General information
Boilers are hot water appliances that are simple and safe to use and easy to operate. You can install them anywhere. In addition to a power outlet, you will need to install cold and hot water pipes. For proper installation, refer to the 📖manual provided. Although installation is simple, we recommend hiring an installer, especially if you are unsure how to proceed, as this will give you peace of mind.
The capacity of a boiler is indicated in the specifications. The efficiency, or how much hot water comes out, is approximately 1.5 times the capacity. So with a 50-liter boiler, you get 75 liters of hot water, and with an 80-liter boiler, you get 120 liters. This means that with a shower head that allows 10 liters per minute, you can shower for 7.5 or 12 minutes, respectively, before the water gets colder. With a water-saving shower head (5.5 l/m), you can shower for almost 14 to 22 minutes respectively. Please note that this is when the temperature is set to 65°C. The efficiency is lower for horizontally installed boilers.
To prevent legionella, we recommend regularly heating the boiler above 60°C. This will prevent these and other bacteria from developing in the boiler. Although you can set the boiler to any desired temperature, the capacity decreases at lower values. Analog displays only indicate whether the water is hot or cold. A pointer may therefore be in the blue while the water is 65 °C. It is only an indication.
Boilers with an electronic display are usually not suitable for timers, and therefore not for day and night electricity rates. They will switch off or go into standby mode and will not heat until they are switched on again manually. For exceptions, see the specifications of the models. The advantage is that you can set the temperature very precisely. Furthermore, depending on the type, options such as programming, self-learning and therefore more economical operation, or operation via WiFi are possible.
Installation tips
Always place the boiler against the wall vertically or horizontally, depending on your model, in the correct position. Before installation, make sure that the wall can support the weight (i.e., the weight of the boiler + its contents) and choose suitable mounting materials that will prevent the boiler from slipping, such as wall anchors. Ensure that the boiler hangs freely and that there is sufficient space for maintenance. The use of flexible hoses makes installation and maintenance easier.
For the power supply, make sure that the circuit to which the boiler is connected can handle the total power demand. The capacity may be exceeded if a boiler is connected at the same time as, for example, a dryer or washing machine.
The pressure relief valve must always be placed lower than the boiler. The water outlet of this valve must point downwards. It is advisable to attach a hose to this and run it into a drain. Make sure that the valve is placed in the correct flow direction (indicated on the valve with an arrow) on the cold water side. Installing a shut-off valve with a drain point after the pressure relief valve allows you to disconnect the boiler and drain it quickly if necessary.
It is wise to install a drain valve after the pressure relief valve and before the boiler connection. If you need to drain the boiler, for example for maintenance, you can do this quickly. It is doubly wise to have a pipe leading to a drain (if possible) so that the water is drained immediately and you don't have to mess around with buckets. Before draining the boiler, always remove the plug first and preferably allow the boiler to cool down first.
Always use a mixer or thermostatic valve at drain points to set the temperature to your liking and prevent scalding.
Tips for extending the service life
The service life of your boiler is determined by several factors, such as intensity of use, contaminants in the water, heating speed, maintenance, and the set temperature.
There are various methods for extending the lifespan of your boiler. First and foremost, we want you to be able to make full use of your boiler whenever you want. Maintenance is therefore important, as it can prevent a number of other malfunctions. See our maintenance section below for more information.
Contaminants in the water and the intensity of heating shorten the maintenance intervals. We have noticed that certain regions (which we will not name) have more contaminants in the water than others. It is therefore a good idea to halve the interval in the first year to check the state of contamination and the condition of the anode. This will allow you to see whether shorter intervals are necessary. It is therefore advisable to have a spare anode.
One way to extend the service life is to install a water softener before the water inlet.
Maintenance
Maintenance is essential, and a good maintenance policy will significantly extend the life of your boiler and reduce or prevent malfunctions. Using the boiler and therefore the heating elements causes sediment to build up in the boiler. Some of this will settle on the heating elements and some on the bottom of the boiler. Regular cleaning, i.e. removing deposits and sediment, extends the service life of all parts that come into contact with the water in the boiler. It also makes the boiler more energy efficient. The most common malfunctions are caused by insufficient/no maintenance. Maintenance is not covered by the warranty.
A consequence of use and contamination in the water is that the anode is sacrificed to protect the boiler. When the anode is depleted, it can no longer protect the boiler and the boiler or heating element will be affected. Although the inside of the boilers has undergone a protective treatment, they are still vulnerable without a magnesium anode. Replacing the Mg anode is relatively simple but must be done properly. You can ask your installer to do this, but make sure you have a replacement anode ready before they start. Instructions can be found in the manual.
Before you begin, unplug the appliance and ensure that the boiler has cooled down. Shut off the water supply and drain the boiler. Once the boiler is empty, you can remove the protective (control) cover so that you can access the flanges on which the heating element and anode are mounted. While you are doing this, it is a good time to clean the boiler of sediment. Also clean the removed unit of deposits so that it can be used again for a while.
Operation of the pressure relief valve
Sediment at the bottom can cause the pressure relief valve to become blocked and stop working. To ensure that the pressure relief valve works properly, you should open it periodically to check whether water is flowing out. If the pressure relief valve cannot do its job, this can lead to overpressure in the boiler (which can lead to leakage) and is not covered by the warranty.
Frost
As long as a boiler is switched on, it is protected against frost and its consequences. Some boilers even have a separate frost setting so that the water is kept just above freezing point, which is useful if you are not using the boiler for a while. The boiler may be protected against frost damage, but this does not protect the pipes before and after it, so they can still freeze!