Heating is perhaps the most pressing problem for owners of country houses and cottages. There are many options for organizing a heat supply system. You can choose a gas or electric boiler for heating your home, or a gas-electric boiler. Which option is better depends on a number of factors. Most often they use electric or gas boilers. Combined units are still a novelty for many. Therefore, this article will consider the technical characteristics and cost of gas-electric boiler equipment.
To perform the calculation, you should give answers to the following questions:
- How often do power outages occur?
- How much electricity does the boiler need to operate?
- What gas pressure is provided for the operation of gas units?
- What features does a particular residential facility have (type, footage, level of thermal insulation)?
- How many premises are you planning to heat?
- What are the requirements for the boiler?
- What type of heating is planned to be organized (only radiators, underfloor heating, combined, with the availability of hot water for domestic needs with the calculation of consumption per month for each resident)?
Based on this information, specialists will be able to decide which type of boiler is more profitable to install - gas or electric. Heating design includes budgeting, as well as calculating monthly costs, taking into account the selected energy carrier.
Combined boilers for heating a private house
In general, all autonomous heating systems differ from each other in the type of fuel used. The most popular in Russia are solid fuel boilers, in second place - electric and only in the last gas. This is due to the fact that not in all regions and not even in every region a gas pipeline has been laid and gas is supplied, while electricity is available everywhere. But even with this type of energy there are interruptions, especially in the autumn-winter period, when the substations cannot withstand the voltage. In such cases, combi boilers are the best solution to the heating problem.
Photo 1 Combined boilers for heating a private house
In terms of sales, only over the past 3 years this type of boilers has already surpassed gas boilers, despite the fact that its cost is much higher than monofuel. The main reason why consumers began to allocate just this type of equipment is the ability to quickly switch to an alternative type of fuel. So, for example, in the absence of electricity, you can heat with wood or diesel fuel, simply by switching the burner.
Video 1 The principle of operation of the combi boiler
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- Electricity
- Gas
ELECTRICITY
The advantages of electric boilers:
- there is no need to constantly be at home during the operation of the device
- there is no need to organize additional communications
- shutdown "automatically" in case of problems with the power grid or exceeding the temperature
Before installing, you should find outthe state of the internal / external power grids. To study the characteristics of a transformer substation located near the house, to find out whether it can provide uninterrupted power supply and whether it will be possible to bring cables to it for organizing a three-phase 380 Volt line.
Residual current device
An electric boiler needs more powerful generators to heat, for example, a house with an area of 90 sq. m. The consumption of such a unit, as a rule, is 6 kW.This indicates that the generator should be between 8 and 12 kW. (it is formed from the sum of the power of the device and some working electrical appliances).
In houses located in the outback, it knocks out traffic jams when consumption rises to 6-10 kW. Therefore, if you plan to install a 6 kW boiler, it is more expedient to equip it with a three-phase network.
GAS
Safety is the most important condition for the operation of any equipment. Unlike electric boilers, gas boilers are considered more dangerous. Even a small leak in the pipeline can be a prerequisite for a serious disaster. That is why gas communications are closely monitored by regulatory authorities.
Before installing the gas unit, you should find out:
- pressure level and what quality gas
- features and cost of connection
- the amount of time that may be needed to coordinate the work (from design to launch)
- how is the tie-in
When replacing gas equipment If you need to replace a gas boiler with an analogue, you should be ready to present a certificate for the unit and a heating system plan to specialists. Only then can the installation be carried out.
Note! Electricity is safer than gas, and therefore the procedure for organizing heating will require less paperwork, which will increase the speed of installation. As a rule, many homeowners are dissatisfied with the stability of the voltage.
It happens that the voltage disappears and may not appear for a long time. This feature puts the gas boiler in the first place, because such units are not so externally dependent. Therefore, to ensure uninterrupted operation of the heating system, it is additionally recommended to install a generator and batteries.
Gas and electric heating boilers which one to choose
Having autonomous heating in your home is very convenient, since you can independently set the dates for the beginning and end of the heating season, set any temperature regime.
Electric and gas boilers are the most popular heating equipment. This demand is due to the fact that they have the highest level of automation and temperature programming.
In this article we will tell you about the features of gas and electric boilers from leading manufacturers and how to choose the right boiler for your home.
Heat exchanger
A gas boiler is a unit that uses the heat of combustion gas to heat a coolant that heats the air in the room. The coolant can be water, antifreeze or the air itself.
Heat transfer from the flame to the heat carrier takes place in the heat exchanger. This is a metal tank (cast iron, steel or copper) connected to the heating system, through which the coolant is continuously circulated.
The heat exchanger of a gas boiler can consist of two non-communicating circuits. In the first circuit, the heat carrier is heated for heating, and in the second, water for household needs is heated. Such boilers are called double-circuit.
Find out what are the advantages of installing a magnesium anode for the boiler:
Also read about the principle of operation of electric heating convectors.
Gas-burner
The fuel for a gas boiler is not just gas, but a gas-air mixture. Fuel preparation before combustion takes place in the burner: it mixes gas with air and supplies the mixture to the combustion chamber in a certain amount.
The combustion chamber
The element of the boiler in which gas is burned and a heat exchanger is installed is called a firebox or combustion chamber. It can be open type (communicates with the air space of the room) and closed type (sealed combustion chamber).
Leading brands of gas boilers
AEG, Bosch, Buderus, Vaillant, Viessmann, Wolf are German manufacturers.The products of these brands are of high quality and the most expensive.
Alphatherm, Ariston, Baxi, Beretta, Biasi, Ferroli, Hermann, Lamborghini, Caloreclima, Nova Florida, Saunier Duval are Italian manufacturers of gas heating equipment.
Chaffoteaux, Chappee, De Dietrich, Frisquet are French firms. Roca - Spain. Termet - Poland. Protherm - Slovakia. Electrolux - Sweden.
It is impossible to say unequivocally which gas boiler is better. The products of these brands are very diverse in terms of automation level, volatility, maximum power, functionality and price.
Electric heating boilers
Units that convert electricity into thermal energy of a coolant are called electric boilers. Their feature is a high level of automation and work efficiency. The efficiency can be as high as 98%, which means that almost all electricity is converted to heat.
According to the method of heating the coolant, electric boilers are divided into three types:
- Tenov boilers - their principle of operation is similar to the operation of an electric kettle - the water is heated by ten.
- Electrode boilers - for heating, electrodes are used that transmit an electric current to water and under its influence intense heating occurs.
- Induction boilers heat the heating medium through an induction process. The induction coil is located in a sealed compartment, and heating is produced by a core around which the coolant circulates.
Electric boilers can also be single-circuit and double-circuit, suspended and stationary, single-phase and three-phase.
Electric boiler brands
- PROTHERM,
- ELECTRIC BOILERS RUSNIT FROM 3 TO 100 KW,
- WARMOS-5-60. CLASS COMFORT,
- EVAN C1–5-30. CLASS STANDARD,
- ELECTRIC BOILERS DALINE PTE. PRODUCTION - DAKON (CZECH REPUBLIC).
Comparison of gas and electric heating
- Gas is cheaper than electricity.
- Gas boilers are capable of operating in a non-volatile mode.
For example, the purchase of an electric boiler is less expensive than the purchase of gas equipment with all the additional elements. Now let's consider 2 options for using boilers:
- Heating a small apartment requires a small amount of energy for heating, so the price difference between the cost of purchasing equipment will pay off for several years.
- Heating a private house requires a lot of energy for heating, so the difference in price when buying equipment will pay off in a few months.
Electric heating is best used in small and well-insulated apartments, and gas boilers are perfect for large private houses with high heat losses.
Boiler equipment
Heating systems built on different types of boilers practically do not differ in structure and element-wise components. For the transportation and distribution of heat, identical pipes and radiators are used, as well as filters, air and exhaust vents. However, each of the boilers, whether gas or electric, undercuts certain installation work, maintenance, etc.
- Electric boiler
- A gas boiler
ELECTRIC BOILER
The electric unit includes a water heating element, a temperature control toggle switch and an automation. During installation, a ground loop is connected to it and equipped with a protective shutdown.
A heating system powered by electricity is simple and efficient. But in order to heat an area of 200 sq. m., consumption of 20 kW is required. Therefore, the electricity bill will undoubtedly make the owners appreciate the pros and cons of the system.
Electric boiler device
To save energy, experts recommend using a unit with a 2 or multi-tariff meter, as well as a storage tank. The device will not function around the clock, but only at night.This period will be used for intensive heating of water in a thermos tank.
Thus, it will be possible to maintain a comfortable temperature around the clock, while significantly saving. However, during severe frosts, such use becomes impossible.
The organization of the heating system, which implies the use of a boiler with a storage tank, will require serious initial investments, since it will be necessary to purchase a tank and lay complex wiring. Naturally, the result will be savings on payments, and as a result, a quick payback.
A GAS BOILER
The installation of a natural gas boiler is associated with stringent requirements not only for installation, but also for operation. If the power of the unit is 30 kW, the area of the room in which it is installed should not exceed 7.5 cubic meters.
In turn, for a boiler of higher power, it is necessary to equip a separate room for the furnace - from 13 cubic meters.
A gas heating system is built on the principle of combustion, and therefore requires chimneys, which leads to an increase in heat losses.
Gas boiler device
Gas fired boilers are divided into:
- conventional with 90% efficiency
- condensing with 110% efficiency
Modern gas boilers are equipped with more sophisticated automation than electric ones. But, one should not forget - in order to extend the service life of the device, it is necessary to regularly invite specialists from service centers to inspect and carry out preventive work.
Should be considered
Gas has a detrimental effect on the gum, from which they quickly dry out and become hard. As a result, these elements cease to fulfill their main purpose - to prevent leakage. In addition, the copper heat exchangers in the gas boiler need to be flushed about once every 2 years.
This is a common problem for owners whose homes are located far from regional centers. The point here is in the water produced from the wells. It contains a lot of salts. Over time, they settle on the tube walls, resulting in lower and less efficient heating of the tubes in the burner.
Manufacturers, specifications and design
Combined heating equipment on the Russian market is represented by products of domestic and foreign manufacturers. Some of the most popular are:
Let's start with Korean products. Gas-electric boilers of the Navien company are fully adapted to work in the conditions of Russia. They easily cope with voltage drops in the network, do not react to a decrease in pressure in the gas main. The use of this technique allows you to save money on operation due to the low gas consumption. They have a high degree of protection, and the circuits of electric gas boilers make them completely safe to use. The operating modes of the device are set in software and can be selected independently.
The boilers of the Korean company have an optimal price-quality ratio. The presence of a special chip in the package, which protects the device from voltage surges, significantly extends the service life of the device, and also prevents its breakdown. The operation of this boiler is configured in such a way that it adapts to the conditions in a particular room, which saves fuel. The presence of a remote control allows you to control the operation of the device from a distance.
An electric-gas boiler from a Russian manufacturer under the Hercules brand can be used to heat rooms up to 300 m². The company's products are represented by a wide range of models. It includes samples with various configurations, depending on the energy carrier and functional features of the apparatus. They have two circuits and are capable of not only heating the room, but also supplying residents with hot water, without connecting additional gas water-heating burners.The DHW circuit in such boilers has a protective coating that increases its service life.
The apparatus of the Swedish manufacturer has a power of 45 kW, and is capable of heating rooms with an area of up to 500 m².
The gas-electric boiler STS is a model capable of operating on any of the existing types of fuel. Its distinctive feature is the equipment of heating elements with a capacity of 15.75 kW. The presence of an internal automation system allows maintaining the water temperature at a constant level. If necessary, programming devices can be included in the boiler diagrams, which make it possible to regulate the operation depending on the outside temperature.
The presence of a heat-exchange unit in the configuration makes it possible to prepare up to 730 liters of water per hour.
The advantages of this device are:
- Easy access for cleaning flue ducts
- Temperature rise control
- Possibility to turn off the pump and burner if necessary
Having considered the possibilities of three models of combined boilers from different manufacturers, you can make the right choice. It should be based on the size of the room, its thermal insulation properties and the availability of the required amount of money.
What is more profitable?
The efficiency of boiler rooms depends on the quality of the equipment installed in it. As a rule, homeowners do not want to take part in the maintenance of the heating system. The decisive factor for choosing an electric or gas boiler is efficiency.
If we talk about the price of modern models that run on electricity or gas, the cost of the devices is practically at the same level. The service itself is important here. Gas units will be constantly under the control of specialists, which cannot be said about electrical appliances, because no one will check their serviceability. They are the safest.
As for the monthly costs for electricity or gas, they will depend on the region where the house is located, as well as on the amount of fuel consumed.
Operating principle
Combined devices are available in various modifications. Gas-electric boilers are considered one of the most convenient and cost-effective. They not only simplify the choice of fuel, but are also able to work autonomously, providing the house with heat in the event of a power outage. Such boilers provide maximum efficiency of the system, allowing you to select the most profitable fuel.
They have several outputs for connecting heating systems, which allows them to be used simultaneously for heating a bath, pool or connecting to a warm floor. The design feature of such equipment is a heat exchange unit, which provides the preparation of more than 730 liters of water per hour. It is also possible to connect to the boiler device.
In combined units, a forced draft burner is used, which ensures high efficiency, as well as the operation of the device when the gas pressure in the line is lowered. Such devices are able to work even when gas and electricity are cut off, due to:
How to install the boiler, on the floor or on the wall?
If the cottage has a separate boiler room, then a floor-standing boiler can be installed in it. It requires a large area and additional equipment, but such devices have the highest power.
A prerequisite for the operation of a floor device is a ventilation duct and a chimney. In addition, a circulation pump must be connected to the boiler, which most often runs on electrical energy.
Attention! The larger the cottage, the more powerful the equipment needs to be installed. The universal formula for calculating the power: multiply 10 m2 of area by 1 kW of energy and add 20% of the possible heat loss.
The wall-mounted boiler is a kind of mini-boiler room. All the necessary equipment, including the pump, is already built into it; all that remains is to mount the chimney.This equipment is less powerful than floor-standing units, which means it is suitable for small houses.
It makes sense to install a floor-standing boiler in utility rooms, where it will not interfere
Double-circuit boiler, heating water or single-circuit in combination with a boiler.
Video description
For another point of view on induction heating boilers, see the video:
Along with many advantages, the electric boiler also has disadvantages. First of all, this is the formation of scale on the electrodes and heating elements, which occurs due to the heating and sedimentation of the minerals contained in the liquid. Another disadvantage is the fear of "dry" heating, when, during operation, air enters the container and an oxygen plug forms. The liquid ceases to flow into the reservoir and contact with the heating element, which leads to the complete burnout of the heating elements.
