Wall or floor gas boiler - which is better? Arguments for choosing the best equipment

Faced a dilemma: a wall or floor gas boiler - which is better? Believe me, every second buyer of heating equipment turns to consultants with this question. And it’s good if he comes across a competent and qualified specialist. Another thing is if he is an amateur ...

Since you do not know which of the consultants or sellers you will have to deal with, we recommend that you sort out everything on this shelf before going to the store for yourself.

We offer a professional answer to the question of which of the boilers is best for the house and apartment, as well as in what. From this comparative review, you will learn how they differ from each other and what these differences influence during the work.

Wall and floor boilers: differences

To choose between two models, you must be aware of their differences, as well as understand - what they are fraught with in practice. Therefore, briefly go through all the parameters.

Efficiency and Power Consumption

Modern models of floor boilers have an efficiency of 88-90% (models with the old configuration - about 85%). As for the wall ones, the same indicator here is higher - 90-94%. Accordingly, the energy consumption in boilers with lower efficiency is higher, which means that energy consumption is also greater.

But it is impossible to evaluate the efficiency of the model only by the installation method - its principle is also affected by its effectiveness. In the latter case, conventional and condensation boilers are distinguished.

Almost all floor-standing boilers are convection - they are cheaper and demonstrate less efficiency. Although at the same time, due to a simpler internal device, their repair is cheaper, and this is a plus.

Wall-mounted boilers are more advanced in terms of design, they have more details, however, repairs in case of breakdown are more expensive

Wall - can be convection and condensation.In the latter, heat generated from heated gases and combustion products is additionally transferred to the coolant. Thus, heat does not “fly out into the chimney”, but is effectively used. The only inconvenience is that it is necessary to equip the condensate boiler outlet.

Wherein floor models can also be condensation, but this is a slow-moving product, since their price exceeds 150 thousand rubles.

Heat exchanger material and service life

By this criterion, the reliability of the device is also determined.

In specific models, “their” heat exchangers are traditionally installed:

1. In floor models use reliable and heavy cast iron. It is good because it is not afraid of corrosion, hardy and has a high density and thickness. This allows boilers with a cast-iron heat exchanger to work without interruptions for up to 25 years.
2. In suspended boilers - it is replaced with light steel or copper. Steel is a cheaper option, however thin, therefore prone to warping and rusting. Such models will last, with luck, 12-13 years. Copper is more durable and conducts heat better, but is used only in expensive models.

Please note that the statement allegedly wall mounted boilers less reliable due to the complexity of its design, nothing more than a myth.

According to the specifications declared by the manufacturer, the life of the wall-mounted boilers is somewhat less, but this does not mean that in life they often break and quickly fail. With careful operation, they can work as much as floor boilers

In fact, durability is affected not by the number of parts and structural elements, but by the heat exchanger material.

So, it is in floor models that a cast-iron heat exchanger is most often installed, which is considered the most hardy material. Therefore, their service life differs from wall-mounted boilers in which heat exchangers of their lighter materials are mounted.

Design features and dimensions

If you think that the more the better, then you are mistaken. In this case, the functionality of the equipment is in no way connected with the dimensions.

The rule “more is better” does not always apply: a small wall-mounted boiler can often have more functionality than large equipment

Surprisingly, it is a fact: wall-mounted boilers that are more complex in configuration are smaller in size than more primitive floor-standing boilers. The first - are whole mini-boiler houses.

In the design of gas single-circuit and double-circuit wall boilers depending on the tasks to be used:

• one or two circulation pumps;
• closed expansion tank;
• pressure gauge;
• a thermometer;
• air vent;
• safety valve.

The second ones are distinguished by a simpler design and require separate installation of the expansion tank and pump, which can be dispensed with in some cases.

Power Dependence

If you want to competently choose a gas boiler, you should take into account the specifics of the supply of electricity in your area. The non-volatile model will work even in the event of a power outage. If there are problems, choose floor models. About half of them are non-volatile.

The only drawback is piezo-burning, which must be done manually. However, for the situation with unstable energy supplies - you can close your eyes to this minus for the stable operation of the boiler.

Plus non-volatile floor boilers - in the possibility of their use in regions with unstable power supply. Since any wall-mounted boiler is powered by electricity, interruptions will cause problems

As for wall-mounted boilers, there are no options here: they all need to be connected to the mains, and if you want to make the heating system non-volatile, you will have to install an additional generator or UPS (uninterruptable power source), which, of course, will result in additional spending.

Automation and feature set

The automation of wall-mounted boilers is more perfect, therefore they are more convenient, safe and convenient to use. For example, they are equipped with a mode to prevent freezing, protection against overheating, blocking the pump, lack of traction, and self-diagnosis.

The process of heating water in mounted boilers is fully automated. Starting and stopping the equipment, as well as interruption of work in case of a dangerous situation occurs without the participation of the owners

Of the functionality of the floor modifications, gas control and overheating prevention should be mentioned. Auto ignition is less common.

Heat carrier and its properties

Here, again, the choice will depend on where the heating system will be installed and how often it will be used:

1. Floor standing boilers can work with any coolant. Including antifreeze is suitable, so if you need to heat a summer house or a house in which you do not constantly live, you should choose floor configurations with antifreeze as a coolant. This way you can not be afraid that the system will freeze or depressurize.
2. Wall-mounted appliances cannot work on antifreeze. The reason lies in the viscosity and fluidity of the substance, as well as in its negative effect on the state of steel or copper heat exchangers, which are just used in mounted models.

If you focus on this criterion and decide whether to choose a floor or wall model of a gas boiler, which unit is more reasonable to prefer, then floor constructions definitely win.

Type of burner and chimney

In mounted boilers, simulated burners are always mounted (even in low-cost), while in floor-mounted boilers, one or two-stage.

Briefly explain what this means:

1. Single stage. Those that can only be on or off, and do not imply intermediate modes.
2. Two-stage. They can work with regulation at 50% or 100% power.
3. Modulated. The user can at his own discretion choose a mode of operation from 20% to 100% power.

“Ideal” is considered a mode in which fuel is constantly burned at minimum power. More advanced modulating burners allow you to more accurately set the temperature and save gas consumption.

The installation of floor boilers requires the organization of a boiler room. Permissible installation in the hallway or corridor with organized natural ventilation. Most wall mounted gas units are allowed in kitchens.

As for the chimney, in 90% of cases with floor boilers it is necessary to equip it separately. This is explained by the fact that they are equipped with an atmospheric burner and an open combustion chamber, i.e. air that is taken from the premises must subsequently be "taken out" to the street.

In wall-mounted models, the combustion chamber is closed, so air enters and is discharged through coaxial chimney. Discharge of gas processing products by floor models with a turbine burner is also carried out by a coaxial system.

Installing models with a two-pipe chimney is simple and less troublesome, but in the case of severe frosts (from -15 ° C and above), condensation forms in it. This can lead to icing up and shutdown of the heating system.

If it is necessary to prepare hot water, it is better to supplement the floor gas boiler with a boiler. You can purchase a floor unit, heating both coolant and hot water, but in this case the quality of preparation is reduced

Therefore, according to this criterion, it is impossible to unequivocally answer which gas boilers are best for you personally - wall or floor. As you can see, you will have to tinker with the floor longer with the chimney, but in the future you can be calm for its stable operation even in severe frosts.

As for the wall, there will be less hassle during the installation process, but more so when the thermometer drops below -15 ° C.

Price difference and assortment

Hinged structures, even in spite of their more modern and concise design, as well as a more complex device, are cheaper than floor.

This can be explained by the fact that the market of mounted models is more competitive, as well as the fact that spare parts for them and maintenance are cheaper. They are more in demand - naturally, manufacturers offer more options and a price difference.

Which boiler is best for home and apartment?

It is difficult to give a universal assessment, since each situation is individual, but basically in practice it happens like this:

• floor constructions are bought for heating the private sector (houses, cottages);
• hinged - for apartments in view of its small size and external attractiveness.

Although it is important to make a reservation. In every sense, unambiguously, more reliable floor-standing mini-boiler rooms, because they have a more durable heat exchanger, and they are not fastidious in operation even at critically low outdoor temperatures.

Plus, add non-volatility, and then you will understand why many people prefer to install them even in apartments.

Mounted boilers are good because they can be built into kitchen sets, occupy a minimum of usable space in small city kitchens

But if you are limited in living space and live in a region where severe frosts are a rarity, it is more rational to install a wall modification. This, moreover, will be cheaper.

Pros and cons in comparison

Before buying a boiler, carefully study the strengths and weaknesses of both types of equipment. They differ not only in appearance, weight and gas consumption, but also in operational characteristics. To learn more about such differences, the table below will help.

The advantages and disadvantages of the floor boiler are presented in the following table:

The strengths and weaknesses of wall-mounted boilers will be introduced by the following table:

We propose to consider the differences between these modifications of gas equipment on real models, which are currently in high demand and are available from most suppliers.

Take seriously the choice of equipment type, since in the future it will be expensive to replace, for example, a floor boiler with a mounted boiler and vice versa. You will have to pay for the production of new design documentation and registration.

In conclusion, I would like to note the following market trend: gradually mounted boilers displace models that are installed on the floor.

This must also be taken into account, since the further it is, the more difficult it may be to find parts for floor boilers, as well as to find craftsmen who can provide qualified assistance in case of breakdown.

Conclusions and useful video on the topic

The expert from the video below will tell you in detail about what myths exist regarding both types of equipment and what are their features during operation. This information should finally help you make your choice.

Each type of equipment has its advantages and disadvantages, therefore, it is impossible to distinguish a clear leader in this comparative review. It all depends on in what conditions and at what facility the boiler will be operated.

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