Expansion tank for the boiler: types, purpose, choice

2024 Author: Howard Calhoun | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 10:16

Heating systems today are a prerequisite for a comfortable life. Over time, heating equipment undergoes positive functional changes, and one of these innovations was the appearance of an expansion tank for the boiler.

Where does it apply? The expansion tank is used to prevent equipment breakdown by accumulating excess water. When the boiler is running, the water heats up and expands. As a result, the density of the liquid decreases. The expansion tank allows you to collect excess moisture instead of leaving it in the pipes. Thus, it protects both equipment and premises.

Varieties

There are only two types of expansion tanks: open and closed.

If you have an open one in your house, it must be located higher than the heating system. Most often tanksof this type are placed in attics, while covering them with thermal insulation. The open tank has a rectangular shape and is usually made of steel. The dimensions of such containers do not allow them to be placed in a small room, as they are rather bulky. The tank is also not sealed. The expansion tank of the heating boiler is connected to the heating system using a long pipe.

Open type includes:

• pipe for main pipe;
• view hatch;
• nipple for the pipe, through it water is supplied to the tank;
• drain pipe, through which water goes into the sewer;
• nipple for a pipe that circulates water.

The expansion tank of the closed type, unlike the open one, is sealed. It comes in the form of a capsule, inside which there is a special membrane. The material for the manufacture of the membrane is heat-resistant rubber. The tank is divided by a membrane into two chambers: liquid and air.

The first chamber, by analogy with the name, serves to accumulate and store water. The air one is equipped with a valve that releases accumulated air when the pressure in the tank becomes too high. Capacities of closed and open types are distinguished by location, according to the main technical characteristics and the principle of operation.

Features

Depending on how and where they are going to use the expansion tank for gas boilers, the right choice is made. It is important to know the advantages of each type of tank. Mainadvantages of open type products:

• easy to operate;
• standard form;
• a small number of items in the package;
• affordable price;
• strength, reliability and durability.

Pros of closed type

The expansion tank for a closed type boiler is more expensive than the previous type tanks.

Accordingly, it is smaller and somewhat more intricate in application. But the advantages of such tanks are obvious:

• due to the closed design, contact with air does not occur, which avoids corrosion and unnecessary fumes; in addition, when using a tank of this type, it is not necessary to additionally fill the heating system;
• closed type tank capacity can be installed anywhere, unlike open type products; if you place it directly next to the boiler, you do not have to use a long pipe for connection;
• using a closed type model extends the life of the boiler or radiator.

The only drawback of this type of tanks is their price. They are much more expensive, but more convenient to use. As a rule, owners of private houses opt for this type of tank.

Need to use expansion tanks

There are cases in which the use of this tank becomes not a luxury, but a direct necessity. If the room to be heated is large enough, the heatingthe system is under heavy load. In order to prevent an excessive increase in pressure in the pipes, an expansion tank is used for the boiler. The pressure in the system becomes lower, and the room and equipment will thus be reliably protected. The tank also helps to reduce the pressure inside the pipes.

How to choose an expansion tank for the boiler?

When choosing this product, do not forget to take into account the features of your heating system. Pay attention to weight and design. Also, if you choose a closed type tank, check the material that was used to make the inner membrane. It must be heat resistant rubber. Only it will ensure tightness. When choosing, give preference to well-known and trusted companies, since it is definitely not worth saving on quality when buying such important equipment. When buying a tank, look at the indicators of the minimum and maximum pressure, volume and type of coolant (antifreeze or water), as well as the coefficient of increase in the volume of liquid when heated.

Knowing these rules, you can easily choose a high-quality expansion tank that will reliably protect the heating system from overpressure.