Is a convector with a fan noisy?

At low speed the fan runs quietly and is barely audible in everyday use. At full power a faint background noise appears. Speed is usually adjustable, so the sound level can be lowered.

Does a convector with a fan need electricity?

Yes. The fans run on 24 V through a power supply. Natural-convection models need no electricity at all.

Can the fan be switched off?

Yes. In mild seasons or at night the fan can be turned off, and the convector keeps heating by natural convection, just at lower output.

Which is more powerful at the same length?

The fan model. Forced convection drives more air through the heat exchanger, so at the same trench length it gives off noticeably more heat than a model without a fan.

In-Floor Convector With or Without a Fan: Which to Choose

Updated May 24, 20262 min read

If you're choosing an in-floor convector, sooner or later the question comes up: with a fan or without? In short: without a fan it's quiet, simple, and needs no electricity, but the output is lower; with a 24 V fan you get more heat and fast warm-up, but it needs a power supply and adds a faint noise. Let's look at both.

Convector without a fan (natural convection)

Air moves on its own, driven by the temperature difference.

Pros:

Completely silent.
No electricity needed, just a connection to the heating system.
Maximum reliability, with no moving parts to fail.

Cons:

Lower output than a fan model of the same length.
Greater length needed when heat loss is high.
Slower warm-up of the room.

Convector with a fan (forced convection, 24 V)

A built-in fan drives air through the heat exchanger.

Pros:

More output for the same length, and less space in the trench.
Fast warm-up, even next to cold glass.
Ample output for large glazed spans and high heat loss.

Cons:

Needs a 24 V power supply (available in controls and accessories).
A faint noise at high fan speed.
Slightly more complex by design.

Comparison

Criterion	Without a fan	With a fan (24 V)
Output (same length)	Lower	Higher
Warm-up speed	Slower	Faster
Noise	Silent	Faint at maximum
Electricity	Not needed	Needed (24 V)
Best for	Bedrooms, quiet zones, low heat loss	Large windows, high heat loss, limited trench length

What to choose

Large floor-to-ceiling glazing, high heat loss: a fan model.
Short trench, high heat loss: a fan model.
Bedroom, study, quiet zone: no fan, or a fan model you switch off at night.
Maximum simplicity, no electricity: no fan.

In practice a single project often combines the two: fan models at the coldest windows, natural convection in the quiet rooms. Both versions are available in the Novaterm in-floor convector line.

In short

There's no "best" option, only the right one for your needs. You choose a fan for output and speed, natural convection for quiet operation and simplicity. If you're not sure, contact us and we'll calculate your heat loss and recommend the right option. See also: What is an in-floor convector? and In-floor convector vs. radiator.

Frequently asked questions

Is a convector with a fan noisy?: At low speed the fan runs quietly and is barely audible in everyday use. At full power a faint background noise appears. Speed is usually adjustable, so the sound level can be lowered.
Does a convector with a fan need electricity?: Yes. The fans run on 24 V through a power supply. Natural-convection models need no electricity at all.
Can the fan be switched off?: Yes. In mild seasons or at night the fan can be turned off, and the convector keeps heating by natural convection, just at lower output.
Which is more powerful at the same length?: The fan model. Forced convection drives more air through the heat exchanger, so at the same trench length it gives off noticeably more heat than a model without a fan.