The question of heating a country house sooner or later arises before every summer resident who visits his property not only in the summer. Work in the garden, in the vegetable garden and around the house requires regular visits to the dacha from early spring to late autumn, and sometimes even in winter. Naturally, in this cold time there is no way to do without heating. It's no secret that most modern summer cottages are not connected not only to a heating system, but sometimes even to a gas pipeline. That is why, if you want to organize heating in your home, you have to look for alternative ways. Of course, you can try to install a solid fuel boiler, but the initial costs will be very high, and such a unit requires regular maintenance. Having gone through all possible solutions, the vast majority of summer residents come to one option - installing an electric convector . It has a lot of advantages that will become available if you choose the right device. And since the modern market is flooded with electric convectors, before purchasing it is worth studying the basic information about them and understanding which option is most preferable in a particular situation.
An electric convector has a lot of advantages , which become decisive when arranging a heating system for a country house. Such devices are compact, mobile, easy to install and use, relatively inexpensive, effective, and allow you to very quickly warm up a room and regulate the temperature in it. In addition, they do not make any noise and are not a fire hazard. If we compare all methods of electric heating in a country house, the convector wins in all respects . So, it can warm up a room much faster than a fan heater, it is much cheaper than an infrared heater, which not everyone decides to use in a summer cottage. And in comparison with an oil heater, it is much more practical: it heats the room faster, since there are no preliminary stages of heat transfer from the coolant to the radiator fins, it is more mobile, safer, more economical and much more accurate in setting the temperature.
An electric convector is one of the best options for a summer residence, and if the choice is made on this type of heating, then it’s time to buy a specific model. It is worth noting that in a convector, not only its technical characteristics are important, but also the name of the manufacturer , as well as the seller , which are a guarantee of the quality of the device. It is better to buy such products in trusted places, and heaters for your home from climat77.ru will become a reliable source of heat in any room.
The very name of the device already reveals the operating principle of an electric convector . Cold air is drawn in by the device through an opening located at the bottom of the convector, passes through the heating elements, and is exhausted through an opening located in the upper part of the body. Warm air, according to the laws of physics, rises, moves along a parabolic trajectory, gives off heat, mixing with cooler air masses, falls down, and the process repeats again. Gradually, all the air in the room warms up to the set temperature.
No. 10 – Thermex Pronto 1500M
Price: 1,500 rubles
A good device at a budget price. It confidently copes with heating rooms up to 20 square meters, so if you have a small dacha, why overpay for a more expensive and powerful device? One of the interesting features of the model is rollover protection. If a dog or small child accidentally overturns the convector, it will turn off automatically.
In reviews, owners praise the warming up speed. Within 20 minutes after work, the room temperature rises noticeably. Another pleasant bonus is the minimal noise level, which allows you to install the convector in any room. The downside is that when dust gets on the heating element, an unpleasant odor appears. However, for the cheapest competitor this is not so significant.
Thermex Pronto 1500M
How much power do you need?
The power of an electric convector is one of the key parameters when choosing it. It all depends on the area of the room that needs to be heated, i.e. Before purchasing, you need to know the area of the country house or, just in case, measure all the necessary parameters so as not to make a mistake.
So, the easiest way to estimate the required power is a simple calculation: for each square area you need 100 W of power . This is provided that the ceiling height fluctuates between 2.5-3.2 m. Next, one should proceed from the characteristics of a particular room: the presence of insulation, the size of windows and doors, the possible location of the cellar directly under the house and other nuances. Experts advise purchasing as many convectors as there are windows in the room: if you plan to stay at the dacha for a long time in winter, then it is better to heed this advice, otherwise, of course, you can get by with one heater.
No. 9 – Scoole SC HT CM3 1000
Price: 1,700 rubles
There are wheels on the legs of the unit that make transporting the convector easier. Once it heats one room, you can move it to another in a couple of seconds. The main thing is that its area does not exceed 15 squares, otherwise the efficiency will be significantly lower. If you don’t need to move the device and want it to work in one room, the wall mounting option will come in handy.
The controls here are extremely simple - there are two knobs, one is responsible for the air temperature, the second for the heating power. So even a person who is far from modern technological delights will not get confused. Compared to other inexpensive devices, the model wins due to the fact that it does not dry out the air at all.
Scoole SC HT CM3 1000
No. 7 – Hyundai H-HV7-15-UI593
Price: 3,400 rubles
A popular model in Russia from a Korean brand. Many reviews call it ideal in terms of price-quality ratio. The device has a beautiful design that allows it to look stylish even in photos. Due to this, the convector will become not only a means of increasing the temperature in the room, but also an interior item.
It wins comparison with previous competitors due to the presence of two operating modes, electronic control, an informative display and a 24-hour timer. In addition, during operation the model does not emit any foreign odors. If you need a convector with a thermostat for your cottage or apartment, definitely pay attention to this device.
Hyundai H-HV7-15-UI593
Which thermostat is better?
The heating temperature must be adjusted using a thermostat. It can be of only two types: mechanical and electronic. It’s worth noting right away that for dachas, a convector with a mechanical thermostat : such devices are cheaper, they are simpler and more reliable to operate. But, at the same time, it is not very accurate, does not allow you to program the device, and consumes a little more electricity.
An electronic thermostat , of course, gives you ample opportunities in terms of setting optimal temperature parameters and controlling them using a remote control, but such models will cost more, and they are afraid of wet rooms, which will make it impossible to use them in some dachas or buildings on a summer cottage.
No. 6 – Electrolux ECH/T-2000 M
Price: 3,390 rubles
Among solutions at a similar cost, this is one of the most powerful - 2500 W. This allows the convector to effectively heat rooms with an area of 25 square meters without drying out the air. The rich equipment is also pleasing. The owner receives everything necessary for wall mounting, as well as a set of chassis with wheels in case the convector is placed on the floor.
Despite its power, the model makes minimal noise during operation, so you can even place it near your bed. Control is via a simple rotary switch. After analyzing the reviews, we did not find any significant shortcomings.
Electrolux ECH/T-2000 M
No. 5 – Timberk TEC.PF10N DG 1000 IN
Price: 6,400 rubles
We recommend that everyone for whom not only the functionality of the convector, but also its appearance, takes a closer look at the Timberk TEC.PF10N DG 1000 IN. This is an incredibly stylish unit that will look chic in a modern room. In addition, it is also powerful – 2000 W. This is enough for rooms with an area of 25 square meters. Interestingly, the front surface does not heat up during operation, so you will not get burned on it.
The control unit is mechanical. Consists of 2 keys with the ability to select one of 3 heating modes, a rotary thermostat knob to set the optimal temperature. Automatic shutdown is supported in case of fall, overheating, and there is protection against voltage surges. In general, everything is as it should be. The downside is the weight: 8.3 kg. It is difficult to move such a colossus, especially for fragile ladies.
Timberk TEC.PF10N DG 1000 IN
What factors influence the safety level of convectors
The level of safety of convectors is, first of all, indicated by the protection class. It is recommended to choose devices with a housing protection class of at least IP24. This means that the device is reliably protected from foreign objects larger than 12.5 mm and splashing water from any direction. The last quality is very important if you are going to install a convector in the bathroom. Additional safety is provided by such functions as protection against overheating, tip-over, freezing, and a regulator limiter.
In the online store of the official representative of the German brand Stiebel Eltron you will find a large selection of convectors for your dacha. Read about which household convector you should buy in 2021 in our previous article.
No. 4 – REDMOND SkyHeat 4530S
Price: 3,600 rubles
The REDMOND SkyHeat 4530S model has stopped one step from the pedestal of the rating of electric convectors with a thermostat for the dacha. If you consider yourself to be an advanced user, you will definitely like this unit. The thing is that it supports remote control via a smartphone. You can set a timer to turn on and off, change the temperature.
Despite the power of 2000 W, the convector is quite economical. So its operation will not greatly increase your energy costs. We also note the attractive design, the absence of foreign odors and minimal noise. As for the downsides, some complain that the wire is short. Indeed, only 1.15 m.
REDMOND SkyHeat 4530S
No. 3 – Electrolux ECH/AGI-1500
Price: 7,500 rubles
The best solution in the Electrolux manufacturer's lineup. It is equipped with a special dust filter, due to which debris that gets on the heating element will not lead to the appearance of foreign odors. The room with this convector warms up quickly. Owners report that it takes about 15 minutes to heat a 20-square-foot room.
In terms of functionality, this is an extremely advanced solution. There is a 24 hour timer, inverter power control and a switch with indicator light. The model also has an excellent protection system: shutdown when tipping over and overheating, and the body is moisture resistant. A nice bonus is the bright display, which is quite suitable as an alternative to a night light. Experts agree that the new model is one of the best in its price segment.
Electrolux ECH/AGI-1500
Heating elements in heaters
Hi all!
Sometimes you look at a convector, it costs about 10 thousand, you expect the latest technologies used by NASA astronauts, you see a super-exquisite design, the kind only to be installed at a reception with the Queen of England at Buckingham Palace, and inside there is a heating element made using technology 50 years ago , the fire hazard of which is quite comparable to playing matches near a gas station.
The trouble is that even old technologies are still used in modern heating devices. How to avoid making the wrong decision and not buying garbage with an obsolete heating element - read here. We've done a quick review of three different heating elements, ranking them from worst to best. It is also appropriate to say that their arrangement in this text goes from old to new (in terms of manufacturability).
From left to right - Monlan, Atlantic, Electrolux Rapid (inverter convector)
The story will be based on the example of three electric convectors:
- Convector Monlan
- Convector Atlantic
- Inverter convector Electrolux Rapid (with inverter unit model 2021)
Stitch heating element.
Stitch heating element is a steel wire on a dielectric base. Technology that is more than half a century old. The heating element is a metal thread laid in a zigzag. It heats up to a very high temperature (250-300ºC), the air passing through it is warmed up and comes out warm. One of the advantages is instant access to working tº, literally 5-10 seconds. That's where the positives end.
This is what a stitch heating element looks like.
The disadvantages are safety, low efficiency coupled with disproportionate energy consumption, fragility, and discomfort during operation. Safety. A wire that glows red hot. The fire hazard is comparable to playing matches near a gas station. Yes, this metal thread cools down just as quickly as it heats up, but having something at home with an operating temperature of over 300ºC is such an idea. Low efficiency is primarily due to the small area of the heating element. The air that passes through the convection chamber does not have time to heat up sufficiently, since the area of contact with the heating element is very small. Energy consumption is disproportionately high to heat transfer.
The stitch heating element is also known as a needle type. Now you understand why it is called that way)
The area of the heating element must be large, then there will be normal heat removal. So it will heat for a long time, inefficiently, while taking electricity according to its rated power. Discomfort during use is a consequence of the high temperature of the heating element. When dust and other small particles pass by it along with the air (after all, they also participate in the convection mode), they burn, oxygen is oxidized, CO2 is released and a feeling of lack of O2 appears and we begin to smell foreign odors. In fact, there is enough oxygen and it is more than enough, the formation of CO2 is simply destructive, but in this regard you can always install fresh air ventilation and the problem of fresh air will be solved forever.
As for durability, dust and dirt that settle on the heating element when it is turned off burns out instantly, and these sections of the metal thread simply burn out, gradually rendering the device inoperable. This is the most outdated technology, but due to cheaper products, it is often found even in expensive electric convectors.
Steel heating element in an aluminum jacket.
An aluminum jacket is put on the steel tube, which allows heat to be removed from the steel tube and participates in the heat exchange process. The technology is not as old as stitch, but it is also very old. There are no obvious advantages here, but it’s also impossible to say that this heating element is definitely bad. Morally old? Definitely. It was adequate for its time, but now this technology is simply outdated.
Steel heating element in an aluminum jacket.
Compared to stitch, the operating temperature here is significantly lower, so there is no feeling of O2 burning and foreign odors. The main disadvantage is the operating noise. The heating element consists of two components - a steel tube and an aluminum jacket. The steel tube heats up and transfers heat to the aluminum. Since they have different expansion temperatures, aluminum will expand and contract when heated and cooled, emitting metallic sounds that are really loud, they can wake you up at night, and during work or evening relaxation they can significantly shift your focus from something useful and good for yourself
Monolithic heating element.
Monolith is the most advanced and expensive. Made from a monolithic composition of silumin, which is cast in a single mold. The shape of the heating element is X-shaped, which is why they are often called X-shaped heating elements. Although a V-shaped heating element is also found, it is used in the same baseboard convectors (where an X-shaped heating element would be redundant). Due to the fact that the structure is monolithic, unlike a heating element in an aluminum jacket, it does not cause any clicks or crunches during the heating and cooling process.
Monolithic heating element.
The monolithic structure allows the entire element to be evenly heated to a single temperature and the entire heating element is fully involved in the heat exchange process. The core in the photo above (forming a cylinder in the center) is a heating element and heat is distributed from it to adjacent ribs.
For the sake of truth, it is worth saying that there are many options for monolithic heating elements, but we are showing you the most advanced one that currently exists in the world (at the time of publication); a heating element better than this simply does not exist. The second reason for pride is that our scientists from Izhevsk came up with it, dubbing their development “Turbo-Hedgehog”, since it has a bristly texture and resembles a hedgehog. To make it more convincing, they called him Hedgehog, which also translates as “Hedgehog.”
Here is such a compact heating element with as much as 1.5 kW - only 50 cm (while others are at least 64 cm).
It has the largest area, so the largest heat removal occurs here and it warms up the room the fastest. The speed of reaching operating temperature is only 75 seconds. Its operating temperature is the lowest among all heating elements and for high-quality monolithic heating elements does not exceed 125ºC at peak load. They are not afraid of negative temperatures and can be turned on even when they are frozen. The service life of a monolithic heating element is about 25 years, which is a very, very long time.
Let's sum it up: Stitch is the worst. It has the right to exist only in fan heaters, and even then it is better to buy fan heaters with a ceramic heating element. A convector with a steel heating element in an aluminum jacket is morally old, but for some reason someone makes them and uses them, although they are better than stitch. Monolith is the most advanced heating element, but the quality of the monolithic element depends on the manufacturer, since they are all different. If you are now looking for a good heater, we recommend buying an inverter convector. These are the most technologically advanced electric heaters at the moment, inside of which, in addition to having a monolithic heating element installed, inverter control also allows you to save on electricity, optimizing it by an average of 30-35%.
Electrolux Rapid Transformer Inverter Ech/R-1500 T
10 500
Electrolux Rapid Transformer Inverter Ech/R-2000 T
11 500
Electrolux Rapid Transformer Inverter Ech/R-1000 T
9 500
No. 2 – Noirot Spot E-5 Plus 1500
Price: 12,500 rubles
Another universal convector that can be installed both on the floor and on the wall. At the same time, the package includes parts only for the second installation scenario. Legs will have to be purchased separately. Considering how much the device costs, this is a very serious disadvantage. However, this is where the shortcomings of the unit end. It has 4 operating modes, including night mode with minimal noise, so it’s easy to choose the optimal one.
Unlike many analogues, the model does not dry out the air at all during operation. We recommend it to families with children. A special panel locking function will not allow the young fidget to make his own adjustments to the operation of the device.
Noirot Spot E-5 Plus 1500
How to choose the optimal model
The selection of heating equipment for a country house is primarily associated with determining the required power of the unit. Based on practice, it is quite difficult to clearly determine what power a convector to buy. Most often, sellers use a simple calculation formula, multiplying the area of the room (in square meters) by a factor of 0.1. The calculation looks like this:
20 sq.m. x 0.1 = 2 kW.
Therefore, to heat 20 square meters you need a convector with a power of at least 2 kW. If the room has high ceilings (above the standard 2.7 m), then the indicator is multiplied by an additional factor of 1.5:
2 kW x 1.5 = 3 kW.
In addition to area, other factors can affect heating:
- lack of interior decoration;
- lack of insulation on the floor and walls;
- structural or other openings in walls, windows, door openings, as well as cracks.
Naturally, if the room is absolutely not heated and not insulated, it will be difficult to warm it up the first time. A convector is only suitable if it operates without interruption in winter. For example, a frozen concrete room with an area of 30 square meters will have to be warmed up (to +10°) for about 5 - 6 hours with a three-kilowatt heater, or 3 hours with two of these. To reach a higher temperature you will have to wait a couple more hours.
Note! It is recommended to purchase heating appliances with a small power reserve, about 15% of the required one.
This is done so as not to regularly operate the electrical appliance at maximum power. In addition, if external conditions change (for example, at low temperatures that are not typical for the climate zone), you will not have to buy additional equipment.
