How to provide domestic hot water - which is the most efficient option?

The domestic hot water provision is always a challenge for households, especially those in small communities or those completely remote from urban areas. Some households are connected to central heating and domestic hot water systems or are gasified, but this is rather the exception to the rule. In most cases electric heaters are installed to provide it locally. We therefore present the most common ways of providing domestic hot water, with their strengths and weaknesses.

Electric boiler

These are some of the most common devices, especially popular in the past. As is obvious, electric water heaters heat water through electricity using standard heaters and water tanks with added insulation. It's a cheap, quick and easy solution to install, but its advantages end there. The biggest disadvantage of electric water heaters is their low efficiency, or simply said, the amount of energy they use to heat a certain amount of water. This drastically increases the monthly electricity bills; respectively the effect of the lower first investment is lost.

Instantaneous water heater

Instantaneous water heaters do not heat water through a continuous cycle where a set amount of water is maintained at a set temperature in a water tank, but only heat water when it is needed. They take up less space than conventional water heaters, but unlike them they operate at a much higher output. This leads to a number of disadvantages, the main one being the need for a reinforced electrical network to match the high output. Also the high instantaneous consumption 'eats up' the so-called savings from the lack of constant operation. Given the high temperature of the heat exchanger, it is desirable to purchase a high class appliance for safety, which increases the cost of the first investment.

Thermodynamic boiler

Thermodynamic boilers work on the principle of heat pumps, but the efficiency of the technology is concentrated only in the production of domestic hot water. This makes them extremely expensive as an investment and inefficient on a cost-benefit basis. In most cases, thermodynamic boilers take up a lot of space, are noisy and have a difficult installation.

Hybrid solution for heating, cooling and domestic hot water

Increasingly, households are investing in heat pump-based heating and cooling systems that provide a comfortable indoor environment at an affordable price, with care for Nature and without high operating costs. In addition, heat pump systems can also meet domestic hot water needs without the need to purchase additional appliances. The only thing needed is a water tank with an internal heat exchanger to receive heat from the fluid circulating in the system. In addition, many households install energy-efficient and cost-effective pellet stoves with a water jacket that, in addition to bringing the comfort and warmth of a live flame, also assist in heating and providing hot water on the coldest days of the year.

The hybrid heating, cooling and domestic hot water systems, 100% manufactured in Bulgaria by Mareli Systems, are characterized by high efficiency, reliability, excellent quality, affordability and a full warranty. For more information or consultation on our heat pumps, fan-coils, buffer tanks and pellet stoves/boilers, call us on +35974850821 or email us at [email protected]