An electric convector, like a life preserver, helps cope with low temperatures in our homes during the off-season. The management company has strict regulations for supplying heat to apartment buildings, but the weather has its own, uncoordinated schedule. Solving the problem of discomfort today is not difficult; you just need to go to the nearest store and buy a heater.
Let us make a reservation that the review will not contain an economic comparison of the option of completely replacing the traditional heating system of a house with heating the home using an electric convector. We consider polemics on this issue to be completely inappropriate. Today we are trying to figure out how profitable it is to buy an electric convector, solely in terms of its operation as an additional source of thermal radiation in our apartments.
What is a convector?
The market offers a variety of types, where it is quite easy to get confused. Oil radiator, electric convector, infrared emitters, your head is spinning from the range and price offers. We will devote our review to the electric convector. The principle of operation of the convector is based on the physical properties of heat transfer from the coolant, in our case from the heating element to the heated room using internal energy, which is transmitted by jets and flows, that is, by convection.
In simple words, a heating element is built into the convector, which makes the air around it hot. The heated air begins to move upward, making room for cold air flows. This “cycle” is called natural convection. We hope we have answered the question of what a convector is. A picture will help you understand this simple process more clearly:
Operating principle of an electric convector
As we can see, the electric convector has a simple principle of operation. By the way, since air movement occurs due to convection, the device does not require additional equipment with a fan, thus the electric convector earns a plus in its piggy bank. Of course, this is not the only advantage that forces us to choose an electric heating convector to ensure a comfortable climate in our apartment, but first things first.
Main selection criteria
In this review, you will find out which convector is better for an apartment, and which one is better for a private house or any other room. There are indeed a lot of selection criteria, and the abundance of goods on store shelves and electronic display windows makes the purchasing process extremely difficult. In order to understand all this abundance, you need basic knowledge about electric convectors. Based on this knowledge, you can choose a heater that will work better and longer than others.
Here are the main selection criteria that we will consider in this review:
- Equipment power;
- Types of thermostats;
- Equipment safety;
- Convection type;
- Types of heating elements;
- Installation method;
- Design;
- Additional functions;
- Manufacturers.
In total, we have nine criteria at once.
Convector heating pros and cons
One of the main questions of interest to our readers remains the aspect of the feasibility of the purchase. Why a convector, and not an oil radiator, for example? What power characteristics should an electric convector have? How to choose the best one among the incredible assortment?
From a certain point of view, any equipment must contain pros and cons; an electric convector is no exception. We will start by listing the positive qualities, especially since they many times exceed the disadvantages of an electric convector.
1. We consider the main advantage to be a technological breakthrough that allows us to design an electric convector with an efficiency of 95%. Agree, paying for electricity and getting zilch as a result would be an unaffordable luxury. A modern convector converts electrical energy into heat with maximum efficiency.
2. The low price for an average 1000 W electric convector is a strong argument in favor of the purchase.
3. Quiet operation. An electric convector does not require a fan or any other mechanically moving structural elements. Silent operation is periodically interrupted by a barely audible click of the temperature sensor, which contributes to more economical operation of the device.
4. Lack of installation and maintenance work. An electric convector is considered a household appliance, connects to a 220-volt network and does not require permits from government organizations. The small mass of the convector is an additional plus when it comes to relocating the device in a heated room
5. Built-in automation helps maintain the required temperature in the heated room. Remote temperature sensors, made like sockets with a thermostat, additionally provide temperature control.
6. The heating element of an electric convector reaches the set temperature in a couple of minutes, starting to heat the room immediately after switching on. The element temperature, as a rule, does not exceed 60 °C, preventing heating elements from “drying” the air and “burning” oxygen. The absolute humidity of the air in the room does not change. As the temperature rises, only the relative humidity decreases slightly.
7. Low heating temperature of facing surfaces provides a safe environment for people and animals. In addition, you don’t have to worry about fire safety.
8. The service life of convectors declared by a number of manufacturers exceeds 20 years.
Electric heating convector probably has one drawback
So you bought a convector and made sure that your wiring can withstand the additional load. The device, connected to the network, instantly begins to heat the room. As they say, there would be no price for an electric convector if not for one BUT. The only negative, as you might have guessed, is the high cost of electricity consumed. But firstly, as we noted at the beginning of the review, the convector heats our apartment only during the off-season, and not throughout the winter.
Secondly, you need to choose electric heating convectors with a thermostat, then the built-in thermostat will not allow the device to “wind the meter” around the clock. Thirdly, care should be taken to preserve heat and, if possible, reduce heat loss; it is necessary to install double-glazed windows and take care of other insulation elements.
Another disadvantage is the smell of combustion; in fact, it is not oxygen that “burns”, but the dust that has settled on the electric heating element. To remove this drawback is as easy as shelling pears, either vacuum the convector, or simply wait until the dust completely burns out.
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.
Equipment power
When choosing a heater, let's not forget about its power. Of course, extra power never hurts. On the other hand, if the convector is planned to be used in addition to existing heating systems, why overpay for the excess power reserve.
| Convector power, W | Room area, m² |
| 1000 | 10 |
| 1200 | 12 |
| 1500 | 15 |
| 2000 | 20 |
| 2500 | 25 |
If you need to add heat to an apartment with an existing water or steam heating system, then it is wiser to use a heater of reduced power. It is recommended to use the following formula: per 10 m² of room area, 0.5 kW of thermal energy is required. Then both the heater and the room batteries will work as if in pairs, complementing each other. On sale, the power of convectors starts from 750 W.
What if there is no central heating?
Let's also look at the formula. Only now 10 m² requires 1 kW of thermal energy. But it is also necessary to provide for possible heat loss from window and door openings. That is, you need a power reserve of 10–20%.
It will not hurt if you take into account factors such as:
- Number of windows in the house. It's easier here. One heater is required per window.
- What type of room - corner or adjacent?
- Whether or not there are basements below.
- Are the external walls insulated or not?
If you have to choose a heater for your dacha, you need to know exactly which model of such convectors will heat the air space in the room faster and better.
And another important point. It would be a good idea to remind you about safety precautions. It is necessary to take into account the degree of wear and tear of the electrical wiring in the house. Convectors that are too powerful can cause overheating of the wires. And this will lead to either a short circuit or a fire!
If you are not sure of your calculations, it is better to seek help from specialists.
Choosing the best electric convector
The principles that will help you choose a convection heater for an apartment, cottage or house remain unchanged. Our goal is to choose, not illusively, the best electric convector, but a reliable device that will provide us with good warmth and take up a lot of space, and even better fit into the interior and become a unique highlight.
Step one
Heating power is the main characteristic of a convector. Traditionally, calculations are based on the conditions that 100 W are required for heating per 1 m2. Are you probably scared by the prospect of spending 1000 watts per hour to heat a 10 m2 room? But we are going to buy an electric convector for additional heating! Therefore, we safely advise you to buy a device with lower performance. For additional heating of 18 m2, 1 kW of power is quite enough, and even then, most likely you will use half the power.
Modern devices are equipped with step-by-step heating control. This way, it will be easier for you to select the required power at home, even if you decide to buy an electric convector with a “reserve”
Step two
Probably the most pleasant in our review, and it is dedicated to design. Of course, there are not many options for creativity, but still. Electric convectors can be found in traditional white colors and other colors, even mirrored options. We also select design solutions according to needs; the standard convector has the same height, around 45 cm, but varies in length depending on the power. In addition, there are interesting offers of flat models and a space-saving plinth convector.
Step three
A really important point is to decide on the thermostat in our device. The manufacturer completes products ranging from inexpensive mechanical sensors to expensive electronic ones. Electronic thermostats are the most accurate. A mechanical thermostat, on the one hand, is cheaper, on the other hand, it has low accuracy and is more susceptible to wear. The electronic device responds to a change of 0.1 degrees, in addition, it has the ability to be programmed.
Here we leave the choice of convector control up to you, since in the future, you can always buy an additional socket with a thermostat and expand the capabilities of your inexpensive device. Let us only add the unconditional fact that an accurate thermostat will contribute to the greatest energy savings.
