Is radiant ceiling heat good or bad?
Radiant heating systems supply heat directly to the floor or to panels in the wall or ceiling of a house. Radiant heating has a number of advantages. It is more efficient than baseboard heating and usually more efficient than forced-air heating because it eliminates duct losses.
What are the benefits of radiant heat?
Story at a glance:
- Radiant heating systems supply heat directly to the floor or to panels in the wall or ceiling of a house.
- There are several different types of radiant floor heat, from air-heated to hydronic.
- Radiant heat has been said to eliminate what’s known as “sick building syndrome,” as it eliminates recirculated air.
How does a radiant electric system heat a house?
Radiant heating systems supply heat directly to the floor or to panels in the wall or ceiling of a house. The systems depend largely on radiant heat transfer -- the delivery of heat directly from the hot surface to the people and objects in the room via infrared radiation. Radiant heating is the effect you feel from the warmth of a hot stovetop ...
How does a radiant heating system work?
Radiant heaters work by heating the objects in a room and not the air. Therefore a low amount of energy is consumed during air exchange. Conventional heating needs to heat all the air in the room to restore the temperature. During the heating process, some air is moved around by the fan in convection heaters.
Does radiant heat use electricity or gas?
Radiant heating systems require either natural gas or electricity as a fuel source. In the case of electricity, the components are heated by electrical resistance. For natural gas, however, the system does require a boiler installation to heat the water that will flow through the pipes of the radiant heating system.
Does radiant heat need electricity?
There are two main types of radiant heating systems – hydronic and electric. Hydronic radiant heating makes use of hot water tubes that run below the home's floors. Electric radiant heating uses electric wires.
What is the energy source for radiant heat?
Most radiant heating systems operate using warm water. It is not very hard to heat water. Here are only some of your many choices for heating energy sources: natural gas, propane (LP), oil, coal, wood, electricity, heat pumps, ground source heat pumps and solar energy.
How is radiant floor heating powered?
Hydronic Radiant Floors Hydronic radiant floor systems pump heated water from a boiler through tubing laid in a pattern under the floor. In some systems, controlling the flow of hot water through each tubing loop by using zoning valves or pumps and thermostats regulates room temperatures.
What are the disadvantages of radiant heating?
Cons: Radiant heating is installed beneath the floor, which makes it significantly harder to access the heating elements for repairs or maintenance. The cost of installing a radiant heating system is typically higher than forced air; installation of a radiant floor typically also takes longer to complete.
Is electric radiant heat expensive to run?
Electric-based radiant floor heating runs between $8 to $15 per square foot. Both range in cost from $1 to $5 a day to run.
What can go wrong with radiant floor heating?
The main cause of problems with in-floor radiant heating systems is a defect in the wall thermostat. When your thermostat is defective, it will keep the heating from working properly. Thermostats that fail to close properly cause the room to be cold at all times.
What are 3 sources of radiant heat?
Sources of Radiant Heat.Propane Boilers. A boiler powered by Natural Gas or LP fuel is the most common and versatile hot water generator for hydronic heating. ... Electric Boilers. ... Oil Boilers. ... Geo-Thermal. ... Daikin Altherma. ... Water Heaters.
Can radiant floor heating heat an entire house?
Yes! While it generally is room-specific (i.e., for the kitchen or bathroom, where you are standing a great deal, or might be in bare feet), it is a viable and effective way to heat your home. If you plan to use radiant heating to heat your whole house, the hot water method (hydronic) is recommended.
Does radiant heating use a furnace?
Unlike forced-air systems, radiant heating systems don't heat your home's air but instead heat your home's surfaces. Radiant heating systems heat your floor, baseboards, walls or ceilings using a network of pipes that are heated via electricity or hot water (from a boiler or water heater).
How long do radiant heat floors last?
Radiant floor heating systems do not require any maintenance. Once they are installed, they will last for 20+ years without any issues.
Which is better radiant heat or forced air?
If you're looking for efficiency, radiant heat is your best bet. Some studies have put the efficiency of radiant heat at 30% greater than forced air. With a radiant system, it is easier to maintain a constant temperature in your home because it measures the temperature of the heated water in the pipes.
Is radiant floor heating enough to heat a house?
Yes! The heating system goes right into the floor, heating water or using electricity in an infrastructure of pipes. While it generally is room-specific (i.e., for the kitchen or bathroom, where you are standing a great deal, or might be in bare feet), it is a viable and effective way to heat your home.
Does radiant floor heating need dedicated circuit?
Your in floor heating system should be on its own dedicated circuit. If this is not possible, ensure that there is enough capacity on the circuit you choose to safely operate the Warmup system in addition to other loads on the circuit.
Which is better radiant heat or forced air?
If you're looking for efficiency, radiant heat is your best bet. Some studies have put the efficiency of radiant heat at 30% greater than forced air. With a radiant system, it is easier to maintain a constant temperature in your home because it measures the temperature of the heated water in the pipes.
What are the pros and cons of radiant heat?
Pros and Cons of Radiant HeatUniform heating.No maintenance.No noise.Non-allergenic.Energy efficient.Easy to install.Flooring must be replaced.Slightly elevates the floor height.More items...•
How Do Radiant Heaters Work?
These heaters work by generating infrared radiation. The objects kept nearby radiate heat energy at a capacity equal to the temperature of their own. The radiant heaters produce infrared energy, which moves in the electromagnetic waves invisible and absorbed by the objects that fall between the path.
Do radiant heaters heat the air?
In the case of Radiant Heaters, things are different. It generates heat inside and then radiates it to the nearby person or object. This heating process makes the room warm faster than the working principle used in other Heaters.
How does radiant heat travel?
The sun is the greatest source of radiant heat that we know and this heat travels through space in the form of electromagnetic waves, reaching the earth and warming it during the daylight hours. If you stand in front of a fire then radiant heat is transmitted to you, but if someone comes between you and the fire then the heat supply is blocked and you cease to feel the benefit of the heat from the fire. The radiant heat waves travel in straight lines unless deflected by some reflecting surface.
How does radiant heat help in the winter?
Radiant heat can play a significant role in achieving thermal comfort, promoting a healthier environment and lowering building heating costs in the winter. To understand how radiant heat makes these benefits possible we must first clarify the difference between ambient air temperature and the mean radiant temperature.
How to determine radiant heat intensity from a flame?
To determine the radiant heat intensity from a flame on the surface of a receptor, the view factor and the distance between the flame and receptor must be known. The view factor, Fview, is determined by the geometric condition of flame (width, altitude, aspect angle relative to the receiving surface) versus receptor and the distance and orientation of the receptor. The distance and the moisture content in the air also determine the radiation transmissivity, τ. The radiation flux on a receptor given a situation, q ″, is therefore:
What is the energy that is absorbed by combustion gas?
Radiant heat absorbed in combustion gas around the flame is converted to thermal energy , which should be emitted as infra-red ray from the gas to the rotating solids and inner wall surface.
What is the difference between ambient and radiant temperature?
The ambient air temperature is a measure of the average air temperature in the environment, while the mean radiant temperature is a measure of the net radiant heat gain and loss in the environment.
What is the reflector of an electric fire?
If you examine an electric fire, the reflector behind the element is made from a highly polished piece of metal so that very little heat is absorbed but a lot of heat is reflected and concentrated where it is required.
How is steam raised?
In countries where the sunshine is abundant, steam may be raised by reflecting the sun's rays on to a boiler by means of a large mirror.
What is radiant heating?
Radiant heating technology is widely regarded as the most comfortable, healthiest and natural form of heating available . Radiant heat is based in principle on the most primary source of heat we have - the sun. Rather than directly heating the air, Valor radiant gas fireplaces emit heat through its glass and spread warmth as it is absorbed by people ...
How does a radiant fireplace work?
Rather than directly heating the air, Valor radiant gas fireplaces emit heat through its glass and spread warmth as it is absorbed by people and furniture within a room. This is unique compared to hot air systems which simply put warm air into rooms without heating objects.
Why is radiant energy not prone to losing heat?
Like sunshine, radiant energy is efficiently distributed at light speed, converting to heat when it encounters people and objects in the room. Because radiant heat surfaces are not prone to losing heat, there is no need to overheat your home to maintain a comfortable climate.
What is Valor warmth?
Valor warmth efficiently replaces the chill from cold windows and doors, providing steady, even heat to objects in the room. Discover the entire product line - including radiant gas fireplaces, inserts and stoves - to find the perfect fit for your home.
How much power does a radiant heat system use?
They consume from 6 to 12 watts per square foot, which amounts to 600 to 1,200 watts for a 100-square-foot room. The cables can be powered by either a 120- or 240-volt electrical circuit; 120 volts works better for smaller floors, whereas 240 volts is preferable for larger ones. A 240-volt system draws less current (amperage, measured in amps) than a 120-volt system to achieve the same power level, and that makes a difference to the line thermostat that controls the system, which can typically handle a maximum current of 15 amps.
What are the components of radiant floor heating?
An electric radiant floor heating system has only three components: heating cable, a temperature sensor and a floor-heating thermostat. Instead of PEX tubing to carry water, an electric radiant heat system uses electrical cables that function like the resistive elements in electric space heaters, although they don't get nearly as hot.
Where does the heating cable go for radiant floor?
Like the PEX pipes for a hydronic system, the heating cable for an electric radiant floor system can go underneath the subfloor or between the subfloor and the floor covering. Most homeowners opt for the latter because putting the cable above the subfloor instead of underneath it makes the heat more readily available, and you end up using less electricity.
What is the best floor covering for radiant heat?
Best Floor Coverings for Radiant Heat. In general, floor coverings for radiant floor heat should have high thermal absorptivity and transmissivity. Ceramic and stone tiles are probably the best choice, followed by polished concrete or cementitious composite, such as terrazzo.
What is uniform heating?
Uniform heating: All areas of the floor feel equally warm. Compare this to electric baseboard heaters or room space heaters, which warm the space around them more than the space on the other side of the room.
How much does it cost to heat a mat in Colorado?
Once the mat is installed, operating costs depend on the local rate for electricity, which can vary from 12 cents per kilowatt-hour in Colorado (which is close to the national average) to 21 cents in California. If you pay the Colorado rate, it will cost about 50 cents to provide heating for a two-hour period in the morning ...
How many watts does a cable use?
They consume from 6 to 12 watts per square foot, which amounts to 600 to 1,200 watts for a 100-square-foot room. The cables can be powered by either a 120- or 240-volt electrical circuit; 120 volts works better for smaller floors, whereas 240 volts is preferable for larger ones.
What is forced air heating?
Forced Air. Forced air heating is simply air carrying warmth through air ducts in your home. Powered by natural gas creating a flame to heat up the air and a blower to push the air to the center of your home.
How hot does a baseboard heater need to be?
Also, traditional heaters need to heat up to 149-167 degrees Fahrenheit, consuming more energy to heat up your floor.
How does a hydronic system work?
Hydronic systems is basically hot water running through ½” PEX piping through your flooring/walls. A standalone boiler is needed to heat up the water which pushes the water through the piping. It takes the boiler a while to heat up the water but once done, it can provide gentle heat to floors and walls.
Which is the most expensive way to heat a home?
According to U.S. Department of Energy, baseboard heating is the most expensive way to heat your home.
Which is the most efficient boiler system?
As you have read through the article, the hydronic system – gas boiler is the most efficient but you have to also look at your time installing the system, maintenance involved and basically what you are comfortable with in your home.
Is baseboard forced air?
Baseboard is a close relative of forced air except it has no ductwork, filter and is electric powered. Matched up with poor placement of baseboards, the units generally end up heating outside walls and not internal walls.
Does heat lose during distribution?
The heat is not lost during distribution due to transfer heat. Heat will rise to the ceiling but the source starts from the flooring and follows up to the ceiling.
