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Most of the summer cottages are located far from the city communications. People bring water for drinking and household needs with them in bottles or take it from a well. However, the problems do not end there. Hot water is needed to wash dishes or bathe. To solve the issue of hot water supply, bulk water heaters for summer cottages with a shower, operating from different energy sources, help.
Advantages of bulk water heaters
The ancestor of bulk water heaters can be considered a washstand tank, inside which a heating element was installed. Most often it is a heating element, powered by electricity. Modern models are equipped with a thermostat, mixer, shower head and other useful devices. Despite this modernization, bulk water heaters remained easy to repair and use.
Let's highlight several important advantages of the filling unit:
- Immediately it should be noted the mobility of the device. If there is no storage space at the dacha, and thieves often visit the site, you can buy a small plastic water heater and bring it with you.
- The simplicity of the design allows for self-repair. In rare cases, the heating element burns out in electric models. The element is easy to replace without contacting service centers. In addition, the simplicity of the design guarantees a long product life.
- Multifunctional water heaters for summer cottages allow you to simultaneously receive hot water in the washstand and shower stall. To do this, it is enough to install the container at a height and connect the plastic piping to it.
- The cost of a bulk water heater is low. Thanks to its modern design, the product will even fit into the stylish interior of a country house.
There is a large selection of water heaters on sale, differing in tank volume, water heating rate and other characteristics. Each summer resident has the opportunity to choose the best model for himself.
A variety of models of bulk water heaters and recommendations for their selection
When choosing country water heaters, many immediately pay attention to the volume of the storage tank, and this is correct. However, it is important to immediately pay attention to the type of heating element, and choose a model that operates on affordable and cheap energy.
Depending on the type of energy consumed, water heaters are divided into groups:
- The most widespread, convenient and cheap water heaters are units powered by electricity. The water is heated from the built-in heating element. The unit is completely mobile. It is enough to fix the container on any support, pour water and plug it into a power outlet.
- Gas units are considered economical in terms of operation, but there are many problems in terms of connecting with them. Firstly, gas appliances are installed only permanently. You cannot connect the unit to the gas main on your own; you will have to call a representative of the service company.Secondly, in order to obtain permission to install a gas appliance in the country, the owner will have to draw up a bunch of documents and fulfill a number of requirements.
- The use of solid fuel models is beneficial in a country house located near a forest. Firewood will become a free source of energy. The disadvantage of the device is its bulkiness. A solid fuel bulk water heater is installed permanently with the arrangement of a chimney and ventilation in the room.
- In the last place are bulk water heaters that burn liquid fuels or solar panels. The first models are inconvenient to use and maintain, while the second ones are too expensive. It is better not to consider these options for giving.
When choosing a bulk water heater for a summer cottage, you need to familiarize yourself with its functionality, that is, the possibility. If hot water is needed only for the washbasin to wash your hands or dishes, it is better to buy a simple model consisting of a small container with a tap. When hot water is needed for a shower, preference should be given to a bulk water heater with a capacity of about 50 liters. Many models are equipped with a flexible hose.
Usually in the country there is a need for both models of bulk water heaters. Here it is better to choose the best option for yourself. You can buy two units and install one in the shower and the other in the kitchen. There are universal models that allow you to get hot water in the washbasin and shower, but they are suitable for a small family. In addition, such a water heater will have to be installed somewhere in the middle of two objects and from it to stretch hoses to the water points. If desired, the filling unit can be simply transferred from the shower to the kitchen if necessary.
Loading water heater device
The device of all bulk water heaters is almost the same. In a simple way, it is a container with a filler neck, equipped with a heating element and a water tap. Since the most demanded for suburban use is precisely the electric filling unit, by its example, we will consider the device:
- The tank of a bulk water heater usually consists of an internal and external tank, between which a heater is laid or there is simply air. The inner container can be made of plastic and the outer casing is made of metal.
- Water is poured through the neck located at the top of the tank. Some models are made on the principle of communicating vessels. Water is poured through the neck into a separate compartment, and from there it enters the common tank.
- A very useful thing is a thermostat. The device allows you to automatically maintain the desired water temperature and ensures the safe use of the unit.
- The drain pipe is located above the heating element level. This allows the heating element to remain in the water at all times.
- The drain pipe is connected to the water tap. If the filling unit is intended for a shower, then it is additionally completed with a watering can.
- For the convenience of turning on the bulk water heater, a button with a light indicator is installed on the body.
Bulk water heaters for washbasins on the body are equipped with special mounts. Such models are considered mounted and attached to any stable support.
A filling water heater designed for shower only has a similar design. The only difference can be the design of the tank, consisting of one container. Square-shaped tanks are considered convenient. They are installed on the shower stall instead of the roof.
There are portable self-leveling models designed for showers and washbasins. They are suspended and equipped with a shower head. A hose with a watering can is screwed with a union nut to the water tap. Popular models are 20 liter bulk water heaters with a built-in heating element with a capacity of 1.2 kW.
Most of the expensive multifunctional models are equipped with a pump powered by a built-in battery.It allows you to create water pressure in the shower hose for a comfortable shower.
Basic requirements for bulk water heaters
The fact that a bulk water heater is chosen for the most profitable type of fuel is understandable. However, there are several more important requirements for the unit:
- The capacity of the tank should be enough to provide all family members with hot water in the country. However, it is not advisable to buy a filling unit with a large supply of water. It will take extra energy to heat it up, and this is already a useless expense.
- The rate of water heating depends on the power of the heating element. Usually, the larger the tank capacity, the more powerful the heater is installed.
There are no special requirements for the dimensions of the product. Each summer resident chooses a convenient model for himself. It is desirable that the filling unit is roomy and at the same time compact.
Homemade bulk water heater for country use
If there is a steel or plastic tank in the country, you can make a bulk water heater from it yourself. The photo shows the simplest metal model for a washstand. A cheap water tap is attached to the front wall of the tank. Inside the tank, a drain pipe is fixed to the tap thread using an adapter. Its end is raised above the level of the heating element. At the lowest point, but not close to the bottom of the tank, a heating element with a capacity of 1.5–2 kW is installed. Electricity to the heating element is supplied through a circuit breaker.
A plastic water heater for a shower stall can be made in a similar way, but instead of a conventional water tap, a threaded pipe 150-200 mm long is installed. The drain pipe is passed through the roof of the shower stall, after which a ball valve and a watering can are screwed onto the thread. To prevent the plastic tank from melting, the heating element is attached using metal couplings. They will remove excess heat from the plastic wall of the container.
The video shows a homemade water heater:
Bulk water heaters are convenient for summer cottage use, but if the family has children, it is better to give preference to safe factory-made models.
