Two Types of Radiant Heaters

Radiant heaters actually fall into two different classifications. There are the hydronic radiant heaters and the infrared radiant heaters. Though they have the same name which often leads many people to be confused these two different types of heaters are very different.

Hydronic Radiant Heaters

These have along history dating back to the Roman empire. They are very simple and effective. A liquid is heated in a centralized location, usually water or oil. And the heated fluid is circulated through a system of pipes to large, often cast iron heaters. The heaters and the pipes radiate their heat to the surrounding air and objects.

The old style of metal heater is still very common in older construction and most people will be familiar with this type of heat. It does not utilize an open flame so it is pretty safe in that aspect, but the actual radiant heater and the piping can get hot enough to cause burns.

Hydronic radiant heat is commonly used in heated floors and can make for a very luxurious feeling when steeping out of the shower on a cold day. This type of heat remains popular because it does not require much maintenance, is safe and does not produce noise or allergens.

Infrared Radiant Heaters

These heaters use sun technology. They simply use light to transfer heat. The benefit to this is that the radiant heat only heats the objects and not the surrounding air. Thus comfortable temperatures can be achieved with much less energy because the actual heating takes place at the surface of the flesh instead of the surrounding air.

These systems are very easy to install and can be zoned very effectively. This type of radiant heat can be perfect for people not wishing to heat their entire house at the same time or for families that have different temperature preferences.

These two types of radiant heaters can actually work very well in conjunction with one and other. Infrared heaters are generally mounted high on the walls out of the way which means that the radiation making it to the floor is diminished. Combine this with rising heat and you have a cold floor. Using a hydronically heated floor can solve this problem and add some toasty comfort to your cold feet.

Radiant heat will continue to thrive in popularity as electric bills continue to rise and people continue to search out new ways to increase their comfort. Looking into radiant heaters whether you are building a new home or remodeling an old home.

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