Things You Need to Know About Radiant Heating Systems
Radiant heating systems have been utilised worldwide for over a hundred years. However, its capability has not been completely realised due to the belief that it's a completely new technology.
Let's discover how radiant heat works and how it can be used to create your most desirable indoor climate and clear out some of the myths.
How Radiant Heat Works
As the sun shines on a clear day in winter, the air temperature feels cold, but you feel the warmth from the sun when you go outside. You have to be in direct line of sight from the sun to feel its warmth. In the same way, radiant heating systems have to be in direct line of sight to the objects and occupants for it to be effective.
Radiant heat uses electromagnetic infrared waves to provide warmth. The objects directly receive the energy – unlike the conventional heaters you grew up with. Then, the heated objects radiate heat to other things in the room.
What About Energy Efficiency
In a world full of innovations, each heating technology claims to be the king of energy efficiency. However, it's never easy to conclude – with so many factors in play and realistically comparable information is difficult.
Now, let's try to think of it logically. Radiant heaters work only when the room is in use. The radiant heat it produces directly heats the objects and occupants. It means that the people inside the room feel warmer than the air. This straightforward process of heat transfer makes it possible to consume less energy rather than running around the bush.
Now how much more efficient does that sound compared to other methods of heating?
Radiant Heating Systems Improves Mean Radiant Temperature (MRT)
Mean radiant temperature is the average of all temperatures of all surfaces and people in a room.
Heating systems are all about comfort and well-being. A radiant heating system's effectiveness is measured based upon the mean radiant temperature (MRT) of the space where the air temperature is not an important factor. Thus, radiant heating systems are presumably more effective and quicker than those heating systems that heat air.
With air heating systems, the room air temperature is higher than what heat people can perceive. This corresponds to more power usage. However, with radiant heating, the room air temperature is lower but the perceived temperature is the same. The result is potential power savings.
The Kind of Comfort You’ll Want
Now that we have a good idea on how radiant heat works, let's discover some of its amazing benefits when used in heating systems, particularly, on radiant ceiling panels.
Versatility
The beauty of radiant ceiling panels is that the panels can be positioned in such a way that the occupants can reap the benefits of the heat first hand. It means that the radiant panels transfer heat to all objects that are ‘seen’ by the heating system (and through reflection) that are at a lower temperature than the panel itself. Basically, it works like how lighting operates.
Uniform Heat Distribution
Radiant heat panels can uniformly distribute heat as heated surfaces radiate their heat to unheated surfaces. The possibility of ‘shadowing effects’ is sometimes challenged. For example, your feet hidden under a table may feel a colder temperature.
This however, is easily solved through the heat radiated by other heated objects.
Improved Air Quality
Air quality is also considerably improved with radiant heat panels. Unwanted air particles like dust, fungi, bacterium, mould and viruses are not circulated unlike the constant air movement associated with conventional convection systems.
The Heating Company offers Radiant Surface Panel Heaters providing you with the best value for heating that money can buy in NZ. The panel's white aluminum surface and powder coated frame offer a slim design suitable for commercial and residential installations. It's compatible with wall or ceiling installation and comes with a built-in thermostat receiver so you'll be able to take full control of your heating.