Among the different solutions to obtain water hot in our home , whether for the kitchen or the bathroom, there is the installation of an electric water heater to ACS (Also called electric boiler with some frequency in Mexican Spanish).
Actually, electric water heaters were the first appliances for domestic use to heat the Domestic hot water ACS , especially in the bathroom. With the evolution, they began to serve hot water in the kitchen, laundry room and with the advent of new technologies, presented instant electric heaters (Calefón electrical).
First, we must clarify… What is a thermos? electric? It is a device that heats water by through a resistance with electrical energy (without combustion) and stores it in a cauldron or vat for later, distribute it around the house; bathroom, kitchen, laundry room, etc. Not to be confused with the electric heater, although many large surfaces encompass it with the same name, it is not the same myself.
Electric heaters are the evolution, and these heat the water in a instantaneous , that is, as it enters the pipe, not They have an accumulator – water tank. But let's focus.
| ACS electric water heaters are ideal for |
| Homes that do not have an installation of gas |
| For small studios or homes with few users |
| For second homes or homes for use occasional |
| When we need constant temperature, although I varied the water flow |
Having these concepts clear, it's time to see the types of thermos electric water that we can buy in stores, features, ranges and some useful tips.
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We always discuss it, we must know the options that we offer the market to generate domestic hot water (ACS) but as we will see later, there are other factors that will determine what type of electric boiler that we will buy.
There are three variants: vertical, horizontal and reversible, with different capacities to aculate water according to manufacturer; fifteen, 30, 80, 50, 100, 200, 300 Liters.
They are those models that are embedded - embedded in the wall vertically. It takes full advantage of the pond capacity with precise thermostat measurements in water temperatures and stratification optimization of the water.
Vertical electric water heaters allow tanks of greater capacity than the vertical ones, mainly because of its installation and remember that we are adding a weight considerable to the wall (recommended to look for thick partitions mainly 25 cm minimum)
Horizontal models are designed to be installed above the door, in lofts or in spaces where we have a obligation to install it horizontally. You have to keep in account the weight that the partition can support and the theme of the plumbing, inlet and outlet of water that is not always possible.
These reversible models have the ability to be installed vertically or horizontally. Although they are versatile, from a technical perspective have some shortcomings since it requires of a certain configuration in the components of the inside.
For example: We cannot take advantage of the full capacity of the thermos (we lose 10% of the capacity of the boiler) and possibility of wrong measurements with the thermostat.
Besides, we have to know the parts of a thermos electric or we won't know what we're buying. This small simple diagram will help us to have an idea overall:
| Advantages | Disadvantages |
| Constant temperature | The cost of electricity may vary substantially |
| The degrees of temperature are maintained with variable of flow | The amount of water is limited |
| Dangers associated with gas are avoided | Space is needed in your placement |
| Ease of installation | It has heat losses |
| It does not have a fixed minimum price like gas | Habits are needed – discipline in their use diary |
We added this section because sometimes many users search for one thing and it turns out that they need another, or that they have been advised evil. A brief review…
The DHW heat pump is very efficient from a commercial perspective. of energy savings (with energy rating A) but much more expensive compared to traditional models of thermos.
You have to do numbers to see if your purchase is profitable. Every year they are cheaper and more and more professional recommended (For its installation we need more space, They produce noise and it is recommended to install them indoors. garage, cleaning room, etc).
How uniqueness and alternative, how the market adapts to demand, there are also hybrids that have the capacities of an electric water heater and an accumulator .
Once we are clear about the differences, we continue to see which we will need…
The electric water storage heaters with capabilities; 50, 100, 150 or 200 liters and more. It is chosen in depending on the number of people who will use it, the place of installation in the house, while the resistor and the anode they depend on the type of water; aggressive or chalky. Here, there are three points that will determine the type that we are going to buy:
Our tips for choosing the best electric water heater they are…
To know the size in liter capacity that we need, we must recognize how much water is consumed in the home. We will have to see the habits and the people who live in the house to select the range of thermos according to dimensions .
More or less, all manufacturers have tables guidance that relates the equipment of the house (sink, sink, sink, shower and tub), the number of people living in the house and daily needs. Can look at the following table:
Before buying, it is important to know where we are going to locate the DHW heating device . For consistency, it should from being near the bathroom , that is, we don't want to a decrease in the temperature of the water along the route that it does in the pipes until it reaches the bathroom.
So the best solution to place the electric boiler It is directly in the bathroom, a place as close as possible to the point of use of hot water (it avoids losses of water temperature before the route through the pipes). In addition, we need a plug and an outlet nearby water .
The image above reminds us of security measures in placement near the bathtub and sink. and we will need more space below the tube outlet, for assembly access, maintenance and repair operations.
And if we put it outside, there are devices, they are more expensive due to the need to cover the tank with a good thermal insulation (high density polyurethane foam, etc)
Once we are clear about the location, we will take the measurements of the hole and depending on the space we will acquire the appropriate. As we mentioned at the beginning, the options they are:
If we start from, the thermos take the cold water from the network supply and heat it through a resistor , then Why does limescale spoil the electric water heaters?
The hardness of drinking water entering the our home ( concentrations of calcium and magnesium ) affects the resistance of a thermos electricity and, therefore, in the useful life of the appliance. He Excess lime prevents proper heat transfer (energy efficiency) of water resistance.
Inside, there is also a magnesium anode ( boiler anti-corrosion protection ) is a mechanism for protecting the tank from excess limescale. Is a piece covered with magnesium that attracts limescale to protect the corrosion deposit. In harder waters, the "anode works more" and more breakdowns or changes.
So we have two weak points in the mechanism internal:
| Watt walls - boiler | Resistance that heats the water |
| It is protected with the magnesium anode (The more big better) | It is protected with a cover |
Although the models newer ones have anti-corrosion systems that allow to guarantee the durability of the tank regardless of the characteristics of the water.
Even so, we must be aware of these discrepancies with reference to the type of resistance of the thermos electric :
The problem comes when we heat the water above 60ºC. When we raise the temperature of the water, the gases are less soluble, we favor the evaporation of CO2 and then It is when the lime is deposited. The lime hardness map in degrees for Spain:
The mechanism and other internal parts of the thermos electrical water should also influence our final purchase decision that will influence its durability and consumption. Let's see some tips and factors that we should review:
We need it to be more or less resistant to limescale and corrosion, in this sense, the vitrified coating - ceramic hob is one of the best options for any appliance, and, more, if we talk about hard water.
The objective, to keep the water hot for longer time inside the reboiler. we need a minor heat loss and greater energy savings, we will improve with an adequate thickness of the profile and without thermal bridges, achieving low consumption electric water heaters, more compact and efficient.
If we want to heat the water faster, we will need a higher power, but also the electrical consumption will be higher (Powers 875w, 1,200w, 1,500w, 1,750w, etc). Keep in mind that, a greater power is less useful life for a greater wear of its parts.
For example, if we shower in the morning, we can program it to have hot water using electricity of the reduced rate of the night. Many models are already programmable electric water heaters , the most innovative and modern ones have a mobile App.
At this point more or less we are all aware of what the energy labels mean on the electrical appliances , heating and low consumption electric water heaters . They indicate the energy classification and the greener (Classification A) the best, the worst, the G.
In the characteristics of a thermos with letter C or B on the label, is the most coherent and normal in value for money. Those of letter B and A are expensive although consume less and more for large tanks (120 l, 150l, 200l).
The applicable regulations for thermos electric water is the European Directive of Ecodesign ErP (Energy Related Products) and labeling energy ELD (Energy Labeling Directive) we can consult from here. The IDAE also has an interesting guide.
Be careful with the issue of facilities and their design. By advice and safety directly go to a professional and always ask when we buy the electric water heater how much does the installation cost . Sometimes the offers in sale are adjusted and the price is reflected in the work of the installer.
Obviously, all these factors that we have discussed are to influence the final purchase price before the best electric thermos. To excellent materials, capabilities technology and insulating sealing capacity, the more expensive it is will sell.
As we have seen, the price of a thermos electrical power depends on many factors, but without doubt, we must look for quality if we want the installation glove years without problems. On average, we could say that the prices of electric water heaters are around:
| Thermo prices electrical | |
| Electric water heater capacity | Average price in euros |
| 80 liters of water for 2 people | 180 Euros |
| 100 liters of water for 3 people | 250 Euro |
| 150 liters of water for 4 people | 290 Euro |
| 200 liters of water for 6 people | More than 400 Euros |
The values shown are an average with medium qualities for Spain. It must be taken into account that when we exceed the range in deposit with more than 150 liters of capacity, it is they become more expensive for entering a singular range.
Remember the topic of installation. It is usually a price separately, but with some offer you can get free.
As brands recognized in the sector could be: Cointra , Vaillant , Junkers , Ariston , Teka , Bosch , Tesy , etc. there is a extensive range! That you should always compare prices and offers, from neighborhood stores to large surfaces such as Carrefour, Leroy Merlin , Bricomart , Bricodepot, or on the internet, starting with Amazon that has interesting offers and others thematic websites.
We recommend buying the following thermoses electric for its consistency in price quality:
A quick summary of what you should know before buying a electric water heater.
First we must recognize where we use more water hot and so, we will understand, where is the expense expense energetic. An electric water heater for shower, sink, washbasin used in media…
See for more information our complete article with 30 Tips on how to save energy at home.
Although the manuals for these equipments to produce water hot sanitary there are recommendations and solutions to possible problems of use or wear of the device. We add a scheme summary linking problem – description – and possible solution in its operation:
It is a device that should last us many years, so Therefore, cheap electric water heaters are not the option. It is worth making an initial investment, to have a device with a long service life and avoid repairs future.
Buy better specialty brands : Junkers thermos , Vaillant , Cointra , Tesy , Thermor , Tasting , Ariston , etc, with facilities in guarantees and good technical service (Always ask for warranty in years and pieces).
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