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Frequently asked questions
About Convectair...where does Convectair come from?
Convectair was created in 1983 to offert North American consumers more efficient and more comfortable electrical heating systems. Convectair units are based on European technology originally developped in the 70's and 80's to deal with the energy crisis. They have been continuously enhanced to meet current needs in Canada and the U.S.A.
are Convectair heaters guaranteed ?
2 years
against all defects and
5 years
on the heating element.
The warranty includes parts and labor. are Convectair heaters noisy ?do all Convectairs have a fan ?
No, some models work by natural convection only, others function by forced air, a few produce radiant heat only, and some combine two of the above. The forced-air fan can be activated by an electronic thermostat, or started when you need it, by means of a timer. The fan is a good solution when quick heat is required for immediate comfort.
About thermostats and efficiency...my home already has wall thermostats. Can I still use them with my Convectair units ?
No, we recommend to remove all wall mounted thermostat since the unit has a more efficient built-in electronic thermostat. Using two incompatible thermostats may cause your equipment to heat excessively, compromising performance and comfort.
why doesn't Convectair use wall thermostats ?
Wall thermostats are usually placed about five feet (1.5 meters) up on the wall, far from sources of cold. They’re slow to react and don’t detect the floor-level temperature. Convectair heaters are equipped with built-in electronic thermostats that measure the temperature four inches (10 cm) above the floor. Sensitive to almost 1/5°F (1/10°C), these thermostats regulate the air mass in the entire room and instantly correct any temperature fluctuation. For maximum comfort and efficiency, each thermostat is specifically designed for the model it controls.
is the electronic built-in thermostat more efficient ?why is the sensor at the bottom of the unit ?i have purchased Convectair heaters 15 years ago, and I am satisfied but should I replace them for more recent or high performance units ?
Preparing to purchase... How many watts do I need?how many units should I install to replace my current baseboard heaters, and what should their output be ?
We recommend that you install Convectair units with the same output as your baseboard heaters, provided their capacity is sufficient. However, since Convectair offers a variety of heating units in different sizes and outputs, you should do a heat-loss calculation before anything else.
how is the heat loss calculation done ?
Easily on our web site!
www.convectair.com A number of parameters are taken into consideration. To determine the capacity you need, it’s important that you look at the specifics of your home, how well it is insulated and the layout of the rooms. if I had a more powerful unit, would I save energy, since the unit probably wouldn’t be working as hard ?
No, the purchase cost of a powerful unit would be slightly higher and it would not consume less energy, as it would still have to produce the same amount of heat to the design and accuracy of Convectair thermostats. Thanks to the design and accuracy of Convectair thermostats, our units will not consume more energy if they are more powerful than need be. This is not necessarily true of other types of heating devices, however (e.g., baseboard heaters or furnaces).
if I purchase a smaller heater ......... ?
Which model should I choose ?what is the difference between the Apero and the Allegro ?
Yes, some consumers want the comfort, efficiency and quality of a Convectair heater but do not need some of the features or advantages of more sophisticated
models such as the Allegro (e.g., the digital thermostat, programmer insert…). They generally opt for the Apero – a scale down version of the Allegro – without sacrificing the accuracy of an electronic thermostat, the efficiency of the heating element, the solid construction of after-sales service. The Apero is ideal for a first-time Convectair user who wants high quality on a limited budget or needs a heater for a room used only occasionally – a games room in the basement, for instance. what’s the difference between the various models ? Does it matter if I get the Allegro 14, 18 or 26 ? They all seem the same to me.
These three models are in fact identical in terms of manufacturing and performance, but have different dimensions so
that you can optimize your use of space and ensure comfort in any room of your home. what are the differences between a unit that produces radiant heat, like the Opera or Tenor, and a convection unit like the Allegro or Apero ?Radiant units such as the Opera, the Allegro Duo and the Tenor directly heat whatever is in front of them, and their warmth is as noticeable as heat from the sun's rays. The closer you are to a radiant heater, the more you feel the heat it produces. Natural convection heaters such as the Allegro or Apero operate on an entirely different principle. They heat the air and ensure that warmth is evenly distributed throughout the room. The effect is more widespread, but the ambient temperature is the same !
About maintenance...do I have to clean often my Convectair heaters ?
Where to buy?where can I buy Convectair units ?
Convectair units are sold throughout North America in specialized heating retailers, electric utilities and through electrical contractors. on our web site you will find a listing of places where to see and purchase our Convectair heaters.
www.convectair.com How do I go about purchasing and installing a Convectair ?
To take full advantage of what your Convectair has to offer, it’s important to follow these steps :
I. Consult your electrical contractor or electric utility.
II. Determine the output required to properly heat one or several rooms.
III. Choose the model that best suits your needs.
About the installation...do I have to hire an electrician?
The quality, efficiency and safety of a Convectair unit depend in part on proper installation. So we strongly recommend that you have your Convectair heaters installed by a qualified electrician or electric utility, in compliance with local and national codes. Moreover, a Convectair-certified electrical contractor or utility will guarantee the installation and provide after-sales service, in addition to the manufacturer’s own warranty. All Convectairs are CSA-approved and UL-listed, an additional assurance, for your peace of mind.
For a 120 volt unit, it is not necessary to hire an electrician. should I place my Convectair heaters under windows ?
We recommend that Convectairs be installed as close as possible to sources of cold. Below or beside a window or near an exterior door for example. It is important to take in consideration that the air be able to circulate freely in front of the unit.
can I install a Convectair heater on an exterior wall ?do I have to install all my heaters four inches (10 cm) above the floor ?
It depends on the model ! Some units must be placed at least four inches (10 cm) from the floor, where as others can be much higher—the Soprano can even go above a door. For the towel dryers, it’s important to place them high enough so that they can do their job of holding bathrobes and warming towels.
About programming...i’ve heard people talking about the Programmer module. can it be used with the Convectair units I already own ?
The Programmer module can be used with the latest generation Allegro 14 ,18 ,26 , Alto, Mezzo, Solo, Allegro Duo, Opera models—in other words, models sold since 2000— as well as with the Tenor. It will also allow you to program Alto, Mezzo and Solo units of the previous generation (1994), as long as they connect to at least one of the above. The Apero (240 volt - 2008), Jazz, Diva, Bolero, Samba and the Calypso can also receive the Programmer signal.
Only the Soprano and 120 volts units are incompatible with the Programmer module. do I need special wiring to install a powerline carrier Programmer module ?
No, the advantage of the powerline version of the Programmer is that it uses your current wiring. It is therefore especially practical when you want to add the programming feature to current units or simply replace old heaters without changing the wiring. You simply have to install at least one transmitter (an ECP module), which sends signals and is programmed to control your heating units. A receiver (an RCP module) must be installed on each unit you wish to control via the Programmer so that the signals can be received. The Allegro, Alto, Mezzo, Solo, Tenor, Allegro Duo and Opera models are designed to accommodate the transmitter and receiver modules.
what is the difference between the "pilot-wire" and "powerline carrier" Programmer models ?
To program several units within your home, the Programmer module must be able to send commands to the various units (for instance, commands to switch into Comfort, Economy or Frost Protection mode). The module transmits signals via a wire (known as a pilot wire) that links all the units it is intended to control.
In the case of the powerline carrier model, the command signals are transmitted via the existing wiring that supplies power to each unit currently installed in your home. how many transmitter and receiver do I need ?can we combine the programmer 7392-FP (pilot wire) and the wireless transmitter (7392-ECP) and receiver (7392-RCP) ?if we remove the 7392-ECP will the heaters go back on comfort mode ?and if there is a power failure ? |
