Instantaneous water heater electric for shower - summer comfort
The problem of installing an electric instantaneous heater on the shower arises among urban residents in the summer, during the period when utilities are repairing networks. The summer residents also need such a device. If possible, it is more economical to install gas equipment... The flow heater does not require much space, it is ready to dispense the required amount of water at any time.
Installation requirements for an electric shower heater
You can use free-flow devices, they are installed on single-phase lines with a power consumption of 3-8 kW. Usually such electrical instantaneous water heaters on the shower have their own nozzle and work only with it.
But even low-power devices require a separate power line, their own shield and a system of protective blocks for using an electrical device in a damp room.
Before purchasing the device, it is necessary to obtain an opinion from specialists about the possibility of connecting the device in an apartment building. Built more than half a century ago to different standards and old appliances, networks can be weak for installing a shower water heater.
So, before purchasing the device, you must:
- find out the maximum power for which the house network is designed;
- to clarify whether it is possible to conduct a three-phase line, since the presence of a household electric oven is not a guarantee of such an opportunity;
- clarify whether the pressure in the cold water main is stable and its parameters for choosing a pressure or non-pressure device.
It will not be difficult to install a boiler of any capacity in modern multi-storey apartment buildings. The standard provides for the provision of power equipment for the installation of devices with a capacity of up to 36 kW. A water heater for a shower in the country can only be free-flow and connected through a separate line with a capacity of up to 8 kW. But in the country you can use both a storage boiler and solar energy for daily heating of the tank.
Features of flow-through electric boilers
An electric water heater installed on the shower works on the principle of washing the coils of the heating element with jets of water. The thinner the layer of heated water, the faster it will heat up. By adjusting the water flow per shower, you can increase or decrease the temperature of the jet. The convenience and reliability of the heater depends on the power of one or several heating elements, the water supply system and the design of the boiler.
The advantages of flow-through heating systems are:
- obtaining hot water in the required amount within a few seconds after turning on the watercourse;
- compactness of the device and convenient installation;
- short waiting time for the result after receiving the command.
There are significant disadvantages when using an instantaneous water heater for a shower:
- the safety requirement for using an electrical appliance in the bathroom requires professional installation of all units in a waterproof design, the presence of an RCD, grounding, and additional electrical protection blocks;
- installation of a separate line on the device;
- the ability to use the heater at one sampling point;
- to obtain normal flow and pressure in a shower net with a comfortable temperature, a three-phase network is required.
Particular attention should be paid to the wiring of the three-phase power line to the shower. Don't try to do the job yourself. Entrust the equipment, cable selection and protection systems to specialists. No device is immune to breakdown, and water is a current conductor, just like the human body.
Calculation of the required power for a shower
To correctly calculate the required power of the shower device, we will use the formula:
M = P * (Tto-Tn) * 0.073, where:
- M - power kW for water heating;
- Р - water consumption per unit of time;
- (Tto - Tn) - how many degrees the water was heated.
To heat 4 liters of water by 20 degrees, a power of 6 kW is required, but such a heater will suit only in summer, when the water is already warm, and the user is happy with the low pressure. A full shower requires a three-phase installation of at least 13 kW.
However, manufacturers, applying the laws of physics, have developed systems of gravity electric water heaters for shower cabins with a special design unit that increases the outlet pressure not only by increasing the volume of heated water. Special shower heads have a wider nominal bore at the point of connection with the device and a narrow one at the outlet. This increases the pressure in the system and the small holes in the shower screen add a pressure effect. That is why gravity systems work with their own set of nozzles. Pressure devices do not need such tricks; they use standard plumbing equipment.
In the technical parameters of all instantaneous electric water heaters per shower, the water consumption is indicated on the basis of heating up to 350 C, and only Electrolux calculates the flow based on the temperature 290.
The device and the differences between pressure and non-pressure systems
A standard shower water heater set consists of:
- supply tap from the network;
- a device for connecting a shower or a ready-made shower connection included;
- thermostat with a dry heating element shutdown unit;
- heating element and liner;
- body and regulation system.
Until now, free-flow devices were considered the simplest, but with the advent of the new Atmor series, this can be said with caution. A novelty that is in demand among users is the Atmor Enjoy 100 flowing water heater for shower. This is a free-flow device designed for a power of 3500 W; there are also more powerful brands in the series. Temperature heating up to 50 degrees, adjustable. Flow rate 3 l / min at nominal temperature. This means that it can be increased by reducing the heating to a comfortable level, there are 3 regulation steps. Case size 39 * 22 * 9 cm, very small. The case is plastic, ergonomic. The device has a bottom water supply, a 1.5 meter hose to the shower head. It is recommended to use a water heater with inlet water purification filters. The device costs 2670 rubles. Simple installation and energy saving during use make the choice of the Atmor water heater advantageous.
How to choose an electric instantaneous pressure water heater?
First of all, the parameters that have already been mentioned are selected. It is important that the device belongs to a reliable manufacturer, there are many of them. On hearing Atmor, Ariston, Termeks, Electrolux and other well-known brands. Reviews on the Internet will suggest a reliable model.
It is possible to install a pressure device in an apartment building for the summer period by making a tie-in to the hot water line. In this case, the device will rest in winter, which will significantly extend its service life.