The operation of any heating system is based on one or another method of transferring thermal energy from the energy carrier to the air in the room. For this, various types of fuel are used - gas, coal, firewood, etc. But is it necessary to do the installation of pipelines. In the absence of such an opportunity, they equip convector heating at home: reviews, batteries, radiators. This is not a new method of heating the air in the home. But this needs to be told in more detail.
Features of the convector heating system
The very first convector heating radiators are traditional stoves. Thermal energy from their surface is transferred to the room. In this case, natural convection of air flows occurs - with a higher temperature they rise up, creating a circulation of heat.
However, the efficiency of their work remains extremely low - the efficiency indicator did not exceed 25-30%. Therefore, convector heating boilers have been developed that transfer energy more efficiently. To do this, their design provides for additional convector surfaces that improve circulation, and, accordingly, the heating rate of the house.
What is the difference between convection heating at home and the usual one?
- Lack of pipelines. This reduces the primary cost of organizing heating;
- Possibility of installing local heating points - autonomous radiators. Most often this is done for summer cottages or houses with a small area, or apartments;
- Prompt regulation of energy consumption to optimize the temperature regime.
The disadvantages of such a system include the complexity of the organization for buildings with a large area. Even having installed convector water heating, consisting of autonomous radiators, it is problematic to make a single control unit. But there are exceptions - modern gas convection heating boilers. These are common models that can be installed in piping systems. The parameters for choosing such boilers are the same as when designing a traditional type of heating.
The amount of energy generated in convector-type heaters directly depends on the area of the heat exchanger. You need to pay attention to this first.
Converter boilers
Installation of convector-type boilers is relevant only if it is necessary to maintain a comfortable temperature in a small room - up to 20-30 m². When choosing a particular model, you need to pay attention to its body - it must have additional panels or pipes through which air passes. The more efficient the convector heating system is, the greater the volume of air will pass through these structures.
Solid fuel heating boilers
One of the most popular overhead convection boilers at the present time are the Bulleryan ovens. They consist of a cylindrical body, on the outside of which convection pipes run.
Burning, solid fuel transfers the maximum amount of warm energy to the walls of the structure. This leads to heating of the air in the pipes, as a result of which its circulation begins. There are two ways to regulate the temperature - by reducing the volume of the fuel loading or by reducing the air flow through the ash pan.
However, it is not always possible to install this boiler in a residential area.Analyzing reviews of convector heating, where it is the main element, one significant drawback can be identified - large dimensions. For industrial or technical buildings, it will be optimal, since dimensions in this case are not the main priority when choosing. If this is important, you can install a convector electric heating. It is more expensive, but at the same time the radiators are much smaller.
To select a suitable boiler model, you need to pay attention to the following parameters:
- Its rated power, kW. It should be borne in mind that manufacturers give maximum performance;
- Dimensions (edit)... In addition to the size of the structure, you will need a place for its installation. The most efficient operation of a convection heating boiler will be in the absence of obstacles on the sides. Those. air must pass freely through the pipes;
- Weight... The average weight for the 18 kW model is 130 kg.
The cost of a convection heater directly depends on its power. The table shows the average prices for Russian-made Bulleryan boilers.
| power, kWt | Dimensions, cm | Weight, kg | price, rub. |
| 6 | 70*48*69 | 57 | 7500 |
| 11 | 75*56*83 | 108 | 9730 |
| 18 | 85*59*97 | 130 | 11315 |
| 27 | 90*64*112 | 169 | 14970 |
| 35 | 96*73*129 | 215 | 18700 |
According to the reviews of the owners of the converter heating, one fuel tab is enough for an average of 8 hours of continuous operation.
The minimum metal thickness of the boiler drum must be 1.5 mm. The best option is cast iron. However, the cost of such models is 50-70% more expensive than steel ones.
Gas heating boilers
Gas convector heating boilers are installed for systems in which pipelines are provided. They do not provide heating of the air, but transfer the energy of gas combustion to the coolant - water in the pipes.
A feature of convector water heating is the use of an intermediate medium (heat carrier) for heating the air. In this case, the boiler drum is not a heat source. Therefore, the dimensions and weight of the structure are much less than those of Bulleryan ovens or the like.
The specifics of the organization of such a system are as follows:
- Mandatory installation of highways in all rooms;
- Choice of models with 2 heat exchangers. One of them is intended for hot water supply;
- Registration of permits before connecting to the gas main.
However, the installation of such a boiler has a number of advantages. One of them is the duration of the autonomous operation of convector heating at home. In most cases, the control unit provides several modes, as well as the ability to connect to external temperature sensors for automatic regulation of the boiler power.
The cost of gas boilers is affected by their equipment. Models with a circulation pump and expansion tank have a higher price.
Radiators and gas convectors
If point heating devices are sufficient to maintain the temperature in the room, it is recommended to install gas or electric convector-type heating. They consist of a heating element, a control unit and a combustion products evacuation system (gas models).
Electric heating convectors
This is the easiest and fastest way to make heating in a house or apartment. An electric heating element serves as a heating element, the temperature of which is transferred to the body of the device. With the help of a system of slots, air freely penetrates into the inside of the radiator, creating convection.
The most common models for a convector heating system have a tubular heating element with metal plates. This increases the heating area. But the reviews speak of one drawback - during operation, extraneous sounds are heard. The reason for this is the expansion of the metal of the plates.
To install convector heating batteries, the following conditions must be met:
- The cross-section of the wiring must be designed for the maximum power of the device;
- It is recommended to install a separate RCD to prevent short circuits;
- According to safety rules, the convector must not be left on when there are no people in the house.
You also need to take into account the high energy costs. Therefore, in the presence of a gas main, convector heating batteries with a burner are chosen.
The cost of electric convectors ranges from 4000 to 15000 rubles. It is important to pay attention to the characteristics of the control unit, protection against water and the presence of an automatic shutdown when overturning.
Gas convectors heating
Economical heating of a convector-type house can be done by installing gas models. They consist of a burner that is not located indoors. Air supply and combustion products are removed through a coaxial chimney.
Unlike convectors for electric heating, gas models are large in size. This is due to the presence of a gas burner and a sufficiently large heat exchanger. To improve convection, a fan is installed in some models to increase air exchange.
The average cost of gas convectors is 8000-12000 thousand rubles. Despite the large number of foreign brands, they prefer to purchase domestic counterparts. They are better adapted to specific operating conditions.
In what cases is the installation of convector heating at home justified. Reviews about him, the high cost of batteries and radiators indicate a balanced approach when choosing such a system. In most cases, it is relevant for small rooms and production workshops, where you need to make zonal (selective) heating.
In the video, you can familiarize yourself with the features of the installation of gas convectors:
