Water heater tap design
In essence, it is a water mixer with a high-power electric heating element (heating element) built into it.
The water heater faucet consists of a housing, a heater, a thermostat, a water flow sensor and a protection system. Externally, such an instant water heating faucet is no different from an ordinary mixer, if you do not take into account the electrical cord with which it is connected to the electrical network. Based on the type of control, water heater taps are divided into hydraulic and electronic.
The hydraulic valve has power switching regulators. Switching is done manually. Electronic control type thermostats have automatic control over the required water temperature. At the same time, the temperature of the water in the tap is displayed on the electronic display.
Safety Features
The water heater faucet combines such incompatible things as liquid and electric current. This combination may result in electrical injury. That is why all devices have a maximum degree of protection, which includes the following elements:
- RCD. It is intended to protect a person from electric shock due to mechanical damage to the housing or electrical elements of the device. Another function is protection against voltage surges.
- Overheat protection sensor. If the liquid reaches a temperature of +60ºС, the sensor is triggered and the device turns off. Operation is restored independently after the temperature drops.
- Dry start protection sensor. It happens that the water supply system has either insufficient or excessive pressure to supply water. In this case, the sensor turns off the heating device.
- To protect against water hammer, a special silicone damper is installed.
- All electrical components are protected by waterproof material.
Differences between cranes according to individual characteristics
Water heater taps differ from each other in such parameters as:
- Type of heating element , which can be in the form of an open spiral, or a heating element (closed type). The open-type spiral is placed inside plastic tubes. The current passing through the spiral heats the water passing inside the plastic housing. Heating elements are safer to use, since these elements do not come into contact with water;
- Device control . It can be mechanical (hydraulic) and electronic. The hydraulic control method only responds to strong water pressure. The electronic control method is also possible with low water pressure; the system itself determines the required power to heat the water;
- The principle of operation is pressure and non-pressure. In pressure taps of water heaters, water is constantly under water pressure.
Varieties
Today, the Russian domestic market offers a very large selection of electric water heaters of different types and types with different price ranges, while the build quality and individual parts can vary greatly. The electric instantaneous water heater has long enjoyed well-deserved popularity among users in different regions of the Russian Federation due to its simple operation. They are divided into two main types:
- pressure or closed type;
- non-pressure - open type.
The first option is capable of supplying hot water to several points at once: a washbasin, a shower stall, a kitchen, but for this it is necessary to ensure a fairly high pressure in the home water supply line.
The second option functions normally at any pressure in the main line with a connection directly to the water intake point.
How to use it correctly
The device has a power from 3 to 27 kW. Some consumers complain about the high energy consumption of the faucet water heater. To reduce electricity consumption you need to consider some points:
- Calculate your family's hot water needs. If the family is small, then you can install a less powerful water heater;
- To save money, you can take a shower rather than a bath.
Since the instant heating faucet is a high-power electrical appliance, when installing it it is necessary to carry out separate electrical wiring and grounding.
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Advantages and disadvantages of mixer water heater
A faucet with a water heater has a number of advantages over storage heating devices. The latter do not immediately heat the water, but gradually warm it up, and then spend energy maintaining the desired water temperature. Other benefits include :
- Water comes out of the tap at a constant temperature (it is set once, and you don’t have to worry that either boiling water or cold water will flow from the tap);
- Compactness of the device. Its size is incomparably smaller than other types
water heating devices; - Easy to use. The instant water heating faucet has two operating modes - cold water, hot water and off mode (when the water heater is inactive);
- Water does not lose its properties, as this happens in storage water heaters;
- Tap water heaters are much cheaper than storage electric heaters.
- The crane is safe to use. The water is separated from the electrical element by double insulation. The heater itself is made of ceramic material, which also provides reliable insulation from water;
- The design of the water heater is waterproof, which is important for an electrical element;
- There is a protective shutdown device (thermal fuse), which ensures the safety of using the crane;
- The water heater tap is easy to install.
While noting the advantages of the device, it is worth pointing out some of its disadvantages . When comparing water heater taps with storage heating systems, it should be noted
following:
- Hotter water (60 degrees) is provided only by powerful mixer taps. But, such devices consume a lot of electricity;
- If water needs to be heated in large volumes (for a bath), then the energy consumption will also be large;
- A faucet with a water heater can operate in trouble-free mode with a stable voltage in the electrical network (without fluctuations);
- Such devices cannot be installed in one house, simultaneously at several water collection points.
Thus, after analyzing the pros and cons of water heater taps, we can draw the following conclusion: such devices are more suitable for small needs for hot water, or installed in the summer, when hot water is turned off.
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Characteristics and prices of water heater tap models
Water heater taps do not require complex and constant maintenance. But you won’t be able to get a lot of hot water at once using such a device. Typically, a faucet with a water heater has a capacity of 1.8-4 liters per minute. An increase in water flow exceeding these figures leads to a decrease in water temperature.
An instant water heating faucet, which is used only in the summer (at an inlet water temperature of 15-18 degrees), consumes about 3.5 kW, which is quite acceptable. But, for winter operation, such a device will not cope with heating water to high temperatures, since this will require a device with a power of 5-7 kW.
Models with electronic control maintain a constant, specified water temperature at the outlet of the tap (for example, 40 degrees). In this case, the heating temperature is displayed on the electronic display of the device.
Also, the Russian Aquatherm faucet has quite positive reviews.
The price of a water heater tap is quite affordable.
Thus, the price for the most popular models on the Russian market - Aquatherm taps (with a power of 3 kW) - ranges from 5,169 rubles to 6,600 rubles.
Imported models Edisson System 600 (Edisson, UK) with a power of 6 kW for 2670 rubles.
Medium PRO 8 (Timberk, Sweden) at 7.5 kW for 5040 rubles, with heating temperature controller, etc.
Principle of operation
How does an instantaneous water heater work? A stream of water passes through a relatively small product, heating it to the desired temperature. The heating element is used of a standard type or in the form of a heating coil. In volumetric devices, the first option is always used, and in miniature ones, the second option, because there is simply nowhere to insert the heating element.
As soon as the tap opens, the heating element turns on, the water flow heats up, and when the tap is closed, the power supply to the product is turned off. The principle of operation of an instantaneous water heater is based on the fact that the temperature of the water flow set by the user is gained in a short time, and then only with the help of the heating element is kept constant. Externally, an ordinary electric instantaneous water heater looks like a small plastic container with a connection to the home water supply.
When an instantaneous electric water heater is used as a separate hot water tap, its operating principle becomes even simpler: the water flow is instantly heated by a powerful spiral enclosed in a copper housing.
Reviews for water heater taps
On the Internet you can find out a lot of information about instant water heating taps. New models of both domestic and foreign production are appearing on the Russian market.
The faucet with water heater has already been appreciated by many Russian buyers. They left their positive reviews on the company's website. Many of them encountered such structures for the first time and, having installed them at their dacha, or in a country house, or in a city apartment, during the summer season, were very pleased with the purchase.
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Reviews of Aquatherm taps
Sergey Ivanchenko from Krasnodar, having listened and read about this miracle faucet, decided to purchase it and install it in the kitchen of his apartment. He writes that he did not regret his purchase at all and now wants to buy the same one for his parents.
Andrey from Belgorod writes that Aquatherm is an excellent faucet and is indispensable in the country and at home if there is no centralized supply of hot water. Since Andrey bought the faucet through an online store, he saved on its cost.
Elena, a resident of Krasnodar, purchased an Aquatherm instant water heating faucet and is very happy with this purchase, because she was able to buy not only a high-quality device, but also match it to the kitchen design.
Ksenia from Moscow decided to buy an Aquatherm water heater faucet after looking at good reviews on online shopping sites. The technician who installed the faucet confirmed that the device was of high quality, since water and electricity in it were well isolated from each other.
Delimano heater, reviews
Delimano flow heater is an Italian product. This compact device, with a power of 3 kW, is capable of heating tap water up to 60 degrees. It has a temperature indicator indicator. The colors of the indicator show the temperature of the water leaving the tap. Blue color is cold water, red is hot, white is room temperature water.
Here's what you can read about Delimano on the forums:
- In principle, the heaters are not bad. But to connect them you need a separate cable and circuit breakers;
- The heater is designed for washing dishes in the country. Easy to install and heats water quickly. But, the water temperature depends on the water pressure - less pressure - hotter water and vice versa;
- The Delimano heater was installed at the dacha, now there is always hot water. Minus - the electric meter is off the charts, so they made a separate wiring and a separate machine for the tap;
- The Delimano flow faucet must be grounded;
- Delimano is a high-power device, so when installing it, you need to check the quality of the wiring. Installation of the crane does not require special knowledge, and you can do it yourself.
Many consumers have already purchased water heater taps and are satisfied with them. Flow-through electric taps and water heaters, having many advantages, are becoming increasingly popular, especially at the height of the summer season.
Installation subtleties
The tap-heater of running water is installed on a cold water supply. Certain models can also be connected to hot water supply, then the tap can be used both as a regular mixer and as a heater, depending on the prevailing conditions. Technically it looks like this :
- Grounding and a separate branch of electrical wiring are done. The required cable size is at least ½ inch.
- A connecting coupling is screwed to the pipeline, the coupling is brought to the sink or bathtub, and a heater tap is screwed into it.
