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 element from across the room. When radiant heating is located on the floor, it is often called radiant floor heating or simply floor heating.

ADVANTAGES OF RADIANT HEATING 

1.  It is more efficient than baseboard heating and usually more efficient than forced-air heating because it eliminates duct losses Chemical exposure

2.  People with allergies often prefer radiant heat because it doesn’t distribute allergens like forced air systems can.

3.  It is more efficient than baseboard heating and usually more efficient than forced-air heating because it eliminates duct losses Ladder liability

4.  Hydronic (liquid-based) systems use little electricity, a benefit for homes off the power grid or in areas with high electricity prices. Hydronic systems can use a wide variety of energy sources to heat the liquid, including standard gas- or oil-fired boilers, wood-fired boilers, solar water heaters, or a combination of these sources. For more on the different types of energy sources and heat distribution systems for home heating, explore our Energy Saver infographic on home heating.

TYPES OF RADIANT HEATING 

Radiant floor heating systems are significantly different from the radiant panels used in walls and ceilings. For this reason, the following sections of the radiant Heating.

• Radiant panels 
• Radiant floor heat 

1. RADIANT PANELS

Radiant Heating Panels work in a similar way to radiators – They heat your room. The difference between the two is that radiant heat works on the principles of heating objects in the space like desks, walls, and people directly instead of heating the air which in turn heats the objects.

2. RADIANT FLOOR HEATING

Radiant floor heating systems produce heat through thermal radiation. By heating the floor rather than the surrounding air, they provide indirect, diffused heat that radiates from the floor up. This heat is absorbed by surrounding objects, and they in turn help to warm the entire room.

There are three types of radiant floor heat:

• Radiant air floors
• Electric radiant floors
• Hot water radiant floors
  

1. RADIANT AIR FLOORS

• Air cannot hold large amounts of heat, so radiant air floors are not cost-effective in residential applications, and are seldom installed. Although they can be combined with solar air heating systems, those systems suffer from the obvious drawback of only producing heat in the daytime, when heating loads are generally lower.

2. ELECTRIC RADIANT FLOORS

• Electric radiant floors typically consist of electric heating cables built into the floor. Systems that feature electrical matting mounted on the subfloor below a floor covering such as tile are also available.
• Electric radiant floors may also make sense for home additions if it would be impractical to extend the heating system into the new space. However, homeowners should examine other options, such as mini-split heat pumps , which operate more efficiently and have the added advantage of providing cooling.

3. HYDRONIC RADIANT FLOORS

• Hydronic systems are the most popular and cost-effective radiant heating systems for heating-dominated climates. 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. The cost of installing a hydronic radiant floor varies by location and depends on the size of the home, the type of installation, the floor covering, the remoteness of the site, and the cost of labor.

DISADVANTAGES OF RADIANT HEATING 

• In most cases, Radiant Heating Contractors, unless you are building a new house, you have to remove the existing flooring to install the heaters. That drives up installation costs.
• It is possible to install specially designed pads between floor joists below your floor. However, this method requires access to the underside of your floors via a crawl space or basement areas.
• Radiant floor heating costs more to install than other types of heating, particularly for retrofits
• High-performance green homes that need little heating energy would not benefit or would benefit very little from the added costs of putting in an expensive heating system.

By understanding the advantages, types, and potential drawbacks of radiant heating systems, homeowners can make informed decisions about incorporating this efficient and comfortable heating solution into their homes. 

Please let me know if you need further assistance! At Brunswick Engineering, we provide top-notch MEP (Mechanical, Electrical, and Plumbing) engineering services to both the public and private sectors. Our knowledgeable and experienced team excels in implementing designs that offer substantial cost savings, adhere to schedules, and optimize operational efficiency. Our staff includes Registered Professional Engineers in NJ, NY, and PA, as well as LEED-accredited professionals, skilled Design Engineers, and proficient CAD Draftsmen/Technicians. Trust us to deliver exceptional engineering solutions tailored to your needs.