Which gas boiler is best to choose for heating a residential building?

10/24/201805/13/2021 Ivan Korabelnikov 1 Comment

For heating private houses, it is most profitable to use gas heating equipment. This is due to the fact that gas is still considered the cheapest type of fuel. Such equipment is safe, economical and efficient.

We present to your attention a rating of gas boilers based on reviews from consumers and experts. If you decide to install gas heating in your home, then a review of the devices presented below will help you navigate the variety of gas-fired boilers.

Types of gas boilers

Gas boilers are divided into two types.

Convection

The most common among boilers. Its operating principle is quite simple. Gas enters the combustion chamber through the burner nozzles, where a flame breaks out. It heats the heat exchanger with water, which flows through the pipes into the radiators and heats the room. As soon as the water temperature reaches the required temperature, heating stops. Combustion products are discharged through the chimney. The efficiency of such a boiler is 90%. The remaining ten literally go down the drain.

If the outlet temperature is below 57 degrees, then condensation will form on the walls of the combustion chamber, heat exchanger and chimney, which can lead to breakdowns, soot formation, and also shorten the life of the device.

To prevent this from happening, and also for more efficient use of thermal energy, a new type of boiler was designed.

Condensation

The efficiency of this device reaches almost 100% due to the fact that the energy is fully used for heating and no longer “flies down the drain.” This was achieved with the help of another heat exchanger - a water economizer. It is there that the carbon monoxide vapor cools until condensation forms, which accumulates in a separate tank. When steam is converted into liquid, useful thermal energy is released and transferred to the coolant.

The condensing boiler is more bulky and is usually installed in a separate room. The cost of the device is twice as much as that of traditional boilers.

Operating principle

The operating principle of a single-circuit gas boiler is based on flow-through heating of the coolant using a gas burner.

The liquid that has cooled during circulation enters the boiler, where it is immediately sent to the heat exchanger . Passing through it, it receives the maximum possible heating for the current operating mode.

The coolant then flows into a three-way valve, where it is partially mixed with colder liquid from the return flow. This procedure allows you to achieve the set temperature and provide heating mode.

The prepared coolant is again sent to the heating circuit to undergo the next cycle.

Popular brands

Demand creates supply, which is probably why the market for gas heating equipment is so large. The more manufacturers there are, the more new models appear in stores. For an inexperienced user, this is a difficult choice, especially since few people are familiar with well-known brands. After all, a gas boiler is a piece of goods, bought once and forgotten for a long time.

Which manufacturers' products should be considered reliable and of high quality?

• Wolf. The German company produces boilers with very high efficiency. It is not yet very well known in the CIS, but it deserves close attention. Even budget models are of good quality and have built-in automation to ensure the most efficient operation.
• Vaillant. Also a German manufacturer. The products of this brand occupy more than twenty-five percent among other companies on the European market, which indicates quality, reliability and popularity.
• Bosch. This brand does not need advertising; it has long been a recognized leader in the production of equipment.
• STS and Bentone. Swiss companies. Their products are expensive, but very high quality.
• Ariston, Beretta, Lamborgini and Ferroli. The Italians have firmly occupied the middle price segment. Their products have a good price-quality ratio.
• Dakon. The Czech manufacturer produces budget models. German high-quality components, modern automation systems, as well as careful quality control are used here.

Just don’t think that Russian companies don’t produce high-quality products. By purchasing equipment from domestic manufacturers, the user can count on low cost, reliability and durability, high performance, as well as the availability of components and good service.

• "Zhukovsky Machine Plant". It has been producing heating equipment for over 40 years. Some boilers use imported automation. None of the models depends on the electrical network. Efficiency – up to 92%. High degree of reliability and long service life.
• "Borinskoye". This plant has been producing boilers for more than two decades. Almost all models are equipped with high-quality foreign automation, are energy independent, have a relatively modern design and an affordable price.
• Lemax. The Taganrog plant offers gas boilers with a special coating of heat exchangers that protects against corrosion. Models with cast iron heat exchangers are also produced, which are rightfully considered the most reliable. All equipment has high efficiency and is energy independent.

Rating of gas boilers - review of the best devices

To choose the best gas boiler for heating a private home, we recommend that you carefully familiarize yourself with the most popular models among domestic consumers.

12th place. Oasis RT-20

Used as the main heating device in apartments and houses with autonomous heating. Also responsible for hot water supply. The copper heat exchanger has good thermal conductivity, which increases operating efficiency.

The electronic panel provides convenient and intuitive control. The user only needs to set the required temperature.

A well-thought-out pricing policy allows you to purchase a high-quality multifunctional unit at an affordable cost.

What are users saying?

Advantages:

• electronic control;
• good power;
• completely safe;
• build quality;
• compact size, does not interfere;
• modern design.

Flaws:

• few functions;
• there are no clear instructions for setting up hot water, you have to experiment at random;
• expansion tank too small;
• the turbine is noisy.

Gas boiler Oasis RT-20 20 kW double-circuit

11th place. Protherm Bear 30 PLO

An excellent floor-standing gas boiler for private homes. It works to provide heating, and when combined with a boiler, it also provides hot water supply. Ignites using a piezoelectric element.

Combustion products are removed naturally, in the presence of a chimney, or forcibly using a turbo attachment.

You can adjust the power by switching the stages on the control panel.

What are users saying?

Advantages:

• heats a 3-story house without problems (radiators and heated floors);
• easy to operate;
• you can connect a boiler;
• power adjustment;
• cast iron heat exchanger.

Flaws:

• the turbo nozzle is very noisy;
• The boiler rots after 5-7 years. Replacement is too expensive.

Protherm Bear 30 PLO

10th place. Baxi NUVOLA-3 Comfort

This is a real mini-boiler room, which includes not only a boiler for heating the house, but also a boiler that constantly maintains the set DHW temperature. Thanks to this, you will not have problems with adjusting the water from the tap.

Using a room thermostat, the boiler automatically regulates heating depending on the weather outside. The coaxial chimney is not subject to freezing.

This is an ideal solution for those who need comfortable hot water supply and stable high-quality heating of the room.

What are users saying?

Advantages:

• reliable and stable operation;
• there is always hot water in the shower;
• high level of quality;
• You can connect “warm floors”.

Flaws:

• complex remote control. It took me a long time to figure out the remote control;
• I would like a larger volume of hot water;
• expensive pleasure;
• weak pneumatic relay.

Gas boiler BAXI NUVOLA-3 Comfort 240 Fi 24.4 kW double-circuit

9th place. MORA-TOP Meteor Plus PK24KT

A reliable and safe boiler operates completely silently. It does not leak and does not break for years. Despite its small size, it does its job perfectly - heating the house and providing hot water.

Easy to connect, has simple and intuitive controls. Multi-level protection ensures security.

What are users saying?

Advantages:

• economical, gas consumption is low;
• wall-mounted, does not take up much space;
• there is always hot water;
• energy saving mode.

Flaws:

• not cheap;
• after turning off the gas, the boiler turns on manually.

Gas boiler MORA-TOP Meteor Plus PK24KT 23 kW double-circuit

8th place. Oasis BM-18

The boiler has a bithermal heat exchanger, that is, one circuit is built into the other. It is convenient, reliable and more economical than traditional models. But for effective operation, it is necessary to monitor the quality of the water, since scale and lime deposits can lead to breakdown.

Good performance and a copper heat exchanger allow you to quickly heat the house and also provide its inhabitants with hot water. Energy consumption is minimal.

Warranty – 2 years.

What are users saying?

Advantages:

• nice appearance, doesn’t look like a monster;
• convenient and intuitive control panel;
• heats water quickly;
• safe.

Flaws:

• no remote control;
• ignition from batteries.

Gas boiler Oasis BM-18 18 kW double-circuit

7th place. Lemax Premium-20

The boiler body is made of high-quality two-millimeter steel and meets all necessary standards. The heat exchanger is cylindrical, which ensures stable operation at pressures of up to three atmospheres.

The unit does not depend on electricity and is equipped with multi-level protection. The top panel can be easily removed, making the boiler easy to clean.

Product warranty – 3 years.

What are users saying?

Advantages:

• inexpensive for such power;
• simple;
• easy to clean;
• gas consumption is low;
• works silently;
• even in the most severe frosts the house is warm;
• Italian automatics;
• safe to use.

Flaws:

• strains the steel heat exchanger, let's see how long it lasts;
• heavy and bulky, it needs a separate room;
• makes noise;
• automation is unfinished.

Gas boiler Lemax Premium-20 20 kW single-circuit

6th place. Baxi LUNA-3 COMFORT 310 Fi

A modern double-circuit unit is designed to continuously supply the house with heating and hot water. Equipped with a removable digital panel, which also functions as a temperature sensor.

The boiler is pleased with its high efficiency - over 93%, which indicates not only efficient operation, but also profitability. A nice feature is the ability to work in a wide pressure range, which is especially important for our country, where all kinds of changes often occur.

What are users saying?

Advantages:

• good performance;
• Italian assembly;
• reliable model;
• spare parts are always available in the store;
• instant heating of the coolant;
• powerful pump.

Flaws:

• the display backlight goes into “sleep mode”, which is inconvenient;
• no hot water circulation;
• the pressure sensor is inconveniently located;
• weak point – fan and pneumatic relay;
• LPG injectors must be purchased separately.

Gas boiler BAXI LUNA-3 COMFORT 310 Fi 31 kW double-circuit

5th place. Lemax Premium-12.5

Domestic producers are literally pushing famous brands out of the market. Excellent quality and complete absence of flaws. When properly installed and operated, this floor-standing boiler operates efficiently and significantly reduces gas costs.

What are users saying?

Advantages:

• does not depend on electricity;
• quite powerful;
• economical;
• high performance;
• easy to operate;
• easily connects to the heating system;
• Italian automatic.

Flaws:

• not found.

Gas boiler Lemax Premium-12.5 12.5 kW single-circuit

4th place. Oasis BM-20

The wall-mounted boiler has forced water circulation, which ensures uniform heating. Safe to operate and easy to use. The boiler can be hung on the wall in any room - kitchen, attic, basement.

The positive aspect is that a chimney designed during construction is not required, so the unit can be used in apartments with autonomous heating.

The model is equipped with a high-performance bithermic copper heat exchanger, which simplifies the design and ensures greater reliability. Excess condensate is discharged into a special container.

Service life – at least 12 years.

What are users saying?

Advantages:

• decent inexpensive unit;
• the quality of work is excellent;
• good design and price;
• works quietly.

Flaws:

• You definitely need a water filter;
• boiling water flows immediately;
• the ignition runs on batteries, you often have to change them;
• low-quality automation;
• disposable dubious product.

Gas boiler Oasis BM-20 20 kW double-circuit

3rd place. Bosch Gaz 6000 W WBN 6000- 12 C

A wall-mounted gas boiler can provide a high level of thermal comfort and constant availability of hot water. It has a pleasant appearance, hangs on the wall and does not take up useful space. The front panel contains control buttons and user instructions.

Designed to heat an area of ​​at least 120 square meters. Unpretentious to changes in pressure and voltage. The primary heat exchanger is made of copper, which improves thermal conductivity. Hot water is heated using a plate heat exchanger.

With low gas consumption it has high productivity.

What are users saying?

Advantages:

• compact;
• fits well into the interior;
• silent;
• economical;
• many fine settings;
• You can configure it yourself using the Internet.

Flaws:

• Chinese assembly, complete defect, designed for a year of work;
• dependence on electricity;
• too much plastic;
• spare parts are difficult to find.

Gas boiler Bosch Gaz 6000 W WBN 6000- 12 C 12 kW double-circuit

2nd place. Baxi ECO Four 24 F

The Italian-made boiler is designed for heating and hot water supply, including in the summer. The range of features is beyond praise. Can be connected to a “warm floor” system.

The combustion chamber is turbocharged. There are seven degrees of protection. The heating area is at least 180 square meters.

What are users saying?

Advantages:

• reliable and unpretentious;
• easily converted to liquefied gas by replacing the nozzle;
• average price category;
• fully adapted to Russian conditions;
• summer/winter mode.

Flaws:

• Expensive;
• spare parts and components are not cheap;
• noisy;
• poor quality buttons on the control panel;
• sensitive to voltage changes;
• capricious electronics, a year later the control panel failed;
• energy dependent.

Gas boiler BAXI ECO Four 24 F 24 kW double-circuit

1st place. Vaillant turboTEC plus VU

Despite its size, the boiler takes up virtually no space, as it hangs on the wall. It is intended for heating the room, as well as for water heating.

A special feature of this model is the “hot start” - when you open a hot water tap, you do not need to wait for heating to start, warm water will run immediately.

What are users saying?

Advantages:

• German assembly;
• the boiler is powerful, but economical in gas consumption;
• copper heat exchanger distributes heat evenly;
• quality materials inside and out;
• digital control with LCD screen;
• multi-speed pump.

Flaws:

• turns off during power surges, a stabilizer is required;
• high price;
• began to hum when the water was heating up;
• depends on electricity.

Gas boiler Vaillant turboTEC plus VU 242/5-5 24 kW single-circuit

Reviews of domestic wall-mounted models with a DHW circuit: advantages and disadvantages

What characteristics should you pay attention to?

To correctly and competently choose a gas boiler, pay close attention to the following criteria.

• Power. The most important parameter. It completely depends on the area of ​​the heated room and the specific coefficient for the region of residence. For example, if you live in the middle zone, then the coefficient for every 10 m² is 1-1.2 kW, in the south - 0.7-0.9 kW, in the north - 2 kW. To calculate the boiler power for a house with an area of ​​300 m², located in a temperate climate, you need to make the following calculations: 300 * 1/10 = 30 kW.
• Installation method. Boilers are wall-mounted and floor-mounted. The first ones are compact, do not take up much space, are silent and affordable. The latter are more powerful, bulky, and often require a separate room for installation.
• Number of circuits. Single-circuit devices are intended only for heating, while double-circuit devices also provide hot water supply.
• Safety. It is desirable that the boiler can automatically turn off in all abnormal and emergency situations.

Important factors when choosing a device are gas and electricity consumption, efficiency, the availability of programmable conditions for night and day heating, and price.

How to calculate power?

Calculating power using scientific methods is quite complicated. The heat loss of the building is determined, the thermal contour is calculated, and the influence of openings or other openings is taken into account.

The process is difficult even for professionals, not to mention untrained people . Therefore, a simple and fairly reliable technique is usually used. One kilowatt of thermal power can heat an area of ​​10 square meters. m.

Therefore, to determine the boiler power, you need to divide the area of ​​the room by 10. For example, for 180 sq m you need 18 kW of power.

Attention! You should not choose overly weak or overly powerful boilers. In this case, the reserve works to the detriment - the unit operates in the wrong mode and fails faster .

Useful tips

• Be responsible when calculating power. If it is not enough, the room will heat up for a long time and cool down quickly. A powerful boiler, on the contrary, will lead to overheating - this is an unprofitable use of resources.
• If there is no separate, well-ventilated room and chimney, then a floor-standing boiler with natural draft will not suit you. It is better to opt for wall-mounted forced draft boilers.
• Do you already have hot water? Then you shouldn’t spend money on a double-circuit boiler.
• A biometric heat exchanger requires high-quality water without impurities. So if you do not have a water filter built into the water supply, then you will not save on such a boiler, because scale in the heat exchanger is guaranteed to lead to breakdown.