Floor gas heating boilers: types, how to choose, an overview of the best brands

Russia is a country with a very harsh climate. In most of its territory, winters are very cold. The presence of heating in homes is vital. Practice shows that one of the best options for organizing building heating is to use gas as a fuel, and the most popular are floor gas units.

We will talk about what are floor gas heating boilers. From the article we presented, you will learn how the equipment works, what it needs for stable uptime. In order to facilitate the selection of the optimal model, we analyze the main criteria and characteristics of the best options.

Why choose floor standing boilers?

Manufacturers of gas boilers produce a variety of modifications of heating appliances. All of them can be divided into floor and wall devices.

The latter are compact and have good performance. And yet, many prefer outdoor equipment, due to its significant advantages.

The advantages of floor boilers include:

• Great power. The design of the devices is such that they are capable of delivering much more power than wall-mounted analogs.
• The presence of non-volatile models that can permanently or temporarily work with a coolant moving without using a pump.
• Durability and reliability of equipment. A properly selected and installed boiler, subject to competent operation, can work for 50 years or more.
• Profitability and simplicity of operation. Floor-standing boilers, unlike wall-mounted boilers, are most often produced without built-in automation and additional equipment. This greatly simplifies the maintenance of devices, their repair and extends the life of the device.

Of course, the use of floor equipment involves some inconvenience and limitations. These include the mandatory availability of a separate room - equipped boiler roomin which the boiler should be placed.

There are a number of requirements for such premises, each of them must be strictly observed. Otherwise, it will not be possible to obtain permits for the installation and commissioning of gas equipment.

Floor-mounted gas boilers are large and massive, but they are more powerful, reliable and durable compared to wall-mounted counterparts

The dimensions of the furnace or boiler room are selected based on the fact that not only the boiler, but also all the necessary additional equipment could fit here freely. The requirements of SNiP are also taken into account.

The need for furnace equipment increases the cost of installing the boiler. In addition, a chimney arrangement, floor preparation, etc. Accordingly, the cost of installing a floor-mounted boiler will be much higher than a wall-mounted one.

Varieties of floor heating appliances

Boilers can be classified according to a variety of criteria. We will understand the main characteristics that affect the quality of operation of devices.

The number of circuits in the device

One or two work circuits can be integrated in the boiler. In the first case, the device will only heat the coolant, that is, function as a heating device.

Such equipment is equipped with one heat exchanger, which greatly simplifies its design and reduces size. True, the latter also depends on the power of the device. If single-circuit equipment is installed, an additional unit will be required to heat the water.

If a single-circuit boiler is used in the heating system, then to provide the house with hot water, you will need to install an additional water heater

In this case, you can put additional indirect heating boiler, for example, or any other device. Single-circuit boilers are chosen for heating facilities that do not require hot water supply or for large houses, where the entire power of the device will go to heat the building.

Dual-circuit models are capable of simultaneously heating the coolant and heating water for domestic needs. AT double-circuit boilers two heat exchangers are integrated, which significantly complicates the design.

There are models with the so-called bithermic heat exchanger, which is divided into segments. The coolant moves along one of them, while the heating water moves along the other. Such devices are as compact as possible, but less reliable and easy to use.

Units with two completely separate heat exchangers can be considered the best option. They form less scale. In addition, the circuits are divided, so it is not necessary to block the heating segment at the time of distribution of hot water. Whereas in boilers with a bithermic heat exchanger this is exactly what happens.

Double-circuit boilers are optimally used for small residential buildings. On large areas, a mandatory separation of circuits is required, which is due to safety requirements, a lack of overall power, etc.

Type of combustion chamber

Heating boilers can be equipped with an open or closed chamber. In the first version, only natural traction is used to operate the unit.

This suggests that the oxygen necessary for the combustion process enters the chamber from the room in which the device is installed. The boiler independently, without the help of any additional equipment, takes the amount of air necessary for its operation.

The boiler with an open chamber can operate without boost, which makes it non-volatile. True, such devices require certain conditions for safe operation.

Thus, the room should be equipped with effective ventilation.In addition, for the normal operation of a boiler of this type, it is necessary to install a full-fledged chimney of the vertical type, which will provide normal draft. The advantages of boilers with such a camera include non-volatility and relatively low cost, but they give less power.

Appliances with a closed-type camera are distinguished by the presence of a fan that supplies air into the device and exhausts flue gases from it. Therefore, the boiler does not take oxygen from the room.

The chimney in this case is also significantly different. A coaxial type system is installed where two pipes are inserted one into the other. Internal is intended for the removal of combustion products, and external air is supplied with street air.

Coaxial flue can be installed not only vertically, but also at some angle horizontally. The presence of a fan guarantees stable traction.

A closed chamber increases the efficiency of the boiler. This is due to the fact that the maximum afterburning of fuel occurs. Thus, the advantages of such boilers include higher efficiency, better efficiency, lower fuel consumption.

For gas boilers with enclosed chambers, the use of a coaxial chimney is mandatory. The system provides air to the combustion zone and flue gas

In addition, they are safer due to the fact that the combustion cycle inside the device is completely isolated. Of the disadvantages, it is worth noting the volatility of the devices, which is extremely undesirable in areas where power outages are not uncommon. In order for the operation of the boiler not to be affected by interruptions in the supply of electricity, it is recommended use ups in the equipment connection diagram.

Due to the operation of the fan, such boilers are quite noisy and their cost is much higher compared to analogues with an open camera.

Material of which the heat exchanger is made

Floor-standing boilers can be equipped with three types of heat exchangers. It is unambiguous to say which one is better, it is difficult to analyze the features of each. Cast iron heat exchanger does not corrode. It is insensitive to thermal shock and acid attacks.

With proper operation, such a detail can last 20-30 years. The main disadvantage of cast iron is its fragility, which is important to consider when transporting it and during operation.

Before installation, it is recommended to carefully check the heat exchanger for cracks. In the process of using the boiler, it is very important to maintain the desired temperature regime and not to allow temperature differences between return and supply of 45 ° or more.

Otherwise, the heat exchanger may crack. Another drawback of cast iron is its large weight, which makes it difficult to install the part and its subsequent dismantling if necessary.

The best choice for a gas boiler is a cast iron heat exchanger. Such parts are not susceptible to corrosion, durable and reliable. The only significant flaw is fragility

Steel heat exchangers are lighter and more durable. They are not prone to cracking and are not prone to deformation. Their main disadvantage is susceptibility to corrosion and burnout.

Depending on the quality of alloy steel, the average service life of a steel unit will be 10-15 years. If the operating conditions are violated, the part will fail much earlier.

Extending the life of a steel heat exchanger is quite simple. It is necessary to ensure that the temperature inside the boiler does not fall below the “dew point” value for the exhaust gases. If this happens, condensation forms on the walls of the part.

It is carbonic acid dissolved in water. Aggressive substance will damage the heat exchanger. Thus, it is necessary to constantly maintain a sufficiently high temperature inside the boiler, which leads to greater fuel consumption.

Copper heat exchangers are characterized by excellent thermal conductivity, corrosion resistance and low weight.However, in floor boilers they are installed extremely rarely. This is due to the high cost and "moodiness" of the metal. During the operation of a powerful outdoor appliance, copper wears out very quickly. For low power wall mounted devices this option is more suitable.

Type of burner device

The burner of the floor boiler can be one, two-stage or modulation. The first option assumes that the device always gives out only one power level. Two-stage allows you to choose one of two levels.

Modulation assumes smooth regulation (modulation) of the power output by the device. It must be understood that the maximum power of the heating device is not always in demand.

The modulating burner allows you to adjust the power of the boiler, which can significantly save fuel

According to experts, it is used from 15 to 30% of the time when the device is working. For the rest of the term, it produces less power.

Thus, modulation or at least two-stage burners are more economical. They significantly increase the service life of the heater, due to the decrease in the number of shutdowns / turns on the device.

The ability to work at reduced capacities gives significant energy savings. In addition, the amount of flue gases and other combustion products emitted into the air is also reduced. Boilers with modulation and two-stage burners are suitable for use with boilers of various capacities.

Flue gas use

Traditional boilers are convection type appliances and are designed so that the flue gases, together with water vapor, are immediately diverted to the outside. However, their temperature is high and this heat can be reused.

Condensing units collect the steam released during the combustion of gaseous fuels, after which they are redirected from heat to the heating circuits. Due to a more complete use of the energy received during gas processing, the productivity of both the boiler itself and the heating circuit as a whole increases significantly.

Condensing boiler is able to use part of the heat of the exhaust flue gases, which significantly increases its efficiency and reduces fuel consumption

Thus, it is possible to achieve significant fuel economy and increase the efficiency of the boiler to a fantastic 100% -114%. The disadvantages of condensing boilers are usually attributed to a more complex design, which significantly increases the cost. Convection devices are simpler to execute and much cheaper.

Choosing a floor boiler: how not to make a mistake

Before you go to the store, you should carefully analyze the features of the heated object in order to clearly understand the operating conditions of the device. Based on this, the characteristics of the equipment are selected.

Gas unit power

One of the main factors determining the choice of the boiler. Standard recommendations suggest determining the required power of the device from this ratio: per 10 square meters of the building will require 1 kW of power produced by the unit.

However, this is a very average figure. It does not take into account the heat loss of the building, the height of the ceilings in the room, the number of doors and windows, their thermal insulation and much more. If possible, produce calculation of the required boiler power should a specialist.

Another point. It is usually recommended to select a boiler with some power reserve. This is true, but this stock should not be large. Otherwise, this will lead to rapid deterioration of equipment and a constant excessive consumption of fuel. For single-circuit boilers, the power reserve should not exceed 15%, for double-circuit boilers 25%.

Fuel consumption specifics

If possible, it is advisable to choose the most economical boilers. These include all condensation models.Compared with traditional devices in similar conditions, they consume 15-30% less fuel. The electronic ignition system will also help.

Standard piezo ignition requires the continuous operation of a pilot burner, which leads to gas overruns. For an electronic system, this is not necessary. Such boilers are of great value, but during operation, investments quickly pay off.

Double-circuit boilers are very convenient for small buildings, because they allow you to simultaneously heat the house and provide it with hot water

Optimum number of circuits

It makes sense to think about purchasing a dual-circuit boiler only on the condition that there is a need for hot water supply. In this case, it is worth installing the device with two circuits only in a building of small or medium size.

For large houses, the installation of double-circuit boilers is impractical, since the power of the device for full-fledged work is often not enough. In addition, the security of the system suffers.

Priority heat exchanger material

Copper is not considered in this case. Only steel or cast iron. The first option is chosen if you want to save money. But you need to be prepared for the fact that in a few years you will have to change the heat exchanger. For continuous trouble-free operation of the boiler, a knot of cast iron is selected.

Type of construction and performance

For floor gas boilers, efficiency is considered normal, varying from 80 to 98%. Condensation models differ in efficiency ranging from 104 to 116%. The higher this value, the more efficient the boiler and use less fuel.

For dual-circuit models, the DHW system performance can vary from 2.5 to 17 liters per minute. The performance and power of the unit affect its cost, the higher it is, the higher the price of the device.

Best management system

The most convenient and safe to use are boilers with automatic control. They are able to function autonomously, without constant control of the owner. These are expensive complex systems.

It is possible to use more budget boilers with manual control, but in this case it will have to be controlled, turning the device on / off to obtain a comfortable room temperature.

An excellent option in the operation of a gas boiler is the presence of a built-in thermostatic sensor. If not, it is recommended to purchase and install thermostatso as not to waste energy and overload heating equipment.

The most convenient in operation are floor-standing boilers with automatic control. They do not require constant monitoring, while working safely and efficiently.

Rules for automatic unit adjustment gas equipment are given in the article, the contents of which we advise you to read.

Acceptable Design and Dimensions

The dimensions of the boiler and its appearance are selected based on the area of ​​the furnace room. Manufacturers offer a wide selection of different models of various designs and sizes, which allows you to choose the device that is most suitable for a particular room. It is important to remember that completely free access to the boiler and additional equipment must be provided.

The best models gas boilers presented in the article, which sets out the selection criteria in detail, provides all the arguments on the basis of which you can make a balanced purchase.

The best equipment: consumer opinion

According to the owners gas heating systems and equipment service specialists among foreign manufacturers, the best can be considered the German brands Bosch, Wolf, Buderus, Vaillant, the Slovak brand Protherm, Italian BAXI and Korean Navien.

Among domestic manufacturers, the Conord Plant from Rostov-on-Don and Zhukovsky ZHMZ have proven themselves well. Consider several models recognized as the best.

Bear 30 KLOM by Prothrem

Floor single-circuit device with an open chamber and cast iron heat exchanger. Equipped with modulation burner made of stainless steel. There is the possibility of arranging forced flue gas removal.

The heat exchanger is equipped with a condensate protection system; if necessary, its sections can be replaced. The boiler is compact in size, has a cooling circuit, an automatic control system and two “Summer-Winter” operating modes. The power of the device is 26 kW.

EcoVIT VKK INT 366 by Vaillant

The single-circuit boiler operates using condensing technology. Able to heat up to 340 square meters. m, power - 34 kW. If necessary, provide DHW is well compatible with a storage external boiler. The model has an efficiency of more than 100%, which makes it very economical.

The floor boiler Comfort from the Zhukovsky plant is an excellent budget solution to provide heat to the house

Equipped with multi-sensory control system and modulating burner of closed type. For ignition, economical electronic ignition is used. The boiler can be connected to external control, which allows you to integrate it into smart home system or manage it remotely.

AOGV-23.2-3 Comfort N from Zhukovsky Plant

Inexpensive domestic boiler with improved environmental performance. Fully adapted for use in Russian conditions, able to function stably at low gas pressure.

Non-volatile, can be built into systems with gravitational or forced circulation. Equipped with a pointer thermometer and piezo ignition. Extremely easy to manage and maintain. The burner is easy to clean and replace.

With an overview of popular models of gas boilers running on liquefied gas, will introduce next articlededicated to this issue.

Conclusions and useful video on the topic

Video # 1. Which boiler is better to choose: floor or wall, why it is recommended to prefer one or another type:

Video # 2. The device of the gas boiler floor type:

Video # 3. What to consider when choosing a model of a floor boiler:

Floor boilers are the most practical choice for arranging autonomous heating. If necessary, you can choose a dual-circuit model and provide not only heating at home, but also the supply of heated water.

Among the variety of heating devices, it is important to choose the device that is most suitable for specific operating conditions. You should not save and buy a clearly low-quality, but cheap device. A good boiler will work for a long time and will repeatedly pay off its cost. It will always be warm in your house with it.

Do you want to share your own experience gained during the selection, installation and operation of a gas boiler floor type? Do you have useful information that is useful to site visitors? Please write comments in the block below, ask questions, publish photos on the topic of the article.