Zonal Systems - Radiant Heating

SYSTEM DESCRIPTION

Radiant heating can be installed in the ceiling, walls, or floor of a new home. All of these systems radiate heat toward objects - including occupants - in the heater's line of sight, without heating the air in between. It works much like direct sunlight on a cold, windless day.

Since radiant systems can keep occupants comfortable at lower air temperatures they may reduce heat loss from the home when the heat is on for short periods. If the heat is on for long periods of time the air temperature in the zone will rise to the same temperature as with other zonal systems.

Depending on your living habits, radiant heating units can be quite energy efficient.

Ceiling cable heat, the traditional and least expensive radiant heat to install, uses cables running along the ceiling between the sheetrock and the insulation. Newer improved designs use continuous conductive mats that spread the heating over an entire panel, which is easy to install or replace, and also less likely to need repairs.

Ceiling radiant heat is only slightly more expensive than most baseboard systems and technological advances have made it much more reliable than in the past.

Radiant heating can also be installed in the floor, heating the floor to about 80°F. Some homeowners consider floor radiant heat the most comfortable electrical heating option of all. However, floor radiant heat is expensive to install, and requires sophisticated controls to prevent overheating.

Another type of radiant heating system is a cove heater. This system consists of a long, narrow radiant heater installed high on the wall of each zone.

ADVANTAGES

•  High comfort level.
• Can be either a central or zonal system.

   

DISADVANTAGES

• Potentially high installation and operating costs.
• In most cases several thermostats are needed to adjust the temperature of the entire house.

   

MAINTENANCE

Ceiling cable heat systems can be damaged by attaching things to the ceiling (plant hooks, etc.). Relatively maintenance free.

EFFICIENCY

Electric heat is 100% efficient...for every watt of electricity the system consumes, a watt of heat is created. Efficiency may be reduced due to poor system design. It is important to do a heat-loss calculation when sizing the system.

CONTROLS

(See additional information in Thermostat section).

Typically, an inexpensive bi-metal coil spring thermostat is used to operate each zone. These thermostats allow the temperature to fluctuate as much as five degrees on either side of the temperature setting leading to uncomfortable rooms. The heating system usually gets the blame. Consider an electronic thermostat to maintain the temperature within one to two degrees of the set point, creating a much more comfortable environment.

CONTROL TIPS

For optimum efficiency, reduce the thermostat setting while sleeping or when the space is unoccupied for four hours or longer. A master thermostat can be used to control multiple zones at one time.

EASE OF OPERATION

Individual rooms or zones are easy to operate. However, considering the whole house as a system it can be time consuming to assure that each thermostat in each room is turned down when needed. A master thermostat can be used to control multiple zones.