Radiant Heating
Radiant heating is a technology for heating indoor and outdoor areas. Heating by
radiant energy
is observed everyday, the warmth of the sunshine being probably the
most commonly observed example. Radiant heating as a technology is
typically more narrowly defined. It is the method of intentionally using
mostly the principles of
radiant heat to transfer
radiant energy from an emitting heat source to an object. Designs with radiant heating is seen as replacement for conventional
convection heating. But also as a way of supplying confined outdoor heating.
Radiant heating heats a building through radiant heat, rather than other conventional methods such as radiators (mostly convection heating). The technology has existed since the Roman use of hypocaust heating. Underfloor radiant heating has long been widespread in China and Korea.
The heat energy is emitted from a warm element, such as a floor, wall
or overhead panel, and warms people and other objects in rooms rather
than directly heating the air. The internal air temperature
for radiant heated buildings may be lower than for a conventionally
heated building to achieve the same level of body comfort, when adjusted
so the perceived temperature is actually the same.
The radiant heating systems can be divided into:
Underfloor and wall heating systems often are called low-temperature
systems. Since their heating surface is much larger than with other
systems, a much lower temperature is required to achieve the same level
of heat transfer.
The maximum temperature of the heating surface can vary from 29–35 °C
(84–95 °F) depending on the room type. Radiant overhead panels are
mostly used in production and warehousing facilities or sports centers;
they hang a few meters above the floor and their surface temperature is
much higher.
