The expert mentioned the risks of using water heaters from marketplaces

During the seasonal hot water outages, the demand for domestic water heaters, especially for inexpensive models from marketplaces, is growing noticeably. However, there is a risk of electric shock from such a device, especially if the device is installed incorrectly. Alexey Orekhov, an interior decoration expert and General Director of NATEK, told Izvestia about this on May 30.

"Buying such a device seems like a simple and rational solution: I connected it and provided myself with hot water for the entire repair period in the hot water supply system. But any water heater, even the most compact one, is an electrical appliance operating in an environment of high humidity. This in itself requires caution," the expert noted.

The main risks, according to him, are related to the lack of grounding, the use of cheap extension cords, and connection without a protective disconnection device (RCD). Such violations can lead to a short circuit or current leakage, especially in an old apartment building with worn-out electrical wiring.

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In addition, the water heater affects the water supply system and plumbing. Poor-quality hoses, weak fittings, or attempts to save money on shut-off valves can lead to leaks. It is also worth considering that flow heaters create a significant load on the water supply, especially with unstable network pressure. Devices that are not designed to work in such conditions may fail or damage existing plumbing. In particular, there may be cases of overheating, failure of faucets, cracking of plastic elements of the system.

Nevertheless, the specialist explained that if a number of conditions are met, a water heater can really become a convenient and safe solution. To do this, it is important to choose a model that corresponds to the characteristics of the water supply network: take into account the water pressure, the power of the power grid, and the type of connection. It is advisable to give preference to trusted brands and models with reviews, especially if daily use is expected. Installation must be carried out in compliance with all the requirements of the instructions, and ideally by a specialist.

"It is worth noting separately that storage models, despite their bulkier format, often turn out to be more practical in everyday life: they overheat less often, create less stress on the water supply and, as a rule, have built-in protection systems. They are especially appropriate for families where a lot of hot water is used," said Orekhov.

He added that flow-through models are suitable in situations where temporary and spot-on use is required, for example, only for washing hands or dishes.

With proper selection and installation, a household water heater can significantly increase comfort in the temporary absence of hot water supply. However, the expert drew attention to the fact that it should be treated as a full-fledged element of an engineering system, and not as a household accessory. Only with this approach will it not become a source of problems and really justify its purpose.

In mid-April, Alexey Yeresko, Deputy head of the Ministry of Construction, told Izvestia that in the process of updating utility networks, the duration of the summer shutdown of boilers is shortened. However, according to him, it is impractical to reduce the stoppage of hot water supply to apartments from the established 10 days to seven.