Heated barrels

Owning a summer cottage or a greenhouse involves doing land work, after which it is so important to take a shower and wash off all the dirt. In conditions of heat, hygiene measures become an obligatory part of spending time in nature. One of the main components of a garden shower is considered a barrel; heated models are widespread.

There are only two ways to heat water for a summer shower in a country house. Or on wood in pots and kettles and pour it into the tank until the temperature becomes comfortable. Either install an efficient heating system in the tank - it can use solar energy or be based on the operation of heating elements. The second option is preferable, since in this case the water heats up evenly, while heating it does not require a lot of effort and time.

The advantages of water heating barrels are obvious:

• no need to heat water on the stove for a long time, and then carry the container to the tank several times;
• heating can be performed even if the weather is bad outside, when the sun's rays do not warm the water;
• the heating level will always be exactly what you need, even on the most cloudy days.

There are also disadvantages:

• if the tank does not provide for thermal insulation, then on a cool windy day the tank will quickly give up its heat - this significantly increases the power consumption;
• when idling, the heating elements fail quite quickly, so you need to carefully monitor the maintenance of the optimal water level in the barrel.

Heated barrels are made of plastic or metal. Each material has its own operational characteristics.

In recent years, plastic has become widespread. It is characterized by resistance to corrosion; such drives do not need to be covered with special protective materials. Plastic withstands temperature fluctuations, although it is better to drain all the water in the winter.

Heated metal storage is also in demand among summer residents. However, their performance directly depends on what kind of steel was used for their production.

• Carbon steel barrels are rectangular flat products at an affordable price, they are made in volumes of 100-200 liters. This metal is durable and has good thermal conductivity. At the same time, carbon steel is susceptible to corrosion, so it is imperative to protect the inner surface with enamels and paints.
• Galvanized steel barrels. These are robust tanks with a capacity of up to 200 liters. They are expensive and do not provide adequate protection against corrosion. The service life of such barrels is much lower than plastic ones.
• Stainless steel barrels. Perhaps this is the most successful solution of all types of metal containers. These tanks do not suffer from corrosion, so there is no need to paint them. However, the purchase of this design is not cheap at all.

Depending on the shape, there are several types of water heaters for a garden shower.

• Rectangular flat. Both metal tanks and plastic containers can have this configuration. The main advantage of the models is the ability to use the design as a cover for a garden shower. Among the shortcomings, there is a tendency to leak in the place of welded seams.
• Round. Water heating barrels in the country are considered the most popular and budgetary option. They are much stronger than rectangular ones and are less susceptible to deformation. It is convenient to heat water in round containers, the process goes evenly and quickly. At the same time, due to the small area, heat losses are reduced. The disadvantages include the complexity of installation. Such a container requires complex fasteners. In addition, due to the design features, the tank turns out to be quite high and this can lead to serious difficulties when filling the tank with water, especially if the work is done manually.

When choosing a heated barrel, first of all, you should decide on the type of heater.

The heating element is a tubular electric heater. The power and configurations of heating elements are selected taking into account the dimensions of the barrel, the required heating time of the liquid and the heating parameters.

Pros:

• affordable price;
• durability;
• wide range of capacities.

Belt heaters for tanks are powered by electrical energy and are belt-shaped. These heating devices are put on the tank and are fixed between the stiffeners by means of springs. The power of the heating elements on sale is varied. The optimal range is from 1 to 2 kW.

Pros:

• ease of installation on a barrel;
• wide scope of use;
• compactness;
• the duration of the operational period.

Surface heaters are thermoelectric mats. The source of thermal energy is an IR film with a power of 350 to 400 W / m2, which ensures uniform heating of water over the entire surface.

Pros:

• the presence of insulation in the kit;
• uniformity of heating.

In such models, there is no thermostat, and the working resource is small - in the mode of intensive use, the heating element works no more than six months.

Heaters with thermal covers combine all the advantages of surface and belt heaters. The products allow for quick heating, even at the lowest temperatures. It is no coincidence that such models are widely used in the Far North and Siberia.

Pros:

• the ability to heat water in open areas;
• the presence of insulation;
• saving electrical energy.

The downside is the high cost, the price for such models starts from 20 thousand rubles.

Bottom heaters are used to heat up the accumulators from below; the heating element is made of mica. The maximum power of such heaters does not exceed 4 kW A. As practice shows, the best effect is the combined use of belt and bottom heaters.

Pros:

• security;
• mobility;
• long service life.

Minus in the high price - starting from 25 thousand.

It is best to make an outdoor shower based on a heated barrel in an elevated, open, well-lit area. They should be at least 2-4 m away from wooden buildings and large trees.

The heated tank can be installed in one of the following ways:

• fixing the reservoir on the shower stall lid;
• fixation on a special frame.

In addition to simplifying installation, this method will additionally avoid significant heat loss, and also accelerate the process of heating the water.

Outdoor water heaters are installed on the roof; submersible models are not widely used.