Archive for November, 2008
Radiant Heating And Radiant Barriers
Posted by radiant heat in In Floor Radiant Heat on November 19th, 2008
Larry B Lang asked:
If you have a radiant heat system, radiant barrier foil is an ideal way to maximize your radiant heat efficiency.
Radiant heat is heat that is transmitted from a heat source through space and a radiant barrier is designed to reflect that heat towards your living space.
Radiant barriers are made from materials that are poor at absorbing heat but excellent at reflecting it. A radiant barrier is usually a thin sheet or coating of a highly reflective material, mostly aluminum. An effective radiant barrier must reflect 97% of the heat and in order to perform correctly, the reflective side must be open to an air space.
By using radiant barrier foil you can substantial increase your energy savings especially since this foil barrier can reflect so much heat back to its source. By using a foil barrier you will keep your home far warmer than without a radiant barrier.
A few things are important to look out for when buying a radiant barrier. If you’re doing the installation yourself, you should select a tear resistant radiant barrier so your installation will be easier. The best way to test the strength of the radiant barrier is to take a small sample and try to tear it by hand. If it rips apart, chances are it will tear easily and make your installation difficult.
The types that don’t tear easily usually have a woven mesh that is laminated between two sheets of foil. Other types of radiant barrier use what is called, a ” bubble-pack” between the foil sheets, giving the radiant barrier some added strength.
Another thing to check would be the flammability rating. You should select a radiant barrier that has a Class I USB (Uniform Building Code) or a Class A NFPA (National Fire Protection Association) flammability rating. To make sure, you can always ask your local fire department or building inspector to review your selection or recommend an appropriate product.
Be aware that radiant barriers can also be used as vapor barriers, which prevent moisture from passing through them. So depending on where you are using a radiant barrier will determine what kind you use. You don’t want warm air passing through it onto a cold surface and then condensing, this could cause problems.
For installation, place the radiant barrier, foil-face up under a sub-floor about 1 to 2 inches below the radiant tubing.
To receive the best efficiency and comfort from your radiant heating system some basic rules should be followed; all of your exterior rim joists should be insulated; and insulation should be stapled to the bottom of your joists under the radiant barrier.
Also, keep in mind that radiant in-floor heat will not work properly until the joist space is closed.
While radiant barriers are certainly not new on the market, they are an inexpensive yet effective way for homeowners to save energy and money. Radiant barrier materials are continuing to improve and they are becoming widely available throughout North America.
With a radiant heat system, a radiant barrier will reflect the heat back into the home, heating your home much more efficiently.
Rick
If you have a radiant heat system, radiant barrier foil is an ideal way to maximize your radiant heat efficiency.
Radiant heat is heat that is transmitted from a heat source through space and a radiant barrier is designed to reflect that heat towards your living space.
Radiant barriers are made from materials that are poor at absorbing heat but excellent at reflecting it. A radiant barrier is usually a thin sheet or coating of a highly reflective material, mostly aluminum. An effective radiant barrier must reflect 97% of the heat and in order to perform correctly, the reflective side must be open to an air space.
By using radiant barrier foil you can substantial increase your energy savings especially since this foil barrier can reflect so much heat back to its source. By using a foil barrier you will keep your home far warmer than without a radiant barrier.
A few things are important to look out for when buying a radiant barrier. If you’re doing the installation yourself, you should select a tear resistant radiant barrier so your installation will be easier. The best way to test the strength of the radiant barrier is to take a small sample and try to tear it by hand. If it rips apart, chances are it will tear easily and make your installation difficult.
The types that don’t tear easily usually have a woven mesh that is laminated between two sheets of foil. Other types of radiant barrier use what is called, a ” bubble-pack” between the foil sheets, giving the radiant barrier some added strength.
Another thing to check would be the flammability rating. You should select a radiant barrier that has a Class I USB (Uniform Building Code) or a Class A NFPA (National Fire Protection Association) flammability rating. To make sure, you can always ask your local fire department or building inspector to review your selection or recommend an appropriate product.
Be aware that radiant barriers can also be used as vapor barriers, which prevent moisture from passing through them. So depending on where you are using a radiant barrier will determine what kind you use. You don’t want warm air passing through it onto a cold surface and then condensing, this could cause problems.
For installation, place the radiant barrier, foil-face up under a sub-floor about 1 to 2 inches below the radiant tubing.
To receive the best efficiency and comfort from your radiant heating system some basic rules should be followed; all of your exterior rim joists should be insulated; and insulation should be stapled to the bottom of your joists under the radiant barrier.
Also, keep in mind that radiant in-floor heat will not work properly until the joist space is closed.
While radiant barriers are certainly not new on the market, they are an inexpensive yet effective way for homeowners to save energy and money. Radiant barrier materials are continuing to improve and they are becoming widely available throughout North America.
With a radiant heat system, a radiant barrier will reflect the heat back into the home, heating your home much more efficiently.
Rick
The Benefits Of Radiant Ceiling Heat
Posted by radiant heat in In Floor Radiant Heat on November 13th, 2008
David Karlson asked:
The major attraction of radiant ceiling heat is that these heaters heat up the home just the way sun does. You do not require using any blowers. All you require to do is to install electrical radiant elements under the floors or inside walls. You can even install these on the ceiling. Each area that you choose to heat will have a control that may be marked from lower to higher temperature. However, these heaters do not display the current temperature of a specific area.
Several types of radiant ceiling heat options are available on the market to benefit form. Here are some of the types:
• Hydronic radiant heating: In this type of heating system, hot water is heated in a boiler. This water flows through tubes or pipes positioned at places to be heated. These types of heating systems are used under roads in order to keep snow and ice away from being accumulated.
• Conventional heating system: Radiant heat in this type of system tends to warm all parts of the room and does not leave any drafts or hot spots. This is because radiant heat is independent of large moving volumes of air, contaminants and dust in the air. This type of system tends to provide you good amount of flexibility to allow placing your furniture anywhere inside the room. Now you do not have to limit your room due to baseboards or vents.
• Radiant ceiling heat: This system is very efficient. This system works towards saving as much as twenty percent on your energy bills.
You can enjoy several benefits via using radiant ceiling heat.
These systems do not require any pressure or leakage problems.
With a radiant ceiling heat system, there is no requirement for a blower to circulate heat. There are no filters due to elimination of the blower.
These systems practice heating without air. This eliminates the drafts. Hence, you can easily prevent dust and pollen from circulating in the atmosphere. You would also be maintaining moisture content of air.
Another benefit of using these heating systems is that they do not require any maintenance or service. Radiant ceiling heat systems are available with separate thermostats available for each room; zoned heating is as easy as turning a light switch on and off.
This is not all with these heating systems, you can enjoy significant amount of energy savings on your bills.
These heat panels are an amazing source for bathrooms, gazebos, log homes, porches and stables. These are also a superb choice for heating a greenhouse, as the radiant heat will protect your plants when there is no sunlight.
Radiant ceiling heat systems are an amazing choice when it comes to floor or ceiling heating anywhere you want.
Ana
The major attraction of radiant ceiling heat is that these heaters heat up the home just the way sun does. You do not require using any blowers. All you require to do is to install electrical radiant elements under the floors or inside walls. You can even install these on the ceiling. Each area that you choose to heat will have a control that may be marked from lower to higher temperature. However, these heaters do not display the current temperature of a specific area.
Several types of radiant ceiling heat options are available on the market to benefit form. Here are some of the types:
• Hydronic radiant heating: In this type of heating system, hot water is heated in a boiler. This water flows through tubes or pipes positioned at places to be heated. These types of heating systems are used under roads in order to keep snow and ice away from being accumulated.
• Conventional heating system: Radiant heat in this type of system tends to warm all parts of the room and does not leave any drafts or hot spots. This is because radiant heat is independent of large moving volumes of air, contaminants and dust in the air. This type of system tends to provide you good amount of flexibility to allow placing your furniture anywhere inside the room. Now you do not have to limit your room due to baseboards or vents.
• Radiant ceiling heat: This system is very efficient. This system works towards saving as much as twenty percent on your energy bills.
You can enjoy several benefits via using radiant ceiling heat.
These systems do not require any pressure or leakage problems.
With a radiant ceiling heat system, there is no requirement for a blower to circulate heat. There are no filters due to elimination of the blower.
These systems practice heating without air. This eliminates the drafts. Hence, you can easily prevent dust and pollen from circulating in the atmosphere. You would also be maintaining moisture content of air.
Another benefit of using these heating systems is that they do not require any maintenance or service. Radiant ceiling heat systems are available with separate thermostats available for each room; zoned heating is as easy as turning a light switch on and off.
This is not all with these heating systems, you can enjoy significant amount of energy savings on your bills.
These heat panels are an amazing source for bathrooms, gazebos, log homes, porches and stables. These are also a superb choice for heating a greenhouse, as the radiant heat will protect your plants when there is no sunlight.
Radiant ceiling heat systems are an amazing choice when it comes to floor or ceiling heating anywhere you want.
Ana
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