When designing home heating, many people wonder which boiler to choose - gas or electric? Despite the high cost of the units, they are very popular because their operation requires minimal human intervention.
If we compare gas and electric boilers with solid fuel ones, it can be noted that the latter option is not the most optimal. A solid fuel boiler requires constant supervision.
To maintain a constant temperature in the system, from time to time it is necessary to add firewood or coal to a special compartment. When the question of the possible use of a solid fuel boiler disappears, a new difficulty arises. Home owners are trying to figure out which is better in terms of efficiency and savings - gas or electricity?
To answer this question, it is necessary to compare the units, as well as make technical calculations regarding installation work and commissioning operations.
To perform the calculation, you must answer the following questions:
- How often do power outages occur?
- How much electricity does the boiler need to operate?
- What gas pressure ensures the operation of gas units?
- What features does a particular residential property have (type, footage, level of thermal insulation)?
- How many rooms are planned to be heated?
- What are the requirements for the boiler?
- What type of heating is planned to be organized (only radiators, heated floors, combined, with the availability of hot water for domestic needs, calculating consumption per month for each resident)?
Based on this information, specialists will be able to decide which type of boiler is more profitable to install - gas or electric. Heating design includes drawing up estimates, as well as calculating monthly costs taking into account the selected energy carrier.
Comparing networks
- Electricity
- Gas
ELECTRICITY
Advantages of electric boilers:
- there is no need to constantly be at home while the device is operating
- there is no need to organize additional communications
- Automatic shutdown in case of problems with the electrical network or exceeding the temperature range
Before installation, you should find out what condition the internal/external electrical networks are in. Study the characteristics of the transformer substation located near the house, find out whether it can provide uninterrupted power supply and whether it will be possible to connect cables to it to organize a three-phase 380 Volt line.
Residual current device
An electric boiler needs more powerful generators to heat, for example, a house of 90 square meters. m. The consumption of such a unit is usually 6 kW. This indicates that the generator should have a power of 8 to 12 kW. (it is formed from the sum of the power of the device and some operating electrical appliances).
In houses located in the outback, traffic jams occur when consumption increases to 6-10 kW. Therefore, if you plan to install a 6 kW boiler, it is more advisable to equip it with a three-phase network.
GAS
Safety is the most important condition when operating any equipment. Unlike electric boilers, gas boilers are considered more dangerous. Even a small leak in a pipeline can lead to a serious disaster. That is why gas communications are closely monitored by regulatory authorities.
Before installing the gas unit, you should find out:
- pressure level and quality of gas
- features and cost of connection
- the amount of time that may be needed to coordinate the work (from design to launch)
- how does the insertion take place?
When replacing gas equipment If you need to replace a gas boiler with an analogue, you should be prepared to present the specialists with a certificate for the unit and a heating system plan. Only after this the installation can be carried out.
Note! Electricity is safer than gas, and therefore the procedure for organizing heating will require the preparation of fewer documents, which will increase the speed of installation. As a rule, many residential property owners are dissatisfied with voltage stability.
It happens that the tension disappears and may not appear for a long time. This feature puts the gas boiler in first place, because such units are not so externally dependent. Therefore, to ensure uninterrupted operation of the heating system, it is additionally recommended to install a generator and batteries.
What are gas-electricity combined boilers?
An electric gas boiler is always a floor-standing design with a steel or cast iron heat exchanger, without the use of a removable gas burner - it is a standard solid fuel boiler, differing only in the presence of a built-in block of heating elements (tubular electric heaters), which additionally heat the coolant in the water jacket. Piping, installation and connection of universal boilers is carried out similarly to single-fuel boilers.
Why are they needed and how are they used?
Undoubtedly, there are advantages of using a combined design:
- saving space in the boiler room, since the dimensions of a universal boiler are usually equal to the dimensions of a classic solid fuel boiler;
- the ability to use two types of fuel at any time, for example, electricity, until the planned gas main is installed near the house;
- in the presence of conditionally free electricity (solar panels, wind farms, etc.).
However, as we have already said, without special conditions, the purchase of an electric gas boiler is not justified either economically or practically.
Firstly , in absolutely all models of combined electric gas boilers, the gas burner must be purchased separately; the cost of an average burner is about 6-12 thousand rubles, which practically compares the cost of a full-fledged combination boiler with the cost of two separate budget boiler units.
Secondly , the efficiency and functionality of individual, even budget models, is always higher than one multi-fuel one. This is due to the structure of the combustion chamber, designed primarily for solid fuel, as well as fairly simple automation or its complete absence. The only exceptions are multi-fuel foreign models, but their cost starts from 290,000 rubles.
Thirdly , a small bonus of two single-fuel boilers is that if one breaks down, the second can be used as a backup. Moreover, even judging by the demand, this is a much more common scheme.
The most economical of the budget simple boilers for heating a private home
Design and principle of operation
The operating principle of domestic models is quite simple and well-known: solid fuel is burned in the combustion chamber, the walls of the chamber are a heat exchanger, inside which the coolant circulates through the system. If you need to switch to gas, a gas burner with the appropriate fastening (without welding) is installed on the ash pan door or a specially designated mount.
However, the design of the heat exchanger, designed for a large volume of the combustion chamber, when burning gas, produces the appropriate efficiency - within 75-85%, as when burning solid fuel. This means that when burning gas, an average of 10-15% less heat is accumulated, since even modern budget gas boilers have an efficiency of 88-92%.
Also, on average, 5-15 liters of combustion chamber volume is taken by the built-in heating element unit. Depending on the model, it turns on automatically when the coolant temperature drops below a critical level, or manually (either autonomously or simultaneously with the operation of the gas burner).
A significant drawback is that the heating element block is designed only for additional heating or longer temperature maintenance after turning off the gas burner. Therefore, its power, even in expensive foreign models, does not exceed 6 kW.
Foreign expensive multi-fuel boiler. From the instructions for the CTC 2200 TRIO.
Boiler equipment
Heating systems built on different types of boilers practically do not differ in structure and element-by-element components. Identical pipes and radiators, as well as filters, air and exhaust vents are used to transport and distribute heat. However, each of the boilers, be it gas or electric, requires certain installation work, maintenance, etc. to be carried out.
- Electric boiler
- A gas boiler
ELECTRIC BOILER
The electric unit includes a water heating element, a temperature control toggle switch and automation. During installation, a grounding loop is connected to it and equipped with a protective shutdown.
The heating system, powered by electricity, is quite simple and effective. But in order to heat an area of 200 sq. m., a consumption of 20 kW will be required. Therefore, the electricity bill will undoubtedly force the owners to evaluate the pros and cons of the system.
Electric boiler design
To save energy, experts recommend using a unit with a two-tariff or multi-tariff meter, as well as a storage tank. The device will not function around the clock, but only at night. This period will be used for intensive heating of water in the thermos tank.
In this way, it will be possible to maintain a comfortable temperature around the clock, while saving significantly. However, during severe frosts such use becomes impossible.
Organizing a heating system, which involves the use of a boiler with a storage tank, will require significant initial investments, since it will be necessary to purchase a tank and lay out complex wiring. Naturally, the result will be savings on payments, and as a result, quick payback.
A GAS BOILER
Installing a boiler running on natural gas is associated with stringent requirements not only for installation, but also for operation. If the power of the unit is 30 kW, the area of the room in which it is installed should not exceed 7.5 cubic meters.
In turn, for a boiler of higher power, it is necessary to equip a separate room for the firebox - from 13 cubic meters.
The gas heating system is built on the principle of combustion, and therefore requires the presence of chimneys, which leads to an increase in heat loss.
Gas boiler design
Gas-fired boilers are divided into:
- conventional with efficiency 90%
- condensing with efficiency 110%
Modern gas boilers are equipped with more sophisticated automation than electric ones. But, we should not forget - in order to extend the service life of the device, it is necessary to regularly invite specialists from service centers for inspection and preventive maintenance.
Should be considered
Gas has a detrimental effect on rubber bands, causing them to quickly dry out and become hard. As a result, these elements cease to fulfill their main purpose - preventing leakage. In addition, the copper heat exchangers located in the gas boiler need to be washed approximately once every 2 years.
This is a common problem for owners whose houses are located far from regional centers. The point here is the water extracted from wells. It contains a large amount of salts. Over time, they settle on the walls of the tubes, which leads to lower and inefficient heating of the tubes in the burner.
Which unit is more profitable?
When talking about the benefits of installing and using the unit, it is worth considering both the financial and operational components of the issue. First of all, you need to understand what is more economical: a gas or electric boiler. The solution to this issue is based on three sub-points:
- Fuel cost. Gas is constantly becoming more expensive. But, despite this, it still remains cheaper than electricity (tariffs for which are also growing all the time). If we take this factor into account, heating using gas will be more economical than electric. But if gas is not supplied to your site, all the advantages of this option will become useless. In this case, you will have to design electric heating. It is worth taking into account new achievements of electrical equipment manufacturers. After all, some brands began to produce models of electric boilers equipped with a storage tank with maximum thermal insulation. This container serves as a thermos for coolant. Using a boiler with a storage tank together with a multi-tariff meter, you can receive electricity at reduced rates.
- Cost of equipment. To understand which is more profitable: a gas or electric heating boiler, you need to take into account the prices for these devices in stores. If we compare products from domestic manufacturers, electric boilers are much cheaper than gas units with similar performance. The price difference can reach 40%. Such prices are relevant only for Russian brands. If you compare a domestic electric boiler with a foreign gas boiler, you will see that the cost of the second one will be almost 300% higher.
- Prices for installation and maintenance. When choosing a gas-fired boiler, you will have to register the device and prepare design documentation. These procedures are not provided free of charge. Their cost reaches tens of thousands in rubles. Prices vary in different regions of the Russian Federation. In addition, it is worth taking into account the costs of connecting the device and connecting the pipeline to it, if initially the pipeline did not go directly to the house. These works will greatly affect the efficiency of gas equipment. If we compare the electric model with the gas one, then the installation services for the first one will be less expensive. You will only have to allocate a separate line to connect the unit. You do not need permission to install it.
Which boiler is more convenient and simpler?
In addition to the economic component of the issue, it is necessary to pay attention to the operational features of electric and gas boilers. They will help you understand which boiler is better to choose: gas or electric.
First of all, it is worth talking about security issues. When choosing gas equipment, you will have to take care of its uninterrupted operation. This is necessary both for personal safety and to comply with legal requirements. You will need to install high-quality automation responsible for control and shut-off valves. This automation will need to be configured correctly, because a small error can lead to malfunctions even of equipment from a brand such as VAILLANT. Therefore, only a specialist with appropriate training should perform the setup.
There are no such problems with electric boilers. Their safety can be ensured with the help of high-quality wiring, grounding, and an RCD with the required characteristics. In this case, the operation of the boiler itself will be regulated by several sensors. From this we can conclude that installing an electric model is easier than a gas model.
Don't forget about further maintenance. Electrical appliances are safe and durable. You will not need to periodically call a specialist for preventive examinations. This cannot be said about gas models, the operation of which must be constantly monitored by specialists. In gas, you need to regularly check the automation and prevent it from breaking down. Otherwise, you risk not only a breakdown of the heating system, but also more serious complications.
In addition to electronics, gas appliances have a complex mechanical structure. Their parts also need maintenance and repair. You will need to regularly clean the boiler to remove carbon deposits and soot. This work should also be done by a master. When using electric models, you do not have to solve such problems.
Based on the information reviewed, we can conclude that electric boilers are easier to use and cheaper to purchase and install than gas boilers. But they require a more expensive resource - electricity. That is, electric and gas appliances lead to the same costs during their use. Therefore, when comparing a gas and electric boiler, it is better to focus on individual technical calculations.
Which is more profitable?
The efficiency of boiler houses depends on the quality of the equipment installed in it. As a rule, homeowners do not want to take part in the maintenance of the heating system. The decisive indicator for choosing an electric or gas boiler is efficiency.
If we talk about the price of modern models running on electricity or gas, the cost of the devices is almost at the same level. The service itself is important here. Gas units will be constantly under the control of specialists, which cannot be said about electrical appliances, because no one will check their serviceability. They are the safest.
As for the monthly costs of electricity or gas, they will depend on the region where the house is located, as well as on the amount of fuel consumed.
The best known manufacturers and models: characteristics and prices
Teplodar Kupper OK 15
One of the best and most famous combined gas-electric boilers for heating a private home. The model is known for its simplicity and reliability at a low price. It is also distinguished by its successful inclined design of the firebox and its ease of cleaning. The power of the heating element block is 6 kW. The owners also note the stylish modern design and excellent build quality for a domestic manufacturer.
Despite the fact that the model is quite successful and in demand, there are also many disadvantages: a small loading hole and the firebox itself (wood up to 35 cm), a steel heat exchanger that is susceptible to corrosion, relatively low efficiency, and high soot formation.
Cost: 19,900-21,200 rubles.
Karakan 20 TEGV
Very compact domestic double-circuit combi boiler. In addition to its dimensions, it is distinguished by a simple and reliable design, omnivorous (you can use any fuel of any quality), and at the same time it has a large loading hole and the firebox itself. The heating element is pre-installed by the factory, but the gas burner, as in any other case, must be purchased separately.
The disadvantages are the same - a steel heat exchanger, efficiency is only 75%, and the maximum permissible operating pressure is 1 bar, which means it cannot be installed in a closed-type heating system, where the operating pressure is usually 1.5-2 bar. There have been no service complaints over more than 5 years of operation.
Cost: 22,500-25,000 rubles.
STS V25 FG
An expensive, high-tech, double-circuit multi-fuel heating boiler from a Swedish manufacturer. Works on almost all available types of fuel: natural and liquefied gas, electricity, diesel, fuel oil, firewood, coal, coke, anthracite, peat, pellets. The body itself is steel, but the firebox is cast iron: heavy and fragile, but extremely durable due to its resistance to corrosion (service life of 30 years). The power of the heating element is 6 kW.
The boiler is supplied from the factory with a remote electrical box with a power of 2×6 kW. When using a battery, you can achieve the highest combustion temperature, maximum efficiency, minimum amount of soot, flue gas purity and efficiency of more than 90%. There is also a built-in boiler for preparing hot water with a volume of 115 liters.
The disadvantages are the huge weight of 385 kg and dimensions (height more than 1.5 m).
Cost: 330,000-500,000 rubles.
