In the period of autumn cold weather, when central heating has not yet been started, many people use "portable" heaters. This is a convenient way to create heat in one room. The main devices of this type today are converters and oil heaters. And which option is more preferable? To answer this question, you need to compare two devices.
Advantages and disadvantages of oil heaters
This type of construction is quite simple. It is based on a metal container, which is filled with oil of mineral origin. Inside the tank are heating elements. The use of oil is due to the following reasons:
- Unlike water, the liquid used has a high boiling point. This prevents the formation of gases, which reduces the risk of explosion of the device during overheating.
- The oil has a low solid transition temperature. This will prevent the appliance from thawing, even if it is kept at low temperatures for a long time.
- The oil has a high heat capacity. If it is heated, then such a liquid will cool for a long time.
- The applied liquid prevents the inner surface of the container from corrosion, which helps to increase the service life of the device.
Also, reading the forum, it can be noted that many experts attribute the absence of guided air movements to the positive qualities of the oil heater. The device simply heats the space around it. Air masses do not move, which means there are no drafts.
The design has its own drawbacks. Firstly, the duration of heating. It takes a long time to bring the oil in the device to the operating temperature. Secondly, the heating of the room itself is uneven. Heat, in the first place, is felt only in the vicinity of the device itself.
Other shortcomings are noted:
- microcracks can form on the body through which oil gradually seeps;
- large size and weight (this drawback is partially mitigated by the convenient handles and wheels with which the device is equipped);
- due to the large size requires free space;
- the case heats up and can cause a burn.
The latter drawback may cause more serious consequences. If the owner of the heater wants to dry an object made of flammable material on it, then the risk of fire will increase.
Pros and cons of convectors
This device is considered more modern than an oil heater. The converter appeared in homes relatively recently, but has already found its customers. The principle of operation of the device is quite simple. The converter is connected to the mains. As a result of the operation of the heating elements, the air around them rises in temperature. Warm gases, according to the laws of physics, rise up, and in their place come cold. The air in the room is gradually mixed and heated.
The device, regardless of the manufacturer, includes three main components:
- A heating element.
- Control system. It can have both complex electronic "stuffing" and simple mechanical manipulators. In almost all designs, the control system is equipped with temperature control.
- Body. Serves to protect the control system and heating elements from external influences. In the manufacture of the case, modern materials are used that do not heat up. This reduces the risk of burns in contact with the device.
Each design has its advantages and disadvantages. In the case of the converter, the pros include the following:
- Simplicity. The converter consists of three main elements. The fewer parts, the more reliable the technique. Also, simplicity ensures the absence of difficulties during operation.
- Thanks to the work due to air circulation, the converters evenly heat the entire space in the room.
- Several installation options. Almost all modern models of converters are equipped with devices for mounting them on the walls. In addition, there is always the possibility of installing the structure on the floor.
- Long service life. Manufacturers indicate a minimum life of ten years.
- Easy to maintain. The consumer does not need to carry out any work to maintain the device in working condition. It is enough to periodically clean the case from dust and dirt.
- Environmental friendliness. There are no components harmful to the environment in the design.
- Compactness. In converters, unlike oil heaters, there is no tank with a coolant. The device does not take up much free space.
There are other relative advantages. So, the great functionality of some models is related to the positive side. They have the ability to set the operating mode, on and off times, and so on. But some users refer to such "add-ons" as disadvantages.
If we talk about the disadvantages of converters, then they are present. Here in the first place is energy consumption. This indicator completely depends on the volume of the room that needs to be heated. The larger it is, the more time and electricity the device will need.
Important! Converters are highly dependent on the volume of the premises. So, they are not effective in rooms with high ceilings.
Also disadvantages include the creation of drafts. When the converter is turned on, air circulation begins. Drafts can not only affect human health, but also create dust in the room.
What is better convector or oil heater
To choose between any two devices, you need to compare them. This is done immediately in several ways. If we are talking about portable heaters, then the main thing here is the warm-up time and profitability. At the same time, other parameters must be taken into account, such as safety, cost and long service life.
Warm-up time
Turning on any heater, the user wants to get heat as quickly as possible. Therefore, such a parameter as the device warm-up time is very important. Here, the converter comes first. He immediately after connecting to electricity heats up and generates heat. Oily heaters do not have this quality. Such devices need at least 10-15 minutes to start functioning.
But this is not so simple. The converter heats up quickly, but the heat from its operation is not immediately felt. It takes time for the air to warm during circulation. Oil radiators immediately begin to heat the space around them. To correct this lack of converters, modern manufacturers equip them with fans. As a result, air circulation, and accordingly the heating of the room, is faster.
Cost-effectiveness
Electricity consumed, and therefore costs, are also important to the consumer. If you turn to specialists, they will point to the converter as a more economical device. Here, with the same power, savings of up to 25 percent are obtained. But here there are some nuances. An oil heater spends a lot of energy on heating the heating element and the coolant itself. In the case of the converter this is not. But when turned off, the oil device will still warm the surrounding area for quite some time. When the converter is disconnected from the electricity, the air in the room will cool quickly.
Important! If we talk about efficiency, then you should take into account the area that the device can heat. A standard oil heater is able to maintain a comfortable room temperature of up to 25 square meters. If the room is larger, then several devices will be required.
Converters, due to the peculiarities of heating the air, are able to cope with a larger area. One such device creates and maintains a comfortable room temperature of up to one hundred square meters. The fewer heaters, the less power is consumed.
Manufacturers of converters offer a system by which you can easily select the required power of the device depending on the area. For every ten square meters, one kilowatt is needed. But such calculations are not entirely correct. Choosing the power of the device, other parameters must be taken into account. The calculations include the height of the ceilings in the room, the number of windows and their location relative to the cardinal points, and so on.
Comfort when using
Both devices are easy to operate. It is enough to install them in the right room and connect to electricity. The disadvantage in this regard is very noticeable in oil heaters. Such devices weigh a lot, which complicates their rearrangement, especially in the heated state.
The converter is more compact. It is easy to move, while turning off the device quickly cools. Also, modern converters are equipped with a "smart" control system. It is possible to remotely turn the device on and off, as well as change the temperature conditions.
There is one fact that speaks in favor of oil heaters. Converters may make noise during operation. In addition, the device may emit an unpleasant odor the first time it is turned on.
Security
Here, the converter comes first. Modern designs are equipped with all security systems. In case of danger or overheating, the converter will turn off. The same systems are installed on oil heaters. The danger from their use is associated with the risk of fire if the user dries things on it. Also, oil heaters are very hot, when touched, you can get a burn.
Lifetime
How much the heater will serve, largely depends on the quality of its production. If you take proven brands, then converters come first. The manufacturer gives a minimum of ten years of guaranteed operation.
Important! In the case of an oil heater, the service life is up to ten years. This is due to design features.
The heater is a container with oil inside. There are seams, which are the weak point of the structure. Over time, microscopic cracks appear through which the coolant gradually seeps and the heater fails.
Price indicator
Much depends on the brand. If we take simple models, then oil heaters benefit. Their cost is available to almost any group of customers. But such models fail faster, so the savings are imperceptible.
Modern technologists can reduce the cost of any device. Today, in specialized stores you can find simple converters of sufficient power at a price equal to, and sometimes even less than, oil heaters.
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