Choosing an apartment heater: convector or radiator?

Choosing the right heater is essential for keeping your home warm during the cold months. With so many options available, it’s critical to comprehend how they differ in order to make an informed choice. We’ll examine the controversy surrounding two widely used options in this guide: the convector and the radiator.

Let’s first examine the functions of each of these heaters. Cool air is drawn into the room, passed over a heating element, and then the warmed air is released back into the space using a convector heater. In contrast, a radiator heats up water or oil within its sealed pipes and then radiates that heat out into the room. They both accomplish the same goal, which is to heat your house, but they do it in slightly different ways.

Efficiency is one of the most important things to take into account when deciding between a convector and a radiator. Convector heaters are highly regarded for their ability to evenly distribute warmth throughout a room and for their speedy heat-up times. They are therefore a well-liked option for rooms that need to have their heating adjusted frequently or for smaller spaces. Radiators, on the other hand, are perfect for larger spaces or rooms where a constant temperature is required because of their reputation for providing a steady, consistent warmth.

The installation process and cost are additional factors to consider. Convector heaters can be mounted on a wall or just plugged into a power outlet, making them more convenient to install and usually less expensive up front. However, because they need plumbing work or are connected to a central heating system, radiator installation may require professional assistance. Radiators can be more economical in the long run even though they may cost more up front, particularly in homes that already have central heating.

Naturally, aesthetics and personal preference also come into play when making decisions. Convector heaters fit in well with contemporary decor because of their frequently sleek and modern designs. Radiators, on the other hand, are available in a range of designs, from classic cast iron models to more understated choices, so you can select a style that goes well with the aesthetic of your house.

In conclusion, there is no one-size-fits-all solution when it comes to deciding between a convector and a radiator for the heating needs of your apartment. To choose the best option for your house, take into account elements like cost, installation requirements, efficiency, and personal style preferences. You can make sure that you are warm and comfortable during the winter months by weighing the advantages and disadvantages of each choice.

What is the difference between radiators and convectors?

Convectors and radiators (water or oil) have different looks, designs, and working principles, but they serve the same purpose.

Radiators and convectors operate on different principles, to start with.

• In a radiatorhot water flows through panels or pipes and heats them, and the pipes heat the air. The room becomes warm due to radiant heat.
• In convectors They also use hot water, but their operation is based on natural air circulation. A convector has a hollow, elongated body, with a heating element in the bottom part, which is connected to a socket.
  Convectors generate convective heat. They suck heated air from the bottom of the unit and, thanks to convection, the hot air circulation system is activated. There is a flow of heat waves, heating the space.

Rooms heat more quickly and uniformly when convective heat is used instead of radiator heat. Radiators are less expensive to purchase, and convectors use less electricity.

What is a heating radiator?

Radiators: radiators intended to heat rooms that are either part of the heating system or operate off the network. The efficiency of your radiators affects how comfortable your house is.

They may be made of different materials and have different constructions, and each variation has unique qualities, benefits, and drawbacks.

cast iron

For a considerable amount of time, both autonomous and centralized heating systems use radiators. Radiators made of cast iron have long been thought to be particularly well-liked.

• unpretentious when it comes to water purity;
• any coolant is suitable;
• high heat output for any period of operation;
• retain heat for a long time after switching off;
• the number of sections can be reduced or increased;
• withstand high heating of the heat transfer medium – up to +130°C;
• last at least 40 years.

• heavy – sections weigh 5-7 kg;
• take a long time to heat up;
• small heat transfer area;
• non-modern appearance;
• difficult to wash and remove dust from the surface.

Aluminum

Nowadays, aluminum radiators dominate the market, outselling their cast iron counterparts by a wide margin. The two versions that the manufacturers offer are reinforced (12 atmospheres) and ordinary (with a working pressure of 6 atmospheres).

• low weight;
• good heat output;
• are able to withstand high working pressure;
• look harmoniously in rooms with different interiors;
• easy installation.

• corrosion of aluminum walls when using untreated water (pH should not exceed 7.5);
• installation of an automatic air vent;
• corrosion in contact with other metals.

Steel plate

The majority of private homes have them installed. The coolant flows through a number of internal channels in the plate sections that make up the radiator.

• low weight;
• heats up quickly;
• simple installation;
• high heat transfer;
• price.

• cannot be installed in multi-storey buildings due to pressure restrictions;
• insufficiently high resistance to corrosion;
• must be constantly filled with coolant.

Steel tubular

They are made up of two collectors joined by steel pipes that are spot welded. Warms a room with a small amount of coolant.

• the room heats up quickly;
• large choice of shapes and sizes.

• insufficiently high resistance to corrosion;
• price.

Bimetallic

Radiators of the bimetallic type are composed of steel pipes at the bottom and aluminum panels on top. Water is used as the heat carrier. Antifreeze is inappropriate since it erodes the inner layer. Steel pipes heat the aluminum panels that heat the air.

• no restrictions on the acidity of water;
• can be used at pressures up to 30 atmospheres;
• high level of heat transfer;
• suitable for heating large areas;
• aesthetic appearance.

• installation of an automatic air vent;
• complex installation;
• price.

Oil

Oil radiators function according to the same principle as water radiators. The heat carrier is the only area that differs; mineral oils are utilized in place of water.

The oil is heated by a heating element located inside the unit. Additionally, it radiates heat into the surrounding area. Although oil radiators are not typically the primary source of heating, many people in areas with mild winters place a high value on them, particularly in the absence of central heating.

• heats a large area quickly;
• quiet operation;
• there is a built-in thermostat;
• can be moved from place to place, transported;
• no installation is required.

• The convector heats up the casing;
• low-quality devices may leak, and leaked oil can cause burns;
• constant monitoring of the device operation is necessary to avoid dangerous situations and breakdowns;
• high price.

What is a convector?

By using forced or natural hot air circulation, convectors provide warmth to the space. They come in various varieties, such as gas, electric, or water, but they all have the same design.

Any convector is made up of:

• metal rectangular casing;
• of the heating element built into the bottom of the casing;
• thermostat.

Electric

If connecting the house to the main gas pipeline is not possible, electric convectors are installed. Nothing more than an electrical network is needed for the device to work; no boiler or batteries need to be installed, and coolant piping or supplies are not needed.

The idea of heat exchange underpins the operation of electric models. They rise up and exit the convector, warming the air masses in the process. Warm streams push aside chilly masses from beneath the ceiling, drawing them into the apparatus and retracing the previously mentioned course.

Thermostats, which can be mechanical or electronic, control the temperature and turn on and off the heating element.

• autonomous operation;
• no coolant;
• simple design;
• it is possible to create a heating network from several convectors – a kind of centralized heating of the house;
• Environmental friendliness – the devices do not affect the air humidity and do not dry the air.

• efficiency decreases with prolonged operation;
• high electricity consumption;
• if the device is defective, there is a risk of electric shock.

Water

Certain convectors are capable of operating with a liquid heat carrier that has been heated via a boiler. These simple-to-use devices heat the room quickly and don’t cause any problems when in use.

High-capacity heat exchangers composed of copper, steel, or aluminum are fitted with water convectors.

Water heating convectors come in a variety of varieties from manufacturers.

• wall-mounted – they are placed under window sills;
• floor standing – they are placed at windows with low sills;
• Built-in – designed for the arrangement of a hidden heating system;
• in-floor – prevents condensation on panoramic windows.

• no energy consumption is required;
• cost-effectiveness;
• simple design;
• compactness;
• efficient operation.

• Insufficiently high efficiency when installed in rooms with high ceilings;
• labor-intensive installation – it is necessary to run pipelines throughout the building;
• insufficiently high resistance to corrosion processes;
• increased sensitivity to temperature fluctuations.

Water models are less expensive and simpler to use than electric convectors.

Gas

Recuperated heat exchangers are found in gas type convectors. The combustion products of gas exiting the house through the chimney heat the air. Natural gas or a liquefied propane-butane mixture can be used for heating.

Different kinds of gas convectors exist:

• Wall-mounted – compact, fit into any interiors. They are mounted under window openings to compensate for the effect of cold streams.
• Floor – they are used for heating large areas and are mounted on concrete bases.
• Built-in – such models are installed in floors or walls concealed.

The type of convection distinguishes gas convectors with forced ventilation from those with natural ventilation. Hot air is blasted in the first scenario, and it rises to the ceiling in the second.

• economical gas consumption;
• can be installed independently;
• rapid heating of the room;
• cylinder gas can be used;
• autonomous operation;
• price.

• it is necessary to obtain permits for connection to the gas pipeline;
• a large amount of construction and installation work is required (it is necessary to make holes in the walls, build a foundation for the boiler);
• bulkiness.

Selecting between a convector and a radiator for your home’s heating can have a significant impact. Living rooms and other areas that need to warm up quickly are ideal for convectors because of their effective air circulation system. Radiators, on the other hand, offer a constant, soft heat that is perfect for bedrooms or other spaces where you want reliable temperature control. Choosing the best heater for your apartment requires taking into account a number of factors, including energy efficiency, room size, and personal preference. To make sure your house remains warm and inviting throughout the winter, carefully consider the advantages and disadvantages of each option before selecting one.

General functions

Radiators and convectors are made for the same purpose—heating a space by dispersing heat—despite having very different designs, working principles, and aesthetics.

Convectors and radiators can be used as primary and backup sources of heat, respectively.

Another similarity between convectors and radiators is:

• operate from 220 V mains (radiators – oil radiators, convectors – electric);
• They are usually mounted on the floor;
• can be transported without any problems;
• work silently;
• are equipped with built-in thermostatic regulators.

Comparison

It is helpful to compare and closely examine the key features of radiators and convectors before selecting the best solution.

• Efficiency. Radiators have this indicator higher than convectors, because the radiation heats not only the air, but also objects, which part of the heat is given back to them. When using a convector, walls, furniture and objects remain cool.
• Compact. Convectors are the leaders in this matter. They are more compact and require less space for installation.
• Speed of heating of premises. Convectors are quicker to do the job. But radiators, even when switched off, still give out heat for some time, while convectors stop heating the room as soon as they are switched off.
• Safety. Convectors have less heated bodies than radiators. It is possible to burn yourself on the hot surface of radiators. Most of the convectors have protection against voltage fluctuations, against overheating, and also have position sensors that disconnect the units in case of tilting or falling down. Oil analogs may not have any protection, so their operation requires constant monitoring.
• Heating of large rooms. Radiators cope with the task more effectively. When using stand-alone convector heaters are used to combine into a single network. In large rooms, several oil heaters should be used, each in a separate socket.
• Easy maintenance. Easier and faster cleaning and washing of radiators. It is enough to wipe the dust or wash the housing. Convectors must be disassembled, as dust and small debris penetrate into the device together with air.
• Design. Convectors look more modern than radiators of any type – they always resemble a cast iron radiator. Convectors are easier to integrate into any interiors.
• Sensor accuracy. A temperature sensor is located at the bottom of the convector. When all the air in the room is heated to the desired temperature (even that near the floors), the convector switches off.
  Radiators (oil type) are less accurate. The device heats the air directly near the body, and this can cause incorrect sensor operation. For example, in the corner of the room is still cold, and the sensor, reacting to the air near the body, triggers and turns off the device.
• Service life. It depends on the quality provided by the particular manufacturer. If we compare oil heaters and convectors, the former have a warranty of no more than 2 years, the latter – 5 -10 years. Oil heaters that leak cannot be repaired, while convectors can be repaired.
• Environmental friendliness. The opinion that heaters burn oxygen is nothing more than a myth, neither radiators nor convectors have a source of open fire. Minus of convectors is that they spread dust and harmful microbes in the room.
• Noisiness. Convectors operate completely silently. Most electric radiators also operate quietly, except for models with a fan.
• Mobility. All self-contained devices – radiators and convectors, are equipped with built-in wheels (except for stationary models).
• Cost. With equal technical characteristics, radiator heaters are somewhat more expensive than convectors. The more additional functions the device has, the more expensive it is.

On what to base the choice?

Prior to selecting the kind of heating equipment, choose between an autonomous heating system and a boiler-based heating system. Since technology is advancing quickly, you should familiarize yourself with new models and contrast them with older models to see if any flaws have been fixed.

When deciding between radiators and convectors, consider the room’s dimensions. Without a doubt, convectors are a good option for people who wish to conserve space. They are also selected to heat rooms as fast as feasible.

For people who value even heating and who are prepared to give up size and design in exchange for these qualities—such as the gradual release of heat after turning off—radiators are the better option.

It’s important to take a few things into account when choosing between a convector and a radiator to heat your apartment. Each option has benefits and drawbacks that can have a big impact on your energy costs and level of comfort.

Cool air is drawn into the room, heated, and then circulated again by convector heaters. They are good for smaller apartments or rooms with limited space because they are compact and effective at heating a space quickly, unlike radiators.

Conversely, radiators heat metal fins through the use of steam or hot water, which causes the fins to radiate heat throughout the space. They may take longer than convectors to warm up, but they have a tendency to hold heat longer, giving the room a constant temperature.

Take into account your heating requirements as well as the size and design of your apartment when making your choice. Radiators may be more appropriate for spaces like kitchens or bathrooms where a constant, even warmth is desired, but convectors may be better suited for areas that need rapid heating, like living rooms or bedrooms.

Consider cost-effectiveness and energy efficiency as well. Convectors use less energy because they heat up and cool down faster, but because radiators hold heat longer, they may end up being more economical over time. Evaluate your heating habits and spending limit to ascertain which choice best suits your requirements.

In conclusion, your unique situation and personal preferences will ultimately determine which convector or radiator is best for you. Both solutions can heat your apartment efficiently, but knowing how they differ and taking into account things like cost, energy efficiency, space requirements, and heating requirements will help you make an informed choice that will guarantee comfort and long-term savings.

Video on the topic

HEATING IN THE APARTMENT. Which radiator or convector to choose, options and cost.

Heaters for apartments: what kind of heaters there are and what to choose