Back in the last century, gas water heaters appeared in apartments and became popular. The design of this unit, unlike boilers, is built in such a way that the cold water flowing through it has time to heat up in the column. Currently, there are many models of such devices, and when compared with electric heaters, gas devices are more economical.
Since their inception, geysers have established themselves as one of the most economical ways to heat water.
Requirements for the room and installation location of the geyser
The installation location of the gas heater and water heater is regulated by certain standards that must be adhered to when performing any work.
Basic standards:
- The dimensions of the water heater should not be less than seven cubic meters.
- The height of such an installation should be more than two meters. In accordance with standard standards, this height is quite sufficient.
- In the room where the column is located, glazing is mandatory.
If you plan to install a gas heater in an apartment for the first time, you cannot do without obtaining the appropriate permits from gas services.
Window openings should be large and allow opening at any time. Air stagnation is not allowed where the geyser is installed. Stagnant air currents will pass through the window. It should also be taken into account that a door is usually installed in the kitchen to ventilate and create optimal conditions. If it is not there, then it is necessary to provide for installation work in the design documentation.
A transfer project is drawn up if the device is moved more than 1.5 meters from the previous installation area.
Many people wonder whether it is possible to put the geyser in the closet. This can be done, but many nuances need to be taken into account. A gas testing device must be installed in the room. It will help you identify a leak in time to take appropriate action.
Note! The location of all equipment should be determined in advance. It is better to draw up a floor plan that will be easier to navigate.
The transfer of equipment is allowed by one and a half meters. This is quite enough to completely change the layout of the room. If a larger transfer distance is planned, this will be a complete replacement of the system. You will have to reconnect all the equipment to the main line, which will cause some difficulties. Other documents will also be required to approve the redevelopment, and the time frame for completing repair work will increase.
Turning on the device
The first step is to install the batteries. To do this, open the battery compartment and install them, observing the polarity. Then you need to open the cold water and gas valves. Open the hot liquid tap on the nearest faucet.
At the moment when the liquid flows through the water unit, a spark ignition occurs and, thanks to this, the burner ignites. If it is turned on for the first time or after a long period of inactivity, air may accumulate in the gas line; in order to remove it, you will need to open the mixer several times, hold it for a minute, and then close it.
If the burner ignites, you need to turn the water pressure adjustment lever (located on the right) to the right, this will make it possible to turn on the Vektor JSD 20 device when the liquid pressure in the system has decreased.
Basic installation safety rules
It is required to follow many rules and features when installing a gas water heater and water heater. Otherwise, owners may be fined large sums.
It is important to equip the chimney and ventilation system. The efficiency of moving air flows, as well as the timely removal of smoke from the room, depends on this.
It is strictly forbidden to install the unit above a sink, refrigerator, or gas stove.
The ventilation hole must be of such a size that air can easily pass in the required quantities without clogging the main components of the system. If you forget about this requirement, then over time a large amount of toxic substances can lead to emergency situations, as well as poisoning of all residents in the house. The risk of gaseous waste explosion increases. This is especially true at night, when people are physically unable to detect a gas leak in the house.
Access to the gas water heater should be as free as possible. This will ensure quality service and the ability to inspect the device if necessary.
In order for the gas water heater to function normally, it is necessary to arrange a passage to the chimney. It can be connected to a common main line or mounted independently. During installation, it should be taken into account that the number of bends for normal air flow should not exceed the established norm. Otherwise, difficulties arise with transporting air flows to the outlet. The length of the chimney is established by law. Otherwise, a chimney pipe will be required to ensure normal levels of air circulation.
Do not mount the device too low or high.
The installation location of the gas outlet pipe is located in such a way as to provide optimal outlet for the column. For installation, you should use pipes that are made of substances that are resistant to combustion processes. Increased risk of fire. The best option would be pipes that have a low degree of thermal conductivity.
The pipe is usually connected in a vertical position. The length of this section is at least fifty centimeters for normal operation of the installation. In some cases, it is permitted to use corrugated pipelines. There should not be any sagging or unevenness.
It is advisable that the boiler be at eye level or at least within sight.
If it is not possible to install a chimney, you need to take care of another method of removing gases. For example, you can install a powerful hood that has sufficient draft to remove gas outside. It is necessary to arrange the system in accordance with the design documentation.
Many owners of houses and apartments have a natural question whether it is possible to cover the gas water heater with a cabinet. It can be done. At the same time, it is important to follow certain rules for placing the dispenser so that there are no problems with the gas service.
It is better not to decorate the walls near the speaker with wallpaper and plastic panels. The surface on which installation is to be carried out must be covered with non-flammable materials.
The water heater must not be connected to a load-bearing wall. You also cannot install the column using this method. This can be explained by the fact that in the event of an explosion the entire house could collapse. To clarify this issue, you should contact specialists. They will conduct research of the area, which will help determine the method and location of installation of the structure.
It is also necessary to follow certain rules for placing the system. Treatment of the area in the stopping area must be made from materials that are resistant to combustion. This will help prevent the possibility of a fire. The structure cannot be installed on wooden surfaces. This will require pre-processing.
In the room where the heater operates, you should not overdo it with waterproofing and insulation of windows.
To achieve high safety of the geyser, you should not install it above other gas appliances. It is recommended to keep your distance. It is necessary to carefully check the sealing of each channel and install the pipes in accordance with legal regulations.
What documents are needed when replacing a column?
To replace a flow-through heater with one identical in size and power, you need:
- Gas and water supply diagrams. Issued by the housing office or management company.
- Chimney duct diagram. Also issued by a housing company.
- Inspection report for chimney and ventilation shafts. Issued by the fire department.
- Application to replace the dispenser without changing the location and power of the unit.
- Technical data sheet and safety certificate for the new dispenser.
When changing the location or power of the heating device, it is necessary to order new technical documentation and a project for installing the unit.
To do this you will have to contact a specialized company. After developing the plan, it must be approved by the fire service, gas utilities, water utilities, and city authorities. Only then do they begin to replace the equipment.
To avoid having to do this yourself, you can hire people who will collect a package of documents and then install the water heater.
What to do is strictly prohibited
In accordance with current legislation, it is prohibited to independently install gas appliances without prior approval of the relevant project and work. Otherwise, the person will bear criminal liability.
For residents of small apartments, where the kitchen area does not exceed 6 m², an exception is provided: they can hang the column above the sink.
It is not allowed to install such devices in conditions of high humidity. Also, you should not equip it with plastic and synthetic products nearby.
You cannot do forced traction. The law prohibits the installation of gas connection installations on supporting structures. Water hoses must not be used for connection. There are other types of installations for this purpose.
It is imperative to have a high-quality, unclogged ventilation system with natural air flow.
Selecting a water heater
Which boiler to choose depends on many reasons. First of all, they consider the economic one, and in this regard there is no equal to a gas water heater or water heater. Therefore, if the project provides for such an opportunity, and you want to save a lot of money, choose this type.
Gas water heater Oasis
The only disadvantage of this solution is that you cannot install it yourself, since the instructions require technical conditions for connection, and a certified specialist must install the speaker.
Connecting a geyser
But gas equipment itself costs less than electric equipment, so it will pay for itself faster. If the house is not gasified or you are against the presence of gas equipment in the apartment, buy an electric water heater.
It comes in two types:
- Flow-through - water is heated by passing through the heating element. It should have a good stable pressure. The advantages of such devices include small dimensions and ease of installation with your own hands. The disadvantages are high power consumption (5-27 kW), which sometimes completely cancels out the benefits of disconnecting the city network. In addition, wiring in older homes is often not designed to handle this kind of power and may not be able to handle the load.
Instantaneous water heater Termex
- Accumulative - heats up a large volume of water in the tank at once. Makes it possible to regulate the temperature and maintain it at a given level. Compared to flow-through, it consumes very little electricity (1.5-3 kW), but has impressive dimensions.
Storage water heater Electrolux horizontal type
Another factor influencing the choice of a boiler is its placement in the apartment.
The easiest way is to find a place for a flow-through electric heater. It is usually installed in the kitchen at the water connection point of the kitchen sink. It is also possible to embed it into the pipeline at the entrance to the apartment to provide hot water to all water taps.
Storage and gas boilers cannot be placed in the bathroom. Therefore, the former are most often hung in the toilet, and the latter in the kitchen, at the gas pipe supply point. And from this point they make a connection into the existing hot water pipeline, or lay wiring to all devices that consume hot water.
Gas water heater in the kitchen Instantaneous water heater in the cabinet under the sink Large volume storage boiler in the bathroom
How to hide a gas water heater in the kitchen
There are several different ways to disguise a structure in the kitchen. Certain requirements must be followed and safe materials must be used to complete the task.
Is it possible to cover a gas water heater with a cabinet?
It can be done. At the same time, you need to comply with certain requirements in order to protect yourself and your loved ones. The cabinet must be made of materials that are resistant to combustion. It is also important to maintain the distance between the walls of all devices. A solid cabinet can be used when the water heater has its own combustion chamber.
When looking for solutions on how to effectively disguise a geyser, you need to adapt to the restrictions and requirements specified above.
Painting the walls and kitchen units in color
One of the simplest and most accessible methods. It is enough to choose furniture to match, purchase suitable paint and complete all the work. It doesn't take much time, and the result will please you. To paint the product, you must purchase a special paint that is resistant to external factors.
Inexpensive to implement, stylish and the easiest way to integrate a speaker into the interior is to choose a suitable model or paint an existing unit to match the tone of the walls, furniture, and individual interior elements.
Installing a speaker between cabinets
One of the effective ways. Quite easy to implement. Suitable when it is not possible to integrate the equipment into a furniture set. An open or closed design option is allowed. Additionally, holes can be made to provide better ventilation.
You need to try not to overuse too bright colors, take into account the theme and overall color scheme of the kitchen.
Moving the column to the corridor
If the kitchen is small, you can think about installing it in the hallway. In this case, a number of requirements must be observed. The room must correspond to the established dimensions. You also need to contact the gas service to coordinate the procedure. Sometimes you can move the water heater into the bathroom. In this case, you also need to obtain the appropriate permission.
Moving the speaker to the corridor is the optimal solution for owners of Khrushchev-era apartments and modest-sized premises.
Decorating the unit
One of the simplest and least expensive ways. With the help of various decorative elements you can easily transform the appearance of the water heater and column. You can use stickers, photos, paintings, paintings, and various ornaments as decoration. You can also immediately purchase a decorated model so as not to waste extra time on decorating yourself.
The procedure will not require permission from regulatory authorities and will not be difficult to implement for creative people.
Malfunctions and their elimination
A very common situation occurs when the column does not light up. This usually happens when there is no draft in the ventilation. The cause may be the formation of a large amount of soot or the entry of a foreign object into the air duct.
Most models are equipped with a special protective device , which blocks the flow of gas. Therefore, immediately before starting, it is necessary to check the draft using a lit match or a piece of paper. In devices with automatic ignition, batteries may fail and should be replaced. Also, the heater may not start if there is low pressure in the water supply system. This often happens due to clogged water filters.
There are cases when the gas lights up and immediately goes out. Here it is necessary to adjust the supply of cold and hot water. Due to the formation of scale in the heat exchanger, the pressure of hot water from the column decreases.
In this case, the heat exchanger is removed and cleaned using chemicals. With proper operation and maintenance, the heater can last a very long time, even exceeding the specified service life.
Design options for rooms with a gas water heater
You can decorate a room with a geyser in different styles:
- Loft style. You can easily disguise the device as modern technology from futuristic films.
- Country style. The best solution would be a speaker made in pastel colors. In the Provence style, floral arrangements are welcome.
A geyser can fit perfectly into other types of premises. It is enough to use thematic decorative elements, as well as show a little imagination.
Reasons for heat exchanger failure
The period of operation is determined primarily by how the water in the city water supply is disinfected. In Russia, either pure chlorine or chlorine dioxide is used. When the water flowing through the copper tube heats up, it causes a violent chemical reaction. Copper chloride is inferior to pure metal in strength, and therefore fistulas appear quite quickly. The luckiest people are residents of cities where tap water is ozonated.
But there are still very few such settlements. The high cost of the modern solution does not allow us to count on the rapid spread of ozonation. Moreover, now manufacturers have begun to save in every possible way. And if previously troubles happened quite rarely with thick tubes of heat exchangers, now thin, low-quality copper is used everywhere. The service life of products has significantly decreased.
Tools
To perform the work, prepare the following set of materials and tools:
- the certified unit itself with instructions
- drill
- Adjustable wrench
- open-end wrench - 27/30, 32/36
- FUM tape or tow
- PVC water pipes or hoses, with an internal diameter of 13 mm and a length of no more than 2.5 m
- metal-plastic pipes for gas
- gas hose
- fittings - “American” and for metal-plastic
- mounting clips
- gas taps
- water tap
- pipe cutter
- soldering iron
- filters - magnetic and salt
- Mayevsky crane
- dowels
When venting combustion products through a chimney, purchase:
- corrugated or galvanized pipe with a thickness of 1 mm, the diameter must match the diameter of the boiler inlet on the column (see the exact parameters in the instructions)
- rosette ring for decorating the chimney (the dimensions must match the dimensions of the corrugation).
