It's not warm enough in your living space or office and you've decided to buy a heater, but don't know which one to choose? This article will help you decide on the choice of heater. Here you will find information about what types of heaters there are, their basic operating principle, their pros and cons, as well as some recommendations.
The most important characteristic of any thermal heater is power.
The area for which the heater is designed depends on it. For an unheated room with good thermal insulation, about 1 kW per 25-27 m 3 is required (for standard apartments- 1 kW per 10m 3 with a standard ceiling height of 2.50 m).
For a living space with central heating, an electric heater with a power of 1.0-1.5 kW per room with an area of 20-25 m 3 is sufficient.
| Heating area, sq.m. | Device power, W |
| 5 - 6 | 500 |
| 7 - 9 | 750 |
| 10 - 12 | 1000 |
| 12 - 14 | 1250 |
| 15 - 17 | 1500 |
| 18 - 19 | 1750 |
| 20 - 23 | 2000 |
| 24 - 27 | 2500 |
Most modern air heaters have built-in thermostats that allow you to automatically maintain the set temperature. As a rule, thermostats do not have a degree scale; they operate on the principle of more - less. Important characteristic heaters is also their type.
OIL RADIATOR
One of the most popular household heaters. They have a power of 1.0 to 2.5 kW and are used in apartments, offices, and country houses.
Principle of operation:
Inside a sealed metal case filled with mineral oil, there is an electric coil. When heated, it transfers its heat to the oil, which in turn transfers to the metal body, and then to the air. Its outer surface consists of several sections (fins) - the greater their number, the more extensive the heat transfer, with equal powers. The heater maintains the set temperature in the room and automatically turns off in case of overheating. As soon as the temperature starts to drop, it turns on.
Advantages:
- low heating temperature of the housing (about 60°C), due to which oxygen is not “burned” fireproof, silent thanks to a thermostat and timer, some models do not require switching off, high mobility (the presence of wheels makes it easy to move them from room to room)
Flaws:
- relatively long heating of the room (however, they retain heat longer), the temperature of the radiator surface (does not allow you to touch it freely), relatively large dimensions
ELECTRIC CONVECTOR
By operational characteristics looks like an oil cooler.
They are used in apartments, offices, cottages, houses, and can also be used as the main heating system. Suitable for any premises. All models of Noirot convectors have class II electrical protection, do not require a special connection to the electrical network and do not require grounding, which allows them to be left on 24 hours a day, and are not afraid of moisture (can be installed in bathrooms and toilets). If the operating rules are strictly followed, any possibility of ignition is excluded.
Principle of operation:
Heating of the room using a convector occurs due to the passage of air through the heating elements. Circulation occurs due to different densities of cold and warm air: cold air, heating up, rises, and the next batch falls in its place. After which the process is repeated. The heating element has large area and low heating temperature. Therefore, the lower the convector is installed, the more efficient its operation. There are floor and wall convectors. Convectors are convenient to use if they have a timer and a “on delay” function.
Advantages:
Low heating temperature of the housing (about 60°C), due to which oxygen is not “burned” thanks to the thermostat, do not require switching off, high mobility (the presence of wheels makes it easy to move them from room to room) Fireproof. Silent. Can be mounted on any wall. High efficiency 99%. Fast heating of the room. Protected from overheating. Possibility of programming, convectors can be combined into a system electric heating. Small dimensions. Smooth, flat body.
Disadvantages: NO
HOW IS AN ELECTRONIC THERMOSTAT DIFFERENT FROM A MECHANICAL THERMOSTAT?
The advantages of an electronic thermostat are obvious.
Firstly, it is the most accurate to date. The set temperature is maintained with an accuracy of 0.1 degrees. Heaters with a mechanical thermostat maintain the temperature with an accuracy of 1 to 3 degrees. Moreover, over time, the accuracy of the mechanical thermostat decreases. Temperature fluctuations in the room and a person’s well-being depend on the accuracy of the thermostat’s operation, because our body detects temperature changes of even 1 degree.
Secondly, the electronic thermostat is absolutely silent.
Thirdly, an electronic thermostat lasts much longer. So if you want the greatest comfort when using a heater, choose a model with an electronic thermostat.
And fourthly, an electronic thermostat has the advantage of more accurately maintaining the temperature. And its reliability is higher if the differences in the network are no more than those allowed by the passport. Network interruptions often occur in Ukraine, but in the West they know nothing about them.
We will also answer some questions about convectors frequently asked by our customers:
Question: Is there a difference in the efficiency of high and low convectors?
Answer: Practically no. Thermal efficiency is determined by the power of the device.
Question: How safe are convectors? Can they be left unattended?
Answer: Absolutely safe and intended specifically for battery life. Each device has an overheat sensor that will turn off the device in the event of a fire hazard.
Question: I want to buy a 1 kW device. To what temperature will it warm my room?
Answer: The goal is incorrectly formulated. The convector will warm the room to the temperature you need, IF it is chosen correctly. Accordingly, you need to choose power based on what you want to get. 1 kW is enough to heat a room with an area of 10-12 sq.m. In this case, you can set ANY temperature within the range of 5 - 30C. A larger room means the power of the appliances should be greater.
Question: My dacha has 50 sq.m. 3 kW allocated. How can I heat it?
Answer: Taking into account the fact that at any dacha there are also electrical household appliances (kettle, TV, electric stove, etc.) - the answer is not reassuring: “Your place will be cool.” For 50 sq.m. you need 4.5-5 kW of heating power. Otherwise it won't work. Consider additional heating sources.
Question: What are convectors for 1000 UAH? differ from convectors for 3000 UAH.
As in any household appliances: the main difference is efficiency (for example, Noirot connectors have an efficiency of 99%), differences in the country of production (which means reliability, build quality and components themselves), in the warranty period, additional functions (programming, communication). In addition, the price is 3000 UAH. for a convector this is far from the limit. There are models of Campa heaters with an exclusive design, costing $1000-$3000.
Question: How to maintain a positive temperature in the house with minimal electricity consumption?
Answer: Almost every electric convector has an “anti-freeze” mode. When turned on, the device will maintain a temperature of 5-7 C, which is enough to prevent the house from freezing.
Question: Help me choose a heater for the bathroom.
The bathroom is the most “intimate” place in the house, where a person performs sanitary and hygienic procedures, taking an invigorating, contrast shower in the morning and a warm, soothing bath in the evening. Left alone with ourselves, we put in order not only our body, but also our thoughts, getting into a business mood or, conversely, shaking off the burden of problems that have accumulated during the day. An important point in human perception is not only the design of the room, but also the microclimate in it. Therefore, the bathroom should be warm and comfortable, but a conventional heater in a room with such high humidity can't bet. The optimal solution to this problem is NOIROT electric heaters - highly efficient, compact and safe to use heating devices. With them, the bathroom design will become even more attractive, and the soft and gentle warmth will create a feeling of complete harmony.
All NOIROT heaters have electrical protection class II, do not require a special connection to the electrical network and do not require grounding, which allows them to be left on 24 hours a day. If the operating rules are strictly followed, any possibility of ignition is excluded.
All NOIROT models are splash-proof (IP 24) and can be used even in damp rooms.
NOIROT electronic automation can withstand voltage fluctuations from 150 V to 242 V, which is most important with frequent voltage surges. In case of possible power outages, the heaters are equipped with an auto-restart function that restores the operation of the device in its previous mode.
Electric heaters (convectors) are used as main and additional heating country houses, city apartments, glazed balconies, winter gardens, etc., as well as in pavilions, trade stalls and other places where electric heating is the only option.
Question: Why don't you have oil heaters? This is also a convector!
Answer: Once popular in the CIS and Ukraine, oil heaters have a different principle of operation and are not convectors. They have a number significant shortcomings, which electric convectors do not have. Because we strive to offer only the best to our customers, we have had to move away from oil heaters. We advise you to consider this type of device only if you have an extremely limited budget.
FAN HEATER
The simplest and most affordable heating device. Used to quickly warm up small rooms. They have a power of 2.0-2.5 kW. Compared to an oil radiator and convector, they have small dimensions. Fan heaters are located on the floor, on a table, and can also be attached to the wall.
Principle of operation:
In the fan heater, the air is heated by a hot electric coil and is supplied by a fan to the heating zone. The temperature of the open electric coil is about 80°C, and the air at the outlet of the fan heater is always up to 20°C. To improve the uniformity of heating of the room, the fan rotates in the housing. The fan heater housing is usually plastic.
Advantages:
The air is heated very quickly and distributed throughout the room. Turns off if dropped. Protected from overheating. Thanks to the thermostat, the set temperature is regulated and does not require shutdown. Compact and aesthetic.
Flaws:
Noise produced when operating at high speeds. Air pollution due to the combustion of oxygen and dust particles. Collected dust, when burned on a hot coil, can emit an unpleasant odor.
INFRARED HEATER
The most advanced and economical heating devices are infrared heaters. A quartz emitter is more suitable for temporary heating if you do not need to heat the entire room.
Principle of operation:
An infrared heater, unlike traditional heaters, heats nearby objects rather than the air. It emits thermal energy (like the sun), which is absorbed by surrounding surfaces (floors, walls, furniture, etc.) and people. Infrared heaters allow you to create zones with local heating and save energy. They heat objects and do not heat the air. Infrared heaters are designed for suspended ceilings, heating residential and non-residential premises, as well as people in open areas. They are used to heat bathrooms and shower rooms, terraces, balconies, cafes and restaurants.
Advantages: energy saving, silent, when installed above the workplace, infrared radiant heating provides comfortable conditions for a working person without heating the entire room.
- Avoid contact of a jet of water with a heated coil (fan heaters);
- Avoid clogging the device with dust;
- The lower the convector is located, the more efficient its operation;
- Do not cover the operating device;
- Do not use clothes dryers
- Do not use the device in wet areas (shower, bathroom, swimming pool);
- the device must only be in a vertical position (oil radiator);
- Do not place the oil radiator near fusible products and at a distance of no closer than 50 cm from furniture.
AIR-to-AIR HEAT PUMPS OR INVERTER AIR CONDITIONERS
Heating using inverter air conditioners
Heating systems based on the use of a heat pump are environmentally friendly, as they operate without burning fuel and do not produce harmful emissions into the atmosphere. In addition, they are characterized by efficiency: when supplied to heat pump, for example, 1 kW of electricity, depending on the operating mode and operating conditions, it provides up to 3 - 5 kW of thermal energy. Among the advantages of a heat pump are reduced capital costs due to the absence of gas communications, increased home safety due to the absence of explosive gas, and the ability to simultaneously obtain heating, hot water supply and air conditioning from one installation. Systems that transfer heat in the opposite direction are often called heat pumps.
Advantages:
Modern air conditioners are able to not only effectively cope with their historically main task - to cool the air in rooms, but also to heat them well. If over the past ten years hundreds of articles have been written on the Internet on the topic “do not turn on the air conditioner in winter,” today the situation is changing. Manufacturers such as Mitsubishi Electric and Daikin (Japan) have taught their air conditioners to reliably heat even at outside temperatures down to -25°C.
What does this give the buyer? As a professional seller of air conditioners, we finally began to hear the following questions in conversations with customers:
“I need to warm up in winter, I want to install air conditioning, what do you recommend?” Let's look into this issue.
Operating principle of a heat pump:
The air conditioner operates on the principle of a heat pump, which is fundamentally different from the principle of operation of any electric heater. A heat pump is able to “pump” heat from outside to inside. This means that even at sub-zero outside temperatures it is possible to extract heat from the atmospheric air. How it works? Let's imagine this effect: spill a little cologne or alcohol on your hand. How will we feel? Your hand will immediately feel cold. What happened? Alcohol evaporates very quickly, taking away heat. But there is also a reverse process. If you force a liquid to condense, it will bring heat with its particles. In nature, this process almost never occurs in an obvious form that is at least somewhat noticeable without instruments. But experts have recreated this process in an air conditioner. Freon under high pressure was forced to condense in the heat exchanger indoor unit, which is why it warms up great (up to 60-80 degrees). Then the liquid freon is sent to outdoor unit, where, under conditions of greatly decreased pressure, it must again turn into gas, that is, evaporate. It is quite difficult to make freon boil in the outdoor unit, collecting heat from the atmospheric air, but for modern scientists this turned out to be only a problem of time.
Why do you need air conditioning in winter and how to use it? What can a potential buyer of a “heating” split system expect today? No need to design yet independent system heating country house based on air conditioners. Still, economically this is quite controversial and temperatures in winter can drop below minus twenty. But in a city apartment it’s a completely different matter.
Inverter air conditioners, capable of heating today at very low temperatures. Now about the practical side of the matter. Electricity consumption. Inverter air conditioners, capable of heating at very low temperatures today, have a very high EER coefficient, which shows the ratio of heat generated to electricity consumed. In practice, this is the more familiar efficiency (efficiency factor). So this figure today exceeds 4. This means that by spending only two hundred and fifty watts, we get more than a kilowatt of heat! This is more than four times more economical than any electric heater! It's profitable? Yes!
Disadvantages: Only one - high price equipment compared to other heating devices.
WHAT TO CHOOSE? LET'S SUM UP
Oil radiators are ideal for heating apartments. Quietness, efficiency and safety are very important here. One heater is enough to heat a living room or bedroom. Oil radiators are equipped with wheels and can be easily moved from room to room. For the summer, you can simply take the oil radiator out to the shed or put it in the pantry.
Convectors Low heating temperature of the body (about 60°C), due to which oxygen is not “burned” thanks to the thermostat, do not require switching off, high mobility (the presence of wheels makes it easy to move them from room to room) Fireproof. Silent. Can be mounted on any wall. High efficiency 99%. Fast heating of the room. Protected from overheating. Possibility of programming, convectors can be combined into an electric heating system. Small dimensions. Smooth, flat body. There are no disadvantages, only the high price.
Fan heaters provide the highest rate of room heating, but create increased noise at high speeds, and models with an open spiral have another drawback: they burn oxygen and pollute the air with combustion products.
Infrared quartz emitters used to heat certain areas of the room. They can quite heat the workplace.
Air-to-air heat pumps or inverter air conditioners provide high-speed heating of the room. Suitable for heating any premises. High efficiency when supplying, for example, 1 kW of electricity to the heat pump, depending on the operating mode and operating conditions, it provides up to 3 - 5 kW of thermal energy. Today, the heat pump is the most economical look heating your room. It has only one drawback: the high cost of the equipment compared to other heating devices.
Easy-to-use thermostats for infrared heaters can increase the efficiency of heating devices, reducing energy consumption. Today, there are various modifications of control modules for infrared heating equipment on sale, which differ in the principle of operation, functionality, and the presence or absence of additional sensors and temperature meters.
Description of infrared heaters
A feature of this type of thermal equipment is the ability of infrared heaters to heat not the air, but various objects and wall surfaces in the room. This allows you to ensure the highest possible comfort of living in a private home, while optimizing energy consumption and reducing communal payments.
Today, there are several varieties of infrared heaters that can operate in a completely autonomous mode, controlled by special thermostats and built-in automation. The homeowner has the opportunity to customize the operation of the heating equipment at will, setting the required temperature in the room. Built-in automation will analyze data from external units, making appropriate adjustments to the operation of heat generators.
For infrared heaters, thermostats are made in a separate block and can have various additional sensors and thermometers.
The presence of remote modules allows you to obtain the most accurate information about the temperature in the room and subsequently the thermostat will make appropriate adjustments, reducing or increasing the heating intensity.
Ballu BMT-1 connection for heating and cooling + simplified thermostat diagram
Icoline infrared heaters, thermostat, installation
Purpose of thermostats
To maintain a comfortable temperature in the room, you will need to turn the infrared heater on and off. This is not always convenient and significantly complicates living in a private house.
When manually turning on the device, it is necessary to ensure that there is no overheating, which can lead to equipment failure and a fire in the room. To simplify the operation of infrared heaters, special thermostats are used, which allow you to fully automate the operation of heat generators.
The scope of application of such devices is extremely wide.. They allow you to maintain a comfortable temperature in the room and monitor proper operation. heating element. If initially such automatic control units were used in industry, today you can find various household appliances on sale that differ in functionality and are affordable.
Types of devices and principles of their operation
Thermostats for infrared heaters are usually distinguished by the features of their design and principle of operation. Today the most popular are two types of thermostats:
- Electronic.
- Mechanical.
The simplest mechanical thermostats differ reliable design. The operating principle of such devices is based on the property of a material to shrink or expand when heated and cooled.
Inside the thermostat is bimetallic element, responding to changes in temperature indicators. When the set parameter increases, the circuit opens and the power supply to the heater stops. As soon as the temperature on the sensor drops below the set value, the power supply to the heater is restored and heating is turned on, which allows you to maintain the optimal temperature in the room.
Electronic models, depending on their design, can be divided into simple and complex. Inexpensive digital thermostats can control room temperature by turning infrared heaters on and off. Complex electronic devices are versatile and have numerous settings:
- Capable of controlling the operation of several heaters at once.
- Antifreeze function implemented.
- Managed remotely and remotely.
- They work according to a given schedule.
Advanced electronic thermostats for IR heaters can provide completely autonomous heating of the room, and they can be integrated into the Smart Home system, when the automation will fully monitor all vital processes in a private house or apartment.
Connecting a thermostat with your own hands.
The range of choices available today in specialized stores is so wide that it is difficult for an uninitiated homeowner to choose a high-quality and inexpensive thermostat.
As a result, people purchase simple thermostats that are not capable of fully automating room heating, or they overpay for unnecessary functionality.
The simplest mechanical thermostats will become excellent choice For a dacha or a private country house where people do not live regularly in winter, the full functionality of such control units will not be in demand. Connecting the thermostat to an infrared heater is not difficult, and the entire setup only takes a couple of minutes.
High quality and inexpensive mechanical thermostats have a printed temperature range scale; some models have built-in LEDs that make it easy to determine whether the device is on or off. The advantage of the simplest mechanical devices is their ease of operation, easy installation and affordable cost. Disadvantages are limited functionality and high error.
Electronic thermostats differ in the highest possible accuracy of the device. Some models allow you to adjust the heating temperature in steps of 0.1 degrees Celsius. Thermostats have a wide range of functionality, are compact in size, and are reliable and durable equipment. Their main disadvantage is their high cost, as well as their dependence on energy, which complicates their use on farms and in holiday villages.
When choosing electronic models, you need to pay attention to whether a remote temperature sensor is included in the delivery package. The presence of such external thermometers can significantly improve the accuracy of the device, expanding its functionality.
U best models There may be several temperature sensors at once, which are made on a long wire or exchange data with the main unit using wireless communication.
The presence of an electronic programmer allows you to configure the operation of the equipment according to preset parameters. For example, a homeowner can turn off the device when no one is home, and half an hour before returning from work, the control unit will turn on the heater, which will solve heating problems while simultaneously reducing utility costs. Thanks to the presence of such programmers, the functionality of both thermostats and infrared thermal devices is significantly expanded.
Description of the best models
Today, mechanical and electronic thermostats for IR heaters from various manufacturers are available for sale. Products from domestic brands, which combine reliability, durability and are affordable, are popular. Also in demand on the market are fully automated control units for infrared heaters from Japanese, American and Western European manufacturers. The following models are worth highlighting:
Ballu BMT-1. An inexpensive mechanical thermostat for a heater, which was designed specifically to work with infrared heaters from the manufacturer Ballu. The advantages of this modification of the thermostat include the ability to use it with single-phase heaters with a power of 2 kW, and the presence of a wide temperature control range. The body of the device is made of heavy-duty plastic. Today's cost mechanical thermostat Ballu BMT-1 is 600−700 rubles.- Neoclima RQ-1. Mechanical surface-mounted thermostat for infrared heater, which can be used with heaters and air curtains. This model is designed to monitor temperature indicators in air conditioning systems and autonomous heating. Thanks to the design of the housing with electrical and moisture protection, the device can be placed on outdoors. The cost of the Neoclima RQ-1 regulator today is about 700 rubles.
- Easter RTC 70.26. This is a popular model of electromechanical thermostat, which is used in underfloor heating systems and with infrared heaters. The device is equipped with a remote sensor that measures temperature and transmits a signal to the main control unit. The electromechanical thermostat is easy to use. The advantage of this model is its versatility of use, as well as the ability to connect heating devices with a power of 3500 W. The cost of Easter RTC 70.26 today is 700 rubles.
Eberle RTT - E 6121. Surface mounted electromechanical thermostat with manual control. The temperature adjustment range is +5−30 degrees. The device allows you to simultaneously control the operation of several heaters with a total power of no more than 3.5 kW. This clip-on thermostat can be used in rooms with a humidity level of no higher than 95%. Thanks to the use of a bimetallic plate as a sensitive element, maximum accuracy of the device, reliability and functionality of the regulator are ensured. The cost of Eberle RTT - E 6121 today is 1200 rubles.- BiLux T08. Programmable thermostat from domestic manufacturer BiLux company. The device has a touch display and convenient backlighting. The device has a high level of moisture resistance and is made of a durable plastic case. The thermostat has manual and programmable control modes; the delivery set includes a temperature sensor with a 3-meter long wire. The device has an emergency shutdown option, remembers the last installed programs, and has advanced functionality. The cost of BiLux T08 today is 3 thousand rubles.
- Terneo PRO. The top model of a programmable electronic thermostat, which has a clear touch display. All data about the settings and operation of the infrared heater can be stored in the cloud, which makes it possible to view the necessary parameters from a tablet or smartphone. The manufacturer has developed a special application for remote control of the thermostat. The device has advanced programming functions, and 16 preset heating modes are already stored in the memory. The delivery set includes a temperature sensor with a high-quality network cable. The cost of this model today is 3,500 rubles.
The use of mechanical and electronic regulators to control the operation of infrared heaters significantly expands the functionality of thermal equipment. With the help of such devices, you can control the operation of infrared heaters in a completely autonomous mode, ensuring that the optimal temperature in the house is maintained. In specialized stores you can select various models of regulators, which will differ in operating principle, purpose, functionality and cost.
Nowadays, an increasing number of consumers are inclined to think that the only way to improve the quality of home heating at minimal cost is an electric thermostat. For most people, the topic of minimizing the cost of heating apartments is very relevant, but this can be done either by switching to autonomous heating, which is not always possible and too expensive, or by using special control devices.
Because central system heating system is imperfect, and relying only on it risks freezing, then an electric heater with a thermostat is in great demand as an additional source of heat.
Operating principle and functions of a household thermostat
Even in houses with autonomous heating there is some kind of electric heater “in reserve”, let alone apartments that depend on the “whims” of the city heating network. This could be an oil radiator, an infrared lamp, an electric fireplace or their equivalents. Their presence is completely justified, since during the off-season, when it suddenly gets cold and the heating has not yet been turned on, they are the only way to warm up.
The easiest way to create comfortable atmosphere using similar devices and saving on electricity - this is a thermostat in a socket for household heaters.
The purpose of any temperature regulator is to monitor the level of heating of the air in the room and maintain it in a given range. Since at the same time it automatically turns off and turns on the heating device, it additionally saves either electricity or fuel. The same actions are performed by an electric temperature controller for air heaters.
The biggest advantage of such devices is that they do not need to be mounted in a heater, but simply plugged into an outlet and adjusted to the desired temperature settings. In appearance, it looks like an adapter, since on one side it has a plug, and on the other there is a socket into which the electric heater is connected. Even a person who has picked up such a device for the first time can easily handle a thermostat of this type. As a rule, on the front side there is a display on which temperature settings are set.
The operating principle of the device is very simple:
- It is inserted with a plug into the socket.
- A heater is connected to it.
When choosing, for example, a thermostat for an oil heater, you should study the technical parameters of both devices so that their power ratings either match or the heater has less power.
- Set the desired air heating temperature and enjoy the warmth.
During operation, the temperature controller for the electric heater collects data on the level of air heating in the room. As soon as it reaches the specified parameters, a relay is activated in the device, which cuts off the supply of electricity to the heater. When the air has cooled to the lower value of the specified range, the reverse process occurs and the relay turns off, allowing current to flow to the heater.
A similar device is used not only for wall or floor electric heaters, but also for connecting another household appliances: table lamps, irons, electric kettles, air conditioners and much more. Depending on the purpose, the desired type of thermostat is selected.
Types of thermostats for electric heaters
Today, the market offers a huge number of models of thermostats for all types of heaters, ranging from ordinary oil fireplaces or wall-mounted air heaters to underfloor heating systems and heating boilers.
They differ in color, shape and size, as well as technical parameters and can be easy-to-use electromechanical thermostats or digital devices with programming functions, remote control and built-in Wi-Fi. As a rule, the cost of such devices is higher, the more settings and functions they have.
According to the mounting method, they are divided into wall-mounted devices, which are installed permanently and connected to the power supply, and portable, such as thermostats plugged into an outlet. The latter can be installed in any room where it is.
Based on the type of settings, thermostats are divided into:
- Mechanical, when all parameters are entered manually. Typically, they are limited to a small temperature range and do not have the ability to adjust according to the time of day. In addition, they are mounted in the wall and connected to electrical cable nutrition. The main advantage of such a device is its low cost.
- Electronic temperature controllers have the function remote control and settings. They have a fairly large monitor, which can be either touch-sensitive or equipped with buttons. The microprocessor processes all indicators of changes in air temperature and compares them with the specified parameters, and if they do not correspond, turns on the heater or disconnects it from the power supply.
- Controlling the thermostat via a GSM program allows the owner to monitor the efficiency of the electric heater or change settings via a smartphone while away from home. A SIM card connected to the owner’s mobile phone is inserted into such a device.
- Programmers with built-in Wi-Fi are some of the most expensive thermostat models. For electric heaters, it is advisable to install them if they are the main source of heating for a house or apartment. As a rule, their program allows you not only to set temperature parameters, but also to tie them to the time of day and days of the week, setting them up for the week ahead. You can control such a device from a smartphone, tablet or computer at any distance, as long as you have Internet access.
If an electric wall heater with a thermostat is used as an additional heat source, it is usually either electromechanical or electronic. There is no point in installing expensive equipment for a conventional air heater.
How to choose a plug-in thermostat
You need to approach the choice of a control device responsibly, since if you do not take into account the technical parameters of the devices, you can, at best, end up with a burnt-out heater, and at worst, a fire in the apartment.
Regardless of whether an electric overhead thermostat for heating is needed or portable, you should decide what it will record. Currently, there are devices on sale that monitor the air temperature in the room and those that control the heating of the heater itself. As a rule, the former create the necessary microclimate, while the latter ensure that the device does not exceed the maximum specified parameter, regardless of how comfortable and warm the room is.
It is imperative to find out the power of the thermostat and correlate it with the technical parameters of the heater. Ideally, the power of the heater is 30% lower than that of the temperature controller.
It is also necessary to establish what should be temperature Range device. For household heaters, as a rule, a run-up from +5°C to +35°C is sufficient.
Not all outlet thermostats are suitable for rooms with high humidity, so you need to check the degree of protection of the device.
The price of such devices directly depends on their “filling”, so you should not rely on this parameter when choosing a thermostat for an electric heater. It is important what functions it should have so that people feel comfortable while at home.
A plug-in thermostat is a great opportunity to save money on electricity bills when you need to connect household heaters. They also extend the “life” of the heater by turning it on and off as needed, while maintaining the specified temperature conditions for heating the room.
The climatic features of the country at a time when the thermometer drops below 0˚C make us think about insulating the house. Often, one heating system cannot warm the air in your home to optimal temperatures, and not everyone can afford the installation of autonomous heating. In this case, the use of household floor and wall heaters becomes relevant.
However, despite the variety of models presented, their owners strive to modify the devices and improve the heating process: set up precise temperature control functions, which significantly reduces heating costs.
That is why the question often arises of how to replace the built-in thermostat or temperature controller:
- floor, oil cooler,
- heat gun,
- electric convector,
- electric radiator,
- electric heating element, electric heating element stoves,
- infrared (IR) panels, wall-mounted, floor-mounted,
- and other heaters that plug into an outlet.
That is, what kind of analogue should I choose for the built-in thermostat of a household heater?
To find optimal solution To address this issue, we will consider the main types of household heaters and the temperature regulators used in them.
Types of the most common heaters (household)
In Russia, the range of heaters offered to consumers is wide:
- oil heaters suitable for heating rooms with small area. Although this type of heater is economical, the question often arises of how to replace the built-in oil radiator thermostat in order to more accurately maintain temperature readings and thereby reduce electricity costs;
- IR heating panels(their floor, wall views, operating from a power outlet) provide very fast air heating in homes, cottages, offices and shops. They are distinguished by their compactness, silent operation and safe operation. Temperature controllers for IR panels differ in type, and different models can be equipped with both a functional thermostat and its mechanical analogue, or only a heating on/off button;
- floor and wall radiators It is recommended to install in rooms with cold walls or in rooms with large glazing. This type of heaters is used successfully both in residential buildings, and in swimming pools, car interiors, winter gardens. The thermostat in such devices is either absent or has minimal functionality and is not capable of providing uniform heating;
- heat guns have gained popularity among consumers due to the possibility of quickly heating the room, but the energy consumption when using them is much higher;
- electric heaters were invented in late XIX centuries, since then they have undergone significant changes and have become the most powerful and safe, but the principle of their functioning has remained unchanged. The presence of built-in thermostats also does not always guarantee uniform heating and economical consumption of electricity to maintain the required temperature.
The disadvantage of many household heaters with a manual mode switch
With many positive aspects when using household heaters, the operating mode of which the user can control independently, a significant drawback is revealed.
This disadvantage lies in the need to constantly select the desired operating mode of the device manually. This option is impractical both because of the need for independent control, and because it does not allow economical consumption of electricity in the absence of the owners in the house for a long period: the weather in our country is very changeable, therefore, in the absence of the owners, the temperature regime set on the heater may turn out to be insufficient or, conversely, excessive. Sudden temperature changes can negatively affect indoor plants, household appliances and general condition premises.
Terneo RZ thermostat as a replacement for the built-in heater thermostat
The thermostat built into the heater performs the function of automatic holding and temperature regulation. However, as a rule, these devices do not have a temperature scale, so it is impossible to fine-tune the mode, and the principle of their operation is to increase or decrease the heat supply.
Terneo RZ thermostat - modern model, which is compatible with warm floors, convectors and other heaters operating from an outlet. The device helps you set temperature values from 0 to 30˚C without any additional effort.
Operating principle of Terneo RZ
Using a thermostat begins by plugging it into the network and connecting the heating device directly to the socket of the thermostat itself. After this, on the thermostat control panel you need to select exact value temperature.
Such a miniature device is capable of controlling the heater, and when the room temperature reaches the user-set temperature, the heating will be turned off. Additionally, when using Terneo RZ, it can be switched to cooling mode. The Terneo RZ thermostat is a way out for those who do not want to install electrical wiring and are looking for something to replace the built-in thermostat of an infrared panel (wall/floor), oil radiator, heat gun, and other household heaters that operate from an outlet.
Advantages of Terneo RZ
The advantages of this thermostat lie mainly in its technical characteristics and operating features:
- compact dimensions;
- adjustable hysteresis, that is, the temperature difference on the basis of which the device turns on/off;
- the ability to connect any device compatible with the thermostat;
- Terneo RZ has a function to control the operation of multiple devices;
- wide temperature range: 0-30˚С;
- when using Terneo RZ there is 40% electricity savings;
- Terneo RZ does not require manipulation of indoor wiring;
- safety of operation (protection from children, protection from overheating);
- Possibility of use with devices that support cooling mode (air conditioner, fan, etc.);
- affordable price. When purchasing a thermostat, the costs are recouped within a few months, which undoubtedly makes it a profitable option for those people who are considering options for replacing the built-in thermostat of a household heater.
Conventional heaters without temperature controllers are not very convenient to use, since they constantly need to be turned on and off, focusing on the air temperature in the room, and with their help it is impossible to warm up the room in advance, for example, in especially cold winter before coming home.
In addition, heating appliances without controls increase the risk of fire if left on for long periods of time. But this problem can be solved if you use a thermostat with a temperature sensor.
Thanks to such thermostats it is possible automatic control all types of modern heaters located in a private house, apartment, garage or warehouse. If, for example, you leave a regular heater on overnight, it can “burn” all the oxygen, especially if the room has a weak ventilation system and few windows, and in the morning it will be extremely uncomfortable for a person to be in the room.
In addition, such use of heaters will lead to increased energy consumption and increased utility bills. If you install a thermostat in the room and connect heaters to it, it will turn them on and off as needed.
To maintain one level of heating in a room, you just need to set the desired temperature level; the thermostat itself will do the rest. The heaters will automatically turn on if the air temperature drops below the set value, and turn off when this indicator reaches the set value.
Thanks to thermostats, the problem with the microclimate of children's rooms, warehouses where goods sensitive to temperature changes are stored, as well as any non-residential premises that manage to freeze enough during the winter night is solved, and at the beginning of the working day it is uncomfortable to be in them. This reduces energy consumption and does not burn oxygen.
Main types of thermostats
Thermostats for heaters are devices that can be used to set the frequency, mode and intensity of operation of the heating elements. Conventional regulators are available in most modern devices, which are intended for heating or, conversely, cooling air and any objects. The main types of regulators are:
- electronic
- electromechanical
- mechanical.
Electronic thermostats
The electronic thermostat has three main elements in its design:
- sensor that determines the air temperature level;
- microprocessor, whose task is to process and transmit signals;
- a key that performs the functions of a thermal relay, that is, control switching.
The main advantage of thermostats with an electronic processor and sensor is high accuracy determination and regulation of the temperature level in the room, ease of setting and control of heaters located in the room.
Such thermostats are used to control the unified heating system of a house or apartment, as well as to regulate the operation of air conditioners and any other similar systems responsible for creating and maintaining the indoor microclimate. An electronic thermostat can be built into a system like " smart House» and monitor the temperature of not only the air in the room, but also the heating devices themselves in order to increase fire safety.
Electromechanical thermostats
Electromechanical thermostats can be considered one of the simplest in design. ABOUT their new design is the relay, of which there are many types, but the most commonly used are the following:
- Thermostats installed in irons, kitchen electric stoves, kettles and other household appliances that can change their temperature. Their design is considered the simplest and consists of a group of contacts and a double metal plate. When the device heats up, the plate begins to bend and this opens a group of contacts, which stops the supply of electricity to the heating plate or coil.
When the device cools down, the plate returns to its original state and the electrical circuit resumes its operation, since the group of contacts is closed again. Thanks to this cycle, it is possible to maintain the temperature level of the device at approximately the same level.
- The second type of electromechanical regulator uses a slightly different principle of operation. In such regulators a relay is installed, based on the expansion of some of its elements when heated. The simplest example is thermostats that are present in home boilers designed to heat water in an apartment or private house, as well as oil heaters
If you do not go into scientific details and speak in a language accessible to most people, then we can say that such a relay is a cylinder tube filled with a substance sensitive to heating and cooling, placed in a special small tank of water. When the boiler begins to heat up, the contents of the control tube expand and, having reached a critical value, control it using a special drive. electrical circuit, closing and opening contacts, thereby preventing critical overheating.
Thermostats
Another type of thermostat that is used in many household appliances is thermostat regulators. In everyday life, such regulators can be found, for example, in central heating systems. Appearance Thermostat regulators are very similar to the most common taps that shut off the water flow in a pipe. Thanks to their use, it becomes possible to maintain different levels temperatures in rooms or office rooms.
This opportunity is very convenient if there are small children in the family, to keep their room a little more high temperature than in the rest of the apartment, or in offices where some employees stay overnight. The design of the thermostat is as simple as possible, reliable and includes a thermal cylinder with a rod filled with a heat-sensitive substance. When the substance heats up to a predetermined level, it expands and pushes the rod out, which completely or partially restricts the movement of water in the pipe.
The same thermostat regulators are used in automobile engines. It is not recommended to try to use these devices for flexible temperature settings, since they have several basic operating modes, going beyond which can lead to the entire heating system depressurizing and failing.
Thermostats for infrared heaters
IN last years Heating devices using infrared radiation. Such heaters increase the temperature not of the air, but of the objects within their reach. Special designs of thermostats have been developed for them, slightly different from conventional ones. Conventionally, they can be divided into two main categories - mechanical and programmable.
Mechanical
Mechanical thermostats are produced by most companies engaged in the production of products of this kind, but they are all practically the same from each other, since their design is extremely simple and the difference can only be in the quality of the materials used for manufacturing. Almost all models of mechanical regulators are wall-mounted; they can be divided according to the installation principle into mortise and surface-mounted devices, so they can be connected to any type of wiring.
Standard setting range temperature conditions which such regulators are capable of supporting is in the range from +5 to + 30 degrees. They are slightly larger in size than conventional sockets and switches, so they do not disturb the interior of the room. Mechanical regulators are controlled by a knob that sets the temperature level at which the heating system should start or stop operating, as well as a button to turn the regulator itself on and off.
Programmable
If you achieve maximum comfort, then you should definitely buy a programmable thermostat. Programmable thermostats are the most modern and easy-to-use types of devices of this type. They have a wider operating temperature range, which most often ranges from +5 to + 45 degrees, which makes their capabilities more flexible and somewhat expands the scope of application. Their main difference from all other types of regulators based on the mechanical principle of operation is the ability to set a complex heating program designed for several days or even weeks, depending on the model.
Moreover, for each day you can set a different sequence of temperature changes and controls. They have two sensors for measuring temperature, one monitors the entire room, the second monitors the heating level of the infrared devices themselves. In smart home systems, programmable versions of thermostats are used as the most convenient and comfortable.
When choosing a thermostat, you need to consider the following points:
- external climatic conditions;
- reliability of the room’s own thermal insulation;
- number of heating devices;
- types of heaters.
All thermostats designed to work with infrared heating devices and systems can connect several devices, but their total power should not exceed 3-3.5 kW. If the total power of the heaters is higher than this value, then a magnetic starter must be built into the circuit, redistributing the load between individual devices of the heating network.
All types of wall thermostats are installed at a height of approximately one and a half meters, in accordance with the rules for installing devices of this kind. The diagrams for connecting them to the electrical network of the room are quite simple and do not differ fundamentally from the diagrams for connecting sockets and switches; the main thing is to ensure that the cross-section of the wires used corresponds to the power of the heating devices that they connect to the regulator.
In conclusion, we can say that installing thermostats on heating systems and heaters is a profitable and reasonable solution that will not only make life easier and more convenient, especially in regions with cold climates, but will also help you save on utilities without wasting energy. It is also worth giving preference well-known manufacturers, since the thermostat is always part of a complex system and if it is of poor quality or defective, this can lead to emergency situation in the room where it is installed.
When choosing a specific model, it is worth taking into account all the nuances of heating the room, starting from the number of heaters and ending with the power of each of them. If your own knowledge is not enough to calculate and select the right model, you need to contact electrical and heating specialists, and not choose the first one that comes across or seems most suitable only at first glance.