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Electrode boiler for heating a private house

The Electrode Boiler is an exceptionally efficient and highly reliable heating system for private homes. It is based on the principles of electrical resistance and the heat generated produces hot water for home heating. This system has immense advantages compared to traditional boilers as it has a very low operating cost and requires no fossil fuel. Additionally, the Electrode Boiler is extremely durable and requires minimal maintenance. Furthermore,it is very quiet and user friendly, so it can be easily installed and operated in any home. Overall, the Electrode Boiler is an ideal heating system for private homes owing to its low cost, high reliability, and maintenance aspects.

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Today we will most objectively consider one of the most criticized types of heating equipment. Do electrode boilers really have outstanding efficiency in the production of thermal energy, what are their main disadvantages and advantages โ€“ find out from our review.

Electrode boiler for heating a private house

The principle of operation of electrode boilers

When describing the advantages of electrode boilers, the main emphasis is on the absence of intermediaries in the transfer of energy from the electrical network to the coolant. The main argument on which the marketing strategy for the promotion of electrode water heaters relies is the direct heating of a liquid under the influence of an electric current, which occurs due to its high resistivity.

Using this type of equipment eliminates the influence on the heat transfer of the scale crust formed on the surface of traditional tubular heating elements. Also an obvious advantage is the low inertia of the system: the coolant begins to heat up immediately after the voltage is applied to the electrodes, while when using resistive heaters, it takes some time to heat the coil itself and its dielectric insulation.

Electrode boiler device Electrode boiler device: 1 โ€“ terminals for connecting to the network; 2 โ€“ sealant and insulation of electrodes; 3 โ€“ supply of the cooled coolant; 4 โ€“ block of electrodes; 5 โ€“ coolant; 6 โ€“ boiler drum; 7 โ€“ insulating layer; 8 โ€“ outlet of the heated coolant

However, not everything is so rosy. First of all, the fact that the entire coolant is under the influence of a dangerously high potential difference raises doubts. In particular, with a zero break, all metal parts of the heating system become fatal to humans, and breakdowns are also possible if the neutral is not properly grounded..

Electrode boiler for heating a private house

It is worth mentioning the fact that not all fluids have a resistivity high enough to convert all applied power to generate electricity. A certain part of the current load does not encounter resistance and therefore flows freely into the ground. Against this background, statements that electrode boilers have an efficiency of more than 100% cause a condescending smile from people who are well acquainted with the technical part of the issue..

Requirements for the coolant

In addition to natural losses when heating a liquid, electrode boilers have another nasty property. In the process of passing an electric current through water, the phenomenon of electrolysis is observed โ€“ the separation of the H molecule2About gaseous components. This, among other things, further reduces the energy efficiency of the boiler, because in this case, electricity is consumed not for heating, but for electrolysis. However, the most obvious consequence of this effect is the formation of gas locks in pipes and radiators..

For these reasons, the heating medium for heating systems on electrode boilers must be selected with the greatest care. In order to reduce the conductivity of the coolant (increase the resistivity), the content of dissolved ions in the liquid used should be normalized. Distilled water is mainly used, to which electrolyte is mixed in the proportion recommended by the manufacturer, again, factory production.

Filling the heating system with antifreeze

The situation is more complicated if an antifreeze liquid must be used as a heat carrier. In this case, the system must be filled with a special antifreeze that cannot be diluted with water. With a significant displacement, refueling the system can cost a pretty penny, but this does not take into account the issue of the durability of the coolant. In the presence of metal parts in the system, the concentration of ions in the liquid increases over time, while effective methods for regenerating the coolant for electrode boilers have not yet been invented. But periodically at least part of the coolant will have to be drained, because each boiler requires cleaning the electrodes from plaque, and the system itself needs to be flushed.

Consequences of electrolysis and direct current action

The splitting of water into oxygen and hydrogen leads to the formation of air locks that impede the normal circulation of the liquid. However, this is far from the main negative effect. In particular, during real operating experience, manifestations of electrochemical corrosion of aluminum radiators were found.

In the presence of cast-iron batteries in the heating system, the initial qualities of the coolant fall, mainly due to the leaching of impurities from the open pores of the cast sections. Because of this, those wishing to use electrode boilers in such conditions have no choice but to replace radiators or thoroughly flush the entire system..

Electrode boiler for heating a private house

The very fact that the coolant in the system is energized obliges every metal element of the system to be carefully grounded. If a clamp with a sufficiently low resistance can still be applied to a steel pipe, then high-quality grounding of a cast-iron radiator connected by a system of plastic pipes seems to be a very difficult task. So far, we can conclude that any heating system in which an electrode boiler is used requires a strictly individual approach..

Outstanding efficiency myths

When studying the advertising materials of electrode boilers, one gets the impression that consumers are considered deaf ignorant. Allegedly โ€œionicโ€ boilers extract heat literally out of nowhere, giving out thermal energy in the amount of 120-150% of the applied electrical power. At the same time, the laws of physics and, in particular, heat engineering are ignored in every possible way..

Statements that the electrode boiler is capable of mythically increasing the energy put into it are absolutely groundless. Fortunately, today a similar trend in advertising campaigns has begun to decline, while its initial development can be associated with the active spread of thermal equipment operating at the expense of heat pumps with a positive COP coefficient..

Electrode boiler for heating a private house

Even claims that 100% of electricity is converted into heat is an outright deception. Losses during formation still cannot be avoided, even when the coolant is heated due to its own electrical resistance, because at least 2-3% will be spent on heating the supply wiring, the same amount will drain into the grounding system due to a decrease in the energy of charge carriers due to insufficient chemical purity liquid in the system or due to the formation of plaque on the electrodes. Conclusion: electrode boilers are capable of demonstrating a conversion coefficient close to 100% only under conditions of a demonstration stand, which, as you know, are far from real.

Feasibility of use

For all their shortcomings, electrode boilers not only have the right to life, they occupy their own niche, where they solve a certain range of problems. Basically, their use is reduced to heating small areas, where cyclic operation is especially important. Due to the low inertia, the heating systems on electrode boilers are instantly put into operation, which means that heating can be carried out in a strictly defined period of time.

Electrode boiler for heating a private house

In addition, one cannot fail to mention the small dimensions of the electrode boilers. They represent, in fact, a small flask that can be easily integrated into a compact technical niche. If you need to heat a small space and there is no way to equip a separate boiler room, this kind of boilers will come in handy.

Electrode boiler for heating a private house

However, it should be remembered that this class of equipment works best in closed-type systems with a small displacement. Electrode boilers can be used in combination with underfloor heating systems, and when heating with radiators. However, we repeat, you should properly prepare the coolant and use advanced electronic thermal control circuits..

Electrode boiler connection diagram Electrode boiler connection diagram: 1 โ€“ ball valve; 2 โ€“ filter; 3 โ€“ circulation pump; 4 โ€“ drain valve; 5 โ€“ electrode boiler; 6 โ€“ security group; 7 โ€“ expansion tank; 8 โ€“ heating radiators; 9 โ€“ three-way valve with a servo drive; 10 โ€“ circulation pump; 11 โ€“ floor heating contour; 12 โ€“ underfloor heating control unit; 13 โ€“ electrode boiler control unit; 14 โ€“ digital thermostat; 15 โ€“ contactor; 16 โ€“ automatic protection

Maintenance of the heating system on electrode boilers

During operation, electrode boilers do not cause any particular problems. They are compact, quiet, and require a minimum of protective devices in the electrical and hydraulic piping. Nevertheless, periodic revision and maintenance of such equipment will still have to be carried out..

The boiler electrodes generally require attention. The claims about the absence of scale formation are not groundless, but as a result of electrolysis, at least one of the electrodes forms a hard crust of insoluble plaque. It should be mechanically cleaned at least once a year. Plus, the density and chemical composition of the coolant should be monitored: for different systems, the methods for determining its suitability may differ.

Electrode boiler for heating a private house

Do not forget about electrical safety. The grounding of the heating system must be of good quality, at least once every two years it is necessary to check the operating parameters of the circuit of the main grounding conductors and the resistance of external connecting elements. Without proper attention in this matter, electrode boilers turn into potentially life-threatening devices..

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Comments: 2
  1. Everly

    Is an electrode boiler a suitable and efficient option for heating a private house?

    Reply
  2. Ellie Carter

    Can an electrode boiler be a cost-effective and efficient solution for heating a private house?

    Reply
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