What is the difference between a boiler and a water heater?

A water heater is a device for heating water in the water supply system of an apartment or a private house. According to the principle of operation, all water heaters can be divided into accumulative and instantaneous. The boiler is a storage water heater.

The difference between an instantaneous and storage water heater

1. First, the dimensions of the devices. The instantaneous water heater weighs little and, unlike the accumulative one, takes up almost no space. Boilers come in different volumes – from a modest 10-liter to a large 200-liter.
2. Secondly, the power consumption. There is an indisputable advantage on the side of the boiler. The average power of a household instantaneous water heater is about 8 kW, and the boiler has 2-3.5 kW. It will not be possible to install an instantaneous water heater in a house with old wiring and a small allocated capacity.
3. Another important detail for the choice. Pipes are demanding the force of water pressure in the system, which limits the possibility of their use on the upper floors of multi-story buildings, for example. The pressure of boilers is indifferent.
4. And finally, the differences in installation. Most models of household instantaneous water heaters can be installed independently (of course, this does not apply to gas instantaneous water heaters and water heaters installed in a riser). Boiler installation, as a rule, requires the participation of specialists.

Features of instantaneous water heaters

1. Relatively modest dimensions of the instantaneous sacramento water heaters are due to the principle of its operation. Cold water passes through a narrow tube with a built-in heat exchanger and has a temperature of 45 to 60 degrees at the exit. Heat exchangers can work according to different principles. Also on the market are water heaters of the flow type, which work on gas – so-called “columns”.
2. Ducts differ in the method of installation. Small pressure heaters are installed in the riser and can provide for the needs of the entire apartment, for example. Non-pressure instantaneous water heaters are easy to install and can be used only for one application point. As a rule, these devices are provided with their shower head.
3. It is possible to adjust the temperature regime in the instantaneous water heater without turning on the cold water supply, it is enough to adjust the power and water pressure. More advanced models with electronic control can keep the set temperature at the outlet regardless of the pressure force and the temperature of the incoming water.

Types of boilers and their features

Boilers have several differences by which they can be distinguished from an instantaneous water heater.

1. Storage water heaters have a water tank where the heating takes place.
2. The heater, as a rule, is available directly in the tank with water or under it.
3. The principles of operation of the heat exchanger can be different – a heating element, a coolant with hot water or steam circulating in it, or a gas burner. Some models combine different types of heaters.

To prevent heat loss, the water container has thermal insulation on the outside. Boilers are equipped with temperature sensors and a control panel.

There are two types of storage water heaters:

• pressure (closed);
• pressureless (open).

Closed can be used in systems involving several water intake points. The storage tank in such boilers is made of metal and has protection against damage to the capacity at high pressure inside the tank. Protection is provided by special valves, expansion tanks, pressure reducers, thermometers, and manometers.

Non-pressure storage heaters are designed for only one water collection point. This type of heater requires the mandatory use of a special mixer (usually not included). This mixer stops the access of water to the boiler when the permissible pressure is exceeded. This allows manufacturers to save on storage material, most often these tanks are made of plastic.

The non-pressure boiler, despite the name, does not provide for use when there is no constant supply of cold water. The principle of its device will not allow the heated water to escape if the VAK is not filled at the same time. Hot water does not mix with a cold due to natural convection – the cold water inlet and the heat exchanger are located at the bottom of the tank, and the heated water rises to the top, where the tube for its exit is located.

To make the right choice in favor of one or another water heater, we suggest watching the following video, which will tell you what water heaters there are and what you need to pay attention to when buying.