How to choose a gas boiler

When choosing the right heating medium, many owners of apartments and private houses prefer gas boilers. These devices are quite simple and convenient to operate, have a high efficiency and a long period of operation.

What parameters should you pay attention to when choosing a gas boiler

To ensure the full functioning of such a device after its acquisition and connection, it is necessary in the selection process to pay attention to a number of important nuances. There are a number of specific criteria based on which it is recommended to evaluate the model of a gas boiler. Almost all the characteristics of this device are closely interconnected and interdependent. For this reason, they must be evaluated in a complex:

1. The basic characteristic is the total thermal power of the device (it is with its help that the room is heated). It should be determined in accordance with the tasks of a particular heating system.
2. Installation location - is directly dependent on the power of the purchased device of this type.
3. The type of device, depending on its layout, can be floor or wall. It is selected taking into account the features of the place chosen for its further installation.
4. The number of circuits - is selected taking into account the conditions for further use of the device (exclusively for heating needs or also for uninterrupted supply of hot water). When choosing a dual-circuit model, it is necessary to take into account the type of device depending on the structure of the heat exchangers.
5. Type of combustion chamber. It can be open or closed. With this characteristic in mind, an exhaust gas system is organized: through a forced removal system or through an ordinary chimney with natural draft. Devices with a closed combustion chamber have a higher cost, but they can be installed in any room, and models with an open - only in specially equipped non-residential premises.
6. The level of dependence of the device on energy supply. It is recommended that this characteristic be taken into account if power outages often occur in the village.
7. The presence of additional elements required for the organization of the full functioning of the heating system (built-in control and safety systems when using the device).
8. The manufacturer and cost of a gas boiler, the size of which can vary significantly depending on the above characteristics.

How to determine the power

It is impossible to choose a suitable model of a device of this type if it is not known what capacity a heating installation should have. The rated power indicator is always indicated in the technical documentation of the device. Sometimes in it you can even find recommendations regarding the volume of rooms for which this device is designed to heat. However, these data are very arbitrary, since they do not take into account the features of a particular residential building and the actual conditions for the subsequent use of a gas boiler.

The power indicator of such a device can vary from 7 kW to 100 kW. In order to determine the optimal power value of such a device, it is necessary to take into account the dimensions of the living room and the features of its thermal insulation.

ATTENTION! If the house is not new and the thermal insulation in it leaves much to be desired, you should choose a model with power "in reserve". If the house or apartment has well-insulated walls, you should choose a model without taking into account additional power.

When calculating a suitable power indicator of a gas boiler, it is necessary to take into account:

• area and cubic meter of living quarters;
• features of local climatic conditions;
• quality of insulation of external walls;
• number of windows, their size and type of glass;
• the presence of balconies and doors leading to the street;
• characteristics of the heating system.

Thermotechnical calculations are recommended to be entrusted to specialists. This will allow you to get the most accurate result.

How to choose a boiler installation site

The installation location of such a device must be selected taking into account the relevant applicable standards:

1. The selected room should have a total area of ​​at least 4 m², and the ceiling height should be at least 2.5 m.
2. The walls in the room should not be made of flammable materials. Otherwise, additional installation of a layer of special protective material will be required.
3. Mandatory is the presence of windows in such a room. For every 10 m² of space, there must be at least 0.3 m² of window opening.
4. The doorway in the room should not be already 0.8 m.
5. The size of the chimney is directly dependent on the power indicators of the gas boiler. The most popular are devices having a power in the range of 30-40 kW. The best option for them would be chimneys with a diameter in the corridor of 130-170 mm.
6. The outer part of the chimney should rise at least 50 cm above the roof surface.
7. The ventilation system must be installed in the upper part of the room.
8. The room in which you want to install a device of this type must be fully ventilated.

Before using the gas boiler, you must obtain the appropriate permission from the public service.

Characteristics of floor and wall boilers

There are different models of devices of this kind. By the type of installation, such units can be wall or floor. From the point of view of interior design, wall-mounted models have an absolute advantage. At the same time floor boilers are characterized by higher power.

Features of floor boilers

These are quite massive designs that can be installed in any selected location. Floor models of boilers can have a steel or cast-iron heat exchanger.

REFERENCE! The indisputable advantage of cast iron is that it is not susceptible to corrosion (especially from the outside). The disadvantages include, first of all, the fragility of such a material (both under mechanical stress and under the influence of sharp temperature changes).

Floor-standing gas boilers with steel heat exchangers are more resistant to mechanical stress and have less weight. However, at the same time, such models are largely corroded.

Floor gas boilers are divided into two types:

• with atmospheric burner;
• with an inflatable torch.

Floor gas boilers in most cases have a capacity of more than 30 kW and are used to supply hot water and heat rooms with an area of ​​more than 50 m².

Features of wall mounted boilers

Since such devices can be placed on the wall, they do not take up part of the floor area, which is very convenient, especially in small rooms. The installation of the heat exchanger for wall-mounted models is simpler, and the power is lower and the level of functionality is lower.

The main varieties of wall-mounted gas boilers include:

1. Bithermal installations. They consist of two metal tubes of different diameters, the smaller of which is inserted into the larger one. The coolant moves along the external circuit to heat the room, and hot water flows through the internal circuit and is used for technical needs.
2. Duothermal aggregates. Differ in the presence of two independent from each other heat exchange systems. Two copper tubes are located on two different sides of the housing. Each of them is heated separately. They give their coolant to various piping systems.

Wall-mounted gas boilers are divided into the following types:

• single-circuit - are used in the installation of autonomous heating systems;
• double-circuit - are required if, in addition to heating, it is necessary to provide hot water for technical needs.

When choosing wall-mounted gas boilers for heating a country cottage, many experts advise paying attention to the presence of the anti-freeze function. At extremely low temperatures, this function helps prevent emergencies and rupture of heating pipes.

Which boiler is better to choose

Floor-mounted models take up part of the floor space in the room. This can be significant if the house is relatively small. Floor gas boilers are more suitable for use in large houses (from 250-300 m²). Compact wall-mounted models with simple intuitive controls are perfect for small cottages and small country houses.

Double-circuit gas boilers are considered the most universal, which are able to provide not only full heating of the room, but also an uninterrupted supply of hot water. When choosing a dual-circuit device, it is recommended to give preference to models with two heat exchangers: primary and secondary.

Modern models of gas boilers can have many additional options that provide the convenience and safety of such devices during their operation. The best options have an automatic control system and a smooth adjustment system. Certain devices have the ability to turn on and off by timer.

To provide the opportunity to set the optimum room temperature so that subsequently the boiler does not click every 3 minutes when turning it on and off, it is recommended to give preference to a model with modulation. This will smoothly increase or decrease the power of the device.