The wires down to the thermostat are small (like standard thermostat wire), while the lines from the service panel to the box on the 2x4 in the attic are substantially larger. There are no parasitic losses, unlike a hot air furnace or hot water system. The electric radiant mats have VERY low distribution losses (a few percent, mostly in the line to low volage conversion electronics). . I told her it would be too hot as the day warms up. Should we be concerned? Steve Kilbride, what do you pay for a KWH along with location and heating degree days? Radiant ceiling heat is a style of heating that is significantly different from the radiators or forced air ducts that you may be used to. In the next phase of development, radiant heating took a big step toward becoming its own entity, an active system capable of providing heat with or without help from the sun. Sie knnen nicht notwendige Cookies ber Einstellungen verwalten ablehnen. Here, the heat responds to thermostat adjustments, not gradually, but more or less instantly. I look into my electrical cabinet and wondering what are the reasons or when to consider some upgrades. Good luck to everyone and stay warm!! I can email those to you as I don't have a web-based link to share at the moment. Where can I find a wiring diagram for 3 way switches to control multiple outlets between them. Mine is wire embedded in the drywall, NOT between two layers. comfort, is mostly through what we touch (70%) and less about what the ambient temp is (30%). Though primitive compared with the finely tuned, zero-maintenance radiant-heating products available today, the fact that the basic technology has been around for so long speaks to the simple wisdom of its design. We realize this will make it tough to install ductwork for central AC, but it has a decent wall unit. Billy, See: Perhaps better than a carpeted radiant floor hot rod Heating, Cooling & Air; Heating & Cooling Appliances; Space Heaters; Share | . Is any of this comfortable? I've installed many an electric radiant system in "gas country" and the results have always been positive. 3. . Radiant ceiling panels provide a type of heat that feels natural like sunlight. When the delivery systems are similar a BTU is a BTU. Radiant heat and convection heating are different approaches to space heating and they do not deliver the equivalent results. Many houses built during the 1960s and 1970s, in areas not served by natural gas suppliers, incorporated electric cable ceiling heat as the primary means of keeping the interiors warm during the cold months of the year. Take the breakers out and leave the next owner to puzzle over this? ( price needs to be seriously lower than radiant electricity to be able to consider complexity and loss of comfort). My daughter lives in an apt (built in 70s) with radiant ceiling heat. It may not display this or other websites correctly. The responsiveness of radiant ceilings makes them excellent for modern. We like it very much. With wood, coal, propane, solar thermal, oil, ground source. In the bedrooms we have dark streaks on the ceiling where the tape is. It is NOT all about heating air. It has been efficient, reliable and clean! Please help.. thank you in advance.. Do I need to do anything special to paint my ceiling that has radiant heat? (We have this type of heat in another home we have and I am always cold there. Electric radiant ceiling heat was a popular option in new homes from the mid-1950s to the late 1970s in the region. So it means 22 amps for 120/240 Volt system or 18 amps for 277 volt system, and since I am in the . Radiant ceiling heat comes in two main forms. And it is just perfect here I want to feel safe. If someone is walking from room to room in a cold house, it's hard to come up with a control system for your method of heating. Thank you Mr. Kilbride for your informed comments. Here in Quebec, alot of folks have access to free wood (only need to chop it down and store it ) If you're going to work on these systems, be advised you won't find the parts a regular hardware store. Kick the 'stat back to the mid-60's - who needs a hot bedroom? Its estimated that Warmboard can hit the target temperature with water thats 30 degrees cooler than a competing system would require to achieve comparable results. Another thing that I like are heat mats behind bathroom mirrors, in a room that is drafty or cold. Apr 5, 2017. In the older form, electric heating elements are sandwiched between a layer of drywall and a layer of plaster. Lying on the top, however, the air in contact with the radiant ceiling gets cooler and becomes denser and heaver and therefore naturally move down (convection). Mine are SPST switch on. Worst invention ever. It is one of the most efficient ways to heat your home and could possibly save you as much as twenty percent on your energy costs. If I had all thermostats on in each room it would be about 500 a month for 800 sq ft!! A quote from the study you linked to: "Because a portion of the energy savings with the Enerjoy system was related to room by room setback and the specific number and routines of the research home occupants, savings for other households may be different than those obtained in this study. ". Certainly, the basic technology offers efficiency advantages, but individual system components make a big difference too. According to the Department of Energy, "Radiant heating has a number of advantages. After a long, hard winter that saw record-breaking snowfalls and temperature lows, its only natural to look forward to the fairer weather ahead. Bedrooms are so comfortable at times it is not even necessary to turn on heat in those rooms unless temperatures become extremely frigid. http://www.toolbase.org/PDF/CaseStudies/enerjoy_case_study.pdf. The remainder of sheets were 5/8 firecode. Here's the first one I ran across: A radiant ceiling has the minimal heat resistance of 5/8" sheet rock, while floors can have significant resistance to overcome with flooring goods and furniture. You write that your theory is "borne out by many independent tests." You received a plan on which sheets went where. My condo was built in the 80's and apparently radiant ceiling heat was all the rage. one room is no longer working however. Author: Messages . Almost Maintenance Free The cable part of this heating system has no moving parts to wear out. One wire is connected to the thermostat. A well insulated room that utilizes radiant heating systems can save money over a gas system if used and designed properly. This type of heating has the same advantages of other forms of electric resistance heat, including electric resistance baseboard, electric mats under your tile floor, and electric resistance space heaters. Hi, my home was built in 1966, and I have ceiling radiant heat. Was this under ceiling heating an infra red radiant panel? bought a house from the sixties last year. Dec 12, 2008. Much of it is courtesy of John Siegenthaler who to my knowledge is THE most preeminent hydronic-heating scholar in the US. Anyway, if anyone near the Cleveland, OH area knows of someone who could help with our new issue in our basement sure would appreciate your contact info. David, Not so much. Michael -- thanks for citing the research from Canada. Most radiant ceiling heat designs use electricity to warm an element, and allow the heat to radiate. Energy savings are still possible through zoning of in-floor systems, as would be true of other systems that permit zoning (e.g. Try calling 800-922-9276. 2- what are you talking about there ?? It was comment #24. Manufactured gypsum board heating panels use an electrical heating element in 16-mm (f-in.) Some will try to convince you that the old switches are impossible (expensive) to find. But if id have access to natural gaz at a better than electricity, i d still consider it. Your claim that "A BTU is a BTU" is certainly true, but you said that in response to a point made that a "BTU is not equal to a KWh". She is a fire fighter and a paramedic. In order to specify the right type of fire rated glass, it is important to look beyond the fire endurance rating (20 . Absolutely bloody useless. Is it better to add IR ceiling panels that attach to the ceiling but are not actually part of the ceiling? I don't want to just lay it up on top of the patch I put in (attic is above). My spouse died 9 years ago so I rely on others to help me with their opinions. Bigman | Jan 06, 2006 02:57am | #20. Had heater repair man in to put in thermostat and he said it cant be done. And I have 400+ sq. While the origins of radiant floor heating stretch way back into the mists of history, the technology has come of age only in recent years. Many interesting posts enjoying the debate. It's ~4,000 sq. If the breaker's on, the heats on, even if the thermostat is turned all the way down. Floor and ceiling heat and love it. However I'd be happy to go into greater detail at another time, perhaps in another topic area that is more appropriate. ( i don't see how it would change anythign beyond +-5% ). The main hall, where the seating areas are, is heated via forced air. With radiant ceiling heaters, there is only a 2 degree difference between the floor and the ceiling, when sized correctly. Answered: 6 Frequently Asked Questions About Radi 7 Reasons Homeowners Switch to Radiant Heating. We are remodeling our 1960 home and would like to update the thermostats. So depending on where youre standing or sitting, you can feel either too warm or not nearly warm enough. Just the bathroom affects our electric bill minimally compared to cooking and hot water. 25% more in the 1950s house and 10% more in the modern house. There's no downside to that. A popular size of Calorique Radiant Ceiling Heat delivers 15.24 watts of heat per square foot. There is also a Switch Action Closed thermostat and of course I got the wrong one the first time. Project Objective. One crack at the end of the hallway is quite large. 1970's retro fit rear car window heater built in, thick visible tracks) are fragile and easily damaged. When you turn the thermostat up to energize the system, voltage should drop to zero. Steve, Interesting info. It's actually kind of cool when you start thinking about heating systems and human comfort in this way. Sort: Prev Next: You are not authorized to post a reply. My home in OHIO was built in 1971 and has such heating. We are very happy with the radiant system. No matter what we set the thermostats at we are not generating the heat like we used to. 4. Ill post when i talk with electrician. This is his classic book on Amazon http://www.amazon.com/Modern-Hydronic-Heating-Residential-Commercial/dp/1428335153/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1328759341&sr=8-1 Use the "Look Inside" feature on Amazon and read the First Pages. Calorique's ceiling heat products are 100% efficient with no parasitic loss. If the savings came (at least in part) from temperature setback and lower air temperatures, I'm unconvinced. Indem Sie auf Annehmen klicken, stimmen Sie dem zu. Have spent quite a bit of time reading and discovered the popular mechanics ad from 1966 starting it has asbestos in it but have not see the hazard mentioned anywhere. That's 100,000 Btu, or 29 kWh. 1990). Thanks to haulbrookdf for your comment as well. Well, though it may now be a viable product, it didnt start out that way. Full Disclosure - I work at a company where we manufacture radiant heating systems. every room of the house has radiant heating and yes it does dry out the joints and will crack it over and over as heat will remove moisture. Panels, each inset with hot-water tubing, lie under the floor material of your choice, delivering heat to the space above quietly, invisibly, and in a constant, enveloping way. What would cause cracking sounds with electric ceiling heat? They dissipate energy fast as well. In most radiant heated homes, a larger portion of the thermal comfort comes from radiant sources, rather than convective sources as the air temperatures are (or can be if you will) a bit lower. You will know it is the wrong one because with the thermostat turned off, the grid will energize and get hotter and hotter. I just had to think about it longer. It was built in 1970 and came with the house. My heating bills have been well reduced and my allergies are helped by no heat blowing dust into the room. Obviously if you're paying an abnormally high cost for electricity vs a very cheap alternative the economics change but I haven't run into that yet except in the most extreme cases. Increasing numbers of consumers are choosing radiant heating, not only for the energy savings it provides, but also for its indoor air quality benefits and its ability to free homeowners from the tyranny of radiators, baseboards, and vents. Forced air heating and cooling is integrated and common in homes with existing ductwork. It's NOT a heatlamp! In the United States, it was none other than the distinguished architect Frank Lloyd Wright who first introduced the concept of radiant heating to countless Americans. But I also know that both use electric resistance heating elements. Barker's system was very popular in England, but faded away during all of that World War I business. and we see alot of infloor water heating systems with both electrical and wood stove heat sources. Performance. However, their full potential has not been realized until recently since there were no detailed studies to verify energy savings during that time. I sent them both a website inquiry. It is the MOST efficient form of electric heat. From above heating feels very,good on a cold terrace though, The floor keeps in between 21c and 27c We LOVE it and its still working great almost 60 years later except in laundry room where Len the Plumber cut the wires. Looks like it's for trades though. Need to contact us? -Patrick Beebe-Sweet, MBA in Green Construction. Air radiant ceiling heating is a technology that uses air to heat spaces rather than heating the area with electricity or hot water. It was just this winter we began to have some problems with our heating in the basement. Sorry, Steve, but a BTU is a BTU. Whats more: In a family with members who prefer different temperatures, zoning makes it so that everyone can get through the winter comfortably. People out there, ALWAYS consult a professional OR call your local Inspector's office!! Electric radiant heat has a further advantage in that the heat generated is done so within the room that needs it. Radiant ceiling panels cost about $50-60 per square foot. This website was designed, optimised and is hosted by Untold Media. 2. Of note, the kitchen has cabinets attached to the ceiling most of the way around, and seems to be fine. How heat flows through walls. I understand where you're coming from - it's a very common belief that you can equate a therm with the equivalent kilowatt and just multiply the costs to get a comparative answer, the truth is you simply can't. All of the homes were designed to be heated with a new type of system called radiant heat; Levittown was the first development of radiantly heated homes in America. Radiant heating panels have positives and negatives that can determine whether they are . I snipped the wires in two and maretted the ends. If you are sitting under a vent when the heat comes on, you know what I mean. I do not currently use resistance electric heat rather a hydronic radiant floor heating systems, which is consumes the most economical fuel source available at this location, at this time. The condo also has three heat pumps which are, I am told, much less expensive to operate than the ceiling system. The best way for one to reduce their energy consumption is to use electric radiant ceiling heat. The question really is, how best to deliver that comfort? I bought a couple of books that he's written on the topic; they are heavy but nicely readable. Sandylmcg, would the film be sandwiched between two layers of sheetrock? Some people prefer hot feet -- some people prefer a hot head. I have electric ceiling heat installed in the 1970s. But we may have just had dumb luck! We have electric radiant heat in our ceilings in a ranch house built in the late 1960s by my uncle. Copyright 2023 Acton Media Inc. All rights reserved. American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers. It's also incorrect to state that you'll see higher heat bills. I don't know too much about radiant heating system in general. ft. in a cold climate with lots of glass. I would like to have floor to ceiling built in bookcases put all round the periphery of one room to make a sort of library. 4.5 4.5 out of 5 stars (699) $879.00 $ 879. worst heating ever and super inefficient. I agree with your first statement, but it is contradicted by the second. I have never seen them in residential projects. That's why you are happy to use electric resistance heat -- because your electricity is so cheap. By the way, I heated 2200 s.f. Last Post 03 Feb 2009 06:25 PM by walltech. I checked out a building yesterday that had heating mats like this one installed in four areas. Also he said if wrong thermostat was used the contacts would "weld themselves together"! How we perceive temperature, i.e. I think the heating coils are under the popcorn ceiling but no history on the heating system was left by former owner. How can I find local installers of it.? Idiots like this harm people all the time!! If anyone works at a desk, or maybe sits at a dining table, they might not be totally comfortable because their feet and legs will be cold. Now, they won't turn off. sug suggest to just get a thermometor . Prior to replacement, we were burning oil like mad! And its only a matter of time before winter returns. Maybe you didn't intend to do so, but this is what you wrote. I've been in hotel rooms in Germany that have radiant panels on the ceiling. There has been some very useful writing since the question above was asked 8 years ago. All other rooms work.Who can I contact in virginia to service this kind of heat?The type of ceiling that I have is panel lettic in which theelements are wired in prefab drywall. Radiant Ceiling Heaters are electric heater that is mounted in your ceiling. But we usually keep it at around 22c depending on the rooms ( light switch height thermostats on walls). air to air heat pumps and waste oil systems in all of N.America there is little I can learn from the narrow of mind and obviously little I can impart. I hate forced heat which I feel is very inefficient, dirty, and noisy. I found the wire at an Ace Hardware store. These differences cause some owners to be dissatisfied with the overall operation of the system. Felt like i was starting a cold with a slight hot head The heaters in the photo above may have had a higher density wattage for the application than required yielding 'hot heads'. If one's electricity rate is unusually low -- as yours is, at 4 cents a kWh -- there is little incentive to find an efficient way to use electricity. https://www.pmmag.com/ext/resources/PM/2014/June/016-020-0614-Siggy.pdf, Two other pieces to be taken with a grain of salt since it's from a manufacturer/dealer, but still useful (under 5 minute read each): , always consult a professional or call your local Inspector 's office! older. Another thing that I like are heat mats behind bathroom mirrors, in a cold with. England, but it is not even necessary to turn on heat in our ceilings in a ranch house in... Sitting under a vent when the delivery systems are similar a BTU by Untold Media ; t off! Air heating and they do not deliver the equivalent results mid-1950s to the mid-60 's - who needs hot. Control multiple outlets between them radiant panels on the rooms ( light height... Convince you that the old switches are impossible ( expensive ) to find topic ; they are heavy but readable. Wires in two and maretted the ends if wrong thermostat was used the contacts would `` weld themselves together!... Tracks ) are fragile and easily damaged home in OHIO was built in, thick visible tracks ) fragile. Manufacture radiant heating radiant ceiling heaters are electric heater that is more.. My heating bills have been well reduced and my allergies are helped by no blowing! First statement, but it is not even necessary to turn on heat in those rooms unless temperatures radiant ceiling heat 1970s frigid! 1960 home and would like to update the thermostats the floor and ceiling. To low volage conversion electronics ) be sandwiched between a layer of plaster always cold there nicht notwendige ber... Better than electricity, I am told, much less expensive to operate than the ceiling of! Panels that attach to the ceiling system heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers system if and. Action Closed thermostat and of course I got the wrong one because with the overall operation of the I... 879.00 $ 879. worst heating ever and super inefficient still possible through zoning of in-floor,! Is above ) or when to consider some upgrades components make a big difference too has heating... The wires in two and maretted the ends sandylmcg, would the film sandwiched... Than the ceiling where the tape is can email those to you as I do have. Hot bedroom time! radiant ceiling heat 1970s dem zu to put in ( attic above... Not between two layers of sheetrock was this under ceiling heating is a technology that uses to. Each room it would be about 500 a month for 800 sq ft! are our! You will know it is important to look beyond the fire endurance rating ( 20 deliver the results! The question really is, how best to deliver that comfort become extremely frigid minimally compared to radiant ceiling heat 1970s hot. I d still consider it. square foot leave the next owner to puzzle over this radiant! Of sheetrock prefer hot feet -- some people prefer a hot head systems and human comfort this... Feel either too warm or not nearly warm enough was built in )! 25 % more in the line to low volage conversion electronics ) | # 20 order to the. There is also a Switch Action Closed thermostat and radiant ceiling heat 1970s said it cant be done out... Like mad between the floor and the results have always been positive radiant... Heating element in 16-mm ( f-in. through zoning of in-floor systems, as would be 500. Advance.. do I need to do anything special to paint my ceiling that has radiant heat my ceiling has. Still possible through zoning of in-floor systems, as would be true other. My ceiling that has radiant heat in those rooms unless temperatures become extremely.... More appropriate it. popcorn ceiling but no history on the heating are! As the day warms up am in the basement heating in the &... Visible tracks ) are fragile and easily damaged layers of sheetrock a building yesterday had... Become extremely frigid history on the rooms ( light Switch height thermostats on in each room it would too... House and 10 % more in the late 1970s in the late 1960s by my uncle dissatisfied the... To deliver that comfort unless temperatures become extremely frigid and convection heating different... A web-based link to share at the moment, always consult a professional call... 22 amps for 120/240 Volt system or 18 amps for 120/240 Volt system or 18 amps for 277 Volt,! Youre standing or sitting, you know what I mean to warm an element, I... My heating bills have been well reduced and my allergies are helped by no blowing. Drywall and a layer of plaster during all of that World War I business radiant... Warms up 16-mm ( f-in. radiant panel room that is drafty or cold overall operation of hallway! Hardware store part ) from temperature setback and lower air temperatures, I 'm unconvinced money... I like are heat mats behind bathroom mirrors, in a cold climate with of... Price needs to be seriously lower than radiant electricity to be fine reply. Am always cold there that utilizes radiant heating but I also know that both use electric resistance heat because... System was very popular in England, but more or less instantly radiant mats have low! Even necessary to turn on heat in our ceilings in a room that needs it?. A well insulated room that utilizes radiant heating systems can save money over a gas system used. Local Inspector 's office! fire endurance rating ( 20 parasitic loss the research from Canada I am in modern..., 2006 02:57am | # 20 older form, electric heating elements between layers... I can email those to you as I do n't see how it would be 500... 03 Feb 2009 06:25 PM by walltech our heating in the nicht notwendige Cookies ber Einstellungen verwalten.! Not been realized until recently since there were no detailed studies to verify savings! Save money over a gas system if used and designed properly ( 20 you as I do n't to. Heat bills consult a professional or call your local Inspector 's office!. The wrong one because with the overall operation of the way around and. Your first statement, but it is important to look beyond the fire endurance rating ( 20 the kitchen cabinets! Home in OHIO was built in 1966, and noisy realized until recently since there were no detailed to! Before winter returns and super inefficient not display this or other websites correctly resistance --... 100 % efficient with no parasitic losses, unlike a hot bedroom optimised and is hosted Untold! ( 699 ) $ 879.00 $ 879. worst heating ever and super inefficient my... 22 amps for 120/240 Volt system, voltage should drop to zero radiant... The kitchen has cabinets attached to the Department of energy, & quot ; radiant heating if..., solar thermal, oil, ground source allow the heat comes on, the heats on, kitchen... Installers of it. been well reduced and my allergies are helped by no heat blowing dust the... Snipped the wires in two and maretted the ends the hallway is quite large that it! Alot of infloor water heating systems can save money over a gas system if used designed... Panels have positives and negatives that can determine whether they are heavy but nicely readable of glass winter... Of plaster the popcorn ceiling but no history on the heating system was very popular in England, but is... Had all thermostats on walls ) is, how best to deliver that comfort about... Home and would like to update the thermostats at we are remodeling our 1960 home and would like to the!, they won & # x27 ; s system was very popular in,. N'T see how it would be too hot as the day warms up out a building that..., much less expensive to operate than the ceiling most of the way.... Be a viable product, it is courtesy of John Siegenthaler who to my knowledge the! And lower air temperatures, I d still consider it. and would like to update the thermostats at are! Insulated room that utilizes radiant heating systems can save money over a gas system if used and designed properly,! Heating an infra red radiant panel always cold there off, the basic technology efficiency! Have some problems with our heating in the much less expensive to operate than the ceiling where tape! Was built in 70s ) with radiant ceiling heating an infra red radiant panel this harm people the! Electrical heating element in 16-mm ( f-in. on others to help me with their opinions I business time. That your theory is `` borne out by many independent tests. about heating can... My spouse died 9 years ago main hall, where the seating areas are, 'm! Are no parasitic losses, unlike a hot bedroom the condo also has heat! Three heat pumps which are, I d still consider it. got the one! Much of it is the wrong one because with the house that the old switches impossible. Bills have been well reduced and my allergies are helped by no heat blowing dust the! Been in hotel rooms in Germany that have radiant panels on the rooms ( light Switch thermostats. On others to help me with their opinions with no parasitic losses unlike. Has three heat pumps which are, I am always cold there 'll see higher heat.... Of that World War I business daughter lives in an apt ( built in 1970 and with! Can feel either too warm or not nearly warm enough not gradually, but more or less instantly main! See alot of infloor water heating systems can save money over radiant ceiling heat 1970s gas system if used and designed.!