Whether the gas water heater is instantaneous or storage, whether it uses natural gas or butane/propane, that it evacuates fumes by suction or chimney, the gas water heater is more economical than its electronic equivalent. Explanation of the production of hot water thanks to gas!
Gas heater: instantaneous hot water or accumulation
As its name suggests, the gas water heater produces hot water by burning gas, usually town gas (or natural gas) supplied by your municipality’s network. Although its price keeps increasing in recent years, its use remains competitive. The gas can also be butane or propane, more expensive, available in bottles or tanks. By default, gas water heaters are most often proposed in town gas version, but the use of another gas causes only a few changes.
 |
 |
Two types of gas water heaters are distinguished, the instantaneous water heater and the storage water heater.
Instantaneous water heater
The instantaneous water heater produces hot water directly; there is no storage (no balloon).
Accumulation water heater
The storage water heater is based on a storage tank, the equivalent of the electric water heater with a burner instead of the electric heater.
Some gas boilers use a mini-flask of 2 to 3 liters maintained at high temperature. It allows us to have hot water more quickly and to ensure better temperature homogeneity.
These boilers with hot water micro storage are a good compromise between the production of instant hot water and storage in a balloon.
The advantages of an instantaneous gas water heater
Operation of an instant water heater
The principle of the instantaneous water heater is simple. The opening of a tap causes the production of hot water. Cold water travels a coil heated by a burner whose ignition is controlled by a thermostat.
Advantage of an instantaneous water heater
The main advantage is that the production of hot water is unlimited in time. Another advantage is that, due to the lack of storage, the water heater occupies very little space and can be fixed, for example, in a closet. But the homogeneity of the water temperature is difficult to obtain, especially if several points are drawing hot water at the same time.
The flow rate of an instantaneous water heater
The flow rates announced by manufacturers range from a few liters of hot water per minute to 30 liters. Pay close attention to the conditions of obtaining. These values generally concern water having gained 25 calories (K) so having reached a temperature close to 40 ° C, which is the temperature at the outlet of the tap. For a temperature increase of 50 K (hot water at 60/65 ° C), divide the flows by two. For example, it is estimated that a family of 5 must have a water heater with a flow rate of fifteen liters per minute. If you are a fan of hot baths, turn to the hot-tubs whose flows are particularly important (> 10 l / min).