Electric convectors in heating our houses

Recommendation points

• The principle of operation and device of electric convectors
• Pros and cons of electric convectors
• Types of electric convectors
• How to choose an electric convector?
• In custody

In this article: how the electric convector works and works; positive and negative characteristics; types of electric convectors; criteria for choosing an electric convector; installation and operating requirements.

Among all the means and methods of heating our houses, the simplest are based on electrical appliances. Despite the high, in comparison with other energy carriers, the cost of electricity, we resort to electric heating – the classic water heating of our houses and apartments is often not able to maintain the optimal temperature at the level that would suit us. In the line of electric heaters, not the last place is occupied by electric convectors – this article is devoted to these heating devices.

The principle of operation and device of electric convectors

Serial production of such heaters began more than a century ago. Electric convectors outwardly resemble oil heaters, only their body is flatter. These fixtures are wall-mounted, approximately 100-150mm above floor level, or floor-mounted, when equipped with wheels and feet.

In the flat metal case of electric convectors, one or two grilles – the first of them is narrow and invisible, located at the bottom of the device and facing the plane of the floor. The second grate is located in the upper part of the convector and occupies about 15-20% of its vertical surface. Inside the convector body there is a heating element, along the length of which plates are installed or it is placed in an aluminum casing – in both cases this measure increases the surface of the heating element and better distributes the heat generated by it, thereby increasing the service life of the heating element itself. The heating element tube, made of stainless steel, contains a magnesite backfill and is hermetically sealed. The electric convector does not require grounding, because all electrical wiring in them is enclosed in double insulation. The heating temperature of the heating element reaches 1,000 ° C (depending on the model), while the walls of the convector body during its operation are heated to no more than 65 ° C and cannot burn a person if accidentally touched. In the case of this device there is a control sensor that cuts off the power supply to the heating element in case of emergency overheating.

Models of electric convectors are produced, allowing their installation in rooms with high air humidity – the body of such devices is protected against moisture penetration inside.

The electric convector is heated by air convection. Cold air enters through the lower grill in its housing to the heating element radiator, heats up and exits through the upper grill. Having given its heat to the walls and ceiling, the air cools down and sinks to the floor level, from where it again enters the convector – and so on … Electric convectors with a flat body are not equipped with a fan, therefore they operate silently. These heaters are equipped with a thermostat that maintains the indoor temperature at a given level.

Pros and cons of electric convectors

Positive characteristics:

1. First of all, ease of installation and use. It is enough to put the heater-convector on the support legs or fix it on the wall, connect the power cord to the outlet and now it already produces heat;
2. The electric convector is designed for a service life of 15 years and does not need any special maintenance during this period. Unless you need periodic cleaning from dust;
3. Relatively low cost – about 4,000 rubles;
4. Maintaining the set temperature in the room, its simple task is through a set on the electronic panel of the device. Does not require constant human control;
5. The absence of any moving elements, unlike convectors equipped with a fan – and since there are none, there is no noise either. The exception is electric convectors equipped with a mechanical thermostat – when the heater is turned on and turned off when the set temperature is reached, a soft click will be heard in the room. Convectors with an electronic control unit are completely silent;
6. High efficiency – about 95%;
7. Unlike oil radiators, electric convectors heat the room immediately after turning on the power, the average heating period for the heating element is 30 seconds.

Negative characteristics:

1. Significant power consumption. The actual consumption of electricity by the convector will depend on the heat loss in the room it heats – the area of ​​the windows, the type of glass units and the material of the window frames, the size of the room and the quality of its insulation;
2. Heating built only on electric convectors is not suitable for large premises. It will be rational to use only for local additional heating;
3. With each year of operation, the heating characteristics of these devices decrease, their efficiency decreases;
4. Along with other heating devices using radiant and convective heating of air, convectors dry the air. In addition, the flow of warm air formed by them carries dust throughout the room..

Types of electric convectors

In terms of dimensions and placement, electric convectors are divided into two groups: wall-mounted and free-standing, up to 65 cm high; floor (skirting), up to 20 cm high. A heating element of greater power and developing a higher temperature than heating elements in floor convectors is introduced into the design of “high” electric convectors. Significant heating of the heating element along with the height of the body create in the “high” convectors the effect of furnace draft, which accelerates heat exchange in the room. Therefore, the width of such electric convectors is small – no more than 7 cm. The weight of electric convectors, depending on the power and size, will be 3-9 kg.

Floor convectors have a wider width – from 300 mm to 3000 mm in some models and in them the lower heating temperature is compensated by the longer heating elements. They are intended for installation under glazed openings of the “French window” type. Advantages of floor-standing electric convectors: they create convection flows of lower intensity, due to which the heating of the room is more uniform; in contrast to “high” convectors, floor heaters are more effective in heating the lower air layer in the room atmosphere. The only problem is that it is difficult for the floor-standing electric convector to find a place to place it so as not to bump into it when walking or moving furniture. The best option would be to install a floor convector in a niche in the floor and cover it on top with a grate, but this is possible only with the initial planning of premises for the installation of such convectors..

How to choose an electric convector?

First of all, an electric convector is selected for a specific area of ​​the room based on the ratio of 80-90 W per 1 m², those. for heating a room with an area of ​​10 m² you will need an 800 W device. If the room has ceilings higher than the more standard 2.4-3 m – the power needs to be overestimated by 1.5-2 times, if the electric convector will be used as an auxiliary – lower.

The second criterion is whether the thermostat is electronic or mechanical. Convectors with a mechanical thermostat, which are manually set on a dial or keypad, are cheaper. However, in operation, they are less accurate and are not able to quickly respond to a decrease in room temperature below a predetermined level. The cost of electric convectors with an electronic thermostat is about 25-30% higher than their counterparts with a mechanical thermostat. There is one more type of thermostats for electric convectors – programmable, the setting of which is more flexible and allows setting the hourly level of room temperature. For example, in the absence of tenants, you can set the temperature to +12 ° C, and some time before they return, instruct the convector to increase it to a more comfortable one – as a result, energy savings are achieved and there is no need to wait until the electric convector turned off during the absence of the owners raises the temperature by proper level.

It will be convenient to purchase a convector of universal installation – equipped with removable legs (wheels) and having lugs for stationary fastening to the wall. If necessary, such a heater can be removed from the wall and installed in a priority place for heating. Fixed-mounted convectors require a precise determination of the place where they will be installed – is there enough free space on the wall, is there a power outlet nearby.

The element of the electric convector, on which the service life of the heating device actually depends – ten. High-quality heating elements will last at least 15 years, therefore those manufacturers whose products are equipped with high-quality heating elements can easily provide long warranty periods for the convector – from 2 years or more. Teng in an electric convector must have a case of high quality steel, which is guaranteed to withstand the temperatures developed by the filament inside it.

Important: find out if this convector is equipped with an electric automatic overheating protection – it must be!

According to the degree of moisture resistance – the electric convector must have an IP of at least 21 (protected from water drops). If it is intended to be installed in rooms with high humidity (bathroom, bathroom), you will need a device with IP 24 (protected against splashing water) and higher – it can be installed near a water source (pool, bath) at a distance of more than 60 cm.

Manufacturers of electric convectors on the Russian market: German Siemens, Unitherm, Stiebel Eltron and Vaillant, Norwegian Adax and Nobo, French Atlantic, Noirot, Campa and Thermor “, Finnish” Ensto “, Slovenian” IMP Klima “. Domestic electric convectors are produced by Saturn Teplo LLC, Delsot CJSC, Tekhnoholod LLC, Warmann LLC, Eva company, etc..

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When choosing a convector with an electronic or programmable thermostat, you should give preference to well-known and proven brands.

One should not ignore the requirements of manufacturers for the installation of electric convectors – the distance to the nearest outlet should be no less than 10 cm, and the outlet should be located on the side or below the convector body, but not above it. The power supply cable must not come into contact with the convector body, the distance between the heater and the wall in case of stationary placement must be at least 5 mm.

Do not cover the upper grill of the electric convector with any objects – it will not be possible to dry things on this device, overheating activates the emergency shutdown sensor.