The best gas water heaters 2020

How to choose the most reliable gas water heaters

Before buying gas water heaters in a store, it is best to familiarize yourself with the warranty conditions and the availability of service centers that, in the event of a breakdown, could provide you with the necessary parts and specialists.

When choosing a specific model, you need to focus on the manufacturer. The range of manufacturers is now so diverse that it is sometimes difficult for an ordinary buyer to understand it. The cheapest and the worst in quality are Chinese models, the more expensive and high-quality ones are from Germany (Junkers speakers embody all the wishes of even the most demanding customer, which has ensured their long-term popularity), so it is better to choose a domestic manufacturer (reliable Astra , "Neva") with reasonable prices and service.

The power of the gas column is its important component: the more power, the more water it can heat up in a short time. A powerful column can provide simultaneous shower in the bathroom and washing dishes in the kitchen, a column with a minimum power (17-19 kW) will allow you to do only either the first or the second separately. In total, there are three types of power: 17-19 kW, 22-24 kW, 28-32 kW.

Among the columns, there are automatic ones with electric ignition from batteries and semi-automatic ones, where the igniter is on, and when the water is turned on, the gas is immediately turned on. Choosing among them is not easy, since each has its own pros and cons. Which one is the most reliable? It is believed that automatic ones are less reliable in their work due to the frequent change of batteries or a piezoelectric element, but at the same time the automation of expensive models differs in regularity, if, for example, someone flushed the toilet at the same time and turned on the tap with water, then the water temperature will not will change

Semi-automatic ones are much more expensive in price, and many are confused by the constant burning of a flame inside the column.

When choosing, be sure to pay attention to the safety of the column. The following elements are required:

• traction sensor, without which the geysers will not turn on;
• an overheating sensor located on the pipes and responsible for the overheating of the heat exchanger, so that in case of overheating of the permissible rate of water, the column is automatically turned off and the pipes of the heat exchanger do not burst;
• the ionization sensor is designed to turn off the gas supply if the flame has gone out;
• the combustion sensor closes the gas supply when the flame is extinguished, even if the ionization sensor has failed;
• the flow sensor automatically turns on the column only when hot water is opened and automatically turns off when it is closed;
• the low water pressure sensor does not allow the column to turn on if the pressure is insufficient;
• a safety relief valve protects against bursting pipes if the water pressure is increased.

When buying, pay attention to additional functions. This is the presence of a small screen on the gas column, which shows the temperature of the water and makes it easier to control the temperature of the water.
It is imperative to take into account the appearance, dimensions of the speaker itself, so that it does not violate the overall interior of the room.

Not every model can organically fit into the interior of the kitchen, where, as a rule, its installation is allowed. Installation in a bathroom and a toilet is also possible, if certain conditions and requirements are observed, which cannot be realized in every room. As a decoration, various removable paintings on the front side of the column are now common.

Remember that it is better to entrust the installation to a qualified technician, as you can make many mistakes that cost your life.

Gas water heaters for an apartment

There are many gas water heaters on sale with different characteristics. But not all devices are suitable for working in an apartment.

There are several key characteristics to look out for when choosing:

• power;
• type of ignition;
• minimum working water pressure;
• the combustion chamber.

In order for the gas water heater to meet all the requirements and work smoothly, you should decide what values ​​of these characteristics are suitable for your apartment.

Power

The power of the gas column is indicated in kW or l / min.

It is important to understand which device with what performance is right for you:

• a device with a capacity of 9-10 l / min (18-20 kW) is suitable for one or two residents - this is enough to supply water to 1-2 points of water consumption;
• for a summer cottage that is visited only periodically in the summer, a device with a warm water production rate of 5-6 l / min with a capacity of 8-11 kW is suitable;
• a family living in a standard apartment is suitable for a column with a capacity of 22-25 kW (12-15 l / min) - it will be able to prepare hot water for 2-3 points of water intake (kitchen, washbasin, bath or shower);
• to provide hot water supply for two bathrooms and a kitchen sink, it will be necessary to purchase the most powerful column for 25-29 kW, which is capable of heating water at a rate of 15-17 l / min.

It should be noted that the productivity of the columns, indicated in l / min, means the amount of heated water per minute up to a temperature of 25 ° C.

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Ignition type

Gas columns have two types of ignition: piezo and electric. The first option involves the mechanical switching on of the device by pressing and holding the piezo ignition button. Electrical connection involves two options: from batteries or from a hydrogenerator. For a speaker powered by batteries, you will have to purchase them with a margin. The best ignition option is a hydrogenerator - it runs on electricity and ignites when a water flow passes through it.

Working water pressure

The minimum working pressure is an important indicator when choosing a gas water heater for an apartment. Often, old Stalinist houses and Khrushchevs cannot boast of a good water pressure. Therefore, for successful heating of water in apartments with a low pressure, devices with a value of 0.1-0.15 bar are suitable. If you choose columns with a minimum working pressure of 0.2-0.35 bar, then with a low pressure they simply will not turn on.

In some water supply systems, water hammer sometimes occurs - a short-term increase in pressure to high levels. So that such jumps do not disable the water heater, you should choose a device made of sufficiently durable materials.

It is necessary to pay attention to the maximum permissible water pressure, it is better that it has a value of 10-12 bar

The combustion chamber

Gas columns are equipped with an open or closed combustion chamber. Models with an open hearth exhaust smoke through a conventional chimney. Devices with a closed chamber are connected to a coaxial chimney or taken out into a common ventilation duct.

In apartments, a gas water heater with a closed combustion chamber should be installed, since it is allowed to install a coaxial pipe or connect the device to a ventilation duct in the apartment.

Advantages and disadvantages of gas flowing water heaters

As we have already said, gas flowing water heaters have a number of advantages and disadvantages. In some ways, their use is quite justified, and in some cases, it is desirable to use electrical equipment. Key benefits:

• Economical - the use of gas water heaters allows you to spend less money on the preparation of hot water. The savings are most noticeable with heavy use;
• Powerful wiring is not needed - electric instantaneous water heaters, if normal performance is needed, will require laying a separate supply line. You also need good grounding;
• They can work in non-gasified premises - for this you need to purchase a model with the ability to power from a gas cylinder.

There are also a number of disadvantages:

• The complexity of installation and connection - it is desirable that a specialist does this;
• The need for regular maintenance - you have to pay for this separately;
• Possible gas leaks - the high explosiveness of natural gas forces you to carefully monitor gas equipment. For example, a piezo-ignited column needs to be extinguished when no one is at home;
• It takes time to warm up the water - the same electric storage water heaters supply hot water almost immediately.

Despite certain disadvantages, it is customary to install gas flowing water heaters in gasified houses - they are economical and are able to provide several points of water intake with hot water at once.

The downside of gas flowing water heaters is that their operation in some buildings is simply prohibited. Also, they cannot be installed in modern new buildings where there is no gas supply.

When is it impossible to install a column in an apartment?

Before installing a gas water heater in an apartment for the first time, you must obtain permission from the gas supply company. To do this, you must perform the following sequence of actions:

• collect documents: floor plan, extract confirming ownership of the apartment, installation project, registration certificate for the gas device;
• write an application to the gas supply company for an official permission to install and attach the relevant documents;
• the supplier will consider the application for several weeks, and then give permission for installation;
• if the gas supply company refused to obtain a permit, then it issues a paper explaining the reason for the refusal.

The reasons why the installation of a gas water heater in an apartment is prohibited may be different. Sometimes it happens that it is enough to find another place to place the device and redo the project. In some cases, installation is strictly prohibited. The column cannot be installed in the following cases:

• the apartment building has more than 11 floors;
• there is a redevelopment - the kitchen is combined with the living room or bedroom;
• it is planned to hang the device on a load-bearing wall.
• the room does not meet regulatory requirements.

After obtaining permission to install a gas water heater in an apartment, you can call the specialists who made the project for its implementation.

Method of ignition of a smokeless gas water heater

The column ignition system is, first of all, not only the convenience of using the device, but also the safety of its use. Modern smokeless gas water heaters are represented by 3 types of ignition: electronic ignition, piezo ignition and ignition from a hydraulic turbine.

The peculiarity of models with electronic ignition is that they do not need a constantly burning igniter, and the charge for the spark is created by two finger batteries. The ignition process is quite simple and is carried out by opening the water tap.

Piezo ignition is based on a piezoelectric effect, when mechanical forces are converted into a spark (electrical charge). The inconvenience of operating such a gas column is the need for constant combustion of the igniter, from which the burner of the apparatus is ignited.

Ignition from a microturbine (hydrodynamic generator) is a modern method of generating electricity, which is necessary to ensure the operability of a gas water heater. Some manufacturers install real miniature hydroelectric power plants in their equipment. A miniature generator is installed in the pipeline of the gas water heater, which generates electricity due to running water that passes through the turbine blades. As a result, such geysers have all the advantages of models with electric ignition and do not need any sources of electricity (batteries, network, etc.).

Security systems

Everyone knows very well that natural gas is explosive. And its presence in the air negatively affects human health. Therefore, a good gas water heater must have the following safety systems:

• Flame control;
• Traction control;
• Heating limitation;
• Pressure sensor.

The flame control system works on the basis of a thermocouple. Most advanced columns are equipped with faster ionization controls. If the flame goes out for some reason, the protection system will cut off the gas supply. It is also desirable to have a traction control system, which will prevent gas explosion and leakage of combustion products into the room.

Heating limitation prevents overheating of the heat exchanger due to incorrect settings. If the column has a water pressure sensor, then it will not allow the column to continue working in the event of damage to the heat exchanger or a leak.

Here, our recommendations will be the simplest - the more security systems on board the speaker, the higher the safety of users.

Column types

Well, the last thing worth focusing on is the types of closed-type water heaters without a chimney. There are two of them:

• Variables. With automatic adjustment. The column itself reacts to the temperature of the incoming water and, depending on it, increases or decreases the intensity of combustion.
• Permanent. These models allow the user to independently regulate the outlet water temperature. Is it convenient? Not always. In an apartment connected to a central water supply system, such a question may not arise. But in a private house, the operation of the column can be affected by such factors as a change in pressure when gas is supplied, an increase or decrease in the temperature of the water supplied to the column, and even atmospheric pressure.

So this factor must also be taken into account.

That is, perhaps, all that could be told on this issue. It remains to wish your water heater many years of service, and you convenience and comfort in your own home.

If it so happens that there is no hot water supply in your house, but there is gas, then you need a gas water heater to heat the water. The experts of the "Price Expert" analyzed the models of gas water heaters, which were most of all interested in buyers in 2017-early 2018, and selected the 10 best ones. Now you will find out about them. But first, let's choose a manufacturer.

Tips for repairing gas water heaters at home

Instantaneous water heaters have one principle of operation, therefore they do not differ too much from one another. Most often, the resulting breakdowns are typical and many of them can be repaired by yourself. However, experts do not recommend doing this during the warranty period, otherwise the service center specialists will quickly detect interference and void the warranty column.

To repair the gas water heater, you should call the master at home. He will quickly identify the cause and repair the device.

If the warranty has expired a long time ago, and you have certain technical skills, then if a breakdown occurs, you can figure out the cause of the breakdown yourself.

A common problem with gas water heaters is the inability to light the burner. The reasons for this may be different:

• low water pressure - possible if the water filter is clogged;
• lack of draft in the chimney;
• the batteries are dead;
• blockage of the igniter or thermocouple with soot;
• the heat exchanger is clogged with scale;
• failure of the membrane or stem in the water block of the device.

All these problems can be easily eliminated with your own hands by cleaning a clogged element or replacing parts of the column water assembly.

2> The main advantages of turbocharged speakers

In addition to the possibility of installing such speakers in rooms that are not equipped with chimneys, turbocharged speakers have a number of other advantages that have been noticed not only by professional experts, but also by ordinary users.

First of all, the following points should be highlighted:

• Forced injection of fresh air has increased the efficiency of the column. The efficiency of such a unit is significantly higher compared to traditional models.
• The closed view of the combustion chamber prevents an increase in the temperature in the room, which is especially important during intensive operation in the warm season.
• The intake of fresh air from the street prevents the so-called burning of oxygen, which makes the atmosphere in the apartment more comfortable and healthy.
• In addition, the almost completely closed housing reduces the risk of gas contamination and penetration of combustion products into the room. Columns of this type are considered the safest.

For the sake of fairness, it is worth mentioning the disadvantages inherent in this equipment:

1. Volatility of the column, to ensure the operation of the fan, it is necessary to connect to the household electrical network. When the voltage is turned off, it is impossible to use such an installation; an uninterruptible power supply will help to solve the problem.
2. The operation of the fan unit creates additional noise, but its level does not create perceptible discomfort.
3. A significant cost of speakers of this type, on average, it will cost the owner at least 15-17 thousand.
4. In any case, the installation of such equipment must be coordinated with the organization supplying the natural gas. In addition, it may well be necessary to obtain permission from neighbors from higher floors.

Views

To choose a safe gas water heater for an apartment or house, you need to deal with the appropriate type of equipment.

With an open camera

Cons of atmospheric gas water heaters:

• High gas consumption.
• High technical requirements for installation and installation site.
• Low efficiency.
• The presence of a chimney of the appropriate configuration, length, size is obligatory.
• The need to organize a high-quality ventilation system.
• Fire hazard.
• Risk of carbon monoxide poisoning from system failure or self-extinguishing burner.

With a closed camera

These models are also called turbocharged.

Their principle of operation is somewhat different:

• The combustion chamber is sealed.
• Air intake is carried out not from the premises, but from the street.
• The design contains one or more fans that pump air for combustion of the gas and contribute to faster removal of waste products of combustion.

Pluses of turbocharged models:

• Economical gas consumption and better, complete combustion. When installing a water heater with a closed combustion chamber, the gas consumption is reduced by ⅓ on average compared to atmospheric models.
• High efficiency.
• A high level of safety not only in terms of the removal of combustion products, but also protection against overheating of the unit.
• Possibility of using a coaxial chimney.
• Fully automated process of the system operation, which does not require frequent monitoring by the user.

Minuses:

• Volatility. Usually, such geysers are still connected to the mains.
• There is a background noise during the operation of the system, so you need to think carefully about the location.

Choosing between the options described above, it is definitely better to choose a gas water heater with a closed combustion chamber, especially if you plan to install it in an apartment.

With piezometric ignition

Models with piezometric ignition have long appeared on the market, replacing equipment with manual ignition, being simpler, more convenient, and safe to maintain.

Gas columns of this type are equipped with a button on the front panel, pressing which activates the piezometric element. It gives off a spark that ignites the igniter. Then everything functions in automatic mode - the gas supply valve opens, the column ignites, the water heats up and is supplied to the water intake point.

With electric ignition

These are the most reliable and safe gas water heaters of the latest generation. The ignition system operates from a set of a pair of batteries, which provide the charge necessary to generate a spark. When choosing such a model, you do not even need to press any buttons - you just need to open a tap with water, and ignition is carried out autonomously, as well as stopping the burning of the burner.

Safety requirements

An important requirement for a gas-powered device is its safe operation. Each device must include the following sensors:

• flame control - cuts off the fuel supply when the fire is extinguished;
• overheating sensor - monitors the water temperature, preventing its rise above the maximum value;
• flow sensor - turns on the column burner when water flows through the tap;
• traction control - disables the operation of the device if there is no traction;
• water pressure sensor - turns off the column when the water pressure is too weak;
• safety valve - blocks the operation of the device in the event of an increase in pressure in the system.

All these sensors ensure the safe operation of the gas water heater and prevent possible accidents.

When placing the appliance in a kitchen or bathroom, special attention must be paid to ventilation. It is necessary to have a natural ventilation system in the form of a window or a vent, as well as a ventilation duct

It will not be superfluous to install a supply and exhaust type system.

Note! To increase the safety level of the gas water heater, experts advise installing a gas analyzer in the room, which will detect and notify the owners of the presence of a gas leak.

Why the gas water heater does not light up

The location of the elements of the gas column.

Let's name the following reasons:

1. The reason for the extinction of the flame when the gas column is ignited is the lack of draft in the ventilation duct due to the ingress of a foreign object into the chimney or due to clogging of the duct with combustion products. Checking the draft in the chimney is simple: by opening the window, you need to attach a lighted match to the chimney hole, if the draft is good, then the flame will deflect. You can eliminate this malfunction by cleaning the ventilation duct by the forces of the management company, which you can contact by leaving a request.
2. The next reason is the batteries are dead. It happens in speakers with automatic ignition from batteries or a generator. Therefore, in order to eliminate this cause, it is enough to buy and change batteries.
3. It happens that the column ignites and immediately goes out. In this case, you need to adjust the supply of hot and cold water.

Important points of operation

The positive ones include:

1. It can be used in houses where the use of gas equipment is not initially provided.
2. Exhaust-free column - no additional hood, conventional supply and exhaust ventilation is sufficient.
3. High work efficiency.
4. Due to the fact that the combustion chamber is isolated, the oxygen present in the room is not burned.
5. Since the combustion process takes place in a closed environment, foreign odors, fumes and exhaust gases do not penetrate into the room.

Along with the advantages, the column also has a number of disadvantages:

1. High cost of equipment.
2. Time consuming and expensive installation and connection process.
3. The presence of an electric motor requires a mains supply and leads to additional energy consumption.
4. The electric motor driving the fan blades makes a lot of noise during operation.
5. The coaxial chimney exits from the opposite side of the building. This can cause additional difficulties with the regulatory authorities.
6. The need to coordinate the installation of equipment with neighbors from above.

Operating principle

A turbocharged instantaneous water heater operates on the same principle as a conventional gas water heater, only it has a more advanced device with a high level of automation.When the hot water tap is opened and a certain flow rate occurs in the DHW network, the device turns on the main burner and the fan, after closing the valve, it turns off.

But the principle of operation of a modulation burner in tandem with a supercharger is fundamentally different from combustion in an open chamber of traditional units. There, the air supply is not limited by anything, due to which the efficiency of fuel combustion suffers. In a turbocharged unit, the air consumption is clearly dosed depending on the burner demand, which leads to a higher heater efficiency - up to 92–94%.

After opening the hot water tap, the processes inside the gas column occur in the following order. The water unit opens the gas supply to the igniter and closes the sensor contacts. As a result, sparking occurs on the candle and the wick is ignited. After that, the fuel supply to the main burner opens, which is ignited by the igniter, which immediately goes out. The unit operates in the basic mode and heats the water until the tap closes or one of the emergency situations occurs:

• thrust sensor triggering;
• pressure drop in the water pipe;
• attenuation of the main burner;
• overheating sensor triggering;
• drop in gas pressure;
• power outage.

Power and performance of a gas water heater without a chimney

The higher the power level, the more hot water the machine can produce in continuous flow mode.

The power level of all heating devices is measured in W or kW, regardless of what energy is used to operate the device: electricity, gas, solid or diesel fuel.

Table of capacities of a smokeless gas water heater.

For the convenience of users, manufacturers of gas equipment indicate the capacity of the unit for hot water. This designation indicates how many liters of water an instantaneous heater can heat in 1 minute at a certain temperature.

A simple example: the manufacturer indicates that the consumption of FGW at a temperature of 25 degrees is 13 liters per 1 minute. This means that this gas water heater is capable of heating 13 liters of water in 1 minute by 25 degrees more than the temperature of the water from the mains. If the temperature of the entering water is 10 degrees, then at the outlet of the gas column the consumer will receive respectively 10 + 25 = 35 degrees.

If the manufacturer indicates that the consumption of FGW at a temperature of 50 degrees is 6 liters in 1 minute, then this means that in 1 minute the column is capable of heating 6 liters of water 50 degrees higher than the temperature of the water coming from the water supply. If the temperature of the entering water is 15 degrees, then at the outlet of the column the consumer will receive 15 + 50 = 65 degrees.

In order to roughly calculate the required power of the water heater, you can use a simple calculation: divide the power indicator (kW) in half. As a result, you will get a fairly accurate amount of water consumption when it is heated by about 25-30 degrees. For example, for taking a shower, a 22 kW unit is capable of providing a water flow rate of 12 l / min.

For self-selection of a gas water heater in accordance with the individual needs of the consumer, one can proceed from the fact that the consumption of hot water for a sink, washbasin or shower is about 5.4 liters of hot water per 1 device per 1 minute.

Safety system

When correctly installed and configured, the gas water heater is equipped with a number of fuses and protection systems. If the coolant overheats, the relay is triggered and the column automatically stops functioning.

In case of improper installation or use of a gas water heater with a flue-free system, certain risks may arise.

Please note: if the column is installed in an apartment of a multi-storey building and several more apartments are located above the outlet of the coaxial pipe, this may carry risks for the residents who inhabit them.

During the operation of the device, a large amount of carbon monoxide is emitted, which, in a certain direction of wind movement, can penetrate into the apartments of neighbors. Therefore, when installing water heating equipment in a high-rise building, it is imperative to obtain advice from a gas service specialist.