Rating of the best underfloor heating convectors for 2022

The use of radiator batteries for heating large areas of halls or rooms with large panoramic windows is, to put it mildly, not the most aesthetic option. More acceptable in this case would be the option of using floor convectors (they are also floor heaters). These devices today are no longer something unique and at an operating pressure of 15 bar (and in a test pressure of 25 bar) they can well be installed in apartment buildings with central heating, and in office premises, and even in shopping centers.

Fundamentals of the design of floor convectors

Although the design parameters of these devices cannot be called very complex, they still have their own characteristics. The entire heating system consists of the following parts:

• Case (aka case);
• Heat exchanger;
• Devices that automatically control heating;
• Ventilation grille;
• The fan itself (in case mandatory ventilation is applied);
• fasteners.

The main part of the whole structure is considered to be a heat exchanger, which is a tube of almost any section (rectangular, round, oval) and to which a number of plates or ribs are attached. In some models, this may be a heating element.

The heat exchange device is usually made of copper or aluminum, as these metals are resistant to rust and also have excellent heat dissipation.A number of plates are fixed perpendicular to the heat exchange tube, the heating of which provides a large heating area.

The case of the convector itself isolates the insides of the underground channel. The material for its manufacture is selected in such a way that it is possible to ensure the rigid fastening of all parts and withstand the lattice load, while possible contact with the liquid would not cause the corrosion process to start (water may well seep in the form of condensate formed). However, in more expensive models, condensate drainage may be provided by special devices.

Operating principles

The heating devices under consideration are not heavily overloaded with additional elements - basically, these are sensors and control devices, which themselves have small dimensions. The room is heated by convection (from Latin “transfer”) - the natural flow of hot air upwards, while the cold one moves downwards.

Convection can be forced and natural (natural): in the first case, the fan built into the design forcibly circulates air (and the speed of this process can be controlled), and in the second, this process proceeds naturally and it is impossible to influence its speed. Depending on the cost of the equipment, two or more fans can be installed in models with forced circulation.

Water heater

It consists of a copper tube, bent in the shape of the English letter "U", which is installed in an aluminum shell with plates. The heat carrier in this system is ordinary water. The box of such a heat exchanger is made of galvanized/stainless steel.The whole structure is built into a special niche in the floor and covered with a metal decorative grille from above.

As a result, the design warms up the air masses, which, according to the rule of convection, rise up, and the cold air flows displaced by them rush down. The entire heat transfer power is achieved through the use of materials with high thermal conductivity and the use of a large number of fin plates.

The decorative grille, in turn, is designed to prevent accidental contact of the human body with the working parts of the equipment. This is a really important point, because the heating temperature can reach up to +90 degrees Celsius, which will inevitably cause burns.

In the case when this design provides for the presence of a fan, then its power increases by a multiple of the number of these same fans. However, fans have an unpleasant feature - they will necessarily be a source of extraneous noise. Although, the noise problem can be corrected in some way by installing rubberized inserts on the engine and windseal supports. However, at a time when increased power is not required, the “nth” number of ventilation devices can simply be turned off. It is worth noting that the temperature can also be adjusted automatically by means of special sensors installed on the windseals.

Electric convector

Its design is almost similar to that described above, but instead of a U-shaped tube, a dry heating element is installed as a heater in the design, which has a special plumage that increases thermal conductivity. The device itself can be made of steel, copper, ceramic or aluminum.The internal elements of the electric convector are painted in dark colors in order to hide them under a decorative crate.

In the described heating system, a special sensor with a microprocessor is always installed, which is responsible for the heating temperature. It is with its help that you can connect the heat exchanger to the "smart home" system and centrally control the temperature in the premises.

The material from which the heating element is made also plays an important role, since it directly affects the service life. The most reliable heating elements are those made of stainless steel. It is also worth considering that the electric convector is a device that consumes electricity, which obliges the owner to ground it in accordance with the "Rules for the operation of electrical installations". It must also be provided with devices that protect the system from power surges in the network. Otherwise, the heater case has a design similar to a water case, however, its height must be at least 20 cm in order to properly create air draft. However, this condition can also be circumvented by installing a couple of fans in the design.

Benefits of installing a convector

The main advantages in this matter will be:

• Aesthetic integration into the overall interior;
• Possibility of use in almost any room;
• Variation of shapes and sizes;
• Possibility of installation in rooms located on the upper floors, where the pressure does not rise above 15 bar (applies to water samples);
• Sufficiently light weight, which is not able to heavily load the supporting structures of the building;
• Some savings compared to the use of radiator heating (approximate reduction in the cost of heating by 25%);
• Even at an average temperature in the general system of +50 degrees Celsius, comfortable heating of all rooms can be achieved.

And as a separate plus, you can designate the fact that you don’t have to open the flooring to replace / repair individual elements - just remove the crate.

Choosing the Right Underfloor Heating Parameters

Width selection

This parameter must be chosen in such a way that in the future there are no installation questions. It is especially necessary to pay attention to the adequacy of the indentation from the panoramic windows - it should be from 5 to 15 cm. The same applies to the underground niche - the heater should not be installed "back to back", the free distance should be 5 - 10 mm.

Regarding the selection in width, here in most cases the features of the panoramic window and the general design solution used in the room will play a role. Usually, heaters are limited in length, but by increasing their width it is possible to increase their power.

Depth selection

Here it is necessary to take into account the height of the screed and the structural features of the underground niche itself. The device must be installed freely, having a reserve depth of 10-20 mm for reliable fastening and free entry of fasteners.

Length selection

As a rule, the radiator is chosen in such a way that it covers the entire length of the panoramic windows or the room in general. Here one should not forget about the indentation from the walls, which should be at least 15-30 cm.

Selection of a decorating lattice

These grilles add an element of aesthetics and decoration to the overall design of the heater. Most often, they are purchased separately from the main set, but expensive and well-known brands can include them immediately in the kit. The main thing is to maintain harmony with the surrounding design, i.e.to achieve a harmonious combination of slats, colors, materials used, with the environment. Nevertheless, specialist designers are advised to purchase grilles produced by the same brand that made the convector itself (in order to ensure full compatibility of all parts).

Standard solutions for some rooms

First of all, you should decide on the area of ​​\u200b\u200bthe room that will need to be heated. For large areas of office space or shopping centers, it is necessary to install several heating devices at once, and it is desirable to provide them with forced ventilation. For extremely large areas, there should be several priors. Also, based on the level of required heat transfer, you should decide which heating option is better - water or electric? The first one will be cheaper to operate, but there may be problems with the rapid heating of the room. The second one will cost a lot of money, but will provide uniform and timely heating.

Apartment convectors and models for small offices will be less whimsical to installation conditions. Due to the small heating area, additional fans can be omitted in them, and central water heating can also be used.

Approximate calculation of convector parameters for specific premises

You should start with the power parameters, which will depend on the dimensions of the room. Adequate and optimal in the design community is the figure of 110 watts of power per square meter. However, this parameter is taken with a margin typical for the countries of the post-Soviet space - in Europe, this indicator can be reduced by 20-30%.

You can then use the following calculations:

• If the ceiling height is more than 2.7 meters, then you need to add a factor of 1.05 to the power (Total power = number of squares x 110 W x 1.05);
• If the room has two or more external walls, then add a factor of 1.2 (Total power = number of squares x 110 W x 1.05 x 1.2);
• If the walls in the room are not insulated with anything, then add a factor of 1.1 (Total power = number of squares x 110 W x 1.05 x 1.2 x 1.1).

IMPORTANT! For more accurate calculations, you can use a special online calculator, which is usually available on the websites of companies producing convectors.

It will also take into account:

• The dimensions of the panorama window itself;
• Heat carrier material;
• Installed screed depth;
• Throughput level of the heating system.

The dependence of the price on the characteristics of the heater

The cost of the convector will consist of its following characteristics:

• Used pressure and output heating temperature;
• Total thermal power;
• The noise of the fans;
• Their number in the design;
• Average energy consumption;
• The presence of a dimensional grid;
• Decoration features.

Today it is not so difficult to choose a heater with specific characteristics and so that they correspond to price / quality indicators - fortunately, most convector models are sold according to the so-called “constructor” scheme (all devices are completed with the corresponding elements separately).

Regarding prices, we can talk about the rather high cost of the equipment in question as a whole. For example, even for a brand released in the expanses of the countries of the former USSR, you will have to pay about 16,000 rubles for a sample with a power of 1000 watts.In the former republics, production is mainly focused on models for heating with a total square of up to 25 meters, with their total price of 50,000 rubles.

Rating of the best underfloor heating convectors for 2022

with natural circulation

3rd place: Polvax Ke

A worthy sample from the Ukrainian manufacturer. This model is distinguished by a qualitatively manufactured heat exchanger. All materials and components used in the construction have passed international certification. Particular attention is paid to the corrugation of aluminum plates.

Name	Index
Manufacturer country	Ukraine
Width in mm	230
Height in mm	90
Length in mm	2000
Heat dissipation in watts	671
Cost, rubles	17500

• The small pitch of the fins provides increased heat transfer;
• Applied certified materials;
• Good value for money.

• Rarely found on the Russian market.

2nd place: Varmann Ntherm

This model is intended for a point arrangement on the area of ​​the heated room. Thanks to the applied technology, with relatively small dimensions of the convector itself, the maximum effect of heat transfer is achieved. More than democratic price deservedly made this model popular with the Russian consumer. The structural elements themselves are made of heavy-duty materials using Italian technology.

Name	Index
Manufacturer country	Russia
Width in mm	230
Height in mm	90
Length in mm	800
Heat dissipation in watts	205
Cost, rubles	14300

• Use of innovative technologies in the design;
• Democratic price;
• No big difference in temperature.

• Not found.

1st place: Carrera S

These convectors are specially designed for equipping premises where it is necessary to create a special microclimate (winter backs, museum halls, indoor arboretums). For rooms with high humidity, the design provides a special outlet for accumulating condensate. The standard kit includes a decorative crate of our own production.

Name	Index
Manufacturer country	Italy
Width in mm	230
Height in mm	90
Length in mm	2000
Heat dissipation in watts	642
Cost, rubles	35000

• Special purpose model;
• Used heavy-duty materials;
• There is a drain for condensate;
• The grate is included.

• High price;
• The kit does not include ball hoses, flexible hoses required for connection.

With forced circulation

3rd place: Verano VKN5

This heater can be controlled by sensors installed on the fans (automatic activation of the fans when the temperature falls below a predetermined level). Manual remote control is also possible. Air is taken from both sides of the heating element.

Name	Index
Manufacturer country	Poland
Width in mm	280
Height in mm	90
Length in mm	1950
Heat dissipation in watts	4900
Cost, rubles	67000

• Dual air intake path;
• Automatic temperature control;
• Improved thermal efficiency.

• Works only with Danfoss original thermostats.

2nd place: Mohlenhoff QSK

A real icon of European quality. In addition to the use of heavy-duty materials, a fan is installed in the design, which meets European noise standards. Connection is possible both from the end of the device and from the side. The warranty for the device is 10 years!

Name	Index
Manufacturer country	Germany
Width in mm	260
Height in mm	90
Length in mm	2000
Heat dissipation in watts	3400
Cost, rubles	96000

• Super quiet windzale;
• Extended warranty period;
• Network connectivity options.

• High price.

1st place: Jaga Mini Canal

This heater is the ideal solution for raised floors in apartment buildings. The internal elements of the apparatus are painted in a solid gray metallic color. At the same time, it is possible to choose the top crate in combination with the color of the rest of the flooring. The F-tube heat exchanger used in the system allows you to achieve greater performance with just one fan.

Name	Index
Manufacturer country	Germany
Width in mm	260
Height in mm	90
Length in mm	1900
Heat dissipation in watts	750
Cost, rubles	35000

• Innovative design;
• Increased optimal performance;
• Increased heat dissipation.

• Overcharge.

Instead of an epilogue

The very process of acquiring a floor convector is quite complicated, because many nuances must be taken into account. The main mistake of the buyer can be his pursuit of cheapness. In budget samples, material is often extremely sparingly consumed. For example, for water heaters, the thickness of the walls of the conductive pipe is specially reduced, and a relatively small number of fins are installed. All this will affect the quality of heat transfer, since the fins installed with a large step will release air into the room a few tenths of a degree cooler.The same will apply to the strength of the case itself - the thinner it is, the less the whole system works as a whole. Cheap models are also famous for extremely noisy fans, which are sometimes not able to drown out even the highest quality rubber plugs.

Summing up, we can conclude that when choosing a floor convector, you should not choose a cheap price at the expense of quality. At the same time, it should be noted that if you order a convector on the Internet site directly from the manufacturer, you can significantly save on retail overpayment. As an analysis of foreign websites of manufacturers of these devices shows, the cost of delivery is usually already included in the total price, and the delivery destination can be almost anywhere in the world.