a non-flammable substrate, does not emit carbon monoxide and can provide an uninterrupted supply of hot water for a whole year.

Titans are popular not only in houses and apartments, but also in railway trains. Now a gasified model of the heater is installed in the compartment, but you can also find Soviet Titans.

Pros and cons of a wood-burning water heater

The main advantage is ease of use. The entire maintenance process boils down to adding firewood on time. And if your dacha even has running water, you don’t have to worry at all. Without it you will have to carry water in buckets.

The second advantage is the durability of a wood-burning water heater. The design is primitive, all parts are cast elements. There’s simply nothing to break, which is why the design is so powerful.

The third advantage is that anything you want is suitable for fuel: from the usual coal or wood to old furniture and household waste.

Of course, there is no escape from the disadvantages of a wood-burning boiler for a summer residence:

• The larger the tank, the more time and fuel it will take to heat the water.
• Fuel supply is carried out manually (unless, of course, you are a mechanical engineering guru and have not invented automatic loading of firewood into the stove a long time ago).
• Wood is a very expensive element to use as heat. And you need quite a lot of space for firewood. However, it can be replaced with coal or solid fuel capsules.

How to choose the right wood-burning water boiler for your dacha

Stores offer a lot of options for water heaters, both in terms of power and scope of use. Among such abundance, an ignorant person can easily get lost, so we will now tell you everything.

The boiler should be chosen according to the quality of the material. Typically, good speakers are made from thick-walled stainless steel. Some may also be coated with enamel paint. This material allows you to achieve the desired water temperature in less time.

Check on the websites or with a consultant for maximum temperature readings. Some devices are capable of reaching 95 degrees. It is important that your boiler heats the water to 40 degrees for about half an hour, no more.

All seams must be strong and free of obvious weld bumps. All parts must be tightly installed in the system and not loose. Otherwise, save your money for a better purchase.

The optimal volume of the tank is an important indicator of how quickly the water heats up. If you need a tank for a one-room apartment, then you shouldn’t even choose a model with a capacity of 90 or even 100 liters.

Once you have decided on the device, read all technical documentation and installation instructions. If this option suits you, feel free to purchase it!

How to make a wood-burning water heater with your own hands

Purchasing a heating system is an expensive proposition. And some people just like to do everything around the house themselves. Believe it or not, you can make a wood-burning water heater yourself! To do this we will need the following details:

1. A gas cylinder or cylinder of at least the same size with thick walls. If you took a cylinder, it must be empty and thoroughly washed;
2. Two pipes: the first is for water supply (if you automate the system); the second is the chimney;
3. A grate made of durable metal (cast iron is best);
4. Welding machine and electrodes;
5. Faucets;
6. Fastening elements (here it all depends on where you will install the solid fuel water heater);
7. Grinding tool;
8. Drill or screwdriver with high power.

The Titan water heater is quite small in size, so it can be installed directly in the house. Usually there is a place for it in the bathroom. The main preliminary requirement is the presence of a drain on the site. Supplying water is not necessary if you are prepared to run around with buckets.

A wood-burning water heating boiler must be installed on a non-flammable platform. Length of the protrusions: at least 15 cm from the floor and about half a meter in different directions.

Ignition of titanium can only be carried out in a fully assembled and filled state. The procedure for preparing a boiler tank for heating water using wood:

1. We light wood in the firebox.
2. Hold the door of the ash chamber until the flame burns sufficiently.
3. Close the ash pan and regulate the heat supply. When properly configured, the chimney should be barely warm.
4. When you can clearly hear the water boiling in the container, the damper closes completely.
5. After the wood burns, close the chimney.