Heating area
The maximum area of the building that the boiler can effectively heat. However, it is worth considering that different buildings have different thermal insulation properties and modern buildings are much “warmer” than 30-year-old and even more so 50-year-old houses. Accordingly, this paragraph is more of a reference nature and does not allow a full assessment of the actual heated area. There is a formula by which you can derive the maximum heating area, knowing the useful power of the boiler and the climatic conditions in which it will be used; see Heat output for more details. In our case, the heating area is calculated according to the formula "boiler power multiplied by 8", which is approximately equivalent to use in houses that are more than a dozen years old.
Heat output
It is the maximum useful power of the boiler.
The ability of the device to heat a room of a particular area directly depends on this parameter; by power, you can approximately determine the heating area, if this parameter is not indicated in the specs. The most general rule says that for a dwelling with a ceiling height of 2.5 – 3 m, at least 100 W of heat power is needed to heat 1 m2 of area. There are also more detailed calculation methods that take into account specific factors: the climatic zone, heat gain from the outside, design features of the heating system, etc.; they are described in detail in special sources. Also note that in dual-circuit boilers (see "Type"), part of the heat generated is used to heat water for the hot water supply; this must be taken into account when evaluating the output power.
It is believed that boilers with a power of more than 30 kW must be installed in separate rooms (boiler rooms).
Combustion chamber
The type of combustion chamber provided in the boiler.
—
Open(atmospheric). Combustion chambers of this type consume air from the room in which the boiler is installed, and the combustion products are naturally removed through the flue. Boilers of this design are simple and inexpensive but have specific installation requirements: the room must be well-ventilated, and the height of the chimney must be at least 4 m to ensure sufficient draft.
—
Closed(turbocharged). Closed combustion chambers are isolated from the room in which the boiler is installed: combustion air is taken from the street, and combustion products are removed there. For this, a coaxial flue is usually used — in the form of two pipes nested one inside the other: combustion products are removed through the inner one, and the outer one is responsible for the air supply. Turbocharged combustion chambers are more complicated and expensive than open ones, and the maximum length of the chimney is limited. On the other hand, such a boiler does not burn the air in the room, and it can be installed anywhere, regardless of the ventilation efficiency.
— Is absent. Boilers powered by electricity do not have combustion chambers (see "Source of Energy").
Flue diameter
The diameter of the pipe through which combustion products are discharged from the combustion chamber.
In boilers with a closed combustion chamber often used the coaxial flue, consisting of two pipes nested one inside the other. At the same time, products of combustion are discharged from the combustion chamber through the inner pipe, and the air is supplied through the gap between the inner and outer ones. For such flues, the diameter is usually shown in the form of two numbers — the diameter of the inner and outer pipes, respectively. The most popular values are
60/100,
80/80 and
80/125. Non-coaxial flues can be
100,
110,
125,
130,
140,
150,
160,
180 and
200 mm.
Max. gas consumption
Maximum gas consumption in the boiler with the corresponding energy source (see above). Achieved when the gas heater is operating at full capacity; with reduced power and consumption, respectively, will be lower.
Note that boilers of the same power may differ in gas consumption due to the difference in efficiency. While the more fuel-efficient models tend to cost more, the price difference pays off in gas savings.
