Which boiler to choose for a private home
Which boiler to choose for a private home? A question that will interest many. Without a heating system, in the conditions of our country it is impossible to imagine a comfortable home. It is impossible to live without heat during the winter season. And it is the boiler that is the heart of such systems. Today you can find hundreds of models on sale. Each has its own advantages and disadvantages. So which boiler should you prefer? What should you consider when making your choice?
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How to choose the right boiler for your home
The choice of any device depends on many parameters. It is especially important to take everything into account in advance if you purchase an expensive device, and this includes a heating system boiler. Here you should pay attention to the fuel used for its operation, and to the place where the instructions allow the device to be installed, and many other factors. Let's talk about everything in more detail.
Depending on the type of fuel
The operating principle of the heating system boiler is simple. When fuel burns, heat is released. In a special device it is transferred to the coolant. Water, which is most often used as the latter, circulates through a system of pipes and radiators and heats the home. It is the question of what fuel is used that comes first when choosing a boiler.
Manufacturers offer the following options:
- Electrical devices. They are considered the easiest to operate and almost silent. The boilers are small in size and require little space for placement. The disadvantages include high energy costs during operation and low power.
- Liquid fuel devices. They have high power and high efficiency. Diesel is mainly used as fuel. This is one of the main disadvantages. Diesel is quite an expensive fuel. Disadvantages also include increased noise levels during operation.
- Solid fuel devices. Boilers of this type can operate on wood, coal or other materials. The main advantage of units of this type is their autonomy. There is no need to connect to electrical networks or gas pipelines to operate. Disadvantages - low efficiency and the need to periodically “throw” fuel into the firebox.
- Gas boilers. They are considered the most innovative today. Pipeline gas is inexpensive. The devices have sufficient power and are easy to operate.
Important! When making your choice, you need to pay attention to the terrain and the availability of communications. If there is a main pipeline, then preference is given to gas boilers. If the house is located in the wilderness, far from populated areas, then it makes sense to consider purchasing solid fuel devices.
Universal boilers are also produced. They can combine several types of fuel used. The most common option is devices that run on wood or coal and diesel fuel. There are also models that use both gas and electricity as fuel.
Features of accommodation
There is not much variety here. There are two main options for heating boilers on sale: wall-mounted and floor-mounted. The first option is considered the most convenient. Wall-mounted boilers, mainly powered by electricity or gas, are installed in any suitable room. The main thing is that the room must have a flow of fresh air and an exhaust hood. Wall-mounted boilers have a power of up to 100 kW.
Floor-standing devices operate mainly on liquid or solid fuel. Such devices are more powerful than wall-mounted ones. At the same time, more requirements are placed on the room where they are installed. Here, in addition to a high-quality ventilation system, fire safety measures must also be observed.
Power
This parameter can rightfully be considered one of the most important. It depends on the power of the device whether the heat produced by the boiler will be enough to maintain normal temperature in the home.
Before making your choice, you should perform preliminary calculations. In a simplified form, the required power is determined based on their area. One hundred watts are needed for every square meter.
But for an accurate calculation it is necessary to take into account other factors, namely:
- number of windows and doors;
- number of storeys of the building;
- the material from which the walls and roof are constructed;
- the presence of insulation and so on.
Accurate calculations are quite complex, so manufacturers have met consumers halfway. Boiler options with power control are available for sale. The simplest are considered two-stage during the heating season. In this design, 40 of 100 percent of the power can be used. More complex designs have more options to choose from. Here you can adjust the temperature from 10 to 100 percent.
Material
Here we are mainly talking about the heat exchanger. It is this component that takes on all the main loads. The more reliable the heat exchanger, the longer the boiler itself will last. Manufacturers offer three main material options:
- Cast iron. The very first version of the material used for the production of heat exchangers. Cast iron is durable and strong. But it also has many disadvantages. The material is heavy and is susceptible to sudden temperature changes.
- Steel. Used in inexpensive models. The material is lightweight and inexpensive. But, unlike cast iron, steel is afraid of corrosion, which significantly reduces its service life.
- Copper. Used in compact boilers. They have low weight and high heat dissipation. The main disadvantage is the high cost.
Important! If your home requires a powerful floor-standing boiler, then a cast iron heat exchanger is selected. For compact and lightweight devices, a steel or copper option is used.
The most popular boilers for private homes
There is a large selection of brands and models on the market. Which option is considered the most popular? Here the answer is clear – gas equipment. Such systems have one undeniable advantage - inexpensive fuel. Also, modern gas boilers are equipped with automation, which makes it easy to control the device and reduces the risk of problems.
If there are problems with gas supplies in the area where a private house is located, then preference is given to universal models that use solid and liquid fuels. Long-burning boilers are popular. Wood pellets or coal are used here. Fuel is loaded into a large bunker and supplied gradually using automation. Long-lasting combustion is ensured by a special firebox design.This feature allows the boiler to operate without human control for up to several days.