FORCED FAN GAS GEYSERS
Forced fan gas geysers make use of a fan to assist in the complete combustion of the gasses and then to force the combustion gasses through the heat exchanger.
They are generally more efficient than diaphragm and turbine gas geysers.
ADVANTAGES:
Durability and Reliability:
Forced fan gas geysers have a much longer lifespan thanks to superior parts and better design. The longer life span of these geysers makes a lot more sense for customers who want to save more money in the long run.
The more expensive models have much longer warranty periods for certain parts. These gas geysers are also a lot more reliable, you do not need to worry about the wind blowing out the flame on a windy day or worry that they will freeze up when temperatures are sub-zero.
Efficiency:
Forced fan gas geysers have far better efficiency again making them the better choice for those who want to save big in the long run. Most of them can be connected in conjunction with solar geysers.
Control:
One of the main draws to a forced fan gas geyser is that it can regulate its output water temperature on the fly – meaning that you can set the geyser to your target temperature and that’s what the geysers will give you, so that you do not waste money by adding cold water in the case that the water is too hot. You set the temperature before use and that’s it, no need to add cold water.
Safety:
Forced fan gas geysers have better / more safety features making them the better choice when choosing a gas geyser for those who are more safety-conscious.
Water Flow and Pressure:
Forced fan gas geysers do not restrict the flow of water except in extreme circumstances. They also require very little water pressure to operate. Certain forced fan as geysers can be joined together to supply very large amounts of hot water, very useful for commercial applications.
Simplicity:
These gas geysers are more complex internally but they are much simpler to install and do not require all the extras that standard diaphragm / turbine gas geysers require, like a weather cover and flu/chimney. Some models are approved for inside installation and these require the use of a flue/chimney.
Thanks to the added sensors in forced fan gas geysers, they are much simpler to repair and troubleshoot as they have built-in diagnostic systems that make determining a problem much easier.
DISADVANTAGES
Costly:
The main disadvantage with forced fan gas geysers is their cost. Some of them cost 2 to 3 times more than standard battery / turbine geysers.
Electricity Dependent:
Though forced fan gas geysers use a very small amount of electricity to operate (around 65 – 89 watts) Electricity is not used to heat the water – they still require a 220v AC power supply. They can run off a generator or a sinewave inverter in case of load shedding.
Lightning Susceptible:
Because they are plugged into a 220v AC power supply, there is a risk the unit’s electronics could be damaged by lightning strikes.
Complex Internals:
Only qualified gas installers and preferably installers that have been on additional courses from the various importers that sell forced fans are advised for servicing and repair. However their superior durability and reliability make this less of an issue.