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Lisa: The central heating system in our house can’t keep up with heating the bathroom. Can I use a convector for additional heating?
Most manufacturers produce special series of convectors for rooms with high humidity. The case of such devices has protection against splashes in all directions and additional electrical protection. For installation in the bathroom, they do not require additional grounding. Some convectors can serve as a heater and heated towel rail in the bathroom.
However, when installing an electric heater, some rules must be observed. The distance from the bathroom to the appliance must be at least 0.6 m, the control panel and the cord must be on the other side. This precaution is necessary in order not to accidentally grab the wire with wet hands and not get an electric shock.
With what type of thermostat is it better to buy a convector?
The convector can be controlled by an electronic or mechanical thermostat. Experts recommend purchasing a convector with an electronic thermostat. This is due to some of its advantages over mechanical.
Using an electronic thermostat, you can regulate the temperature with an accuracy of 0.1 ° C, while a mechanical one can only from 1 ° C. Over time, the mechanical thermostat «wears out» and gives an accuracy of about 3 ° C. Electronic same lasts much longer. At first glance, this change in temperature seems imperceptible, but it affects the feeling of comfort in the room and the well-being of the person as a whole.
The mechanical thermostat makes a clicking sound when it is turned on and off. If the convector is installed in the bedroom, it may interfere with a restful sleep. The operation of the electronic thermostat is absolutely silent.
The mechanical thermostat is very sensitive to power failures. With frequent voltage drops, it quickly fails. The electronic thermostat is more reliable and is not affected by power surges.
The price of a convector with an electronic thermostat is slightly higher than with a mechanical one, but it will help you save electricity consumption by automatically adjusting the power.
Is it safe to install a convector in a child’s room?
Absolutely all electric convectors are safe for installation in children’s rooms. In the course of their work, they do not burn oxygen and dust that settles on the device body. It is almost impossible to get burned from touching the device. Even when operating at full power, its body does not heat up above 80°C. With their help, you can create a comfortable and mild thermal regime.
In addition, manufacturers of electric convectors produce highly specialized models designed for installation in children’s rooms. The case of such a device heats up only up to 50 ° C, and the outgoing air warms up only up to 60 ° C. There are no sharp corners in the design that the child can get hurt on. Fasteners have special chains that prevent accidental fall of the device. The heating elements are protected by a grate from foreign objects and their ignition.
The child will not be able to reprogram the operating mode of such a convector, since its control unit is protected by a special casing. The auto-restart function restores the operation of the convector to the set mode after a power failure. Additional protection against overheating is also provided. If a child accidentally closes the upper blinds of the appliance, he will stop his work.
Why is it better to install an electric convector for heating rather than an oil heater?
First of all, an electric convector will save money on paying bills for electricity. Its consumption is 20–25% less than an oil heater. The reason for this lies in their principle of operation. In an oil heater, the heating element of the radiator is first heated, then the oil, the radiator fins, and only then, as a result of heat transfer, the air is heated. When an electric convector is connected to the network, the air is immediately heated.
Compared to oil heaters, convectors are much more compact and mobile. They can be installed on special legs, carried between rooms or hung on the wall.
The electric convector is safer to operate. Touching the body of the oil heater may result in burns. It is almost impossible to burn yourself on the body of the electric convector, since it does not heat up above 90 ° C. Thanks to various protection functions, the convector can be left switched on unattended. In the event of a power failure, it will restart itself and continue to work. Oil radiators cannot be left on unattended, since most of them are not equipped with even an elementary overheating sensor.
The presence of a thermostat in electric convectors allows you to regulate the temperature with high accuracy, which in turn provides additional comfort in the room.
How to calculate the power of a convector for installation in an apartment or cottage?
A preliminary calculation of the power of a convector for heating an apartment with a standard ceiling height must be carried out based on the calculation of 100 W of the thermal power of the device per 1 m². It is recommended to leave a small margin, which will save the electricity consumed by the convector.
When calculating the power of an electric convector for heating a cottage, the following should be taken into account:
- the area of the heated room (including the height of the ceiling);
- thermal insulation of the building;
- the number of external walls;
- wall thickness;
- heating appointment (autumn, winter or spring);
- presence of other heating devices.
To heat a small room with an area of 7-9 m², a convector with a power of 1000 W is enough; for a room of 15-20 m², a device with a power of 2000 W or more is already required. To heat a room with an area of more than 20 m², it is necessary to install convectors with a power of 2 kW. In such large rooms, it will be more economical to place one device. However, if you are not interested in the financial side of the issue, but in comfort, then it is better to buy several less powerful convectors. They will provide more uniform and faster heating of the room.
The design power of an electric heater also depends on the number of external walls. For corner rooms, it is increased, and for interior rooms, it can be slightly reduced. The temperature in utility rooms, pantries and hallways can be much lower than the temperature in living rooms. Therefore, when choosing a heater for heating such “utility” premises, you can save money and buy a less powerful convector.
What are convectors? How do they differ from each other?
According to their size, electric convectors are divided into two groups:
- high;
- long or they are also called plinth.
Convectors of the first group have dimensions from 40 to 45 cm in height. Due to the high temperature of the heating elements and the height of the unit, there is a draft like in a chimney. Due to this, heat transfer increases, and the length of the convector itself is insignificant.
The length of skirting convectors is 2 m, however, there are models with a length of 2.5 m. In their design, heating elements with a temperature lower than those of high convectors are used. However, with their help, you can more evenly heat the room. This type of convector is best suited for installation under stained-glass windows or low windows.
Convectors also differ in the way they are installed. There are wall and floor electric convectors. Wall-mounted heaters are used as stationary heaters and are installed at a slight height from the floor. Floor convectors are supported in a stable position by special legs. On the market of climate technology, you can also find universal units for sale that are suitable for installation on the wall and on the floor. Their set includes legs and fastening elements to the wall.
Mikhail: Does the efficiency of a convector depend on how it is installed?
The installation location of the convector affects the efficiency of its operation. When installing the convector, remember the following:
- it is best to install convectors near the outer wall under the windows. Thus, a natural convective flow will be provided, creating a curtain of thermal air along the cold wall;
- the influx of outside air, draft, as well as the presence of cold surfaces reduce the accuracy of maintaining the set air temperature in the room;
- to ensure the normal operation of the convector, it is necessary to leave free space around it (the minimum distance to the floor from below, the walls on the left and right and the window sill from above is 100–150 mm). At the same time, the convector, like any heating device, should not be installed too high from the floor;
- it is not recommended to block the convector with furniture or curtains. This disrupts the normal air circulation in the convector area.
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