Combined heating boilers: a general overview of the units + how to choose the best model?

The rapid development of individual construction has become a special sign of the last few years. Frightened by the unsatisfactory state of ecology, the townspeople are massively striving for rapidly growing suburbs, where a convenient and comfortable house can be built. The villagers are not far behind them, erecting spacious buildings. One of the most important problems of private development is the arrangement of the heating system. It is far from always possible to connect to a centralized system, so you have to equip an autonomous version. In this case, combined heating boilers, universal devices that operate on various types of fuel become a real find.

What are the benefits of using such a device?

Heating is a complex system that includes many elements. One of the most important is the boiler. It is advisable to determine the type of device at the design stage, having done all the necessary calculations for this. They must take into account all the features of the future building: the height of the ceilings, the level of thermal insulation of the premises, the location of the boiler and radiators, etc. The type of equipment depends on the need to design additional facilities for storing fuel, the nuances of installing a boiler, and so on. Quite often it is quite difficult to determine the type of device.

Combined boilers are designed to work with various types of fuel. This is especially convenient when interruptions with the main type of fuel are possible.

The easiest way to choose a device is when there is no problem getting one type of fuel. If this is not possible, difficulties begin to cope with which the combined device will help. Its design allows the device to use various types of fuel, which makes it universal. Especially valuable are some boilers for developers whose households are located far from communications. It is possible that after some time all the necessary highways will be failed.

In this case, installing a boiler designed for one type of fuel is unprofitable and short-sighted, because in the foreseeable future a cheaper option will appear. Remaking the system will be quite expensive. In addition, combined devices are indispensable where regular fuel interruptions exist. If problems arise, it is enough to simply reconfigure the boiler and switch, for example, from gas to liquid or solid fuel.

The advantages of combined systems include:

• “Omnivorous”, which allows you to mitigate the inconvenience of possible interruptions with the main fuel.
• Equipped with outputs for the possible connection of several circuits. It can be radiator heating, “warm floor”, etc.
• Existence of the heat-exchange unit of the increased productivity for ensuring hot water supply.
• Flexible choice of fuels for different modes, which makes it possible to make the process the most economical.
• Possibility of mounting a boiler.
• High environmental friendliness of the system.
• The equipment operates without human intervention. The program provides for switching to an alternative type of fuel in case of a failure in the main supply.

The disadvantages of combined devices are their high cost and volatility, since the automation of the devices is powered by electricity. In addition, for most systems, you will need the equipment of a special room designed to store a stock of solid and liquid fuels.

Classification of Combined Boilers

Several types of combined boilers are used for heating a house. Consider the advantages and disadvantages of each of them.

View # 1 - units for gaseous and liquid fuels

This variation is the most rational. This is due to the fact that boilers operating on gaseous and liquid fuels are structurally almost no different. To switch from one type of fuel to another, the devices will need several minutes and small burner adjustments. The thermal power and the operating modes of the device do not change. The equipment operates on liquefied, natural gas, as well as liquid fuel, most often diesel. In most cases, when installing boilers of this type, the main fuel is selected gas, since it is safer, more environmentally friendly and economical.

Backup fuel is usually selected diesel fuel. To store it, you will need to prepare a room with a special tank. The products of combustion of gas and liquid fuel are discharged equally, so no special devices or reconfigurations of the system will be needed. The power of boilers using this type of fuel is quite large. They can heat large areas. That is why developers very often choose them for arranging heating in private homes where they live permanently.

Universal device designed to operate on gas, solid fuel and using electricity. Used for heating relatively small buildings

View # 2 - units for gas, solid and liquid fuels

A constructive difference from previous models is the presence of a furnace designed for solid fuel. Thus, the device operates on natural or liquefied gas, liquid fuel, as well as coal, peat, firewood, pellets, etc. The main advantage of the system is its versatility and relatively low price.

In addition, he has serious "cons". This is a low level of automation and low efficiency. In addition, for the normal functioning of the device, it will be necessary to equip a full-fledged chimney. Heating a large area using solid fuel is quite complicated and expensive. Therefore, such systems are used for heating small buildings without permanent residence or in cottages.

View # 3 - boilers with electric heating elements

Both of the above modifications differ only in the type of fuel and use combustion energy to produce heat. Devices with heating elements can heat the coolant also through the use of electricity. It is unlikely that the power of the device will allow to heat a large building, but for small houses it is quite enough. Such devices have a high level of automation and are able to protect the entire system from freezing. The equipment automatically starts the heater as soon as the temperature in the system drops to + 5C.

Such devices have proven themselves especially well where interruptions with the main fuel, for example, diesel fuel or gas, are frequent, and at the same time there is no way to constantly monitor the operation of the boiler. Automatic control of equipment makes it easy to cope with such a task. Among the advantages of boilers with electric heaters, one can also relate reliability, multifunctionality and high efficiency, which the device gives out when working on the main type of fuel.

Multi-fuel boilers that can run on all types of fuel are quite bulky and take up a lot of space. Available in floor version only.

How to choose a boiler that suits you?

Before buying a device, you need to determine not only the types of fuel that will be used for this boiler, but also the necessary functionality. On sale you can find:

• Single-circuit devices. They are intended exclusively for space heating.
• Bypass devices. Used for heating, as well as the implementation of hot water.
• Universal double-circuit boilers. They are similar to double-circuit ones, in addition, they are specially equipped with a cast iron stove, on which you can cook food.

The last two types of equipment are most often produced with little power. This is due to the fact that powerful equipment requires a clear separation of all functions and capabilities.

The power of combined boilers can be very different. The most popular models with power characteristics from 20 to 120 kW. Such devices can heat rooms from 180 to 1000 square meters. m. With a ceiling height of not more than 3 m. However, there is a peculiarity: the higher the power of the device, the less functionality and additional functions it has. The largest number of options are boilers up to 50 kW. Devices can work on almost all types of fuel, also equipped with a stove for cooking and a boiler for heating water.

A feature of combined instruments is their large weight and some bulkiness. This is due to the fact that cast iron is used for the manufacture of system elements, which is characterized by high corrosion resistance. And it inevitably appears due to the presence of condensate accompanying the process of burning liquid fuel. For this reason, combination boilers are exclusively available in floor-mounted versions. To install the system most often equip a separate room with a mandatory influx of fresh air.

Overview of popular brands - what does the market offer?

South Korean boilers Kiturami Designed to work under heavy loads in any climatic conditions. Most models are designed to operate on two types of fuel. For example, solid and liquid. Most often equipped with two circuits, can be installed in residential or industrial premises. The popular Kiturami KRM model has a two-chamber flow-type heat exchanger. The turbo-cyclone burner for liquid fuels is equipped with a heating system, an integrated pump and a filtration system. The device is controlled from the remote control. Modification KRM 30 can heat rooms up to 300 square meters. m, KRM 70 - up to 550-600 sq. m

Most of the models of the famous South Korean brand Kiturami are designed to work with two types of fuel

Another famous manufacturer is an Italian company. Ferroli. All devices manufactured by the company have special protection against overheating and freezing. In the process of developing devices, the company uses new technologies aimed at reducing flue gas toxicity and increasing efficiency. Ferroli brand equipment is modified specifically for Russian operating conditions, including water and gas of low quality. The company produces several product lines of various capacities. Ferroli GN1 is very popular.These are cast-iron floor boilers, the power of which varies from 23 to 93 kW. The devices are designed to work with liquid or gaseous fuels.

The domestic manufacturer from Krasnoyarsk produces equipment under the brand name Zota. These are combined devices operating on gaseous, solid, liquid fuels, as well as on electricity. Boilers are made of sheets of steel 3-4 mm thick. Power devices - from 20 to 50 kW. Devices meet international standards in the field of reliability, quality and safety. Today on sale you can find four models of such devices. All of them are characterized by increased working pressure, which allows to achieve maximum efficiency. The special design of the heat exchanger increases the quality and speed of heat transfer. A special ejector mechanism mounted on the furnace door reduces the density of the smoke. At the same time, the cost of domestic devices is lower than that of foreign analogues.

Combined heating devices from Krasnoyarsk are of high quality, reliability, durability and efficiency at a relatively low price

It is also worth noting boilers of the brand Prothermwhich are distinguished by their durability, high performance and low toxicity of flue gases. This is due to the use of modern burners and the optimal shape of the combustion chamber. To reduce the heat costs of heating and the cost of operating the device, its body is covered with special heat-insulating plates made of mineral wool. All devices are equipped with an automatic control system. For residential premises, the most commonly used models are the Bizon NL series. This is a dual-circuit equipment made of low temperature cast iron. Depending on the type of burner, the devices can operate on various types of gaseous and liquid fuels. Their power varies from 30 to 80 kW.

Combined boilers are a practical solution for arranging heating of a private house in the conditions of possible interruptions with the main fuel. There are many modifications of the devices, which makes it possible to choose the most optimal option for each case. It is best to purchase a device in specialized companies. Experienced specialists will help determine the model and, if necessary, carry out installation work. The installation of combined equipment ensures that your home will always be warm and comfortable.