With the onset of autumn, for many families, the question of whether there is an additional source of heat or, in other words, a heater , is especially relevant. And as a possible heating device are usually two options: a convector or an oil heater . What is the difference between the convector and the oil cooler and what is better to buy - these questions are looked for in our article.
Oil heaters
The device and the principle of the oil heater
Oil heaters are known to everyone, most of all they remind ordinary heating batteries, put on wheels. In essence, it is hollow metal structures filled with mineral oil, into which the heating element is immersed. After power is applied, the heating element heats up and heats the oil, which gives heat to the environment. As you can see, the principle of operation of oil electric heaters is simple and unpretentious, and the presence of additional devices, such as a thermostat, a fan, sensors that provide protection against tipping, make their use safe and convenient. But along with tangible advantages, oil heaters have a number of serious drawbacks. Firstly, they slowly warm up, which means that it will not be possible to quickly make a room warm. Secondly, they burn oxygen, making the air in the room very dry, which makes it undesirable to use them in children's rooms and in apartments of people suffering from chronic diseases of the respiratory system. Thirdly, it's enough to burn the oil cooler, because it heats up very much.
Electric convectors
Unlike oil coolers, electric convectors have a much more attractive appearance and are panels mounted on the wall. Room heating with an electric convector is due to convection: the heating element enclosed in the convector housing warms the air, which rises up, replacing the cold air at the bottom of the room. The temperature of the incoming air is controlled by a sensor that automatically switches off and turns on the convector as needed.
Advantages of convectors:
- High heating rate, hence - saving energy. The energy savings when using a convector is about 25% compared to oil coolers. This is due to the fact that in the convector the heating element heats directly the air, and in the oil radiators - first the oil, then the housing, which already gives heat to the environment.
- Safety in use. Judge for yourself, what is safer - a convector fixed to the wall, or a radiator in the middle of the room? In addition, as mentioned above, when using a radiator, serious burns can be obtained, which is not possible with the convector, because its housing does not heat above 60 ° C.
- Environmental Safety. When using a convector, oxygen is not burnt, because its heating element is made of
special material, and the heating temperature is controlled by sensors. - Long service life. The electric convector is on the order of 10-15 years, while the cause of the failure of the oil heater can be the slightest microcrack opening the way for evaporation of the oil.
Disadvantages of convectors:
- Convectors are not able to heat high-quality rooms with high ceilings, because the warm air in them will accumulate under the ceiling.
- Together with the heated air, dust also moves.
- For full heating, it is necessary to equip the room with artificial ventilation systems.