Five storage water heaters with a "dry" heating element

The line of reliable and inexpensive SAFEDRY water heaters under the Thermex brand is presented on store shelves in the most popular formats with a tank for 50, 80 and 100 liters.

A distinctive feature of the character of the models of the series is the "dry" steatite heating element as a heating element. Being placed in a steel flask, it heats water through the walls of its "shell". Due to the absence of direct contact with water, scale growths are not deposited on the spiral of the heating element, besides, in case of a breakdown of the heating element, it will be easier for the user to turn off the procedure for replacing it.

The power consumption of the device is 1500 watts.In the "full blast" operation mode, the boiler will need about 3 hours of "clean" time in order to heat a full tank of water to the maximum possible temperature (75 °C). It is proposed to set the desired degree of water heating by resorting to the services of a mechanical handle on the lower end of the boiler.

The internal walls of the Thermex SAFEDRY ERD 80V tank are coated with a patented coating of bio-glass phosphor, which provides corrosion protection and purity of hot water. Over the years of its presence on the market, the boiler has gained the authority of a reliable "workhorse", unpretentious to the quality of tap water. Its long service life is guaranteed by the manufacturer, who kindly provides a 2-year warranty on the electric components of the water heater and gives a 7-year warranty on the tank.

The Italian company Zanussi has been producing household appliances for over 100 years, which can be found in many households from all over the world. The Orfeus OH ZWH/S 80 home front water heater is busy solving hot water preparation issues.

An 80-liter tank is installed in the heart of the boiler, inside of which a spark of two "dry" heating elements with a total capacity of 1600 watts is working hard. So that they do not come into contact with water, the heating elements were placed in protective casings. At the same time, a magnesium anode of increased mass is put on guard to protect the tank elements from corrosion. It is worth considering that the model is designed to be installed in an upright position.

The control panel for the water heating temperature in the tank is placed on the front part of the cylindrical boiler body. It varies in the range from 30 to 75 °C. When the ECO-mode is activated, the temperature inside the tank is maintained at about 55 °C. Up to the maximum temperature, the water in the tank is heated for over 4 hours — in this regard, the boiler could be faster.

The model is supplied together with dielectric adapters, which help to avoid the formation of corrosion on the pipes, fixing anchors and a connection kit. The water heater, of course, is not insured against leaks, but in light of the 5-year warranty on the tank, the lion's share of problems with the boiler is solved by contacting the service centre. The Zanussi Orfeus OH ZWH/S 80 is easy to handle, easy to maintain and, thanks to the stainless steel tank with enamel coating, will last a long time.

The Slovenian company Gorenje exports products to different parts of the globe. The main field of activity of the company is the production of a wide range of household appliances. One of the important revenue items of the brand is formed by water heaters, in particular, a model with a "dry" two-kilowatt heating element OGBS 80 ORV9.

The number 80 in the expanded name of the boiler indicates the litre of its tank. It, in turn, is sharpened into a flat-shaped body, which is painted white. Such a format for building a water heater is attractive because the device can be easily installed in any environment, even in conditions of cramped space. The tank of the model is covered by a 10-year warranty, but it is advisable to check this point with the seller at the stage of buying a boiler.

The crown "chip" of the device is the intelligent function of EcoSmart. Its meaning boils down to the fact that the boiler produces the heating mode that households use most often. As a result, energy consumption savings are achieved. Also, this model is equipped with overheating and freezing protection systems, in addition, the water heater will not turn on in the absence of water.

The boiler heats the water to 85 °C (at least brew tea in it, which, of course, is not necessary to do). In such a high temperature regime, the lion's share of pathogenic bacteria dies. A fly in the ointment in a barrel with honey is a poor configuration of the model. Components for the installation of a water heater will need to be acquired in a separate order. However, on all other fronts, the Slovenian brand confidently holds the brand, which means that the boiler will last for more than one year in a row.

The Electrolux brand is well known to the mass consumer for reliable and functional household appliances. Just the same, these qualities are endowed with the EWH 80 Royal Flash water heater, which is to be installed in both vertical and horizontal positions.

The basis of the "insides" of the model is a rectangular stainless steel tank with a high content of anticorrosive alloying elements. The water in it is heated by two "dry" heating elements with a total capacity of 2000 watts. The user has the right to set the degree of heating of the water in the tank with an accuracy of 1 °C in a wide temperature range from 30 °C to 75 °C. The value of the selected temperature is shown by a digital screen on the front panel of the water heater.

Along with the mission of heating and maintaining the temperature of hot water without significant fluctuations, which is facilitated by a 20 mm thermal insulation layer of polyurethane foam, the boiler has acquired a number of useful additional options. Take, for example, a timer for deferring heating to a given time (taking a morning shower, visiting the first client to a beauty salon, etc.). Those who are eager to save on spending on electricity will like the modes of half power and economical operation, during which the water is heated to 55 °C.

From the complaints in the reviews of the model, they often blame non-standard cold / hot water supply (pipes have to be laid crosswise), tank leaks before the end of the warranty period and water leakage from the safety valve (solved by removing the tube from it into the sewer). You can close your eyes to possible problems due to the provision of an 8-year warranty from the manufacturer for the water heater tank.

The first Atlantic electric water heaters "came out to people" more than four decades ago. Since then, a lot of water has flowed away, but the main thing has remained unchanged — the French manufacturer of climate technology relies on innovation, taking into account the baggage of accumulated experience behind its shoulders.

The Atlantic Vertigo 100 Steatite turned out to be different from most of its relatives. And the point here is not even in the appearance, which is exceptionally good for the model, but in the design features of the device. In the bowels of its narrow body (29 cm deep), two steel tanks with "dry" heating elements are adjacent. Together they produce a power of 2250 watts. The heating elements are protected from contact with water by a flask with an enamel coating. Additional protection against corrosion in addition is provided by magnesium anodes — one near each heating element.

The charm of the model in the external image is given by a grey vertical stripe running along the front panel. Part of it was "bitten off" for its own needs by the boiler control command post with a mechanical rotary regulator at the head. In the minimum position of the "twister", the water heater switches to the "Anti-freezing" mode (maintaining a temperature of 7 °C in case of downtime in a poorly heated room). Also, with its help, the desired water heating temperature is set (in the range from 50 °C to 70 °C) and the intelligent control mode is activated. During the first week of operation, the boiler remembers the intensity of water consumption during the day and then automatically selects the temperature of hot water adapted to the level of use by consumers.

A separate touch button on the control panel of the device activates the Boost fast heating mode. It is designed to prepare several "portions" of hot water for taking a shower. The boiler cooks enough water for one person in turbo mode in just half an hour. After that, the model takes its place with the versatility of installation and good thermal insulation. Not the most democratic price tag can spoil the impression of it, but in this case the water heater more than fulfills every penny spent on it.