How Radiant Heating Works and Why It Is So Comfortable
Everything in the universe, including our bodies, is engaged in a constant transfer of heat with most everything else in the universe. There are two mechanisms for heat transfer:
1. Conduction: Heat is transferred by direct contact.
2. Radiation: Low frequency electromagnetic radiation carries the energy (mostly infra red light). Our sun is 93 million miles away and heat conduction between us is zero. Yet massive amounts of heat are transferred by radiation.
Think of taking a walk on a brisk spring day. When you're in the shade, you're just a bit chilly. That chill is brought on by cool air contacting your body and drawing away heat by conduction.
Yet when you step into the sunlight, you're comfortable again. That comfort is created by radiation that traveled 93 million miles just to bring warmth and delight to you.
Bring to mind how you feel outside in the sun on that brisk spring day, soaking up the sun. Most of us feel invigorated.
Comfort engineers know this. Thermal comfort is a balance between air temperature (conduction) and the temperature of objects around us that emit radiant energy. We feel at our best with low air temperature balanced by higher radiant temperatures that keep us warm.
Smart employers know their office staff works better with lower air temperatures. They set the thermostat accordingly. Let the air get overly warm and the office becomes stuffy: Employees become drowsy. Shift the balance toward radiant heat and workers stay alert. And, they just plain feel better.
Radiant heating holds the secrets for optimizing comfort in every area of the home. Here are some of those secrets:
Radiant heating secret #1: The best thermal comfort comes through balancing air temperature with the temperature surrounding objects. (Mean air temperature and mean radiant temperature)
Radiant heating secret #2: Air temperature is still important. Remember: We are trying to achieve a balance between radiant temperature and air temperature. If air temperature is not controlled, we will not have balance. Forced air systems cause uneven air temperatures. The difference between floor and ceiling can exceed 50 degrees. By spreading heat out over the entire floor, we prevent temperature fluctuations of more than about four degrees. Here is an infra red photo showing the even distribution of tubes in a concrete floor:
Outside on that Spring day we mentioned above, the most important object emitting thermal radiation was the sun. Indoors, the most important objects emitting thermal radiation are the floors, walls, ceilings, and furniture. In the photo, it is obviously the floor.
Radiant heating secret number three: Different rooms need to be heated differently. Many people like their bedrooms cool but the bathroom warm. The family room with a roaring fire needs less heat than the living room with no fire. Hydronic radiant heat can easily be zoned: Effectively and inexpensively creating as many micro climates as you wish, each with it's own thermostat.
Radiant heating secret number four: It's quiet. Your ears should never know it's on. No more maddening drone of a forced air fan.
Radiant heating secret number five: It's Hypo allergenic. Dust isn't blown around: It falls to the floor and gets swept up. No ductwork to grow mold.
Radiant heating secret number six: Floor heating is invisible. No unsightly grills. Place your furniture anywhere you please. Radiators are not invisable, but provide similar quality comfort and are attractive.
Radiant heating secret number seven: Complete architectural freedom. No more large ducts cutting through the structure of your home. Usually, the largest pipe we need is 3/4".
We could go on and on, but the clincher in today's world is the energy efficiency gained with a good radiant system. Boilers with 95% efficiency and beyond. No leaking ducts. No fan forced air currents carrying heat out the window. Heat only the portion of the house being used by taking advantage of zoning. Even provide domestic hot water heated by the 95% efficient boiler.
Our radiant systems bring you unsurpassed comfort at unsurpassed efficiency.
Proud Member Radiant Panel Association Since 1996
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BAY HYDRONIC, INC.
WE KNOW RADIANT HEATING
Ca contractor's license #278694
Thermal image of radiant tube buried in a concrete floor.
BAY HYDRONIC INC.
Boiler Replacement
RADIANT HEATING, RADIATORS, BOILERS
New Installations and Replacements
Serving the entire San Francisco Bay Area: Peninsula,
East Bay , Oakland, San Francisco, Marin, San Rafael, Sonoma County, Santa Rosa, Napa County
Since 1972 - Call us at 1-800-WARMERS (1-800-927-6377)
CA Boiler Contractor's License #278694
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Ask us questions. We are pleased to provide information by email or telephone. We can give you approximate costs if you provide us basic information about your home.
Call 1-800-WARMERS 1-800-927-6377
RADIANT AND HOT WATER HEATING SPECIALISTS
FOR SAN FRANCISCO, ALAMEDA, MARIN,SONOMA, NAPA, SONOMA AND SOLANO COUNTIES
FOR SAN FRANCISCO, ALAMEDA, MARIN,SONOMA, NAPA, SONOMA AND SOLANO COUNTIES
Eight zone radiant manifold with controller
RADIANT DESIGN:
36 years experience designing radiant systems. We design it; we install it; we service it; we warrant it.
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