How to choose a combined electric and gas boiler

Selecting an appropriate heating system for your house is essential for both energy efficiency and comfort. An increasingly common option is the hybrid boiler, which combines gas and electricity. These boilers are efficient and versatile, offering the advantages of gas and electric heating. But choosing the best model necessitates giving careful thought to a number of different aspects.

First, determine the size of your home and your heating requirements. Determining the boiler capacity required to heat your space effectively begins with understanding the heating requirements. This assessment takes into account a number of factors, including climate, number of rooms, and insulation levels. The right size for your combined boiler can be determined with the assistance of a qualified heating engineer.

Think about the costs and accessibility of local energy sources. Location affects how much gas and electricity cost, so it’s important to evaluate the long-term expenses of each fuel. Evaluate the dependability of the local gas and electricity supplies as well. Choosing a combined boiler ensures that you have fuel choice and that your heating will continue even if one of your energy sources isn’t available.

Next, compare the various boiler models’ performance and efficiency ratings. Seek out apartments with high energy efficiency ratings, as these can cut your energy costs and their environmental impact considerably. Look for features that improve comfort and efficiency while using less energy, like smart controls, programmable thermostats, and modulating burners.

Think about the combined boiler’s installation and maintenance needs. Select a manufacturer that has a solid reputation for dependability and customer service. Optimal performance and safety are ensured by certified professionals installing the system correctly. Ask about maintenance costs and schedules as well to ensure your boiler runs well for the duration of its life.

Finally, take into account any grants or incentives offered for the installation of energy-efficient heating systems. Incentives are provided by numerous governments and utility companies to promote the adoption of environmentally friendly technologies. Look into the programs that are offered in your area to see if you can save money on initial or recurring energy costs.

What are combined boilers "gas-electricity"

The only difference between an electric-gas boiler and a regular solid fuel boiler is the addition of an integrated block of heaters, known as tubular electric heaters, which heats the coolant in the water jacket in addition to the boiler’s steel or cast iron heat exchanger. Similar to single-fuel boilers, universal boilers are strapped, installed, and connected.

What they are used for and how they are used

Clearly, there are benefits to using a combined design:

• saving space of the boiler room, because the dimensions of the universal boiler are usually equal to the dimensions of the classic solid fuel boiler;
• the possibility of using two types of fuel at any time, for example, electricity, as long as the planned gas mains are not installed near the house;
• in the presence of conditionally free electricity (solar panels, wind farms, etc.).д.).

But as we’ve already stated, buying an electric-gas boiler is not practical or economically justified in the absence of special circumstances.

First of all, gas burners are required for all models of combined electric-gas boilers and must be purchased separately. The average burner costs between 6,000 and 8,000 rubles, which is essentially the same as the price of two separate, affordable boiler units and a fully functional combined boiler.

Second, separate, even budget models are always more functional and efficient than a single multifuel model. This is caused by the furnace chamber’s structure, which was primarily intended for solid fuel, as well as either a very basic automation system or none at all. The only exceptions are foreign multifuel models, which start at 290 000 rubles.

Third, having two single-fuel boilers has the small benefit of having the second one available as a backup in case the first breaks down. Furthermore, the demand indicates that this is a far more popular plan.

The cheapest simple boilers on the market for heating a private residence

Device and principle of operation

The working principle of domestic models is fairly straightforward and well-known: solid fuel is burned in the furnace chamber, and the coolant circulates through the system inside the heat exchanger that is built into the chamber walls. In the event that switching to gas becomes necessary, a gas burner is mounted appropriately (without the need for welding) on the ash pan door or in a specially designated mount.

Nevertheless, the heat exchanger’s large furnace chamber design yields a corresponding efficiency of 75–85% when burning gas and 85% when burning solid fuel. Given that even inexpensive gas boilers today have an efficiency of 88–92%, burning gas produces an average of 10%–15% less heat.

Furthermore, the integrated heating element block depletes the furnace chamber volume by an average of 5 to 15 liters. Depending on the model, it can be turned on manually or automatically (both independently and concurrently with the gas burner’s operation) when the heating medium’s temperature drops below the critical point.

The fact that the heating element block is only intended for prolonged temperature retention or additional heating after turning off the gas burner is a major drawback. As a result, even in pricey foreign models, its capacity is limited to 6 kW.

When it comes to selecting a combined electric and gas boiler for your home, there are several key factors to consider to ensure you make the right choice. First and foremost, assess your household"s heating needs and preferences to determine the appropriate size and capacity of the boiler. Consider the energy efficiency ratings of different models to minimize energy consumption and reduce utility costs over time. Additionally, evaluate the reliability and reputation of various brands and models to ensure long-term durability and ease of maintenance. Take into account installation requirements, such as available space and compatibility with existing heating systems, to streamline the installation process. Finally, factor in your budget constraints and weigh the initial investment against potential long-term savings and benefits. By carefully considering these aspects, you can confidently choose a combined electric and gas boiler that meets your heating requirements efficiently and effectively.

Reviews of universal household electric-gas boilers: advantages and disadvantages

Minimum required power

A straightforward formula determines the minimum power needed for an average house in the Moscow region with two bricks of masonry and a ceiling height of 2.7 meters: 1 kW for every 10 square meters. We also advise setting up a 20–30% power reserve.

For instance, the minimum power needed for the heating equipment in the 100 m 2 typical house mentioned above is 100/10 * 1,3 (30% reserve) = 13 kW. Since there are no boilers with this capacity available on the market, we round up to the next higher value, which is 14 or 15 kW.

It is advised to add an additional 10% to 15% to the result when selecting a two-circuit boiler because the heating circuit is not heated while hot water is being heated.

How to compute the necessary boiler output precisely Formula, correction factors, and individual calculations

The best known manufacturers and models: characteristics and prices

Teplodar Kupper OK 15

Among the greatest and most well-known hybrid gas-electric boilers available for heating individual homes. For a low cost, the model is renowned for its dependability and simplicity. Its successful inclined firebox design and simplicity of cleaning are additional characteristics. The heating element unit has a 6 kW power output. The owners also praise the excellent quality of assembly and the sleek, modern design, as well as the domestic manufacturer.

The model has numerous drawbacks despite its popularity and success, including a small loading opening and the furnace itself (which can only hold wood up to 35 cm), steel, a heat exchanger that is prone to corrosion, comparatively low efficiency, and a high soot formation rate.

Karakan 20 TEGV

Extremely small combined domestic two-circuit boiler. Apart from its dimensions, the furnace’s design is straightforward and dependable, omnivorous (it can run on any kind of fuel), and features a sizable loading aperture. The gas burner, like any other, needs to be purchased separately, but the heating element is already installed at the factory.

The same drawbacks apply: steel heat exchanger, only 75% efficiency, and a maximum operating pressure of 1 bar, which prevents installation in closed heating systems, where operating pressure is typically 1.5–2 bar. After operating for more than five years, there were no service complaints.

STS V25 FG

Expensive, sophisticated, Swedish manufacturer’s two-circuit multifuel heating boiler. Works with almost every fuel type that is available, including electricity, fuel oil, diesel, wood, coal, coke, anthracite, peat, and pellets. It also works with natural and liquefied gas. The body is made of steel, but the furnace is made of cast iron, which is more durable than steel because it doesn’t corrode and has a 30-year service life. Six kW is the TEN power.

A 2×6 kW remote electric box completes the boiler that comes from the factory. The highest combustion temperature, maximum efficiency, least amount of soot, purity of flue gases, and efficiency—more than 90%—can all be attained when employing the accumulator. Additionally, a 115-liter built-in boiler is included for making hot water.

One of the drawbacks is its enormous weight of 385 kg and size (more than 1.5 m).

330,000–500,000 rubles is the price.

Selecting a hybrid gas and electric boiler for your house is a choice that needs to be carefully thought out. To determine which type is best for your particular needs, it is imperative to consider the advantages and disadvantages of each.

Energy efficiency is among the most important things to take into account. Because they produce heat from practically all of the energy they consume, electric boilers are renowned for their high efficiency. However, gas boilers are also effective, especially in places with easy access to natural gas. It is crucial to remember that the price of gas and electricity can differ greatly based on where you live, so make sure to look into local energy costs.

Fuel source availability is another important factor. An electric boiler can be a better option if you prefer not to rely entirely on gas or if you live in a place where gas is not readily available. On the other hand, a hybrid boiler that combines gas and electricity might be the best option if you want the flexibility of using both fuel sources.

It’s crucial to consider longevity and maintenance when choosing a boiler. Because they typically have fewer moving parts, electric boilers are less likely to break and require less maintenance. On the other hand, regular maintenance may be necessary for gas boilers in order to maintain their optimal performance. Furthermore, the lifespan of electric boilers is generally longer than that of gas boilers.

Your unique situation and preferences will ultimately determine whether you choose an electric boiler, a gas boiler, or a combination electric and gas boiler. To make an informed decision that will keep your home warm and cozy for many years to come, take into account variables like energy efficiency, fuel availability, maintenance requirements, and lifespan.

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