How to choose a gas column
Despite the growing cost of natural gas, which is used for domestic purposes, it still remains the most cost-effective energy carrier. Therefore, all devices working on it are so appreciated. These include gas water heaters. This equipment has long served people. When multi-storey buildings were built in the middle of the last century, no one thought about the centralized supply of hot water. Instead, gas heaters were installed in the apartments. Modern owners of such apartments have not yet abandoned such heating devices, and in private houses they are also often placed. If it is decided to replace such a device, then it is important to figure out how to choose a gas column.
The difference between the speakers of the last generation
The principle of operation of modern geysers has remained unchanged. As before, the flame located under a metal or copper serpentine heats it. Through the coil tubes flowing water from the cold pipeline. In the process of flow, it is heated to a predetermined temperature and fed into the hot water supply system.
The main difference of modern devices from their predecessors is to increase the degree of protection, efficiency and compactness.
As a rule, new devices are equipped with:
- Thrust sensor Now, if the chimney is clogged, and the draft will worsen, the gas will no longer be supplied to the burners. The column will attenuate and will not ignite until the thrust is restored.
- Ionization sensor, which blocks the flow of fuel in case of spontaneous attenuation of the wick.
- Thermocouple or combustion sensor, which also blocks the access of gas to the column when the wick is attenuated.
- Overheating sensor. It protects the column from overheating, thereby protecting the coil from rupture and scaling.
- Temperature sensor. Regulates the power of the flame.
- Water flow sensor. Thanks to it, the column is ignited at the moment of turning on the water and stopping its burning after the valve is closed.
- Sensor of low water flow, which does not allow to use the column, if the pressure is below a specified minimum. It also prevents the coil from overheating and prolongs its service life.
- Relief valve. Through it, the excess water pressure "leaves" the column.
Opportunities
In addition to the security system, the ignition method has also changed. Now apply automatic and semi-automatic ignition.
The column, equipped with a gun, lights up as soon as you start using hot water, and it goes dead after it is closed. In this case, the wick does not burn, which saves some amount of gas. The unit is running an automatic ignition from electricity, which is supplied either from the network or with the help of batteries.
The semi-automatic column is ignited using a piezoelectric element (a button on the front panel or at the bottom of the instrument) that gives a spark to the wick. After the wick caught fire, you can light the burner. In this case, after closing the hot water tap, only the burner goes out, and the wick continues to burn.
Columns may have the function of regulating the level of the flame depending on the water pressure to maintain the set temperature. On the front panel of some models there is an electronic display showing the temperature of water heating (as a rule, these are automatic column).
The most economical are models that light up automatically and can adjust the level of the flame depending on the pressure.
More columns differ in the method of removal of carbon monoxide gases: chimney and turbocharged. The first with galvanized or aluminum corrugated pipe connected to the chimney. The second through the hole in the wall for the block exhaust and air suction output to the street products of combustion.
Selection features
The main criterion for selecting a gas column is its performance, i.e. the amount of water that it is able to heat to a certain temperature for a specific period of time (liters per minute).
Three versions of power speakers are available:
- Low-power from 17 to 19 kW. They can serve only one point of dismantling.
- The average power is about 22 to 24 kW. They can supply hot water to both the kitchen and the shower at the same time.
- High power from 28 to 31 kW kilowatts. Provide hot water to several points without a temperature drop.
The next important factor is the manufacturer of the column. The fact is that well-known world manufacturers of such devices make them in several modifications: one is intended for sale in Europe and America, the other is adapted for Ukraine or Russia, the third is intended for sale in the countries of the “third world”. It's all about the standards for quality and pressure of gas, water, existing in each country. Ours are significantly different from European ones. Therefore, the "pure German" simply will not work for us - the technology is clever.
The rest depends on whether for a flat or for a house you purchase a column, on your taste and kitchen design, on the characteristics of the column described above. In this case, it does not matter much in the house or in the apartment there will be a column. Just a turbocharged model in the house is easier to install.
If you are not sure which column is better to choose, you can get advice from the seller or the gas specialist.
Video
This video details how to choose a gas column: