What is better convectors or radiators

When choosing, you should not rush, weigh the pros and cons. Calculate which is better, more efficient, more economical. Much depends on various factors, the area and volume of the room, is it an apartment or your own house, you need a device as an addition to an already installed heater or as the main one.

The main function of the radiator is to heat the room. Not only comfort in your apartment, but first of all your health and, of course, your budget, depends on how well he will cope with this. If the radiator heats badly, you will spend money on additional methods of heating and on medicines. Therefore, this is an important thing during the heating season. Like any device, the radiator has its pros and cons.

Structural differences

By design, they are divided into 3 types:

  • Panel
  • Sectional
  • Tubular.

Below we consider these types and their advantages and disadvantages.

Panel devices consist of rectangular panels with vertical channels through which some coolant flows (in most cases, it is water). It has a beautiful appearance, suitable for any interior. But there is a significant minus - they create low working pressure. Therefore, in order to circulate the coolant, additional pumps are needed. And this increases the cost of heating. Therefore, they are practically not used in the private sector.

Tubular radiators consist of bent steel pipes connected to the top and bottom by manifolds. This is the most expensive type of battery to use.

The material of the sectional devices is based on cast iron, aluminum or steel. The radiator itself is assembled from sections, the number of which depends on the size of the room, its purpose (residential, office, warehouse), the need for heating intensity, etc. The most striking example of sectional radiators is the classic cast-iron batteries that are familiar to any Soviet citizen.

Differences of radiators in the material of manufacture

Cast iron. This type of battery is still widespread, especially in apartment buildings built in the Soviet period. They are produced in our time, however, with an improved design.

Pros:

  • suitable for any coolant;
  • not capricious to the composition of the water, maybe dirty, hard, with fuel oil, with other impurities;
  • if you use hard water in the batteries, then, despite the pollution obtained over the years of operation, their heat transfer does not change;
  • have the ability to retain heat for a long time;
  • have a long service life, more than 40 years;
  • able to withstand temperatures up to 1300WITH;
  • if necessary, without any problems, the number of sections can be changed both to reduce and increase.

Minuses:

  • have significant weight (one section 5-7 kg);
  • it takes a lot of time to heat the sections;
  • have a small area of ​​heat transfer;
  • unappealing design for our days;
  • poorly cleaned, it is difficult to remove dust, dirt, etc. from them

Aluminum There are two types: European (standard) and reinforced. They differ in operating pressure, 6 and 12 atmospheres, respectively.

Pros:

  • have high heat dissipation;
  • able to withstand high pressures;
  • to increase the heat transfer area, additional plates are mounted to the main part of the radiator;
  • in comparison with pig-iron, have small weight and esthetic;
  • easy to install.

Minuses:

  • the acidity of the coolant should not be high (Ph <7.5);
  • when used with other materials, for example, when fastened to a riser with another material, they corrode;
  • an automatic air vent is needed, otherwise the sections will begin to collapse.

Steel. Most often used in the private sector, in houses of individual construction. They consist of radiators with plates that create channels for the circulation of the coolant.

Pros:

  • have a small weight;
  • have good heat dissipation;
  • heat up in a short time;
  • easy to install;
  • inexpensive.

Minuses:

  • not designed for high pressure (therefore not suitable in multi-storey buildings);
  • unstable to corrosion;
  • the constant presence of water in them is necessary.

Bimetallic. The design is based on an aluminum casing with a steel pipe. The advantage of this type of radiator is that water does not contact aluminum, as in aluminum radiators, but circulates through a steel pipe and transfers heat from it to aluminum panels.

Pros:

  • Able to withstand high pressures - 20-30 atmospheres;
  • The acidity of the coolant is not important;
  • High heat dissipation;
  • They have a modern design and are able to heat large areas;

Minuses:

  • the most expensive of all types of batteries;
  • during installation, a specialist is needed; if improperly installed, they can overheat and collapse;
  • automatic air outlet required.

Tubular radiators made of steel. The design is based on 2 collectors connected by steel tubes by spot welding. For heating, a small amount of coolant is required. They are located both vertically and horizontally, thereby suitable for any design of any interior.

Pros:

  • able to quickly change heating temperatures;
  • do not have a single standard; they are distinguished by a wide variety of shapes and sizes.

Minuses:

  • susceptible to corrosion;
  • are expensive.

Having considered the pros and cons of radiators, proceed to the selection of the most suitable.

Important! When choosing a device, you should pay attention to several things, not only its cost and aesthetic qualities, but also its reliability and durability. Remember that the main function of the radiator is to make our home warm. Everything else, aesthetics, material, price is secondary.

Before choosing, you must decide what area you need to heat and what average temperature should be there. We also pay attention to water quality, if the acidity index of your water exceeds 7.5, then you should not buy aluminum batteries. If you have a small dwelling, one type of radiator will do, if a large one is another. Therefore, any choice we begin with the question: "For what purpose is it necessary?" Heat 20 squares or 150. Depending on this, we will choose the best option. Our main goal when choosing is to save money.

Important! It makes no sense to buy a radiator designed for 100 meters on a room of 30 squares and vice versa.

Convectors are devices in which an element for heating warms warm air in an apartment by creating a natural air circulation (convection), rather than radiation, like radiators.

Mainly composed:

  • from a case made of rectangular metal;
  • from an element that is responsible for heating and is mounted in the lower part of the device;
  • thermostat.

The principle of operation of the convector is that unheated air, entering the lower part, passing through the heating device and, when heated, leaves the device through the upper part. Due to the directional movement of warm air, the room heats up quickly and evenly.

There are:

  • electric;
  • water;
  • gas.

They are safe to operate and do not require significant maintenance, just plug it into a power outlet, set the necessary data and the device starts working.

Advantages of convectors:

  • quickly heat the room, it was found that the room heats up for the radiator twice as fast;
  • equipped with a heat regulator; upon reaching the desired level, the temperatures are turned off and on only when the temperature drops;
  • fireproof, say, unlike an oil radiator, in which oil can catch fire;
  • protected against overheating.

They also have a number of other advantages, such as compactness, ease of installation, compliance with modern design rules, etc.

Have cons:

  • consume a lot of electricity;
  • can create drafts in the room;
  • drain the air;
  • accumulate dust in themselves.

When choosing a convector, other factors should be taken into account, but first of all, your desires and financial capabilities.

Having considered the pros and cons of radiators and convectors, we proceed to a comparison between them. It should be noted right away that the development of technology is rapidly advancing, most of the shortcomings are being eliminated, and today it is difficult to detect significant differences between radiators and convectors. But we will try to find the main differences.

Compactness. Convectors win in this category. They are more compact than radiators, take up less space, especially when compared with older models.

Room heating. Convectors cope with this task much faster. But at the end of the work, the convector immediately stops heating the room, while the radiator still gives off heat.

Security. Since the convector heats the casing to lower temperatures than the radiator, it is also considered here that the convector is safer. From the overheated surface of the radiator, you can get a burn, from the convector this is impossible.

Heating large rooms. Here, of course, the convector gives way to the radiator. Radiators are able to heat large rooms. While the convector is beyond the power.

For ease of maintenance, radiators are simpler. From them it is enough to erase the dust, rinse and that's it. Convectors must be cleaned and disassembled. Since with the circulation of air, a lot of dust with various small particles gets inside.

Cost. At the moment, it is difficult to find a definite answer. Recently, so many models have been invented and constructed that deviations can be found in one direction or the other.

These and other questions will contribute to the choice. And before that, it is also recommended to consult with a specialist.

Watch the video: Convector Radiator Explained - Plumbing Tips (March 2024).

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