Turbocharged geysers: how they work without a chimney

A turbocharged gas water heater helps out consumers whose homes are not equipped with a chimney. This water heater, burning gas, removes combustion products through a coaxial pipe. The combustion chamber in them is completely isolated - the air from the room is not used for combustion, the fan forcibly pumps it in from the street. Before the advent of chimneyless water heaters, many simply abandoned gas heaters in favor of electric boilers. Let's look at their features, the best models, and user reviews.

Advantages and disadvantages of turbocharged speakers

Pros:

1. Installation does not require a traditional chimney.
2. Forced air injection increases the efficiency of the device.
3. The operation of the column does not increase the temperature in the kitchen (or other room where it is installed), which is especially pleasant in the summer.
4. The combustion air comes from the outside - there is no problem of absorbing internal air.
5. The closed body of the device reduces the risk of combustion products entering the living space.

Minuses:

1. Any chimneyless water heater is connected to the mains. Her energy dependence creates problems when the lights go out - she simply cannot function.
2. The turbine pumping air creates noise.
3. Prices for water heaters with a closed combustion chamber are higher than for traditional modifications. The average model costs about 15,000 - 17,000 rubles. There are also more expensive versions.
4. The installation of a water heater without a chimney must be agreed upon with the organization supplying natural gas. The owner of such equipment is also obliged to obtain consent from neighbors above. Problems may arise with the architectural control service if it is necessary to install a pipe on the facade of the building.
5. Condensation constantly forms in the pipe connecting the device to the street; in winter, this can lead to freezing.

Safety system

Since smokeless dispensers burn a large amount of gas during operation, the question arises about the safety of their operation.
If installed and configured correctly, the geyser is equipped with a number of fuses and protection systems. If the coolant overheats, the relay is activated and the column automatically stops functioning.

If the geyser is installed incorrectly or used with a chimneyless system, certain risks may arise.

When the device operates, a large amount of carbon monoxide is released, which, in a certain direction of wind movement, can penetrate into neighbors' apartments. Therefore, when installing water heating equipment in a high-rise building, it is mandatory to obtain advice from a gas service specialist.

How do they work

The principle of operation of chimneyless water heaters is the same as that of conventional exhaust devices. They differ only in their more advanced design and level of automation.

Work algorithm:

1. The normal state is standby mode. The device is waiting for a signal to start. Ignition begins at the command of the control system.
2. When the tap is opened, the flow sensor is triggered. The gas valve opens thanks to the membrane of the water unit. Gas begins to flow through the open path to the burner device.
3. Near the burner there are electrodes, which, responding to the controller’s command, produce a spark discharge - the gas is ignited. The flame is detected by a corresponding sensor - it sends information to the control unit, which stops the sparking process. At the same time, the turbine is started, pumping air.
4. The fire, regulated by the controller, heats the water to a temperature set by the user - this process is also monitored by a special sensor. When the liquid is heated to the desired degree, the burner power is reduced (modulation) or several stages of the burner are switched off.
5. When the hot water tap is closed, the gas stops flowing, the fire goes out - the cycle is complete.

WERT 10LT white

WERT 10LT white
An ultra-budget option for the home, it costs only 8 thousand rubles, which is cheaper than many speakers with an open chamber.

Characteristics

Rating - 3. Chinese assembly in the worst sense of the word. The turbine is noisy, breaks down, and periodically produces the wrong water temperature. But it's cheap.

Device

The design of devices with forced exhaust follows the design of an instantaneous water heater. Water is heated using the energy of burned gas - natural or liquefied. The liquid is supplied from a water pipe: cold water, heated by a gas burner, enters the water intake point. When the tap is opened, the burner lights up and already heated liquid flows from it. The device has a sealed, closed combustion chamber. A coaxial pipe extends from the chamber and communicates with the street.

The coaxial pipe design has two channels: external and internal. The first serves to supply air to the combustion chamber, the second to remove smoke. What is the advantage of such a technical solution? In a room you have to make only one hole in the wall, and not two - separately for input and output. A prerequisite for the operation of a turbocharged water heater is the presence of a fan that directs exhaust gases into a coaxial pipe.

Control systems

Instantaneous chimneyless water heaters may differ in burner type:

1. With automatic power control - automatic burners maintain a given combustion power, so the outlet stream is consistently hot, regardless of the pressure in the pipes.
2. With manual adjustment - in this case, the degree of heating can be adjusted with a mechanical switch. But temperature is not a constant value: it is influenced by atmospheric conditions, the temperature of the incoming flow and the pressure in the gas pipeline.

Ignition type

Turbo system speakers may have:

• Electric ignition: the “start” command is given by a sensor that is triggered when the hot water tap opens; power source - batteries or mains. Its advantage is that there is no constantly burning pilot light, which means that gas is not wasted.
• Piezo ignition: a spark appears at the moment of mechanical action on the ignition button. The downside is that the pilot light is constantly on.
• Hydro Turbine Ignition: The built-in generator generates electricity using the energy of the water flow passing through it. Such devices do not require batteries or electricity.

Main disadvantages

Before you purchase the equipment described in the article, you need to familiarize yourself with its main disadvantages, among them the following should be highlighted:

• energy dependence;
• noisiness;
• high cost;
• the need to obtain approval;
• condensation formation inside the outlet pipe.

If you like chimneyless geysers, then before purchasing one of the models you need to become more familiar with the disadvantages of such equipment. For example, many consumers are put off by energy dependence, because the design’s fan is powered by electricity. If it is turned off, the operation of the turbocharged column will be impossible.

You may also be put off by the fact that the equipment fan is quite noisy. Such devices are more expensive than traditional models. On average, the cost of a turbocharged unit is approximately 17,000 rubles. In order to install such a column, approval will be required from the organizations that are responsible for the supply of natural gas. You can’t do it without the permission of the neighbors who live on the floor above. Installing a column requires that the pipe be installed on the façade of the building, which may be prohibited by the architectural control service.

What to consider when choosing a turbo dispenser

When buying a turbocharged water heater, pay attention to the following parameters:

1. Thermal power - take the middle option. Don’t chase powerful modifications: they cost much more and don’t fully utilize your resource.
2. Performance - this parameter indicates the volume of liquid heated to a certain temperature per unit time. For comfortable use, 10-11 l/min is enough.
3. Each model has its own limitation on the pressure in the water pipes - if it reaches a value below a certain limit, the device simply will not turn on.
4. Fuel used - there are devices that can operate on two types of gas: natural and liquefied.
5. Type of chimney - for example, the Neva column may have a horizontal or vertical chimney outlet.
6. Type of ignition - for example, for Oasis speakers, ignition can be electronic or from a piezoelectric element.

How to determine the required parameters

User comfort and resource savings depend on the correct choice of technical characteristics of gas equipment. The buyer can independently determine the required parameters:

1. Power. As it increases, the volume of hot flow increases. How can I find out the approximate power level needed? Divide by 2 the value given in the device passport. The resulting result is the flow rate of liquid heated to 30°C per minute. If the value is 20 kW, the device will be able to heat approximately 10 l/min. Knowing the needs of the family, each user will be able to decide whether such opportunities suit him.
2. Performance. We are talking about the volume of heated liquid produced by the heater per unit of time. If it is indicated: 12 l/min up to 25°C, then the temperature of the source flow should be added to this value. So, if the cold water temperature is 10°C, then in a minute the device will heat it to 35°C (25 + 10) at a flow rate of 12 l/min.

Important! It is believed that a capacity of 5.5 l/min is sufficient for one water intake point - washbasin, shower or sink.

Installation

Self-installation of gas water heaters is excluded - this should be done by specialists from the relevant services. But you can connect to the water supply yourself. You will need couplings to ensure the tightness of the connections, and a tee - it is necessary to provide hot and cold water. The user can also install a coaxial chimney himself.

Repair

It is not advisable to repair turbo units yourself. You are allowed to independently carry out the following preventive and repair work:

• chimney repair;
• cleaning the chimney and burner;
• cleaning the plumbing.

Ignition method

A factor that in most cases few people pay attention to

However, it is also important to know this in order to choose the right model correctly. There are three ways in total:

• Piezo ignition. What a piezoelectric element is is hardly worth explaining. But it is necessary to mention that this is the most uneconomical option. This option implies a constant burning of the igniter, and therefore a constant consumption of gas, albeit in very small quantities.
• Electronic. Powered by two AA batteries, it turns on automatically when the tap is opened and does not require constant operation of the burner.
• Ignition from a microturbine. A completely autonomous function, independent of the connection to the electrical network or the presence of batteries. A mini-hydroelectric power station is installed inside the device, which generates and stores enough energy to automatically ignite.

The built-in ignition methods have virtually no effect on the price, but they have a very significant impact on the ease of use and efficiency of the device.

Popular models

We took 4 models as an example. Three of them are within 10,000 rubles.

Ariston MARCO POLO GI7S 11L FFI

This is an economical turbocharged flow-type model. The new generation version is different:

• stylish design;
• touch screen;
• multi-stage security system;
• stable operation at reduced pressure.

Features of the Ariston Marco Polo model:

• electronic ignition;
• power modulation;
• stability of heating due to microprocessor control;
• temperature display on a digital indicator;
• self-diagnosis function;
• any type of gas can be used as fuel;
• compactness;
• stainless steel housing;
• push-button control panel and LCD screen.

This exhaust-free version is adapted to Russian operating conditions. Warranty - 2 years. Approximate price - 17,000 rubles.

Technical specifications:

"Neva" 4505

This is one of the most popular mini-speakers on the domestic market. Its cost is only 4,500 rubles. The compact device is equipped with electronic ignition, reliable and easy to use. Works on all types of gas: natural and liquefied. Service life - 10 years, warranty - 2 years.

Technical specifications:

"Vector" JSD 11 N

Column ignition is electronic. It is inferior in performance to many competitors, but is compact - it can be easily placed in a cramped kitchen. The miniature heater is equipped with a copper heat exchanger with anti-corrosion coating. There is a gas control system and protection against overheating, and there is also a shutdown in the absence of a sufficient level of traction. The cost is about 5,000 rubles.

Specifications:

Grandini GWH JSQ24-С

The semi-turbo version from the Italian brand quickly heats the water. It operates in auto mode and is ignited by batteries. For combustion, air is taken from the room, so you need to ensure good ventilation.

Advantages:

• operates at low gas pressure;
• there is a water pressure stabilizer;
• innovative burner design;
• the heat exchanger has a special protective coating;
• simplicity of design and easy installation.

Specifications:

The cost is within 8,000 rubles.

Roda JSD20-T1

A popular middle column in catalogs from a well-known German manufacturer of household appliances. The average price in Russian online catalogs fluctuates around 11-12 thousand rubles.

Characteristics

The overall product rating is 4.5. An excellent model, affordable, reliable, and very easy to operate. There is one significant drawback - it does not work on propane.

What are semi-turbocharged speakers?

Semi-turbo models are a cross between turbocharged and classic versions. In them, combustion air is taken from the room, and combustion products are discharged outside.

Let's give an example of a semi-turbo water heater from the Termet brand. Characteristics and price of the Termet Aquacomfort Turbo G19-03 model:

Works on any type of gas. The cost is about 7,000 rubles.

Lemax Turbo-24

Lemax Turbo-24
Also a well-known model from catalogs. The production is a Russian-Chinese joint venture, thanks to which the electronics are quite decent and the price is affordable - from 15 thousand rubles.

Characteristics

Rating - 4. Good performance, adapted to Russian networks, but assembly is not always perfect.

Reviews

Positive

Consumers in turbocharged versions like the versatility - they can be installed in any room, regardless of the presence of a chimney. In the room where such a device operates, normal air humidity is maintained and there are no odors associated with the combustion process.

Negative

Many nuances of chimneyless water heaters cause serious dissatisfaction among consumers. They don’t like the noise of the device, its dependence on the electrical network, and the complexity of its installation—you have to drill a hole in the wall. Neighbors upstairs are often dissatisfied with the smell of gas and the noise of the fan, which can also create problems for owners of turbo units. Before you buy such a model, you need to objectively evaluate all the circumstances associated with its operation.

Examples of reviews

Ariston MARCO POLO GI7S 11L FFI: Valery O., Dzerzhinsk

It's been working for six months now. There were no failures. Attractive appearance - does not spoil our new kitchen. There is one nuance - the volume of hot water. I don’t understand how this function works - either the fire should turn off when the bath is full, or I should turn it off myself when the signal arrives. I'll look into it further. As for the power, it’s my own fault - I calculated it incorrectly. For our needs, it was necessary to take a 16 liter model, since 11 liters was not enough.

Roda JSD20-T1: Anastasia M., Luza

The thing is not bad, it heats up quickly, the output stream is hot. The problem with the pressure is that it is constantly changing. If we open two mixers at the same time, the burner immediately goes out, and then lights up again. They invited the craftsmen and they said everything was working properly, so we just had to open the taps in order of priority. The fan is slightly noisy - this is a minus. But there are no problems with exhaust gases and the smell of combustion.

Turbocharged speakers will be of interest to homeowners who do not have traditional chimneys. When buying such models, it is important to objectively evaluate the advantages and disadvantages that await the owners of such devices.

Vatti MR11-N

Vatti MR11-N
Miniature and very low-power speaker. Prices - from 5 thousand rubles.

Characteristics

Rating: 2. Heated washbasin. Any theoretical advantages end with performance: the device can hardly serve one mixer.

Important points of operation

The positive ones include:

1. Can be used in homes where the use of gas equipment was not initially provided.
2. Exhaust-free column - no additional exhaust; conventional supply and exhaust ventilation is sufficient.
3. High work efficiency.
4. Due to the fact that the combustion chamber is isolated, the oxygen present in the room is not burned.
5. Since the combustion process occurs in a closed environment, foreign odors, fumes and exhaust gases do not penetrate into the room.

Along with its advantages, the column also has a number of disadvantages:

1. High cost of equipment.
2. Labor-intensive and expensive installation and connection process.
3. The presence of an electric motor requires a power supply network and leads to additional energy consumption.
4. During operation, the electric motor driving the fan blades produces a lot of noise.
5. The coaxial chimney exits from the opposite side of the building. This may cause additional difficulties with approval bodies.
6. The need to coordinate the installation of equipment with neighbors above.

Superflame SF0322

Superflame SF0322
“Quality Chinese”, average in price - about 10 thousand rubles.

Characteristics

Rating: 4. Average model.