Electric Radiant Heating
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A few years ago if you had told me that using electric radiant heating would save energy over traditional forms of heating I would have laughed. Not any more - several years ago I came across a truly remarkable heating system that replicates the long wave radiant heat output of the sun to provide gentle comfort where conventional systems simply cannot perform adequately or efficiently. It is brilliant for "difficult" buildings, for example, churches, school halls, shops with open doors - in fact its just brilliant. I am constantly being asked to design and specify heating systems for Churches - amongst other buildings - and this system fits the bill very nicely. Naturally I will investigate all options, but time and time again long wave radiant heaters provide the solution I am looking for. This type of heating is great for high vaulted ceilings and lofty roofs where the heaters can be mounted at maximum height offering very little obtrusiveness (is that a word? it is now!) and tremendous heat distribution. |
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Long wave radiant heat works by replacing the human body's heat loss to moving air - just like being outside on a sunny spring day and moving from the shade into the sun - the air temperature doesn't change but you feel warmer. |
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The main attraction of this form of comfort heating is that firstly height is no object and ideally the higher the system can be mounted the better so you need fewer heaters per square metre. But also, being ceiling mounted and radiating downwards frees up valuable wall space and avoids much of the heat loss to rising warm air that affects conventional heating systems. |
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Radiant panels are widely used to replace over-door forced air curtains, for example, I have specified them for Greggs (the nationwide Bakery chain) who commonly use 2.0kW or 3.0kW radiant unit to replace a 7.5kW or even 9kW forced air curtain in their shops where they operate an open door policy. That is an energy saving of 60-78% achieved in over 100 premises throughout the Central Belt of Scotland. |
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heaters are ideal for use in older buildings or where the roof is high
and/or vaulted such as Churches, School Halls and
Museums where years of damp and cold have permeated the
fabric of the property. Only long wave radiant heating can drive out the cold and
create comfort where once there was none. The
system has even won an award for energy efficiency in a Church achieving
nearly 40% energy saving over conventional wet systems using convection.
We have installed this system in Churches from Tain in the North down to
Knottingly in Yorkshire. Take a look at some typical installations
below. I have designed and specified these heating systems for more
than 40 Churches in Scotland and the requests keep rolling in.
I have also specified and installed these systems in Primary Schools, Secondary Schools, Territorial Army buildings, Sports facilities (Leisure Centres, Squash Courts etc), lots of shops, several offices (small and large), Department Stores, Village Halls, Public Toilets, Crematoria, two Museums, two Town Halls, lots of garages and car showrooms and many, many conservatories.
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