The present study investigates three different algorithms for the numerical simulation of non-Boussinesq convection with thermal radiative heat transfer based on a low-Mach number formulation. The solution methodology employs a fractional step approach based on the finite-volume method on arbitrary polyhedral meshes. The three algorithms compute the coupled governing equations in a segregated manner using the conservative form of momentum equations in conjunction with a variable coefficient pressure Poisson equation. The first algorithm (Algorithm A) uses conservation of mass and energy equation to compute density and temperature. The other two algorithms (Algorithm B) and (Algorithm C) calculates temperature and density from the equation of state respectively and solves a conservative form of the continuity and energy equation to obtain density and temperature respectively. The energy and mass conservation errors arising due to the use of Algorithms B and C are derived concerning various non-dimensional parameters governing the flow and heat transfer. The significance of these errors is highlighted by performing investigations over a range of Rayleigh, Prandtl, and Planck numbers for various two and three-dimensional natural convection problems with radiative heat transfer. Finally, the role of balancing of the pressure and buoyancy terms is emphasized for robust calculations of large temperature difference thermo-buoyant convection with radiative heat transfer. © 2018 Elsevier Ltd