Which is better - convector or fan heater?

Electric heaters for many are a worthy alternative to an autonomous heating system. Especially in cases where there is a need for periodic heating of the air in various rooms, for example, at the cottage on weekends or in a city apartment in the cold period, when the heat of the batteries is not enough. Entering the store, many consumers are confused by the huge number and variety of heaters, and the question arises: which is better - a convector or fan heater, and as an alternative: which is better - a fan heater or an oil heater? From a technical point of view, all these heaters work on the same principle: they heat the air using convection air circulation, that is, when the rising warm stream of air forces the cold air down to the heater.

In the article we will consider the characteristics of the devices, evaluate all the advantages, note the disadvantages in order to understand in which cases to prefer a particular device.

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The device and principle of operation of the fan heater

The fan heater is a modern version of the reflector, which was used earlier, 30-40 years ago, for heating air in a country house or in an apartment. The modern fan heater is very popular among consumers. It is a fairly cheap and effective device that can warm the air in a room in a short time, thereby ensuring a comfortable microclimate for people.

The principle of operation of the device is clear from the name: air heated with an electric element is supplied to the room, thanks to the built-in fan.

Kinds

The fan heater is available in various versions:

• Floor.
• Wall.
• Ceiling.
• Device for thermal curtains (located above the door).

The device fan forces and blows air through a heating element, which can be of various types:

• Electric spiral. It can heat up to 800 degrees.
• Ceramic tile. Heating temperature up to 200 degrees.
• Tubular heater. The working temperature is about 200 degrees.

Benefits

The main advantages of the device include:

1. The rate of heating the room - with the right choice of power of the device, the room is able to warm up for several minutes.
2. Compactness.
3. Mobility.
4. The presence of the regime of maintaining the required temperature.
5. Cheapness.
6. Elegant design.
7. Profitability.
8. Built-in to any interior.
9. Availability of additional features.

Important! Determining which is better - a convector or fan heater, it is necessary to take into account the factor that in this category there are various installation options:

• Wall mounted devices are made in the style of air conditioning.
• There are floor and even desktop devices.

Many models are able to rotate along the vertical axis and provide uniform heating of the entire room.

disadvantages

Like any technical device, the fan heater has disadvantages that limit its scope:

1. Noisy work. This is especially true for high power installations.
2. Unpleasant odor that occurs when dust and debris get on the heating element.This drawback is especially characteristic for models with an open spiral and for cheaper devices.
3. Environmental pollution due to the burning of oxygen, as well as dust particles on a hot open spiral.
4. The possibility of overheating, especially with prolonged continuous operation of the device.
5. Reduces air humidity. Although this drawback applies to all heaters, because due to an increase in temperature, the air loses moisture.

Important! The cleanest air is created by devices with a ceramic heating element. The most polluting air - fan heaters having an open spiral.

Helpful hints:

1. Although models with a ceramic heating element are more expensive, they are much better in operation.
2. Pay attention when choosing the rear panel of the device: if there is a sponge filter that performs rough cleaning, then the air will be much cleaner.
3. The optimal power of the device should be from 1 to 3 kW. In addition, for simplicity and ease of use, the power should be continuously adjustable.
4. Purchase devices with a well-thought-out security system that will provide protection against overheating, and also automatically turn off the device when capsizing.
5. Use a fan heater to dry the cottage after winter or in small rooms with drafts. It is convenient to use the device if you need to quickly and often warm up the room.

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The device and principle of operation of convectors

Before deciding which is better - a convector or fan heater, you need to understand that a convector is a bit more complicated in design than a fan heater. The principle of its operation is to warm the air due to natural or forced circulation of flows when passing through a heated heat exchanger.

Important! Cold air enters through the grill located in the lower part of the device into the convector, and through the heater exits through the upper grill of the device, evenly distributed throughout the room.

Kinds

By the type of energy used, the devices are:

• Electric. They are the most simple and common. For work, only the presence of voltage is required.
• Gas. Devices are more economical than electric ones, but they cost more, besides, it is necessary to connect to the gas main.

Depending on the location, the devices are:

• Floor standing. For ease of movement, the devices are equipped with wheels.
• Wall mounted. This type of convector is placed a few centimeters from the floor, which ensures better heating of the room.
• Combined.
• In-floor.

Important! The convector is often used to dry the bathroom and other rooms with high humidity. When choosing a device for this purpose, pay attention to the class of electrical protection of the device (preferably the second) and the class of moisture protection (must be at least IP24).

Benefits

Convectors have a lot of advantages, which often becomes the reason for deciding in favor of this equipment, if a dilemma arises, which is better - a convector or fan heater. They are as follows:

1. Long run time.
2. The ability to combine the device with the heating system.
3. Safety of use.
4. Fast air heating.
5. Silent work.
6. The presence of built-in thermostats, thanks to which you can set the desired temperature in the room.
7. Small dimensions.
8. The original design.
9. A variety of installation options. Floor - mobile, thanks to the wheels, and for the wall fasteners are provided.
10. Good fire resistance.
11. Rollover protection.
12. Durability. Designed to work for years.

disadvantages

The only and significant drawback of the device is the insufficiently fast heating of the air to the desired performance - due to the modest possibilities of natural convection.

Therefore, it is very difficult for a convector heater to heat a high room.In addition, the device is afraid of power surges, and when working on drafts, interruptions are possible.

If there are no provoking system failures in the intended installation room, the conclusion as to which is better - a convector or fan heater, is obvious. Devices of the first type in priority. In our separate review you will find out which models convectors are better for heating.

Helpful hints:

1. When choosing a device, pay attention to the products of well-known manufacturers.
2. Prefer a model with an electronic thermostat that can control temperature changes with an accuracy of 1 degree.
3. For domestic purposes, use convectors with a power of 0.25 to 2.5 kW, depending on the area of ​​the room. Take an interest in the heating temperature of the case, for example, for working in a children's room, the case should heat up to 55 degrees.

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Conclusions: which is better - convector or fan heater?

Having familiarized yourself with the advantages and types of heating devices, you can answer the question: which is better - a convector or fan heater specifically for your needs and goals:

1. If you need to quickly heat the room, but the device will work for a short time, then the choice is for the fan heater.
2. If it is necessary that the device works for a long time, reliably heats several rooms, it is preferable to use a convector. It is more environmentally friendly and provides a more uniform heating of the room. It is also possible to combine it into a heating system with a single control.

Important! It will be quite effective to use, if necessary, two devices: first, the fan heater will quickly heat the air, and then the convector will maintain the set temperature for a long time.

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Features of oil heaters

The classic way to provide additional heating for a house or apartment is an oil radiator, which has a simple design, including:

• TEN, which performs the function of a heating element;
• sealed case filled with oil.

Important! Due to the intermediate coolant, radiator heaters are called oil heaters.

The principle of operation of the device:

1. The heater converts electrical energy into heat, which is transferred to the oil, and then to the fins of the radiator and the surrounding air.
2. The warm air flow moves up, and the cooled air goes down and heats up again.

Important! Due to such a long cycle, the oil heater heats the room more slowly, but keeps the heat longer, plus it does not burn air.

Advantages of oil heaters:

1. Reliability.
2. Silent work.
3. Environmental friendliness.
4. The presence of an intensive heating controller.
5. The presence of a timer - provide the opportunity to choose a convenient mode of operation.
6. It retains heat for a long time.
7. Security.
8. Small overall dimensions.
9. Mobility.

Important! Oil radiators can heat large areas, while the level of safety of devices is quite high. Therefore, it can be left unattended for several days. Manufacturers install safety thermostats on the devices that can prevent them from overheating, as well as turn them off in the event of a fall.

Minuses

The disadvantages of the device include:

• slow air heating;
• rather high price, for example, in comparison with a fan heater;
• the radiator is quite heavy.

Important! The key point of the oil cooler is the number of sections: the more sections, the better the heat transfer. If the two models have different number of sections, but the same power, then a device with fewer ribs will heat the room worse, but will heat up faster.

Useful Tips

When choosing a device, pay attention to the following additional functions:

• If a fan is built into the radiator, then the room will warm up faster, as the built-in fan will disperse the air in the room.
• An air humidifier can also be built into the device’s model, so you don’t have to place water containers next to the heater to maintain the necessary humidity.

Conclusions: which is better - a fan heater or an oil heater?

To answer the question: which is better - a fan heater or an oil heater, it is necessary to take into account the area of ​​the room, the period of use and purpose of the room, as well as financial capabilities.

It is convenient to use an oil radiator in those rooms where noise is undesirable and high safety is necessary. It can be a children's room or bedroom. Also, purchase an oil cooler if you need to maintain a high temperature, for example, near the desktop.

However:

• Do not use the radiator in the bathroom or other wet room.
• Do not use an oil cooler to dry clothes, since due to the inability to lift air, the device may overheat.
• The radiator should always be in a vertical position, since the heating element is at the bottom and is designed for a certain oil pressure and its quantity.
• The oil device must not be used in small rooms (with an area of ​​less than 4x2 m).
• Due to the high temperature on the surface, the oil cooler must not be placed next to furniture and fusible materials (recommended distance of at least 50 cm).

Important! For those who are looking for the best heater, another publication on our portal will also be interesting. “Convector or oil heater - which is better?”.

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Features of infrared heaters

Comparison of different heaters will not be complete if we do not consider the features of infrared devices.

The main differences:

1. All the heaters described above transfer heat to the air about the principle of convection (forced or natural).
2. An infrared type device propagates electromagnetic waves around itself, thereby heating only objects, and not the entire area. And from objects, heat spreads into the air in the room.

Pros:

1. Targeted heating of exactly the area that needs it.
2. The device can quickly warm up the room even with drafts.
3. Since the device does not contain moving parts that may break, such a device will serve for a long time.

Important! All types of heaters lose infrared in terms of economy. Therefore, if you want to spend as little as possible on heating the room, then the choice is up to the modern device. And in such parameters as efficiency and safety, the infrared heater surpasses its “brothers”.

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We hope that the information in this article will help you choose the type of heater and model, based on goals, needs and opportunities. If you have decided what you expect from the device and what principle of operation you need, then listen to our tips and tricks to make the right choice. Good luck