A gas water heater is not a novelty for a long time, but still many users do not know how to properly care for it. If you installed the device in a country house that is not heated in winter, then you need to take care of its safety until spring. What to do if the geyser freezes? Don’t worry: you will learn how to properly prepare a column for the cold weather without resorting to the help of craftsmen.
How to protect equipment
The flow heater is installed in many houses, apartments, offices. Anyone who decides to put a column in the country is a real lucky one. Coming after gardening and taking a shower, washing dishes in warm water is convenient and comfortable. If you want to continue to enjoy the benefits of civilization, you need to properly prepare your equipment for the cold.
Why does the column freeze? The operating instructions indicate the temperature regime at which the device functions normally. The water that remains in the heat exchanger, pipes, batteries runs the risk of freezing when the temperature drops outside. Batteries have been known to explode as frozen moisture expands. The same can happen with water heater parts.
Is your speaker under warranty? Do you think you have nothing to worry about? This is wrong. Carefully study the coupon, freezing is not included in the conditions of free repair. The manufacturer indicated clear operating standards that were violated.
What needs to be done so that the column does not freeze? If it is located in an unheated room and is equipped with a chimney, be sure to install a check valve. It will not allow cold air to enter the appliance through the chimney.
Be sure to drain the water. This applies not only to summer residents, but also to residents of private houses and apartments. When to drain is a must:
- The temperature outside is abnormally low.
- You leave home for at least a week, the device will not work and warm up.
- There are frequent power outages.
- The room is not heated at all.
How to make a drain correctly:
- Shut off the gas valve.
- Turn off the water supply valve at the inlet to the column.
- Open a hot stream on the mixer.
- Unscrew the drain plug.
- Wait until all the water has drained.
- Close the mixer, put the plug back in place.
Check that all moisture is gone from the pipes and parts of the dispenser.
Users recommend avoiding freezing by installing a special sandwich chimney. It consists of two walls with thermal insulation inside. The walls themselves are made of stainless steel. Installation can be carried out both indoors and outdoors.
It has been proven that the higher the chimney, the less likely it is to hit the equipment with low temperatures.
If the “Winter-Summer” mode is provided, use it. It allows you to comfortably use hot water in the winter. The principle of operation of the column is as follows: heating is carried out to a certain temperature: for example, 25 degrees. If the inlet water is 15°C (as in summer), you will get a flow of 40 degrees. But in winter the incoming temperature is much lower. This mode allows you to increase the degree of heating.
Using the “Winter-Summer” function, you can save on electricity consumption in the warm season and stay with hot water in the cold.
By following these recommendations, you can avoid costly replacement parts, water heater assemblies, and in some cases, installing a new model. The service center will not undertake repairs if the failure occurred due to the fault of the user. Therefore, take care of your technique in advance.