What is better convector or fan heater: a comparative review of the units

The principle of operation of the convector

The principle of operation of a convector heater, regardless of the type of source of thermal energy, is to use the quality of the gaseous medium during heating to rise, then cool down and fall.

An integrated heating element moves air through the unit from bottom to top. The heated air tends to rise, giving off heat to the surrounding space of the room, then cooling down, it goes down.

Heat transfer is enhanced by the movement of heated air upward along the parabola.The air space in the room where the convector heater operates is heated to an acceptable temperature in 15-20 minutes.

Convectors are gas, electric, water. Gas is economical, but unsafe. Electric ones are easy to install, safe, but consume a lot of energy. Water ones are more difficult to install, but they are optimal from an economic point of view.

Types of convectors

1. With electronic thermostat. They are silent. Disadvantages - price, failure during power surges.
2. With electromechanical thermostat. Immune to power surges. The disadvantage is a large measurement error.
3. Floor. Mobile, you can easily move around the room.
4. Wall. They have a small thickness, are vertical or horizontal. Installed under windows. Due to their attractive appearance, they can be placed on the walls.
5. Ceiling. Mounted on the ceiling, often installed in cottages or country houses.
6. Embedded. Often they are mounted in floor niches and then closed with gratings.

Convector safety and maximum heating

Another advantage is the wall heating temperature. The body of the convector itself never heats up to such temperatures as oil coolers.

You do not have to constantly monitor and worry about your children so that they do not accidentally get burned.

Well, if the thermostat breaks accidentally in the oil pan, this can lead to overheating of its walls and the formation of microcracks. If these cracks are in the upper part, then the oil will gradually begin to evaporate in the room. And you will breathe all this daily.

If the crack is from below, then the liquid will gradually begin to flow out of the device.And even then, such a breakdown option can be considered a happy accident.

When such a crack does not form, the battery is simply torn apart by internal pressure, and boiling oil begins to whip in all directions.

Of course, branded oil radiators (Electrolux, Zanussi, Ballu) use non-flammable synthetic oil. But that doesn't make it any easier for you.

With convectors, you are spared from such problems once and for all. The maximum that can happen is that the heater will gobble up more energy than usual.

Which is better: a convector or a fan heater?

Heating equipment today offers a wide range of choices. Electric heaters are indispensable when periodic air heating is needed (for example, in a summer cottage where the owners come for the weekend or in winter, when there is not enough heat from the batteries).

Both fan heaters and convectors are actively used today for different rooms. The question “what is better: a fan heater or a convector” is easy to answer after comparing their characteristics.

A fan heater is the simplest and cheapest option. The device, as the name implies, supplies heated air with a fan. The device quickly provides the required temperature in a small area.

Main differences:

• Compact dimensions;
• Mobility;
• Low price;
• Various installation options (wall, floor, desktop);
• Ability to maintain the set temperature;
• Cannot be installed in rooms with high humidity.

The fan cannot be the main source of heat, only an additional one. In addition, dust can accumulate on the heating element, which will give off a specific smell.

In a convector, heating occurs due to air circulation.Often used in places where the greatest heat loss (for example, next to window or patio). Convectors can be electric and gas. The heating rate is less than fan heaters, so in an unheated room the desired temperature can be set within a few hours.

Main advantages:

• Noiselessness (unlike fan heaters);
• fire safety;
• High environmental friendliness;
• More even heating
• The possibility of combining several convectors into a system with a single control (for full-fledged heating of the house);
• Can be floor or wall;
• Can be installed in rooms with high humidity;
• Can be left unattended for long periods of time.

From a comparison of the characteristics, it is clear that a fan heater is more suitable for quick and short-term heating of a room; for long-term and more efficient operation, it is better to purchase a convector.

Whatever you choose, be guided by the main parameter of any heater - power. On average, heating a room with normal thermal insulation requires 70-100 W per 1 m² of area.

Heating element

Desktop fan heaters, in turn, are divided into two types:

with spiral heating element

with ceramic

Which is better to choose and what are their differences from a practical point of view? A spiral is always cheaper by several hundred rubles than ceramics.

The spiral element is actually a nichrome wire that heats up very quickly to its operating temperature when voltage is applied to it. Removal of heat from the wire occurs by blowing.

The temperature of such a wire reaches 800 degrees! A ceramic, or rather a metal-ceramic element (ceramics are negligible there), consists of two components - aluminum and ceramics.

If we take two heaters of the same size and compare the usable area of ​​their heating elements, then ceramics wins significantly in this matter. However, it also heats up to much lower temperatures (100-150C).

The most important difference between these elements is the difference in the sensations of comfort. And she really is.

Nothing like this actually happens. It's just that they all change the humidity in the room very much. In other words, they dry the air.

Where does the difference in sensations in the apartment come from when heated with ceramics and a spiral?

The fact is that when air flows through the fan heater, dust also passes through it. Dust particles settle on a red-hot spiral and instantly burn out.

A corresponding smell and a feeling of lack of oxygen appear in the room. The air dries out at an accelerated rate.

Many do not recommend placing spiral duychiki in rooms with flowers. They grow very poorly and can simply die during the winter.

Any vessels with water in front of the heaters not only do not help, but are also dangerous. This should not be placed in front of open elements of electrical appliances.

There are models with filters, but sometimes they only make things worse. Here is a typical review.

Ceramic elements do not burn dust and do not dry the air in such volumes as a spiral, so your well-being does not deteriorate during their work.

What conclusion can be drawn from this? Very simple - for the home, buy only models with a ceramic-metal heating element. Your well-being and the health of your children are not worth the saved two hundred or three hundred rubles.

How a convector is arranged and works

Outwardly distinguish oil convector radiator is very simple. If the latter looks like an "accordion on legs", then the former has a flat, smooth body with slots at the top and bottom. The main difference between these devices is the method of heating the room. The radiator first heats the oil, and the convector directly heats the air masses.

The principle of operation of the convector is based on the physical properties of cold and hot air. The second one is known to be easier. In the hollow body of the convector there is only a heating element (spiral) and a temperature sensor. Cold air enters the convector through slots located at the bottom of the appliance. Then the air masses, heated by the heating element, naturally exit through the holes located in the upper part of the housing. And their place is again taken by cold air, the process repeats.

Each convector heater is equipped with a temperature sensor that turns the device on and off depending on whether the air in the room has reached the set temperature. This is very convenient since there is no need to monitor the device. Automation independently maintains a comfortable temperature in the room.

Almost all models of convectors have two ways of placement. They can be hung on the wall or installed on special legs and placed in a convenient place on the floor.

Size and dimensions

It is quite logical to assume that the greater the power of the heater, the larger its overall dimensions will be.

Note, however, that in many models this only changes the width. But the height and thickness remains unchanged

This is a very important point when placing the heating on the wall and embedding it into other design elements.

At the same time, from leading manufacturers, even with the same power, you can always choose how:

low and very wide, for large windows or stained-glass windows

and vice versa - high and narrow in small rooms

For example, here are two models of the same power of 2 kW, but what is the difference in the width of the case. Which one do you think will heat better?

Convectors - device, pros and cons

Understanding the question of what is better, a fan heater or a convector, it is necessary to understand the design features of these electrical appliances. Convectors are equipment that works by natural convection. They are equipped with powerful heating elements that are responsible for heating the air masses. Due to this, a comfortable atmosphere is created in heated rooms.

When the heating element is turned on, the air around it begins to heat up, becoming lighter. As a result of this, it rises, forcing the colder layers down so that they also pass through the ribbed heating element. After some time, this process becomes intense enough to affect all air masses. And in order for the air not to overheat, its temperature is monitored by automation.

The principle of operation of the convector is the desire of hot air to rise up.

Types of automation systems used:

• Mechanical - works due to the simplest thermoelement based on a bimetallic plate.Ensuring accurate temperature control is impossible here, but such convectors are better because they have an affordable cost;
• Electronic - here the temperature is controlled by an electronic circuit. The accuracy of observing the temperature regime is 0.5-1 degrees. As a result of this, such convectors can boast of some efficiency - this is a really good choice.

The disadvantage of electronic convectors is their increased cost.

Manufacturers claim that savings through the use of electronic temperature control can reach 5-10% - in this regard, models with electronics are better. And the "mechanics" are better due to simplicity.

Let's now look at the main advantages of convectors:

• Absolutely silent operation - convectors work quietly, they can only click a little due to the thermal expansion of materials. At night, silence will be most relevant;
• High efficiency - the air is heated here directly, without a coolant;
• Easy to install - the heater can be hung on the wall using simple brackets or placed in any convenient place right on the floor;
• Ecological cleanliness - convectors do not burn oxygen and practically do not change the humidity of the air (the relatively low surface temperature of the heating element affects).

As a result of the operation of a convection heater, a large temperature difference can form inside the room.

There are also some disadvantages:

• Convectors are a little dusty - convection raises dust into the air, which will not be to the taste of allergy sufferers. But there is a way out - you just need to wipe the equipment more often. You can also purchase units with built-in filters - it is better to take care of your health;
• Some people feel the draft created by such heaters - the problem is partially solved with the help of convectors, in which the outlets are in the front, and not on the top end. If you do not like temperature changes, it is best to purchase just such models;
• A large temperature difference between the upper and lower parts of the room - as long as people walk around the room, it will not be so noticeable. But at rest, the difference can increase.

The flaws are quite tolerable, there is nothing wrong with them.

The difference between a convector and a fan heater

Despite some similarities between these devices, they also have fundamental differences. Convectors, as you might guess from the name, work on the principle of convection of air flows. Air enters the appliance through the lower grate, passes through the heating element, thereby raising its temperature, and returns to the room through the upper grate. The hot layer moves up, and the cold cooling air descends. The larger the heating element, the faster the room will heat up. As soon as the device is turned off, the air begins to cool.

During the operation of the device, the temperature is automatically monitored in order to avoid excessive heating of the air. In the mechanical version, control is possible due to the presence of a ceramic plate, and in the electronic version, microcircuits are designed to implement this function. In the latter case, the specified temperature is maintained with an accuracy of 0.5 degrees, which leads to more economical power consumption during operation. Accordingly, the price of convectors with built-in electronics is higher.

They produce floor and wall models.Floor mounted in the center of the room for its uniform heating. It is advisable to hang wall hangings in places where cold air comes from, for example, an outer wall with windows.

A fan heater is a more budgetary, but no less effective heating device. Its principle of operation differs from the operation of a convector device. Cold air streams fall on the heating element and, with the help of a fan, spread throughout the room in a given direction. Thanks to the operation of the fan, there is a rapid mixing of cold and warm air masses. Its power is approximately 1.5 - 1.8 kW. Fan heaters are floor, wall, ceiling.

As an element that provides heating in such devices, use:

1. Open electric spirals. Devices with such an element are the most inexpensive and short-lived. During operation, they burn oxygen in the room and emit an unpleasant odor that is formed when dust and other particles get on the open surface of the spiral. Plus, it heats up the room very quickly.
2. closed spirals. They do not burn oxygen so much and at the same time warm the air very quickly.
3. Ceramic plates. Fan heaters with plates are the most successful option. They practically do not dry the air, do not pollute it with combustion products, heat up faster than spirals.

Device cost

The cost of devices may depend on their size, type of installation, power, type of device and its heating element, as well as on the manufacturer.

fan heaters	Cost, rub	Convectors	Cost, rub
ELECTROLUX EFH/C 5115 (ceramic)	From 1399 to 1914	Ballu Solo BEC/SM-2000	From 3090 to 3600
Timberk TFH S10MMS	489 to 779	ELECTROLUX ECH/AG-1000 MFR	From 2100 to 3590
Ballu BFH/S-03N	From 449 to 599	Crown 2 kW N16	800 to 1470
VITEK VT-1759 SR (ceramic)	From 1798 to 2749	Ballu PLAZA BEP/EXT-1500	From 5509 to 6490
Scarlett SC-FH53K10 (ceramic)	From 1390 to 1690	Noirot Spot E4 1000W	From 6400 to 7000
WWQ TB-25W (ceramic wall mounted)	From 1950 to 2179	Tefal Vectissimo CQ3030	From 2800 to 3899
Supra TVS-PS15-2	From 890 to 1200	Polaris PCH 1588D	From 3990 to 4100

What is the difference between a convector and a heater, and which is better to buy?

Colds are coming, and people are starting to think about which additional space heating devices should be used. In this case, it is best to use various heaters and convectors, rather than the convector is different from the heateryou will learn from this article.

The Russian market offers customers a huge variety of heaters of various types, including convectors and oil heaters. Many people consider these concepts to be identical, which is a big mistake. Yes, a convector is also a heater, but with its own special principle of operation.

Let's start considering ordinary heaters, which are much simpler. So, there are two types of such heaters - fan heaters and oil heaters.

fan heaters

What makes a fan heater good is its size: small, compact, does not take up much space in the room. It heats the room very quickly, and after 10 minutes the air temperature in it will be about 23-25 ​​degrees.

But these advantages are the only ones that fan heaters can boast of.The consumption of a large amount of energy and loud noise cause a lot of discomfort, and the inability to control the temperature of heating the room completely discourages the desire to use such a heater.

Oil heaters

With this type of business, things are better. In addition to the fact that this heater heats up the room very quickly, it is also the so-called "perpetual motion machine". And all this is due to the principle of operation of an oil heater - the main element in it is a non-flammable liquid (oil), in which the heating coil is located. This oil heats up and gives off heat to the heater body, due to which the temperature of the air around rises. Such a liquid is durable and does not require replacement during the operation of the device.

But even this seemingly ideal system has its drawbacks. And it again concerns the problem of room temperature control. Although such heaters have a heating control function, it does not work as well as we would like - the oil, due to slow cooling, will continue to heat the room even after reaching the desired temperature. But when the room cools down, it will take some time for the heater to warm up the room again. And the air is heated exclusively near the device.

Now let's move on to considering the principle of operation of convectors, which are rightfully considered an excellent example of a reliable home heater. How is a convector different from a heater? Yes, at least by its principle of operation - there are no heating coils, special liquids, and especially fans. Yes, and in appearance the convector is a small inconspicuous box with two unequal holes.But such a box will easily heat the room and will keep the set temperature in it.

The work of the convector is based on the simplest laws of physics. The device absorbs cold air through the bottom large hole and heats it up. Further, the warm air expands and, under high pressure, “breaks out” out through the upper small hole. In this simple way, uniform heating of the room is ensured.

Well, there are drawbacks to such a system. The heating of air by a convector is very badly combined with the ventilation of the room, because the device has to heat up more and more incoming flows of cold air, which can lead to its overheating and fire. Yes, and it consumes a lot of electricity.

In fact, absolutely every device has advantages and disadvantages, and it is up to the buyer to decide which one to choose.

Features of heaters (video)

These devices have a low price, which makes them accessible to a larger number of consumers. Devices of various power are produced, which can fluctuate over a wide range. More powerful units are placed on the floor, devices with less power are very compact and can be installed on various surfaces.

The principle of operation of a fan heater is extremely simple. The device consists of a heating element and a fan that moves a large volume of air.

Tubular fan heater

• Electric coil heated up to 800°C.
• Tubular electric heater having an operating temperature of about 200°C.
• Ceramic tiles with heating temperature up to 200°C.

The cleanest air is provided by devices having a ceramic heating element. Fan heaters of other designs, especially those with an open coil, pollute the air with their combustion products. Also, heaters can cause an unpleasant odor that occurs when debris and dust get on the heating element. This is also most common with open coil devices, especially given their high heating temperatures.

The principle of operation of the fan heater

• Low price.
• Compact dimensions, even for high power devices.
• Fast heating of air and its uniform distribution throughout the room.
• Elegant design that allows you to integrate the device into almost any room.
• Ability to perform additional functions.

Proven manufacturers of fan heaters are such brands: Ballu, Bork, Climate, De'Longhi, General, Electrolux, NeoClima, Polaris, Rolsen, Saturn, Scarlett, Supra, Timberk.

Also, when buying, you can use the following tips:

• Models with ceramic heating elements are better in operation, although they are more expensive.
• Appliances with a coarse sponge filter on the rear panel keep the air clean.
• The optimal power of a household appliance is from 1 to 3 kW; for ease of use, it should be smoothly regulated.
• It is recommended to purchase appliances with a well-thought-out safety system, having protection against overheating and equipped with an automatic shutdown in the event of a rollover.

The convection heater also heats the air, but its movement occurs with the help of natural convection, and not forcibly. Cold air enters the unit from below, passes through the heater and exits from above. After that, the air is distributed throughout the room also due to natural processes.

Convection heater device

Various types of convectors are produced - floor, wall and combined. Floor units have wheels for easy movement. When placing the convector on the wall, it is recommended to place it a few centimeters above the floor. This will provide the best heating of the room.

If the device is used in a bathroom or other rooms with high humidity, then you should pay attention to the electrical and moisture protection class. A somewhat special design have devices built into the floor

The advantages of convectors are as follows:

• Ability to work for a long time.
• Multiple placement options in the room.
• The presence of thermostats that allow you to maintain a certain temperature in the room.
• The possibility of combining devices into a heating system;
• Safety of use.
• Quiet operation.

The only significant drawback of converter heaters is the slow heating of the air in the room. This is due to the limited possibilities of natural convection.

Having familiarized yourself with the types of heating devices and their features, you can make an informed choice. If the device requires quick and short heating, then the fan heater will be optimal. If you need a long-term operation of the device, you should purchase a convector. Model selection is recommended product specifications.

Duika heater: the most economical option

Do you want to know what heater is the most economical among all possible options? This is a fan heater. It is not only the most affordable among consumers, but also the simplest.

In addition, the heater is compact when compared with other models of radiators and convectors. Duika can be installed not only on the floor, but also on the table or mounted on the wall.

With a heating element, everything is simple. In this device, the air is heated by means of an electric spiral, which heats up, and the warm air is supplied by a built-in fan, which rotates and provides a uniform air supply.

The main disadvantages of this device include:

• Strong noise at maximum speed;
• Possible appearance of an unpleasant odor if there is dust on the spiral;
• Increased oxygen consumption during prolonged work.

At the moment, manufacturers have improved models of thermal fans and therefore the harm that the above disadvantages can bring is minimal.

As for the care of the device, it consists in the timely removal of dust and disconnection of the device from electricity. In addition, it is necessary to ensure that water does not get on the device, especially with regard to the heating coil.

What to choose: a heat gun or a convector?

When the analysis begins on the topic: a fan heater or a convector, which is better, the strengths and weaknesses of each type of device are weighed. Heat guns are based on a fan of a certain power, which moves warm air at high speed.

The power of such equipment starts from 5 kilowatts, so the devices are quite powerful and productive. The device is most widely used in construction. In particular, at such facilities where there is no possibility of connecting to electrical energy, but it is necessary to maintain an optimal temperature regime or it is necessary to dry the wall.

The convector does not have an element that forcibly moves air, and this unit uses heating elements of various capacities, and the heated air masses exit the housing through special grooves.

It is important to choose a device with an increased security system and the ability to turn off in case of problems with the hot air supply. If you need to choose and the question arises, which is better a heat gun or a convector, then it is necessary to take the purposes of using the equipment as a basis

Convectors are more convenient and compact, and from them there is a minimum of harm to others, so that they can be mounted in a residential area. Heat guns have tremendous productivity, but are undesirable for residential premises, except perhaps in the process of repair work.

Features of using a fan heater for space heating

Fan heater versus convector. Unlike the latter, warm air in this design is supplied in the right direction using a fan. When the heating elements built into the structure are turned off, the product can be used as a simple fan. There are models on the market that provide various options for their installation:

• Desktop. The housing has large grids. They partially replaced the front and rear walls of the structure.The design has a minimum of built-in functions and small size.
• wall. Almost all models can be controlled from the remote control. Air is drawn in and out through slotted openings. On weekends, a controlled damper is mounted, which changes the direction of the outgoing air stream and the volume of its supply.
• floor standing. The most requested version. Most of the models are made in the form of vertical columns on wide bases. Many models have the ability to rotate around a vertical axis to heat the air in the room evenly.

This is interesting: Infrared heaters are harmful to health or not - 5 facts: we describe in detail

oil heater

The principle of operation of an oil heater is somewhat similar to a conventional battery. The heating element is heated first. Then mineral oil from it. Then the radiator case and only lastly the ambient air.

Therefore, the oil cooler warms up the room rather slowly.

It may take about an hour before you feel warm. However, after turning off, it also does not cool down quickly.

So, the comfortable temperature in the room is maintained for a long time. It is believed that oil heaters "do not burn" oxygen and dust in the air, at least to the extent that a fan heater does. This is not entirely true. Indeed, there is no unpleasant smell from them.

However, with the continuous operation of such a battery in the bedroom, you will wake up with a heavy head.

Most likely, the mineral oil inside is mixed with water. When overheated over 90 degrees, such a mixture inside already begins to boil and click.

Also, oil coolers are afraid of tilts and falls.The element that heats the oil is located at the bottom of the device so that the hot liquid rises by itself.

If you lay the appliance on its side or tip it over (your child may accidentally do this), an air pocket forms next to the heating element.

A coil not cooled by oil will quickly overheat and even a small explosion is quite real.

To make matters worse, the oil spills across the floor and starts to keep the fire going.

Therefore, such a seemingly “safe” device must be treated with extreme caution.