Water Heater
How to Choose a Water Heater Correctly and Economically?
When planning and arranging a living space, ensuring a continuous and stable supply of hot water is one of the most important technical tasks. You will probably agree that unexpected temperature changes, insufficient water pressure in the pipes, or equipment malfunctions turn the daily routine into a serious discomfort. Today, the household appliances market presents a multitude of different models, ranging from compact electric systems to powerful gas units.
A correctly selected appliance means not only a comfortable shower but also a significant reduction in utility costs and, most importantly, the complete safety of your family. As a rule, a water heater is a long-term investment, and it should operate smoothly for years. In this detailed guide, we will discuss all the technical nuances that will help you make an informed decision, understand the specific terminology, and choose exactly the model that perfectly fits your living conditions.
How Do They Work and What Types of Water Heaters Are on the Market?
Before moving on to specific characteristics, it is important to understand the principle of operation. On the market, we mainly encounter two technological approaches: instantaneous and storage-type systems.
- Instantaneous models, which are also often called tankless devices, heat water directly at the moment of its consumption. As soon as you open the tap, a powerful heating element in the system thermally processes the flow passing through the pipes in seconds. The capacity of the instantaneous models presented at Kontakt is mainly 11 L or 13 L per minute, which is absolutely sufficient for standard consumption.
- The second category is storage systems, i.e., a boiler that has an integrated tank. The device pre-accumulates a certain volume of water, heats it to your specified temperature, and subsequently maintains the heat on the principle of a thermos. Depending on the energy source, both types of devices are divided into electric and gas-powered options. The final choice between these two directly depends on which energy source is technically provided and more accessible in your building.
How to Calculate the Optimal Tank Volume for Our Family?
If you have decided to purchase an electric boiler, correctly determining the volume is the most important step.
Based on household practice, you should distribute the volumes according to the number of family members as follows:
- From 30 to 50 liters: Such compact tanks (for example, a 50-liter model) are ideal if you live alone, or if you are installing the device only for the kitchen sink and washbasin. It heats up quickly and takes up little space.
- 80-liter tanks: This is the most popular and standard size. An 80-liter boiler fully satisfies the daily needs of a family of 2-3 members without requiring a long time to reheat the water.
- 100 liters and more: If you have a large family (4 or more members) and have to take showers one after another, or if you often fill a bathtub, you should definitely choose a 100-liter or more spacious model.
Which Is More Economical - a Gas or Electric Water Heater?
Optimizing utility costs is important for any family. When we talk about economy, a gas water heater is clearly a more profitable investment in the long run.
First of all, gas is a much cheaper resource than electricity in Georgia. The second and main reason lies in the specifics of its operation: a gas water heater consumes energy only during the minutes when the tap is open. The rest of the time, it is in standby mode. The power of gas models often reaches 20 kW or 22 kW, which heats water instantly.
As for electric models (whose power is mainly 2000 W or less, for example 230 W), they are very efficient and stable, but they constantly consume a small amount of electricity to maintain the temperature of the water in the tank. Of course, when you do not have natural gas in the house, the electric option is the only solution. Caring for energy efficiency is a complex process - if your major household appliances (for example, an inverter refrigerator) and small household appliances are correctly selected, the overall electricity cost is significantly reduced.
What Is the Main Difference Between Dry and Wet Heating Elements?
If you are planning to buy an electric boiler, you will definitely encounter these two terms. The heating element is the part that directly heats the water.
A wet heating element, as the name suggests, is in direct contact with the water to be heated (just like in an electric kettle). Over time, especially in hard water conditions, salts and minerals present in the water deposit on the surface of the heating element. This scale reduces the heating speed, increases electricity consumption, and often requires cleaning the apparatus by a professional.
A dry heating element is a modern and much more refined technology. In this case, the heating element is placed in a special, insulated (metal or ceramic) tube and has no direct contact with water. Thanks to this insulation, scale does not accumulate on the element. Consequently, a dry element lasts much longer, does not lose efficiency, and its maintenance is much more budget-friendly.
How to Observe Safety Standards When Choosing a Gas Water Heater?
Safety is a criterion where compromise is categorically unacceptable. A modern gas heater must be equipped with multi-level protection mechanisms. If you want your family to be fully protected, pay attention to the following features:
- Closed combustion chamber: This is the most important standard today. The device takes the oxygen required for combustion not from the room, but from the outside (through a special coaxial pipe) and also discharges the exhaust directly outside. This completely rules out the burning of oxygen in the room and the risk of poisoning.
- Safety sensors: High-quality models have an integrated CO sensor and a gas leak detector. In case of the slightest malfunction or flame failure, the sensor reacts instantly, and an automatic valve cuts off the gas supply.
- Adaptation to working pressure: Water pressure is often unstable in multi-story buildings. Pay attention to the working pressure indicator (for example, 0.2 MPa - 0.75 MPa or 1 MPa) so that the device can safely turn on even under low pressure conditions.
How to Select a Reliable Brand and Where to Buy Appliances Under the Best Conditions?
For the long-term and stable operation of the device, the manufacturer's reputation is of decisive importance. Only global and reliable brands such as Midea, Electrolux, Innovita, and Karizzma are presented on our platform. Each of them stands out for its innovative approaches and strict quality control.
When updating household appliances, the financial factor is always important. Our goal is to constantly offer our customers the highest quality water heater at the best price.
Also, Kontakt.ge presents economical and highly protected gas water heaters, the so-called gas geyser cheaply, which fully meets modern safety requirements.
And in case you prefer a gradual and reasonable distribution of the cost over paying the full amount at once, the best solution would be to buy a water heater on installment. Kontakt.ge offers an internal, completely interest-free installment plan for up to 18 months. This service is available to any citizen of Georgia from 18 years of age.
We care not only about the quality of the products but also about the speed of delivery. For items worth over 100 GEL, a very fast and free delivery service is available in Tbilisi and Batumi (2-3 working days), while transportation to the regions takes 4-7 days. All models purchased from us come with an official manufacturer's warranty (ranging from 24 to 36 months), which rules out any unforeseen risks.
In case of additional questions, our qualified team is always ready to provide you with professional consultation.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What types of water heaters are there?
According to the principle of operation, water heaters are divided into instantaneous (flow-through) and storage models. Depending on the power source, they are mainly electric or gas-powered.
How do I calculate the optimal water heater capacity for a family?
As a rule, a 30-50 liter tank is sufficient for one person, while for a family of 3-4 members, choosing a boiler with a capacity of 80 to 100 liters is most optimal.
Gas or electric water heater, which is more economical?
A gas water heater is much more economical because natural gas is cheaper than electricity, and the device consumes energy only at the moment of water consumption.
What safety systems should a modern gas water heater have?
A modern gas water heater must have a gas control system, as well as protection against overheating and blocking functions in case of insufficient water pressure.
What is the main difference between dry and wet heating elements in a water heater?
A wet heating element is in direct contact with water, which damages it and requires frequent cleaning. Thanks to the insulation of the dry heating element, it lasts much longer.
Is it possible to purchase with in-house financing?
Yes, you can purchase water heaters with up to 18 months of online in-house financing.