Which convector type heater to choose for your home or cottage according to the type of coolant

On the modern heating equipment market you can find a wide range of equipment. Let's look at what a convector type heater is. Let's get acquainted with the features of radiators regarding connection, heat source and connection features. Read to the end and you will learn about the criteria that need to be taken into account before making a final decision to make your home comfortable and safe.

Floor convection heater Source bricomarche.pl

General description of the equipment

Radiators are a group of technical devices that are designed for primary or additional heating of a room due to effective heat transfer. The source can be a water circuit, liquefied or natural gas and the electrical network. Let's look at what a convection heater is and how it works.

Traditional units made of cast iron or with coolant oil release thermal energy through the housing. The walls can heat up to +95 degrees Celsius, which is unsafe for the user. The solution to this problem was the manufacture of radiators with perforations on top and slots on the bottom. This way the housing is cooled due to relatively cold air flows in the area. According to the laws of physics, they displace the warm environment that spreads throughout the room. The operating principle of a convector heater is based on this phenomenon.

Equipment is divided into 3 groups according to the type of heat source. Water ones are connected to a central or autonomous water supply and are a lighter and more aesthetic alternative to cast iron “accordions”. Electric works from the network. Here, heat transfer occurs due to the built-in heating element.

Electric radiator of convector type Source vodopad.ru

It is believed that the efficiency of this series of equipment is 100%.

Gas convectors are an economical and practical solution. But the installation is carried out taking into account the permanent installation, stretching of the pipeline, and arrangement of an outlet channel for fuel combustion products. Design and repair difficulties, final estimates for materials and specialist work, maintenance are the reasons for the low demand for equipment.

Simple models can be improved by connecting thermostats. Instead of slots and perforations, adjustable dampers – blinds – can be installed. Another solution is to cast the cracks not in a horizontal position, but with a slope towards the floor. Let's get acquainted with the device and criteria for choosing a convector heater for your home.

Extra options

Regardless of the type of device, convectors have the following additions to facilitate setup and operation:

1. The electric sensor ensures safe use and monitors the permissible temperature. This element is activated and turns off the device when the maximum temperature is reached. After cooling, the sensor automatically starts the device. More advanced models also have a built-in tip-over sensor - if the device is overturned, the system turns off .
2. Thermoregulator is a mechanical or programmable element that controls the heating temperature. Most often presented in the form of a mechanical wheel.
3. A screen or air grille is a movable or stationary structure that directs a warm flow to the desired area.
4. The fan is installed on powerful models to increase heating efficiency and deliver warm air to the largest possible area.

Radiator design

When choosing convector-type heating equipment, you need to consider the intended heat source. Depending on this, the design of the units differs, which is reflected in the requirements for installation work. Let's take a closer look at each series.

Gas

A sealed closed chamber and a burner are built into the body of such equipment.

Gas type convection radiator with a closed chamber Source kotlotorg.ru

Oxygen access is ensured in the section where fuel combustion occurs. To do this, a relatively wide channel with a windproof lining in the form of a lattice is brought outside. There is also a pipe for connecting the outlet of combustion products of gas fuel to the outside of the building. It is inserted inside the supply pipe. Such a system is otherwise called coaxial.

There are models with an open gas combustion compartment. This is a positive introduction regarding the decorative component. However, in this case, partial air intake occurs and it is saturated with carbon dioxide inside the heated room.

When choosing a unit, it is necessary to take into account the type of combustible fuel:

• natural gas - according to GOST it must meet low pressure (1274 MPa);
• liquefied - a gearbox and a nozzle are provided for connection, and a control unit is provided for adjustment.

When considering samples for long-term use, you should prefer radiators with a chamber cast from cast iron. It retains heat longer and only cracks due to sudden cooling or heating. This is also justified by the fact that even heat-resistant steel burns out over time. On the other hand, equipment with steel compartments weighs 10-15 kg less.

Model of a gas convector with a cast iron chamber Source 35.teplozhar.ru

The heat exchanger is typically designed in area to operate at temperatures ranging from +60 to +120 degrees Celsius. Heating occurs quickly and evenly. Actual heating can reach +600 degrees, but in household models this is excluded.

Before making a decision, you need to familiarize yourself with some features of the heater:

• high heating of the heat exchanger provokes the disintegration of dust particles, so regular ventilation of the heated room is necessary;
• there is a noticeable temperature difference in the area of ​​the equipment and at a distance from it;
• to ensure the flow of oxygen and the removal of gas combustion products, access to the street is required, which forces the owner to form a through hole in the wall;
• if the supporting structure is made of flammable material, then additional insulation of the channel with a fire-resistant sealant will be required;
• It is recommended to install a coaxial pipe in the area of ​​the window opening for better ventilation (the distance from the slope is kept at least 30 cm, from the floor - more than 15 cm);

Traditional radiator location Source mr-build.ru

• the gas pipeline system is laid in strict accordance with fire safety requirements;
• Before starting heating equipment, an assessment by a specialist is required to ensure the correctness and serviceability of the system (in the case of a central gas supply, permission to connect a radiator is also required).

The advantages of a gas heater include efficiency. This applies to the cost of the power supply. Also, a pair of convectors is cheaper than installing a boiler with the same fuel. Warming up the room is done quickly, since heat transfer from the combustion chamber begins almost immediately.

See also: Catalog of companies that specialize in home insulation

Water

Structurally, the convector for heating is represented by a copper pipe for the coolant and aluminum fins made of plates as a heat exchanger. For connection to a central or autonomous water supply system, pipes with threaded fittings are provided. To prevent air accumulation in the radiator, there is an air valve.

Convection radiator in water coolant Source mircli.ru

The housing is often made of thin sheet steel that is resistant to temperature changes. Powder paint is applied to the front side of the back panel by spraying. To ensure convection, there are slots at the bottom or there is no platform at all; there is perforation in the top cover.

Before making a decision, it is worth considering the following features of the operation of a water convector:

• copper and aluminum conduct heat well, so the heat exchanger heats up and cools down equally quickly (this affects the overall environment in the room);
• For efficiency, heating equipment is often made in a relatively larger size than conventional radiators;
• the heat exchanger is represented by many plates, on which a lot of dust, dirt and animal hair settles, which must be constantly removed (it is not recommended to install such a radiator in a house with allergies).

Water convector with copper fins Source konveyt.ru
The advantages of a water convector heater for the home are enough to be in great demand in the private sector. This equipment is permissible for installation in an apartment, house or country house without obtaining official permission. Unlike traditional radiators, efficiency is observed here even at low coolant temperatures. The total weight of the unit is low due to the lightness of copper, aluminum and steel. Weight is largely influenced by the volume of coolant. But in most cases, mounted radiators can be mounted on plasterboard walls.

Electric

The main difference between an electric convector heating system and its analogues is the absence of a sealed fuel combustion chamber or pipeline. Here, a compact heating element is located inside the hollow body. It converts electric current into thermal energy.

Electric convector design Source termo-volga.ru

Based on this, the main advantages of the convector are:

• instant air heating;
• low weight of the structure;
• there is no channel system for coolant, oxygen or smoke exhaust.

The narrow box has the following features:

1. Material. Aluminum or thin sheet steel is used to make the body. Corrosion protection is provided on the inside, and powder paint is additionally applied on the outside.
2. Top and bottom end. There are slots, perforations or blinds. The last option can be adjustable.
3. Back wall. There are plates soldered on it for hanging the radiator on response brackets or hooks.

To figure out which electric heating convectors are best for a private home, you need to consider the features of built-in heating elements. The table shows the characteristics of each of the possible heating elements.

Household-type heating elements are characterized by power from 0.3 to 6 kW. To replace the heating element, pay attention to its length. It is recommended to consider a size 10 cm smaller than the heater body. Also, the passport must contain a list of radiators for which one or another heating element is applicable.

Heater temperature regulator

The choice of a specific model depends on your preferences, conditions in the house, type of heating and financial capabilities. Only this saving is insignificant compared to the thermal losses of the building, which any heater must compensate for.

And it is able to maintain the desired temperature in the house without additional intervention. You can regulate the heat supply to radiators using built-in thermostats. They produce both plain panels and those decorated with photo printing. Ceramic heaters are produced in three versions. The optimal thickness of the anodized layer is 0.mm, and the foil 0.mm.

Some people use differential protection devices here. Any copyright infringement will result in legal liability.

The difference is that they are connected through an outlet and have a control unit, and sometimes a remote control. Installing an electric cooling radiator fan on a VAZ 2106 (classic)

Equipment selection criteria

To determine which convector is best installed in a particular room (electric, water, gas), you need to consider the operating conditions and installation of the radiator. The power and dimensions of the equipment are also taken into account. Let's consider the selection criteria in more detail.

Installation

There are two main types of radiators: stationary and mobile. The first ones are installed in the designed position without the possibility of movement. These are all water and gas radiators, some electric. This group includes heaters for hanging, built into walls or floors. Equipment with a network connection can be classified as mobile; the main thing is to place the cable safely.

Mobile model of a heating convector Source ventoprofi.ru

Safety precautions

Electric convectors require careful handling, like any electrical appliances. When using them, you need to remember the techniques for safe use of such units. For example, drying clothes directly on the body is considered a big mistake

The best outcome is for the device to overheat and turn it off if the protection is triggered. The worst case scenario is a fire.

For example, drying clothes directly on the body is considered a big mistake. The best outcome is for the device to overheat and turn it off if the protection is triggered. The worst case scenario is a fire.

The electrical outlet into which the convector is plugged in should be located on the side of the device, at a distance of 10 cm or more. Placing the socket on top is strictly prohibited.

If you take all these points into account, operation will be safe, the device will last a long time, and thanks to it the room will be warm and cozy.

Video description

In this video, the master talks about the difficulties and problems that can be encountered when installing a water convector with water heating:

terms of Use

For dry rooms, you can choose any convector heater. For a kitchen or bathroom, it is necessary to consider the degree of protection of the heating element and control unit in the case of electrical equipment. In addition, it is necessary to take into account the heating temperature of the housing in order to prevent the occurrence of burns or fire of surrounding objects and decorative trim.

The second point can be eliminated using devices that are equipped with an automatic overheating sensor. It turns the equipment off and on when the set temperature thresholds are reached. Another solution is to install a thermostat. This device allows you to independently adjust the heat output of a convection heater.

Convector with thermostat Source elektro-teh.com

Power and efficiency

For a temperate climate in Soviet times, calculations were made. As a result, even today it is believed that 1 kW of energy must be taken into account per 10 square meters of area. It is worth noting that such a guideline is relevant for a house in which there is practically no heat loss; the ceiling height is limited to 2.7 meters. That is, for constant convector heating of dilapidated housing or with high ceilings, you need to increase the power. The additional heat source can be selected with a lower value relative to the reference.

The efficiency of radiators depends not only on the design of the basic components and its power. Additionally, the unit can be equipped with a fan. It provides forced movement of heated air, which speeds up the process of warming the space in the room.

Electric convector - calculation of kW consumption.

Agree, buying an electric convector is one thing, but how much we will have to pay for the heat received is quite another, that is the question. We emphasize that our calculation of consumption is based on personal operating experience, and not on manufacturers’ formulas. Let us also make it clear that we do not heat the house in the frosty winter, we raise the temperature in the room to a comfortable state. Let's consider an average room of 18 m2. The technical characteristics of any manufacturer for heating a room of such area regulate the purchase of a 1000 W convector.

Let us clarify that to start central heating, municipal authorities are guided by the Decree of the Government of the Russian Federation dated May 6, 2011 N 354, according to which the street temperature must drop below +8 ºС and not rise for 5 days. I think many will agree that usually, in the off-season, it can take a month to achieve this goal, and the temperature outside the window is + 12°C, already reducing the temperature in city apartments to + 16 – 17°C.

Consumption calculation

We plug in the electric convector and set it to a comfortable 22 °C. We will not go into calculations; everything has been tested many times experimentally. With the door closed and the window closed, in full power mode at +17 °C. up to +22 °C. , a 1000 W convector runs for about 25 minutes. You can always double-check this and write your result in the comments.

When the set value is reached, the temperature control system will work and the consumption of electrical energy will stop. As it cools down, noticeably after 20 minutes the temperature sensor is triggered and turns the convector back on. Considering that the next switching on does not require heating from 17 °C, but starts from 20 °C, then the time to reach the value is 22 °C. much less, no more than 10 minutes. Then the on/off cycle is repeated and the average heater operation does not exceed 20 minutes per hour.

Actually, based on the experimentally obtained data, we obtain the consumption of an electric convector. Divide 1000 W by 60 minutes and get 16 W - we determined the electricity consumption of one minute of operation. In our experiment, the convector worked for no more than 20 minutes. Now we multiply 16 W by 20 minutes and get the power that the convector consumed per hour of operation - 330 W. Thus, the convector “eats” 1 kW in three hours. The cost of one kilowatt at the beginning of 2022 is 4 rubles.

Gentlemen, per evening we will need no more than 9 hours of operation of an electric convector - 12 rubles. A month in the off-season will cost about 360 rubles. To be on the safe side, let’s add another 30% to this amount (for those who sit too long in front of the TV). The total cost of operating the convector will be 400 – 500 rubles for normal temperature conditions for a month. Let me ask you a question: is it worth saving this amount, exposing your body and your household to the risk of cooling? Sick leave and a bad mood are much more expensive; drops for a runny nose alone can offset this kind of savings.

The main requirement for operation

The principle of operation of a convector for heating a private house or apartment is the passage of air flow through the equipment body. This phenomenon eliminates the possibility of covering the radiator with anything for the purpose of warming or drying. If you block the perforations or slots in the upper end of the box, the heated air will not be able to spread with proper efficiency. In the case of a convector-type electric heater, humidity can be a detrimental factor for the heating element or a person. This is justified by the fact that water is an excellent conductor of current.

Physics and thermal engineering

Heat transfer is the process by which thermal energy moves from a more heated body to a less heated one.

Energy transfer occurs in several ways:

• Thermal conductivity
  . Observed during contact of liquid or solid substances. The process is based on Brownian thermal motion of liquid/gas particles. Metals have the highest thermal conductivity, followed only by liquids and gases. The efficiency of energy transfer directly depends on the location of the molecules relative to each other.
• Radiant heat transfer
  . It is carried out thanks to the internal energy emanating from a heated object. Used in infrared heaters. Only the objects that the rays hit are heated, and the air is heated from them.
• Convection
  . It is used for heating needs and is characterized by high efficiency. The energy of the heated substance is distributed in the form of jets/streams. The lower layers are heated, which makes them light and they float. The upper ones, on the contrary, cool, become heavy and sink. This process occurs non-stop.

It is the latter method of energy transfer that is used in modern electric convectors, ensuring the high efficiency of this type of equipment.

pros

Units can have different sizes (depending on power) and shape. Equipping with various sensors and functions also differs between models.

But in general, convector heaters have the following positive qualities:

• Quiet operation. The device does not have a fan, so it does not hum.
• A wide range of placement options: there are floor-standing, hanging, narrow and long models for window sills...
• Attractive appearance. This allows you to fit the device into the interior and use them in offices.
• Good energy efficiency.
• Unlike other heaters, which can heat up over 150 0C, the convector body does not heat up above 90 0C (and some models - only 60 0C), which makes its use much safer.
• Portable models are equipped with wheels, wall-mounted models are easily attached to walls and do not clutter up the room. Such convector heaters can be used for summer cottages.
• They don't burn oxygen.
• Durability. Warranty up to 10 years. And the theoretical service life is even longer.
• Can work without human supervision.
• Easy to manage.
• It turns off when anything other than air gets inside.
• And all this for little money.

Reviews

Most reviews about convector heaters are positive. They don't make noise, heat the air well and look good. Dissatisfaction is expressed by customers who have not calculated the power of the device. The heating seems insufficient.

Owners of models that do not have wheels and handles (for carrying the device while it is hot) say that these parts would be very useful.

Many are unanimous that at first the devices emit a not very pleasant smell.

So. Convector heaters are a worthwhile addition to weak heating systems. They are used on loggias and dachas. Models with a moisture-resistant body are good for bathrooms. Electric models remain the most popular because they are the easiest to use and the price of the device is relatively low.

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Minuses

An electric convector type heater also has negative aspects:

• Makes a little noise while warming up.
• If the heating element burns out, you cannot replace it at home: you need to connect a tungsten filament and insulate the inside of the tube.
• The fact that the device does not have a fan ensures quiet operation, but the rate of heating of the room is slower than with forced circulation.

In warm and dry air, which is constantly moving, asthmatics and allergy sufferers do not feel very comfortable. Solution - purchase a convection heater with a built-in humidifier.