From the article you will learn how to make a gas boiler with your own hands from cheap materials. In fact, it is the central component of the entire system of any private house. Not only the climate in the house depends on it, but also safety. Therefore, it is extremely important to correctly calculate all the parameters of the equipment. For the operation of the boiler, even in the absence of electricity, it is necessary to install an additional source for uninterruptible power supply. You can buy ready-made or make your own - it all depends on your abilities.
Pros and cons of gas heating
Gas is one of the cheapest types of fuel. It is for this reason that gas-fired boilers are popular. Benefits include:
- High efficiency boilers.
- Using the devices is very easy.
- From the dotin terms of ecology - a minimum of emissions into the atmosphere.
- Fuel is relatively cheap.
- The service life is longer than that of competitors - 20-40 years.
But there are also disadvantages, and they are significant:
- Equipment must be licensed without fail. To do this, contact the gas service. Operation of the device without a license is prohibited.
- The boiler must be installed in a separate room (and this is not always possible).
- A chimney must be present.
- Requires an outlet to turn on electrical components.
- If operated incorrectly, there is a risk of fire.
But the difficulties are justified by the fact that gas boilers are very economical when compared with others. For example, coal and firewood are needed in large quantities for heating. And kerosene or gasoline is very expensive. Electric heaters can be used in boilers, but their efficiency is much lower.
Types of boilers
Classification of boilers can be carried out according to several criteria. First of all, you can divide them by the number of contours:
- Single-loop - allow you to perform one function. They either heat water for domestic use or heat pipes for heating.
- Double-circuit - allow you to heat water for sinks and heat pipes.
Also according to the type of removal of combustion products can be divided into:
- Natural draft boilers. Aircomes from the street. Such boilers can be installed in small houses or sheds.
- Boilers with forced draft are a rather complex system; a chimney and a closed-type combustion chamber are required for normal operation.
Type of ignition of gas boilers:
- On piezoelectric elements – manual ignition.
- Electronic - as soon as the power appears, the boiler starts to work.
There are two options for installing equipment:
- On the floor.
- On the wall.
There are also two adjustment options:
- Single-stage - only one power level (full).
- Two-stage - you can set the boiler in one of two modes (strong or weak).
Connection of a gas boiler can be made both to the cylinder and to the line. The most common and effective designs are made of steel. Cast iron can boast that they retain heat for a long time, but their mass is quite large. Copper ones are quite cheap, but they cool down quickly. Therefore, the best option would be a device made of cast iron or steel.
How does a boiler work?
In the article we will look at how to make a gas water boiler with our own hands. But first you need to find out what components they consist of:
- Gas burner.
- Pump.
- Heat exchanger.
- Expansion tank.
- Automatic.
- Fan.
- Thermometer.
- Security system.
- Manometer.
- Gas valve.
- Air vent.
The operation is very simple: as soon as the device is connected to the network, the burner is ignited. With its help, the heat exchanger warms up, antifreeze, water or oil is poured into it. It all depends on how the house is heated. The pump creates a working pressure in the system. As a result, the liquid circulates through the pipes, and the radiators give off heat to the room.
Preparation for work
Before you make a gas boiler with your own hands, you need to make sure that you have all the tools and materials available. And most importantly - you must be confident in your own abilities and skills. In the event that there is no welding machine available, it is better to refuse to manufacture the boiler.
Pay attention to the following nuances:
- The boiler must not be connected to the mains unless permission from the gas service has been obtained.
- To obtain permission, you must call specialists at home or take the structure to the gas service for examination.
- Incorrectly installed boiler is not so much a fine as a risk of gas leakage, as a result - fire and explosion.
- When doing welding, remember your safety. Protective clothing must be worn on hands, head and body.
- Do not buy components for making a boiler from hand, it is better to trust specialized stores.
- All elements must be made strictly according todrawings.
- Before starting work, prepare the necessary materials and tools.
Design calculations and drawings
In order to make a floor-mounted gas boiler with your own hands, you need to use proven drawings. If you look closely, there are quite a few reliable designs. In order for the boiler in the house to be able to create comfort and provide rooms with heat, you need to calculate its volume. The easiest way is to calculate the square of the house. For 10 sq. m. you need at least 1 kW of power. To be sure, it is recommended to add about 10-25% (power reserve). In this case, the boiler will work as efficiently as possible.
For example, your house has an area of 80 square meters. m. Therefore, energy needs approximately 8 kW and at least 0.8 kW reserve. This data is for 1 hour of work. The boiler is able to consume approximately 211 kW of energy per day. Now take into account the calorific value of natural gas - this is a constant, it is equal to 6.55 kW. To calculate the volume of the boiler, you need to know the maximum amount of energy that it consumes in one day. This figure is then divided by the calorific value of the gas.
So, in our example, we need to divide 211 kW by 6.55 kW. It's about 32.2 liters. In other words, for heating a house with an area of 80 square meters. m. you will need a boiler, the volume of which is approximately 33 liters.
Tools and materials
To make a gas boiler for your home with your own hands, you need to acquire the following materials and tools:
- Electric drill.
- Pliers.
- Level.
- Square.
- Roulette.
- Metal pipe.
- Steel sheet.
- Gas pipe.
- Firebox door.
- Red brick.
- Armature.
- Clay.
- Galvanized sheet.
- Welding machine and electrodes.
- Thermostat.
- Automatic.
- Deflector.
The most difficult thing is to choose a thermostat, deflector and automation. Therefore, their choice must be approached responsibly.
Selection of accessories
You can make gas heating boilers with your own hands quickly enough if you choose the right components:
- Thermostats - there are both wired and wireless. Wired cheap, no inferior to wireless. It is recommended to choose programmable elements, as they can be used to regulate and control the temperature of the coolant in the boiler. The thermostat is made, in fact, from two elements. One is located in the room, and the second is on the front of the boiler. When the room temperature drops, the thermostat starts the boiler. Please note that domestic manufacturers are not inferior to foreign counterparts at all.
- As for automation, it usually includes overheating protection, a flame control module, a blast valve and a traction controller. These items can be purchased separately. For the boiler to work properly, you will need to install all these devices. Do not take the cheapest or very expensive ones - stop yourmid-priced choice.
- Deflector is an element that allows you to provide a good hood. It is placed on the chimney pipe. The ideal option is a cone-shaped stainless steel umbrella.
Start making the boiler
Please note that you can even power the heated floor from a gas boiler. It will not be difficult to do it with your own hands. But first you need to assemble the entire structure. To do this:
- Install the boiler on the foundation. To do this, dig a hole (depth of about 0.8 m). The width of the pit is the same as that of the boiler. You can make a small supply. At the bottom of the pit, you need to fill up the sand, pour it with water and let it soak. Lay stones and rubble on top.
- Assemble formwork and frame. Armature required. After you fill in the concrete and remove the formwork after 1-2 days. Lay tar or roofing felt over the foundation.
- Make a brick wall - it can protect the main one from a red-hot cauldron. The width and height of the wall should be larger than the boiler (but not by much, 10-15 cm is enough).
This completes the preparation of the foundation, now you can mount the boiler on it.
Making a boiler
When repairing gas boilers with your own hands, you may encounter the most unpredictable nuances. Therefore, perform all work strictly according to the drawings, following the instructions. Otherwise, later repairs will be difficult to perform. The first step is to make a heat exchanger - it is in it that the water is heated. You will need a tank made of steel and copperpipe (length 0.4-0.5 m). In the upper and lower parts of the tank, you need to make two holes for the tube.
The tube must be bent into a spiral and inserted into the tank. At the ends of the tubes, it is imperative to put fittings, and then carefully solder them. During operation, the burner will heat up the copper coil, and it will transfer heat to the tank. It is unrealistic to make elements such as automation, a thermostat and a deflector on your own, so they need to be purchased at a specialized store.
After assembling the boiler body and installing it on the foundation, you can begin to manufacture the chimney. The pipe for it should be at least 20 cm in diameter. There must be at least 40 cm of pipe above the roof. It is welded to the side of the boiler. With the help of the hood, carbon dioxide is removed faster and easier. To make it, you need to purchase a grill and a fan.
UPS and Stabilizer
In order for a self-made gas boiler to work correctly, you need to power all the automation from the AC mains. Moreover, it is recommended to stabilize the supply voltage, as well as install a UPS. In this case, the boiler will work for you even during a power outage. With the help of a stabilizer, the boiler is protected from overloads and power surges.