In order to heat cold water for couples procedures, you can use a boiler device or install a tank that will transfer the heat generated by the stove to the liquid. For the operation of the installation to be safe and efficient, you need to know how to properly connect the tank to the heat exchanger in the bath.
Types of water tanks
When taking bath procedures, there is a constant need for water. It is needed for watering stones in the stove, processing brooms, washing the body after being in the steam room, keeping the room clean. Therefore, it is necessary that there is always a heated liquid nearby. In summer cottages, where baths are often built, there is often no possibility of using the main hot water supply. To solve the problem, a hot water tank is connected to the heat exchange element.
The tanks differ in design, materials used, dimensions and shape. There are models on the market specially designed for use in the sauna. Tanks with a water circuit are usually made of stainless steel or galvanized sheet.
Built in
In the past, such hot water tanks were installed in bath rooms already in the process of their construction. When the lower part of the tank was connected to the firebox, the liquid was heated from the furnace heat. The advantage of this design is the high heating rate. The downside is a decrease in the heat transfer of the furnace unit to the air masses (since most of it goes to the preparation of the liquid). Water is taken from the container with a scoop or a tap is installed. The capacity of the resulting tank is determined by the size of the oven.
Remote
The convenience of connecting a remote tank to a sauna stove is the ability to choose from several locations for the container. Usually it is placed in the shower room next to the steam room. A heat exchange element built into the furnace is responsible for heating the liquid. It is connected to the tank by means of brass or copper pipes. Cold liquid flows through the heat exchanger, and back is already heated.
On the pipe
Here, the water is heated by the heat of the gases moving through the chimney. The installation of such a tank is more difficult than other types, but its use has several advantages. The liquid heats up very quickly, and a large container will allow serving a company of 5 or more people. Water retains heat for a long time even after the end of the stove firebox. Tanks are often installed in the attic. This arrangement is beneficial in that it allows you to leave more free space inside the room. The material for the container body is most often stainless steel, which also contributes to the speedy heating of the water. But at the same time, you need to ensure that the liquid does not start to boil (this applies to tanks of any kind).
Attached
In this case, no installation operations are required to connect the tank to the heat exchanger. The container is attached to the stove partition, the liquid in it is heated by the heat of the combustion unit.
The attached design is attractive for its simplicity, but the preparation of water in it is not as fast as in others. Nevertheless, it is suitable for a steam room, which is used by no more than 2-3 people at a time.
Tank materials
Hot water tanks are made of different metals.In the past, cast iron tanks were common. Over time, they were replaced by tanks made of lighter materials - steel and aluminum.
Stainless steel
This metal has replaced heavy cast iron. The liquid in a steel container heats up very quickly. The material tolerates temperature changes well. The tanks do not require protection from high humidity. The only drawback is that water does not retain heat for very long.
Cast iron
In the old days, it was the only material used to make hot water tanks. Cast iron has good durability, resistance to corrosion and temperature changes. The liquid in such a tank remains heated for a very long time. Nowadays, cast-iron tanks are almost not produced due to their large weight, but there is an opportunity to purchase a used container at a more affordable price. A cast-iron tank is mounted under the stove. For large-sized options, it is necessary to prepare the foundation. In addition to weight, the disadvantage is the rather long heating of the water.
Other metals
Enamelled steel is used for the production of hot water tanks. The coating provides protection against corrosion damage to the product. The surface can be easily cleaned of dirt, but it is important not to violate the integrity of the enamel layer, otherwise rust may appear on the container. On sale you can find coated tanks in different colors. Hot water tanks are also made of flexible and lightweight aluminum sheets. This design is easy to do at home. To protect the surface from corrosion, it is recommended to galvanize.
Wood and plastic
The performance characteristics of these materials allow them to be used only for tanks with non-hot water. This is especially true for plastics, which melt when exposed to high temperatures. If there is no running water in the bath and there is a need for a container for warm or cold water, you can use wood or polypropylene products.
Plastic buckets or ladles should not be placed next to the stove, otherwise they may deform.
Advantages and disadvantages
A tank of sufficient capacity will provide residents with heated water for hygiene and household needs. The liquid in the tank eliminates the dry air problem. Compared to hot water devices running on gas or electricity, the advantage of using a tank is that there is no additional consumption of resources. Connecting the tank to the stove will also help out in the event of a temporary shutdown of the supply of trunk resources.
Cons of tanks depend on the material and type of construction. In steel tanks, water cools quickly, cast iron ones are heavy. Mounting the tank on a pipe requires special skills. The heating rate is influenced by the wall thickness of the product.
Sizes and shapes of water tanks
If the steam room is small and suitable for the simultaneous presence of two people, it will be enough to install a container of 40-50 liters. To service a whole company, a massive tank (about 100 liters) is required. You can calculate the required volume if you imagine the number of people taking bath procedures regularly at the same time. It is multiplied by 10 and a spare 20 liters is added.
In addition to the traditional rectangular shapes, there are also triangular cisterns. Pipe mounted models can be designed for horizontal installation. Sometimes they have rounded corners.
Installation and connection of the water tank to the heat exchanger in the bath
When using a furnace unit with a coil, the connection diagram of the heat exchanger in the bath to the tank will look like this:
- The container is installed in the planned location and connected to the pipes by means of a serpentine element.
- The upper and lower parts of the tank must be connected to the corresponding outlets of the element - then the cold liquid comes from below, and the heated one leaves from above.
- Valves are placed in the water supply section for heating - check and safety valves. For them, it is necessary to determine the pressure indicators that initiate operation.
- A blaster must be mounted on the tank, releasing the excess pressure that occurs when heated water is kept in the tank for a long time.
To prevent the walls of the tank from being unduly affected by the high temperatures from the oven, it is recommended to insulate them. This will help the water tank last longer. It is possible to put an asbestos sheet gasket between the unit and the tank.
Installing a liquid tank in the bath will help save fuel resources. Dimensions are selected depending on the area of the steam room and the number of people who regularly visit it.
