Radiant Heating
Radiant Heating Explained
Radiant heating systems work by spreading heat through the floor or through panels fixed in the wall or ceiling. Heat from the heated surface reaches the people and things in the room through radiation. Considered the most efficient method in floor heating, it is also cost effective depending on installation type and home size.
Radiant floor heat comes in different types – air heated, electric radiant floor heating, and hydronic floor heating. Air heated radiant floors are not cost-effective as residential radiant heaters since air cannot retain a lot of heat. Electric radiant heating has electric cables electric cables installed in the floor. But electricity is expensive and may prove effective only with think concrete flooring with the facility of your utility company gives you time-of-use rates. Because of concrete’s large thermal mass, heat gets stored in it and keeps you comfortable for about ten hours. Electric radiant heaters are suitable if you have an addition to your home. Radiant electric wall heaters are also popular.
The most popular radiant heating systems are the hydronic radiant floor heating systems. They are very cost effective especially in climates where you can’t do without a heating system. Heated water from the boiler is pumped in this kind of radiant floor heating to rubber piping or PEX tubes arranged in a pattern under the floor. These radiant tube heaters can even be controlled through water flow regulation through each loop of the tubes using thermostats. When insulation is done with bat, floor radiant heating systems can be really efficient. Heat transfer plates improve the heat transfer from the heated pipes to the floor. Hydronic radiant heaters are advantageous to people who are off the power grid or where electricity costs are high. These systems can also be heated through standard gas or oil fired boilers, solar water heaters, wood boilers, etc. Some even use geo thermal heat pumps for heating the water.
Most people appreciate radiant floor heating because it is quiet and heats the floor evenly. Heat loss is minimized. This brings down heating bills. The Modine radiant heaters are high intensity ceramic gas infrared heaters and are perfect for spot heating. These come with both gas and power connection and are easy to maintain. Gas radiant heaters in UK are also available as portable models.
Nat gas radiant heaters are available in propane or natural gas. These can be wall mounted. These are easy to install and make ideal radiant garage heaters. They are also suitable for the patio, greenhouse, study etc.
