The heating system of the house can be either centralized or autonomous. One of the types of local heaters is a heating gas convector. By designation, functions and some technical characteristics, it resembles electrical counterparts, but operates from a different source of energy - liquefied or natural gas.
To find out if heating equipment is suitable for a particular room, you need to get acquainted with its capabilities. We offer useful materials about gas convectors for home heating and recommendations for choosing household appliances.
The content of the article:
- What does a gas convector consist of and how does it work
- Pros and cons of gas convection heating
-
Criteria for choosing a heater
- Criterion # 1 - type of combustion chamber
- Criterion # 2 - chimney type
- Criterion # 3 - Floor or Wall Mounting
- Criterion # 4 - fuel consumption
- Criterion # 5 - device power
- Criterion # 6 - material for manufacturing work units
- Criterion # 7 - natural or bottled gas
- Popular manufacturers of gas convectors
- Conclusions and useful video on the topic
What does a gas convector consist of and how does it work
The gas-fired convector is a complete mini-heating system. If you need to heat one room, for example, a large hall in a country house, it is enough to install the device and connect it to a power source - a natural gas pipeline or cylinders. The boiler, pipes, pump, radiators do not need to be purchased separately.
The principle of operation is based on the change in the characteristics of the fuel when its temperature rises. The air flow passes through the heat exchanger, heats up and moves upward under the ceiling. It is replaced by colder portions of air that follow the same path. This process is called convection, and the units themselves are called convectors.
Modern heating devices meet safety requirements, are efficient in operation, in terms of appearance and control method, they are completely suitable for installation in a residential area.
The traditional and technically justified installation site is considered to be the wall section under the window: heat loss in this area is recognized as maximum.
The location of the convector is determined by the principle of its operation: the lower the device is installed, the more efficiently the air in the room will be heated
The construction of a gas convector is a combination of the following components:
- Housing or casing, performing two functions: protective and decorative. This is a metal box covered with heat-resistant anti-corrosion paint, with holes for air circulation and fittings for mounting.
- Gas-burner - an element responsible for gas combustion. It is coupled with a heat exchanger and equipped with an igniter with an electrode, which is used for ignition.
- Heat exchanger performs the main function - heats the air. The larger its surface area, the more efficient heating will occur; therefore, the ribbed configuration is common.
- Chimney system. The combustion products of gas heating units are discharged in two ways: naturally or forcibly, using a built-in fan. In the first case, combustion is supported by air intake from the room, in the second - from the street, through a coaxial pipe.
- Valve, which allows you to regulate the pressure of the fuel entering the combustion chamber. It is connected to the thermostat and reacts to its signals.
- Thermostat. The combination valve is controlled by a thermostat that can be set to a comfortable temperature.
- Control system in modern models it is automated. When an abnormal situation occurs: pressure drop, lack of combustion air, fan breakdown, flame extinction - the convector stops working.
Heaters with a tangential fan increase the speed of the heated air discharge and heat the room faster.
To increase the heating properties, the walls of the bodies of expensive models are made thicker. The units function not only as convectors, but also as radiators - they transfer heat radiation from the heated metal to the surrounding space
All gas models are universal in relation to the type of fuel. They can operate on both natural and bottled gas. The requirements for combustible materials are set out in GOST 5542-2014.
Pros and cons of gas convection heating
The production of heating devices is developing due to the demand for gas equipment.
Among the main benefits noted by users are the following:
- Economic benefit. The purchase and installation of a gas unit is more expensive than an electric analogue, but later you will have to pay much less for fuel consumption. Especially if the source is natural gas.
- Versatility. Gas appliances are designed to connect both natural and bottled gas. The ability to run on propane will come in handy for owners whose houses are not supplied with mainline fuel.
- Lack of coolant. There is no need for a pipeline arrangement, and in winter, during downtime, there is no risk of liquid freezing. Local convection heating is convenient for garages and small summer cottages.
- Environmental friendliness. Devices with coaxial pipe and a closed combustion chamber does not burn out oxygen from the living quarters.
But there are also some downsides. For example, not everyone likes the dimensions of heating devices - you can find more compact electrical counterparts on sale. For residential premises, it is preferable to buy wall models that take up less usable space.
If a room in the house is not sufficiently insulated, has several windows or doors to adjacent rooms, it is difficult to arrange full heating - cold areas will also remain
The steel heat exchanger, typical of inexpensive models, cools quickly, thereby reducing heating efficiency.
Criteria for choosing a heater
Before buying a gas convector on a natural or bottled gas it is necessary to analyze the installation conditions, discuss the installation details with specialists and select the device that best meets the specific requirements.
Both technical characteristics and design or cost can be important criteria. Consider what you need to pay attention to when choosing.
Criterion # 1 - type of combustion chamber
Convectors are equipped with two types of combustion chambers:
- open;
- closed.
By the method of air intake, the first type resembles a furnace: oxygen is supplied to the furnace from the room to support combustion, and the exhaust gases are discharged outside through a pipe. Often, such devices are mounted in place of stoves, and a pipe for removing combustion products is inserted into an already existing chimney.
The main disadvantage of the device is the burning of oxygen in the house. Requires a well-oiled ventilationconstantly replenishing the supply of fresh air. The advantage is low cost.
A closed combustion chamber is considered more environmentally friendly.
Air enters the combustion chamber through a coaxial pipe, through which the combustion products are discharged outside. The movement of air masses occurs due to the operation of the built-in fan
The advantage of devices with a closed combustion chamber is safety, the disadvantage is the need for power supply for the fan to work.
Criterion # 2 - chimney type
The exhaust gases are led out through the chimney. All options for assembling chimney pipes are divided into two categories:
- vertical;
- horizontal.
Vertical, typical for open-type devices, are practically not used in residential premises. Although they have a protection system: auto shutdown when the burner blows out, lack of oxygen or pressure drop - they are considered unsafe. They are mainly used for heating industrial premises, garages, change houses.
Coaxial chimneys located horizontally and brought out into the street through a through hole in the wall are used for devices with a closed-type combustion chamber.
In the pipe-in-pipe design, combustion products are removed through the central channel, and fresh air is taken in through the inner space surrounding this channel.
Pipe coaxial chimney has a telescopic structure, so the thickness of the walls does not matter. On the outside, at the end of the pipe, there is a protective cap that protects it from debris.
Criterion # 3 - Floor or Wall Mounting
According to the method of installation, all convectors are divided into:
- floor;
- wall.
Floor-standing ones are characterized by greater power and heat dissipation, therefore they are installed in spacious rooms - workshops, garages, warehouses. In order for heavy units to remain stable, a solid and level base is prepared before installation.
Wall mounted appliances are household convectors suitable for living rooms, halls, halls. They take up a minimum of space, as they are attached directly to the wall, through which the chimney is also led out.
The traditional place of installation is under a window or near a door. A warm curtain prevents cold air from entering through the cracks in window or door openings, creates a cozy microclimate in the house
To reduce the load on the wall, the heat exchanger in modern budget models is made of steel, not cast iron.
The cost of floor and wall gas convectors is almost the same, to a greater extent it does not depend on type at the place of installation, but on the technical characteristics and materials from which the main details.
Criterion # 4 - fuel consumption
The approximate gas consumption by convectors can be calculated in advance by multiplying the gas volume consumed by one device by the number of devices. Calculations are made based on the type of fuel.
So, for 1 kW of power:
- when natural gas is connected, 0.11 m³ / h is consumed;
- when using bottled gas - 0.09 m³ / h.
There are several ways to improve heating efficiency and reduce fuel consumption. For example, warming a room reduces heat loss by about 15-20%.
Heat loss in the cottage in percentage terms. If the roof, walls and floor are insulated, they will noticeably decrease, which will immediately affect fuel economy for heating devices.
The second way to reduce gas consumption is to adjust the temperature using a thermostat. You can select a mode in which the temperature decreases at night and during the day, and rises in the morning and evening, when the family is together.
If you know how much a home gas convector consumes, you can calculate the monthly costs.
Criterion # 5 - device power
The comfort of those living in a heated room depends on the correct choice of power. On average, approximately 1 kW is required for a volume of 30 m³. For domestic use, devices with a power of 2 kW to 12 kW are intended.
On the market there is a wide range of heating devices with a capacity of 2-6 kW with a steel heat exchanger. They attract by their design and low price, but their service life and efficiency are lower than those of analogues with a cast-iron heat exchanger.
Given the likelihood of ventilation, drafts, insufficient insulation, you need to take a unit with a small power reserve. Suppose a room of 40 m³ requires a 2 kW convector.
Criterion # 6 - material for manufacturing work units
Heat exchangers and combustion chambers made of steel have two significant advantages: low weight and low cost.
It is estimated that devices with a steel chamber are about 12-15 kg lighter than their counterparts with a cast-iron "filling". However, there is also an important disadvantage - even heat-resistant steel deteriorates faster than cast iron, which means that the cheaper unit will be the first to be repaired. The best grades of metal last up to 20 years.
The service life of the cast-iron chamber is not limited, it does not rust and does not burn out, however, the metal is sensitive to sudden changes in temperature.
The main advantage of cast iron parts is their high heat capacity. They accumulate heat and cool down for a long time, transferring energy to the surrounding space.
Cast iron is recognized as an ideal material for the manufacture of a heat exchanger. It heats up quickly, retains heat for a long time and distributes it evenly over the entire surface. The service life of such devices is up to 50 years. But there are also disadvantages - high weight and high price.
Criterion # 7 - natural or bottled gas
From an economic point of view, it is more profitable to connect the convectors to natural gas, therefore all models are designed to operate on main fuel. The installation scheme is simple, without additional components.
Usually on the side or on the rear panel there is a branch pipe of a standard diameter for connecting a pipe. The connection is made according to the manufacturer's scheme under the supervision of a representative of the service gas organization
The disadvantages of using natural gas are considered fuel dependence and control parties of the gas service, but these are mandatory components of the use of any equipment: stoves, columns, boilers.
Using a propane / butane mixture in gas cylinders is more expensive, but it is used wherever there is no possibility of connecting to the backbone. Almost all models are adapted for conversion to work on natural gas - for this, a special adapter is included in the delivery set.
We recommend connecting the cylinders in the presence of a gas service worker - it is better if a qualified specialist will replace the nozzles or reset the valve.
Popular manufacturers of gas convectors
The first places in the ratings of gas-fired convectors are occupied by models of two Turkish companies - Alpine Air and Hosseven. For heating summer cottages and cottages, models for installation on the wall are more often purchased, therefore there is a large selection of household series of wall-mounted design in the catalogs of both brands.
Models Hosseven with a cast iron heat exchanger have proven themselves well in heating private houses. The 3 and 5 series models are replaced by HP and HS-8 designer devices with a glossy surface and heat-resistant glass on the front panel.
The Hosseven HP gas convector looks personable and strict. The black body and tempered glass insert turn the household heater into a significant element of the interior
The basis for the production of heating appliances Alpine air steel convectors Demrad. Household appliances have the same specifications and design. The average power of household installations with a cast iron heat exchanger of the NGS series is 2.5-5 kW.
The budget models of the DT series are equipped with a steel heat exchanger. The F mark in the name indicates the presence of a fan.
Czech convectors Karma Beta functional, reliable, easy to maintain, have earned popularity at a low price. Models of 4 series are supplied to Russia: Mechanic, Electronic, Comfort Mechanic, Comfort Electronic.
Mechanic devices are the best option for giving. The lack of sophisticated electronics made them non-volatile. Ignition is carried out mechanically, from a piezoelectric element.
Ukrainian brand ATON Vektor manufactures safe, reliable and inexpensive heating equipment. Household models with a capacity of 2.2-5 kW have long been known in Russia, they are often used to connect to bottled gas.
Image gallery
Photo from
Stylish and practical heating devices are more expensive than analogues of other brands, but they fully justify their cost: beautiful design, simple connection, easy maintenance. Quick changeover possible for bottled gas operation
The HDU and HDU DKV series are similar in technical characteristics to those of the Alpine Air brand, but differ in appearance and lower prices. The advantage of the models is cast-iron heat exchangers, as well as valves and burners made in Italy
The electronic series are equipped with an automatic control unit, which reduces overall fuel consumption by about 25%. For even greater savings, a timer can be connected. Models with automation can be integrated into the "smart home" system
The devices are distinguished by high efficiency, practical design and heating efficiency. Designed for heating apartments, summer cottages, cottages, offices, utility buildings, garages. Do not depend on pressure surges in the network and power supply
Gas convectors Alpine Air
Turkish Hosseven Models
Devices of the Czech manufacturer Karma Beta
Heating equipment ATON Vektor
In addition to the convectors of the listed brands, there are devices of domestic brands Termotechnik, Vepr, Titan on the Russian market.
Conclusions and useful video on the topic
Visually about the design and functions of the devices:
Gas heating technology overview:
To imagine how the installation takes place - installation instructions from the manufacturer ACOG:
Gas convectors are an alternative way to heat rooms. They are easy to install and maintain, and when connected to natural gas they are economical.
Devices help out if you need to quickly heat a room or if the main heating system does not cope. Convection equipment can be used as a primary or backup heat source.
Would you like to share your own experiences in the selection and / or operation of gas-fired convection heaters? Do you have any useful information on the topic of the article? Please write your comments in the form below, ask questions, post a photo on the topic of the article.
