Proper selection of a water heater in a private house will ensure the constant availability of hot water not only for household needs, but also for the heating system. In the article, we will consider the principle of operation of an indirect boiler, its advantages and disadvantages.
Water heater device
The most common types of boilers are storage and flow. But they have their limitations:
- Accumulative models consume a large amount of energy to maintain a constant temperature.
- The flow heater quickly heats the water, but cannot provide a constant temperature, and the pressure force depends on the pressure in the water main.
With an indirect device for heating water, it is possible to provide not only all the intake points in the house, but also the heating system. In addition, its operation does not depend on the presence of electricity or gas. All that is needed is to throw firewood into the firebox and get the result.
How is the device arranged? The design is based on a large tank with a boiler for the furnace. Outside, the housing is protected from heat loss with mounting foam, mineral wool or other insulation. Inside are:
- The heat exchanger is a copper or brass tube filled with a substance.
- Thermometer – Measures temperature.
- Magnesium anode – protects elements from corrosion.
The latest indirect models are additionally equipped with a heating element. This allows you to use the device in the summer as an electric boiler. Some products may be powered by solar energy.
There are two types of indirect heating products:
- Pressure or closed. Installed with plumbing. The tank is most often made of stainless steel, copper or has an enamel coating. If you correctly calculate the required capacity, then the device will regularly supply several sampling points. Including transferring heat from the tank to the heating boiler.
- Free-flow or open. Able to provide one point of fence. It is good in the absence of a constant water supply, because it can work without pressure in the system.
How an indirect heater works
There is a hollow spiral in the tank. A coolant circulates inside, which distributes heat throughout the system. Its constant movement provides a circulation pump. As soon as the thermometer indicates that the specified temperature has been reached, the pump switches off automatically. Due to the heat-insulating layer, heat loss during shutdown is only 3-4 degrees per day.
Inlet and outlet pipes are connected to the tank, through which hot water goes to the boiler.
Scheme of work:
What to look for when choosing:
- Power. It must match the parameters of the heating system. Otherwise, the system may not cope with the load or, conversely, the power will not be enough for normal heating.
- Placement. If the heating boiler is placed on the floor, then it is better to choose a floor boiler. In other cases, give preference to the wall.
Experts recommend purchasing a boiler and a boiler of the same brand. Then installation and connection will be easy and smoothly.
- Heat exchanger consumption. The values are indicated in the documents for the technique. Ideally, the indicator should not exceed 40% of the total volume of liquid in the tank.
How to make an indirect heating boiler, read in a separate publication.
Advantages and disadvantages of the system
For what reasons it is worth installing an indirect boiler:
- Provides plenty of hot water.
- Uniform pressure at several points of the fence at once.
- Low cost of heating, no electricity consumption.
- Possibility to additionally turn on gas, electricity if necessary.
Disadvantages:
- Expensive setup. Since, in addition to the boiler, you need to buy and connect the boiler.
- While the water is being heated, the temperature in the rooms will decrease.
- The design takes up a lot of space, you will need to allocate a separate room.
Having understood the principle of operation of the technique, you can adequately assess the profitability of the purchase. When choosing, pay attention to the technical specifications and calculate the appropriate power.