How can the efficiency of ELLA central heating boilers be superior by approx. 30% to resistance heating ones if the efficiency of resistance heating boilers reaches 99%? Are you saying it is superunitary?

You can find a detailed and well-argued answer by accessing the page „How does it work?"

What do I do if I still have aluminium radiators? Do I really have to change them?

Nu, problema se rezolvă cu un schimbător de căldura și o pompă de recirculare, conectate conform schiței de mai jos:

The heat exchanger is chosen as follows:
ELLA 150, 200: 22 kW*
ELLA 300, 500: 44 kW*
ELLA 800: 66 kW*

* Powers are approximate

Many heating engineers recommend distribution networks for heating systems. What do you have against distributors in heating systems?

We need to set something straight: We do not mean the use of distribution networks in underfloor heating installations, where they are absolutely indispensable. That is the only place where they belong.
Our reluctance to distributors in heating systems is for the following reasons:
Analysing the essence of the system, we notice that in fact, two pipes go to each radiator from the distributor called flow and return, exactly as in the classic version, when the flow and return pipes of a larger diameter connect the radiators with pipes of smaller diameter. What’s the difference? The differences are as follows:
1. The system with distributors uses more pipes and other materials, because instead of max. 1 m of connection pipe for a radiator, the system with distributors wastes tens of meters. In addition, there is also the cost of distributors and valves on distributors, which doubles absolutely unnecessarily those on radiators.
2. The system with distributors uses more water, the routes are longer and therefore the power consumption is higher.
3. Pipes leading to radiators usually pass through the floor, through cement screed and even if they are equipped with insulating tubes, they still produce heat loss due to the length of the paths. The longer the route, the greater the heat losses.
4. This type of system needs a much more expensive labour force. 

In conclusion:

• Heat consumption is much higher than the classic system due to losses.
• Installation costs are also much higher than with the classic one.
• An overworked and complicated system can create problems for the stable operation of the heating boiler (in this case usually people blame the heating boiler).

Otherwise, there is no difference. Each radiator can be controlled by the flow and return valves just as in the classic type. Regarding the thermodynamic equilibrium, it is obtained by placing the heating boiler approximately at the middle of the installation. Unlike gas boilers, which need to be installed in strictly defined locations according to the project, ELLA central heating boilers can be placed anywhere in the house.

Your arguments seem convincing, but why do many heating engineers strongly recommend such heating systems?

Let’s try to answer this legitimate question using logic.

1. Distributor system: System that uses many expensive materials which requires expensive labour as well. Inevitable heat loss due to long distances. Who wins and who loses?

2. Classic system: Simple system, using fewer and cheaper materials, even if they have a better quality. Labour is also cheaper. Losses are avoided due to short routes. Who wins and who loses?

If we also take into account the well-known fact that some stores give substantial commissions to installers, the picture is complete. We must point out the fact that we do not pursue any commercial interest. There is only one goal: to save money on installation and operation.

Mention: Our website has been repeatedly attacked. This is the price of truths made public that strike financial interests.

Why do you not recommend the use of copper pipes in combination with aluminium radiators?

When the copper pipes are glued, the gluing paste remains inside, which, in reaction with the water that is subjected to ionization, darkens it, resulting in a lot of dirt that produces gas and instability in operation. We have many copper installations, where after a complete cleaning of the pipes and radiators, the ELLA central heating boilers work perfectly.

In combination with copper pipes, aluminium radiators produce a lot of gas. This phenomenon has also been observed when using heating boilers of any kind. The salts dissolved in water in combination with these two metals form an electric cell. Aluminium ions migrate to the copper parts, producing inner caverns in the copper pipe. At the same time, as a result of this reaction, gases are released and they have to be removed periodically. Consequently, the combination of copper pipes - aluminium radiators is prohibited due to the electrolytic incompatibility of these metals.

What is the power consumption of this heating boiler? (heating boiler power consumption)

This is a common but inconclusive question because the power consumption of any heating boiler (electric, gas, wood) is influenced by the following factors:
- the heated surface;
- thermal insulation of the heating space from the outside;
- the desired room temperature;
- the extent to which the operating rules are complied with.

Under the same conditions, the power consumption for 60 sqm is different from that for 80 sqm.

Given that the interior space is well insulated and heat loss is minimal, the average power consumption of ELLA central heating boilers is 400 kW / month for up to 70 sqm.

If the insulation is poor or leaks are allowed (open windows, pipes passing through unheated spaces, installations with distributors, etc.), the power consumption will of course be higher.

Caveat: The use of aluminium radiators, especially in combination with copper pipes, is strictly prohibited!

In an apartment: The heating boiler will heat the house for a certain time (e.g. 30 minutes, or more, depending on the length of the routes and their positioning) using approx. 5 kW / hour until (e.g.) 22°C, then the thermostat will stop. The break with zero power consumption will last 1-2-3 hours, or only 15 minutes, depending on the house and the heating installation, meaning heat loss. Therefore, using this idea, medium daily power consumption can be calculated. That is, if the heating boiler works for 30 minutes and pauses for 2 hours, then the ratio will be 1: 4, i.e. in 24 hours it will operate 6 hours x 4.5 = 27 kW / h per day
In the case of a resistance heating boiler, the power consumption will be at least 30% higher, as it would take approx. 9 kW to do the same thing: 6 x 9= 54 kW / h per day.

For larger areas, power consumption increases approximately proportionally.

If the insulation is poor or leaks are allowed (open windows, pipes passing through unheated spaces, installations with distributors, etc.), the power consumption will of course be higher.

In more detail: Yes, our central heating boilers absorb less energy (kW / hour) than other boilers or electric heating systems due to the principle of operation, but let’s not forget that the close relationship between the degree of thermal insulation and power consumption is a reality. What is the notion of thermal insulation in the physical sense and how do we characterize the difference between good and bad insulation? As we know, there is no notion of cold in the physical sense, cold only means the lack of heat. That is, if we heat an enclosed space to a certain temperature, it is easy to understand that it has consumed a certain amount of energy, which is the product of absorbed power and working time, the latter being directly dependent on losses in routes, such as direct or indirect contact of pipes with concrete through poor insulation (less than 10 mm) and long routes (radiator system with distributors).

After the space has been heated to the desired temperature, the central heating boiler switches off until the room air temperature drops by one degree, after which the heating boiler will start again to recover this lost degree. Heat loss occurs by leaking it to the outside through various means - contact with cold surfaces (ceiling, walls, floor, and open or poorly sealed doors and windows).

We can divide the degrees of insulation according to the speed of heat dissipation from the room into 3 categories:

I – Good insulation - The leakage rate is lower than the heat input speed (Lr < Hi). The central heating boiler will heat the room, but the power consumption will depend on the difference between (Lr) and (Hi).II – Bad insulation - The leakage rate is equal to the heat input speed (Lr = Hi). Provided the choice of the appropriate central heating boiler, it will heat the room but will have to operate non-stop consuming the equivalent of its power per hour.

III – No insulation - The leakage rate is greater than the heat input speed (Lr > Hi). The heating boiler will not be able to heat, even if it is working non-stop.

Note that the use of three-phase current showed an increase in savings compared to single-phase.

WARNING: Even though we have warned in great detail (see the first FAQ) about excessive power consumption in heating systems with distributors, some people have not yet been made aware of this and pay directly. We would like to draw attention once again to this issue here.

What is the efficiency of ELLA heating boilers compared to infrared panels?

Speaking of radiant panels, called “infrared”, which have been a hotly debated topic as of late and forums abound in questions with no clear answers regarding their power consumption: first of all, in order to clarify things, we need to know their construction. Therefore, on a heat-resistant plate is placed a material (resistance) used in the manufacture of electrical resistance or another, i.e., the principle is the same as for any resistance, only that behind this panel is placed a reflective layer, which is intended to direct heat only in front of it. There is the same effect for some heaters with a reflective screen behind the spiral, only that for “infrared” panels the working temperature is much lower and they heat the objects on which they are projected, without heating the air.

More info: Infrared rays represent the invisible part of the spectrum, after the colour red, through which heat propagates, meaning that any heat source emits infrared rays, including the radiator, wood stove, or even a living organism. So it is ridiculous to talk about the special healing properties of these panels. On the contrary, according to Wikipedia, intense infrared emissions can be harmful.
By comparison, the difference in efficiency between heating systems with resistance and those with ionization is the same as between the incandescent light bulb and the neon tube.

What additional costs does the installation of these heating boilers bring?

None. Unlike gas boilers, which require projects, approvals, and pipelines, ELLA heating boilers do not require any mandatory approval or periodic inspections, as long as they do not exceed the installed capacity and are located according to the instructions in the User Manual.

What do we do if it breaks down?

ELLA central heating boilers have a warranty and a post-warranty coverage as well. The manufacturer has the spare parts in stock and some of them are commercially available because we took great care to adapt to the heating boiler as many standard parts as possible to facilitate its operation and increase its viability. We also have area representatives.

What is the noise level produced by the heating boiler?

The heating boiler is practically completely silent because the coupling systems are electronic and the recirculation pump produces almost no noise. That’s why ELLA can be placed anywhere in the house.

I have encountered similar heating boilers called CETA, GALAN, and others. Are ELLA heating boilers more efficient?

The principle of operation of these types of heating boilers is similar to ours, so the performance is the same. In the case of CETA heating boilers, the difference lies in the fact that we have adapted some standard parts, which can be found on the market so as not to keep the customer “tied” to us in cases of urgent need. This is related to the company’s policy of respect for the customer.

GALAN is selling only the heating element separate from the control system, pump, and others, without housing, and needs to be mounted on the wall as a whole.

We also offer a high level of area service, so in other words, you will never feel abandoned by us.

What is the degree of electric shock risk with these central heating boilers?

The construction characteristics of the ELLA heating boilers do not allow the electric shock as long as there is no unauthorized intervention inside it while it is operating. The heating boiler has two levels of security against electric shock and two against fire. If in resistance boilers the decrease of the water level in the heating boiler leads to overheating and self-ignition if the protection system fails, in those with electrodes the disappearance of water leads to the natural interruption of the heating process, even if the protection systems fail. Therefore, ELLA heating boilers have the highest degree of protection.

What is the minimum pressure required for the operation of ELLA central heating boiler?

Our heating boilers operate at max. 3.5 bar, but also at 0 bar, continuing to work even when the water level in the radiators drops. It does not require a connection to the water network, as it operates in its own closed circuit. For larger installations, over 150 sqm, it is recommended to connect a standard expansion vessel somewhere on the circuit.

By choosing the ELLA heating boiler, what do we do when the power is accidentally cut off?

Normally, all central heating boilers, be it gas, wood, fuel oil, etc., work only in the presence and with the help of electric current, because it is necessary at least for the operation of the water recirculation pump. In the case of electric heating boilers they simply stop, as for the fire ones, especially those with wood, there is a danger of explosion (there have been registered cases) because the overpressure valves could become blocked.

I live near a water spring. Can I use it to fill the radiators instead of the distilled water?

No way! Any plain water contains various salts that decrease its internal resistance leading to short circuits or at best unstable operation. To save money, confidently use rainwater decanted and filtered through a cloth. We suggest you collect it in a plastic can, so you could use it for possible needed additions.

For extra power savings, I’m thinking of shutting down the central heating boiler when I leave home. Do you think that is wise?

When the heating is stopped, the house will cool down (the walls, the furniture, the objects), and when starting again, the heating boiler will have to work intensely to heat them again. Therefore, you will not gain anything, on the contrary, it is more likely to register an increased power consumption. By the way, the same goes for electric hot water boilers. The best solution is to use a room chronothermostat, which can be programmed for hours and days, but without allowing severe cooling of the home.

Can I use this central heating boiler for underfloor heating?

Yes, you can. It is made for this option as well, having the possibility to generate water at a controlled temperature of 35 - 42°C, which is usually used for this form of heating.

I am the owner of a B&B and I would like to heat with this boiler, but the heating surface far exceeds the capacity of your most powerful heating boiler. What do you suggest?

We also produce to-order heating boilers of any power desired by the customer, which are used for large spaces, but in these cases, we recommend the placement of several central heating boilers on floors or sectors, which include several rooms. This way you will be able to optimize power consumption even more, each central heating boiler controlling its specific area because, in practice, we observed that there are differences in terms of heat demand between floors and groups of rooms.

Does it need an expansion vessel?

Unlike other heating boilers, ELLA also works with zero pressure. Under these conditions, it is usual to have an open vessel as an expansion vessel placed above the heating boiler, to ensure the normal level of water in the installation and boiler in order to secure a normal water circulation. In the case of underfloor heating, in houses without additional levels, and where the placement of an open expansion vessel is not possible, the installation can also be put under pressure, in this case, the pressurized expansion vessel is mandatory

What can you tell us about induction heating boilers and hot water boilers?

This is a sensitive question that affects our competitors. But out of respect for the people who ask these questions, we cannot afford to ignore it. For this reason, we will not refer to any particular brand, limiting ourselves only to the physical principle.

The induction heating boilers and hot water boilers heat the water by acting on it with high-frequency waves, having as the main part a transformer, which has a subunit efficiency and consequently it will inevitably be reflected in the efficiency of the boiler.

•          Losses in the magnetic circuit - not all the magnetic flux passes through the magnetic core of the transformer. In addition, the magnetic circuit does not behave perfectly linearly but has hysteresis.
•          Winding losses - by the Joule effect
•          Whirlpool currents - induced in the magnetic core, which is a conductive material
•          Whirlpool currents - induced in the magnetic core, which is a conductive material
•          Magnetostriction

Sursa:  https://ro.wikipedia.org/wiki/Transformator

But the most important thing to remember is the high-frequency electromagnetic radiation (HF EMR) emitted. You can find more information about their action on the human body by searching the web.
Ionization heating does not involve the use of a transformer or other intermediates and therefore does not lose efficiency and does not emit high-frequency waves.