BOILER OR GAS COLUMN - which is better, more profitable, more economical gas water heater or boiler

A couple of years ago, I had to choose which boiler or gas water heater is better. One and the other device have their own "pluses" and "minuses". The boiler is installed in those houses where gas is not supplied or a column cannot be installed. In my case, the gas is supplied and the unit can be installed, but there is one caveat: there is often a weak water pressure in the house.

Features of the gas column

For a gas column (I have an auto-igniter), you need a stable water pressure. Otherwise, the result is deplorable: there is no pressure → the column does not turn on → I sit without hot water. Alternatively: put a pump that increases the pressure in the system. But these are additional costs. And the problem does not go away: if I have more pressure in the pipe, then my neighbor has less. And this is already a conflict of interest.

In cheaper columns, instead of automatic temperature control, piezo ignition or electric ignition is provided.

In the first case, you have to manually ignite the fire by pressing a button. The burner must be on continuously so that the thermocouple can generate current that keeps the gas valve open. You won't save fuel this way.
In the second case, the boiler is started with an electric spark, and the flame is controlled by the ionization unit. The fire burns while using water, then goes out. Gas is consumed more economically, but you cannot buy batteries, because the boiler is powered by them.

Any of the three types has its own "fly in the ointment". And so, of course, the gas water heater is paradise.

There is no need to save hot water.
The appliance has a longer service life than a boiler.
Replacement of components is cheaper.

But you have to adapt to the column.

You take a shower - until the pressure changes, the water is as it should be.
If someone at home turns on hot water in the kitchen, the shower stream becomes cooler.
If it is cold, then boiling water flows from the watering can - you can scald!

In general, I'm tired of adapting to the circumstances, I decided to buy a storage water heater.

See the review of the Bosch Therm 4000 S geyser

Boiler features

Put on the boiler - beauty! He turned on the water under any pressure, albeit for 10 seconds - it runs hot! And earlier I didn't want to "set fire" the column to rinse my hands. I have 80 liters of Gorenje. This is enough for all family members to take a shower in sequence.

When I was choosing a boiler, I did not pursue a large volume. For storage models, the power of the heating element rarely exceeds 3 kW. You have to wait a long time when a full tank heats up. Therefore, 80 liters is just right for warm water in the kitchen and in the bathroom. In addition, there is nowhere to hide the water heater in the apartments. And to mount it in a closet is a bad idea, because the device will have to be disassembled, cleaned and changed from time to time in order to prevent the tank from leaking and rusting.

In terms of energy consumption, the standard is 350 kW in winter, and 200-250 kW in summer. Maybe a bit too much, but I have at least two reasons for that:

the wife often bakes in an electric oven;
in the bathroom there is a warm floor on an electrician with poor insulation, so it shakes a little more than necessary.

If you live in a gasified home where there are no problems with electricity, buy an indirect boiler. Although it is more expensive, it warms up as best it can. The power of the heat exchanger (coil) through which the boiler drives the coolant is already about 20-30 kW instead of the standard 2-3 kW. Unlike a storage unit, such a 200-liter unit heats water not in 4 hours, but in 40 minutes. A big difference!

But if you are heating the house with wood, you should not connect an indirect boiler to a solid fuel boiler. Maintaining hot water in a water heater will be very inconvenient.In winter, it’s all right, but where to go in summer and in the offseason? When you heat the boiler, it seems like it's not bad to heat the boiler along the way. But if you do not need to heat, you will never be engaged in heating the boiler just for the sake of boiling water. Better to put an electric model.

If my arguments in the question of which is more profitable - a boiler or a gas water heater, helped someone come to a certain decision, I am only glad. In the summary table, I leave the main arguments "for" and "against" these devices. And write your opinion in the comments: I'm interested, readers will come in handy.

See the review of the Electrolux EWH Magnum boiler