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The power consumption of gas boilers is a value consisting of the total electricity consumed by all of their nodes. Electricity consumption depends on the processes occurring in the gas equipment system. The peak of costs occurs at the time of ignition – the device can consume twice as many kilowatts as during the operation of the pump.
Volatile heaters are connected to an alternating current network. The voltage in it is 220 V, the frequency is 50 Hz. For stable operation of the equipment, a value of at least 195 V is required. If a drop to 160-170 V occurs, electrical elements may turn off.
What is a volatile boiler
Volatile models, being in working order, constantly consume electricity. Gas heating equipment that depends on the power grid is distinguished by:
- according to the installation method – floor and wall options;
- by type of draft – with natural and forced ventilation.
These boilers do not just waste electricity, they need it for:
- electronic ignition;
- automation work;
- circulation pump;
- fans.
The main disadvantage of such modifications is the dependence on the power grid. If there are blackouts in the area or locality, the consumer needs to choose one of two options:
- install a non-volatile model;
- connect the boiler to an uninterruptible power supply (UPS).
In private houses of old construction, the wiring is often in poor condition, which is why the voltage in the network is unstable. In this case, the installation of a stabilizer will help – a device that protects equipment from power surges.
The minimum electric power of gas heaters is 65 W. The higher the performance of the device and the more extensive the functionality of a particular modification, the more kilowatts it consumes. A dual-circuit device, when compared with a single-circuit analogue of equal performance, is more expensive in terms of energy consumption.
Advantages
- Energy-dependent models, having high heat output, are relatively inexpensive. For example, we can compare a 35 kilowatt Protherm Panther 35 KTV volatile device and a non-volatile counterpart MORA-TOP SA 40 G. The first costs about 1000 USD, the second – 1900 USD.
- Comfortable use: almost all processes occur automatically. The boiler does not need to be adjusted and switched, all parameters are adjusted without user intervention.
Main characteristics and features:
- models of low and medium heat output – 10-30 kW;
- can work at low pressures of water and gas;
- power consumption – from 65 kW;
- expansion tank – 10 liters or more.
The most popular are volatile models from the brands Ferolli, Baxi, Beretta, Aton.
What is electrical power
This is the rate of transmission, conversion or consumption of energy. Payment for electricity is made based on the results of consumed electrical power, which is measured in watts (W) and kilowatts (kW).
Each household appliance, from a light bulb to a gas heater, consumes N kilowatts, which affect the amount of electricity bills. Rated power – the value necessary for the stable operation of the device.
To reduce your energy costs, you can:
- Install a non-volatile device. These are most often floor versions, which are significantly inferior in functionality and comfort of use to their volatile counterparts.
- Choose a low-power volatile device. But you can not install the device with a minimum power consumption without taking into account the heated area. So, for a cottage with an area of 200 m², a device for 20-24 kW is needed. Each of the models, depending on the brand, design and other nuances, has its own electrical power consumption. When choosing, thermal power is primary, electrical power is secondary.
- Calculate the total cost of paying for electricity – it may make sense to install solar collectors.
How to find out how many kilowatts per day a gas appliance consumes
To find out how much electricity a gas boiler consumes, you need to do the usual calculation of energy consumption – it is used for any electrical appliances.
For the calculation, you will need the value of the electric power of the boiler. Its value is indicated in the technical documentation, it is measured in watts (W or W) and kilowatts. Usually indicate the maximum value of the kilowatts consumed by the device – it is significantly higher than the average.
Let’s say we have a double-circuit heater Baxi Eco Four 24, its heat output is 24 kW, and the electric one is 130 watts. To calculate the daily electricity consumption, multiply the power consumption by the number of hours during which the consumption occurs.
If energy is consumed around the clock: 130 W x 24 h = 3120 W*h
This is the maximum consumption of the Baxi Eco Four 24 model per day. Dividing the result by 1000, we get 3,12 kWh. To find out how many kWh the device consumes per month – namely, in these units the consumed electric power is indicated in receipts for payment – you need to multiply the number of kilowatts consumed per day by 30:
3,12 kWh x 30 (days) = 93,6 kWh
This is the maximum value of the consumed electrical power. It is clear that to calculate the consumption for the year, you need to multiply the result obtained by the number of months in the year during which the device operates.
For single-circuit models, their number is limited by the heating season – about 5. For two-circuit devices switched to the economical summer mode, the consumption is calculated taking into account the summer months.
What is electricity used for
In heating equipment connected to the power grid, the lion’s share of electricity is consumed:
- circulation pump. He “eats” electricity more than others and consumes energy up to 200 watts per hour. Like any electric motor, the pump requires perfect voltage parameters. Any inconsistencies with the standards lead to a decrease in power indicators – it starts to work noisily and may even break down.
- Protective automation. It consumes little electricity – about 15-30 watts. Afraid of power surges – because of them, the controller may break down, which will cause the equipment to turn off.
- burners. They are extremely demanding on current characteristics. They require a three-pole connection so that the fire is recognized by the ionization electrode and the burner does not stop working. Gas burners are distinguished by a long starting current of the fan – there is an increase in starting power. The fan motor is sensitive to the parameters of the mains – with the smallest deviations from the correct sinusoid, it is unstable.
Why install a UPS
The UPS performs two main functions:
- Stabilizes the parameters of the supplied voltage to the norms allowed by the standards.
- Converts the direct current supplied by the battery to alternating current.
An additional function of the UPS is to recharge the battery from the mains, it occurs as needed.
How to choose a UPS
When choosing a UPS, you need to take into account the requirements of the circulation pump, burners and automation for the quality of the supplied voltage. UPS off-line or UPS used in computers are categorically unsuitable. First of all, due to the quasi-sinusoidal shape of the voltage curve they produce. They are also not suitable in terms of capacity – it is not enough to ensure continuous operation of the equipment.
The best uninterruptibles are double converters (on-line UPS). The principle of their work:
- the alternating voltage of the mains is first converted to direct;
- thanks to the electronic inverter, the direct voltage (received from the mains or from the battery) is again converted into alternating voltage, but with a perfect sinusoidal shape and stable characteristics.
The double conversion UPS allows you to provide the ideal power supply to the gas heater.
How long will the charge last
When choosing a UPS, the battery capacity is important, in addition, you need to rely on the experience of operating the boiler in a particular area – for what maximum time the electricity can be turned off. For 8 hours of continuous operation of burners consuming 200 W, you need a battery with a capacity of about 100 Ah. For reliability, consumers often stock up on generators.
UPS location rules:
- Do not place the UPS near a heat source. At a temperature of about 35°C, the service life is reduced by 1,5 times.
- The battery heats up during charging, so you need to ensure its cooling – leave enough space for air circulation.
What is the danger of a power outage
When the power supply is interrupted, all electrical appliances that are in the gas heater system lose their functionality. There is no electricity – the water pump stops, the shut-off and control valves, driven by an electric drive, do not work. And most importantly, the automation responsible for equipment control and safety is turned off.
From the moment the heating is turned off until the house cools down completely, three days or more pass – the exact period depends on the initial temperature, the weather outside, and the degree of insulation of the building. Therefore, the heating system will not have time to freeze even after several days. What is the danger of a power outage?
Disconnecting the power supply of atmospheric and turbocharged boilers
The key danger to users of atmospheric boilers during a power outage is the gas supply independent of electricity. After a power failure, the automation does not work, while the gas enters the combustion chamber. The combustion process continues. The circulation pump connected to the mains also does not work, all sensors are turned off.
The coolant in the heat exchanger can heat up to the boiling point and break it. In this case, the water from the heat exchanger will flood the burner, the flame will go out, and the gas will continue to flow. The controller is de-energized – it will not be able to signal a re-ignition. The room will be filled with gas.
When using pressurized (turbocharged) burners, the danger is somewhat less. They use a fan that stops when the power goes out. If the air flow stops, the fire quickly goes out, without having time to harm the heat exchanger. Gas from a closed combustion chamber will not enter the room – it will go outside through the chimney. But such a situation is quite dangerous.
How to avoid danger
Helps to prevent an emergency situation in the security system cutter gas is a valve that instantly shuts off the gas supply to the burner. It does not require maintenance, it is important to replace it in time if it breaks or wears out. During each maintenance, check how fast the shutoff works and how tight the valve cover is.
Turbocharged models are less dangerous than atmospheric ones, which threaten the flow of gas into the room in the event of a power outage. In the matter of supplying a gas boiler with electricity, it is very important to ensure a stable voltage. One of the conditions for the safe operation of volatile devices is the installation of an uninterruptible power supply.