Which heater is better oil or convector

Content:

The principle of the oil cooler
Advantages and disadvantages
How the convector works and works
Pros and cons
Comparative characteristics

When the weather outside does not please with warmth, and the beginning of the heating season is still far away, the question of economical and high-quality heating of the room arises. If you live in a private house, nothing is easier. One has only to light the stove. And what should the residents of the multi-apartment sector do? A variety of heating devices come to the rescue. This is where a natural question arises: which is better than a convector or an oil heater? If you have never encountered either one or the other, there is something to think about. This is what our article today will be about.

So, an oil heater or a convector? What's better? Feedback from experts and consumers will help you make the right choice. To find out exactly which heater is better, let's first find out how each of them works.

The principle of the oil cooler

Everything is arranged very easily here. The oil cooler is a hermetically sealed reservoir filled with mineral oil. An electric heater is also located inside the structure. As a result of the operation of the heating element, the oil temperature rises, and then the walls of the reservoir are heated. The room is heated.

To prevent the oil from boiling, the system is equipped with a special sensor that monitors the temperature. In addition, some models have horizontal control. This means that if the radiator accidentally overturns and the heating element is outside the oil environment, the automation will instantly turn off the device.

Using oil coolers is very easy. No knowledge is required here. You just need to plug the plug into the outlet, press the power button and move the device closer. Some manufacturers equip their models with a timer that allows you to automatically turn on the device at a specific time. This is very convenient if you want, for example, to return from work to an already well-heated room. At the same time, the radiator remains off throughout the day and does not waste electricity.

Advantages and disadvantages

Advantages and disadvantages
Based on consumer feedback, we tried to highlight the main disadvantages and advantages of such heating devices. The advantages of an oil heater include the following:

Low cost.
High-quality heating of the ambient air due to the increased heat transfer area.
"Soft" heating. If we compare it with heaters with an open spiral, it can be noted that the oil cooler does not dry out the air. In addition, dust particles in the immediate vicinity do not burn during its operation. That is why there are no extraneous odors in the process of work.
Mobility. Since oil heaters in 98% of cases are floor-standing and have casters, they can be easily placed in any place of your choice.
Durable and reliable performance.

However, apart from the indisputable advantages, the radiators also have disadvantages.Customer reviews also helped to find them. So the cons:

Quite high t˚C of the body. During operation at maximum power, the walls of the oil cooler can heat up to temperatures above 90 C. This fact calls for thinking about the issue of safety.
Impressive weight. Some models of oil heaters can "pull" 25 kg, and the smallest rarely weigh less than 10 kg. This can create additional inconvenience when moving.
Probability of coolant (oil) leakage in case of mechanical damage to the housing. Moreover, if this happens, the heater will simply have to be thrown away. The cost of repairs is often not comparable to the cost of a new device.

TOP-3 best oil heaters

Timberk TOR 21.1206 BC / BCL
Scarlett SC 21.1005 S / SB
Polaris CR 0512B

How the convector works and works

Externally, it is very easy to distinguish a convector from an oil cooler. If the latter looks like an "accordion on legs", then the former has a flat, smooth body with slots at the top and bottom. The main difference between these devices is the way the room is heated. The radiator first heats up the oil, and the convector heats the air masses directly.

The convector's principle of operation is based on the physical properties of cold and hot air. The second, as you know, is easier. The hollow body of the convector contains only a heating element (coil) and a temperature sensor. Cold air enters the convector through the slots located at the bottom of the appliance. Then the air masses heated by the heating element naturally escape through the holes located in the upper part of the case. And cold air takes their place again, the process repeats.

Each convection heater is equipped with a temperature sensor that turns the device on and off depending on whether the air in the room has reached the set temperature. This is very convenient as there is no need to monitor the device. The automation independently maintains a comfortable room temperature.

Almost all convector models have two placement methods. They can be hung on the wall or mounted on special legs and placed in a convenient place on the floor.

Pros and cons

Pros and cons of convectors

Consumer reviews will also help us determine all the advantages and disadvantages.

Advantages:

When using a convector, you can set the exact (literally up to a degree) room temperature and the automation will maintain it.
The body of the device heats up no higher than 60 C, which is much safer than in the case of oil devices.
With a little effort, you can connect several convectors into a common heating system. The oil-type heater works exclusively individually.

Nevertheless, the convector also has its drawbacks:

Customer reviews suggest that when using such equipment, a small draft may occur in the room.
Premises with high (above 3 m) ceilings, the convector may not heat up very well. Warm air will "hang" under the ceiling and the device may not work efficiently enough.
Natural convection can lead to increased movement of microorganisms and dust particles. This can be unpleasant for people prone to allergic reactions or diseases of the ENT organs.

TOP-3 best convector heaters

Noirot Spot E-3 Plus 1500
Hyundai H-HV15-15-UI618
Ballu BEC / ETMR-1500

Comparative characteristics

which is better convector or oil heater

To finally answer the question of which heater is better: oil or convection heater, let's make a small comparison table:

Comparison parameters	Oil	Convector
Economical use	Not too economical.	It consumes 20–25% less electricity than a radiator.
Heating time	It heats up for a long time, as it heats the oil first and only then the air. However, models equipped with a fan heat up even faster than the convector.	Immediately acts directly on air.
Convenience	In almost 100% of cases, it is only floor-standing. In addition, many of the models are quite heavyweight.	The variability of the location is much more comfortable, for example, when cleaning. Due to convection, the room heats up much more evenly.
Safety	The body of the device can be heated to a temperature much higher than the safe one. However, there are models equipped with a protective cover. In this case, the likelihood of getting burned is practically excluded. If the technology of use and safety rules are violated, an explosion is possible.	The surface of the convector never heats up over 55-60 degrees. You can freely leave your child next to this device. The absence of a coolant excludes the possibility of an explosion. The device can be safely left unattended for any length of time.
Lifetime	7-10 years old	10-15 years old
Effective heating area	Most suitable for heating a small room. When used in a room larger than 25 m2, it is recommended to use several devices at the same time.	Depending on the capacity, it can be effectively used in rooms up to 100 m2.
Sustainability	Oxygen is not burned. There is no strong movement of air masses.	Oxygen is not burned. Slight movement of microorganisms and dust particles may occur.
The cost	Most often they are inexpensive.	They are much more expensive than their oil "counterparts".

Thus, the answer to the question of which convector or oil heater is better folds by itself. Despite the higher price, the convectors still outperform oil appliances in almost all respects. Although, the choice is definitely yours.

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