- Calculate the area to be heated in square meters. Area (m2) = Length (m) x Width (m)
- From the table above, select the factor that most closely matches the building type. Heat load (kW) = Area (m2) x factor.
- Select Activair infrared radiant heaters that match or slightly exceed the required heat load.
What are the pros and cons of radiant heat?
- Uniform heating. The biggest benefit of floor-heating systems is their ability to uniformly heat a room and floor. ...
- No maintenance. ...
- No noise. ...
- Non-allergenic. ...
- Energy efficient. ...
- Easy to install. ...
- Flooring must be replaced. ...
- Slightly elevates the floor height.
How much is radiant heating per sq ft?
Hydronic or water-based radiant heated flooring costs between $6 to $20 per square foot . Electric-based radiant floor heating runs between $8 to $15 per square foot. Both range in cost from $1 to $5 a day to run.
Can you install radiant heat in existing homes?
Radiant heat can be added under your existing floor . In this situation, hydronic radiant heat (water circulating through pipes) would be easier to install than electric mat radiant heat. Electric mat radiant heat is best when sandwiched between the subfloor and the finish material, be it wood, tile, or carpet.
How do I calculate BTU for radiant heat?
Subtract the supply water temperature from the return water temperature to find the system temperature change. To find the system delivered Btu, multiply the Btu constant of 500 x the estimated Pump GPM x the System Temperature Change.
What are the disadvantages of radiant heating?
- Substantial Upfront Cost. ...
- Risk of Leaks in Hydronic Systems. ...
- Risk of Fire in Electric Systems. ...
- Difficult to Access for Repairs.
Is Radiant Heat expensive to run?
Like any type of electric heat, radiant panels can be expensive to operate , but they can provide supplemental heating in some rooms or can provide heat to a home addition when extending the conventional heating system is impractical.
What are the cons of radiant heat?
- 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.
What is radiant heat in an old house?
Unlike rising hot air, radiant heat travels in all directions, warming cooler objects around it . Delivered via warm water in plastic tubing installed in a floor, radiant floor heating moves out from there, making the room feel warm and comfortable.
How long does radiant floor heating last?
Radiant floor heating systems are made using high tech materials and can have a lifespan of up to 100 years . If well maintained, these systems can beat the lifespan of conventional HVAC systems. However, you will need to replace the mechanical parts of the system over time.
Can you install radiant heat over concrete slab?
There are several manufacturers of electric radiant floor heating systems that can be placed directly on top of an existing concrete slab . ... These radiant floor heating systems can also be installed on top of a slab before the flooring goes down. There are several manufacturers of this type of radiant floor heating.
Can you cool with radiant heat?
Although some radiant floor systems are capable of cooling by circulating cool water through the tubing, most homes will need a separate system to provide the cooling . The reason is that heating is ideally delivered from the ground up, while cooling is best delivered through ductwork located near the ceiling.
Is radiant heat gas or electric?
Radiant heating systems require either natural gas or electricity as a fuel source. In the case of electricity, the components are heated by electrical resistance. For natural gas, however, the system does require a boiler installation to heat the water that will flow through the pipes of the radiant heating system.
What is a good temp setting for radiant heat floor?
Radiant floors should not exceed 85 degrees F at the surface. 85 degrees is our skin temperature, so anything warmer starts too feel too warm. Floor coverings other than stone or tile REQUIRE a maximum temperature below 85 F. Most people are very comfortable between 75-80 degrees F.
Does radiant heat use a lot of electricity?
How Much Energy Does It Use? Electric radiant floor heating systems are generally very efficient and use as much or less energy than other heating systems . ... A floor heating system would not only cost less to run in this scenario, but it would also heat the room evenly.
How efficient is radiant heat in the ceiling?
Radiant ceiling heat: This system heats the room from the top to the bottom. It is one of the most efficient ways to heat your home and could possibly save you as much as twenty percent on your energy costs . There are many benefits to choosing a radiant heat ceiling as the heating option for your home.
