Cheap home heating with electricity: choosing an economical boiler

Cheap home heating with electricity: how to choose an economical boiler

Recently, the method of heating your home with electricity has become increasingly popular. This is not surprising, since cheap home heating with electricity has won the trust of citizens. It is usually used in places where there is no central gas pipeline. At the same time, you can significantly save on paying for electricity, if you understand how to organize it and what equipment to use.

Heating with electricity is an affordable, economical and modern type of home heating

Direct and indirect heating systems

The type of heating in which the main source for heating is electricity is considered promising. But before replacing the existing heating, it is necessary to understand the following:

• which option is suitable for your home;
• what budget are you willing to invest in order to save in the future;
• what power source of electricity is already in the house.

The choice of heating system will depend on these factors.

The method of heating the house with the help of electricity has gained great popularity

Direct heating system

Direct heating is realized by using electric heaters: convectors, underfloor heating, electric oil radiators. Using this option, there is no need to lay pipelines, install a boiler, buy radiators. All devices are connected independently to the cable wiring. The temperature in each heater is regulated separately, which makes it possible to control electricity consumption.

Important! The use of direct heating is the most expensive way of heating. The advantages of such a system include savings on capital (equipment cost) and operational (repair) costs.

Diagram of a heating system with a direct radiator circuit, a floor heating mixing circuit and an indirect heating boiler

Indirect heating system

Cheap heating of the house with electricity is indirect heating. It lies in the fact that the classic water heating remains unchanged, just replaced by a coal or gas boiler with an electric one. They come with the following types of heating:

• inductive is an economical option, here heating is carried out due to high frequency current (radio frequency waves);
• electrode or ion exchange – in this type of heating, open electrodes are used, which are supplied with current (50 Hz);
• direct – the water is heated through a heating element. This type consumes significantly more energy, and also fails faster, but the cost of such a boiler is several times less than that of an inductive or electrode-heated unit.

Comparison of the efficiency of boilers: electrode and shadow

The advantages of an electric boiler include:

• small size;
• low cost;
• quick installation;
• operational and environmental safety;
• noiselessness.

Useful advice! Although the prices of induction boilers for heating a private house “bite”, the electricity consumption in such models is one of the most economical. To really feel the savings and see it in the electricity bills, it is advisable to install a three-phase boiler.

The project of heating the house with electricity

Why heating a house with electricity is cheap: calculation

In order not to be unfounded, we will give a clear example of cheap heating of a house with electricity using a boiler. Calculate the real savings for a house with an area of 100 m2:

Scheme of joint use of electric and gas boiler

It should also be borne in mind that in practice the electricity consumption is halved, since the electric boiler, heating the room, turns off and ceases to consume electricity. On average, you will have to pay about 12 thousand rubles for heating using an electric boiler.

Single-phase and three-phase electric boilers

The choice of a boiler should be taken responsibly, since it is necessary to take into account all the nuances concerning the electrical maintenance of your home. Electrical lines are not always able to cope with the load, which increases after installing the boiler. To avoid such problems, visit the power supply department to which you belong and specify (or ask to calculate) the maximum power that they can provide. When calculating the required kilowatts, do not forget about household electrical appliances located at your home.

Structure diagram of a single—circuit wall—mounted electric boiler: 1 — electric cabinet; 2 — control lamps; 3 — temperature controller; 4 — thermometer/pressure gauge; 5 — power switches; 6 — main switch; 7 — expansion tank; 8 — cable entry; 9 — safety valve; 10 – pump; 11 – return line boiler; 12 — plug connection of the control circuit; 13 — temperature safety limiter; 14 — control system fuse; 15 — air valve; 16 — boiler lining with thermal insulation; 17 — water pressure switch; 18 — heating rods; 19 — boiler supply line

The electric boiler is arranged quite simply: it contains a heat exchanger and a control and adjustment unit. There are completed models that are equipped with an expansion tank, filter and pump.

Electric boilers of low power are used for heating private houses: single-phase and three-phase.

Scheme of cascade connection of an electric boiler

Single-phase electric boiler

A single-phase boiler is considered to be operating from a 220 V network. It will not be difficult to connect it, since all houses are equipped with the necessary voltage. The power of the device varies from 6 to 12 kW. It is advisable to use such a boiler for an area not exceeding 100 m2. Features of an electric boiler for home heating (220 V):

• it works on the principle of a water heater (boiler, kettle);
• a conventional network (220V) is sufficient for operation;
• you don’t need to get a special permission to install it.

Electric boiler for use in a private house

Three-phase electric boiler

A three-phase boiler is more powerful than a single-phase one and is suitable for installation on an area of more than 100 m2. In order for the network to withstand the load during operation of the boiler, they are produced three-phase, that is, they are connected to the 380 V network. Features of a three-phase boiler:

• powerful. It is necessary to take into account the heated area. 1 kW + 10-20% is required per 10 m2 (for stock);
• it operates from three phases (380 V), it is necessary to increase the power supply in the house;
• it is necessary to obtain a special permit from the energy department to increase the power consumption and install the boiler;

Related article:

Electric boiler for heating a private house, prices and types. Features of electric boilers for heating a private house. Calculation of power and connection of electric boilers.

• the rated current that should be in each of the three phases varies from 6.1 to 110 A. This indicator affects the choice of the circuit breaker, the wiring, its cross-section (acceptable indicators are indicated in the table below). The correct selection of the necessary elements will eliminate the possibility of fire.

Table “Values of cable cross-section and current of safety automata”:

Important! If we compare the operation of single-phase and three-phase boilers, the heating costs using single-phase models are slightly higher than those of three-phase ones.

Whichever boiler is installed for cheap heating of the house with electricity, in any case, it is necessary to provide a backup heat source.

Mounting dimensions of the Buderus Tronic electric boiler 5000 N

Cheap heating of the house with electricity using a backup heat source

The operation of the boiler on electricity may be interrupted due to a power outage, line malfunctions, wire breakage or short circuit, so the use of a combined boiler (firewood / electricity) will not leave you without heat in the house.

A boiler for heating with wood and electricity is a reliable, versatile, functional unit, thanks to which it is possible to provide constant heating of the house. This boiler can work both on solid fuel (firewood, briquettes, wood waste) and on electricity at the same time. Such versatility is possible due to the well-thought-out unique design of the equipment.

The cost of a shadow boiler is several times less than that of a unit with inductive or electrode heating

Construction of a combined boiler for heating with wood and electricity

A distinctive feature of the combined boiler is the presence of a heating element. The firebox for firewood is located in the lower part of the unit. When burning wood, thermal energy heats the coolant and the heated liquid (water) is sent to the water heating system. Such boilers are equipped with devices that are responsible for automatically turning on / off the heating element, depending on the set temperature of the coolant. When the wood burns and the heat subsides in the furnace, and the water temperature drops, the heating element is switched on, and the boiler, consuming electricity, maintains the set temperature. All manipulations occur due to automation.

The device of a combined electric-wood boiler

The power of the heat generated during the combustion of solid fuel is 25-35 kW. This power is quite enough to heat a room of 100-120 m2, and the heating element is used to maintain a stable temperature in the house. Combined heating systems are particularly popular in the private sector, since cheap fuel is used to heat the room. Thanks to the built-in heating elements, it is possible to vary the heating mode.

Typical connection diagram: 1 — electric boiler; 2 — control system; 3 — safety group; 4 — expansion tank; 5 — circulation pumps; 6 — radiators; 7 — distribution comb; 8 — heat exchanger (for swimming pool); 9 — indirect heating boiler; 10 — heated towel rail; 11 — underfloor heating; 12 — water meter; 13 — supply ventilation system

Double-circuit electric boilers for heating a private house

The main feature of a two-circuit boiler is the simultaneous implementation of two functions: house heating and hot water heating.

The main advantages of such equipment:

• compact size;
• silent;
• easy to install;
• it is not difficult to manage.

The double-circuit electric boiler is compact and very convenient for use in a private house or apartment. Such boilers significantly save space and do not require frequent maintenance. A double–circuit boiler does not need to arrange a separate room – it can be placed on the wall, which will save useful space.

Wall-mounted electric boiler in a modern interior

Double-circuit boiler design

Two—circuit models of electric boilers have two independent specialized circuits – heating and water heating. The aggregate contains the following elements:

• a heat exchanger that performs the function of a boiler;
• air vent;
• safety valve;
• expansion tank;
• heating element;
• sensors (automation);
• circulation pump.

Such equipment is designed to convert electricity into thermal energy through the use of heating elements. Tubular electric heaters (heating elements) are installed in the heat exchanger, and the circulation of the heated liquid is carried out using a special pump.

Scheme of operation of a two-circuit electric boiler

All actions are performed using automation. The regulator, when the room temperature drops, sends a signal to connect the heating mode, and the pump starts working, creating the necessary pressure in the heat carrier. When the desired parameters are reached, the equipment blocks are gradually turned off.

The price of a two-circuit electric boiler for heating a private house depends on many factors. The main one should include the manufacturer’s brand. European equipment is expensive compared to Russian, but its cost is an order of magnitude less than gas equipment.

Wiring diagram of an indirect heating boiler to the electric boiler

Electrode boilers for heating a private house: reviews

The heating system using electrode boilers is quite new. To warm up, the electrodes are placed directly into the water. In the process of supplying current, a potential difference occurs in the water, and the ions begin to move actively. When they move, a lot of heat is released, which heats the water in the coolant.

Here are some reviews about electrode boilers for heating a private house:

“We have problems with electricity in the village all the time, the current is unstable, sometimes it drops to 180 V. There is no gas in the village. For a very long time they used a wood-burning boiler, but there were problems, because they needed to be constantly thrown up, and everyone was at work during the day. A friend advised an electric boiler. I thought for a long time about which one to take, the choice fell on a boiler with an ion-exchange type of heating, since it withstands voltage fluctuations while continuing to work.”

Valentin Chutuev, Moscow region

Electric boiler of the manufacturer Protherm

“We built a house in the private sector, we left the apartment to the children. When they did the heating, they immediately decided to put an electric boiler. The children bought an electrode boiler. At first I was indignant that it was expensive – you can find it cheaper, but when we went to visit the children for the weekend, and our battery broke, the water all leaked out, and the boiler just stopped working – it didn’t break, didn’t burn, just turned off. That’s when I didn’t regret the money I spent.”

Valentina Petrova, Volgograd

Example of a three-phase electric boiler

“I decided to put cheap heating for the house, electric. The best thing I found was an ion boiler, it is 30% more economical than a heating element. The whole trick of saving is that this boiler immediately directs energy to heating water, while a boiler with a heating element spends part of this energy on heating the same heating element.”

Peter Korneev, Surgut

It can be seen from the reviews that electrode boilers can operate under unstable voltage conditions (with current surges – up to 40 kW), do not fail if for some reason there is no water in the system, and are the most economical in the line of electric boilers.

Installation of an electric boiler in a private house

Electric boilers for heating a private house: reviews

“An electric boiler was installed at the dacha – it’s just a miracle technique. As we arrive, we turn on – the room warms up very quickly. Previously, while you were applying firewood, you would melt it, they froze very much. Right now we arrived, the temperature was set and, while the things were moved out of the car, the house is already getting warm. And the most interesting thing is that we don’t pay so much for the light.”

Anastasia Kuzmina, Saint Petersburg

“An electric boiler is a thing. Especially if it stands with a two-zone meter, the savings are immediately noticeable. We turn on a lot of power at night when the tariff is cheaper, and during the day we screw it up a little.”

Valentin Yudkov, village Vlasikha

Three-phase electric boiler

After visiting the forums and reading the positive reviews of heating a private house with an electric boiler, we can conclude that there are no dissatisfied with the work of electric boilers.

Thus, heating with electricity is an affordable, economical and modern type of home heating. At the same time, it is possible to install an electric boiler not only in the country, but also in city houses and apartments, which significantly reduces the cost of monthly heating payments.