1. How to correctly choose the number of radiators and their power for a given room type?
Calculate the heat demand for your flat according to the following principles:
1. Measure the area of individual rooms.
2. Assess the thermal insulation of the flat and choose the appropriate indicator according to the following criteria:
– very warm – Canadian system or a double slotted brick with a layer of mineral wool or polystyrene, as well as three-layer composite windows – apply the indicator
– 70W/m².
– warm – traditional system of a ceramic brick or wall “Siporex” blocks with a layer of polystyrene or at least, an air gap – apply the indicator
– 100W/m².
3. It is possible to calculate the demand by multiplying the area of the flat by a properly selected indicator.
Example:
– room area – 10m²
– heat demand indicator – 100W/m²
Heating power = 10m²x100W/m² = 1000W
For the correct selection of the power of radiators, it is possible to use the graph and the below table.
Practical advice – if possible, you should try to mount the radiators near windows, and in large rooms, follow the rule – more lower power radiators give a better effect.
2. How to properly install the heater?
The radiator is equipped with a set of feet which, when mounted, allow to use it as free-standing, and a set of hangers for mounting the radiator on the wall. The radiator should be mounted on the wall according to the following drawings. After mounting the radiator on the wall, it is important to place the thermostat at the bottom and on the right side when viewed from the front – (see the drawings below).
3. Does the radiator have the overheating protection?
Yes!!! The temperature regulator (thermostat) has a special built-in sensor
(of safety), which after exceeding the hazardous temperature (sensor measures the temperature at a suitable place of the radiator) is to disconnect the power supply. Therefore, do not cover the radiator with anything, or do not dry towels or clothing items, etc. on it, as the heating element may overheat, and it may result in the sensor malfunction and fire!!!
4. For what purpose some radiator models have the so-called convector?
A convector, that is a strip of trapezoidal sheet metal, welded to the radiator in order to increase the heat exchange between the surface and the environment. Its task is to use the phenomenon of heat convection!!! The bottom part of the convector results in suction of cold air, which is then heated by the radiator plates and as lighter, it is radiated through the top part of the convector. This arrangement ensures better air circulation in the heated room.
Convection phenomenon in the radiator with a convector
5. Can the ELPE oil radiator be used by allergy sufferers?
The radiator is quiet and odourless, it creates a pleasant microclimate, and it does not dry air and burn dust, therefore, it is ideal in rooms for children, sick people and allergy sufferers.
6. What is the warming-up time for the electric radiator?
The warming-up time depends mainly on the heater power and the heat transfer surface. The heater power is selected for the appropriate surface size in order to ensure adequate thermal parameters.
Warming-up time for an exemplary radiator:
- Type: 1316.100 (1 000W/230V)
- The radiator was placed in a room with an area of 10m² and room temperature of 20ºC.
- Before turning on, the radiator has the initial temperature, measured anywhere on the surface – 20ºC.
- The radiator was turned on setting the maximum temperature on the thermostat knob.
- The radiator reached the maximum temperature of 91ºC (upper collector)
after a period of 15 minutes, the room temperature increased during this time
by approx. 0.5ºC.
- Then the radiator was turned off.
- From the maximum temperature of 91ºC to the initial temperature of 20ºC, the radiator cooled down 30 minutes.
7. Energy consumption testing on an exemplary radiator model.
Assumptions for the test:
– Test time of 24 hours.
– Two 1316.150 type radiators with power of 1 500 W each were chosen for testing
(total nominal power 3 000W).
– Radiators were placed in a room with an area of 30m².
– Outdoor air temperature was +2ºC.
– Temperature in the tested room was +14ºC.
– The radiators were turned on, the thermostat knobs were set to the “max” position and the room was heated to +20ºC.
Results:
With the setting of thermostats in the “max” position (full power), the room warming-up from the temperature of +14ºC to the temperature of +20ºC took 2 hours, and the devices jointly
consumed 6 kW of energy (the room was closed all the time). Then, the thermostat knobs were set in both devices so that the temperature was kept at +20ºC
(see section “3 – Thermostat calibration”). For the next 22 hours, both radiators maintained the set temperature, and at that time, they jointly consumed 22kW of energy. The total electricity consumption during the test of two 1316.150 radiators was 28 kW!!!