Radiant Heat Benefits

More than 50% of all new construction in Europe is heated using radiant heat. A very large majority of residential and commercial buildings use radiant heat, wether it is underfloor or not. In cold countries like Norway or Sweden, it is the most popular heating method. It is now becoming well known in the United States. At last!

Why is radiant heat rapidly becoming so popular?

1) Comfort - Radiant heat is the most comfortable form of heat, since (like the rays of the sun) it heats objects rather than air. The heat radiates to your body and you feel warm and comfortable. Unlike conventional heat, floors, rather than ceilings, are the warmest part of the room, so that you have warm feet and a cool head.

2) Energy Savings - Because it is hydronic and utilizes low temperature water (90-130°F), radiant heat is more efficient and will save 20-40% of the cost of heating with conventional methods. In addition, because it warms your body rather than the air, you feel comfortable at a lower temperature and you can turn your thermostat down to 65° F.

3) Quiet and Clean Operation - Radiant heat systems operate without any noise or sound. In addition, there are no drafts or air movement so dust and germs aren't spread around.

4) Decorating Freedom - Radiant heat is much more attractive than conventional heat. There is no need to concern yourself with the location of radiation. The heat is out of the way, providing maximum freedom in designing a home or commercial building. It has particular application in areas with limited wall space or excessive heat loss, such as solariums, kitchens, entry ways or baths.

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The 3 Modes of Energy Transfer:
conduction, convection and radiant heat (radiation)

CONDUCTION is direct heat flow through matter (example: conduction of heat from the warm surface of a stove to a cooking pot.)

CONVECTION is the transport of heat within the air. The heat travels upward to the ceiling, with the natural upward movement of air.

RADIATION is the transmission of electromagnetic rays through space. These rays have no temperature, only energy. Every material or object with a temperature above absolute zero emits these rays in all directions until they are deflected or absorbed.

Even though traditional heating systems use the convection mode, radiation is the most efficient of the three heat transfer modes. Convection is secondary and come into play only as matter interrupts or interferes with radiant heat transfer. Radiant heat allow savings up to 50% compared to other heating systems.

Radiant heat is probably the most comfortable and energy efficient form of heating.

To better understand how radiant heating works, picture yourself working outside in the shade on a cool day: taking a break, you walk out of the shade and into the sunlight and soak up some rays. You begin to warm up even though the air temperature around you is the same as when you were in the shade. The heat you feel from the sun is radiant heat.

This description illustrates how you can be warm and comfortable even when the air temperature is cooler.

"You can feel the heat of a campfire even though you are not directly above it. Radiant heat transfer is caused by a warm surface (the campfire) giving up its heat to a cooler surface (your body). This radiant energy travels through space without heating the space itself. It only turns into heat when it contacts a cooler surface.

The interesting thing is that our human comfort relies just as much on radiant heat transfer as it does on air temperature, yet the majority of heating and air-conditioning professionals think only in terms of air temperature. As a result, Americans are missing out on a truly comfortable living environment in their own homes or places of business"

Lawrence V. Drake, RPA Executive Director

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Radiant heating or forced-air heating systems?

Forced hot air blows dust around the house, carrying germs, "fried dust", and pollutants into the home, which radiant floor heating does not. On the contrary, warm floors enable you to reduce greatly the dust mite population.

European research performed in 21 households shows a 50% to 80% reduction in domestic dust mite populations in the households with floor heating, thereby improving the quality of life (particularly for allergy sufferers).

"Millions of dust mites live in mattresses, pillows, carpets and, well, dust. These irritating creatures hunker down deep in carpets and ordinarily are not much bothered by vacuum cleaners. The warmth of radiant floors, however, drives the cold-blooded little guys to the top of the carpet where they can be sucked right up. Also, dust mites need moisture. The drying effects of floor heating make it difficult for them to get it."

Bill Clinton, Radiant Panel Report December 1996