If you decide to purchase a water heater for the bathroom, its choice must be taken responsibly. Understand what types of boilers are best suited for installation, how much power they spend. Is it profitable for you to operate the heater? You will find answers to your questions in our publication.
Varieties of boilers
Let’s start with the features of the devices. If you have not yet decided on the choice, think about where you will install the device.
- Wall mounted models are more compact and limited to 100 liters. Can be placed horizontally and vertically.
- Outdoor. They differ in large dimensions and capacity – from 120 to 1000 liters. It takes a lot of space to install.
By type of connection can be:
- electrical. The most popular and practical. You can install them yourself. Power ranges from 1,5-3 kW to 5-25 kW per hour.
- Gas. Operation is cheaper, water heats up quickly. However, the installation is only in places with conducted gas and the possibility of organizing a chimney. Installation requires a permit, it should only be carried out by a specialist.
- On solid fuel and diesel. These devices are powered by a combustion boiler and are installed in separate rooms.
Water heaters are flowing, storage, indirect. The latter are not suitable for installation in the bathroom, as they take up a lot of space and require connection to the boiler. Let’s take a closer look at the first two options.
Flow heaters
The devices work according to the following scheme: a flow heater is installed in the case, water passes through it. It quickly heats up to the set temperatures, so you do not have to wait until a hot stream comes out of the tap. A big plus is compactness.
Varieties:
- Stationary type. Requires a separate installation site and is able to provide multiple fence points. It can be mounted in a niche or cabinet under the sink.
- Attachment on the crane. The compact device is installed directly on the crane in front of the gander. Able to provide hot water in the washbasin, but not suitable for taking a shower.
Electrically heated faucet. The heater has its own mixer. A single design allows you to heat more water than the nozzle. Enough to take a shower.
To evaluate which device is better to buy, consider the advantages and disadvantages of the protochnik.
Pros:
- Compactness. If the bathroom is small, a stationary device or a faucet attachment will do.
- Fast heating. Within 30 seconds, the hot stream enters the mixer in the amount for which the device is designed.
- Convenient installation. The product is light and compact, you can hang it on any wall.
- Low cost – compared to storage boilers.
Cons:
- High power and energy consumption. The option of connecting to a conventional outlet is eliminated, since the device is designed for 5-25 kW per hour. You need thick wiring and a grounded euro socket.
- The temperature and pressure force depends on the pressure in the line.
- Inability to heat up during a power outage. Since the protochnik does not have a storage tank, you will not be able to get hot water.
If you want to fully take a shower, install a stationary electric boiler. More powerful models are able to provide multiple fence points.
Storage electric heater
By name it is clear that the boiler consists of a tank in which water accumulates. Inside there is a heater for heating and a thermostat that constantly maintains the temperature. Tank insulation reduces heat loss.
Advantages:
- Less power and energy consumption. Drives consume 1,5-3 kW per hour. First, the heater heats the water to a predetermined temperature, and then the boiler maintains it.
- Choice of volume of water. Choose a tank according to the cost of resources. For a family of three, 80-90 liters is enough.
- Constant availability of hot water. The advantage of the drive is that even in the event of a power outage, the reserve will be enough for you to take a shower, and maybe a bath.
- The ability to set convenient parameters for saving electricity. In this case, you can dilute hot water with cold.
- The drive is enough not only for the bathroom, but also for servicing the kitchen.
Disadvantages:
- The larger the volume, the larger the dimensions. In a small room, it may be inappropriate.
- Installation features. A large tank full of water weighs a lot. So, installation is possible only on a reliable brick wall.
- Prolonged heating. Every 10 liters are heated for 30 minutes.
Which boiler to choose
The choice is based on a few more points. Be sure to consider them when buying.
Moisture protection class. Since the case is installed in a damp room, it must be well protected. The icons look like this: IP31. The last digits may differ for each model, for example, the first digit indicates protection against ingress of foreign objects:
- 1 – from large objects, no more than a hand.
- 2 – from objects with a finger.
- 3 – no more than 1 square mm.
- 4 – from dust.
The second digit serves as protection against moisture:
- 0 – no protection.
- 1 – from the top leak.
- 2 – against splashes at an angle of 60 degrees.
- 3 – against splashes in any direction.
- 4 – protects even from a jet.
Tank material. The most reliable stainless steel products last up to 10 years. Less durable enameled containers – up to 7 years of service.
Form. Can be round, flat, square. It all depends on the type of accommodation.
Installation. Don’t forget that a heavy storage boiler needs a solid wall. And for flowing – reliable wiring.
Heating element type. A lot of scale forms in the accumulative device, so give preference to dry heating elements. They are enclosed in a flask that protects them from plaque.
Features of operation. Before buying, calculate how much water is required for your family, what should be the power of the device.
Control method, additional modes and functions.
Price also plays a role, and the choice of manufacturer depends on personal preference.
How to heat water in the bathroom? Conclusion: purchase an electric flow or storage boiler. Pay attention to the protection of the device from water, volume and power. Check the documents and clarify the features of warranty service.