The power consumption of gas boilers is a value consisting of the total electricity consumed by all their nodes. Electricity consumption depends on the processes occurring in the gas equipment system. The peak of costs occurs at the time of ignition - the device can consume twice as many kilowatts than during pump operation.
Volatile heaters are included in the AC network. The voltage in it is 220 V, the frequency is 50 Hz. For stable operation of the equipment, a value of at least 195 V is necessary. If a drop occurs to 160-170 V, the electrical elements may turn off.
What is a volatile boiler
Volatile models, while in working condition, constantly consume electricity. Gas heating equipment, depending on the power grid, distinguishes:
- according to the installation method - floor and wall options;
- by type of draft - with natural and forced ventilation.
These boilers do not just spend electricity, they need it for:
- electronic ignition;
- automation work;
- circulation pump;
- fans.
The main drawback of such modifications is their dependence on power networks. If there are blackouts in an area or village, the consumer needs to choose one of two options:
- install a non-volatile model;
- connect the boiler to an uninterruptible power supply (UPS).
In private houses of the old construction, the wiring is often in poor condition, which is why the voltage in the network is unstable. In this case, the installation of a stabilizer, a device that protects equipment from fluctuations in the electrical network, will help.
The minimum electric power of gas heaters is 65 watts. The higher the performance of the device and the more extensive the functionality of a particular modification, the more kilowatts it consumes. A dual-circuit device, when compared with a single-circuit analog of equal performance, is more costly in terms of energy consumption.
Benefits
- Volatile models with high heat output are relatively inexpensive. For example, we can compare the volatile apparatus for 35 kilowatts of Protherm Panther 35 KTV and the non-volatile analogue of MORA-TOP SA 40 G. The first costs about 1000 cu, the second - 1900 cu
- Comfortable use: almost all processes occur automatically. The boiler does not need to be configured and switched, all parameters are adjusted without user intervention.
Main characteristics and features:
- models of small and medium heat output - 10-30 kW;
- can work at low pressures of water and gas;
- power consumption - from 65 kW;
- expansion capacity - 10 liters or more.
The most popular are volatile models from the brands Ferolli, Baxi, Beretta, Aton.
What is electric power?
This is the speed of transmission, conversion or energy consumption. Payment for electricity is made based on the results of consumed electric power, which is measured in watts (W) and kilowatts (kW).
Every household appliance, from a light bulb to a gas heater, consumes an N-th amount of kilowatts, affecting the amount in receipts for which electricity is paid. Rated power - the value necessary for the stable operation of the device.
To reduce energy costs, you can:
- Install a non-volatile device. These are most often floor versions, which are significantly inferior in functionality and comfort of use to their volatile counterparts.
- Choose a low-power volatile device. But you can not install a device with a minimum power consumption without taking into account the heated area. So, for a cottage with an area of 200 m², a device for 20-24 kW is needed. Each of the models, depending on the brand, design and other nuances, has its own consumed electric power. When choosing the primary thermal power, electrical - secondary.
- Calculate the total cost of electricity - it may make sense to install solar collectors.
How to find out how many kilowatts a gas device consumes per day
To find out how much electricity a gas boiler consumes, you need to make a normal calculation of energy consumption - it is used for any electrical appliance.
To calculate, you need the value of the electric power of the boiler. Its value is indicated in the technical documentation, it is measured in watts (W or W) and kilowatts. Usually indicate the maximum value of kilowatts consumed by the device - it significantly exceeds the average.
Suppose we have a Baxi Eco Four 24 dual-circuit heater, its heat output is 24 kW, and its electric power is 130 watts. To calculate the daily electricity consumption, you need to multiply the power consumption by the number of hours during which the consumption takes place.
If energy is consumed around the clock: 130 W x 24 h = 3120 W * h
This is the maximum consumption of the Baxi Eco Four 24 per day. Dividing the result by 1000, we get 3.12 kWh. To find out how much kW * h the device consumes per month - namely, these units indicate the consumed electric power in payment receipts - you need to multiply the number of kilowatts consumed per day by 30:
3.12 kWh * 30 (days) = 93.6 kWh
This is the maximum value of the consumed electric power. It is clear that to calculate the consumption for the year, you need to multiply the result by the number of months in the year during which the device works.
For single-circuit models, their number is limited by the heating season - about 5. For dual-circuit devices that are switched to an economical summer mode, consumption is calculated taking into account the summer months.
What is electricity used for?
In heating equipment connected to power grids, the lion's share of electricity is consumed:
- Circulation pump. He "eats" electricity more than others and consumes energy up to 200 watts per hour. Like any electric motor, a pump requires faultless voltage parameters. Any inconsistencies with the norms lead to a decrease in power indicators - it starts to work noisily and can generally break.
- Protective automation. It spends a little electricity - about 15-30 watts. He is afraid of power surges - because of them, the controller may break, which will cause the equipment to turn off.
- Burners. They are extremely demanding on current characteristics. They require a three-pole connection, so that the fire is recognized by the ionization electrode and the burner does not stop working. Gas burner devices are characterized by a long starting current of the fan - an increase in starting power occurs. The fan motor reacts sensitively to the parameters of the mains - at the smallest deviations from the correct sinusoid, it works unstably.
Why install UPS
The UPS has two main functions:
- Stabilizes the parameters of the supplied voltage to the standards allowed by the standards.
- Converts the direct current supplied by the battery into alternating current.
An additional function of the UPS is recharging the battery from the mains, it occurs as necessary.
How to choose a UPS
When choosing a UPS, it is necessary to take into account the requirements of the circulation pump, burners and automation for the quality of the supplied voltage. UPS off-line or UPS used in computers are categorically not suitable. First of all, due to the quasi-sinusoidal shape of the curve of the voltage they produce. They also do not fit in capacity - it is not enough to ensure continuous operation of the equipment.
The best uninterruptible power supplies are dual converters (on-line UPS). The principle of their work:
- alternating voltage of the mains is first converted to direct;
- Thanks to the electronic inverter, the constant voltage (received from the mains or from the battery) is again converted to alternating, but with an impeccable sinusoidal shape and stable characteristics.
The double conversion UPS provides the ideal gas supply for the gas heater.
How long will the charge last?
When choosing a UPS, the battery capacity is important, in addition, you need to rely on the experience of operating the boiler in a specific area - for how long can the electricity be turned off. For 8 hours of continuous operation of burners consuming 200 watts, a battery with a capacity of about 100 Ah is needed. For reliability, consumers are often stocked with generators.
UPS location rules:
- Do not place the UPS near a heat source. At a temperature of about 35 ° C, the operating time is reduced by 1.5 times.
- The battery heats up when charging, so you need to ensure its cooling - leave enough distance for air circulation.
What is the danger of a power outage?
When the power is cut off, all electrical appliances that are in the gas heater system lose their functionality. No electricity - the water pump stops, shut-off and control valves do not work, driven by an electric drive. And most importantly, the automation is turned off, which is responsible for managing the equipment and safety.
From the moment the heating is turned off until the house cools down completely, it takes three days or more - the exact period depends on the initial temperature, weather on the street, the degree of insulation of the building. Therefore, the heating system will not have time to freeze even after a few days. What is the danger of blackouts?
Disconnecting power to atmospheric and turbocharged boilers
A key hazard for users of atmospheric boilers when turning off the light is the gas supply independent of electricity. After stopping the power supply, the automation does not work, while the gas enters the combustion chamber. The burning process continues. The circulation pump connected to the mains also does not work, all sensors are turned off.
The coolant in the heat exchanger may heat up to its boiling point and break it. In this case, water from the heat exchanger will flood the burner, the flame will go out, and the gas will continue to flow. The controller is de-energized - it will not be able to signal a reverse ignition. The room will be filled with gas.
When using pressurized (turbocharged) burners, the danger is slightly less. They use a fan, which stops when the power is turned off. If the flow of air stops, the fire goes out quickly, without having time to harm the heat exchanger. Gas from the closed combustion chamber will not enter the room - it will go to the street through the chimney. But such a situation is quite dangerous.
How to avoid danger
To prevent an emergency in the security system, the gas shutoff helps - this is a valve that instantly shuts off the gas supply to the burner. It does not require maintenance, it is important to replace it in case of breakage or wear. During each maintenance procedure, check how quickly the shut-off device works and how tightly the valve cover is pressed.
Turbocharged models are less dangerous than atmospheric ones, which threaten to supply gas to the room in the event of a power outage. In the matter of supplying a gas boiler with electricity, it is very important to ensure a stable voltage. One of the conditions for the safe operation of volatile devices is the installation of an uninterruptible power supply.