Everything About Convector Heaters: A Comprehensive Buyer's Guide Are you looking for a fast, quiet, and efficient heating solution for your home or office?...
Convector Heater
Everything About Convector Heaters: A Comprehensive Buyer's Guide Are you looking for a fast, quiet, and efficient heating solution for your home or office? With their...
19 products
19 products
Filters
1 - 19 of 19 items
Convector Heater
Everything About Convector Heaters: A Comprehensive Buyer's Guide
Are you looking for a fast, quiet, and efficient heating solution for your home or office? With their modern designs and effective performance, convector heaters are an excellent choice. This guide will help you make the most informed decision by explaining everything you need to know, from how convector heaters work to choosing the right model, calculating costs, and understanding safety features.
How Do Convector Heaters Work? The Secret to Silent & Effective Heat
The operating principle of convector heaters is based on a natural law of physics called "convection." The appliance draws in cool, dense air from the floor through its lower vents. Inside, special heating elements rapidly heat this air. The heated air expands, becomes lighter, and rises out of the top vents, spreading throughout the room. To replace the rising warm air, cool air from the floor is drawn into the unit again, and this cycle continues. This creates a natural circulation of warm air, heating the entire room homogeneously and in complete silence.
Detailed Average Running Costs
How much a heater will cost to run is one of the most important purchasing criteria. The cost depends on the appliance's power (kW), its usage time, and your current electricity tariff (pence per kWh). The table below provides a detailed cost analysis for various usage scenarios, based on an average UK tariff of 27p / kWh.
| Heater Power | Cost Per Hour | Cost for 4 Hours of Use | Cost for 8 Hours of Use |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1.0 kW (Small rooms / personal spaces) | ~ 27p | ~ £1.08 | ~ £2.16 |
| 2.0 kW (Medium-sized rooms / most popular) | ~ 54p | ~ £2.16 | ~ £4.32 |
| 2.5 kW (Large living rooms / offices) | ~ 68p | ~ £2.72 | ~ £5.44 |
Note: These costs are estimates. The insulation of the room, outdoor temperature, and your personal thermostat settings can affect your bills.
How to Choose the Right Heater Power for You
To get the best performance from your heater, it is crucial to choose a power level appropriate for your room size. A heater with insufficient power will run constantly and inefficiently, while an overly powerful model will consume unnecessary energy. As a general rule, for a room with a standard ceiling height and average insulation, you can calculate 100 Watts of power per square metre.
| Room Area (m²) | Recommended Heater Power (Watts) | Model Type |
|---|---|---|
| Up to 10 m² (Small bedroom, study) | 1000W (1.0 kW) | Compact Models |
| Up to 15 m² (Standard bedroom) | 1500W (1.5 kW) | Standard Models |
| Up to 20 m² (Medium living room) | 2000W (2.0 kW) | Popular Models |
| 25 m² and above (Large living room, open space) | 2500W (2.5 kW) | High-Power Models |
Heater Type Comparison: Which One is Right for You?
There are various types of heaters on the market. You can see the advantages and disadvantages of convector heaters compared to other popular options in the table below.
| Feature | Convector Heater | Oil-Filled Radiator | Fan Heater |
|---|---|---|---|
| Heating Speed | Very Fast | Slow | Instant |
| Heat Retention | Poor | Excellent | Poor |
| Noise Level | Completely Silent | Completely Silent | Noisy |
| Portability | Very Light | Heavy | Lightest |
| Ideal Use Case | Heating a whole room quickly | Maintaining steady heat for hours | Instant, personal warmth |
Key Features to Look For in a Convector Heater
Adjustable Digital Thermostat
Sets the room temperature to your desired level, and the device automatically turns on and off to maintain it. This prevents constant operation and leads to significant energy savings.
Timer
Allows you to program when the heater turns on and off. Perfect for scenarios like warming your room before you get home or having it switch off automatically at night.
Overheat & Tip-Over Protection
These are vital safety features that automatically cut the power if the device overheats or is knocked over. A must-have, especially for homes with children and pets.
Turbo Fan Boost
A small fan included in some models helps to circulate the warm air around the room even faster. A great extra for when you need to heat a space as quickly as possible.
Wall Mountable
Offers the option to fix the heater to the wall to save floor space. A stylish and practical solution, especially for small rooms, bathrooms, or hallways.
Frost Protection
Ensures the device automatically activates when the ambient temperature drops below a certain point, typically 5°C. Ideal for preventing pipes from freezing in conservatories, garages, or cellars.
Portability & Lightweight Design
Look for heaters that are lightweight and have integrated carry handles. This makes it easy to move the heater from room to room, wherever you need a quick boost of warmth.
Multiple Heat Settings
This allows you to choose between different power levels (e.g., Low, Medium, High). Using a lower setting for maintaining temperature can save energy compared to running it on full power continuously.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Are convector heaters energy efficient?
Yes, convector heaters are very efficient as they convert nearly 100% of the electricity they use into heat. They are especially ideal for heating a room quickly. Models with a thermostat further increase efficiency by turning off once the set temperature is reached.
What is the difference between a convector and a panel heater?
While both operate on the principle of convection, panel heaters are generally slimmer and designed for wall mounting. They also emit a certain amount of radiant heat. Convector heaters are more focused on portability and circulate air more powerfully.
Can I use these heaters in a bathroom?
Only models with an IP21 or higher water splash protection rating can be used in a bathroom. Ensure this rating is specified in the product features and always keep the heater at a safe distance from water sources.
Do convector heaters make noise?
No. Because they have no moving parts (like a fan), convector heaters operate in complete silence. This feature makes them perfect for bedrooms and work environments. (A slight noise may be heard from models with a turbo fan when the fan is active.)
Are they suitable for people with allergies?
Since they do not blow dust and allergens around the air like fan heaters, they are often a better option for people with allergies. However, dust can accumulate on the heating elements over time, so it's important to clean them regularly.
How long does it take to heat a room?
This depends on the size and insulation of the room and the power of the heater. However, one of the biggest advantages of convector heaters is their heating speed. They typically provide a noticeable temperature increase in a medium-sized room within 15-20 minutes.
Do they require maintenance?
Convector heaters require very little maintenance. The main task is to regularly clean them (when the device is cool and unplugged) with a soft brush or vacuum cleaner to prevent dust from accumulating on the air intake and outlet vents.