Readers have probably heard about such a device as a heated water mixer. An increasing number of craftsmen and homeowners prefer to use faucets with a similar device in their homes.

What is this design, what determines the popularity of the mixer and how justified is its use at home? We will try to answer users the most important issues and we will try to determine how profitable it is to use such devices in your own home.

Heated water tap installation

Let us note right away that calling the mixer a faucet in our case is not entirely correct - the faucet provides water supply exclusively from one stream, while The mixer provides water supply from two streams(cold and hot water).

However, for the convenience of our readers, we will use both the first and second terms.

A heated mixer is a device that helps maintain a constant water temperature. This is possible thanks to special design solutions, which we will discuss below. Such a device allows you to program temperature, pressure and other water supply parameters.

The device provides two regulators:

Temperature controllers. An electronic sensor allows the user to set the required temperature of the water that will come from the tap.
Pressure regulator. It can be represented by either a simple pressure reducer or a special filter. This regulator is designed to allow you to adjust the optimal pressure of outgoing water.

In addition to the above design features, there are other models available in the market. The most common versions have the following device: a special mixing valve is installed in the mixer, which is adjusted using a cartridge.

The cartridge reacts to the slightest temperature changes due to its design features (the presence of bimetallic plates or wax).

The operating principle of thermostatic mixers can be represented as follows:

The incoming water flows to the cartridge inside the faucet. The mixer reacts to temperature fluctuations and changes size (becomes larger or smaller in volume).
An adjusting screw connected to the cartridge transmits the temperature parameters that the user enters.
The device includes a temperature limiter (usually set at 80°).
Hot water is mixed with the incoming cold water, if there is no cold water, then the automatic temperature blocker is activated.

This device allows you to avoid possible burns due to the supply of hot water. That is why in foreign countries such faucets are often installed in hospitals and schools, and reviews about them are entirely positive.

Faucets with automatic temperature control and built-in heater

Note that today on the market you can find two options for devices for automatic water heating:

Devices with LCD screens, on which temperature indicators are displayed. The operation of the devices is ensured from various sources power supply (batteries, mains). The available control type is touch panel or push-button control; some models provide the ability remote control using a special remote control.
Mechanical models, which have a lot of special regulators in the form of handles, valves or.

Hot water mixers are manufactured and marketed separately for a specific purpose. There are also special bidet faucets for bathrooms.

Today there are a majority of such models on the market, but there are also universal modifications that can be installed in any room.

Advantages and disadvantages of heated mixers

Like any other device, a mixer that can heat water has both advantages and disadvantages. The wide distribution was due to the advantages of the device, so today you can find an increasing number of individual consumers who install the device in their home.

If you believe the reviews, the advantages of this device include:

Saving. Subject to the use of the device, the actual consumption of hot water will be minimal. This means less energy consumed and, as a result, greater cost savings in the long term. In addition, the ability to adjust the pressure allows you to avoid increased water consumption.
Safety. Above, we noted one of the key advantages of the device – high safety. The described taps allow you to avoid sudden changes in temperature, burns or hypothermia due to unsuitable water temperature.
No energy losses when using.
Comfort. High convenience use is determined by the technological characteristics of the product. Constant pressure and temperature, the ability to make the necessary adjustments and ergonomics make this product convenient and practical.

Among the disadvantages of thermostatic mixers, the following points are worth noting:

High costthere is. Since the product is new to the market and not widely distributed, its prices are quite high.
Presence of low-quality fakes. When looking for a cheap device, consumers may encounter counterfeits whose quality leaves much to be desired. In this case, the question arises not only of the expediency, but also of the safety of such a purchase: if the device is not equipped with an ultrasound scanner, there is no grounding and the safety requirements are not met, the buyer, after some time, risks receiving an electric shock.

From this we can draw the following conclusion: if the funds allow you to purchase a tap with heated water, you should choose quality models from trusted sellers. Otherwise, you should stop using this product.

How to choose the right thermostatic tap for water supply - how to buy the best one

To buy a good mixer with a built-in heater, experts recommend paying attention to the following aspects:

The selected model must comply with the standards and indicators of the domestic water supply and sanitation system. It is unlikely that the buyer will want to purchase the product and then buy additional adapters, fittings, pipes, etc.
During installation, you must pay attention to the location of the pipes. It is necessary to pay attention to the fact that the appliance supplies hot water with right side, and cold - on the left. If the installation is carried out on pipes installed in reverse order, the device may not work at all.
The design features of water mains make it possible for cold water to enter the water supply system with hot water. If this problem is relevant in your home, you need to purchase a device with check valve, which will prevent possible mixing of water.
If you have children at home, it is not recommended to purchase models with touch panels. It is worth remembering that water will constantly fall on the surface of the faucets, leaving behind stains - there will always be clear traces of splashes, fingerprints, etc. on the touch panels.
The price should be optimal for the family budget.

Finally, we note that before installing a heated tap, you need to take care of the quality of the water that enters the house. In order for the device to last as long as possible, it is necessary to install filters for water purification.

Tap instant heating water - a device that serves as an alternative to central hot water supply and storage water heaters (boilers). With very compact dimensions, the device manages to simultaneously perform the function of a mixer.

A distinctive feature of the device is that it is connected only to cold water supply. This allows it to be used not only in apartments, but also in dachas or country houses.

The heating element and power cable are hidden in the body of the water heating faucet. The water enters in a spiral and begins to flow out approximately 5-10 seconds after switching on apparatus. During this time it reaches the desired temperature. To adjust the pressure and temperature, there is a special knob on the body of the product.

Directly below the body is located switch and indicator light. TO water pipe the device is attached with a special screw, and is additionally fixed under the sink with a coupling.

In addition to the basic package Some models of heater taps are equipped with:

Filters for coarse cleaning;
Aerators (sprayers) for economical water consumption.

Advantages and Disadvantages

What are the benefits of such devices?

Water heats up to 60 degrees in 5 seconds.
This temperature is not enough for scale to form.
In a minute 4-6 liters of hot water are supplied.
Convenient temperature adjustment.
Uncontrolled differences are excluded from too cold to too cold hot water.
The product has compact dimensions, weighs little (about 1 kg) and is easy to install: the process is similar to installing a conventional mixer.
The heater has several degrees of protection for safe operation.
Less water and electricity are consumed than when heating with storage boilers.

The device looks neat, which allows it to fit into different types interiors - from classics and pretentiousness to practical minimalism.

According to consumer reviews of instant water heating taps there are the following disadvantages:

Some cranes (like Delimano) have too short wire to connect to the network.
Device needs additional copper wiring, because The standard one may not withstand the load, and the plugs will fly out the first time you turn it on. And if the traffic jams don't pop, it might happen short circuit, especially if the wiring is old and not very reliable.
For safety reasons it is necessary to do grounding. Additional work transform installation from a 5-minute process (as manufacturers declare) into a longer and more thorough procedure.
Budget models are not equipped with filters– you have to buy them yourself. Among the cheap options distributed by unofficial dealers, there are many fakes.

One of the most used varieties shut-off valves- . Types and principle of operation of the crane.
Find out how an instantaneous electric water heater for a tap works.

Find out what you need to pay attention to when choosing mixers for and from special publications.

How to choose?

Due to the balance of quality, safety, efficiency and price, Aquatherm instant water heating taps are most widely used, followed by Delimano water heater taps. Less popular manufacturers, but with similar technical parameters: Aquastream, RAPID™ and Corraveni. What to look for?

Device power	Most of the range is represented by cranes with a power of 3 kW, less often 2.5 kW. The most economical, but also the most rare variants– 2 kW.
Heater	For RAPID it consists of heat-resistant plastic and a ceramic heating disk; Aquatherm equips it with a temperature sensor to turn off the power at temperatures above 60 degrees; Corraveni also has a self-controlled thermoregulation system.
Case material, design	The stronger and better the materials in the body of the product, the more loads it can withstand. For the production of water heater taps, Delimano uses plastic and metal, Aquastream prefers composite plastic, Corraveni chrome plates its products.
Working pressure	0.04 MPa (0.4 atm.) -0.7 MPa (7 atm) for Aquatherm, 0.04-0.6 MPa for Delimano, Corraveni operates at 0.04-0.4 MPa
Price	The most expensive line of instant water heating taps is from Corraveni, the most affordable price is offered by Delimano

Installation subtleties

Faucet heater running water installed on cold water supply. Certain models can also be connected to hot water supply, then the tap can be used both as a regular mixer and as a heater, depending on the prevailing conditions. Technically it looks like this:

Grounding and a separate branch of electrical wiring are done. The required cable size is at least ½ inch.
A connecting coupling is screwed to the pipeline, the coupling is brought to the sink or bathtub, and a heater tap is screwed into it.

Product in use

The faucet handle also serves as a temperature regulator. Heating depends from the angle of rotation of the lever, which is similar in principle to a regular mixer. When the device is turned on, a blue or red light lights up on the indicator.

Heating water in a tap can be compared to the process of heating a boiler. With the significant difference that the product must have a limiter that turns off the power when it reaches 60 degrees. This allows safe operation and prevents scale formation.

In this video you can learn more about the design and operation of rapid water heating taps:

The safety of the instant water heating tap complies with the IPx4 standard which means protecting everyone electrical parts from contact with drops from any direction of water jets and regardless of the pressure. In addition, the product is equipped with a RAM - an emergency shutdown device and a membrane that protects against water hammer.

Instant water heating taps are more economical to operate when compared with storage heaters. Boilers turn on every time the water cools by 5-10 degrees, and the faucet consumes electricity only during operation.

Generally taps that heat water are a universal thing. It is good for arranging a bathroom in private houses and apartments outside the city, where there is only cold running water. This is also an excellent solution for organizing a comfortable country kitchen. With its help, you can save yourself during periods of preventive shutdowns of hot water. Comfortable and economical!

You might think that the solution is obvious - the boiler is more spacious, power consumption is less, and the water supply is greater. But don't rush to conclusions. What is better: fast flow heating or classic volume heating? The dispute is just beginning.

Comparative characteristics of devices

To compare the main operational parameters, it will be more convenient to use the table. For example, a storage model for 50 liters is given.

The increased power of a modern device can be misleading about energy consumption. Distinctive feature heating taps are economical: electricity consumption begins when the water supply is turned on and stops immediately after it is turned off. It is not difficult to calculate the costs for a water consumption of 5 liters per minute: they will be 3 kW per 300 liters.

If we compare this figure with the declared power of a storage water heater (2 kW per 50 liters of water), the benefit is obvious.

Pros and cons of both designs

The advantages of classic water heaters include:

possibility of using two lines simultaneously (bathroom, kitchen);
applicability for showering;
simplicity of electrical switching (regular socket);
long working life (warranty up to 7 years).

The disadvantages of these devices are: large dimensions, difficulty in installing on the wall, significant energy consumption, high cost.

The undeniable advantages of instant heating devices are:

ease of installation (like a regular kitchen faucet);
efficiency;
practicality - it is both a heater and a mixer;
affordable price.

Disadvantages include: the need for a separate copper electrical line (to avoid overheating of the common wiring), the impossibility of application in two directions.

Practical conclusions

It is impossible to make a clear decision in favor of one device or another. The prospects for the development of flow-through heating products are quite optimistic, but at the moment they cannot fully meet the hot water needs of the entire home. Although for use exclusively in the kitchen or cottage, this is the best option.

To be able to make a choice, we invite users to visit the Shower5 online store, where wide range storage boilers of domestic and imported production, as well as new, progressive devices are presented.

On our website you can get full information about the products you are interested in, their characteristics, prices (they are the best in the region). Our consultants will help you create an application, place an order with delivery of goods at a time convenient for you.

Don't you like it when the hot water in your home is turned off in the summer? Do you want to buy a boiler because it will be much cheaper than paying for hot water? Are you planning to move to your country house? Just order a flow-through electric faucet water heater in our store. Make a bargain and forget about all your problems!

Reduce your expenses

Today you have a great opportunity to reduce your payment costs utilities. Just install an instantaneous water heater on your tap at home and forget about utility bills!

About the water heater

A instantaneous, electric faucet water heater is not like conventional heaters. Unlike other water heaters, an electric faucet water heater (instantaneous) is small in size and consumes very little electricity. Why not an advantage? An electric faucet water heater can heat water up to eighty-five degrees in a matter of seconds. A instantaneous water heater, which you can purchase from us in the online store, will significantly improve your life. A flowing electric faucet water heater will save you from annoying interruptions in hot water supply, which usually occur due to the unsatisfactory work of utility workers.

The instantaneous water heater successfully combines comfort and practicality.

Comparison of different heaters

Shutting off the centralized hot water supply, called preventive, has become a common occurrence for city dwellers. For those who live in the country or in country house temporary residence, choosing a convenient and effective way establishing hot water supply has always been relevant.

Gas boiler with heated water supply in the storage tank seems to be the most the right choice for a cottage. Where there is no gas supply and for large quantity At water points, it is wiser to install an electric storage water heater of the required volume. Only high-power flow heaters can serve several consumers - a kitchen and a bathroom - at the same time.

A device in the form of a mixer with a built-in flow electric water heater appropriate where a small amount of hot water flowing from one tap is sufficient. Usually this country house. It will also help as a means of surviving summer periods turning off the hot water supply in a sparsely populated city apartment, subject to non-critical electricity prices.

Description of the faucet with flow-through heater

The operating principle of an instantaneous electric water heater is the same for a massive and powerful device mounted on a wall and a compact one in the form of a sink faucet. Water enters the container, where there is a tubular electric heater (TEH), which has the shape of a spiral. In the shortest possible time, the water is heated to a temperature of 60-85⁰ C. The required temperature is maintained for all water coming through the tap; its pressure is regulated by a lever or valve.

The faucet with a built-in electric instantaneous water heater has:

A spout nozzle, usually complemented by an aerator (spout divider) with a filter function. In the best examples, it is capable of rotating a full revolution.
Pressure valve or pressure sensor.
Tank for heating running water.
Heating element with ceramic insulation.
Thermocouple to control the heating level.
Mode switch.
Grounding cable for connection to the electrical network.
Electronic system RCD

All this is contained in stainless steel housing or a thermoplastic-based composite and looks quite aesthetically pleasing - like a regular faucet with a slight thickening. Its operation process is also very similar to the operation of a regular faucet.

In the middle position of the lever, no water is supplied and the power is turned off. When you turn to the left, cold water flows from the spout, the pressure of which can be adjusted. When you turn to the right, the heating element turns on, which is indicated by the indicator, and heating begins. Its maximum degree occurs within 3-5 seconds. You can regulate the water temperature either using a separate thermostat on the body or simply by turning the lever - with strong pressure, the water heats up less.

Advantages and disadvantages

The main disadvantage of an instantaneous electric water heater is the increased energy consumption. It is not as intense as, for example, a high-power kettle, but models consuming up to 3 kW per hour, with intensive use can lead to significant costs.

Another disadvantage is insufficient resources. It is unreasonable to consider such a device as a long-term and reliable means of providing all hot water needs. The normal operating mode of a faucet with a flow-through heater is to dispense up to 6 liters of water at a temperature of 40-60⁰ C per minute.

Experience in using electric heaters built into domestic system water supply, revealed problems unique to it. At low pressure, safety sensor can turn off the heating element to avoid overheating, as in the “dry” mode. Users note the negative impact of low-quality water on the instantaneous heater, and hence another drawback: the inability to install a high-purity filter in the tap. This should be taken into account when choosing a specific heater model.

But to satisfy less global requests for domestic hot water, this device has a lot of advantages:

In the heater on the tap, the cavity with the heating element is very small and heating of running water occurs instantly.
There are no unpleasant temperature fluctuations. It is even more convenient to regulate the pressure and degree of heating than with some mixers.
Complete safety in operation.
Fast and convenient installation process, accessible to non-professionals.
Compact and ergonomic best models, stylish modern design.

Installation and connection

Installing a faucet with a heater is no different from installing a mixer. The main difference is the cable for connecting the power supply. Designers fastening elements are provided, allowing you to make it invisible and not interfere with the use of the sink or shower.

The combination of water and electricity is deservedly considered deadly, so you should reduce the risk to nothing: buy heaters from certified sellers, carry out installation strictly according to the manufacturer’s instructions. It is important to check compliance electrical network necessary requirements of the flow heater manufacturer, when connecting power be sure to ground.

Specifications and price

Manufacturers set the service life of a faucet with a built-in electric water heater from 2 to 5 years, depending on the intensity and operating conditions.