A dual-function gas boiler is responsible for heating utility water and water used to heat a house or apartment. It is a solution that does not require much space, because the tank is an element of the boiler itself. Condensing boilers are worth considering, as they recover heat from water vapor generated by burning natural gas - this is an economical solution. Correctly setting the boiler allows, among other things, to avoid unnecessary waste of heat energy. Check below how to do it properly.
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How does a dual-function gas boiler work?
A dual-function gas boiler is a solution worth considering when choosing a central heating source for your home. The principle of its operation is not complicated - gas is supplied to the burner, where it is then ignited by a spark generated by the igniter. The burning gas is responsible for heating the water that flows through the plate heat exchanger. The water circulation is enabled by a circulation pump , which starts when a spark appears on the igniter, so there is no fear that the water currently in the exchanger will heat up to a temperature that exceeds boiling point.
The installation has a three-way valve that opens and closes to allow water circulation. The burner can heat water in the central heating system or in the hot water system, and this depends on the position it is in.
How to set up a dual-function gas boiler?
A dual-function gas boiler has two knobs/buttons: the left one is used to set the temperature of the water supplying the radiators in the apartment, the right one is used to set the temperature of the water in the taps. The temperature of a dual-function gas boiler should be selected wisely, because too low a temperature can significantly shorten the life of the device - we are talking here about up to 50%. An inappropriate temperature will also cause the water in the radiators to boil, and ultimately even cause the boiler to explode. If it is a dual-function condensing gas boiler (i.e. one that recovers additional heat from the combustion of natural gas), it is best to configure the controller in the range of 40-50 °C, in a regular one it is usually 30-45 °C. A temperature above 57 °C will prevent the device from condensing gas. However, manufacturers of dual-function gas boilers recommend using special charts that indicate specifically how to set the controller to achieve the highest possible heating efficiency. Each gas boiler should therefore have individually adjusted parameters. The correct temperature for radiators should be between 18 and 22 °C.
A different temperature is set for low-temperature underfloor heating. The name itself says that in such a case the boiler temperature should be lowered. We are talking about 25-35 °C here. The underfloor heating temperature should be set to a maximum of 27-29 °C in the rooms.
Setting the temperature that will be appropriate for optimal gas consumption depends on several important aspects:
- Weather conditions - during a mild winter it is worth setting a lower boiler temperature, but so that it still oscillates in the range of 40-50 °C.
- Building insulation - if the house is equipped with thermal insulation on the walls and has properly sealed doors and windows, it is also worth heating economically, setting a slightly lower temperature on the boiler.
- Passiveness of the building - it is definitely more difficult to obtain the right temperature in old buildings or those undergoing renovation. In such cases, one must reckon with a large loss of heat energy, which means that the temperature on the boiler must be higher.
In order to optimally set the gas boiler, its temperature should be regulated during the heating season - this of course depends on the weather conditions outside. Setting one temperature on the gas boiler controller and then leaving it for the entire winter is therefore a mistake, because there are warmer days - then the temperature should be set according to the prevailing conditions, so as not to waste gas.
The newer gas boiler is equipped with a control panel that allows for easy changes and setting the appropriate, specific temperature. To set the parameters, use two buttons - one marked with a plus, the other with a minus. They allow you to increase and decrease the value.
Check out the dual-function condensing gas boilers at the Onninen wholesaler