What is a convection boiler

Boilers are usually used for heating rooms. In the best cases, they are also intended for organizing hot water supply (DHW). The convection type is no exception.

What is a convection boiler

Convection is heat exchange that occurs as a result of the mixing of particles among themselves. This action occurs in liquids and gases. The easiest way is to stir the gas. Natural gas is the cheapest fuel in Russia. And it is not surprising that this type of boiler is the most common in our country.

What it consists of and how it works

There is a heat exchanger and burner inside. When ignited, gas enters the system, a spark is formed and the burner ignites. The flame heats the heat exchanger through which the coolant moves. When the desired liquid temperature is reached, the automation is activated and heating stops. When cooling, the fuel valve automatically opens and heating of the coolant resumes.

Important! A circulation pump is used to move the coolant in the system. The speed of water movement can be adjusted.

And the last thing is the removal of combustion products. It is provided through the pipe and further into the chimney. The chimney must be made of material that can withstand high temperatures and aggressive environments.

According to the method of organizing hot water supply (DHW) they are divided into:

1. Single-circuit. They are used when the task is only to heat the room. If you additionally want to get hot water, you need to use them in combination with a boiler.
2. Dual-circuit. They can be equipped with flow-through heat exchangers and a boiler. In both cases, it is possible to simultaneously heat the room and obtain hot water. The feasibility of use is determined by the number of hot water collection points.

Important! The choice is always yours. Having a double-circuit boiler, you can use only one circuit. This device will not cause any harm. But in the future, you can quickly organize a hot water system.

According to the installation method they are divided into:

1. Floor-standing. They require a separate room, ideally a dedicated boiler room. But it is possible to install it directly in the house in a separate non-residential room with an area of ​​more than 7.5 m. Requires a foundation.
2. Wall-mounted. These models are compact and can be installed in any non-residential area of ​​a house or apartment.

Pros and cons of convection boilers

The attractiveness of use is determined by the following:

• the assortment allows you to choose what you need;
• it’s easy to choose the right ratio of quality and price;
• long radiator service life;
• low residual condensate level;
• protected from freezing;
• easy to operate and repair.

The following factors cast doubt on the appropriateness of this choice:

1. Gas consumption is higher than in other units.
2. Water quality plays a big role in the longevity of the installation. Especially for double-circuit boilers. Installing water filters will help. This will significantly increase the service life of the heat exchanger.
3. When using a closed combustion chamber, energy dependence appears, since the smoke exhaust fan runs on electricity.

Important! When installing a heating system with a traditional boiler, the combustion products at the outlet must be at least 57 °C.

Comparison with a condensing boiler

Today it is customary to give preference to condensing boilers. The main reason is that this type allows you to save 10% of fuel. The main difference from traditional ones is that they use heat-removing gases. This is achieved by placing an auxiliary heat exchanger, on the walls of which vapor condensation occurs.

To ensure this, water is needed around +55°C. That is, the water in the return line must be cooled as much as possible.

When operating convection units, the opposite is true: the temperature difference between the “return” and the supply line should be as small as possible. This significantly affects, first of all, the durability of the heat exchanger.

These requirements result in the outlet temperature being:

• convection – 140-160°C;
• condensation – 60-80°C.

It is this huge difference that leads to the fact that the efficiency of condensing-type boilers is much higher. But at the same time they lose a lot in price. Units of this type are very economical only at low temperatures. (warm floor, heated paving stones).

The number of sales of condensation type in our country is growing, but does not exceed 5% of total sales. This is explained primarily by the low cost of gas in Russia. With the cost of a condensing boiler almost 2 times higher than the traditional one, the payback period will approach the service life of the boiler itself.

When to choose a convection boiler

The right choice determines how warm and comfortable the house will be, the safety of the heating system and the cost of its maintenance. So, it is advisable to install a convection boiler in the following cases:

1. If the premises have or will soon be connected to mains gas.
2. The heating system in an old house is being replaced and the same one is required.
3. If long winters are a common occurrence.
4. For some reason, it is not possible to create a competent system for condensate removal and neutralization.
5. The heating system is equipped only with radiators (without heated floors).
6. There are power outages.

If the house is not heated by underfloor heating or other low-temperature heating systems, there will not be much benefit from installing condensing-type boilers during Russian cold winters. The availability of spare parts and cheap maintenance also speak in favor of traditional ones.

And the increased gas consumption can and should be compensated by good insulation of the house. Fuel consumption largely depends on the amount of heat loss in the room and a properly equipped heating line. Competent automation will also increase the efficiency of the installation.