Water heating convectors: types, how to choose + overview of popular models and brands

Basic Installation Guidelines

The process of installing a floor convector is quite simple. It is described in detail in the manufacturer's instructions. The equipment is installed on the floor by embedding or fastening on special legs-supports supplied in the kit. It is intended for indoor use.

During installation, it is recommended to observe the following rules:

• mount the device in a strictly horizontal position, controlling this with an ordinary building level;
• carefully fix the equipment;
• make sure that the heat exchanger is located on the side farthest from the window (except when the main mission of the convector is to create a protective thermal screen along the windows);
• place the device at a distance of 20-25 cm from the floor;
• connect the heat exchanger to the distribution pipes supplying the heating medium, flexible hoses with a stainless steel coating or sleeves in a metal braid.
• prevent deformation of the edges of the gutter.

First of all, the floor surface is marked. Then the legs of the equipment or holders are fixed with special fasteners. After that, the body is installed, and the convector is connected to the water supply system.

Be especially careful when installing threaded connections.

It is very important not to damage the threads and not compromise the tightness of the clutches. It is best to use a torque wrench in your work, which will allow you not to exceed the tightening torque

When installing the convector, it is necessary to follow the manufacturer's recommendations and connect the pipeline correctly. Errors in installation can lead to insufficient efficiency and frequent breakdowns of the device.

Unlike devices with floor and wall mounting, floor convectors are distinguished by the simplest installation technique. But still, with insufficient skills and little experience in handling heat engineering, it is advisable to entrust the installation to a professional master.

Which convector to choose

The key criteria when choosing floor-mounted convectors will be two important points - these are the power and design features of the interior of the heated room.The first indicator can be found in the description of any model of the equipment in question and in the relevant technical documentation included in the delivery. This takes into account the characteristics of the room and potential heat loss.

Taking into account all the existing nuances, when deciding on the choice of one or another underfloor heater, it is necessary to take into account the following factors:

• system power is calculated taking into account possible heat losses in each room;
• the dimensions of the convector must be comparable with the dimensions of the niche in the floor in which it will be installed;
• each purchased unit of heating equipment must comply with the current state standards and be certified;
• it is necessary to make sure that the pressure test pressure of the convector corresponds to the corresponding indicators of the entire system;
• taking into account the characteristics of the room, devices with a fan or with natural air circulation are chosen.

The most relevant heaters of the type under consideration are in situations in which the creation of an effective thermal curtain is required. Often such systems are installed in children's institutions. This is due to their maximum safety and the absence of risks of burns.

Power selection

To ensure a normal temperature in the living room, a convector with natural circulation is perfect. If the rooms have high ceilings and a panoramic view, then it is necessary to purchase more productive units with fans. Underfloor heating convector water must be selected taking into account power. To do this, use the formula: 1 kW per 12 m2.In this case, the height of the ceilings should not be more than 2.7 m, and for every 10 cm of area, 10% of the total power should be added.

Kinds

Today, these heating systems are presented on the market in various forms. Among all this variety, you can find both the latest designer flat heaters and classic ones that are difficult to recognize with the naked eye. However, there is a generally accepted classification of these devices, which divides all water convectors that exist today into three large groups.

By type of attachment

According to this criterion, all existing today water heating systems are divided into the following types.

A grate is installed on top of the radiator, which is located at the same level as the finishing floor. The intake and outlet of air is carried out through it. The grille itself can be made from any material.

By type of material

Water convectors are metal products. Today they can be made from different materials.

• Steel. Such convectors are considered the most budgetary and at the same time the least efficient. The fact is that steel radiators have poor heat dissipation, but at the same time, devices equipped with just such a heat exchanger consume a fairly large amount of electricity.
• Copper - this metal has the best thermal conductivity. It is for this reason that convectors, in which the heat exchanger is made of copper, are considered the best.
• Copper-aluminum alloy. Radiators of this type are also considered efficient in heating and economical in terms of heat consumption.

It is worth noting here that not the entire convector is made of the described material, but only its heat exchanger.

By configuration

According to this criterion, all water convectors are divided into two types:

• with natural ventilation, that is, the air circulates without any forcing;
• with artificial ventilation - such models are also called convectors with fans.

The most efficient in terms of heating and economical in terms of electricity consumption are heating systems of the second type.

The device of electric heating convectors

The device of the electric convector is simple:

• a housing in which there are openings for air intake and exhaust;
• heating element;
• sensors and control and monitoring device.

The case is heat-resistant plastic. The shape can be flat or convex, rectangular or square. There are holes in the bottom of the case - cold air is sucked into them. There are also holes in the top of the case. Hot air comes out of them. The movement of air occurs without stopping, and the room warms up.

Convector heater device

The heating element of an electric convector is what you need to pay attention to when choosing. The type of heater determines the service life of the equipment and the air condition.

Types of heating elements for electric convectors

Heating elements in electric heating convectors are of three types:

• Needle. This is a dielectric tape in which needle loops made of an alloy of chromium and nickel are mounted. The surface of the heater is filled with a layer of protective varnish. The hinges stick out from both sides, heat up very quickly, cool down just as quickly, and this is a plus of such heaters - it is easy to maintain the set temperature.The second positive point is the low cost. Electric convectors with needle-type heaters are a third cheaper. disadvantages - it cannot be used at high humidity, the fragility of the needles leads to the fact that such a heating element quickly fails.

• TEN. Tubular electric heater. This is a hollow metal tube inside which a spiral is sealed. The distance between the spiral and the body is filled with heat-conducting backfill. Plate-fins are additionally soldered on the heating elements for convectors to increase heat transfer. The disadvantages of this heater are relatively low efficiency, large inertia - due to losses in the transfer of heat from the coil to the body - it takes time to reach the operating mode. Another drawback: during operation, the heating element may crackle. The reason is the different temperature expansions of the materials used. Advantages - the spiral is reliably protected, the convector heater can be used in wet rooms. Also a positive point is a long service life.

• Monolithic heaters are the quietest, with minimal heat loss. The same thread made of nickel-chromium alloy is soldered in a cast body with fins. Heat loss during transfer from the thread to the body is minimal, the thermal expansion of all parts is the same.

Electric heating convectors with monolithic heaters are considered the best, but they are also the most expensive. With the use of heating elements - a little cheaper.

Types of thermostats and controls

Electric heating convectors can be controlled by a mechanical thermostat or electronics. The cheapest convector electric heaters have a thermostat, which, when the set temperature is reached, breaks the power supply circuit of the heating element.When cooling down, the contact appears again, the heater turns on. Devices of this type cannot maintain a constant temperature in the room - the thermostat is triggered by heating the contact plate, and not by air temperature. But they are simple and quite reliable.

Mechanical thermostat on electric heating convectors Nobo

Electronic control uses several sensors that monitor the state of the air in the room, the degree of heating of the device itself. The data is processed by a microprocessor, which corrects the operation of the heater. The desired mode is set from the control panel located on the case, and there are also models with a control panel. You can find programmable models that allow you to set the heating mode for a whole week - while no one is at home, set it to maintain about + 10 ° C or lower and save on bills, warm up the room to a comfortable temperature by the time people arrive. There are generally “smart” models that can be integrated into the “smart home” system and controlled from a computer.

Advantages and disadvantages of wall convectors

Like any other heating device, wall-mounted water heating convectors have certain advantages and disadvantages. Let's try to consider them in more detail. As usual, let's start with the positives.

Advantages:

On sale you can find quite nice models.

• Compact design - unlike bulky cast-iron batteries and even aluminum radiators, they are characterized by miniaturization. Some models are completely distinguished by designer finishes, which allows them to be used in rooms with a good repair.For example, there are good modifications on sale with elegant rounded cases and woody colors - an excellent choice for interiors with a classic design;
• A good speed of work - heat begins to flow into the atmosphere literally 15-20 minutes after the heating is turned on and the hot coolant is supplied. The time spent on the full heating of a room of 20 square meters. m. are approximately 1-1.5 hours (depending on the temperature of the coolant);
• Minimum noise level - wall-mounted heating convectors operate absolutely silently, as it should be for water heating systems. If gurgling is heard, check the coolant level. If the forced fan is noisy, then it can be turned off at night;
• The low temperature of the buildings - it is problematic to get burned here, but it is better to protect young children from heaters;
• Fire safety is a key parameter that distinguishes water models from electric ones. The water flowing through the system has a low temperature, so fires when using such heaters are very unlikely;
• A variety of models - both simple modifications and designer ones are presented at the choice of consumers. There are also wall-mounted convectors of small height for installation under low windows.
• Minimum weight - thanks to this, the devices can be attached not only to the main walls, but also to any others. This opens up wide possibilities for the use of water wall heating convectors in prefabricated residential and commercial buildings.

It was not without certain disadvantages:

If you are allergic to dust, then convector radiators are not the best choice.

• Natural convection lifts up not only air, but also dust.Therefore, allergy sufferers have only two options - do not use convectors or vacuum them more often. However, allergy sufferers already often carry out wet cleaning if they are allergic to household dust;
• Some consumers complain about the draft generated by wall-mounted water heating convectors. You will have to put up with this and wear warm socks. By the way, the air temperature near the floors, when using wall-mounted water heating convectors, is lower than in the upper part of the room;
• Low efficiency when working in rooms with high ceilings - heating wall convectors are used in rooms and rooms with a ceiling height of no more than three meters;

Some of the shortcomings are quite serious, for example, it will not work to get rid of drafts.

If you are afraid of cold floors when using wall-mounted water heating convectors, lay warm floors in the rooms that will operate at minimum power, maintaining a comfortable temperature of the floor covering.

Selecting an installation site

Rather, the question is not like this: which of the convectors is suitable for fulfilling your wishes. If you want to bring the appearance of the room closer to the standard, you can hang rectangular wall convectors under the windows. A little more attention is drawn to models that can be installed under the ceiling, but they are inaccessible to children and pets - they will not be able to burn themselves or "adjust" in their own way. The mounting method is the same here - on brackets fixed on the wall. Only the shape of the brackets differs.

You can choose any place for installing an electric convector.It is only desirable that it is not covered by furniture.

If you want the heaters not to be visible, you will have to choose between skirting models and floor models. There is a big difference in installation: the skirting boards were simply installed and plugged into the network, and under the floor ones you will have to make special recesses in the floor - their top panel should be on the same level with the finished floor. In general, you won’t install them without a major overhaul.

These are floor mounted convectors. They are also electric.

Tiered floor

For zoning the space, the craftsmen mount the floors at different levels. They advise installing a podium to distinguish between the kitchen and the dining room. This option is considered one of the most practical, because, among other things, the owners have an additional free space where you can hide something.
It is convenient to use boxes or boxes for this. Wicker baskets will look good. But such a space can remain free.

However, such a design should not be done if the family has small children, since the podium can become an obstacle for him. In addition, various floor coverings can be used.
They will zone the space between the living room and the kitchen and protect the podium from damage. For example, tiles are laid in the kitchen area, and laminate flooring is laid in the dining room. The main thing is to choose colors and textures, to correctly combine the finish.

Water heating system: its advantages and disadvantages

It is not in vain that people give preference to just such a heating system, preferring the old and proven over the years methods of space heating. What is so attractive about her?

Advantages of water heating:

• The use of a common, but at the same time cheap coolant;
• Possibility to conduct heating pipes, both during construction and for a ready-made house;
• You can heat water using a boiler that runs on any type of fuel;
• With the help of temperature regulators and shut-off valves, it is possible to set a certain temperature in each individual room.

Among other things, there are many wiring options for such a system. You can choose any, based on your capabilities and dimensions of the house.

But, in addition to the advantages, water heating also has disadvantages:

• The need to control the operation of the heating boiler;
• In case of a long absence, it is necessary to lower the system, because if the water is not drained at low temperatures, it will freeze and break through the pipeline.

Nevertheless, despite some shortcomings, it is this method of space heating that remains the most popular among heating systems.

How to choose a convector

convector type. The distribution network sells several types of convectors. Some of them are powered by electricity, others convert hydrocarbon raw materials into heat, and still others effectively use hot water for heating. Electric and gas models are considered the most independent.

Power. This indicator of the heater is most often of interest to buyers

But it is important to take into account the area of ​​\u200b\u200bthe room, the possibilities of electrical wiring, the consumption of gas or electricity by the appliance. Experts recommend starting from a simple formula when choosing

For heating 1 sq. m of housing requires 100 W of thermal energy. Therefore, for a room of 10 sq. m is enough 1 kW convector. But this is an approximate calculation, it does not take into account the level of thermal insulation of the house, the thickness of the walls, the presence of drafts (in the case of a warehouse or office). If conditions worsen, another 50 W of energy should be added for each square meter.

Room type. The air temperature in different rooms is very different. The warmest are the nursery and bedroom, where many Russians would like to set the temperature at 24-28 ° C. In a room of 10 sq. m, the convector will work effectively, which is designed for a room of 13-15 sq. m. In offices, employees will feel comfortable if the air temperature fluctuates between 20-22 ° C. In this case, a less powerful heater will be required than is required in the theoretical calculation. But in the living room it is best to buy a device in which the maximum heating area corresponds to the size of the real room. It is more difficult to give advice if the convector is bought as an additional source of heat. In this case, everything depends on the capabilities of central heating.

Mounting type. Most convectors are wall or floor mounted. Each of them has its own advantages. So wall mounting allows you to save the usable area of ​​​​the room and makes the device as safe as possible for humans. This is true when heating children's rooms, bathrooms or kitchens. The floor heater is convenient for its maneuverability. With wheels, even children and old people can easily drag the heater to another room.

Thermostat. To maintain a given level of heating, thermostats are installed in the convectors. There are two main types: mechanical and electronic.The mechanic is considered by many users to be an outdated option, but it is simple, reliable and cheaper. The user needs to manually set the regulator to a certain position, and the device will work within the specified limit. The electronic device works more accurately. It is suitable in cases where every degree plays an important role (pharmacies, winter gardens, warehouses).

Safety. When choosing a convector, one should not forget about safety. Both electric and gas models carry a certain threat to human health and life. Although electrical appliances are considered safer, high power can adversely affect old wiring. Options such as protection against overheating, tipping over, short circuits and moisture will not be superfluous. Gas models also carry the threat of poisoning by combustion products. All joints must be sealed to prevent an explosion of the air-gas mixture. Therefore, ventilation and the chimney must have a margin of throughput.

We have selected 20 of the best convectors for our review. All of them received approval from the expert community and domestic consumers.

Safe Use Rules

Considering that the convector is a device powered by electricity, certain safety rules must be observed when using it. There are a number of recommendations that must be followed if you decide to install such a device in your home.

• The described type of appliances must not be covered under any circumstances. You can not dry various clothes on it, throw it on the device.This can cause damage to the heating element, and in the worst case, cause a fire.
• If the device is planned to be installed in a room with high humidity, then it must have an appropriate level of protection. To find out if a particular model has such protection, you can look at its marking. If there is a symbol "IP 24", then such protection is available.
• Do not mount or install near an outlet. The minimum distance to the outlet must be at least 80 centimeters. This is necessary in order to avoid a short circuit.

How to choose a convector heater, see below.

Water, gas and electric convectors

Water heating convectors made of copper-aluminum or other materials are a great alternative to the usual many radiators. In fact, it is convectors that today are part of most water heating systems. The hot coolant circulates in the pipe, which is the basis of the convector, heating the plates and the air between them.

Water convector

A system equipped with gas convectors is the most economical. The reason for this is the rather low cost of this type of fuel. However, on the other hand, such a system is also the least safe, so it is rarely used for heating residential buildings.

gas convector

Electric convectors are the easiest and fastest way to get your home heating up and running. After all, their operation does not require long-term laying of pipes, selection of a heating boiler or obtaining numerous permits.

But, despite all the ease of use, the operation of convectors of this type requires strict adherence to safety measures. And they should not be forgotten. Such ceramic heating convectors can be an excellent solution for a small country house, where you will not visit so often. However, if you use them all the time to heat your home, be prepared for big energy bills. Heating convectors can also be included in this category.

Heating electric convector

A variety of convectors on the modern market will help create warmth and comfort in every home. The main thing is to be as careful as possible when choosing a particular model.

Advantages and disadvantages of water convectors over conventional radiators

You have learned a lot about water convectors, but most likely this will not be enough for you to understand whether you personally need such a heater

To help you make a choice (whether positive or negative), let's compare water convectors with conventional radiators, familiar and familiar.

+ Advantages of water heating convectors

1. Convectors quickly warm up to the design power. The reason for this is quite simple: the internal volume of the convector pipes is rather small, due to which the coolant circulation rate in the system is higher. Convectors not only heat up faster themselves, but also warm the room faster, which is largely facilitated by the high thermal conductivity of the fin plates.
2. Convectors do not require a high temperature of the coolant: for efficient heating of the room, it is enough that the water in the system is warmed up to 50-60°C.It follows from this that the energy costs for heating the coolant in a heating system with convectors are less than in a system with radiators.
3. Convectors, unlike radiators, are able to create an effective thermal curtain, cutting off cold air flows entering the room from windows. Windows do not fog up and do not freeze through.
4. Air locks in water heating convectors are a rarity.
5. Due to the low weight of the convectors, they can be installed even on light partitions made, for example, of plasterboard. In the case of radiators, especially cast iron ones, this cannot even be thought of.
6. Convectors do not pose a danger to small children: the surface of the body practically does not heat up, which means that the probability of getting burned on it is zero.
7. The hidden installation of floor convectors, in which neither pipes nor the heating devices themselves are visible, is an old dream of many room designers, which has finally come true.

- Cons of water heating convectors

1. Convectors can only be used in rooms with natural ventilation. The intake of air from a room with forced ventilation, as a rule, is carried out near the ceiling. This means that all the warm air created by the convector will be drawn out, i.e. the heater will run idle.
2. As a result of the uneven distribution of air flows coming from the convector, drafts may form.
3. This heater contributes to the circulation of dust in the room, moved by convection air currents.