Heater or convector – what is better and what is the difference?

Central heating is not always sufficient to achieve a comfortable temperature in the house, particularly in the autumn when heat supply organizations adhere to regulatory temperature standards. In such cases, it becomes necessary to rely on additional heating devices, with oil heaters and convectors being the most popular choices. To determine whether to use a heater or a convector, one must carefully examine their respective features, advantages, and disadvantages.

Heaters

Regardless of their varied designs, all oil heaters function based on a shared principle – a mineral oil is contained within a metal casing, and this oil is heated through an electric element.

Once the heating element is turned on, it transfers heat energy to the oil, which then warms the metal casing. As a result, the surrounding air that comes into contact with the heater becomes heated and gradually disperses throughout the surrounding space.

The oil heater can be incorporated into any type of interior design.

The control device in oil heaters regulates the heating level of the heating element, which in turn determines the temperature of the surrounding air. Once the oil temperature reaches a certain value, the heating element is turned off, and after a short cooldown period, it is activated again. It is important to note that this process only monitors the equipment’s temperature and is not affected by the ambient air temperature. The effectiveness of the device and the number of sections it has determine the ambient air temperature.

Design features

There are different types of oil devices, depending on the installation method:

• Floor-mounted ones are convenient because they can be easily moved around the apartment and removed after use.
• Wall-mounted ones take up less space and heat the air faster due to their higher power.

Oil heaters serve as primary or additional heating sources.

Advantages and disadvantages

The oil heater offers the following benefits:

1. Quiet operation. The appliances can be placed in rooms that require minimal noise.
2. Enhanced safety. The heating element is inaccessible, thereby preventing any risk of burns.
3. Extended lifespan. Modern models are equipped with overheating protection, allowing them to operate continuously for a long period of time.
4. No air dehydration in the room.
5. No extraneous odors during operation.
6. Affordable cost.

Oil radiators offer a pleasing design and provide quiet and safe operation. However, these devices do have a number of drawbacks:

1. Due to their large body and oil content, they have a relatively heavy weight.
2. They take a significant amount of time to heat the air in larger rooms.

It is important to note that when selecting an electric heater, it is crucial to consider its power rating. Higher power ratings result in faster room heating. However, it is important to be aware of the increased strain on the electrical network when operating other energy-consuming devices, such as washing machines or microwaves.

Convectors

These appliances operate based on the principle of convection: as the air is heated, it becomes lighter and rises, making way for cooler air, which then heats up and the cycle repeats. This process ensures that all the air in the room gradually warms up.

Unlike heaters, convectors have a main distinction: the heating element directly heats the air, so the body of the device barely gets warm.

Convectors utilize air circulation to warm up the room

There are different types of convectors, depending on the energy source:

• gas-powered;
• water-based;
• electrically-operated.

The most commonly used are the electric devices

Based on their installation method, convectors can be categorized as:

• wall-mounted;
• floor-integrated;
• portable.

Advantages and disadvantages

There are several advantages of convector models:

1. Quick heating of the air in the room. The heating element directly heats the air, resulting in a much faster heating of the room.
2. Safe operation. The body of the convector is hardly heated at all, making it impossible to burn oneself on.
3. Silent functioning. Convectors operate without making any noise while heating the room.
4. Economical. The device heats the room faster, resulting in electricity savings.
5. Reliability. With a small number of components, convectors serve without any breakdowns for a long time.
6. Equipped with a sensor that measures the ambient air temperature and allows for adjusting the degree of heating.
7. Affordable price.

Portable convectors are equipped with an attractive design and can be placed anywhere in the room.

Despite their advantages, these devices do have some drawbacks:

1. The heating element tends to accumulate dust, resulting in a specific odor when in use.
2. Using a convector can lead to dry air in the room, necessitating additional humidification.

However, it is worth noting that infrared convectors offer a solution to these problems. Although they have lower power and are only suitable for smaller rooms up to 20-25 sq.m.

An infrared wall convector is a device that emits infrared radiation to heat a room.

Comparison of heaters and convectors

To determine whether it is preferable to purchase a heater or a convector, one must examine their respective characteristics and compare them.

Considering all the features, it can be stated that convectors are a more preferable option for long-term utilization compared to oil heaters. When selecting a device for your home or office, it is important to assess the characteristics that have the greatest impact on the heater’s user comfort.

Choosing a heater

Ultimately, video reviews will assist in making a final decision on the selection of heating appliances.

Choosing a convector heater

Control purchase. Choosing an oil heater