Advantages of using an induction boiler for heating a private home

Despite the fact that an induction boiler costs 2-3 times more than its heating element counterpart, an increasing number of users prefer this type of heater. Thanks to its simple and trouble-free design, the unit is durable and maintenance-free. Due to the high power, the connection of the installation must be coordinated with the Distribution Zone.

The induction boiler has a safe design.

The history of the appearance of heating equipment

The prerequisite for the creation of heat generators of this type was the discovery of electromagnetic induction made by Michael Faraday on August 29, 1831. Before him, this phenomenon was observed by Francois Jean Dominique Arago, but could not explain and reveal it.

Induction is the occurrence of an electromotive force in a closed conductor when the magnetic flux passing through it changes.

This can be achieved in 2 ways:

1. Varying field parameters. To do this, change the strength or direction of the current flowing in the electromagnet coil.
2. The movement of the conductor relative to the field or vice versa. To do this, for example, a permanent magnet is rotated.

Later, this phenomenon was studied in detail by Jean Bernard Foucault. He called volumetric currents arising in a material under the influence of an alternating magnetic field eddy currents. This is due to the circular trajectory of the charges. They are also called Foucault currents, named after the researcher.

According to the Joule-Lenz law, electricity induced by a magnetic field causes an increase in the temperature of the conductor. E. Colby took advantage of this in his experiments on non-contact heating of steel. In 1900, in the Swedish city of Jaising, she built the first induction melting furnace with a power of 78 kW. The project manager was engineer F. Kjellin.

In 1900, the first induction melting furnace was built.

Subsequently, the technology was developed and began to be used to solve a wide range of problems, in particular:

• ultra-pure smelting, soldering and welding of metals;
• bending and heat treatment of machine parts;
• creating jewelry;
• disinfection of medical instruments;
• heating miniature workpieces that are at risk of damage when in contact with gas-flame and arc equipment;
• surface hardening, including products of complex shapes;
• activation, training and degassing of cathodes in the production of vacuum electronic devices.

Due to the large size of the first installations, this method was not initially used in everyday life.

Later they began to produce:

• kitchen stoves;
• water heaters;
• heat generators.

What is it

The concept of electromagnetic induction, which was discovered back in 1831 by Michael Faraday, is when a conductor located in a magnetic field creates an electric current.

Every modern transformer works on this principle.

When two insulated windings are wound onto a ferromagnetic core and, for example, 220 V is supplied to one, the second begins to have a voltage that relates to these 220 V to the same extent as the size of the turns of the secondary winding concerns the size of the primary turns.

Transformer windings allow you to remove the required amount of voltage and use it in the operation of electronics or an electric motor. What if a ferromagnet, not connected to anything, is placed in a winding that generates eddy currents?

It is clear that the resulting EMF will be completely converted into the kinetic energy of movement of its molecules, or into heating.

Well, what if you place a ferromagnetic core in a water flow that is distributed along a closed circuit? It is clear that it will begin to be cooled by water, which will then itself heat up.

With this information, you can make an induction heating boiler with your own hands.

But first you need to deal with technical issues:

• find a suitable core made of a material that does not corrode;
• isolate it from the coil, while the impermeability of the structure must be ensured;
• protect the coil from overheating when interacting with high currents.

General information about induction heating boiler

The production of such units began in the 90s. last century. Many models are cylindrical in shape, so they fit well even in small spaces.

Purpose of the inverter

The most expensive models are equipped with an electrical converter that processes the mains current as follows:

• straightens;
• again makes it variable with a frequency of up to 80 kHz instead of the standard 50 Hz.

Inverters are equipped with an electrical converter.

At the first stage, a simple diode bridge is used. On the second there is a circuit of fast-acting key transistors and a microprocessor that controls them.

Increasing the frequency of the current leads to a similar change in the magnetic field it generates. As a result, the so-called skin effect. It consists in the fact that due to the interaction of constantly changing primary and secondary fields, free charge carriers are displaced into the surface layers of the product. As a result, the current density increases, and hence the heating intensity, since, according to the Joule-Lenz law, these quantities are interrelated:

ω = j*E.

The temperature deep within the material increases due to thermal conductivity. As the frequency of the inductor's magnetic field increases, the layer thickness decreases. As a result, the current density increases.

Specifications and functionality

The device passport indicates the following parameters:

• power;
• voltage – 220 or 380 V (1- or 3-phase);
• dimensions and weight;
• installation method - wall or floor;
• highest coolant temperature;
• maximum pressure in the tank.

The induction boiler has a high efficiency of up to 99%.

Often referred to as efficiency. But this is a marketing ploy - any electric boiler, regardless of its operating principle, operates with 99% efficiency.

The weight of a 15 kW unit is 15 kg (Comfort brand unit), 5 kW – 11 kg (ELC Indukcion).

Functionality:

1. Smooth launch. This eliminates sudden voltage fluctuations in the home network.
2. Power adjustment within a wide range. For example, a heater with a nominal capacity of 6 kW has 3 stages of 2 kW each.
3. Maintaining the coolant temperature within user-specified limits. The device automatically selects the desired mode and turns off if necessary.
4. Programming. The user sets the heater operating schedule for each day of the week. For example, on weekdays from 8-00 to 17-00. When no one is home, the coolant temperature is set to a minimum.
5. Room thermostat. Using a remote sensor, the device monitors the air temperature in the room and selects the optimal operating mode.
6. Weather-compensated control. Some models also monitor the outside temperature and adjust performance ahead of time when it changes. This avoids wastage of energy.
7. Remote control. The GSM module allows you to turn on the device and change its settings from your smartphone.
8. Display of operating parameters on the screen. There are models with a touch screen.

The double-circuit unit additionally provides hot water supply in flow mode.

Many models are equipped with an expansion tank and pump.

Device

The device consists of the following components:

1. Housings with thermal and electrical insulation.
2. Boiler tank with core.
3. A coil of wire wrapped around it, filled with a compound.
4. Automation block.
5. Terminal box for cable connection.

Installation of an induction boiler.

Principle of operation

The operation of the boiler is based on the induction effect. Part of the work done by electric current is spent on creating a magnetic field around the conductor. If it is assembled into a coil, this share increases many times over. Thus, the boiler winding acts as an electromagnet-inductor that generates an alternating field.

It induces Foucault currents in the heat exchanger and core, thereby causing them to heat up.

Advantages and disadvantages of the device

There are a lot of “advantages” of a vortex induction heater. This is a simple circuit for self-production, increased reliability, high efficiency, relatively low energy costs, long service life, low probability of breakdowns, etc.

The productivity of the device can be significant; units of this type are successfully used in the metallurgical industry. In terms of heating rate of the coolant, devices of this type confidently compete with traditional electric boilers; the water temperature in the system quickly reaches the required level.

During operation of the induction boiler, the heater vibrates slightly. This vibration shakes off limescale and other possible contaminants from the walls of the metal pipe, so such a device rarely needs to be cleaned. Of course, the heating system should be protected from these contaminants using a mechanical filter.

An induction coil heats the metal (pipe or pieces of wire) placed inside it using high frequency eddy currents, no contact required

Constant contact with water minimizes the likelihood of the heater burning out, which is a fairly common problem for traditional boilers with heating elements. Despite the vibration, the boiler operates extremely quietly; additional sound insulation at the installation site is not required.

Another good thing about induction boilers is that they almost never leak, unless the system is installed correctly. This is a very valuable quality for electric heating, as it eliminates or significantly reduces the likelihood of dangerous situations occurring.

The absence of leaks is due to the non-contact method of transferring thermal energy to the heater. Using the technology described above, the coolant can be heated almost to a vapor state.

This provides sufficient thermal convection to encourage efficient movement of coolant through the pipes. In most cases, the heating system will not have to be equipped with a circulation pump, although it all depends on the features and design of the specific heating system.

Sometimes a circulation pump is necessary. Installing the device is relatively easy. Although this will require some skills in installing electrical appliances and heating pipes. But this convenient and reliable device has a number of disadvantages that should also be taken into account.

For example, a boiler heats not only the coolant, but also the entire working space surrounding it. It is necessary to allocate a separate room for such a unit and remove all foreign objects from it. For a person, staying in close proximity to a working boiler for a long time can also be unsafe.

Induction heaters require electric current to operate. Both homemade and factory-made equipment are connected to a household AC network

The device requires electricity to operate. In areas where there is no free access to this benefit of civilization, an induction boiler will be useless. And even where there are frequent power outages, it will demonstrate low efficiency

An explosion may occur if the device is handled carelessly

If you overheat the coolant, it will turn into steam. As a result, the pressure in the system will increase sharply, which the pipes simply cannot withstand and will burst. Therefore, for normal operation of the system, the device should be equipped with at least a pressure gauge, and even better - an emergency shutdown device, a thermostat, etc.

All this can significantly increase the cost of a homemade induction boiler. Although the device is considered virtually silent, this is not always the case. Some models may still produce some noise for various reasons. For a device made independently, the likelihood of such an outcome increases.

There are practically no wearing components in the design of both factory-made and home-made induction heaters. They last a long time and work flawlessly

Main types

Different types of boilers differ in the design of the heat exchanger:

1. Casing. The device consists of 2 parts located inside and outside the coil.
2. Volumetric or inductive-conductive. The boiler tank is located inside the winding and contains a ferrite core.
3. Tubular. The first induction heaters belonged to this type. The heat exchanger is a set of pipes that go around the winding.

The units are also divided into models with and without an inverter.

Principle of operation

To understand how an induction unit functions, you need to familiarize yourself with the following important points:

• water enters the boiler unit through the inlet pipe;
• the inverter turns on and high-frequency current is supplied;
• vortex flows begin to first heat the core, and then the entire heating element as a whole;
• the resulting heat is transferred directly to the coolant;
• The heated coolant is transferred to the heating system through the outlet pipe using hydrostatic pressure.

Expert advice: water, antifreeze, oil and other petroleum-based liquids can act as a coolant in an induction boiler.

Main advantages of use

Compared to heating elements, non-contact heating boilers have the following advantages:

1. Resistant to voltage surges. They can even withstand lightning strikes and zero ground breaks.
2. Reliability and durability. These qualities are due to a simple design: the working part of the boiler consists of a pipe and a wire wound around it.
3. Heat exchanger tightness. Its integrity is not compromised, so leaks are excluded.
4. No scale. According to the manufacturers, it is not formed due to microvibrations of the heat exchanger walls.
5. Large heating surface area. It is multiple times higher than that of the heating element. This ensures rapid heating of the coolant.

The induction boiler is resistant to voltage surges.

Compared to gas, solid fuel and diesel analogues, induction is superior because:

1. Does not produce exhaust and does not require a chimney.
2. It works silently.
3. Able to regulate power over a wide range and at high speed.
4. Due to the absence of fire, it is not a fire hazard.
5. It is equipped only with electronic automation, which means it has all modern functions - programming, weather control, etc.

No heating element

First, the electric boiler is induction, supposedly there are no heating elements. But in a heating element, sometimes there are more than a dozen of them, which means there is a high probability of them breaking, maybe several at once.

But if there were no heating element, then how would the boiler heat the water? The same coil essentially performs this role, only without contact with the liquid. Therefore, this element is present in any such unit.

But as for the high probability of heating elements failing, this directly depends on the product and manufacturer that you buy.

There are specialists who have installed more than 500 heating element boilers over the years of their work, and have not changed a single element under warranty during all this time.

Criteria for choosing a good boiler: what to look for

When purchasing a unit, consider the following:

1. Power. For a standard house, 1 kW is required for every 10 square meters. m area.
2. Voltage. The 380 V model is suitable only for those who have 3 phases connected to their house.
3. Maximum pressure in the boiler tank. It must withstand the load from the pump and the weight of the water column.

Models with several power levels are preferable - when starting, they do not cause a sharp drop in voltage in the network.

When purchasing a unit, consider the power and voltage.

Due to the high cost of electricity, it is recommended to choose a boiler with functions that allow you to use energy economically:

• with weather-compensating automatic;
• programmable.

Is the induction heating method really effective and reliable?

Before you buy or start making an induction boiler, it is worth understanding how effective this heating method is. In specialized shopping centers you can hear only positive characteristics of systems operating on this principle from sales consultants. However, not everything they say is 100% true. And these heating units have their own so-called “pitfalls”.

Sellers operate with a whole list of theses, trying to increase sales of boilers operating on the induction principle:

• For example, it is a common statement that the operating principle of these devices is an innovative development.

In reality, this is not true, since electromagnetic induction was discovered back in 1831 by the English experimental physicist Michael Faraday. In the second half of the twentieth century, induction systems were successfully used in the metallurgical industry.

From this we can conclude that these devices can hardly be classified as innovative technologies. However, this also has its own “plus”, since such a system has already been time-tested and proven to be effective.

• The next important quality that sellers focus on is the cost-effectiveness of using an induction boiler. It is usually stated that this type of unit consumes 25-30% less energy than other electric heaters. Can we agree with this?

Prices for induction heating boilers

induction heating boiler

Probably not, though. Any electric heater consumes electricity according to its power specified by the manufacturer in the technical data sheet. That is, to generate one kilowatt of heat, in the most ideal case (at 100 percent efficiency), the device needs to consume a kilowatt of electricity. Moreover, even with the above parameters, the efficiency of the unit may be lower, since much also depends on the specific operating conditions of the boiler.

Induction boilers, largely due to the “reactive” energy generation based on the principle of self-induction, have high efficiency rates tending to 100%. But you still shouldn’t expect some kind of “fabulous” savings from them.

The time it takes to heat the coolant to the desired temperature depends on the power and efficiency of the heating element. It must be said that part of the expended energy, one way or another, is wasted, since the materials from which the device parts are made have non-zero resistance. However, heat loss from the operation of an induction boiler does not go “down the chimney”, but remains in the room where the device is installed, which is often their obvious advantage.

So, the conclusion suggests itself is that it is unlikely that you will be able to save any serious money on electricity when using an induction boiler. But their efficiency and heating speed are really high.

• Despite the approximate service life specified in the data sheet, established by the manufacturer (not to be confused with the warranty!), sellers assure that the induction heating boiler will last at least 25 years. It is necessary to agree that this information is reliable if the electronic control unit is made of high quality. The unit includes semiconductor elements, which can still fail. As a rule, manufacturers provide a ten-year warranty on the components of the electronic unit. However, quite often they work perfectly for 25–30, or even more years.

But in the boiler itself, by and large, there is simply nothing to break. Thus, the primary winding, usually made of copper, has a large margin of safety and will last a long time if it is properly cooled (and this is ensured by coolant circulation).

The core rod or the material of the internal channels, of course, will begin to deteriorate over time, since it will be constantly adversely affected by the aggressive environment of the coolant, as well as by alternating cooling and heating. However, for it to become completely unsuitable for use, more than a dozen years must pass.

Considering the design of a boiler operating using an induction circuit, we can conclude that it is much more reliable and durable than heating devices that use heating elements as heating elements.

Prices for heating boilers

boiler

• Another quality that is a plus for an induction heating device is its silent operation - supposedly this distinguishes it favorably from other heating units. The question arises, is this so?

But here, exactly the opposite is true. Yes, electric heating units operate silently, since during their operation no acoustic vibrations are created and no mechanical components are used. However, it is during the operation of the induction device that low-frequency vibrations can be clearly felt, which can irritate people with acute hearing. This negative phenomenon is minimized in vortex-type boilers, in which the supply voltage to the primary coil is first converted to high frequency.

In addition, if a low-quality circulation pump is installed in the system, it can also become a source of mild annoying noise. But this already applies to all heating systems, regardless of the type of boiler. But the modern range of pumps makes it possible to purchase a completely silent model.

• The buyer can evaluate the compactness of the boiler visually. We can say that this unit consists of a piece of pipe of a certain length, which does not take up much space, unlike other heating devices. True, the mass of an induction boiler is usually quite impressive, which means that reliable brackets will be required.

Induction boilers are usually very compact.
And they are often even placed in “batteries”, putting into operation, as needed, only the number of devices required under given operating conditions. However, do not forget that space will be required for the accompanying elements of the system, as well as the wiring of circuits and the installation of collectors, if required by the circuit. If it is necessary to heat a fairly large area of ​​the house, then several induction devices are often installed, and the entire system will require a lot of space.

• The statement that boilers of this type are completely safe, and that this quality of boilers is more pronounced than that of their heating element counterparts, is incorrect. The operating safety of these two types of heating devices is approximately the same, and depends on the correct connection and the performance of the systems designed to protect them from extreme situations.

For example, if a coolant leak occurs in an induction device, and the electromagnetic field does not turn off in time, and heating of the internal core continues, then the housing and fastenings can melt literally in a matter of minutes. Therefore, when purchasing a device or designing it yourself, you need to pay attention to the automatic shutdown of the unit in the event of an emergency.

Induction boilers are reliable and efficient devices that do not take up much space, but their advantages are often significantly exaggerated

As you can see from the information presented above, induction boilers, just like other heating units, have their own shortcomings, and they are not unique devices that allow you to pay mere pennies for heating. However, their effectiveness is beyond doubt. And yet, thanks to the compact size of the boiler, it can be placed in an apartment, for example, in a niche, so that it will be almost invisible.

Review of popular manufacturers and models

More and more companies are mastering the production of induction boilers. Some brands have become especially popular.

VIN

The brand belongs to the “Alternative Energy” thermal equipment plant. The company produces induction-conduction heaters with volumetric heat exchangers. All boilers are equipped with inverters. The cost is 37-40 thousand rubles.

VIN – heater with a volumetric heat exchanger.

SAV

Equipment of this brand is produced by NPK INERA.

Peculiarities:

• shell heat exchanger;
• lack of inverter.

The devices operate at a standard network frequency of 50 Hz. Because of this, they are larger than inverter ones, but cost less - 27-32 thousand rubles.

"Geyser"

The brand belongs to the Kostroma Boiler Equipment Plant. The company produces a series of heaters with a rated power of 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 50, 100, 250 kW. The first requires a voltage of 220 V, the others - 380 V.

Geyser units are of the inductive-conductive type.

All units are of the inductive-conductive type.

"Edison"

The model range of this brand includes heaters with a rated power of 4.7, 13, 22, 50, 100, 250, 500 kW.

The most productive installation is capable of heating an object with an area of ​​5000 square meters. m. Its weight is 1.5 tons.

The minimum price for Edison products is 35 thousand rubles.

The models are not equipped with inverters, so the youngest representative of the line weighs 40 kg with a power of 4.7 kW.

"Miratron"

The company offers several induction heaters with capacities ranging from 6 to 30 kW. The company uses only high-quality materials in the manufacture of units. All of them have a connector for connecting a weather sensor, and a programming function is provided.

"Miratron" is an induction heater made of high-quality materials.

A 6 kW model costs 45 thousand rubles, a 15 kW model costs 65 thousand rubles.

Connections and flanges

The second drawback in comparison is the large number of sealing connections (heating elements, flanges) and their complete absence in an induction boiler. Here these advantages and disadvantages can even be swapped.

After all, if the heating element does fail, you can easily replace it. Or simply exclude it from the circuit for a short time, set the jumpers differently and continue working.

But if the coil burns out (due to an interturn short circuit), how much will the repair cost you? And will you be able to keep warm with such a breakdown?

DIY methods

Thanks to a simple device, you can make a small induction heater yourself.

The easiest way is to install an electromagnet next to the cast iron battery. Home craftsmen also assemble more efficient designs.

From a welding inverter and plastic pipes

This is the most common option.

Proceed in the following order:

1. Take a piece of thick-walled plastic pipe DN50 0.5 m long. Most often, a product made of polypropylene is used.
2. Using a special heater, weld the coupling on one side, after inserting a circle of metal mesh into it. The part must completely cover the end of the pipe.
3. Pour scraps of stainless wire 7 mm thick and up to 5 cm long into the water heater. They will serve as a core.
4. Cover the second end of the pipe with a metal mesh and weld the coupling.
5. Wind 90 turns of enameled copper wire around the body. This is an inductor coil.
6. Connect a 15 A welding inverter with a smooth current control function to the wire.

The device can be made from a welding inverter.

It is permissible to replace couplings with fittings with metal threads.

The heater is ready, you can connect it to the pipeline.

Examples of homemade designs

If you are not going to use an induction boiler for main heating in a private house, but want to equip a cottage or garage with it, then you can try to design it yourself. There are two options on how to do this.

First option

To implement it you will need pieces of plastic pipes and a welding inverter. Having basic knowledge of physics and knowing how to use wire cutters, you can independently make a basic induction model. To do this, you need to purchase an already created high-frequency welding inverter with continuously adjustable current power up to 15 amperes or even higher. To heat a large area, it is better to choose a much more powerful device. You will also need stainless steel wire rod or regular pieces of steel wire. This is necessary to act as a heated element. Their length is about 50 mm, with a diameter of 7 mm.

An important component is copper wire, which can be easily purchased at any specialty store. Do not use windings from old coils. The housing, which is the basis of the induction coil, is also part of the pipeline, so it can be made from a plastic pipe with thick walls. Its internal diameter should be 50 mm. Two outlet pipes are attached to this housing for the flow of cold coolant and the release of hot coolant. The entire internal space of the case must be completely filled with pieces of wire and covered with a metal mesh so that they do not spill out.

This is what a homemade induction device might look like

An induction coil is made as follows: an enamel-coated copper wire is gradually wound around a previously prepared plastic pipe. It will take approximately 90 turns. The resulting homemade device needs to be connected to the pipeline network. A small section of pipe is cut out of the pipeline, and a homemade induction boiler is installed in its place. It is connected through an inverter and the water is simply turned on.

Second option

This option involves the use of a three-phase transformer with the possibility of fixation. In addition, you will also need a welding machine. To make the device, you need to weld two pipes so that they look like a donut in cross-section. This design performs both conductive and heating functions. Then the winding is wound directly onto the boiler body in order for it to operate more efficiently, despite its low weight and size. A standard coolant heating scheme is used here: it receives a large amount of thermal energy upon contact with the winding.

Homemade induction boiler from a transformer

The manufacturing scheme for this design is somewhat more complicated than in the first version. The boiler is equipped with two pipes, both for the entrance of the cold coolant and for the exit of the heated one. If you come up with and build a protective casing yourself, you can minimize heat losses.

Self-installation instructions

When installing the device between it and building structures, maintain the following minimum distances (cm):

• walls – 30;
• floor and ceiling – 80.

The device is leveled in a strictly vertical position.

Connecting the boiler to the heating system

Induction heaters are intended only for closed circuits with forced circulation of coolant.

There are 2 reasons for this:

• high hydraulic resistance;
• high heating rate - the medium boils before it has time to escape into the system under the influence of convection.

Induction boiler connection diagram.

Therefore, the circuit must be equipped with:

1. Circulation pump with mesh filter. It is connected to the boiler on the “return” side.
2. Diaphragm expansion tank. Placed right there.
3. Safety group consisting of a pressure gauge, air vent and safety valve. It is installed on the “supply” side no further than 0.5 m from the boiler without any fittings in this area.

The “return” is connected to the heater from below. “Feed” – to the upper pipe.

Electrical connection

The device is supplied with its own cable from the distribution board. The cross-section of the conductors is selected according to the amount of current consumed. The line is protected by a circuit breaker and an RCD. The boiler body is grounded.

Results

So, the efficiency of induction boilers is approximately 99%, they operate silently, using any liquid heat carrier, they do not require maintenance, and it is also safe and practical. Although such a boiler is quite expensive, such costs are recouped. And if you create it yourself, it will be even more profitable.

https://youtube.com/watch?v=F6yIXht5gks

Of course, the choice is yours, but it’s better to contact specialists who will tell you whether such heating is suitable for you.
But, in general, induction boilers are an excellent alternative to traditional heating systems. Date: September 25, 2022

Operating rules and maintenance

Do not do the following:

1. Fill the system with a coolant that is not listed as permitted by the manufacturer.
2. Turn on the device in dry running mode or with the pump stopped.
3. Carry out repair or maintenance work without turning off the power to the unit.
4. Keep metal objects near the heater.

The device cannot be turned on in dry code mode.

Check periodically:

• performance of the RCD;
• ground loop resistance.

Induction heaters do not require maintenance. In rare cases, the heat exchanger may become covered with scale, then it is washed with a solution of citric acid or a special product. To eliminate such phenomena, fill the system with demineralized water.

Loosening contacts

Terminal contacts in heating element models, most of them, can be in temperature difference mode. Heating at maximum load, and cooling when switched off.

And this imposes obligations for their revision and tightening.

And in induction, there are supposedly no electrical contacts. In fact, they are always and everywhere, including induction ones.

But as for the former, in recent years specimens with high-quality screw clamps have begun to be produced.

Or there may be screw connections with a locking washer, which do not require maintenance, or spring clamps, which also go without control and revision for years.

In fact, these are just made-up benefits.

Approximate cost of induction heating for a private house

In rated power mode, the boiler operates only a small part of the time - when the outside temperature drops to extremely low values. In a building built in accordance with energy saving standards, the average performance of the heat generator for the entire cold season is 1/3 of the maximum.

Let the area of ​​the house be 150 square meters. m. Then:

• rated power of the device at the rate of 1 kW per 10 sq. m – 15 kW;
• the average for the heating season is 5 kW.

If the duration of the cold period is 7 months (213 days), the total energy consumption is equal to:

Р=5*24*213=25560 kW*h.

The cost of 1 kWh in rural settlements, for example, the Samara region, as of the first half of 2022 is 3.02 rubles.

The costs for an induction boiler will be high.

Heating costs will be:

Z=25,560*3.02=77,190 rub. for 7 months or 11,027 rubles. for 1.

Of all types of heating, electric is the most expensive.

To reduce costs, proceed as follows:

1. Switching to a 2-part tariff. For villages and hamlets of the Samara region. the price of 1 kWh at night in 2022 is 1.66 rubles.
2. A heat accumulator is installed in the heating system. This is a large container encased in mineral wool.

The boiler operates only at night, heating the liquid in the storage tank to +95°C. During the day, the heating circuit, as needed, selects hot water from the tank through a mixing unit.

The costs in this case will be:

Z=25,560*1.66=42,430 rub. for 7 months or 6061 rub. for 1.

In this scheme, the boiler works at night simultaneously on the heating system and on the battery. Therefore, we need a model with 2 times the power - 30 kW.

Decrease in electric boiler efficiency

Another argument for comparison is that an induction boiler does not lose its original power during operation. But with heating element, due to scale formation, this happens as a matter of course.

Even sometimes calculations are given, according to which, within just one year, the power of a heating element decreases by 15-20%. This means that its efficiency also decreases.

Let's look at this in more detail.

Almost any electric boiler has an efficiency exceeding 98%. And even boilers operating at ultra-high frequency currents from 25 kHz and above, what can they change for you? Add an extra one and a half percent, but at the same time jump the price by 100%?!

As for deposits on the heating element element, they are indeed present.

In water supply systems in direct heating boilers, a certain “scale” is deposited on the working element. It actually gradually prevents the water from heating up quickly.

What happens where there is no constant supply of impurities? A small layer of deposits may settle on the heating element, however:

• this layer is not thick enough

• it does not in any way interfere with heat transfer

For example, let’s assume that on a clean surface of the heating element, heat transfer occurs at t=60 degrees. As soon as this surface becomes contaminated with deposits, heat exchange will not disappear anywhere, but will begin to occur at high degrees, say 75-80C.

And accordingly, the boiler in no way loses its original efficiency.

That is, in fact, both on a clean heating element and on a dirty one, the same amount of energy is transferred, only at different temperatures.

Negative sides of boilers

The disadvantages of induction heaters are:

1. High price. The device costs 2-3 times more than its heating element counterpart.
2. Large weight and dimensions. Household models generally weigh from 40 to 80 kg.
3. High cost of energy resources. In Russia, the average cost of an electric kWh is 3.5 rubles, while that obtained from burning main gas is only 0.5 rubles.
4. Difficulty connecting. According to the standards, only 5-7 kW is allocated for an apartment and a house; if there is an electric stove, it is 88-11. To increase the limit, you need to obtain permission from the Distribution Zone and replace the supply cable. There have been cases when, in order to connect a 15 kW boiler, people had to pay for the replacement of a transformer at a substation.

Induction water heater

Induction water heaters have a body and an original electric inductor (transformer) inside it, and its secondary winding is the metal pipe with water itself, in the form of a short-circuited turn.

As a result of the flow of significant electrical currents in it, from the inductively induced electrical voltage in it, this pipe intensively heats up and heats the water in it with its heat.

In a nutshell, how does an induction heater work?

this is a step-down transformer that is installed in a pipe

At first I decided that if the word “induction” is in the name, then heating occurs with high-frequency currents, like in a microwave oven, but it turned out not.

There is no trace of any high frequency, power supply is 220/380 volts, industrial frequency 50 Hertz.

The technology is actually very simple - there is an ordinary coil in a shielded pipe - this is like the primary winding of a transformer, if we draw an analogy with a transformer.

The role of the secondary winding, and at the same time the magnetic circuit, is performed by a metal heating pipe!

Owner reviews

• Over a year of use, of course, it is difficult to give an objective assessment of the operation of the VIN-5 boiler, but still some trends can be noted. First of all, there were no complaints about the operation of the system. I haven’t yet felt the terrible influence of the “colossal” magnetic field either... What’s most pleasing is that you can forget about the existence of a heating boiler in the house, and you also had to pay a little less for the light, a good thing. Alexander, Leningrad region
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• Having carefully studied the design of induction boilers, I came to the conclusion that there really was nothing to break. According to the parameters, “SAV-5” turned out to be the most suitable option, and it was bought for 36 thousand. I can’t say that the energy savings are really significant, but compared to an old boiler, you have to pay less. Otherwise, there are no complaints about 2 seasons. Nikolay, Taganrog.
• Two years ago I installed Geyser-20 and am very pleased that I installed it. Over the course of two seasons, the cost was somehow forgotten, but the warmth and comfort remained. Besides this, no anodes, rinsing, remove-hang, etc. for you. An analysis of receipts for the period of use of the boiler showed that electricity costs, although not much, were less. So I recommend it to everyone! Andrey, Novosibirsk.
• I really liked the idea of ​​sitting in a warm place and not doing anything for it, just paying for the light, and even then less than for a classic boiler, I decided to try it. I installed a 50 kW Edison induction unit in the house, now I sit warm, do nothing and am very pleased. The main thing is that you don’t need to call any specialists, because the city is as much as 75 km away. And if all jokes aside, I haven’t had any complaints in 3.5 years, that’s a very good thing. Dima, Moscow region.

The selection was made in such a way as to further characterize the products of the brands discussed above based on real reviews from owners.

If the cost of an induction device is beyond the family budget, but you have practical skills in plumbing and welding and basic knowledge in electrical engineering, you can make a heater yourself.