How to choose a convector

Convectors are devices in which an element for heating warms warm air in an apartment by creating a natural air circulation (convection), rather than radiation, like radiators.

Wanting to choose the right convector for your summer house, apartment or house, you need to pay attention to many parameters, which we will consider below.

Power

When choosing a device, it is necessary to calculate the power that we need. To do this, follow the simple rules:

• if the room has one window with one external wall, then 1 kW of power is needed per 10 square meters. m. of room (that is, if we have a room of 30 sq. m. a convector with a power of 3 kW is needed);
• with two external walls and one window, it is necessary to add 20% to the calculated power;
• if 2 external walls and 2 windows, then 30%.

There are other methods for calculating power, based on the specifics of the premises and their volume. For example:

• premises built according to Scandinavian standards - 20 watts per one cubic meter of premises;
• using standards of average thermal insulation - 30 watts per cubic meter;
• with poor thermal insulation - 40 W per cubic meter;
• and with minimal thermal insulation (warehouses, garages, etc.) - 50 watts per cubic meter.

For more detailed calculations, you can apply other methods of calculation. But since we are talking about relatively small premises, such detailed calculations are not required. For central Russia, the first method considered is sufficient. Some recommends making a simpler calculation: per 1 square meter, the power is 0.1 kW.

You should also pay attention to such points. In case of poor windows, it is recommended to increase the power by 10%. And in corner apartments, multiply by a factor of 1.2.

Having calculated the required power, we proceed to the selection of a suitable model.

Typically, the average device power for ordinary users is 0.5-3 kW.

Installation method

Convectors come in different types:

• electric;
• water;
• gas.

Therefore, we consider the methods and features of installing each of them.

For the water device, the main element is the battery. When installing this type of equipment, additional components are required for the connection. As a rule, copper so that they can withstand corrosion, unlike aluminum and steel. But they will significantly increase the cost of installation.

Its installation begins with the fact that the battery is first mounted on the wall. Then, using pipes, the battery is connected to the heating system. Minus, if you do not have a heating system, then you can not connect this type of convector.

Installing an electrical device is much simpler. To do this, just pick him a suitable place on the wall and attach. In this case, some rules should be observed:

1. Between the floor and the convector must be at least 20 cm.
2. From the wall no more than 25 cm, and at least 55 cm should remain to the ceiling.
3. To outlets should be from 35 cm or more.
4. After installation, you can use it right away. It is enough to plug into the outlet and configure the parameters and modes you need.

The most difficult is the installation of a gas convector.

Important! You can not install such a convector yourself in any case. To do this, you need to attract a specialist.

Before calling a specialist, we will do the preparatory work with our own hands:

• install the convector in the right place;
• a basalt screen is attached to the wall;
• Using a drill in the wall, drill holes and securely fix the heater.

Next, the specialist will carry out all the necessary work to connect the convector to the gas pipe.

Design features

The convector consists of a heater and a housing. The heating process is very simple and designed according to the usual laws of physics for air circulation. Heated air becomes lighter and rises up, and cold, on the contrary, down. Thus, cold air through the bottom enters the convector, passing through the heater, it becomes warm, rises, cold air flows in its place again, etc. It turns out the process of natural air circulation.

Types of heating element

Heating elements that are used in convectors are:

• teni;
• monolithic elements.

Tenes, in turn, are divided into:

• needle;
• tubular.

Needle electric heating elements consist of a dielectric plate with a nichrome thread fixed to it, which serves as a heater. It is coated with an insulating varnish. Such an element heats up quickly. The main disadvantage is the short service life. The thread quickly burns out.

Tubular elements consist of metal tubes in which a nichrome thread (sometimes nickel) is located. Thermally conductive insulating powder separates them from the tube body. And the surface of the tubes is covered with aluminum ribs that transmit heat well. They have a longer service life than needle ones. There are models in which the heating element is protected from splashes, such convectors are suitable for use in bathrooms. But there is also a big drawback: the tube and ribs are made of different materials. Each has a different heating and cooling period. As a result, when cooling, a crack appears in the device.

For monolithic heaters, the casing and the heating element are made as a single unit, i.e. not shared. Possess high efficiency, increased efficiency.

Temperature controllers

Three types of thermostats are used in convectors:

• mechanical;
• electronic;
• programmable.

The mechanical thermostat has a simple design and low cost, but has a number of disadvantages:

• creates a lot of noise due to clicks when the modes are switched;
• Does not always withstand the temperature of the selected mode;
• quickly wears out due to constant turns;
• does not always cope with its function, it is dangerous to leave unattended for a long time.

In many respects, an electronic thermostat is better than a mechanical one and has the following advantages:

• works silently;
• slight error with temperature support;
• saves electricity;
• there is the possibility of remote adjustment using the remote control;
• You can set several modes in operation;
• A secure control unit is integrated to increase safety during use.

But there are also disadvantages, it costs much more than a mechanical one.

The programmable thermostat allows using the programs autonomous operation of the convector. Such models have not only remote control, you can connect to them at a remote distance using mobile devices, via smartphones. For their work, it is not necessary to be near, you can manage from the other end of the country.

Additional features

Many modern models have a number of additional features. For example, some models are equipped with humidifiers. Since convectors have a minus, they make the air dry, this function compensates for this drawback. In addition, like temperature control, this function is equipped with automatic control. If the sensors detect increased air dryness, the humidifier immediately turns on and off when the norm is reached.

Types of convectors are classified depending on a number of parameters. There are several classifications:

• depending on the installation (floor, wall, ceiling, etc.);
• by the element that is used (gas, water, electricity);
• by type of circulation: natural, forced.

Floor convectors are one of the most convenient and easy to move from one place to another. A significant minus is the cord with a socket. Say, if there is a small child in the house, then this can become a problem, he can constantly pull it out of the socket, play with it. Yes, and you can catch on to it yourself.

Built-in convectors are a good solution for a large room, since wall-mounted convectors cannot cope with heating large areas. But their minus is that it is necessary to design already during the construction of the building, since it is necessary to bring a pipe through which the coolant will flow.

Today, water convectors are an alternative to radiators. A coolant passes through the pipes, which heats the plates and convector air.

One of the cheapest are gas convectors. But they have the lowest security and installation complexity. Therefore, they are used very rarely.

The simplest are electric convectors. They are both simple to install and to operate. No need to lay pipes or buy a boiler and connect to it, or connect to a heating system, etc. And consequently, it is not necessary to coordinate with anyone, nor to receive the necessary decisions.

Important! There are some disadvantages, especially safety. This type of convector requires strict observance of safety measures.

Convectors with forced air circulation are equipped with a fan that performs two functions: it helps air circulation and serves as a cooler when the device overheats.

Modern electric convectors have a number of advantages. For example, for heating a country house, there is no better option. Neither water supply, nor gas piping, nor the installation of boilers and battery systems are needed. Enough to have a power outlet in the room. Highlight the main advantages:

• simple installation with operation;
• long term of operation;
• affordable cost;
• automation, both during operation and with temperature support;
• high efficiency;
• rapid heating of air.

The main disadvantage is the large consumption of electricity when heating the room. On the other hand, there is no need to harvest firewood, briquettes, and other heat carriers. I plugged it in and got heat.

Thus, convectors, which relatively recently came into our lives, occupy more and more space in our everyday life and, probably, will soon become an integral element in it, as an ordinary light bulb once became.