Electric heating boilers: classification, selection recommendations and review of manufacturers

Installing a heating boiler is an important stage in home improvement.If the equipment is selected correctly, then regardless of weather conditions, a comfortable temperature regime will be maintained in the rooms.

Electric heating boilers are often installed in private homes. The devices are safe, easy to use, and their performance depends on the choice of model.

In this material, we will understand the operating features of these devices, outline the criteria for choosing heating equipment, and announce the TOP 12 best manufacturers according to users.

Features of the electric boiler

The main design elements of an electric heating boiler are a tank and a heating element. The devices are equipped with monitoring and automatic control systems.

Also, various models may include expansion tanks and circulation pumps.

When purchasing a boiler, you should pay attention to the type of electric heating element. Over time, lime particles settle on the heating elements, which affects the power of the device

Electric boilers have several advantages:

1. Fire safety. Thanks to automatic control systems and the absence of open flames, the devices are safe. They do not emit toxic substances or combustion products and are not capable of exploding.
2. Ease of installation. Electrical equipment requires no flue or ventilation, making installation easy.
3. High efficiency. Regardless of the type of heating device, all electric boilers are highly efficient.
4. Compactness. Electrical appliances, especially wall-mounted ones, take up little space.
5. Nice design. Most modern models are stylistically versatile and look good in the interior.

Electric boilers are almost ideal - easy to use and safe. Their only serious drawback is the high cost of electricity. One more nuance: for residents of regions where there are frequent interruptions in the power grid, it is better to choose boilers that operate from other energy sources, or take care of purchasing additional heating devices.

Criteria for classification of heating devices

The variety of electric boilers has a huge advantage: you can find a model that is ideal for specific operating conditions. At the same time, in order not to make a mistake, the buyer has to understand the nuances.

Electric heating equipment is classified according to several criteria, the main of which are:

• type of coolant heating: heating elements, electrode, induction;
• method of arrangement: mounted (wall-mounted), floor-mounted;
• design: one-, double-circuit.

Electric heating boilers may differ in other parameters. For example, some manufacturers produce not only single-phase models (220 V), but also three-phase (380 V).

There are also combi boilers, in which, in addition to electricity, other energy sources (wood or gas) can be used.

Heating element and electrode boilers are time-tested, reliable and will suit those home owners who are trying to find a model of decent quality at an affordable price.

Since the electrodes are sensitive to the composition of the coolant, it is necessary to monitor the quality of water in the heating system. If a new boiler is connected to an old system, it is thoroughly washed, removing all contaminants and impurities

Induction appliances are more suitable for people who value highly efficient technology and cutting-edge design. Their advantage is freedom of choice coolant: boilers can be connected to heating systems with non-freezing liquid.

Heating element boilers are easy to install and usually have power control systems, but due to the formation of scale on the heating elements, their heat output gradually decreases and electricity consumption increases

When choosing between wall-mounted and floor-standing boilers, you should decide on the space in which you can place the device.

Practice shows that floor-standing electric boilers are more reliable than wall-mounted ones. They break less often and last longer. If it is possible to allocate space for a floor-standing model, then this will be the optimal solution.

If you need a powerful boiler and the room is spacious, you should give preference to a floor-standing model, and for houses up to 100 sq.m. you can choose wall-mounted.

The operating principles of induction and heating elements devices differ significantly, although this has a slight effect on efficiency. The main difference is in the amount of initial investment, but over time the costs of servicing boilers level out, because due to the absence of heating elements, induction models require repairs less often

Any type of hot water electric boiler has advantages and limitations in use, so devices should be selected based on your own needs, priorities and operating characteristics of heating equipment.

The nuances of choosing the right model

Electricity is an expensive energy resource. If the boiler is selected incorrectly, you will have to pay huge electricity bills.

Therefore, it makes sense to pay attention to some nuances:

• Functions device. It is necessary to decide what functions the boiler should perform - only heat the house or additionally supply it with hot water.
• Technical indicators boiler Be sure to take into account not only the heated area, but also the degree of its thermal insulation.
• Price. In many ways, the cost of heating devices depends on power, but that’s not all. Additional features can lead to a significant increase in the price of the model. Therefore, you need to clearly understand whether your budget allows you to overpay for convenience.

Even before you start looking for a boiler, you should find out how powerful it should be.

You can calculate the power based on average indicators: 1 kW of electricity is enough to heat a room of 10 square meters. with ceiling heights up to 3 m.It turns out that to heat a small house with an area of ​​60 m2, a device with a power of 6 kW or more is suitable.

When purchasing an electric boiler, energy consumption is of fundamental importance. It’s better to overpay for a more expensive model, but save on its operation

It is advisable to take into account the degree of thermal insulation and buy a boiler with a small power reserve (20%). If the house is poorly insulated, it is better to choose gas or solid fuel model, since heating with electricity will be too expensive.

What will help you save on heating?

There are several devices that help reduce energy consumption and reduce the cost of heating a home:

• Thermostats. Heating boilers equipped with thermostats do not overheat the rooms, but at the same time maintain the set temperature.
• Programmers. “Smart” boilers regulate the room temperature according to a specific schedule. Although the boiler itself is constantly running, the heating element consumes electricity only 34% of the time. Read more about installing a heating system in a smart home Here.
• Multi-stage power regulators. Thanks to automatic regulators, energy resources can be used extremely rationally.
• Microprocessors. The devices smoothly regulate the power of boilers, and some devices can even be controlled remotely - from smartphones or other gadgets. Such models are expensive, but worth the money spent.

The energy consumption of an electric boiler is significantly affected by the presence or absence of a circulation pump.

If it is not included in the model, it is advisable to purchase it separately and connect it to the heating system.

If there is a possibility that the house will be left for some time during the cold season, it is better to choose a model with a coolant freeze protection system

When purchasing a boiler for a country house or cottage, you should pay attention to antifreeze protection systems for the coolant.

The best brands to pay attention to

There are many different ratings based on real consumer reviews, as well as the frequency of calls to service centers.

The main advantage of Tenko heating equipment is its reasonable price. The design of electric boilers is extremely simple, which makes them very reliable

According to the results of surveys in 2017, the following brands were recognized as the best:

1. Buderus;
2. Vaillant;
3. "Evan";
4. Kospel;
5. Protherm;
6. Ferroli;
7. ZOTA;
8. "RusNIT";
9. Wattek;
10. "Sangai";
11. "Savitr";
12. "Tenko."

This rating presents manufacturers who adhere to different pricing policies, but all equipment is of good quality and has earned the trust of users.

Among the budget models, the best boilers are considered to be “RusNIT” and “Evan”. Owners of large houses should pay attention to the brands ZOTA, Protherm, and Evan. Good medium-power equipment is produced by Vaillant, Kospel, Protherm, Buderus, and Savitr.

And for small spaces, appliances from the brands “Sangai” and “Tenko” are perfect.

Economical electric boilers of the Sangay brand are excellent for heating apartments and small houses (up to 100 sq. m.). The design of the models is thought out so that it is convenient to connect pumping equipment

The list of manufacturers of reliable heating equipment is not limited to the companies leading the ratings. There are also other worthy brands.

Each buyer can find a model of electric water heating boiler that is suitable in terms of price, quality, and technical parameters.

Conclusions and useful video on the topic

We offer video materials that will help you calculate the required power of an electric boiler, choose the right model and install the heating system yourself.

Features of heating a house with electricity:

Calculation of boiler power taking into account Russian climatic zones:

Useful recommendations for choosing an electric boiler:

Tips for choosing single- and double-circuit models:

Video instructions for self-installation of an electric boiler:

It is better to entrust the installation of a heating boiler to a qualified electrician, but if desired, you can install the equipment on one's own. It's not difficult if you follow the instructions and follow safety precautions. With proper operation, the boiler can last for decades.

The main thing is to carry out preventive inspections in a timely manner and eliminate minor problems before they become a problem.

If you have experience using electric heating boilers, please tell visitors to our website which model you preferred. Are you satisfied with the performance of the device? There may be some peculiarities in its use. Please leave your comments, share your experience, and ask questions in the block below the article.