How Radiant Heating Works
Radiant Hydronic Heating achieves unparalleled feelings of comfort and high fuel efficiencies due to the nature of Thermal Radiation inherent in this style of heating system. Additionally, Thermal Convection takes a supplementary role. Before we consider the components of a Radiant Hydronic Heating system, let's examine the fundamentals by which such a system heats a building.
To understand Thermal Radiation, let's use an every-day example. Imagine you are outside on a bright, sunny day. When you stand in the direct sun-light on a cloud-free day, your exposed skin feels quite warm. However, when you walk over and stand under the shade of a tree, your skin quickly feels much less warm. If you were to measure the air temperature of the two spots, in and out of shade, you would find them to be quite similar. The difference in feeling can be attributed to Thermal Radiation. Technically speaking, Thermal Radiation is the transfer of thermal energy (also known as heat) through the emission and absorption of electromagnetic waves (light waves are one form of these waves). This process is independent of physical contact between two forms of matter. That means these light-waves are relatively unaffected by the space through which they travel, and only make an impact on physical substances they contact. Every single object radiates thermal energy in some form, and it varies depending on that object's finite temperature. Don't let the term "Radiation" fool you, thermal radiation operates on a wavelength that is harmless to living creatures; it's the same as being in a room with the lights on, and safer than being in the sun since there is no Ultra-Violet rays involved.
Everyday example of Thermal Radiation.
Thermal Convection is the transfer of thermal energy between a surface and a fluid moving over that surface; air in this case is considered a fluid. An electric tea-kettle heating a metal coil surrounded by water is an example of Thermal Convection. Radiators and Radiant Panel Baseboards can reach temperatures capable of causing Thermal Conduction. In fact, the Radiators we sell are designed to transfer heat in a fashion that is 60% Thermal Radiation, and 40% Thermal Convection. Thermal Convection is primarily responsible for heating the air within a room. Traditional force-air heating systems heat only using Thermal Convection.
Now, let's consider an application between Radiation and Convection to a home-heating scenario, with comfort and efficiency in mind. Let's use a fully insulated room of your house to be the setting. In both cases the air temperature of the room is 50° F. Obviously, you would be quite cold in a room that is only 50° F.
Now, let's consider an application between Radiation and Convection to a home-heating scenario, with comfort and efficiency in mind. Let's use a fully insulated room of your house to be the setting. In both cases the air temperature of the room is 50° F. Obviously, you would be quite cold in a room that is only 50° F.
First scenario: using only Convection. If you were to heat the room using Convection as your only method of heat transfer, you would have to bring the air temperature to roughly 70° F in order to feel relatively warm and comfortable. Quick math: you would have to heat the entire volume of air in that room 20° F. (Don't forget 3D space is measured in volume, which means length x height x width.) It doesn't take much thought to realize that your person only occupies up a tiny fraction of that space, and it you are only ever within 6 feet of the floor. Do you now realize that you have heated 99% of a space that you aren't occupying, just to feel comfortable? You're never in the space by the ceiling, and even if you move around a lot, there is still most of the room that has heated air that isn't effecting your comfort. Seems like a waste of energy...
Second scenario: using only Radiation.
Take the same room, with the same cold 50° F, and add a sun-light to the room. Naturally, if you were cold, you would stand under sun-light in order to feel warm. It doesn't matter that the room temperature was still reading 50° F if when standing in the sun-light you felt warm. Do you now see that heating the air within a room can be a huge waste of energy (money), if you only goal is to feel warm. And think, the bigger each room is, the more air there is, so the more energy (money) it takes to heat that air to your desired temperature.
Second scenario: using only Radiation.
Take the same room, with the same cold 50° F, and add a sun-light to the room. Naturally, if you were cold, you would stand under sun-light in order to feel warm. It doesn't matter that the room temperature was still reading 50° F if when standing in the sun-light you felt warm. Do you now see that heating the air within a room can be a huge waste of energy (money), if you only goal is to feel warm. And think, the bigger each room is, the more air there is, so the more energy (money) it takes to heat that air to your desired temperature.
