With the onset of cold weather, it is often necessary to provide additional heating in various rooms. In some country houses, there is no central heating at all. In this case, you have to look for alternative ways to heat the living quarters. Most often, the choice falls on a convector or radiator. Which is better ? Users have different opinions.
The best type of heating should be efficient, reliable and economical. Which devices satisfy these requirements are discussed below.
The main types of heaters
Today on the shelves of specialized stores there are many different types of heaters. First of all, they are distinguished by the type of fuel used, which is necessary for pumping a certain temperature.
Electric varieties include convector, oil cooler , Ural federal district, floor cable systems. The advantage of such heaters is the availability of electricity. Even in a country house, you can use this source of energy to make both comfortable and basic heating.
The hotel group includes water heating convectors . Customer reviews make it clear that this type of heater is used to equip autonomous heating. But its installation can require a lot of time and effort. Boilers heat water or liquid inside radiators. They can run on solid fuels, gas, agricultural waste, etc.
For city dwellers and country house owners who want to purchase an additional device in support of the main heating, electric convectors or oil radiators are more suitable.
Convection principle
You should consider the basic principle of operation of the equipment presented, wishing to purchase a convector or radiator. Which is better will become clear after comparing these heaters.
These devices work according to a general principle called convection. When heated, warm air rises. The coldest temperature indicators are recorded at the same time near the floor of the room. Gradually, when the air stream cools, it again falls down.
When the heater is operating, it pumps up the temperature at the level where it is located. Further, the principle of convection comes into force. So the room is heated.
The principle of operation of the oil cooler
Asking the question, what is the difference between a convector and an oil cooler , you should consider in detail the principle of operation of each device. It is pretty simple.
An oil cooler is considered one of the simplest devices to quickly heat a room. To install them, you do not need to use additional devices. The radiator is simply connected with a plug to the network.
The design of this device consists of a tank that is made of metal. Inside it is mineral oil. It flows around the heating element. To be able to control the temperature, the device is equipped with a thermostat. Some models have a system for overheating.
The metal surfaces of the radiator are heated during operation, which look approximately like the ribs of a conventional stationary battery. From them the heat rises by the principle of convection, circulating around the room.
Convector device
Electric convectors with a thermostat are also widely represented on sale. This device looks like a flat panel. It emits minimal heat. The main heating occurs when the air comes in direct contact with the heating element of the device.
On sale are wall and floor heating convectors . This allows you to mount the device as conveniently as possible.
Such a heater consists of a body (convection chamber) and a heating element inside the panels. Cold air enters the device from below. Passing through the heater, it heats up. The warm currents exit independently through the upper louvers of the convector. The process is completely silent. This is a very effective type of heating.
The benefits of an oil cooler
The oil-type floor convector has certain advantages. First of all, it should be noted its low cost. It works absolutely silently, and also allows you to move it from room to room using the wheels.
Such devices usually have a thermostat in their design. It determines the heating temperature and, upon reaching the set level of this indicator, turns off the heater.
If the thermostat has a timer, you can set the time from which the device will start working. This principle saves on electricity. To choose the right oil cooler, you need to purchase a device with a power of 1 kW for a 10 m² room (with a ceiling height of up to 3 m). A wide range of oil radiators manufactured today will allow you to choose a device for a room up to 25 m².
Convector Advantages
When choosing a convector or oil cooler , you need to consider the advantages of each type. Each of the devices has its pros and cons. Convector heating has several advantages.
This type of heater is fireproof. Their front panel does not heat up more than 60 ° . In this case, users can not get a burn, even touching the surface of this device.
With the help of convectors, you can make full-fledged autonomous heating. These devices are connected in a single circuit and included for heating, for example, a country house. For those who do not want to install a boiler, which requires large installation and purchase costs, this option will be preferable. Enough little electricity due to the presence of a thermostat consume a convector or radiator. What is better to choose will allow us to understand the comparative characteristics of these devices.
Performance characteristics
First of all, it is necessary to consider the operational characteristics that a convector or oil cooler possesses . The pros and cons of these devices are quite substantial.
According to consumer reviews and experts from electric heating equipment, an oil cooler consumes ¼ more energy than a convector. This is due to the heating rate and the principle of the system. The oil cooler first heats the fluid inside, then the walls of the tank. Only after this, the fins of the device give off heat to the environment. In the convector, the heater is in direct contact with air.
The time required to warm up the device requires additional energy costs. If an additional fan is installed in the appliance, the temperature rises faster. But the heater at the same time works with a certain noise level.
Operational comfort
Comparing oil radiators and electric heating convectors with a temperature regulator , attention should be paid to the comfort during operation of the presented devices. This applies to mounting and carrying the device.
Convectors are more mobile than radiators. They are easy to transfer from room to room, since the weight of such devices does not exceed 10 kg. Oil coolers are heavier. Their weight is 18-25 kg. At the same time, the whole structure is rather cumbersome. It cannot be installed on the wall. It is always a floor type of heaters.
The convector can be mounted on the wall. In this case, the wires will not interfere underfoot, and cleaning will be much easier. If desired, the convector can be of the floor type. To do this, you need to purchase special stands or wheels.
Security
A comparison of the electric heaters presented must be carried out in terms of their safety during operation. It should be noted that the heat transfer of the convector and radiator occurs according to different principles. An oil heater pumps the high temperature of the fluid inside. In this case, the body is heated to such a level that a burn may remain on the skin if you accidentally touch its surface.
The convector has a front panel temperature that is completely safe for people. If you leave such a heater unattended, it will not create a fire hazard situation. In no case should the oil cooler be left unattended. Otherwise, under adverse circumstances, it can cause a fire. If this unit falls, hot oil may spill onto the floor. Some models are equipped with special devices that prevent leakage, but not every manufacturer provides such a protection system.
Environmental friendliness
Many users make comparison of convectors and radiators on the basis of environmental friendliness. This issue needs to be dealt with more similarly. Since both heaters use convection as their principle of operation, the dust will rise anyway. It is invariably picked up by streams of heated air. You will have to put up with this fact by acquiring a convector or radiator.
It should also be said that some sellers of the presented equipment claim that these heaters burn oxygen. However, according to the laws of physics, this process is impossible even in an oil cooler, not to mention a convector.
Service life and cost
Different service life is characterized by a convector or radiator. Which is better , expert feedback on the life of the instruments will help. Oil radiators are significantly inferior to convectors in this parameter. Their service life does not exceed 7 years at best. First, a small crack is formed in the device body. Then it grows, and through it the oil flows out. Then such a heater can simply be thrown away.
The convector works on average from 10 to 15 years. At the same time, manufacturers give a guarantee on their products for about 5 years. This is a significant advantage of the convector over the radiator. It is worth noting that the quality of the device is not worth saving. Oil radiators are much cheaper than convectors. But this is the only point on which the presented equipment wins.
Having considered the main characteristics of the heaters presented, as well as comparing their advantages and disadvantages, we can call a clear winner. In almost all respects, the convector is in the lead. Although its cost will be slightly higher than that of an oil cooler, but reliability, safety and comfort in use outweigh the price indicator.