What is a convection heater and how does it work

So what is it then

Regardless of the material of radiators and their design, the vast majority of radiators radiate about 80% of the heat produced by convection, as a result, only 20% remains for thermal radiation. Don't worry, there's nothing wrong with this ratio. Some experts mistakenly believe that this ratio is 50/50.

Radiators were invented by Russian businessman San Galli, although some people still dispute his invention.

He called them "hot boxes", which is a fairly accurate description of a radiator. A warm box that moves air around it and raises the temperature in the room.

In the US they are called heaters.It is worth noting that Americans use a more accurate term derived from the word “heaters”. After all, this is exactly what radiators do - they heat and give off heat.

The scientist will refer to heat as thermal energy that can move in space by conduction, convection or radiation. Your home aluminum radiator mounted on the wall under the window heats the cold air above it, and with the help of the slightest drafts from the window, convection currents move the heat around the room.

How does a radiator heat a room?

Convection currents are created when the air above a heatsink heats up, then cools down, and then heats up again. This process takes place continuously as long as you have the heating on. In this way, radiators move heat around the room, which makes the house warm and cozy. To put it scientifically, heat is created due to the transition of potential energy into kinetic energy.

When a heating radiator heats up the air, it causes the atoms to vibrate at a high frequency. The atoms continue to vibrate faster and faster, resulting in the creation of thermal energy. This process is known as convection.

Oddly enough, the term “radiator” fits underfloor heating much better. Because this system actually radiates heat throughout the room. More than half of the heat generated by underfloor heating systems is produced through radiation.

Get the most out of your radiator

Given that the radiator is working to create those beautiful convection currents while you're watching football, it's worth making sure the heat stays inside the house. This will save energy, money and heat. Thermal energy, like Houdini, likes to disappear unnoticed.

It can go through the roof, windows, walls and any small gap invisible to the human eye. Are your poor bimetal radiators (or hot boxes) working so hard and you're letting the heat out of the house? Do not do that!

Install attic insulation, insulate wall cavities, and make sure windows are in good condition. This will keep the atoms inside the room and prevent them from escaping into the street, taking precious degrees of heat with them.

Quartz technology - a new word in heating

Quartz heater - a monolithic slab made from a special solution mixed with quartz sand. The heating element is made of a specialized alloy of chromium and nickel, protected from contact with the environment by high-quality insulation.

The principle of operation is based on the conversion of consumed electrical energy into thermal energy. The quartz sand slab acts as a reliable insulation, preventing spontaneous combustion and short circuits, allowing the heater to be left on for a long time.

The average power consumption of such devices is 0.5 kWh. When installing a thermostat, the device can consume even less electricity, warming up the room to the desired temperature. The average time for the stove to fully heat up after turning on the network is 20 minutes.

Oil type heaters

These devices are very widely used to increase the air temperature in an apartment or house. Installing them is extremely simple, it does not require any special skills and knowledge. I plugged the device into a power outlet, placing it closer to the heated place - and you're done. Thanks to the simplest the design of the breakdown of the electrical circuit of the device unlikely.

Several models of oil coolers - the one on the far left is equipped with a fan.

The design of the oil cooler is based on a metal tank filled with mineral oil. In the oil, in turn, there is an element for heating. As a rule, a device of this type is equipped with a rheostat for temperature control, a compartment for a power cord and electrical protection against overheating. Sometimes there is also a sensor in the heater that determines the deviation from the horizontal. This allows you to automatically turn off the overturned device. The oil coolers are also splash-proof.

Oil radiators are equipped with a handle for easy movement around the apartment.

Heaters are equipped with swivel wheels.

Compartment for the cord, designed to store the power cable when not in use.

Advantages of the oil device:

• Low price;
• Quiet operation;
• Ease of movement over various distances, for example, from room to room.

To determine how much power the device will need to make the room warm, we use the following rule. If the ceiling height does not exceed three meters, then a radiator with a capacity of 1 kilowatt is needed to heat 10 square meters of a room. Basically, similar devices are produced with a power range from 1 to 2.5 kilowatts.

The appliance usually has a thermostat that automatically sets the desired temperature, maintaining it at the same level. Models equipped with a timer are very convenient - it will turn on the heater at the appointed hour. For example, you can schedule heating in the morning or in the evening, for the arrival of all household members from work.Thus, the timer allows you to save a fair amount of electricity, which is oh so expensive today.

Heater with electronic control system.

Mechanical control system.

Convectors without fear and reproach

A small, light and low-power convector Ballu BEC / EZMR-500 can suit those who need to heat a very small room or kitchen - the area of ​​\u200b\u200bthe room should not exceed 7-8 square meters. m. The control here is the simplest, mechanical, in case of overheating the heater will turn off, the same will happen if it rolls over. You can install it both on the floor and on the wall - in fact, this is the main plus of all convectors.

The Hyundai H-HV15-10-UI617 convector is designed for a large area. It is also quite light and small heater, the power of which, nevertheless, is 1000 watts. Its main advantages include impenetrable reliability of the device. Like all convectors, it can be mounted on the wall or placed on the floor. There is a rollover protection and a thermostat - so to speak, a gentleman's set. More for the money that is asked for it, you can not expect.

A device of a completely different level is Electrolux ECH / AG2-2000 T. This is one of the new type of convectors actively promoted by the manufacturer. When buying it, the user can choose the control features, power and some other specifications. Of course, you will have to pay extra for this pleasure from 750 to 3000 rubles, but on the other hand, you can practically assemble the convector for your needs so that it fully meets your needs.If they change, you can purchase a temperature controller designed for more or less power. In addition, this type of convector is equipped with a more efficient type of heater compared to previous models from this manufacturer. By default, protection against overturning, overheating and water ingress is built into it, and the case does not heat up above 45 degrees. The only drawback is, perhaps, too bright indicator (which, however, can always be sealed with a piece of white electrical tape).

So, a convector heater or an oil heater - which is better? Of course, oil coolers have their own scope and their own, so to speak, amateur club. In addition, they are probably the most familiar of all. When they say the word "heater", we imagine just such a device. But, it must be admitted that convectors are gradually, rather slowly, but displacing them from the market, becoming more and more perfect from an engineering point of view. At the same time, they are cheaper both to purchase and to use, and their scope is much wider.

• The most economical heater for the home: 5 models that do not waste energy
• How to choose a heater: the most important nuances

How to choose a convector type heater

If you need to heat a certain point in the room, you need to purchase portable heaters.

First of all, it is necessary to calculate the power of the heater based on the area of ​​\u200b\u200bthe room. For electrical appliances it is 100 W/sq.m. Ceiling height is taken into account. If it is higher than 2.4 meters, the power is increased by 2 times. Thus, for the full heating of a room of 20 square meters. m will need a power of 2 kW.

If the house has alternative heat sources, and the convector is used as an addition, you can limit yourself to a power that is 2 times less than the calculated one.

The type of thermostat affects the cost of the device. Electric adds about 30% to the price

Particular attention should be paid to the heater, as this is the main structural element that affects its durability. High-quality heating elements serve more than 15 years

They are made of steel, which can withstand the temperature of the filament for a long time.

The moisture protection index parameter must be at least IP 21, but if the device is periodically installed in the bathroom, an index of at least IP 24 and higher is needed.

If you need to direct a warm stream of air to a certain point in the room, you must choose models with a protective screen - stationary or portable.

In an apartment where there are small children, it is necessary to purchase a rollover sensor. If someone accidentally pushes the device, the sensor will automatically disconnect it from the mains.

Buy an electric blanket or sheet

Lie in a cold bed? Even thinking about it is unpleasant. It happens that you cover yourself with three blankets, but you still can’t get warm and fall asleep. To sleep only in a warm bed, use an electric sheet or blanket. They are equipped with special heating elements and have several temperature regimes. Turn on the sheet 15-20 minutes before bedtime and go about your business. Come back - and the bed is already dry and warm.

Electric sheets are completely safe, because they are equipped with an automatic shut-off system, while you choose the time yourself (usually the sheet should be turned off after three to seven hours of operation).

The power of the sheet is 40–100 watts, but a lot depends on the model and size of the device.And, by the way, the electric sheet can be washed (the cable with which the sheet is heated is removable).

6 Selection criteria

A characteristic of each electric convector is the heating area, which is declared by the manufacturer and indicated in the relevant documents. If desired, the calculations are performed independently. Selection of a convector by area for a particular room is approximately and quite simple. For basic heating per 1 sq. m of a room with one window, one door and a wall height of up to 2.5 meters, a power of 0.1 kW is required, for an additional one - 0.07 kW. For example, for an area of ​​10 sq. m will require a convector with a power of 1 kW.

The calculation will become more accurate if you take into account the height of the room. When the device is planned to be used for additional heating during the cold season or in the off-season, the power is calculated by multiplying the volume of the room by 0.025 kW. If the convector becomes the only source of heat, then you need to multiply the volume by 0.04 kW, that is, for an area of ​​10 square meters. m and a ceiling height of 3 meters will require a power of 1.2 kW. If the room is angular, the result is multiplied by a correction factor of 1.1, and with good thermal insulation and energy-saving plastic windows - by 0.8.

Convectors are placed in the same places as conventional water heating radiators. Do not install them in a draft or block. It is desirable to give preference to well-known brands that have long warranty periods and high performance. It is good if the device is equipped with an overheating sensor and a tip-over shutdown function.

For rooms with high humidity (bathroom, kitchen), splash-proof models with protection class IP 24 and class II electrical protection will be required. They do not require grounding, although direct contact with water is prohibited. The floor design of the device has the advantages of moving around the room: the heating panel is installed on legs with wheels.

fan heater

In fan heaters, air is heated by a hot electric coil and a fan that drives air through it.

The heat in the room becomes quite fast, but when it is turned off, it also quickly cools down.

Since the spiral is very hot, this type of heater dries the air and burns house dust.

As a result, specific odors appear. Therefore, in recent years, models with a ceramic heating element, which are devoid of these shortcomings, have become widespread.

In addition, during operation, the fan heater is quite noticeably noisy. So you won't get much sleep with him at night.

What is the difference between a convector and a heater

What is the difference between a convector and a heater?

A convector, or “convector-type heater,” is a device that heats air by passing through itself and thus mixing the heated air masses and the cold ones present in the room.

The main advantages of the convector: lightness (allowing, in particular, to easily mount the device on the walls), a relatively low noise level, the efficiency of heating the room, the absence of unsafe burning elements on the body.

The main disadvantages of the convector: the consumption of very large amounts of electricity, as well as the need to keep the device constantly on, since without the movement of warm air in the room, the temperature in it can quickly drop.

It should be noted that modern models of convectors are usually equipped with thermostats that deactivate the device when the optimum room temperature is reached and turn it on again if it drops. This allows you to save some electricity consumption.

The main elements of the convector design are the fan, the chamber and the heating element. By means of a fan, the air from the room is sent to the chamber, warms up quickly, after which it is immediately discharged back into the room. At the same time, the outlet shutters of the convector, as a rule, direct the hot air down so that it has time to heat the lower part of the room before rising to the ceiling (due to its greater lightness than the air present in the atmosphere of the room).

The term "heater", which is traditionally opposed to a convector due to the difference in operating principles, is most often understood as an oil heater. What are its features?

The convector, as we noted above, heats the air by passing it through itself. In turn, the oil heater functions like a radiator - that is, providing a gradual heating of the entire volume of air present in the room. In the design of the device in question, there is a reservoir with oil. It contains a heating element. Oil in this case acts as a coolant. Its most important useful property is the ability to retain heat for a long time after heating.The main advantages of oil heaters: no need to keep the device constantly on (due to the fact that once heated oil is able to maintain its temperature for a long time and at the same time - the surrounding air), the ability to place the device anywhere in the room - however, only on the floor surface.

The main disadvantages of oil heaters are: high surface temperature of the body, rather large mass, very long heating of the device, high level of energy consumption, uneven heating of air in different parts of the room. At the same time, it should be noted that oil heaters equipped with fans are brought to full readiness rather quickly.

The difference between a convector and a heater

The main difference between a convector and an oil-type heater is the principle of operation. The first heats the air, passing it through itself. The second works as a heating battery, gradually heating the entire volume of air present in the room. The key difference between the devices under consideration predetermines all the others - in the uniformity and intensity of air heating, in the design, in the features of use.

Which is better - a convector or an oil-type heater? First of all, both devices can be called equally energy-consuming. The convector, which in itself has considerable power, must be constantly turned on. The oil heater, despite the fact that, as we noted above, can turn off for a long time, it warms up for a long time, while also consuming a very decent amount of electricity.

The convector objectively has advantages in terms of speed and uniformity of air heating in the room, safety, ease of installation.However, in terms of price, an oil heater has an advantage: when comparing the cost of devices designed to heat rooms with the same area and produced by equally well-known brands, you can see that the convector will cost 1.5-2 times more expensive.

In terms of manufacturability, a convector is preferable to a heater; in terms of price, the situation is different. Regarding power consumption - according to this criterion, it is difficult to give preference to any of the devices.

Having studied the difference between a convector and an oil-type heater, we will reflect the conclusions in the table.

The principle of operation of a convector heater

With convector heating in the room, as it were, the air circulation takes place. Cold air enters the convector from below, and when heated, it exits the upper grate.

Convector heaters operate on a very simple principle - the heated air rises. This phenomenon is called convection, and such a simple principle of operation has made it possible to create inexpensive and efficient heating equipment. How is space heating carried out using convectors?

• When the heater is turned on, the heating element starts working in it.
• Air, heated from the heating element, tends upwards, leaving through the upper openings.
• In place of the heated air, another portion of cold air comes, which is taken in through the lower openings.

The released warm air rushes up, which is why colder air masses begin to be forced out towards the floor. There is a small air circulation - after one and a half to two hours it becomes noticeably warm in the rooms.

Convection is a kind of vertical draft.It is this draft that ensures the distribution of heat throughout the volume of the room, creating a feeling of volumetric heat. That is, at different points in the room, the air temperature is approximately the same, except for differences in height. Due to uniform heating throughout the room, convectors have become so widespread.

Convection well prevents the penetration of cold from window openings, so the optimal location of the convector heater is the place under the window.

7 Advantages of the equipment

Electric convectors are modern heating devices capable of providing extremely comfortable temperature parameters. With the correct calculation of power and proper installation, the advantages are quite obvious:

1. 1. Easy and safe to install and operate. It is enough to attach it anywhere to the wall or put it on special legs, connect it to the mains, and the device is ready for use. The low body temperature prevents burns.
2. 2. Large manufacturers of convectors provide a guarantee of trouble-free operation up to 42 months, and a service life of up to 20 years. The devices do not require specific maintenance, except for periodic removal of dust inside with a vacuum cleaner and wiping the surface with a damp cloth.
3. 3. Relatively low cost of the device and a wide range of models and functional features. Each buyer will easily pick up a convector to his taste and wallet.
4. 4. Constant human intervention is not required to maintain a stable temperature. Automation and electronics operate offline, withstand power surges and completely eliminate temperature fluctuations.
5. 5. Silent operation.Only for convectors with mechanical control, turning the thermostat on and off is accompanied by a soft click, and all electronics are absolutely silent.
6. 6. Profitability, healthy microclimate, high heating rates and efficiency.

quartz heater

The definition of "quartz heater" includes many heating devices, including heat guns with built-in blocks of mineral elements that retain heat. But these are all the tricks of marketers trying to exploit the popularity of classic quartz heaters, which are a monolithic slab with a heating element built inside.

Structure

In a heating device, the heating element is hermetically sealed in a slab of pure quartz or a mixture with white clay (ceramic quartz device). To do this, the raw material is pressed and then sintered in a furnace at high temperature. The result is a strong but brittle layer that performs several functions at once:

• prevents oxygen from entering the heating element - there is no oxidation process when heated;
• accumulates heat, like stones in a village bath;
• transmits infrared radiation.

The rear wall of the case is covered with a screen that reflects IR rays - the vast majority of manufacturers offer to buy it separately, not including it in the package. Between it and the panel in some models you can find a profiled heat exchanger. A number of manufacturers put the device in a metal case. In general, the design is simple, while non-separable.

The downside of this structure is the lack of a thermostat.Technologists deliberately do not install it - there is nowhere to mount it. In the case, it will react to the heat of the shell, and when removed to a sufficient distance from the stove, a set of a temperature sensor and a thermostat is needed, which must be mounted on a permanent basis. And this is depriving the quartz battery of mobility.

Principle of operation

During the operation of a quartz heater, two principles of heat transfer are used: convector and wave. In the first case, the device works in the same way as a conventional central heating battery: it heats the air around it, which rises, giving way to colder air masses. According to the second method, infrared rays, having overcome the quartz shell, heat the floor, walls, furniture, i.e. everything material that is encountered on the path of the rays.

The device operation algorithm is as follows:

• after switching on, the heating element quickly becomes red-hot and begins to emit infrared rays;
• passing through the quartz shell, the waves give off part of the energy to it, from which the panel heats up;
• all objects around begin to slowly heat up;
• after 20-30 min. the case is heated to a temperature of +95oС, after which the convection method of heating begins to work: warm air flows begin to rise to the ceiling, giving way to cold air;
• the heated panel practically does not take energy from the wave radiation - it starts to work at full power and IR heating;
• the surface in the reach of infrared rays heats up;
• heated objects themselves become sources of heat, heating, in turn, the air around them;
• after turning off the panel, it cools down for a long time, maintaining a comfortable temperature in the room.

Specifications

Most of the quartz panels have the following characteristics:

• rated power - 0.4-0.8 kW;
• weight - 12-14 kg;
• linear dimensions - 60x35x2.5 cm;
• cooling rate - 2oС per minute;
• the average efficiency of the device (not to be confused with the beautiful figure of the efficiency of using electricity, which is in the range of 98-99%) - 87-94% (this includes the loss of electricity from the resistance of the wiring inside the apartment and ceiling heating);
• body temperature - about + 95oС;
• panel warm-up time to the optimum mark - 20-30 minutes.

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.

About convectors in detail

The principle of operation of the convector is completely different: cold air, passing through a heated spiral from the bottom up, warms up and, accordingly, heats the room.

It is very simple to determine what is in front of you - a radiator or a convector: the convector has a kind of grate on top through which warm air comes out.
It takes more than half an hour for such a heater to fully warm up the room, however, due to its better energy efficiency, it is quite suitable for country houses, summer cottages and other places where electricity is expensive. Also, the convector will be very useful if you are the owner of a large city apartment, a house with panoramic windows or, for example, a winter garden.

In addition, since the convector does not need a large oil tank, it takes up much less space, and therefore is much more loved by designers, as it is built into any suitable niche.

Conclusion

Classifying only some types of household heaters as convectors is very conditional - there are no heating devices whose operation would not entail the formation of convective flows. But when choosing a means of heating, one should take into account the size of the convection component in the efficiency of the unit.

Heating of small rooms is quite within the power of units with natural convection; in rooms of significant dimensions (industrial purposes) one cannot do without several such devices or heat guns - devices with forced convection.