A non-volatile gas boiler is recommended for areas with unstable power supply. Modern equipment connected to the mains often breaks and fails due to power surges. This can be a serious problem in the winter. To ensure that the heat in the house does not depend on the vagaries of the electricity network, consumers choose heating devices that operate without electricity.
What are non-volatile boilers?
Combined non-volatile boilers operating on two types of fuel are only in the floor version. Gas-fired gas heaters are available in two versions:
- Floor standing. This option is more popular than the wall option. Electricity-free boilers are preferred by owners of private homes. The outdoor type of equipment has a simple device and is available in a wide range of capacities. There are heaters that can heat more than 200 m². They are installed in a special room with good supply ventilation.
- Wall mounted. These models are chosen by consumers who can not allocate space for the furnace. Manufacturers recently began to offer non-volatile wall-mounted devices to the market. They are good for their compactness, equipped with coaxial chimneys and in no way inferior in characteristics to their outdoor counterparts. The wall option is usually chosen for a small area.
What features?
Previously, if the gas heater was not connected to the mains, it lost functionality and safety. Today a lot has changed. Modern boilers that are not dependent on electrical networks have an additional apparatus that generates electricity - it works from the heat generated by burning fuel. The resulting energy feeds complex automatic systems that ensure stability and safety.
In non-volatile systems there is no forced circulation of the coolant. The latter circulates under the influence of natural forces, it moves according to physical laws. If there are problems with electricity, circulation pumps should not be used - the stability of the heater depends on the constancy of the pressure of the coolant. Two types of devices working without electricity are produced:
- single-circuit - they are bought to organize heating for a house or apartment;
- double-circuit - for heating, in parallel, they provide the house with hot water.
Manufacturers also offer parapet models. The parapet boiler is a small-capacity device. He has a closed combustion chamber. Suitable for small rooms. It can be with volatile or non-volatile automation.
Principle of operation
The autonomous heater has an igniter and a main burner. The igniter is pre-ignited, then the main burner flares up, which heats the coolant to the temperature set by the user. Having reached the set value, the device stops the fuel supply. As soon as the temperature drops to a critical value, gas begins to flow, which ignites from a burning igniter. In the absence of draft fuel supply automatically stops. In the heater system, independent of the power supply network, there is an expansion tank, which is necessary for the liquid expanding due to heating. Ignition is performed using a piezoelectric element, which is triggered when a button is pressed.
Benefits
- The ability to work without electricity is their main advantage. It is not necessary to make wiring, install an outlet, this saves money.
- Simple construction and safe use.
- Versatility - suitable for heating homes and apartments of different sizes.
- Silent operation - there are no pumps creating noise.
- High efficiency.
- Long-life heat exchangers.
Disadvantages
- It is not possible to achieve full circulation in the system. There can be many reasons, for example, the calculation of the thickness of the pipes. In such a system, it is extremely important to correctly calculate the diameter of the pipes and set them at a particular angle. As a result, uneven heating of the room is possible.
- For correct operation, a chimney with strong draft is required. Lack of traction will cause the equipment to stop, the check valve will be activated. The chimney should create a vacuum in the furnace from 16 to 20 Pa.
- Efficiency at 90%, the average volatile boiler has an efficiency of about 93%.
- The temperature is manually controlled.
How to choose?
It is not so easy to choose a non-volatile boiler of a foreign or Russian production on the market - there are too many brands, models, options. Imported are considered more economical, domestic - more affordable and better adapted to operating conditions. Choosing a model, you need to take into account the pressure in the gas pipeline, at what minimum pressure a particular model is capable of functioning. Next, the power is determined - 1000 W per 10 m².
When choosing a model, it is important to pay attention to the material of the heat exchanger. There are copper, steel, cast iron. It is preferable - cast iron, it is stronger than steel and has a longer service life. Cast iron heat exchangers can last up to 30 years. The walls of cast iron elements are thicker than those of steel counterparts, and they are more resistant to corrosion. Another criterion that you should pay attention to is that a device that does not depend on electricity cannot be with a closed combustion chamber. Turbocharged models do not work without electricity, as they require forced circulation of the coolant, air injection and exhaust gas.
Non-volatile or volatile - which is better?
In volatile models, unlike their non-volatile competitors, there are:
- Circulation pump to ensure the movement of the coolant. This eliminates air congestion and uneven room heating.
- Fan for pumping street air into the chamber of turbocharged boilers.
- More advanced automation, choosing the most economical modes for the device. It is possible to program work taking into account the time of day and days of the week. The boiler is controlled by internal thermostats located in the rooms.
Due to circulation and forced draft, less stringent requirements apply to volatile versions:
- there are no strict requirements for ventilation;
- you can use a closed expansion tank, placement - free;
- no need to observe biases;
- small diameter pipes may be used.
Can a volatile heater work without electricity? No, when the power is turned off, the device does not work, and the house remains without heat. This is the only negative. There is a solution, but it requires additional costs - connecting a generator. It turns out that the volatile models are more advanced and convenient to use, and if there is reliable power supply, then the choice would be clear. Non-volatile analogues are indispensable in situations where uninterrupted and high-quality power supply cannot be provided.
Manufacturer's choice
Having decided on the type of boiler - single or double circuit, wall or floor, it remains to choose a brand. Reliability rating is predictably led by German manufacturers, whose products have only one drawback - too high prices. That is why consumers often pay attention to cheaper Italian brands - Ariston, Baxi and others. But the most popular, according to sales statistics, are domestic devices on the market - Rostovgazoapparat AOGV, Mimaks KSG, Siberia KCHGO, Protherm Volk, Borinskoye AOGV, Termotechnik AOGV and AKGV, Lemax Premium, ROSS AOGV. Also, the products manufactured by Ukrainian plants have established themselves well. Atem Zhytomyr is especially popular in Russia.
Model Overview
Protherm Medved TLO
Floor single-circuit devices with an open firebox. Completely non-volatile. Power range - 18–45 kW. Technical characteristics and design features of Proterm Bear 20 TLO:
- power - 18 kW;
- heating temperature (min / max) - 45–85 ° С;
- dimensions (HxWxD) - 880x420x671 mm
- weight - 92 kg;
- maximum gas flow rate - 1.9 m³ / h;
- Heats the area to 135 m²;
- piezo ignition;
- cast iron heat exchanger with condensation protection;
- single-stage power adjustment;
- modes "Winter" and "Summer";
- transition to liquefied gas is possible;
- automatic microprocessor control;
- Efficiency - 90%.
There is a built-in boiler for heating water. Reliable security system: there is protection against a drop in gas pressure, from overheating of water and from flame extinction. Compact, has a stylish design, will look good in the kitchen. Estimated cost - 55 000 rubles.
Baxi SLIM EF
The double-circuit floor version from the Baksi brand. It features a stylish design - a gray case and a black adjustment panel. The burner is atmospheric. The heater device has a high-sensitivity thermocouple, which quickly stops the gas supply when the flame goes out. They are connected to systems with natural coolant circulation. Their maximum power is 61 kW. Estimated price - 45 000 rubles. For example, BAXI SLIM EF 1.22:
- power - 22 kW;
- maximum temperature - 95 ° C;
- dimensions (HxWxD) - 850x400x595 mm;
- weight - 101 kg;
- maximum fuel consumption - 2.64 m³ / h;
- heating area - 176 m².
Protherm Cheetah 23 MOV
Wall-mounted versions that work without connecting to electrical networks are presented on the market much more modestly. The Cheetah 23 MOV from the Proterm brand has two circuits. With a weight of 31 kg, it is easily fixed to the wall. Draft - natural, smoke removal - through a regular chimney. The approximate cost is 33,000 rubles. Characteristics and design features:
- 23.3 kW;
- maximum gas flow rate - 2.73 m³ / h;
- Efficiency - 90.3%;
- heats the area to 230 m²;
- primary heat exchanger - monothermal;
- steel plate heat exchanger for domestic hot water;
- transition to liquefied gas.
Viadrus g36
Products of the Czech manufacturer. Steel atmospheric burner supplied. In order for the gas valve to function smoothly, there is a built-in thermocouple capable of generating electricity in the right amount. There is also a sensor to prevent the rollover from rolling over. Adapted to local conditions. You can connect a pump to increase the pressure of the coolant, and if there is a risk of interruptions in the power supply, an uninterrupted power supply is connected. You can also connect an indirect heating boiler. The price is about 52,000 rubles. Features Viadrus G36 BM 3:
- 17 kW;
- heating - 45–85 ° С;
- one circuit;
- Efficiency - 92%;
- heating - 128 m²;
- maximum gas consumption - 1.98 m³ / h;
- weight - 100 kg;
- dimensions - 935x485x733 mm.
Mounting Features
Gas heaters that do not consume electricity operate in conventional gravity heating systems, which have a lot of disadvantages. The main ones are insufficient temperature stability in the rooms and high fuel consumption. This is the battery charge. Since there is no forced circulation, such boilers are located at the lowest points of heated buildings so that water flows to the place of heating.
The heating circuit, independent of electricity, has a special wiring. Pipes must be larger in diameter than with circulation pumps. Pipe arrangement - with a bias. It is necessary to strive for the optimal number of branches and turns so that the coolant pressure does not decrease below normal. The presence of an expansion tank is mandatory: its absence can provoke a rupture of the pipes.
Reviews
VIADRUS G36: Boris M., Pyatigorsk
We bought the device in 2013. Impressive view. The heat exchanger is cast iron. It weighs 175 kg. There seemed to be nothing to break here, but breakdowns were not long in coming, the burner SIT 820 Nova broke. There are enough shortcomings - for example, due to sensors, a shutdown may occur suddenly. A pump for water circulation was bought in addition, which helps a lot in winter. There is no normal service.
Protherm “The Bear” 30 TLO: Regina M., Belgorod
Single-circuit heater, reliable and easy to operate. 27 kW of power is more than enough for an area of 190 squares. The cast-iron heat exchanger is almost eternal; the sections can be replaced if necessary. It has been working for 7 years with a connected indirect heating boiler. The thermocouple was changed only after six years - it wore out. No flaws were found, the best option for a private house.
Non-volatile boilers, inferior to their volatile counterparts in almost all respects, are nevertheless indispensable in populated areas or areas with unstable power supply. Both options have their pros and cons, the decision is made by the consumer - taking into account all circumstances and their financial capabilities.