Which gas boiler is better: floor or wall mounted boiler

Selecting the ideal gas boiler for your house can have a big impact on both your comfort level and energy costs. The choice between a wall-mounted and a floor-mounted boiler is one of the most important ones. The advantages and considerations of each type vary, so it’s important to carefully consider your options.

When looking to save space, wall-mounted boilers are a popular choice among homeowners. Usually mounted on the wall, these small units free up valuable floor space in your house. They are renowned for being effective and adaptable, which makes them appropriate for a variety of settings, including smaller homes and apartments. Additionally, compared to their floor-mounted counterparts, wall-mounted boilers are frequently less expensive and easier to install.

However, floor-mounted boilers have certain benefits that homeowners with particular requirements might find appealing. Usually larger in size than wall-mounted models, these boilers are floor-mounted installations. Floor-mounted boilers are perfect for larger homes with higher heating demands because they often have higher heating capacities, even though they may take up more space. In comparison to wall-mounted boilers, they may also require less frequent maintenance and have longer lifespans.

It’s important to weigh your needs for heating, your budget, and the size of your home when choosing between a wall-mounted and floor-mounted boiler. Furthermore, speaking with a skilled heating specialist can offer insightful advice on which course of action is most appropriate for your unique situation. You can make an educated choice that will guarantee the highest level of comfort and efficiency in your house by carefully considering your options and weighing the advantages and disadvantages of each type of boiler.

When it comes to choosing between a floor-mounted and a wall-mounted gas boiler for heating your home, several factors should be considered. Floor-mounted boilers are often larger and more powerful, suitable for larger homes with higher heating demands. They offer easier access for maintenance but require more space for installation. On the other hand, wall-mounted boilers are compact and ideal for smaller homes with limited space. They are easier and cheaper to install but may not provide as much heating power. Ultimately, the best choice depends on your specific needs, the size of your home, and your budget. Both types have their advantages and drawbacks, so it"s essential to weigh them carefully before making a decision.

Differences between floor-standing and wall-mounted gas boilers: compare by selection criteria

efficiency and economy

The average performance coefficient (efficiency) of contemporary floor standing boilers ranges from 88 to 90%, which is higher than that of wall boilers (90 to 94%). Consequently, this suggests a generally higher consumption, meaning wall-mounted gas boilers are typically more fuel-efficient. This is made possible by the different working principles and functionalities of automatics.

Conventionally, floor models are convection-based. The heat exchanger receives heat from the burner, and the combustion products are promptly released through the chimney. Both convection and condensing wall-mounted boilers are available; in the latter case, the return pipe additionally accumulates the heat of condensate produced from heated gases and combustion products. As a result, not all of the heat "flies up the chimney." The extra requirement for boiler condensate drainage is a drawback, though.

Wall convection models with an efficiency of 90–94% are made possible by smart atvomatika, modulating burners, and efficient alloys. Condensing models have an efficiency of 105–109% because they utilize both the heat energy from gas combustion and the heat energy from condensate.

Condensing floor models are also an option, but they start at 150 thousand rubles and 50 kW of power. Manufacturers like BAXI, De Dietrich, and Vaillant carry them. There are enough wall-mounted condensing models up to 50,000 rubles in price, and their cost is only marginally more than that of convection models.

Thus, wall-mounted gas boilers are clearly superior to floor-standing boilers in terms of efficiency and cost-effectiveness.

Reliability and service life

With the exception of the entry-level models, floor standing boilers are thought to be more dependable because they typically have cast iron heat exchangers. It is more robust, essentially impervious to rust, and has a lifespan of over 25 years.

Typically, wall-mounted models have a lighter heat exchanger made of copper or steel. No matter what alloys they are made of, steel heat exchangers are the least expensive but also the most prone to corrosion due to their thin walls, which only measure 3 to 5 mm. As a result, they rarely survive longer than 12 to 14 years.

Despite their superior corrosion resistance and many times higher thermal conductivity, copper heat exchangers are only found in high-end models due to their high cost.

The much larger number of components and intricate compact construction of wall-mounted gas boilers, particularly two-circuit boilers, are said to contribute to their mythical lack of dependability. For the first seven to eight years of operation, the number of calls to the service center for well-known manufacturer models is essentially constant. As a result, the heat exchanger’s resource is the primary determinant of reliability; the majority of floor standing boilers (that use cast iron heat exchangers) have much longer heat exchangers.

If the operating conditions are met, the remaining components—such as the automation, turbine, and circulation pump—rarely malfunction.

Equipment

Wall-mounted boilers for heating—a tiny version of a boiler room. They come from the factory with one or more circulation pumps, a closed-type expansion tank, a pressure gauge, a thermometer, and, in most cases, an air vent and safety valve, despite their smaller size.

Floor standing boilers have a more straightforward design and are rarely fitted with extra components. If necessary, an expansion tank and pump must be installed separately, along with a safety group and other control and measurement equipment.

Energy independence

The majority of wall-mounted models rely on energy, meaning they need to be connected to the power grid. If there is a power outage, they cease operations entirely. The installation of a generator or UPS, which will obviously come at an additional cost, can resolve the interruption issue.

The majority of gas boilers that are floor standing are energy independent. They have an atmospheric burner and basic automation, so no turbine is needed to operate them. There is enough electricity produced by heating the thermocouple to allow for fully independent operation without requiring a connection to the power grid. The manual piezo ignition is the only drawback. Floor standing boilers are a great option in areas where power outages occur frequently.

Automation functionality

Most wall-mounted boilers have more functional automation, which improves economy and comfort of use. More sophisticated models, if they have a modulating burner, have weekly scheduling modes and precise power regulation.

The most common features found on floor standing boilers are gas control and overheating prevention; auto-ignition is used less frequently. In addition to having a frost prevention mode, auto-diagnostics, protection against pump blockage, and protection against overheating or lack of draught, wall-mounted models are safer.

Requirements for heat transfer medium

Floor models are compatible with nearly any coolant, particularly single-circuit models. Including non-freezing liquids, which are incredibly practical for infrequent use in private homes when the owners are only there for the weekend and can turn off the heating system without having to worry about it freezing and depressurizing.

Because of their higher viscosity, fluidity, and different boiling point, low-freezing liquids are prohibited from being used as coolants by many wall-mounted model manufacturers. Wall-mounted boilers with lightweight steel and copper heat exchangers experience much faster failure rates from antifreeze.

Burners and chimney arrangement

Burners can be modulating (from 20 to 100% output), single-stage (on or off), or two-stage (0, 50, or 100% output). Floor standing models typically use single- or two-stage boilers; modulating boilers are installed in more expensive, energy-dependent boilers on rare occasions.

Most of the time, even in less expensive models, modulating burners are installed in wall-mounted gas boilers. In addition to enabling more accurate temperature control, they also enable reduced on/off cycles and more economical gas consumption. Constant fuel combustion at low output is the burner’s ideal state of operation.

Over 90% of floor models feature an open combustion chamber and an atmospheric burner. The air used for gas combustion is drawn from the room and expelled through a vertical chimney via natural draft. The majority of wall-mounted models have a closed combustion chamber, with a coaxial (two-pipe lateral) chimney serving as the air intake and exhaust. Although its structure is much simpler, convection models produce condensate in the chimney during frosts exceeding -15°C, which causes icing and automatically halts the boiler’s operation.

There are three options to resolve the issue: selecting a condensing model, setting up an anti-icing structure, or promptly performing mechanical de-icing.

Dimensions, weight and complexity of installation

As previously stated, wall-mounted boilers have the advantage of being lightweight, compact, and having a more fashionable, contemporary design. It suffices to hang the boiler in the kitchen rather than placing it inside one of the wall cabinets or even designating a separate room for it. Such a solution is especially crucial for small-space apartments.

Since floor-standing boiler units are large and require room for piping around them, it is unlikely that they will be installed in kitchens. For the same reason, installing a floor-standing boiler is more challenging, and only a select few manage it themselves, sparing up to $5,000 on the labor of skilled artisans. rub.

Cost

Hinged models are 20–50%, and occasionally even twice, less expensive than floor models, despite having a more intricate and compact design, better functionality, and increased safety. This can be attributed to the cheaper component costs, increased market share, and fierce competition in the wall-mounted unit market. For illustration, let’s contrast the costs of comparable, well-known floor and wall models:

Comparison on the example of two models

Let’s examine comparable models of various installation types from one of the most popular manufacturers, BAXI:

There is a clear distinction between the models, and one of the greatest, most useful, and efficient models is chosen to serve as a model for floor-standing gas boilers. When comparing floor-standing boilers to other models, the differences in gas consumption are much more noticeable, and there is no safeguard against pump blockage.

There are a number of things to take into account when deciding between a wall-mounted and floor-mounted gas boiler for your home’s heating system. Depending on your unique requirements and the design of your home, each option has pros and cons.

Let’s start by discussing floor-mounted boilers. Usually larger, these units are placed on the ground, usually in basements or utility rooms. A floor-mounted boiler’s increased heating capacity is one of its key advantages, which makes it appropriate for larger homes with high heating needs. Because of their accessibility, these boilers also typically have a longer lifespan and are simpler to service and maintain.

However, wall-mounted boilers are smaller and can be installed in closets or smaller areas like kitchens. They are perfect for people searching for a more covert heating option or for homes with small floor plans. Since wall-mounted boilers typically have less standby heat loss than floor-mounted models, they are also renowned for their energy efficiency.

It’s important to take into account your home’s layout, heating needs, and installation space when choosing between the two options. A floor-mounted boiler might be a better option if you prioritize durability and heating power and live in a larger home. But if you’re short on room or prefer compactness and energy economy, a wall-mounted boiler might be the better option.

In conclusion, the question of which gas boiler is better cannot be answered in a generalized way. The best option for you will depend on your unique needs and preferences. Both wall-mounted and floor-mounted boilers have advantages and disadvantages. To choose the best choice for your house, consider the points covered in this article and speak with a licensed heating installer.

Video on the topic

Wall or floor standing boiler Which one to choose؟

Floor or wall-mounted gas boiler. What to choose?

Floor or wall mounted boiler?