Keep warm and save: TOP-5 double-circuit condensing boilers

The condensing gas boiler Protherm Puma Condens 18/24 MKV-AS / 1 consumes 12 - 15 percent less fuel than traditionally designed devices of similar power. Due to the use of the heat of condensation of water vapor, it has a high efficiency (107.8%) and reduced gas consumption (no more than 2.54 m³ / h, if "stoker" is full). The built-in circulation pump with frequency speed control and modulating burner also ensure reliable and stable operation of the equipment in low power modes (from 6.6 kW).

The boiler is controlled and its operating modes are set using a touch panel with an LCD display. Thanks to the "block" eBus, any of the Protherm regulators or sensors, as well as compatible analogues that support the same standard, can be connected to the device. Therefore, the boiler can easily work in complex heating and hot water systems (including multi-stage water heating systems with elements such as solar panels or heat pumps).

Protherm Puma Condens 18/24 MKV-AS/1 costs less than $900. This is a very "pleasant" price (by the standards of double-circuit condensing boilers). The manufacturer managed to reduce the cost by using simpler components (for example, the heat exchanger is made of aluminum, although other companies use more expensive stainless steel). But on the other hand, Protherm boilers are very unpretentious to the quality of water and gas and are not at all “capricious”. Therefore, this unit is perfect if you live in a region with hard water and "orange" gas instead of "blue".

The Hotpoint-Ariston Clas One 24 RDC boiler has a power of 24.4 kW. It can heat a house (up to 195 m²) and at the same time provide hot water for everyone living in it. At full load, gas consumption does not exceed 2.75 m³/h. But, of course, it is not necessary to work “to the fullest” of the boiler. Thanks to the burner with continuously adjustable power, it can be adjusted to work in any mode. If you install outdoor and indoor sensors(purchased separately) and “hook” them through the built-in bus, then the boiler will automatically “adjust” to the weather outside and the microclimate in the house, and its energy efficiency will reach a high class A +.

Of the features of this boiler, it should be noted the presence of the "hot start" function (after 5 seconds from the moment the tap is opened, hot water flows from it) and a complete set of various protection systems. In terms of reliability, the device can please with a durable stainless steel heat exchanger. The manufacturer gives a guarantee for it for 10 years (that is, for the entire estimated service life of the equipment), and for the boiler as a whole - 3 years. It is interesting to note that the boiler can operate not only on ordinary gas, but also on bottled gas (but a conversion from methane to propane is required, which must be performed by a certified specialist).

Ariston boilers always have beautiful front panels. This device is no exception. Thanks to a strict but stylish design, it will fit perfectly into a modern furniture set if you put it in the kitchen. At the same time, the Hotpoint-Ariston Clas One 24 RDC boiler pleases not only the eyes, but also the ears. It has an air intake silencer and a modulated fan that can change the rotation speed. Therefore, the boiler, despite its decent power, works quietly and quietly - almost silently.

The Italian double-circuit boiler Sime Brava Slim HE 25 corresponds to class A in terms of energy efficiency of heating and hot water supply. In addition to connecting to conventional radiators, it can be installed in underfloor heating systems. Thanks to the condensing principle of operation and "smart" control electronics, economical gas consumption is ensured in any mode. This boiler also has a pre-heating function (“hot start”), due to which it supplies hot water to the tap immediately after it is opened.

Although Sime is not the “coolest” brand on the heating equipment market, its equipment has exactly the same pumps, gas reducers and taps from well-known European suppliers as the “stuffing” that are used by higher-class boiler manufacturers. Therefore, there are no problems with the reliability of the device. The stainless steel heat exchanger also contributes to a long service life, which is not afraid of the acidic environment characteristic of the interiors of condensing boilers. Residents of regions where gas is available only in cylinders will be interested to know that this unit is easily reconfigured to work on propane.

The word “Slim” in the title hints that this device is a “slim”. In width and height (700x400 mm), it is approximately the same as other boilers of the same class, but its depth is only 250 mm (5-7 cm less than average). Due to such compactness, this boiler, unlike more “pot-bellied” colleagues, can be easily built into a wall-mounted kitchen cabinet, if you want to hide heating equipment that does not fit into the design of your kitchen.

Among the economical double-circuit boilers with the “warm floor” mode, Sime Brava Slim HE 25 is perhaps the most profitable option, because there are practically no other options with a price tag of around €1000. If you are not satisfied with its power (21.4 kW is enough to heat a house up to 171 m²), then in the same line of Sime boilers there are more powerful models: 25.7, 32.2 and 37.5 kilowatts (the last of them can serve objects up to 300 m²).

The wall-mounted boiler BAXI LUNA Duo-tec 24 is suitable for heating houses or apartments up to 174 m², as well as heating water for domestic needs. Like other condensing type devices, it has a high efficiency (107.6%), which ensures economical operation (gas consumption in full load mode does not exceed 2.61 m³ / h). Due to the continuous electronic modulation of the burner, the device has a wide operating temperature range (25 - 80 °C). Therefore this copper can work in the low-temperature mode necessary for heating systems like "heat-insulated floor".

In terms of the flexibility of settings, BAXI LUNA Duo-tec boilers can outperform equipment from other manufacturers. They, for example, have built-in automation with a room thermostat (so you won't need to buy additional accessories and sensors for a fee to auto-adjust the temperature in the house). In addition, on-board electronics allows you to control multi-temperature zone systems.

It can be said about the BAXI LUNA Duo-tec 24 that this is a time-tested technique (it has been produced for almost 10 years). This model is well known to service engineers (like many other boilers, BAXI heating equipment needs annual scheduled maintenance to maintain the warranty) and does not cause problems for users. The boiler is well adapted to domestic realities. It can work even at low gas pressure in the pipe (down to 5 mbar, which is about two to three times less than normal pressure). It can also be converted to propane if you use bottled gas.

Chaffoteaux PIGMA ADVANCE 25 is a modern double-circuit boiler for apartments and houses up to 195 m². Thanks to the condensing technology with two heat exchangers, it has a high efficiency (109.8%). In terms of energy efficiency, the boiler “out of the box” corresponds to class A (and when installing weather-compensated automation with external sensors, it corresponds to class A +). The power of the boiler is regulated in the range from 4.1 to 24.4 kW, which ensures economical operation under any load and weather conditions.

The equipment is equipped with a full range of various protections (from pressure drop in the gas line, flame extinction, lack of traction and other troubles). Of the interesting features , the hot start function should be noted. It provides instant hot water. The boiler is also equipped with a programmer with three factory presets. They allow you to set the operation of the equipment by the clock (for example, so that the boiler does not turn on at night or during "quiet time" for children). The devices of this series (it also includes more powerful equipment of 28 and 31 kilowatts) were originally designed taking into account the fact that users may need to connect a solar collector, heat pump or additional automation. Therefore, if you want to create a smart home system, then integrating this boiler into it will not be difficult.

Chaffoteaux(pronounced "Chaffoto") is a French brand of heating equipment with a huge history dating back over 100 years. Now she is part of the Ariston group. Chaffoteaux heating boilers are manufactured with a focus on the EU markets. Therefore, they meet the stringent modern requirements adopted in the European Union in terms of efficiency, toxicity of "exhaust", noise level and, of course, the quality of parts and assemblies.