Gas water heaters for liquefied gas

Gas water heaters on liquefied gas help out consumers who have not reached the centralized gas supply. Most water heaters are purchased by Russian citizens to run on natural gas – this is a cheap and reliable way to get hot water. Almost any column can be easily converted to liquefied gas, and some models were originally designed to run on bottled gas.

How do they work?

The device is connected to a propane-butane tank. The process of heating water begins from the moment the tap is opened at the point of water intake. Heating is carried out at the moment the liquid flows through a metal heat exchanger – copper or steel. The heat exchanger itself is heated by a working burner. Heated water enters the water intake, a hot stream flows from an open tap. How stable the water temperature is depends on the characteristics of the water heater – power and performance.

Read more on page “Can a gas column work from a gas cylinder?.

Advantages

Pros of propane water heaters:

• profitability – a cheap type of fuel and low cost of equipment;
• high efficiency of the heat exchanger – reaches 88%;
• a hydraulic gas burner device is used that regulates the flow of propane – it responds to a change in pressure;
• you can choose a modification suitable for specific requirements – a wide range of models is offered.

How to choose?

Instantaneous water heaters running on gas – natural or liquefied, have almost the same device. Differences in nuances – materials, control method, degree of automation. Important parameters when choosing a gas water heater:

• Ignition method. Older versions were kindled by hand – with matches and lighters. Today, manufacturers offer three ignition options – piezo, electric and from a hydro generator.
• heat exchanger material. The life of the device depends on the quality of this part. If you buy a cheap Chinese device, the heat exchanger in it may turn out to be tin. Such water heaters do not last longer than three years.
• The inner diameter of the tubes in the heat exchanger. Wide tubes do not need to be descaled as often as narrow tubes.
• Water block. Preferably metal. A cheaper alternative is plastic.
• Performance. When choosing this parameter, it is necessary to take into account the volume of water flowing from the tap per unit of time. The easiest way is to record the time and see the result on the water meter. If the flow is less than 10 L/min, why choose a model with a capacity of 15 L/min or more?

• Temperature control – manual or automatic. The first ones are cheaper. Adjustment is made by valves. In modifications with power modulation, the temperature is maintained at a given level automatically.
• Removal of combustion products. Safer output through a coaxial chimney. Along with the power of the device, the diameter of the pipe increases. The second option is the output through a traditional chimney. The third is without a chimney. The latter cannot be installed in a confined space and without ventilation. These are usually mini-speakers – devices with low power.
• Supply of oxygen. In cheap versions, air is supplied through the vents. Minus – combustion products penetrate back into the room. Expensive devices are equipped with a pipe removed from the bottom of the device. The body is additionally closed with covers – from below and from above, so that combustion products do not penetrate into the room.
• Power. Mini-heaters for 17-19 kW are suitable for systems with low pressure and one point of water intake. Powerful devices should be taken for a pressure of more than 10 l / min and with several points of water intake. Versions for 21-31 kW are not installed in apartments, these are options for country houses.

How is fuel consumption regulated?

Adjustment is carried out in order to save energy. To reduce gas consumption, regulate the temperature of the water and the intensity of the flame. There are three ways to adjust:

• stepped manual;
• stepless manual;
• automatic (flame modulation).

Gas consumption

The average user is interested in how much fuel his column consumes. If the device is powered by a centralized gas supply, you need to know how many cubes are consumed per unit of time; if on propane, I wonder how long one cylinder will last? The costs depend on various characteristics and, above all, on the thermal power. An example of calculating the consumption of propane-butane. Initial data:

• specific heat of combustion – 14 kW / h;
• Efficiency – about 92%;
• burning 1 kg of propane-butane mixture gives 12,9 kWh.

Suppose we have a heater that produces 5 liters of hot water per minute, and the fuel consumption is 1,5 kg per hour. A 50 liter cylinder contains 42 liters or 23 kg of propane-butane. Having made simple mathematical calculations, you can find out that one cylinder is enough to heat 4 liters of water. In terms of hours – a little more than 600 hours of continuous heating. If you use hot water for 15 hours a day, then 2 cylinders will be needed per month.

Are there turbocharged models?

A turbocharged water heater can be used to heat water. Such devices do not need a traditional vertical chimney, the combustion products are discharged through a coaxial pipe led through the wall. Through it, air enters the closed furnace – to maintain the combustion process. Turbocharged speakers have disadvantages: you need to make a hole in the pipe, ask the consent of the neighbors from above to install the equipment, the device makes noise due to the operation of the turbine. Plus, when working on propane-butane, you will also need to place a cylinder in the room. An important plus of turbocharged versions is versatility, they can be placed in any room, since a chimney is not needed. The second important advantage is that they do not “eat up” home air.

Where is the best to use?

Propane water heaters are appropriate in the country. There is often no centralized gas supply. And if people live on them only in the summer, then it is unprofitable to spend it. Therefore, the option with propane-butane is quite successful. In the country, it will be possible to wash, regardless of the availability of electricity.

Safety measures

The cylinder must not be stored near a heat source. Also avoid direct sunlight. This also applies to the hose through which propane-butane enters the burner. It is forbidden to turn on the device if the cylinder has any damage. It should not be accessible to children and strangers.

Switching to alternative fuel

Most columns can be converted to an alternative type of gas – from natural to liquefied and vice versa. The changeover must be carried out by a service department that has the appropriate certificate. Manufacturer’s parts kits must be used. When changing over, the manifold jets are replaced: nozzles with a diameter suitable for the type of fuel used and its pressure must be installed. When performing work, the device is turned off, the gas valve is closed. After completion of work, check the tightness of the connections. On the device itself and in its instructions, they write what it works on, the date of the work, the organization that performs the work.

Мong

Balloon requirements:

• the presence of a gearbox;
• pressure – 300 mm water column;
• productivity of the 1st phase – 1 m³ / h.

For installation, you will need a flexible hose with an inner diameter of at least 1,2 cm and a length of not more than 250 cm. Only a special hose is taken – for propane-butane. When connecting, twisting and bending of the hose near the tips is not allowed. If you have to bend the hose, then the radius must be greater than 90 mm on the outer outline. The beginning of the bend is not closer than 50 mm to the tip. Kinks should not be allowed, adapters and corner joints should be used. An excessively long hose is fixed on intermediate supports. Directly in front of the water heater, a valve is installed that shuts off the flow of fuel. After completing the installation, check all connections and the hose for leaks.

“Neva”

Water heaters “Neva” – products of JSC “Gazapparat”. They are simple, reliable, economical and have low fuel consumption. Affordable. You can always find the parts you need.

“Neva” 6011

Propane flow column. The estimated cost is 12 rubles. The modification is equipped with an automatic temperature control function with an accuracy of 500°C. There is a digital panel, mechanical buttons. The temperature is on the screen. Fault codes are also displayed here – there is a self-diagnosis. Reliable protection against emergencies. Technical features and parameters:

• automatic ignition;
• open fire chamber with water cooling;
• control panel is not provided;
• productivity — 11 l/min.

“Neva” 4510

A small heater for 17 kW. Designed for 2 points of water intake. For management – an electronic system. There is auto ignition and indication. Weighs 10 kg. There is no constant burning igniter – this is a plus.

“Neva” 4511

The cost is 9 rubles. Wall option. Indicators – inclusions and pressures. Auto ignition and open firebox. Characteristics:

“Vector”

“Vector” – budget speakers assembled from Chinese components. Many consider them “of the last century”, but our consumers value them for their simplicity and low cost – the lineup consists of devices whose price does not exceed 4 rubles.

Despite the cheapness, this equipment works properly, providing houses and apartments with hot water. All models have a stylish design, they can even become an element of decor. A distinctive feature is compactness. Chinese spare parts, if necessary, are easy to find in any market.

Control – knobs for adjusting the gas and water passing through the heat exchanger. Some versions are equipped with a mode switch – winter and summer. The disadvantage is the accelerated wear of spare parts. So, for example, the walls of the heat exchanger are made of copper, but this layer is so thin that they burn out over time. There is no flame control module.

JSD 20 vector

Like all representatives of the Vector lineup, the column is cheap – it costs about 4 rubles. Compact, fits in the smallest kitchen. There is a digital display and auto ignition. Color – white, gold and silver. Closed chamber. Electric ignition.

Vector JSD 11-N

Compact version for a small space. There is an automatic fire extinguishing sensor and overheating protection. Heats up 5 l/min. It weighs only 4,5 kg, but is also designed for only one water intake point. Options:

Vector Lux Eco 20-3

This new product from Vector has advanced protection that reduces the risk of overheating. The closed furnace is cooled by water. Selecting and setting the temperature regime. There is a digital display. Case with mirror panel. The model was developed taking into account the change in pressure in water pipes. The average cost is 8 rubles.

Reviews

Vektor JSD 20: Ilya Ch., Maloyaroslavets

I’ve been using this column for 5 years. Batteries last for a year and a half. I set the temperature to 50 degrees – enough for the bath and kitchen. When taking a bath, you have to turn the water on and off every 20 minutes, as the protection works. I don’t understand why there are two modes – winter-summer, if you can always reduce the supply of propane with a switch, and not turn off the extreme sections. After all, then there is a load on the central sections and wear occurs faster.

NEVA-4513: Elena Sh., Svetlogorsk

We bought the Neva specifically for giving – there is no gas supply, so it works from a cylinder. Installed quickly, no problems. We spent sparingly, so for the summer we had enough one cylinder of 50 liters. I like quiet operation and automatic ignition. The display shows the temperature of the water. Good price. Now we think that it would not hurt to put the same one in the apartment, so as not to sit without hot water during blackouts.

When choosing a liquefied gas column, you should take into account the needs of residents for hot water and choose the right power for it. It is from this parameter that the comfortable use of hot water will depend. It is important to pay attention to the design of the device: if you take a model with the possibility of readjustment, you can always convert it to alternative fuel.