An electric convector is a device that is designed to maintain the temperature in a residential area at the desired level. With its help, it will be possible to remove the load from the standard heating system or completely replace it. This is convenient when heating country houses and cottages. Before choosing an electric convector for a summer residence, you need to determine which of the devices will heat the air in the rooms faster and more efficiently.
Content
The principle of operation and the device of the convector
To understand what a convector is, you need to understand how it works and on what principle it works. The functional performance of the device is associated with the convection process, it allows the air to rise to the ceiling after it warms up and loses its density. The heater has a simple design and consists of:
- from the body;
- from heating element.
The heating element is a conductor that is installed in a metal case. Outwardly, it looks like a simple radiator-heater and is located at the bottom of the device. When cold air enters, it heats up. Then it rises and exits through the outlet holes, which are made at a slight slope. Rising to the ceiling, the warm air gradually cools and sinks down. Such heating with electric convectors allows you to evenly warm the room.
Types of convectors
There are many types of convectors, which are divided into several groups: according to the type of installation, according to the principle of heating and air circulation. Therefore, the choice of a convector is made according to its technical characteristics. Device types:
- The heater can be either with natural or forced air circulation.
- They come with electric, water or gas heating methods. Electric convectors for heating are also divided into infrared models.
- According to the method of fastening - floor, wall.
wall
The wall heater has a compact size. It comes in horizontal, vertical and ceiling types. Devices are available with or without a built-in thermostat. In appearance, the heaters are panel, film or have the form of tubular lamps. According to the heating method, they are divided into infrared (thermal radiation) and convection (air circulation) models. Design features:
- Wall models are equipped with a flat box-shaped body. The body thickness is small, but corresponds to the height of the device and, according to the principle of operation, is similar to a vertical pipe, the inlet and outlet of which has a temperature difference. Because of this, increased air draft is created.Thanks to this shape of the body and the closed space, air enters the heater, thereby ensuring rapid heating.
- On the end side of the housing in the lower part there are small slots for the entry of cooled air.
- At the bottom of the device, one or more heating elements are installed, which are produced in the form of cast modules or a separate coil. Elements are switched on simultaneously or in turn. The start method depends on the selected mode.
- In the upper part of the case there are holes in the form of curtains. Hot air comes out through them. Curtain models are movable or fixed. With the help of movable elements, you can adjust the air flow in any direction.
Regardless of the type of wall convector, installation is carried out on brackets. This is due to its light weight. Sometimes the device is equipped with additional legs.
floor standing
Floor electric convectors for heating are installed on wheels, since they have no other rigid mount. The device has a beautiful appearance, high efficiency, works silently. Some models can be additionally equipped with a heated towel rail and a humidifier. This model is convenient in that it can be moved to any place. Disadvantage: limitation on the length of the wire.
One of the varieties of floor structures is devices built into special niches that are made in the floor. From above, the heater is covered with decorative grilles. Through these devices, cold air enters, heats up and exits. Heating devices of this design are intended for use in rooms:
- with a small area
- in doorways between rooms (to create thermal curtains);
- in children's rooms;
- in rooms with panoramic windows.
All outdoor devices are compact in size. This allows you not to make large niches in the floor. Long convectors are produced under panoramic windows of great length. They are powerful and expensive. The installation of the heater under the window is done so that the capture of cold air occurs from the side of the window.
We calculate the required power
Power is the main indicator to consider when choosing a device. The level of heat produced by the convector depends on it. Calculation of the required power:
- To heat a room ranging in size from 10 to 12 square meters. m with a wall height of 2.7 m, 1 kW is required, provided that there are no other heating systems in the building.
- If a convector is installed in the building and there is another heating system, then the device will be able to heat the area of a room up to 24 sq. m.
Large devices have the highest power. The larger the device, the stronger the power.
In addition to size, the heat dissipation of the device depends on the built-in heating element. In order for the room to warm up qualitatively, when choosing power, they also take into account how many windows are installed in the room and where it is located (corner or above the basement). If the convector is installed in the kitchen, then a device with a small power is sufficient. But it takes a long time to warm up the bedroom with such a heater. Therefore, a more powerful device is used.
Temperature control methods
Most electric convectors for heating are equipped with a mechanical or electronic control unit. With their help, it will be possible to control the level of heating of the room, which allows you to save electricity. Also, the devices are equipped with a control sensor and an on timer.
The first automatically turns the system on and off when the temperature indicator reaches the desired value. After cooling, the device turns on independently or manually. It depends on the installed model.
The device can be programmed using the on timer. This is convenient when the temperature in the rooms needs to be reduced during the day, and increased at night.
The electronic thermostat and control unit allow you to set the automatic temperature regime, and in mechanical models it is set manually. There are remote control models. The operation of the convector is controlled remotely using the control panel. Mobile devices have rollover protection. If the convector accidentally turns over, then the protection will work and it will turn off. The established temperature and the set mode are displayed on the display.
Rating of electric convectors for heating
According to the parameters and operational features, a rating of the best electric convector was compiled. This includes models from popular manufacturers such as Electrolux, Scoole, etc. Most requested:
- Timberk TEC PS1 LE 1500. This is the best convector of good quality, which has high technical characteristics. The device is equipped with wheels, has 2 heating modes, an on/off timer, an electronic type thermostat and an air ionizer. It is possible to connect additional accessories.The characteristic click emitted during turning the device on and off is its only drawback. The model is produced in Europe and Asia by a popular holding company and has an affordable price.
- Ballu ENZO BEC/EZMR 2000. The convector is equipped with an electronic thermostat, has 2 modes of heat transfer, protection against capsizing and overheating. Designed for heating large rooms up to 25 sq. m. It is possible to program the modes, equipped with a shutdown timer. The control unit has a backlight. The device is mounted on the wall using the fasteners that are included in the kit or mounted on wheels. This is reasonable value for money. Cons: short cord and weak wheels. The thermostat is produced by Russian manufacturers.
- Scoole SC HT HM1 1000BT. A compact, but powerful enough electric convector that can quickly heat a medium-sized room. It is a portable model with high and powerful heating speed, beautiful appearance and bright coloring. The mechanical type thermostat is characterized by increased accuracy of adjustment. Consumes a lot of energy, therefore it is considered unprofitable. Production: Norway.
- Noirot Spot E-3 1000. This is a high efficiency wall convector. It has a beautiful appearance, protection against overheating and many other functions. Thanks to the large amount of memory, system settings are easily restored, which is convenient in case of problems with electricity. Disadvantages: short cord and inconvenient mode switch. The price varies in the middle range. The country of origin is France.
- Electrolux ECH/AG-1500EF. The device has an increased efficiency and reaches operating temperature in 80 seconds. It is intended for heating of rooms of the average sizes.This is a budget model that does not dry the air in the room and is equipped with a system of protective screens. The simple design is the only downside. Production: Switzerland.
Which brand of convector to choose depends on the size of the heated area and your own preferences.
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