Convector vs infrared heater

Convective heaters

Convection refers to the circulation of the medium, but when it comes to heaters, air is meant. The flow goes around a powerful radiator with a large plate area and carries the heat away. This is the principle of operation of a convector heater.

The coolant circulates in a relatively small tube, equipped with an ordinary heating element or another type of element. Initial energy:

1. Gas.
2. Electricity.

Accordingly, convectors are divided according to the indicated feature into two global types. The former are not bad, if you think about the cost, take into account independence from the central supply chains. At the same time, you will have to make a hole in the wall for a coaxial pipe.Through the device, gas is supplied to the convector, combustion products come out.

Drilling holes is inconvenient, does not cause much desire. Works of this kind are associated with the preparation of a project plan, the coordination of papers in the prescribed manner. We are talking about documentation issued by specialized organizations that have licenses of the established type.

Working with gas involves risk. According to science, a home owner cannot perform on his own. Within the city limits, contact a special service. In private homes, the method will be much cheaper than electric heating and firewood, the latter cost money. An additional advantage is that you can put a gas convector anywhere, and you need to build a stove, it’s easy to get burned on a potbelly stove. If gas is inexpensive in an area where you need to heat food, the choice is obvious.

Electric convectors are good instead of heating radiators. There are models built under the floor.

Typical convector heaters for the home are equipped with a closed circuit of pipes where the coolant circulates. The branched radiator efficiently extracts energy and gives it to space. The geometric shape of the product is designed so that the air flow passes through the numerous slots of the metal surface at maximum speed. For greater efficiency, convector heaters are often equipped with fans to speed up the process. The radiator exchanges energy with air much faster, respectively, the room is filled with heat.

Infrared heater

Infrared heaters have the largest number of varieties. The main classification is as follows:

• gas;
• quartz;
• carbon;
• halogen;
• mikatermicheskie.

The most common convectors in everyday life include carbon, halogen and quartz. The main working elements are an irradiating lamp and a reflector.

IR: how it works and where to use it

The infrared heater creates radiation that heats the surrounding objects.

The principle of operation of IR heaters differs significantly from convection-type devices - the surrounding objects are heated here, and not the air. Infrared devices can be compared to the sun's rays - the rays penetrate the air and reach an object that does not transmit light, heat it up. Such "rays" warm regardless of the wind blows and the environment. So IR devices are not afraid of drafts and work effectively with poor thermal insulation. The convector heats the air: the flow of hot air rises, the cold air falls and it takes a long time until the room warms up. The IR heater heats nearby objects / walls / floors / people in a couple of minutes, but only locally - where the radiation passes. But it is worth remembering that IR heating, like the sun, “bakes” the side to which the rays are directed. Therefore, in the question of which heater is better than convector or infrared, the choice will be optimal, starting from the place and situation of use.

The design includes an aluminum reflector and a heating element: halogen, tubular, ceramic or carbon. Also available thermostat and block in case of overheating or tipping.

Lamp infrared heaters

The source of radiation in this type of IR heater is a lamp. It practically does not warm the air, but transfers all the heat to objects. They are of two types: ceiling and floor. With their help, you can warm the room in the shortest possible time.

Lamp, which is in a gaseous inert atmosphere or in a vacuum. Heat is radiated by the lamp as an electric current passes through the coil. To direct the heat in the right direction, this device is equipped with a reflector. Because of this, heat is felt only directly in front of the heater. Behind him, it's almost invisible.

The lamp heater can be mounted on a wall or ceiling, installed on the floor. The only drawback of this device is a fragile lamp, which, even from a weak push, can fail. At the same time, the lamp-type IR heater is compact and lightweight.

IR heaters

In these devices, the active force is infrared radiation. The device works on the principle of our daylight - first it heats objects, and only then the air space heats up from them. Energy is spent sparingly and with great benefit.

Watch the video, a little about these heaters:

Heat losses compared to convectors are reduced by several times, which leads to significant energy savings

Another important advantage of the device is that the air does not dry out when heated, and this is beneficial for the human body.

Convective infrared heater

Infrared heater brand ELECTROLUX

You can argue for a long time about which is better: a convector or an infrared heater. And the truth, as usual, lies in the middle. Perhaps the best option for heating small rooms or individual rooms in the house would be a convective infrared branded heater.

This device combines all the advantages of the devices listed above.In it, heat is provided not only due to the operation of the heating element, which is located inside the case, but also as a result of heat transfer coming from the front surface of the apparatus.

The most popular product of this type in the domestic market is the convective infrared heater ELECTROLUX. The Swedish concern occupies a leading role in the world in the production of professional heating equipment and household appliances. The success of the company's devices is ensured primarily by impeccable quality. This is a completely new type of heaters that successfully combine:

• Electric convector;
• Infrared heating.

Model Air Heat 2

Electrolux convective infrared electric heater is equipped with two types of heater:

• Convector element Y-DUOS;
• Infrared panel.

Last year, the Swedish company introduced a new series of devices. This is a convective infrared heater Air Heat 2.

It features an aerodynamic body design that allows you to increase the heating rate of the room by increasing the speed of air movement through the heater. The thermal plates of the device have a special coating that increases the intensity of radiation. At the same time, the range of the device increased by 20%.

It should be noted that before the convective infrared electric heater was very expensive, as it belonged to the category of elite heating equipment, and is mainly represented by models:

• Noirot Verlys in glass ceramic;
• Noirot Campaver in polished stone.

Today, the choice is much larger and a convective infrared heater is available to every customer.Their prices are quite comparable with the cost of other heaters.

Model Noirot Campaver

Convective infrared modern heater in the house is a whole new level of comfort with increased energy efficiency. It allows you to heat your home, shop or office not only efficiently, but also with great savings.

For an apartment: oil radiators

An oil cooler is a heater of the “battery on wheels” type that is familiar to us. Inside it is mineral oil, which is heated by an electric coil and gives off heat to the metal case, and he, in turn, into the air.

Oil-based heaters are ideal for apartments: they are environmentally friendly, cheap and completely silent. The temperature in them can be adjusted. They heat up for a long time (20-30 minutes), so they are often equipped with a timer that allows you to program the heating, for example, to your arrival from work.

The only danger of an oil heater is a hot body, which can burn you. But, as a rule, the "battery" of the oil cooler includes from 5 to 15 sections. The more sections, the less the body heats up. Therefore, the best heaters of this type are multi-section, for example, this one with 11 sections:

Oil cooler Polaris CR C 1125

Operation and maintenance of heaters

The rules of operation and maintenance are the same for all types of heaters:

• It is strictly forbidden to dry things on the included radiator! If you need to dry your laundry, lay the clothes on top, but first unplug the appliance.
• Do not use the heater as a hanger or cover it with things.This will make it difficult to ventilate the air, which may cause damage to the machine and, as a result, a fire hazard.
• It is forbidden to leave the turned on device near flammable things.
• It is recommended to install the turned on device at a distance of at least 50 cm from objects.
• Do not allow the power cord to come into contact with the hot surface of the appliance.
• To keep the device clean, you need to wipe it from dust with a soft dry cloth, but only when it is turned off and cooled down.
• The floor heater must only be operated in a vertical position.

Infrared heaters

Modern heaters are convenient, easy to use, they are distinguished from analogues:

• high mobility - installed in rooms of any size, easily folded, packed and transported;
• uniform and fast heating of different parts of the room;
• noiselessness, absence of vibration in work;
• the possibility of embedding in the "smart home" system;
• ease of maintenance and care;
• environmental friendliness;
• high security;
• energy efficiency - during heating, 2 times less energy is consumed than for an electric convector.

• halogen;
• quartz;
• carbon.

Halogen

The main design element is a halogen bulb that generates warm IF radiation. A tungsten (carbon fiber) helix is ​​placed in a glass flask. Its heating up to 2 thousand degrees is accompanied by the release of IF waves of bright color into the environment. With the help of a special light reflector, the heat jets are directed in the right direction.

If traditional models first heat the air, then infrared models are objects and objects that transfer heat into space.Another feature of the devices is a directional, non-diffuse heat source. Waves are focused on the object with the help of reflectors, the surface is heated locally.

Choosing a halogen device, you need to focus on the area of ​​\u200b\u200bthe room. The larger the room you want to heat, the more power the device should have. For example, a 1700-kilowatt model is able to quickly and efficiently heat a room of 17 m2.

Halogen devices operating in the shortwave and mediumwave ranges must not be used in everyday life for a long time. But they can become an economical source of light and heat on the street.

Quartz

• a flask made of quartz sand with an incandescent filament inside;
• thermostat;
• reflector.

Usually polished stainless steel is used in its manufacture. The reflector has high heat resistance and excellent reflectivity, it protects the body from overheating. It is placed behind the flask, which ensures a high efficiency of the unit. To prevent burns, the heating element is covered with a mesh or grate.

The advantages of quartz models include:

• high safety in work - in case of tipping over, automatic shutdown occurs;
• efficiency - the thermostat allows you to set the optimal operating mode;
• the possibility of using as an additional source of heat in residential premises, change houses, warehouses, garages;
• light weight and compact size.

Carbon

The highest heating temperature of the unit is 85°C, the air around it does not dry out, oxygen is not burned - the microclimate of the room remains comfortable.

The advantages of carbon IF heaters include:

• economical energy consumption;
• protection from dust, moisture;
• many years of service life;
• mobility;
• fast heating and cooling;
• high fire safety;
• compactness and low weight.

When choosing, you should pay attention to:

• operating power;
• degree of protection;
• degree of rotation;
• heating area;
• dimensions and weight;
• manufacturer's warranty;
• lifetime.

Which heaters do not burn oxygen

Let's talk about which heaters do not burn oxygen.

Convectors

Convectors are the best. We add that Electrolux heaters equipped with special filters are useful. Timberk produces convectors with humidifiers as an option. This normalizes the microclimate, more suitable for the south of Russia than for the middle zone, overgrown with forests.

Infrared heaters

Ceiling-type electric infrared heaters are praised. Two varieties are created:

1. Lamp.
2. Ceramic.

The first do not differ from fluorescent lamps. Inside behind the bars is a long glass flask with a spiral. According to science, before the operation of the specified heater, you need to brush off the dust from the lamp and reflector, in practice this is done less often, the process is hampered by the grate.

Against this background, ceramic infrared heaters look more profitable. They resemble fluorescent lamps, instead of gratings there are protective panels, but not glass. The smooth surface represents steel coated with ceramics. The design behaves in properties like a completely black body. The maximum radiation falls on the infrared range. This class includes Peony, Bilux and Icoline products.

Gas infrared space heaters are a good solution. For example, fireplaces that work on the infrared principle. Inside, behind heat-resistant glass, a flame burns, red-hot the ceramic grate. Heat radiation begins. Gas is supplied from the outside, you will have to drill a wall under the yellow pipe, in addition, you need to take air from the street and throw out the combustion products. This requires an additional hole for the coax. This is a double trumpet - singing inside the second one. Such a technique will allow you to get by with a single hole in the wall (together with the yellow pipe, you get two).

Think about whether it's worth trying so hard just to get a good fireplace. This is an expensive device, beautiful. A gas fireplace is called a device that has a decorative effect and is efficient as a heater.

There are gas convectors, they do not dry the air too much, but they are inferior to fireplaces in beauty (and price), and you still have to make holes in the wall. If you are already thinking about climate issues, you should not take models

Please note that selected gas cylinder fireplaces take air from the room and throw it back. These heaters burn and dry the air. However! When gas is burned, water vapor is formed, the losses are replenished

In addition, tetravalent sulfur oxide is formed, forming sulfuric acid in moist air. Such devices are good in the country, in nature, where a crowd of people go to have fun and relax.

However! When gas is burned, water vapor is formed, the losses are replenished. In addition, tetravalent sulfur oxide is formed, forming sulfuric acid in moist air. Such devices are good in the country, in nature, where a crowd of people go to have fun and relax.

Convectors

This device operates on the principle of a conventional central heating battery. From it, heat spreads throughout the room through the already heated air. These can be convector electric or gas heaters. They are quite convenient and efficient.

But this equipment also has several disadvantages:

1. Large heat losses;
2. Cannot be used outdoors;
3. The heating of the air is accompanied by the burning out of oxygen.

Please note that a gas convector heater with a fan can only function normally when connected to the mains. Rather, it can work without it, but there will no longer be effective air distribution.

What to look for when choosing?

The choice of a heater is a responsible occupation. Their cost is quite high and the mistake will become an invoice for the budget. We recommend taking a look at the options:

• manufacturer;
• power and coverage area;
• Energy consumption;
• weight and mobility;
• price.

450 W

Technical specifications

The technical parameters include power, load on the power grid, weight and dimensions. All of them affect performance and when choosing, start from them.

Power determines the maximum temperature of the heating elements and the effect on the room. The higher it is, the more temperature the heater will give off.

On a wooden wall

Weight and dimensions affect placement comfort. A heavy and large heater is difficult to place on the wall without compromising the coverage and appearance of the room.

Power and heating area

Power varies from 150 to 2000 mW. It takes about 0.06-0.08 kW per square meter, but the larger the room, the more power the device will need.

Close up view

For a room of 10-12 square meters, a heater with a power of 0.5 - 0.7 kW is enough. Depending on how heat-intensive the room is, a comfortable temperature in it will be reached in 1.5-2 hours.

Radiation

In most classical models, the usual form of thermal radiation is used. Infra-red models work with the appropriate range, which heats the surrounding surfaces. If the room does not require additional radiation, buy conventional convection modifications.

Manufacturer

Quartz models are successfully produced by both foreign and domestic companies. Do not get fooled by the famous name of the manufacturer - domestic manufacturers often have quite tolerable characteristics and quality.

Firms "TeplEco"

Price

The cost depends on the characteristics of a particular model and varies greatly. In the assortment of stores there are models both with a cost of 1000-1500 rubles, and with a cost of 10000-12000.

Heating appliances

The advantages of electric convectors include:

• the ability to quickly heat any room without drafts;
• the presence of a thermostat that allows you to set the desired temperature and thereby save energy;
• the ability to install on any surface and use in rooms with high humidity;
• the presence of a metal protective cover that heats up to 64 ° C, which eliminates the possibility of burns;
• the ability to warm the air, leaving it clean and without unpleasant odors;
• ease of installation and maintenance, long service life.

Important parameters

The main selection criterion is the operating power, which can vary from 500 to 2 kW.When choosing, it should be borne in mind that for high-quality heating of a room, 100 watts of energy per 1 sq. m.

It is better to give preference to an electronic or mechanical model with a thermostat. The first is considered more high-precision and functional, the second is reliable and simple. The most advanced devices are equipped with programmable thermostats that allow you to adjust the operating mode for any time of day and day of the week.

No less attention should be paid to the issue of security. In most cases, modern electric heaters fully comply with generally accepted standards, have a guarantee from the manufacturer

When choosing a unit, you need to be guided by personal needs, the preferences of the household and the dimensions of the room in which you plan to install it. Subject to the operating rules, the electrical appliance is able to last for a year, create a warm and comfortable atmosphere in the room in the coldest season.

A bit of history

Previously, in houses for additional heating, various types of fan heaters or home-made devices were mainly used. In old houses and in villages, heaters are still found today, a place for which a long time ago in a museum or antique shop.

These are the so-called "goats" - tram heating devices installed under the passenger seats. After being decommissioned, they fell into the hands of well-to-do people, and some of them still serve regularly.

In the early 90s, the first convectors appeared on the Russian market. These were foreign-made electrical devices.They were not cheap, but they proved themselves from the very best side. Everyone liked the devices with a simple design and high quality. Easy to operate and not requiring special maintenance, they have firmly entered the life of Russians.

More recently, infrared heaters have become popular. These are devices of a new generation, which are distinguished by high energy-saving indicators, which are especially important in our time.

Types of convectors

The process of functioning of convectors is based on the principle of convection, which consists in the movement of warm air upwards. After it cools down, it goes down, where it heats up again from the convector.

Depending on how the convectors heat the air, the following types of such devices are distinguished: water, gas and electric.

The principle of operation of water convectors is based on the circulation of a heat carrier, which is used as water. Used for heating cottages or country houses.

The set of modern water convectors includes air dampers and valves. Thanks to dampers, it is possible to free the closed system from air, and with the help of valves, the degree of heating is controlled.

This type of convector heaters has a number of advantages and disadvantages.

Varieties of convectors

Pros:

• fast heating;
• usually they are mounted under the window, thereby appearing as a thermal curtain;
• with significant drops in temperature, in comparison with other types of convectors, they warm up the room better.

Minuses:

1. Unsuitable for heating rooms with high ceilings, as the air will not have time to warm up to a comfortable temperature.
2. Since the air warms up unevenly, drafts can occur.
3. During the operation of the convector, dust rises along with the air.

Gas convectors operate on natural or liquefied gas, it is based on a special system that is responsible for the removal of combustion products. This type is not suitable for everyone, since such a convector must be mounted under the window. In addition, it is necessary to make a hole in the wall through which the chimney will go out. Despite a number of difficulties that arise in the installation of such heaters, they are quite popular among owners of private houses. This is due to their high economic efficiency.

Read more about gas convectors here.

The most important element in the device of electric convectors is the heating element (TEN). This type of heaters is in the greatest demand.

This is due to the large number of advantages of such devices: they are characterized by high performance, do not emit any distracting sounds during operation, are easy to install and heat the air as soon as possible. The price of such heaters is quite acceptable.

The design includes a shut-off valve and a thermostat. These parts are responsible for the safety of the electric convector. In addition to the safety elements described above, the set of the latest models also includes special indicators and programmable timers, thanks to which even more precise control over all processes is carried out.

Read more about electric convectors here.

The principle of operation of convector radiators

Convection, in fact, is a kind of circular movement of air heated by any heating device.

Convector radiators differ from each other in ways of heating air and are:

1. Water. Their difference from electric heaters is in the circulation of the coolant, in this case water. For heating with water heaters, it is necessary to assemble a pipe line and install a special boiler. They are more applicable for country houses, dachas, cottages.
2. Gas. This type of convector uses gas sources and a special system that removes combustion products. It is not suitable for everyone, since its rigid fastening is provided, as a rule, under the window and the installation of a coaxial pipe for a chimney that goes through the wall to the street. But, nevertheless, in private country houses this type of convector is quite acceptable.
3. Electrical. They are, in turn, oil and shade. A heating element (oil or heating element) is located in the body of such devices. During operation, cold air is sucked in from below through a special grate, after which, heating up, it goes out through the slots in the upper part of the convector, rising up.

Advantages of electric heaters:

1. High efficiency.
2. Silent operation.
3. Quite a high rate of heating (especially for shadow).
4. Easy to install.

The heater consumes 25% less energy and quickly heats up the room. An oil-fired electric heater can heat a large area for a longer time.

In the role of the main heating device, especially in private buildings, convector radiators of water or gas type are suitable. Electric type convectors are the best as an additional method of space heating. They can be used both in private houses and in city apartments.