How Do Radiant Panels Work?

Radiant panels are an innovative and efficient way of heating a space through radiant heating. They offer several advantages over traditional heating systems, such as forced-air heating or radiators. In this blog post, we’ll explore how radiant panels work, their benefits, and their applications.

What are radiant heating panels?

Radiant panels, also known as radiant ceiling panels, are heating systems that radiate heat from a flat surface, typically mounted on the ceiling. They can also be mounted on walls or floors. Radiant panels heat a space by radiating infrared waves that heat objects and people in the room, rather than warming the air like traditional heating systems.

Radiant panels come in two main types: electric and hydronic. Electric radiant panels use electricity to heat a conductive panel, while hydronic radiant panels use hot water or steam to heat a panel. In both cases, the heat is emitted from the surface of the panel, creating a comfortable and uniform heat in the room.

Radiant panels work by emitting infrared radiation that heats objects and people in the room. This is in contrast to traditional heating systems, which warm the air in a room. When the air is heated, it rises, creating a convection current that circulates the warm air around the room. Radiant panels don’t rely on convection currents; instead, they directly heat objects and people in the room.

Electric radiant panels consist of a conductive panel that is heated by electricity. When electricity flows through the panel, it heats up and emits infrared radiation. The heat emitted from the panel is absorbed by objects and people in the room, creating a comfortable and uniform heat.

Hydronic radiant panels work in a similar way, except they use hot water or steam to heat the panel. The hot water or steam is circulated through a network of pipes that are embedded in the panel. The heat from the water or steam is transferred to the panel, which then emits infrared radiation.

What is radiant heat?

Radiant heat refers to a type of heating system that works by emitting electromagnetic radiation, usually in the form of infrared radiation, to warm up a space. Instead of heating up the air and then circulating it around the room, radiant heat works by heating up objects and surfaces directly. These heated objects and surfaces then radiate the heat back into the room, creating a comfortable and even distribution of warmth. Radiant heat can be provided by a variety of heating systems, including radiant panels, radiant floor heating, and radiant ceiling panels, among others.

What is convection heating?

Convection heating is a type of conventional heating systems that works by circulating warm air around a space. In a convection heating system, air is heated up by a furnace, boiler, or heat pump, and then circulated through ducts or pipes to various rooms in a building. The warm air rises to the ceiling, creating a convection current that pushes cooler air down to the floor, where it’s then reheated and recirculated. This process creates a more even distribution of heat throughout a space, but can be less energy-efficient than radiant heating systems because it requires more energy to heat up the air and circulate it throughout a building.

What is infrared heating

Infrared heating in radiant panels works by emitting electromagnetic radiation, which is absorbed by objects and surfaces in a room. The infrared heat energy from the radiation causes these objects and surfaces to warm up, and they then radiate the heat back into the room, creating a comfortable environment. Infrared radiation is a type of electromagnetic radiation that lies between visible light and radio waves on the electromagnetic spectrum. Electric radiant panels use a heating element, usually made of carbon fiber, to emit infrared radiation, while hydronic radiant panels circulate hot water through pipes that emit the radiation.

Infrared radiation is a type of energy that is emitted by all objects that have a temperature above absolute zero. When infrared radiation comes into contact with an object or surface, the energy is absorbed and causes the object or surface to heat up. This is why we feel warm when we stand in front of a fire or bask in the sun’s rays.

Radiant panels use infrared heating to warm up a room or space. The panels emit infrared radiation that travels through the air and is absorbed by objects and surfaces in the room. This causes the objects and surfaces to warm up, and they then radiate the heat back into the room, creating a warm and comfortable environment.

Electric radiant panels use a heating element, usually made of carbon fiber, to emit infrared radiation. The heating element is embedded in a panel or mat, and when electricity is passed through it, it heats up and emits infrared radiation.

Hydronic radiant panels, on the other hand, are connected to a central heating system that circulates hot water through pipes that are embedded in the panels. When hot water flows through the pipes, it heats up the panels, which then emit infrared radiation.

Infrared heating is highly efficient because it heats up objects and surfaces directly, rather than heating up the air and then circulating it around the room. This means that less energy is required to heat up a room, resulting in energy savings and a more comfortable environment.

Benefits of radiant panels

Radiant panels offer many benefits over traditional heating systems. Here are some of the key advantages of radiant panels:

Energy efficiency: Radiant panels are more energy-efficient than traditional heating systems. They emit heat directly to objects and people in the room, rather than heating the air, which means less energy is wasted.
Comfort: Radiant panels provide a comfortable and uniform heat in the room. Unlike traditional heating systems, which can create hot and cold spots in a room, radiant panels emit heat evenly throughout the space.
Noiseless: Radiant panels are virtually silent, which makes them ideal for bedrooms, libraries, and other quiet spaces. Traditional heating systems can be noisy, especially if they use a forced-air system.
Space-saving: Radiant panels are mounted on the ceiling, walls, or floors, which means they don’t take up any floor space. This makes them ideal for small spaces or rooms where floor space is at a premium.
Easy to install: Radiant panels are relatively easy to install, especially electric panels. They don’t require any ductwork, and the installation process is less invasive than traditional heating systems.
Quiet Operation: Radiant panels are typically quieter than traditional heating systems because they don’t rely on fans or blowers to distribute heat. This can be especially beneficial for people who are sensitive to noise or who work in quiet environments.
Design Flexibility: Radiant panels are versatile and can be installed in a variety of locations, including walls, ceilings, and floors. They can be designed to blend in with the surrounding decor, and they don’t take up any floor space, which can be beneficial in small or crowded spaces.
Improved Air Quality: Radiant panels don’t rely on forced air to distribute heat, which means that there’s no risk of allergens or pollutants being circulated around a space. This can be especially beneficial for people with allergies or respiratory issues.
Zoning Capabilities: Radiant panels can be zoned to heat up specific areas of a building, which can result in additional energy savings. By only heating up the areas that are being used, radiant panels can help reduce energy waste and lower heating bills.
Durability: Radiant panels are typically durable and long-lasting. They don’t have any moving parts or components that can wear out or break down, which means that they require minimal maintenance over their lifespan.

How can radiant heating reduce energy consumption?

Radiant panels are highly energy-efficient because they heat up objects and surfaces directly, rather than heating up the air and then circulating it around the room. This means that less energy is required to heat up a room, resulting in energy savings and a more comfortable environment.

Traditional heating systems, such as forced-air systems, work by heating up the air in a room and then circulating it around the space. This method can be inefficient because heated air tends to rise to the ceiling, leaving the lower parts of the room cooler. As a result, the thermostat needs to be set higher to achieve a comfortable temperature throughout the room.

Radiant panels, on the other hand, heat up objects and surfaces directly, which then radiate the heat back into the room. This creates a more even distribution of heat and reduces the amount of heat that’s lost through drafts or poorly insulated walls. In addition, because radiant panels don’t rely on forced air, there’s no risk of allergens or pollutants being circulated around the room, which can be beneficial for people with allergies or respiratory issues.

Overall, radiant panels are an energy-efficient heating option that can help reduce your energy bills and create a more comfortable and healthy environment.

Applications of radiant panels

Radiant panels can be used in a variety of settings, including residential, commercial, and industrial spaces. Here are some of the applications of radiant panels:

Residential: Radiant panels are ideal for residential spaces, especially for homes with high ceilings or limited floor space. They can be installed in bedrooms, living rooms, and bathrooms, providing comfortable and efficient heating.
Commercial: Radiant panels are commonly used in commercial settings, such as offices, schools, and hospitals. They provide a quiet and efficient heating solution, which is important in settings where noise can be disruptive.

Industrial: Radiant panels are used in industrial settings, such as warehouses and factories, where heating large spaces efficiently and effectively is essential. Radiant panels can be used to heat work areas, loading docks, and even outdoor spaces.
Agricultural: Radiant panels are also used in agricultural settings, such as greenhouses and poultry farms. In these settings, radiant panels can provide a uniform and efficient heat that is essential for plant growth or animal welfare.
Sports facilities: Radiant panels are commonly used in sports facilities, such as indoor arenas or outdoor stadiums. They provide efficient and effective heating that can be customized to specific areas of the facility.
Museums and galleries: Radiant panels are also used in museums and galleries to provide a comfortable and stable temperature that is essential for preserving artwork and artifacts.
Religious buildings: Radiant panels are often used in religious buildings, such as churches and temples, where maintaining a comfortable temperature is important for worshipers.
Hospitality industry: Radiant panels are also used in hotels, restaurants, and other hospitality settings. They provide a quiet and efficient heating solution that is essential for guest comfort.

In each of these applications, radiant panels offer an efficient and effective heating solution that can be customized to meet the specific needs of the space.

Conclusion

Radiant panels offer an innovative and efficient way of heating a space. They emit infrared radiation that heats objects and people in the room, rather than warming the air like traditional heating systems. Radiant panels are energy-efficient, comfortable, noiseless, and space-saving, making them ideal for a variety of settings, including residential, commercial, industrial, and agricultural spaces. If you are considering installing radiant panels, be sure to choose the right type of panel, consider the placement carefully, and hire a professional to ensure that the job is done correctly. With the right installation, radiant panels can provide efficient and effective heating that meets the specific needs of your space.

What makes Radiant Heating and Cooling Solutions’ Spectrum product range industry leading?

Our revolutionary designs, stringent quality procedures and advanced manufacturing processes guarantee efficient products, manufactured to the highest quality standards and supplied with our commitment to superior customer service.

Our heating solutions are simple to use whilst being extremely low maintenance. They can be used in any commercial application and are produced to guarantee a durable, strong finish.

The Spectrum range of Radiant ceiling panels is all about people and providing a comfortable environment for occupants. Our Radiant ceiling panels provide an alternative to traditional heat emitters delivering heat directly to those areas where it is required. This creates a more comfortable environment for occupants by creating an even temperature across the room.

With a range of ceiling panels available, RHCS can offer the perfect solution to your heating or cooling requirements.