What is the difference between convectors and heaters. Oil heater or convector - which is better? Oil heater or convector: customer reviews
Without any doubt, we can say that among the alternative heat sources, the most popular are electric convectors and oil heaters. Such heaters will heat your room in case of problems with individual or central heating. But how do you choose between these two rivals? or convector: which is better? It is with this question that we will try to deal with this article. There are many important nuances that need to be taken into account.
Oil heaters
Let's start with heaters that have a lower cost. Before talking about oil heater or a convector - which is better, let's deal with the device itself. The advantages of such heater whole mass. One of them is simple installation. You do not need to have special training for correct installation unit. In practice, problems with the electrics of the device are unlikely, due to the simple design.
As for the oil cooler device, it looks like this: there is a metal radiator case, which is filled with mineral oil. Most models do not have a special oil drain valve, this is due to the fact that it does not evaporate. There is a heating element in the coolant. There is a rheostat that allows you to adjust the temperature, and overload protection of the device. Modern units have a sensor that turns off the device in case of horizontal deviation. This technology is called rollover protection. Well, now let's go further and consider the main advantages and disadvantages of the device.
Strengths and weaknesses of oil heaters
Let's start by looking at the functionality of aggregates. It is best to buy a modern model that will provide you reliable protection. For example, to install the device in a children's room, it must be equipped with a special casing. In this case, the case temperature will not exceed 60 degrees, and you will not get burned on it. A serious advantage is the presence of a thermostat. This device will automatically adjust the room temperature to the optimum. In addition, the presence of a timer will allow you to turn it on and off when it suits you.
If we go directly to the features, then the oil heater has the following pros and cons. Of the advantages, it is worth noting the extremely quiet operation. If there is no fan, you are unlikely to be disturbed by a silent device. In addition, the cost of such heaters is not very high, and almost everyone can afford it. You can move the heater from room to room or hang it on the wall if you have the brackets. Among the shortcomings, it is worth highlighting the possibility of oil leakage due to mechanical damage. In this case, it is easier to buy a new radiator than to repair the old one.
Oil heater: consumer reviews
It is impossible not to touch upon such an important aspect as customer feedback. The fact is that such useful and important information, and even free of charge, can only be obtained from the experience of consumers. Many write that it is better to buy a radiator with a fan. This is due to the fact that heated air spreads much faster throughout the room. In this case, the noise slightly increases, but the fan can be turned off if necessary.
Users say that it is better to give preference to a trusted manufacturer. The best ones are Ariston, Electrolux, etc. Another significant advantage is the ability to easily and quickly move from room to room. As noted above, radiators of this type are not very expensive, but there is a slight limitation in the form of power. As a rule, it is very problematic to warm up a room that is more than 25 squares in area. This is due to the fact that most manufacturers do not produce devices more powerful than 2.5 kW. A good oil heater will have positive reviews. If we talk about Chinese fakes, then they are not worthy of attention.
Electric convectors
The body of such heaters is almost always flat and smooth, and this is what actually distinguishes it from oil heaters. If the latter in most cases are placed on the floor, rarely attached to the wall, then in the case of electric convectors there are no restrictions. They are completely silent and very comfortable. If necessary, you can attach to the wall, and if necessary, remove and install on the legs.
You are probably familiar with the principle of operation of an electric convector. It consists in the fact that cold air enters it, and already hot air comes out. As a result, the heated air rises, while the cold air remains at the bottom. If everything works properly, then the convection of flows is established, which provides optimum temperature in room. Well, now let's go ahead and look at something else interesting.
Strengths and weaknesses of the convector
Without a doubt, it makes sense to consider the advantages and disadvantages of this type of alternative heating and understand whether it is superior to oil heaters or not. The main advantage is that all models do not heat the case by more than 50-60 degrees. This suggests that the air in the room is not dried, and oxygen is not burned out. Although the last point is highly controversial. If you still notice that the air in the room has become dry, you can always install a container with water, which will evaporate upon contact with the radiator of the device. This is a kind of stationary humidifier.
The presence of a thermostat also plays into our hands. This is due to the fact that in this way it is possible to significantly save electricity. After heating to the required temperature, the device will switch to the temperature maintenance mode, working more economically. Of course, in order to understand which is better: an oil heater or this is not enough. Therefore, let's make small comparisons that will dot the and.
Dimensions and placement of heaters
In most cases, the electric convector weighs no more than 12 kg. This is due to the lack of liquid inside the radiator. Oil appliances have a mass of up to 25 kilograms. This suggests that the convector will have smaller dimensions, and it will be easier for elderly people or children to move it.
The flat body of the convector allows you to place it where an oil heater would not fit. For example, you can mount it on a wall, mount it in a small niche or even the floor. But today there are also oil coolers, the body width of which is not much larger, and they have special wall mounts. For this simple reason, the devices do not differ much in this regard.
Energy consumption and comfort of use
If we consider the process of heating an oil cooler, then it proceeds approximately as follows. First, the heating element is heated, then the oil, and only after that the body. Then the air warms up. In the case of a convector, everything is somewhat faster. This is due to the lack of fluid. After the heating element reaches operating temperature, it immediately warms up the air, and the built-in fan will make it spread even faster. From the foregoing, we can draw a simple conclusion that the convector in terms of electricity consumption is more economical by about 15-25%. However, it is worth remembering that it also cools quickly.
Air heating uniformity oil coolers somewhat smaller than convectors. This is due to the lack of circulation flows. Therefore, it can be said that electric convectors somewhat more successful in this regard. And now let's go further.
Safety and service life
If you are asking yourself whether an oil heater or a heat convector should be chosen, then you need to deal with the issue of safety. Devices that have in their housing and do not have a protective casing, when operating at full power, heat up significantly. Therefore, putting them in close proximity to walls or furniture is not advised. But the body of the convector almost never heats up above 60 degrees, so they can be placed almost everywhere.
Often the choice of a heater rests on its service life. Oil coolers usually work 5-7 years, in some cases up to 10 years. Electric convectors usually serve about 15 years, if you follow the safety rules. The conclusion can be made simple - it is better to buy a convector.
Oil heater or convector - which is better: consumer reviews
Be sure to pay attention to what the owners of both one and the other equipment write. According to many, the management of heaters is on an equal footing, but the cost of devices using mineral oil is 20-30% less, which is a significant advantage. At the same time, it is noted that convectors with air purification are more preferable for the room, as they improve its climate. If there is no such function, then there is no significant difference in terms of environmental friendliness. Based on the foregoing, we can conclude that both one and the other types of heaters are good.
Conclusion
Here we have dealt with the question of interest to us. Oil heater or convector - which is better? An unambiguous answer cannot be given. It is easy to take and compare, then convectors have more advantages. But if you don't have free money, then you can buy an oil heater, as it is much cheaper. The level of safety of convectors is higher, so they are more preferable in rooms where there are children or animals. Agree, in any case, the fall of a device weighing 25 kg will have more unfortunate consequences than the fall of a 10 kg convector. That, in principle, is all that can be said on this topic. For most parameters, the convector wins, but in some cases oil heaters can also be preferred.
ContentSolving the issue of organizing heating in the house, many are faced with a choice - a convector or a radiator? Each of these devices is capable of providing effective heating. Before giving preference to one or another type of heater, it is recommended to study in detail the features of their operation, the principle of heating the air in the room, and evaluate the convenience and safety of operation.
Choosing - a radiator or a convector
A convector or an oil heater is designed to be used as an additional source of heat, primarily on the cool days of the warm season and in the off-season, if you want to ensure a comfortable temperature in an apartment or a separate room in a large house. Several heaters can replace an electric boiler in a small country house or in a country house - without the need to install pipelines and heating devices.
Technical parameters of oil coolers
An oil cooler is a sealed tank filled with mineral oil, inside which a heating element is installed. The ribbed configuration of the metal housing allows you to increase the surface area that gives off heat with the help of radiation, and also contributes to the formation of air flows - the radiator gives off part of the thermal energy due to convection. The ratio of the two types of heat transfer is almost 50/50.
The electric tubular heater is equipped with a thermostat that allows you to control temperature regime work. The device is connected to a household power outlet with a voltage of 220 V.
The power of the unit depends on the model and ranges from 1 kW to 2.5 kW. One oil cooler is enough to heat a room up to 25 m 2 . To increase the air temperature in larger rooms, it will be necessary to install two or more devices of a suitable total power. The efficiency of the radiator does not reach 100% due to heat losses during oil heating.
Modern oil heater
When choosing which heater is better, you should pay attention to the functionality of the models. It is worth comparing not an abstract radiator or a convector, but device models with a certain functionality. An oil heater may have:
- a protective cover on the body, which prevents you from accidentally getting burned on the heated metal;
- built-in fan that accelerates the heating of the air in the room;
- tipping sensor - the device cuts off the power supply of the device when it is skewed or dropped;
- a timer that allows you to set the time to turn on and turn off the heater.
Oil-filled radiators are available in floor, table and wall versions. Floor models are supplied not only with a carrying handle, but also with wheels, which makes it easy to move the unit around the house.
Technical parameters of convectors
There are water and electric convectors. For the first, the installation of a pipeline is necessary, so it is more logical to compare them with water heating radiators. Considering what is better, a convector or an oil heater, attention is paid to electric models of convectors, which are powered by a 220 V mains and are connected to a standard outlet.
The electric convector in floor or wall version is made of sheet metal - the unit is simpler than a radiator. cold air during natural circulation is sucked in through the bottom holes, past the heating plates, and out through the holes in the top of the case.
The principle of operation of the convector
The difference between a convector and an oil cooler primarily concerns the principle of operation. A little heat is emitted by the case, while the main part of the thermal energy is transferred due to convection - convective fins provide heating and intensive movement of air masses.
What is the difference between the convector, if we compare the efficiency of work? Since the metal is directly heated, which gives off heat, the convector heater is characterized by an efficiency close to 100%.
Electric convectors are equipped with a thermostat that regulates the intensity of heating the room, focusing on the air temperature. If the upper slots of the convector are inclined downwards, the flow of hot air is directed to the floor and is distributed over the entire area, due to which the unit heats the room more evenly.
Compare convector and radiator
To understand which is better to choose, first of all it makes sense to compare the ease of use and the economic effect of the operation of devices.
An oil heater with a heating element is characterized by high thermal inertia, since it takes a lot of time to heat up and cool down mineral oil. As a result:
- heating of the air in the room begins only some time after the unit is connected to the mains;
- the heating device continues to heat the air in the room for a long time after being turned off;
- the unit consumes more electricity than the convector, by 25-30%.
The convector is economical and designed for a longer service life. Oil-filled heaters begin to leak over time due to microcracks in the body.
Floor convector
What to choose?
To understand which device is better for specific conditions of use, an oil heater or a convector, it is necessary to compare them according to various parameters.
It is important to consider the version of the device, since units of the same type, but of different brands, can vary significantly in quality, ease of use, durability and safety.
compactness
Convectors, as well as radiators, are represented by floor and wall models. In this case, the dimensions of the convector are usually slightly smaller. When choosing a portable convector or oil cooler for temporary use, you should pay attention to the weight of the product. The weight of convectors does not exceed 10 kg, while oil heaters weigh 18-25 kg.
Convector type wall heater
Note! Wall heaters less effective, since the back side gives off heat to the building structure, and not to air.
Room heating rate
Comparison of the heating rate of a conventional oil heater will benefit from an electric convector, since it quickly enters the operating mode of heat transfer. However, a radiator equipped with a built-in fan will spend some time warming up, but then short time warms the entire volume of air in the room due to forced circulation. The convector has a lower heating temperature and it works only due to natural air exchange.
Safety
Most models of convectors are equipped with protection against voltage surges, overheating, equipped with position sensors that turn off the unit when it falls or tilts.
Economy class oil-filled radiators may not have any protection, so their operation is possible only with constant monitoring. More expensive models also have a rollover sensor.
The surface of a working convector heats up to approximately 60 ° C, it is impossible to burn yourself on this heating device. The metal body of the oil cooler heats up to 85°C and may cause burns if touched. If there are children in the house, choose a model with a protective cover.
The device of a modern convector heater
If we imagine an emergency situation, then if the convector malfunctions, a short circuit may occur. A faulty oil cooler can also cause a short circuit and there is also a risk of hot oil leaking.
In terms of security the best option is a convector.
Environmental friendliness
According to this parameter, the devices are equivalent and safe for health. In both cases, during operation, oxygen in the room is not burned out, dust is not burned. The paint and varnish external covering does not emit harmful substances when heated.
Oil coolers without a fan differ only in that they raise dust particles into the air to a lesser extent, since they are characterized by a relatively low convection efficiency.
Heating large areas
If you need to warm up a large area well, several heating devices are used. However, each oil cooler requires a separate outlet.
Oil coolers with and without fan
Convectors installed in the same or different rooms are combined into a single heating network, which is equipped with a rheostat - this reduces the consumption of electrical energy.
Comfort
Heating devices of both types work silently (with the exception of radiators equipped with a fan), they do not emit unpleasant odors. High-end models are designed for programming the operating mode, setting the on and off times.
Oil radiators do not dry out the air, in addition, they can be additionally equipped with a humidifier.
When choosing a convector, please note that heat is distributed unevenly during convection - the difference in air temperatures near the floor and under the flow can reach 10 ° C. In addition, devices of this type are not suitable for dusty rooms and premises.
Cost and durability
Assessing the pros and cons of heaters, it is necessary to compare the service life and cost of products.
Oil heaters can be of different sizes
Convectors are designed for 20-25 years of use. These are reliable, maintainable devices. Oil radiators after several years of operation (up to 10 years) leak due to the formation of microcracks. Such heaters cannot be repaired, and they must be replaced with new ones.
The cost of both convectors and radiators depends on the brand and characteristics of a particular model. On average, oil heaters are cheaper when comparing units of different types, but of the same power and functionality. Products of well-known brands are expensive, but inexpensive analogues usually have a short service life.
Conclusion
If there is no possibility or economic benefit to heat a house or apartment with an electric boiler, install mobile devices operating from the mains. When choosing, pay attention to which heater heats better at the same energy costs by comparing the performance of the models with the characteristics that are optimal for your conditions.
- System inertia
Convectors are easier to adjust. Let me explain with an example.
Let's take a situation: a tuned heater with an electronic thermostat heats the air up to +20 degrees and turns off. When the temperature drops by 1 degree, it turns on again.
In the case of a convector: it warmed up to +20, turned off, cooled down by 1-2 degrees, turned on again - all the way through.
In the case of an oil cooler: heated the air to the set +20. Turned off like it should. But the temperature does not rise, but, on the contrary, continues to rise - after all, the radiator is still hot. It’s not 20 degrees anymore, but all + 22-23, it gets hot in the room, at least open the window. Then, finally, the air cooled down by 1 degree, the heater turned on again, but while it was straining to heat up to the desired temperature, the air in the room continued to cool, reaching already +18, and our oil appliance had just warmed up.
Due to such difficulties with adjustments, having a radiator, you will spend much more electricity.
- Local heating
The convector heats the air evenly, moving it quite actively.
An oil appliance thoroughly heats the air directly around it, and for sufficient heating of a distant part of the room, it will need much more energy, but it will obviously overheat the space around it.
In my opinion, it is good to heat small areas locally with an oil cooler, mainly to heat it, but it is still better to heat it with a convector.
F.P.:
I use both an oil heater and convectors. I don’t see any noticeable difference between them (maybe because the gas convector weighs no less than 35 kg, and the electric oil convector is exactly half as much - about 16 kg. The adjustment, perhaps, is more precise for convectors. Heat transfer is almost the same.
Oil ones actually take a long time to accelerate. I have Delonghi in cold weather except that it heats itself. Light Cameron is already starting to warm up just a quarter of an hour later. Extraneous odors oil definitely do not emit. They work pleasantly, completely without noise, unlike convectors.
And further. Socks cannot be dried on convectors (they overheat), but on oil - dry land anything. Even mushrooms. 🙂
E.Sh.:
Listen, if children or elderly people live in the house, you need to keep in mind such an important nuance: at the oil cooler, the temperature on its surface reaches 100 degrees, i.e. It's actually a burn hazard. Not only children, but also animals can suffer. For the same reason, oil radiators are kept away from furniture, as well as from all kinds of fusible objects. Oil radiators in general, I would say, should not be left unattended. And if you purchased such a device, it must be with a thermostat - then you can control the temperature and prevent it from overheating.
My advice: If you have got a convector, make sure that all the gaps between the sections are closed, worry about the safety of the child, who can push various objects into the intersection space, or even stick his own fingers.
Comparative analysis of heating devices (video)
In winter cold is often not enough central heating, and then additional heating devices come to the rescue. Some argue that traditional radiators are a reliable and proven way to keep warm, while others say that such heat sources are a relic of the past and prefer more modern models. Let's talk about the principles of work, the advantages and disadvantages of each, and try to answer the question of which is better to use - or.
Such units are one of the most common sources of heat in homes. To connect them, you do not need instructions, since the device only needs a regular outlet to operate. Just put it next to you and enjoy the warmth.
These radiators are a welded panel construction. Metal panels form a tank into which mineral or technical oil is poured.
Manufacturers equip radiators thermostat, which allows you to control and regulate the temperature in the room. Most often, modern models have a special sensor that allows you to monitor the location of the device and determine the deviation from the horizontal. If it is skewed or dropped, the device will automatically turn off.
Some models are equipped timer, thanks to which you can schedule it to turn on at a specified time, for example, in the morning or in the evening. This will save you energy consumption.
The control may be mechanical or electronic. They also have a storage compartment for the power cord when not in use, electrical protection against overheating and splash protection. Modern models are completed additionally, which allows you to speed up the process of heating the air in a cold room.
Due to the fact that such a heater does not have open heating elements, it does not dry out the air.
There is an opinion that the higher the temperature of the radiator, the faster the room will warm up. This is partly true, but there are some "buts". Work on high temperatures ah causes overdrying of the air and a decrease in humidity in the room. And the dust that has settled on a very hot case heats up and releases harmful substances. That is why the operation of this heater at more than low temperatures considered more useful and environmentally friendly.
Advantages:
- low price;
- quiet work;
- mobility thanks to wheels and a handle;
- automatic temperature control.
The power of different models may vary - it varies from 1 to 2.5 kW. It directly depends on the number of sections (most often there are 5-12 of them). To warm up a room with an area of 25 sq.m and a height of about 2.5-3 m, you must have a model with a power of 2.5 kW.
The power calculation formula is as follows: 1 kW is designed to heat a room with an area of 10 m 2.
Convector heaters
The instruments have a smooth flat surface. The case itself is a convection chamber with a heating element inside. Cold air enters and is heated by a heating element. Then he moves through the shutters on the body, while he is replaced by a new portion of cool air from the room. To increase heat transfer and warm floors and walls, the slots of the blinds are angled down.
All devices are equipped room- built-in sensor, which itself determines the temperature in the room and keeps it at a given level. Such devices are very efficient and have a high efficiency (almost 100%).
Since the heating element does not directly contact the body (there are stops made of heat-resistant material between them), a convector heater is considered fireproof appliance, and therefore additional grounding is not necessary.
Advantages and Features
- This heat source is fireproof and meets all the requirements of Eurostandard.
- The electric convector is very efficient, its design allows you to evenly distribute warm air in rooms for various purposes. By combining several devices into a single network, you can create a so-called modular system heating and be used not only in apartments and offices, but also in country houses where there is no main heating. Such a heating scheme may well replace an expensive boiler.
- and the presence of several modes of operation allow you to save electricity.
- Stylish design - will fit well into any interior.
- Silent operation.
Final comparison of the main characteristics
- Economy of work. The convection heat source consumes electricity more economically, oil electric battery consumes 25-30% more.
- Heating speed. The unit with oil is heated in several stages: electricity heats up the heating element, oil is heated from it, which transfers heat to the body itself, from which heat radiates into the room. Step-by-step warming up takes a long time - the device consumes electricity already in operation, and the room is still cool. To minimize this drawback and speed up the heating process, radiators are equipped with a built-in fan.
- Ease of use. The weight of the oil cooler is quite large (about 20 kg), although it is mobile thanks to the wheels and handle. The convector also has a small weight and the possibility of additional mounting on the wall.
- Safety. Oil heated to high temperatures can be dangerous to humans, even if the radiator is equipped with a splash guard. And metal, heated to very high levels, can cause a burn. It is better not to leave such a heater unattended - not all of them are equipped with overheating protection. The body of the convector heats up to only 60 degrees and does not pose any danger. In case of an emergency, the automatic device will work and turn it off.
- Duration of operation. All devices that run on oil leak over time, as a result of which the oil first evaporates, and then fails. The duration of operation of convection batteries, declared by the manufacturer, is 5 years, but in fact they last longer - up to 15 years.
- Environmental friendliness. An indicator of the environmental friendliness of the device is the absence of the process of combustion of oxygen and dust. Both heat sources raise dust into the air due to convection, but it will not burn out in convectors due to low body temperatures, which cannot be said about the oil type. As for the combustion of oxygen, this process is excluded in both cases.
- Price a. In this category, the oil battery is the clear winner as it costs much less than a convection battery. But if we talk about the price-quality ratio, then of course convector models win here.
And yet, which heater is better - convector or oil?
Oil heater or convector - each has its own advantages and disadvantages. Offers on the market and sales recent years show that convection devices are rapidly replacing other types of heaters, because they are economical, convenient and safe. And if we compare oil-fired radiators and electric convectors, then the latter are certainly in the lead.