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The presence of a water heater in the apartment compensates for temporary interruptions in water. You can connect the boiler yourself if you follow our recommendations. So you can independently regulate the heating power, which means you can save on electricity consumption. How to carry out the work correctly, read the publication.
Types of water heaters
In stores you can find boilers for every taste and color. Manufacturers are also diverse: Ariston, Termex, Vaillant, Buderus and others. But the main attention should be paid to the principle of operation and the type of connection. For example, the technique may differ in the heat source:
- Gas type.
- Electric.
Not everyone has the opportunity to connect the device to gas. In addition, self-installation of gas equipment is prohibited – it should only be carried out by a specialist. Electric heaters are often used, they can be mounted by hand.
By design, the boiler can be flowing и accumulative type.
The flowers are equipped with a powerful heating element, which instantly heats up the water flow. The devices are compact in size and easy to place. However, they consume a large amount of electricity (power – from 6 kW). Therefore, separate wiring may be required.
Storage water heaters have a tank of various sizes. It accumulates water, which is heated by a dry or wet heating element. Due to the thermal insulation of the tank, heat loss is only 0,5% per hour. To connect, a small power is required – 1,5-3 kW.
In turn, storage technology is divided according to the type of heating:
- Direct
- Combined.
- indirect heating.
If the first two types heat water using heating elements, then the latter (indirect) needs solid fuel, connection to heating or solar panels.
Preparatory work
Regardless of where you are going to install: in an apartment or in a house, it is important to choose the right location. Read more in a separate article:Do-it-yourself water heater installation.
It is best to place the boiler in the bathroom or toilet. In the kitchen, it is recommended to place a small flow-type appliance for using the sink. Make sure that after installation, free access to all components of the equipment remains. Even if you embed the case under a sink or in a niche, leave room for maintenance.
Accumulative products require regular technical inspection. The heater and tank walls need to be descaled, and the magnesium anode needs to be replaced once a year.
What else to consider:
- Wall strength. The 100 liter tank must be mounted on a solid wall and secured with steel anchors.
- Proximity of communications – cold water supply. The shorter the pipes, the less heat the fluid loses.
- Heaters with an electrical system are correctly connected directly to the shield using a copper cable.
What tools and materials will be needed:
- construction tape measure, level;
- drill or perforator;
- adjustable wrenches;
- to connect to the pipeline you will need tees-fittings;
- stopcocks;
- fum-tape or tow for sealing joints;
- flexible hoses;
- pipes for connection – they must withstand hot water.
Safety valves must also be installed for safe operation. If they are not included, you need to buy them. The safety valve saves the device from excessive pressure. The non-return valve prevents liquid from flowing out of the tank if there is no pressure in the line.
The connection diagram is shown in the picture:
How to connect a storage boiler
The connection of water heaters “Baxi” (Baxi), “Drazice” (Drazice), “Proterm” to the water supply is carried out in the same way. The only difference is in the material of the pipeline. We will describe several types of installations.
To steel or iron pipes
Now you can do without welding, when you had to cut a piece of pipe and weld an adapter. Modern manufacturers have come up with another way – the vampire tee.
It works on the principle of a clamp:
- Select a location on the riser where the installation will be performed.
- Strip it of paint and rust.
- Position the adapter by placing the rubber pads on it.
- Fasten it evenly with bolts.
- Drill a pipe through a special hole with an electric drill.
- Fasten the faucet and continue turning on.
For polypropylene pipes
In this case, you will need additional tools:
- soldering iron for soldering;
- scissors for cutting;
- tee and shutoff valves for polypropylene material;
- couplings.
Progress:
- Pick a spot and turn off the water.
- Cut a piece of pipe equal to the size of the tee.
- Heat the ends with a soldering iron and install the fitting.
- Connect the fittings to the tee.
- Install the coupling, and connect a tap to it, from which a flexible hose will lead to the heater.
It is easier to connect when the apartment has only cold water supply, not hot water.
For plastic pipes
This is the easiest connection, because you can connect the segments using fittings. In addition, the material bends well in any direction. Such plumbing is usually not walled up in walls.
- Using special scissors, cut a piece of pipe.
- Expand the ends with a calibrator and insert a tee.
- Move the rings and tighten the nuts.
- Connect pipe cuts and shutoff valves to the branches of the tee. Then install the hoses.
How to connect parts in series
Now you need to connect everything to the boiler. You can look at the instructions from the manufacturer. The pipes are located at the bottom of the tank. For the strength of the connections, a tape is wound on their threads.
Then proceed like this:
- Using a wrench, fit the tees onto the nozzles.
- Install stopcocks on the tees. This is necessary to drain the liquid. If you open one tap, the water will drain to a certain level and stop. If the other – the drain will continue.
- A safety valve is connected to the tee, which will let in the flow of water. This is to prevent recirculation.
If the pressure in the line exceeds the norm specified in the instructions for the model, then a reduction gear must be installed after the valve.
- A shut-off valve is installed on the pipeline through which the hot liquid will drain. See diagram:
Features of connecting a flow heater to water
Installation, unlike a wall-mounted storage boiler, is carried out on a hot riser.
- Shut off the water.
- Cut out the pipe section. Install stop valves at the ends.
- Connect the hoses to the fittings and heater nozzles.
In the future, follow the recommendations:
- When dismantling, you do not need to shut off the water in the entire riser. It is enough to block the inlet and outlet pipe.
- To start the equipment, turn on the water correctly, and then start the boiler.
- Decided to turn off the device? Then first unplug it, and then turn off the water.
How to turn on the electricity
When connecting to the mains, you must adhere to the following rules:
- Devices of such power must be connected through a separate line.
- Copper wiring should lead to the shield.
- Additionally, the system is equipped with an automatic RCD (16A). It turns off the equipment during power surges.
- Be sure to perform grounding to avoid electric shock. For this, it is better to invite an electrician.
See diagram:
When the work is organized, it remains to connect to the boiler:
- Run the cable through the bottom of the case.
- Clean the ends with a knife.
- Connect the yellow-green wire to ground. The other two are with thermostat contacts.
- Install the insulation and close the lid.
Carrying out work with an indirect heater
Depending on the heat source, the connection may be different. Connection can be made to heating, single-circuit or double-circuit boiler.
To the heating system
The design of the water heater provides for piping. With its help, connection to water and heating is carried out.
What is important to consider:
- Cold water is supplied only through the bottom.
- The heated liquid exits through the pipe through the top.
- You need to connect thermal communications through the top. The exit is through the bottom pipe.
Through a three-way valve
If the system has a circulation pump, then the work is carried out as follows:
- Double-circuit boiler and heater are mounted in parallel.
- A three-way valve is installed behind the pump.
- A tee is connected to the boiler, the hose of which leads to the heat exchanger.
Non-volatile circuit
If your boiler is non-volatile, it is better to place the heater higher. The circulation will be carried out under the influence of gravity. If a pump is included in the circuit, then the work will depend on electricity.
If you follow the rules, you can do the work yourself: quickly and safely. This video will help you: