what are the advantages and disadvantages of radiant energy?
Radiant Panels Radiant heating panels are the quickest to heat an area, and they eliminate the constant heating of rooms that aren't regularly occupiedHowever these panels are expensive to run, and you need to be close to them to feel the most warmthRadiant Floor Heating While radiant floor heat is called radiant, it really isn't completely radiant by the classic definition, according to the U.SDepartment of EnergySince radiant floor heat relies on heating up the flooring material through convection, it's quite different from true radiant heatersThis type of heating comes as air-circulated, electric radiant, and hydronicThe disadvantages of air-circulated floor heating is that it isn't cost effective for residential use even when combined with solarElectric Radiant Floor Electric radiant floors offer a good solution for additions when it isn't possible to use the existing heating system for the additionElectric radiant floors are also advantageous when the local electric company permits time-of-use rates so they can charge up the thermal mass in the floors when rates are lowThe disadvantage is that these floors are expensive to operate when time-of-use plans and thermal mass are not availableHydronic Radiant Hydronic radiant systems are liquid-filled systems in which the liquid is heated in a boilerA pump circulates the liquid through tubing just below the floor surfaceThese systems are the most popular radiant floor heating systemsThey are reasonable in cost to operate, and they make a space feel evenly warmThe disadvantage is that if the floors do not have a thermal mass, like concrete or ceramic tile, the operational cost goes up quicklyAlso, when there is adequate thermal mass, it isn't cost effective to do thermostat setbacks when no one is home or at night.
years ago when cent heat was not popular they heated the upper flrs by cutting holes in the 2nd floor floors and putting registers in that could be closed or left open,the heat would rise up thru the registers,the cold air would go down the stairs
