What is better convector or oil heater

When the weather on the street does not please with warmth, and it is still far before the start of the heating season, the question of economical and high-quality heating of the room becomes acute. If you live in a private house – there is nothing easier. All you have to do is fire up the oven. And what about the residents of the multi-apartment sector? A variety of heating devices come to the rescue. This is where the logical question arises: what is better a convector or an oil heater? If you’ve never experienced either of these, there’s something to think about. This is what our today’s article will be about.

So, oil heater or 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 operation of the oil cooler

Here everything is arranged very simply. The oil cooler is a hermetically sealed tank filled with mineral oil. An electric heater is also located inside the structure. As a result of the operation of the heating element, the temperature of the oil rises, and then the walls of the reservoir heat up. The room is being heated.

To prevent the oil from boiling, the system is equipped with a special sensor that controls the temperature. In addition, in some models there is a horizontal control. This means that if the radiator accidentally topples over and the heating element is out of the oil environment, the automation will immediately turn off the device.

Oil coolers are very easy to use. No knowledge is required here. You just need to plug the plug into the socket, 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 certain time. This is very convenient if you want, for example, to return from work to an already well-heated room. At the same time, throughout the day, the radiator remains off and does not waste electricity.

Advantages and disadvantages

Based on consumer reviews, 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 surrounding air due to the increased heat transfer area.
• “Soft” heating. If we compare with heaters with an open coil, it can be noted that the oil cooler does not dry out the air. In addition, during its operation, dust particles in the immediate vicinity do not burn. That is why in the process of work there are no foreign odors.
• Mobility. Since oil heaters are 98% floor standing and have wheels, they can be easily placed in any location of your choice.
• Durability and reliable performance.

However, in addition to the undeniable advantages, radiators also have disadvantages. Customer reviews also helped to discover them. So the cons:

• Fairly high t˚ C of the body. During operation at maximum power, the walls of the oil cooler can reach temperatures in excess of 90 C. This fact calls for thinking about the issue of safety.
• Impressive weight. Some models of oil heaters can “pull” up to 25 kg, and the smallest ones rarely weigh less than 10 kg. This can create additional inconvenience when moving.
• The probability of leakage of coolant (oil) in case of mechanical damage to the housing. Moreover, if this happens, the heater will simply have to be thrown away. The cost of repair is often incomparable with the cost of a new device.

How a convector is arranged and works

Outwardly, 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 method of heating the room. The radiator first heats the oil, and the convector directly heats the air masses.

The principle of operation of the convector is based on the physical properties of cold and hot air. The second one is known to be easier. In the hollow body of the convector there is only a heating element (spiral) and a temperature sensor. Cold air enters the convector through slots located at the bottom of the appliance. Then the air masses, heated by the heating element, naturally exit through the holes located in the upper part of the housing. And their place is again taken by cold air, the process repeats.

Each convector 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 since there is no need to monitor the device. Automation independently maintains a comfortable temperature in the room.

Almost all models of convectors have two ways of placement. They can be hung on the wall or installed on special legs and placed in a convenient place on the floor.

Pros and cons

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) temperature in the room and the automation will maintain it.
• The case of the device is heated no higher than 60 C, which is much safer than in the case of oil appliances.
• With a little effort, you can connect several convectors to a common heating system. An oil-type heater works exclusively individually.

Nevertheless, the convector has its drawbacks:

• Customer reviews allow us to conclude that when using such equipment in the room, a slight draft may occur.
• Rooms with high (above 3 m) ceilings may not be warmed up very well by the convector. 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

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

Comparative characteristics

To finally answer the question of which heater is better: oil or convector, let’s make a small comparative table:

Thus, the answer to the question of what is better a convector or an oil heater adds up by itself. Despite the higher price, convectors still outperform oil appliances in almost all respects. However, the choice is definitely yours.