Without any doubt, we can say that among the alternative heat sources, the most popular are electric convectors and oil heaters. These types of heaters will heat your room in case of malfunctions with individual or central heating. However, how do you choose between these two rivals? Oil heater or convector: which is better? It is with this question that we will try to understand this article. There are many important nuances that need to be taken into account.
Oil heaters
Let's start with lower cost heaters. Before we talk about whether an oil heater or convector is better, let's deal with the device itself. The advantages of such a heater are a whole mass. One of them is a simple installation. You do not need to have special training for the correct installation of the unit. In practice, problems with the electrics of the device are unlikely, due to the simple design.
As for the oil cooler device, it looks like this: there is a metal radiator case, which is filled with mineral oil. Most models do not have a special valve for draining the oil, this is due to the fact that it does not evaporate. There is a heating element in the coolant. There is a rheostat that allows you to adjust the temperature, and protect the device from overload. Modern units have a sensor that turns off the device in case of horizontal deviation. This technology is called “rollover protection”. Well, now let's move on and consider the main advantages and disadvantages of the device.
Strengths and weaknesses of oil heaters
Let's start by looking at aggregate functionality. It is best to buy a modern model that will provide you with reliable protection. For example, to install the device in a children's room, it must be equipped with a special casing. In this case, the temperature of the case will not exceed 60 degrees, and you will not get burned about it. A major advantage is the presence of a thermostat. This device will automatically adjust the room temperature to the optimum. In addition, the presence of a timer will enable you to turn on and off the oil cooler when it is convenient for you.
If we go directly to the features, then the oil heater pros and cons has the following. Of the advantages it is worth noting the extremely quiet operation. If there is no fan, you are unlikely to be disturbed by a silent device. In addition, the cost of such heaters is not very high, and almost everyone can afford it. You can move the heater from room to room or hang it on the wall, if there are fasteners. Among the disadvantages, it is worth highlighting the possibility of an oil leak due to mechanical damage. In this case, it’s easier to buy a new radiator than to repair the old one.
Oil heater: customer reviews
It is impossible not to touch upon such an important aspect as customer feedback. The fact is that such useful and important information, and even free, can only be obtained from consumer experience. Many people write that it is better to buy a radiator with a fan. This is due to the fact that the heated air spreads much faster throughout the room. In this case, the noise increases somewhat, but the fan can be turned off if necessary.
Users say that it is better to give preference to a trusted manufacturer. The best are Ariston, Electrolux, etc. Another significant advantage is the ability to easily and quickly move from room to room. As noted above, radiators of this type are not very expensive, but there is a slight limitation in the form of power. As a rule, it is very problematic to warm the room, which over an area of more than 25 squares. This is due to the fact that most manufacturers do not produce devices more powerful than 2.5 kW. A good oil heater reviews will be positive. If we talk about Chinese fakes, then they are not worthy of attention.
Electric convectors
The case of such heaters is almost always flat and smooth, which is how it actually differs from oil. If the latter in most cases are placed on the floor, rarely attached to the wall, then in the case of electric convectors there are no restrictions. They are completely silent and very comfortable. If necessary, you can attach it to the wall, and if necessary, remove and install on the legs.
You are probably familiar with the principle of the electric convector. It consists in the fact that cold air enters into it, and it is already hot. As a result, the heated air rises, and the cold remains below. If everything works properly, then convection of flows is established, which ensures the optimum temperature in the room. Well, now let's go ahead and look at something else interesting.
Strengths and weaknesses of the convector
Without a doubt, it makes sense to consider the advantages and disadvantages of this type of alternative heating and to understand whether it is superior to oil heaters or not. The main advantage is that all models do not heat the case by more than 50-60 degrees. This suggests that the air in the room is not dried, and oxygen is not burned out. Although the last moment is very controversial. If you still notice that the air has become dry in the room, you can always install a container of water that will evaporate when it comes in contact with the radiator of the device. This is a kind of stationary humidifier.
The presence of a thermostat also plays into our hands. This is due to the fact that in this way it is possible to significantly save energy. After heating to the required temperature, the device will enter the temperature support mode, working more economically. Of course, in order to understand what is better: an oil heater or an electric convector, this is not enough. Therefore, let's make small comparisons that will dot all and.
Dimensions and methods of placement of heaters
In most cases, the convector weighs no more than 12 kg. This is due to the lack of fluid inside the radiator. Oil appliances have a mass of up to 25 kilograms. This suggests that the convector will have smaller dimensions, and it will be easier for people of advanced age or children to move it.
The flat body of the convector allows you to place it where the oil heater does not become. For example, you can install it on a wall, mount it in a small niche or even a floor. But today there are oil radiators, the width of the case of which is not much larger, and they have special wall mounts. For this simple reason, devices do not differ much in this regard.
Power Consumption and Comfort
If we consider the process of heating an oil radiator, then it proceeds approximately as follows. First, the heater is heated, then the oil, and only after that the housing. Then the air is already warming up. In the case of a convector, everything is somewhat faster. This is due to the lack of fluid. After the heating element reaches the working temperature, it immediately warms up the air, and the built-in fan will make its spread even faster. From the foregoing, a simple conclusion can be drawn that the convector in terms of electricity consumption is approximately 15-25% more economical. However, it is worth remembering that it cools quickly too.
The uniformity of air heating of oil radiators is somewhat less than convectors. This is due to the lack of circulation of flows. Therefore, we can say that electric convectors are somewhat more successful in this regard. Now let's move on.
Safety and durability
If you are asking yourself whether an oil heater or a heat convector is what to choose, then you need to deal with the safety issue. Devices that have mineral oil in their case and do not have a protective casing become very hot when operating at full power. Therefore, they are not advised to put them in close proximity to walls or furniture. But the convector body almost never heats above 60 degrees, so they can be set almost everywhere.
Often, the choice of a heater rests on its service life. Oil radiators usually work 5-7 years, in some cases up to 10 years. Electroconvectors usually last about 15 years, if you follow the safety rules. The conclusion can be made simple - it is better to buy a convector.
Oil heater or convector - which is better: customer reviews
Be sure to pay attention to what the owners of both this and other equipment write. According to many, heaters are managed on an equal footing, but the cost of devices using mineral oil is 20-30% less, which is a significant advantage. At the same time, it is noted that convectors with air purification are more preferable for the room, as they improve its climate. If there is no such function, then there is no significant difference in terms of environmental friendliness. Based on the foregoing, we can conclude that both one and other types of heaters are good.
Conclusion
So we figured out the question that interests us. Oil heater or convector - which is better? A definite answer cannot be given. There are just take and compare, there are more advantages to convectors. But if you do not have free money, then you can buy an oil heater, since it is much cheaper. The convectors have a higher level of safety, therefore they are more preferable in rooms where there are children or animals. You must admit that in any scenario, a drop of a device weighing 25 kg will have more sad consequences than a fall of a 10 kilogram convector. That, in principle, is all that can be said on this topic. Convector wins for most parameters, however, in some cases, oil heaters can also be preferred.