The best water heaters for summer cottages 2020

TOP 5 boilers with a volume of 100 liters or more

Electric water heaters with such a tank volume are suitable for those who do not want to wait their turn and do not think about electricity bills. And for families of more than 4 people, this is just a necessity.

Stiebel Eltron Shz 100 Lcd

Model of exceptional quality. The water heater is capable of providing constant supply to several draw-off points. The tank is made of high quality stainless steel and has an enamel lining inside. The tank wall thickness is increased to 2 mm.

Pros:

• exceptional German quality;
• able to be mounted in a network of both 220 and 380 V;
• equipped with a two-rate energy saving function;
• has a titanium DC anode, which does not need to be replaced;
• equipped with an LCD display;
• touch control;
• energy efficient;
• the thickness of the insulating layer is 100 mm;
• equipped with a self-diagnosis system, capable of providing information about exactly where the breakdown occurred;
• high quality protection system.

Minuses:

very high price, from $ 1600.

Electrolux Ewh 100 Royal

Many buyers call this unit the best in the Electrolux range of boilers. The capacious tank is made of stainless steel and welded using a special technology and has reinforced thermal insulation.

Advantages:

• stylish design;
• excellent thermal insulation;
• the ability to turn on at half the power;
• there is an economical mode of operation;
• the price is about $ 250.

Disadvantages:

the fasteners included in the kit do not allow installing the boiler on hollow concrete structures.

Garanterm Gti 100-V

And here is another great model for those who need a larger supply of water.

Advantages:

• 7-year warranty for the tank;
• rather powerful heating elements;
• attractive design;
• availability of all necessary protection;
• has several modes of operation;
• cost from $ 200.

Disadvantages:

• the kit does not include a pipe for draining water;
• not very convenient to clean;
• Chinese-assembled models often have heating elements.

Hyundai H-SWE1-100V-UI068

An excellent storage "hot water" without question will supply hot water even to a large family.

Positive points:

• the tank is covered with enamel from the inside;
• reliable work;
• quality materials;
• super-dense thermal insulation keeps heat longer;
• there is an anti-corrosion anode of increased length;
• excellent protective automation;
• ECO temperature controller allows you to set an effective operating mode;
• nice price, about $ 130.

Disadvantages:

for such a cost - not found.

Aeg Dem 100C

Models of this brand are manufactured in Germany and have tank volumes up to 150 liters.

Pros:

• the ability to mount in a single or three-phase network;
• powerful heating elements;
• excellent thermal insulation;
• equipped with a magnesium anode with a visual indicator;
• a wide range of operating modes;
• tank guarantee –10! years;
• it is possible to obtain water with a temperature of up to 83 C.

Minuses:

not quite a humane price, about 1400 USD e.

Pay attention not only to the name of the manufacturing company, but also to which country the unit was assembled in. This will help you choose the highest quality and most durable device.

The main types of boilers

Electric boilers fall into two main categories:

• Non-pressure storage boilers;
• Pressure storage water heaters.

Let's try to consider the features of these boilers.

Non-pressure boilers

A gravity storage water heater is installed above the mixer. The mixer for it has three pipes: a pipe for supplying cold water, supplying cold water to a storage water heater and a work line for hot water from a water heater. The temperature of the water leaving the tap is controlled by a valve located on the left side. The right valve regulates the water pressure.

Non-pressure boilers are the simplest devices for the preparation and storage of hot water. Most often they are tanks in which heating elements are located.The water in the tanks is under its own pressure, that is, water from the central water supply does not press on it. As a result, it turns out that the prepared hot water flows to consumers by gravity - such water heaters are placed as high as possible, which ensures an acceptable pressure.

In some free-flow boilers, certain automatic filling systems are provided. At the same time, some models require the use of special mixers, which makes their operation not very convenient. As for the models with manual filling, they do not at all correspond to the ideas of modern water heating equipment.

Today, gravity storage boilers are practically not sold or used, which is due to the inconvenience of their operation. They are relevant only in rural areas where there is no central water supply. This is where their simplicity and lack of plumbing are their strengths.

Pressure water heaters

A pressurized electric water heater is easily integrated into an existing water supply system. The main thing is not to forget to turn off the tap that goes to the hot water riser before using the water heater.

Pressure electric water heaters can be found in every heating equipment store. The water in them is enclosed in a sealed tank, and it is under the same pressure as in the water supply. On one side, it is prevented from flowing out by a faucet, and on the other side, by a reverse valve, which prevents the accumulated water from returning back to the plumbing system. As soon as we open the tap, water starts to flow out, opening the check valve.

Storage boilers of this type are actively used for the preparation of hot water in private households and in apartments. Depending on their volume, they are able to provide dozens of people with hot water. They know how to maintain a given water temperature by accumulating it in a built-in tank. The capacity of the tanks varies from 10 to 1000 liters. There are also more capacious boilers, but they are not intended for domestic use.

Electric water boilers have a couple of disadvantages:

• The outlet water pressure depends on the inlet water pressure - if the centralized water supply is turned off, hot water will not flow from the boiler;
• With intensive consumption, hot water can be completely consumed - it takes time to heat it up to the set temperature.

Thus, electric boilers are able to give away the accumulated water for a long time, but give in to rapid heating. However, this is also typical for free-flow models.

The list of disadvantages of pressure storage boilers can be added to the difficulty of carrying out preventive work - the tanks are closed, so their cleaning is difficult. The disadvantage is compensated by the presence of special flanges in some models, with the help of which the boilers are serviced.

We choose a boiler by the type of connection and installation

It is not difficult to choose an electric boiler by the volume of water, since there are models of any volume on sale, both the smallest and the gigantic ones, aimed at industrial consumers. But before you go to the store, you need to decide what the water heater will be powered from and where it will be installed.

The simplest models have the shape of a barrel and are designed to operate on a 220 Volt electrical network - these are typical representatives of household boilers. Due to their volume, they require free space. If there is space on the floor, you should take a closer look at the models with a floor installation - they have a large volume.Such water heaters are most often installed in boiler rooms.

If there is no room in the house or apartment, you should take a closer look at the models with a wall mount. They have a decent capacity and require good fasteners. But inexpensive wall-mounted electric water heaters have several disadvantages:

• Cluttering up space;
• The need for reliable fasteners;
• Inconvenience of mounting large models.

Horizontal mounted water heaters are able to partially relieve the space of the room where it is installed.

The first and last problems from the list are solved quite simply - to save space, you can choose a water heating tank with a horizontal mount. Thanks to this, we will save a little free space and will be able to choose a more spacious model. As for the fasteners, it is best to mount the storage water heaters on massive anchor bolts.

Calculation of the capacity of the boiler for the home

As we said, electric boilers are designed to slowly heat up and store hot water. The larger the volume, the more household members will be able to consistently take a shower or perform other hygiene procedures.

Electric water boilers for 50 liters are designed for a maximum of two people and two points of draw-off are a kitchen sink and a shower cubicle. At a water temperature of +50 degrees, two people can easily take a shower one after the other, without fear of strong cooling of the water. Naturally, hot water must be diluted with cold water - otherwise you can burn yourself. But this is precisely what savings are achieved, since part of the water is taken directly from the water supply system. If you reduce the heating temperature to +40 degrees, then the efficiency of the water heater will drop.

What needs to be done so that three people can take a shower? To do this, you will have to raise the heating temperature to +70 or +80 degrees (depending on the capabilities of the boiler). We dilute the hot water with cold water by opening the appropriate tap, after which we proceed to the hygiene procedures. It is worth noting that the last person will most likely take a shower without adding cold water - during this time, the water in the tank will be partially replaced by cold water from the mains.

When setting the heating over 50 degrees, follow the safety rules - high water temperature can cause burns. In addition, in this mode, boilers operate at the limit of their capabilities, which reduces their service life and increases the amount of scale formed inside.

For the correct calculation of the capacity of the water heater, it is necessary to determine the number of people who will use hot water. As well as the number and type of water intake points.

How is the capacity of a boiler for a home calculated? It takes into account the number of water points and their type, the number of people consuming water one after another (for example, people take turns taking a shower), as well as the total number of people in the house / apartment. Here are some examples:

• A boiler with a 50 liter tank - one person can take a shower and even wash the dishes. With an economical consumption, you can take a shower together, but you will have to wait a little until the water heats up to the desired temperature;
• A boiler with a tank of 80 liters is the best option for a family of two, you can take a shower one after the other without fear of excessive cooling of the contents of the tank;
• A boiler with a 100 liter tank is enough for a family of three. You can connect up to three water points to it, for example, two washbasins and a shower cabin;
• A boiler with a 120 liter tank - this water heater is enough for the needs of four people.The maximum number of draw-off points is 4 pcs. If necessary, consumers will be able to take a bath, but there is only enough water for one person, since the capacity of the baths is quite large;
• A boiler with a 150 liter tank is an excellent option for five consumers and four taps.

Of course, you can do with smaller volumes, but in this case you will have to save water or raise the heating temperature.

If hot water is needed exclusively for washing dishes, you can even get by with compact water heaters for 10-30 liters of water - they take up a minimum of space and are designed to connect one tap (one tap).

Prices for electric boilers for water depend on many factors - the volume of the tank, the presence of indirect heating, the maximum temperature, the availability of electronics and automation, the material of the tank, the material of the inner lining of the tank, the presence of additional antibacterial protection. The total price rises for literally every option. Design models, characterized by small thickness and excellent appearance, are also very expensive.

Storage boiler and its features

This type of device is economical, although it takes up much more space. It heats the water inside the storage tank, and the volume of boiling water is limited precisely by the capacity of the tank. But, you can get boiling water of 80 degrees, while reducing energy consumption. A storage water heater can easily distribute hot water to both the bathroom and the kitchen at the same time. If you decide to choose an electric water heater, you can independently cope with its installation and connection. For the operation of such a device, it is enough just to plug it into an outlet. A gas water heater will require a call from a master, but it is cheaper to heat water on gas.

If you have a large family and you live in your own home, then it would be wiser to pay attention to storage water heaters. But, if the tank runs out of water at the set temperature, the device will take cold water and start heating it - at least an hour and a half

And this is not always convenient. Therefore, it is worth making a choice in favor of any type of device deliberately and carefully.

Boilers with indirect heating are installed in those houses where there is autonomous heating. They use the energy generated by the heater and heat the water to a predetermined temperature.

Indirect heating boilers are distinguished by their economy and sufficient efficiency. But they will require quite a lot of free space for installation, and most likely, you will need the help of a wizard to correctly connect and start the system.

Which water heater is better is up to you, and we are ready to reveal the cards and name the most reliable, productive and durable appliances for 2019 of different brands.

How does this machine with a tap and two pipes work?

An electric water heater always has a tank and a tubular or spiral heating element. Some models also come with a remote control.

A tubular heater, aka heating element, is more reliable and not afraid of air jams, but over time it becomes covered with scale. The spiral element heats up much faster, scale is not afraid of it. In expensive models of heaters with coils, there are special sensors that turn off the device even with tiny malfunctions.

Tanks are made of stainless steel, plastic, covered from the inside with glass-ceramics, or enamel (ordinary or titanium). Plastic is the cheapest and most short-lived, it will last for one or two seasons. Glass-ceramic and enamel coatings are much stronger, they very well protect metal from rust, but they do not like strong and frequent temperature changes. They crack and the tank may fail. The temperature for them should not be higher than 60 degrees Celsius.

Stainless steel and titanium enamel are very durable and reliable, and it couldn't be better. But after a dozen years, the welds of any tanks may rust. To prevent this, an anode rod is installed inside the tanks, which prevents the iron from oxidizing.This rod is designed to last 5-8 years and is very easy to change.

Electric water heater control can be electronic or hydraulic. Electronic controls are more modern. It provides all the work, monitors whether everything is in order with the device, supports the processes. Electronically controlled heaters have LCD displays with indicators for on, heat and magnesium anode status. They show the water temperature, flow rate, power and other characteristics.

The hydraulic control is controlled by the flow sensor. You open the tap and this turns on the heating elements that heat the water. As soon as the tap is closed, the heating elements are immediately turned off. The outlet water temperature, unfortunately, depends on the pressure in the pipe and the power of the heater. And on how cold the water supplied to the heater will be.

The more powerful the water heater, the more water it heats per minute of operation. A 3-5 kW instantaneous water heater will give you 2-3 liters per minute, a 6-10 kW unit - 3-4 liters, enough for a shower. Mighty units with a capacity of 11-30 kW will heat up to 10 liters per minute; they are usually controlled by electronics.

Why is the electric model better than the gas one?

We are talking about electric flow heaters and already understand how they work. This is a great option for any apartment or country house. However, there are also gas heaters on sale. Let's see what their features are, and find out why the electric option is much better than the gas one.

So, some apartments have a gas main. Moreover, gas water heaters could well have been installed at the time the house was commissioned and still have a place to be. Usually these are very old houses from the 60s and 70s. And some in such conditions continue to use gas heaters, motivating their decision by the fact that, allegedly, gas is cheaper. Why is this not the best solution?

So, for the operation of the gas column, it is necessary to observe such a condition as sufficient water pressure (in the range of 0.25-0.33 atm). If it is not respected, then the start of the heating elements simply will not happen. That is, if the pressure of cold water has dropped, then it is simply pointless to expect hot water. In addition, gas is a dangerous substance that ignites in the event of an open fire. A gas leak can lead to dire consequences

Also, when using gas equipment, it is important to think about good ventilation in the house - combustion products are harmful to health.

It is much more convenient and safer to have small water heaters powered by electricity. Yes, you will have to pay a little more for their use, but they have a lot of advantages over gas equipment.

What kind of water heater to choose for an apartment, house, dacha?

It all depends on the purpose and use case: take a shower or wash hands, a family of 2 or 4 people, as a replacement for central heating or for 1 month a year, etc.

Boiler for apartment

1. As a rule, it is used 1 month per year during the planned outage. Constantly, if the quality of hot water is not satisfactory and nothing can be done about it.
2. Sizes are limited. The golden mean is a 50 liter water heater. Enough for two people.
3. Accumulative is suitable, since connecting the flow-through requires wiring as for a stove, which is not provided in most apartments, or you need to redo a ready-made repair.

Boiler for home

1. Most likely will be used constantly. It is advisable to choose with more serious protection against corrosion and scale.
2. The dimensions are not limited, considering this moment when designing.
3. You can install both storage and flow, again, if at the design and construction stage of the house you lay a cable with the desired section.

Water heater for summer cottages

1. A volume of 10-30 liters is enough. Used for small household needs: wash hands, rinse, wash vegetables, etc.
2. Easier installation. Since the dimensions are small, you do not need to look for a suitable place in terms of dimensions.
3. Simple and cheap.So that it is not a pity if it breaks due to poor water quality or is dragged away. It makes sense to buy the same one as in an apartment only if you live in a country house and take it away for the winter.

What is the difference between an instantaneous and a storage water heater?

Flowing - does not have a tank, the water passes through and heats up immediately.

• Of the minuses - the more liters per minute such a water heater can produce, the more electrical power is required. It will not work to plug into a regular outlet, the machine will immediately knock out. To prevent this from happening, during the repair they lay the wiring the same as for the plate. Accordingly, this is unlikely to work in the finished repair.
• From the pros - no need to wait until the water heats up, you can wash immediately.

Accumulative - has a water tank, which allows heating water at a lower power.

• Of the minuses, you will have to wait from 1.5 hours or longer (depending on the volume). Large dimensions, which can be a problem during installation.
• Of the advantages, it is easier to install it in an apartment already with a ready-made repair.

How much water heater is needed?

It all depends on the number of people and the mode of use.

• If a family consists of 2 or more people, everyone wash at about the same time, then it is better to take a volume of 80 to 100 liters
• If there are two people in the family and wash at different times, then 50 liters will be enough (80 liters for more comfort)
• If the boiler is only needed to rinse, then 30 liters is enough
• If 1 person, for a full shower you need a water heater for the same 50 liters.

What power to choose a water heater?

In this question, you need to know two things:

1. The more powerful, the faster the water heats up.
2. The more powerful, the more current the wiring must withstand.

You need to choose focusing on the wiring, so as not to warm up, not to knock out the machine.

If your machine is designed for 16 amperes, then focus on the boiler power of 2.5-3 kW.

It becomes clear that a 5 kW instantaneous water heater cannot be plugged into such an outlet, the machine will knock out.

About the longevity of the storage tank

Note that the period of the operational period directly depends on the material from which the container is made. Durability is especially important for those buyers who do not know how to choose a water heater for an apartment: if the tank leaks in a private house, nothing bad will happen. But if 100-300 liters pour out on the heads of your neighbors from below ...

Please note that a leaky tank cannot be repaired, since it is unrealistic to restore the thermal insulation layer at home in any case

Accordingly, you need to pay special attention to the quality of painting and the characteristics of anti-corrosion coatings.

The most durable tanks are those made of normal stainless steel that has passed the passivation procedure. As a rule, they come with a warranty of at least eight years. Models with a carbon steel case, coated with titanium oxide enamel are much more common. Such paint does not crack even with significant temperature changes, and therefore the warranty period for the tank is at least five or six years.

But the cheapest are tanks made of ordinary steel coated with standard enamels. They are not suitable for serious use, and the warranty for such models does not exceed three years. However, in recent years, storage heaters made of plastic have become increasingly common.They are durable, lightweight, and are not afraid of corrosion. The warranty for them is established within five years, but experts say that their practical life is much longer.

Here's how to choose a storage water heater, focusing on the characteristics of the paintwork of its body.

Note that to increase the durability of heating elements, which are very vulnerable, good manufacturers install magnesium anodes inside the containers. Their service life is about two years, after which they need a mandatory replacement. Before buying, you need to ask how expensive this operation will turn out and how realistic it is to get new anodes from this manufacturer.

Choosing a storage heater

If you are going to choose a boiler by the volume of the tank, then you definitely need to know your daily demand for hot water. Do not forget that the pressure in the storage models is maintained by a constant flow of cold water! Thus, if you need 10-15 liters per day, then it is advisable to buy a boiler with a capacity of at least 30 liters. So how to choose a storage electric water heater, focusing on the needs of people living in the house?

Experts say that 10-15-liter models are enough for periodic washing of dishes and hands, but they are unlikely to be able to take a shower with their help. Of course, if you are not a supporter of cold water hardening. In the event that you still want to stand under streams of hot water, keep in mind that a person spends about four liters of water in one minute in a shower stall. Of course, these are average indicators, since everyone is fond of water procedures to varying degrees.

So which water heater is better to choose? On sale you can even find tanks of 300 liters, which should be enough to meet the needs of a large family in the face of frequent power outages. If we talk about boilers that are connected to the heating system, then they can contain more than a ton of water.

As for their cost, a rather amusing situation is observed: a large water heater costs a lot, but the cost of heating a liter of water in it is much lower than that of less spacious models. This is due to the fact that large containers cool down more slowly, and therefore the water remains hot for much longer, no additional electricity is needed to reheat it.

Here's how to choose an electric storage water heater when it comes to meeting your hot water needs.

Features of the gas water heater and its advantages

When deciding what to choose - a water heater or a gas water heater, it is worth giving preference to the second one, provided there is a large consumption of hot water. In any case, it will turn out cheaper - the productivity of such a device in relation to the resources expended is much higher than other water heaters. This option will perfectly fit into a large house or cottage, other large buildings with many consumers.

Moreover, such a device has a number of disadvantages:

• you need a special permission, which is given by the corresponding structure;
• gas combustion will be affected by the temperature outside the window;
• an additional hood is required for installation.

You need to choose a water heater based on your needs. The more people need water every day, the more meaningful it will be to install a gas model. For an ordinary family, an ordinary boiler will be enough, and for installation in a garage (in order to wash your hands there a couple of times a week), an instantaneous water heater is also suitable.

Manufacturers

There are different models of electric storage water heaters on the market from a large number of manufacturers. To freely navigate this variety, you need to study at least a little the rating of firms that produce quality products.

Ariston and Hotpoint are brands owned by Indesit, based in Italy. These brands are in an affordable price segment, while they are characterized by quality above average.The manufacturer does not equip the products of these brands with complex electronics and a wide range of functions. And they are not needed here. The simpler the equipment, the easier it is to repair and maintain.

Electrolux is already a more expensive brand name. Such water heaters are better than the previous version only due to the presence of complex electronics. Such models cost more, of course. There are also available mechanically controlled models in the assortment of the Swedish company, but they cannot boast of a large capacity.

Hyundai, as it turned out, produces not only cars, but also storage devices for heating water. And very high quality and reliable. The problem with this firm is that there are several companies that own the trademark rights. The highest quality models are produced by a company that also specializes in cars.

Thermex is a well-known Russian company in the market of water heaters. Its products are of high quality and reliable, it is not for nothing that the manufacturer provides a warranty for 2 years, and for the internal tank, the warranty lasts for 5 years. Budget models do not belong here, they will not be able to work for that long. But water heaters with a price above average will work for many years without creating problems for the user.

Timberk is a company from Finland, the history of which began about 20 years ago. Although the production of water heaters was launched recently. The company is mainly focused on the production of HVAC equipment, which is in high demand in European countries. The success of water heaters was not long in coming.

When you need to buy an inexpensive water heater, for example, for a summer residence, many users pay attention to the Moidodyr company. The line of equipment consists of small units (maximum 30 liters), which are convenient to use for household needs and personal hygiene

The products are inexpensive, with average quality.

Which heater option is easier to install

Of all the abundance of water heaters, the fastest and most convenient way is to install an electric instantaneous heater made like a tap. This is a low-power device with a consumption rate of up to 3 kW. The principle of its connection practically corresponds to the installation of the mixer. Installation looks like this:

1. Fixing the heater to the hole in the sink or sink.
2. Connecting a flexible cold water hose.
3. Plugging the heater into the socket.
4. Checking the operation and adjusting the temperature.

Prices for a range of electric instantaneous water heating taps

Electric instantaneous water heating faucet

The installation of such a device is so simple that even a woman far from technology can handle it. Since the electric crane has a power of only 3 kW, it can be plugged into an outlet. If the house or apartment has old electrical wiring, then it is necessary to avoid switching on the heater with other equipment at the same time.

Choosing this faucet eliminates the need for complex plumbing installations. The supply to the water heater from the pipeline is carried out by a flexible hose. Thus, there is no need to digest or solder the pipes. All necessary gaskets are included with the device.

Systems similar to the installation principle are found not only for sinks or sinks in the kitchen, but also for bathrooms. The latter provide for wall mounting. They have a flexible hose with a shower head, which makes it possible to take complete hygiene procedures. In the event that repairs have already been made, and it is not possible to connect to the wall with an electric instantaneous water heater, then you can crash into the side of the bathroom and put the tap there.

Characteristics of the used heating elements

Heating elements are of “wet” and “dry” types. As you might guess, in the first case, the heating elements are immersed in water, and therefore the fact of the presence of a magnesium anode, which we talked about above, is especially important for them.

Of course, if the heating elements fail, you will have to completely drain the water from the storage tank and disassemble almost the entire device. On the contrary, "dry" heating elements do not have direct contact with water, scale does not settle on them, and for their repair there is no need to turn into a professional mechanic, since this procedure is carried out without a complete disassembly of the boiler.

If there are two such elements in one heater at once, then this significantly increases its overall reliability. Even if one of them fails, in any case there will be a backup element. It is even better when the heater allows you to choose how many heating elements can be turned on in one case or another: to quickly heat a large amount of water (provided that other electricity consumers are turned off), it is better to use two at once, while only one heating element can be left overnight. On the same element, it is better to leave the boiler in the "thermos" mode when the set temperature needs to be maintained for a long time.

If we talk about how to choose the right water heater, one cannot fail to mention all sorts of additional options that sales consultants like to talk about so much.