All about floor convectors – types, design, connection

Floor convectors are a popular option that is worthwhile to take into consideration if you want to heat your house effectively and efficiently. These heating systems provide comfort and energy savings by evenly distributing warmth throughout your room. We’ll go over everything you need to know about floor convectors in this guide, including their many types, designs, and connections.

Let’s start by discussing the different kinds of floor convectors that are currently on the market. Numerous variants exist, such as electric and hydronic convectors. Electric floor convectors rely on electrical resistance to produce heat, whereas hydronic floor convectors use hot water to do so. We’ll go more into each type’s benefits and drawbacks in the sections that follow, including installation complexity and operating costs.

Selecting the ideal system for your house requires an understanding of floor convector design. These units are usually mounted within the floor, either surface-mounted or recessed, based on your needs and the design of your room. Your interior environment’s aesthetic appeal is influenced by the design in addition to its heating efficiency. To assist you in making a decision, we’ll go over the various design options and their implications.

Let’s now discuss the connection between your home’s heating system and floor convectors. For best results, whether you choose hydronic or electric convectors, the connection must be made correctly. Electric convectors can be connected straight to your electrical supply, whereas hydronic convectors need to be integrated with your piping system and central heating system. We’ll discuss installation tips and things to keep in mind for every kind of connection.

To sum up, floor convectors provide a flexible and effective heating option for your house. Making an informed decision that meets your needs and preferences can be achieved by being aware of the various types, designs, and connection methods. For dependable and cozy heating all year long, whether you’re building a new building or remodeling an old one, think about adding floor convectors.

What is the difference between a convector and a radiator

In order to respond to this query, allow us to describe the convector heating device’s basic working principle, which consists of the following components:

  • copper tube, bent in the form of a coil, with connection threads at the ends;
  • Heat-exchange plates made of aluminum are rigidly attached to the tube;
  • the resulting copper-aluminum heat exchanger is closed from the outside with a decorative metal casing with a grate on the top panel;
  • water heating pipelines are connected to the threads.

Note: Conventional batteries and convectors have the same connection schemes. The easiest solution is to install supply line cut-off valves. When temperature control is done automatically, a balancing valve is installed at the outlet and a valve with a thermal head is placed at the inlet.

Any convector operates on the following principle:

  1. Heat transfer fluid from the heating system with an initial temperature of 40…80 °C is circulated through the coil. The aluminum plates are heated.
  2. The heater casing is open from below. From there, cold air flows to the heat exchanger, flowing over the floor of the room.
  3. Passing between the hot plates, the air heats up, becomes lighter and flows back into the room through the upper grille. Convection movement of air masses starts in the room – heated air masses rise to the ceiling, cool down, drop to the floor and pass through the heater again.

A convector and a radiator differ constructively in that the former has a heat exchanger made of copper and aluminum (or steel), while the latter is made up of parts or heating panels. The working principle is also different: the battery heats the air directly with the remaining 50% coming from infrared radiation. This ratio is 10% and 90% in convectors of all kinds, respectively.

How to tell an external convection heater apart:

  • by the casing with an upper grille for air passage;
  • from above you can see the ribs of the heat exchanger, from below it is open completely;
  • The surface of the body is never heated to a high temperature, maximum – 40…45 degrees Celsius.

A radiator and a convection heater are two distinct types of heating appliances. Because convectors and low floor radiators resemble each other externally, users may get confused by these terms.

Floor convectors are essential to the home heating industry because they provide effective warmth with an elegant, non-intrusive design. These systems are available in a variety of forms, each meeting distinct needs and tastes with special features and advantages. Understanding the design and connection of convectors, whether they are the more contemporary electric models or the traditional hydronic ones, is crucial to optimizing their performance and blending them into your house. This article seeks to serve as your comprehensive guide to floor convectors, equipping you with the knowledge you need to improve the comfort and make well-informed decisions about heating your living space. It covers everything from the fundamentals of how they operate to helpful installation and maintenance advice.

Types of convector heaters

We have previously discussed water-based heating devices with you. However, electric convectors are a different kind of convector. The heater plates are a spiral made of chrome-nickel alloy rather than a water pipe, but the design and operating algorithm are the same. The resistance of this coil determines how much heat the heater produces.

There are three categories of heaters based on how they are installed:

  • floor standing;
  • recessed in the floor (otherwise – in-floor);
  • wall-mounted.

Important point. Keep in mind that all convective heater types are situated in the room’s lower section in order to draw in and warm the chilly air above the floor.

The floor convector is constructed like a long, low radiator supported by two legs. One cannot confuse a device like this with a regular battery because the mesh is visible from above and the body has a rectangular cross section. The floor water convector of the Comodo series is interestingly modified by the heating equipment manufacturer Verano into the shape of a bench, as seen in the picture above.

Provide a brief summary of floor convector dimensions and technical specifications based on Verano brand data. Other manufacturers’ heater specifications are largely similar to this list:

  • height – from 100 to 300 mm;
  • width (depth) – 150…290 mm;
  • heater length – 0.8…2.6 м;
  • height of hidden mounting consoles (legs) – 10 cm;
  • working pressure – 10 bar, test pressure – 17 bar;
  • connection method – bottom, side.

A floor type convector’s power is determined by the heat exchanger’s size, which is typically increased by length. Depending on the manufacturer, wall-mounted appliance dimensions can differ significantly. While surface-mounted heaters are the focus of this article, floor recessed models merit a separate discussion.

It should be noted that installing in-floor convectors can be difficult and not always necessary. Fans make appliances noisy; without fans, they operate less efficiently.

Advantages and scope of application

Before we give floor heating convectors—both electric and water—acclaim, let’s point out their primary drawback: they don’t provide infrared heating. What you get is a swift heating of the room’s air, but the objects stay cold. It will take several hours for the surfaces to reach room temperature and for people to start feeling at ease in the space.

Convectors also have other, less significant, or implausible drawbacks. The stories about the draughts, for instance, raised the dustiness or caused (such intense convection?). Cons, in our opinion: not every user will find convection floor heaters visually appealing. However, taste is a factor in this.

Now for the actual benefits of convectors:

  • Convection – slow air circulation – promotes even heating of the room;
  • the device quickly enters the heating mode, at the water supply temperature of 45…50 °C a warm air jet can be felt above the grate;
  • The casing of the convection radiator does not heat up, does not threaten to burn children;
  • The heater can be easily adjusted manually or automatically with the help of the valve + thermal head assembly (in electric versions – thermoregulator);
  • relatively small size and weight;
  • The homeowner can order the desired color of the housing from the standard RAL range (applies to water heaters).

Addendum. If the price of a wall convector pleases you but the design bothers you, you can conceal the device behind a screen or plasterboard paneling. The 10% reduction in heat output corresponds to the same amount of infrared radiation that covers the plasterboard. However, as shown in the picture, a convection grille must be installed to allow air to pass through.

Wherever convectors are applicable:

  • for general heating of country houses and apartments;
  • on closed terraces of cottages, in office premises with stained glass windows instead of an external wall;
  • in kindergartens and other preschool institutions;
  • in industrial premises with ceilings of up to 3 m.

The only maintenance required for the convective appliance is to clean the heat-exchange plates, which collect dust. As the heater becomes dirty, the operation is performed.

How to choose a heater by capacity

Finding each room’s heat energy demand is the first step. computed using the simplified method or SNiP, which is 0.1 kW per square meter of floor space. Selecting electric convectors is easy because the passport lists each modification’s heat output.

The selection and purchase of a water floor heater is more challenging. The device’s technical specifications include the heat output under specific circumstances, such as:

  • t (temperature) of water in the supply pipe – 75 degrees Celsius;
  • t return – 65 °C;
  • t air in the room – 20 °C.

The device must be used with some margin because the convector’s power will drop if coolant that is 60 °C is sent there. There is no other way to determine the precise heat output of a given model except to use the manufacturer’s data.

Reference: The company Verano publishes a table detailing each heater’s power under various operating conditions in the equipment passports. This convector table, which measures 300 mm in height and 284 mm in width, is an example of one.

Given the broad variety of convection-type heaters available, it is impractical to list every device’s technical specifications here. Consequently, it is preferable to speak with an online store consultant or go to the manufacturer’s official website when choosing the convector’s size.

Type Design, Connection
Hydronic Embedded in the floor, connected to a central heating system
Electric Surface-mounted, plug-and-play installation

The energy efficiency and comfort of your home can be greatly enhanced by selecting the ideal floor convector. There are many different kinds of convectors, such as hydronic and electric models, and each has advantages and things to keep in mind of its own.

With the help of hot water, hydronic floor convectors provide your room with effective, reliable warmth. Since they integrate with your current heating system, their installation calls for careful planning. Conversely, electric floor convectors, which offer on-demand heating without requiring a central boiler, are simpler to install and operate.

It’s critical to evaluate floor convector designs for compatibility with your chosen flooring type and room arrangement. Whether it is surface-mounted or recessed, the design should complement your decor and effectively disperse heat throughout the area.

Floor convector connections must be made correctly for maximum longevity and performance. Making sure the installation is done correctly by a qualified professional is essential, whether connecting to the electrical grid or a hydronic system. Furthermore, routine cleaning and maintenance can guarantee the longevity and optimal performance of your floor convectors.

To sum up, building a cozy and energy-efficient home requires an awareness of floor convector types, design factors, and correct connections. You can enjoy consistent heating throughout your space while reducing energy consumption and expenses by choosing the appropriate convector type, taking design compatibility into account, and making sure the installation is done correctly.

Video on the topic

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Sergey Ivanov

I like to help people create comfort and comfort in their homes. I share my experience and knowledge in articles so that you can make the right choice of a heating and insulation system for your home.

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