What is Radiant Panel
Heating?
It is the movement of heat energy from a heated mass, like a wall, floor or ceiling to objects in contact with it or in its line of site. The energy radiates from the panel to an object. Hydronic radiant heat is when the panel is heated using water pumped through tubes. This method of heating has been around since the Romans. It was the development of cross liked polyethylene tubing that provided a reliable and economical way to build a radiant panel using hot water.
Radiant Heat is More Comfortable
It caters to the needs of the human body...our extremities and especially our feet become cold first. When the floor or walls are radiating heat we instantly feel it, there is less air movement which causes infiltration of cold air into the space. A well designed radiant panel will maintain a more stable temperature and thus comfortable environment !
Radiant Heat is Design Friendly
The architect, designer, builder and most importantly the owner can build a space with out the intrusion of equipment and holes into the space. The structure becomes the radiator.
Since the tubes are small diameter they can be inserted in, around and through the structure without being visible. No ugly baseboard, no hot air ducts and no grills or air diffusers.
Radiant Heat is Energy Efficient
The diffusion of heat into the space will be more finely controlled than most other heating systems. A well designed system includes proper insulation of the spaces to keep heat where it is needed. Many of the systems can be operated using low temperature gas condensing boilers which are highly energy efficient. Hydronic radiant panels use lower temperature water than conventional systems with base boards and fan coils. Lower temperature systems use less energy!
