The issue of efficient heating of housing is always relevant. When the centralized heating system does not cope with its work, additional heat sources have to be used. Recently, the convector heater is gaining great popularity. The pros and cons of this device must be considered when choosing.
Content
- Varieties of heaters
- Convection appliance design
- Installation methods
- Built-in convectors
- Natural and forced circulation
Varieties of heaters
There are a wide variety of space heating devices on the market today. In addition to convection heaters, the following are popular:
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Oil. They represent a metal case, inside of which oil is poured. The tubular electric heater heats up the oil, the heat from it is transferred to the body, and then to the air in the room. The devices are highly durable, have a long service life, are compact and quiet, are inexpensive, but can only be installed on the floor. It will take a long time (more than half an hour) to heat a large room with their help. Some models are equipped with a special design that allows you to dry your laundry. - Infrared. Their design also consists of a metal enamelled body and heating element. The principle of operation is based on the conversion of electrical energy into heat. Infrared rays heat all objects in the room. Thanks to this, the amount of oxygen does not decrease, the air does not dry out. The devices quickly heat large rooms and can be mounted on the ceiling, walls or installed on the floor. Built-in thermostats allow you to set the optimal temperature and save energy. The main disadvantages are the negative impact on health during long-term work, high cost and the inability to use in rooms with ceilings below 2.5 m.
An important factor characterizing any heating equipment is the level of safety of its use. Oil, infrared and convector devices have reliable protection against breakdowns and fires. A high level of security can only be ensured with a clearobservance of the rules of operation of heaters:
- When connecting, you need to ensure that the voltage in the network corresponds to that indicated in the instructions.
- The switched on device must not be installed near sources of fire and easily flammable objects, touch or put things on it, foreign objects.
- Do not repair a damaged housing yourself. You should consult a specialist.
Heating devices using oil, infrared radiation or convection can only be used indoors. Outdoor use is prohibited.
Convection appliance design
The convector-type heater is a metal case with holes. There is a heating element inside it. Cold air enters the convector through the lower openings, heats up and exits through the top. Thus, at different heights, the air flows are heated equally.
The design feature of the heater is that the heating element does not come into contact with the body. Therefore, when the convector is in operation, its outer surface does not heat up, as it happens with oil coolers. Gas, water or electricity can be used as a heat carrier.
Despite the fact that gas is considered a profitable type of fuel, convectors operating at the expense of it have not become widespread. Water heaters are large, but low efficiency, so they are used to replace old cast-iron radiators in a centralized heating system.
The most popular among the population are electric convection devices. They have a number of advantages over other heaters. The main advantages of convectors include:
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Lack of noise during operation. This is due to the fact that there is no fan inside the appliance. - Various installation methods. The convector can not only be installed on the floor, but also hung on the wall.
- Slight heating. During operation, the case does not heat up above 60 degrees. This minimizes the risk of severe burns.
- Easy to move. Small models are lightweight and easy to carry. Larger units are equipped with casters for easy handling.
Due to the fact that the structure does not contain intermediary parts and materials, the efficiency of the heater remains very high throughout the entire service life (about 100%). If used correctly, an electric convector can last over 10 years.
Having decided to choose a convector heater for a home or summer cottage, you should take into account some of its disadvantages. These are manifested in high repair costs and electricity prices. With high electricity tariffs, the use of convectors for heating large houses will be unprofitable. In such cases, it is better to choose a device that runs on cheaper fuel as the main device.
Installation methods
An important advantage of a convection device is a wide range of shapes and sizes. Depending on the design of the room, its size and constructional features, you can choose a convector with a suitable installation method.
The easiest to install is a floor or baseboard convection heater. It can be positioned in any convenient place. The heating element of the baseboard model has an elongated shape, therefore it heats the air faster and more evenly. The floor convector is more efficient for heating the lower air layers near the floor.
The hinged device is supplied with a set of brackets with which it is fixed on the wall. Has a stylish appearance, does not take up space. To ensure more productive work, it should be mounted at an equal distance from the floor and ceiling. Another location option is under the windowsill. If desired, a thin convector-type heating panel can be fixed to the ceiling. It is reliable and does not pose any danger to residents. It is characterized by high efficiency and long service life. Increasingly, universal type heaters can be found on sale. A special design and a set of fasteners allows them to be mounted both on the floor and on the wall.
Regardless of the location, convection heating devices have convenient control. It is implemented using a thermostat designed to regulate the temperature of the heating element. Budget models are equipped with mechanical regulators, more expensive ones with electronic ones. The electronic control system allows you to set the temperature indicator with an accuracy of several tenths of a degree. This accuracy is necessary to maintain a strict temperature regime (in hospitals, laboratories, and so on). In everyday life, there is no special need for such accuracy.
To quickly warm up a cold room, you must set the regulator to the maximum value. After the air has warmed up enough, it should be switched to a lower value to maintain a constant temperature regime. In addition to the temperature sensor, the convection heater has a manual or automatic power switch. The second is more convenient, since if one heating element breaks down, the second will turn on independently.
Built-in convectors
A separate category of convector-type heater is a built-in appliance. It is a heat exchanger housed in a casing. A corrosion-resistant copper-aluminum element acts as a heat exchanger. In order for it to heat the room, it must be connected to the water heating system of the house. The cover has a protective function, protecting the floor covering in the event of a thermal fluid leak. For its manufacture, thick sheets of stainless or galvanized steel are used.
For a built-in heater, you need to prepare a special niche in the floor. If the convector is installed during the construction of a house, it can be installed in a cement screed. From above, the structure is closed with a decorative grill. Thanks to it, the heater remains invisible and at the same time protected.
The radiator grill, flush with the floor, can be made of aluminum, stainless steel, natural wood. If its shade matches the shade of the flooring, it will become almost invisible. When choosing a different color, it can become a striking element of the interior.
Heating with the help of such devices is organized in rooms with large French windows to avoid drafts and fogging of the glass. They are also used in small rooms where, due to lack of free space, it is impossible to install a standard heater.
Natural and forced circulation
Built-in water convectors differ in the way of convection. Air currents in them can circulate naturally or forcibly. To organize forced convection, a tangential fan is provided in the heater design. Its use increases the rate of heating and movement of air masses by 75-90%. To minimize the noise that the fan emits, special rubber inserts are used.
Natural convection heaters are not powerful enough to serve as primary heating appliances. Most often they are an addition to standard radiator heating or underfloor heating.
The advantages of such devices include ease of installation, high efficiency, allowing even in cold weather to create a comfortable temperature in large rooms with panoramic glazing. Convectors can be built into the floor next to the doorway to prevent drafts. They take up a minimum of space, it is impossible to burn yourself about them.
Like any heaters, built-in appliances are not without drawbacks. Together with the heated air, dust particles rise from the floor. To get rid of them, convectors will have to be regularly cleaned with a vacuum cleanerafter removing the grill. The high price is also a disadvantage. It is explained by the quality characteristics and stylish appearance of the equipment.
