Why is there no water heater at your dacha yet? Are you stopped by the apparent difficulties associated with its installation and connection? If we carefully consider this issue, then everything is quite solvable and, in principle, not difficult. The main thing is to do everything correctly. So the time for change has come to your dacha!
Secure connection
In order to use the water heater safely, and the device itself does not fail, it is important to ground it. But not everyone has grounding in a private house. In old country villages and in distant villages, the electrical wiring was and remains double-stranded, without grounding. But any powerful modern electrical appliance requires such a connection. The problem is solved quite simply. For example, there are kits that are mounted in the ground near the house according to a ready-made scheme.
You can use your own materials — once ordinary metal crowbars were used for this. The main thing is to do everything right. If you doubt your abilities, contact an electrician, it will save your strength and nerves.
So, three-core wiring has appeared in your house. It is to her that the water heater will be connected. For this purpose, a special socket of a new sample is used with a grounding element that comes into contact with the contact on the heater plug.
In addition to grounding, it is important to observe the distance from the water heater to the outlet. It should be at least 50 cm. Height — at least 80 cm from the floor level. It is also important that the outlet is in a place protected from moisture.
Keep an eye on the contact density in the outlet! To assess the safety of the connection, plug the water heater into the outlet and after half an hour check if the outlet or plug is hot. If it gets hot, you need to find out the reason. You may need to replace the outlet.
Attention! Some craftsmen hang grounding on metal structures that are in contact with the ground. With this approach, the water heater will last you much less, since due to stray currents, the metal walls of the equipment will be highly susceptible to corrosion.
If you do not have a ground connection, then before using water from the water heater, you will have to turn off the appliance from the outlet, and then turn it on again.
It is also important that a protective power outage device (RCD) is installed in your dashboard. Many people think that grounding and installing an RCD are excessive precautions. But the grounding protects at high currents, and the RCD is triggered at low.
But if you don’t have such equipment, and you don’t want to redo the wiring, there is an elegant and practical solution — buying a water heater with a built-in RCD. So you can be sure of safety during use.
Water heaters with integrated RCD: Formax, Formax DL, Centurio IQ 2.0, Major LZR 2 from Electrolux.
How to find a place for a water heater
It is often very difficult to find a place in an already formed suburban space. Everything is habitually placed, and I don’t want to violate the established ergonomics. But the manufacturers of water heaters have thought of several solutions for this problem.
Tank volumes
First, you can choose the tank volume that suits you. Yes, of course, the required volumes depend on the number of users, but if space dictates its own rules, you can choose a smaller tank, but the device itself is more powerful. It will heat the water faster, and the family will not have to wait in line for a shower.
The power switching function is very convenient. Since in most cases several people live in the country on weekdays, and the whole family gathers on weekends, if necessary, the tank will warm the water quickly — and when there are few people, work at half capacity. By the way, this function is also useful where the allocated amount of electricity and poor wiring is limited. It will prevent the automatic machines from triggering when the water heater and, for example, the kettle are working at the same time.
Models with power control: Formax, Centurio IQ 2.0, Major LZR 2, Q-bic from Electrolux and Splendore Dry from Zanussi.
Universal connection
Another option is models that can be installed both vertically and horizontally. This way it will be possible to fit a large volume heater under the countertop or above the bathroom door, in small horizontal niches, in plumbing niches behind inspection hatches or even in one of the kitchen cabinets.
Not all water heaters have a universal installation. Tank volumes for those models where it is provided vary from 30 to 100 liters.
Models with universal installation: Centurio IQ 2.0, Major LZR 2, Formax, Formax DL from Electrolux and Splendore Dry from Zanussi.
Pay attention to the models where you can choose the connection location — top or bottom. This will also make it easier to find the installation location. These include super compact heaters of the Q-bic Electrolux series. Their volume is 10-15 liters, but due to a powerful heater, the water preparation time is only 19 minutes. For a country kitchen or shower — a great solution. And it requires very little space.
Form
In the matter of placement, it is of great importance. Water heaters can be cylindrical or rectangular. The former, as a rule, are cheaper — and therefore immediately attract the attention of the buyer. But there is a nuance here — the round body is quite “potbellied” and is not suitable for every room. And, if the situation is not easy with free areas, such a tank is not for your dacha. The problem is not new, which is why there are so many other forms of equipment on the market, for example rectangular.
Their cost is slightly higher. This is explained by the construction. Whatever the tank looks like, the internal storage capacity in it will still be cylindrical. There are two of them inside the rectangular case. This is due to the pressure created by water when heated. Only such a form is able to withstand it without loss. The rest of the space is occupied by a thermal insulation layer to minimize heat loss. These heaters are not so “potbellied” — they can be installed even in small rooms, in niches, between lockers.
And do not hesitate to leave the water heater in plain sight! After all, many models now look like designer gadgets. You can choose a silver—colored water heater with a beautiful display – it’s up to you. The main thing is to make the right choice and carefully consider the requirements for the operation of the device.
How to attach a water heater in a frame house and to a foam concrete wall
Difficulties may arise at the stage of installation of the water heater. When the foundation is reliable, there are no questions. But how to mount a water heater in a frame house or on a drywall wall? After all, it should be designed for loads twice the weight of a filled water heater… Believe me, you are not the only person who has to solve this problem, and manufacturers of fasteners could not ignore it.
There are many ways to securely fix a water heater on almost any wall. Ideally, it is necessary to calculate the location of the water heater at the construction stage in order to provide additional strength to the wall. Usually, plywood or chipboard panels are placed under drywall or sheeting. It is also possible to strengthen the installation site with additional transverse bars or a profile. In order not to miss, after the wall is sheathed, you need to draw a plan for the location of the fortifications or take a photo by attaching a tape measure to the wall. But, if you have to mount the water heater after the walls are sheathed, then other solutions will help.
Option one is to use special dowels for hollow structures. But before fixing the equipment, study the characteristics of the selected fasteners! Specify the maximum load and correlate it with your indicators. This data can be found on the manufacturers’ websites. To be safe, hang the equipment through a sheet of plywood or chipboard.
Dowels for hollow structures. 1. Drill a 13 mm hole and insert the tip of the dowel into it. 2. Insert the retainer into the hole. 3. Cut off the tendrils. 4. Hang the equipment
In order to fix the water heater on a foam or aerated concrete wall, chemical anchors can be used, as well as special anchors for foam concrete.
Use chemical anchors. 1. Drill a conical hole in the foam block. 2 Fill it with the composition. 3. Screw in the hairpin. 4. Before hanging the equipment, wait for the composition to dry completely
The second option is the organization of a retaining shelf. The shelf itself can be attached to the wall with metal corners, and here again it is important to calculate the load. Sometimes the corners themselves act as a support for the boiler. Also, if space allows, you can make a shelf with a support on the floor. In fact, this is a full-fledged stand that needs to be fixed on the wall so that it does not fall forward.
We draw conclusions
Responsible manufacturers of water heaters take into account all the difficulties that the buyer faces on the way to a comfortable life in the country. Thanks to this, you can enjoy hot water no matter what. Just one day approach the issue competently, and for many years you will not have to return to it at all.