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Electric Radiant Heat - Low Cost House Warming
By Daniel Davidson
We as consumers dream up all kinds of ways to upgrade our homes. From
stain-proof carpet, to solar panels for decreased energy bills; we are always
looking for something that improves our standard of living, and hopefully,
reduces our standard of spending.
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Radiant Heat is one of these upgrades. It is a luxury you won't think about,
but you'll miss if it's not there. When most people think of radiant heat, "Warm
Floors" typically come to mind. Radiant heat, however, does a whole lot more
that warm floors.
Radiant Heat is capable of heating an entire house, and is far more
comfortable and efficient than forced air or convection heating.
In space-heating, occupants feel more comfortable even when the space air
temperature is maintained lower than typical forced air heating.
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Radiant heat
results in less heat-loss from a room. Forced air registers and baseboard heat
strips are always located on outside walls between windows. These systems heat
air that comes in contact with the external windows and walls to temperatures
much higher than the desired room temperature. This results in more heat-loss
from the space. Heatizon System’s products provide a uniform heat flux from the
floor into the space, resulting in less heat-loss from the room.

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Mass Warming results in less temperature variations in the space being
heated. The flooring material is heated by the element which then radiates the
heat into the space. The floor surface can be maintained at a very uniform
temperature which prevents the hot and cold temperature swings that occur as
other systems cycle on and off. Warming the mass of the floor results in what is
called thermal capacitance. This allows the space to remain warm even when
extreme temperatures occur. Essentially, heat energy is stored in the mass of
the floor and other objects in the space. This applies to any type of
floor--wood, concrete, tile, etc.
Efficiency levels of Heatizon Systems are excellent. When compared with a
heat pump, forced-air furnace or baseboard heating system, Heatizon Systems
low-voltage products are more efficient watt for watt. An article in the July,
1996 ASHRAE Journal, "Radiant Heating for Thermal Comfort" reported on
experimental results comparing a heat pump, baseboard heat and radiant heat. The
radiant heating system consumed 33% less energy than the heat pump system and
52% less energy than the baseboard system.
Reliability of Heatizon Systems are superior. The entire system is
solid-state, has no moving parts to wear out, and has nothing that requires
routine maintenance. There are no water lines to break or crack. Our products
have been satisfying the needs of hundreds of customers since 1979. Both z-mesh
and Tuff Cable are easy to repair in the event they get cut or damaged. The
controls allow for power failures or spikes, yet brings the system back on-line
as quickly as possible.
Comfort of radiant heat is superior because the radiant heat flux is uniform
throughout the heated space. There are no "point-source" hot spots like there
are in baseboard and forced air systems. Thermal comfort is sustained as the
system cycles on and off, because the heated mass temperature remains almost
constant.
Convenience of installation is superior to any other system. There is no
ducting to deal with, no lost floor or wall space. Other than a thermostat,
Heatizon Systems products are out of sight. Retrofitting is easy. Adding the
system to an existing space is much easier than installing a hydronic or high
voltage system.
Safety is a major advantage of the Heatizon System. Heatizon Systems products
are ETL listed to UL standards 1673,1693, and 1561.
Quiet and clean. The Heatizon System produces no more noise than a light
fixture. There is no fan starting and stopping, no filter to change or clean, no
valves to wear out, and no pipes to rattle.
Life-Cycle Costs are less, especially when heating exterior concrete
surfaces. The cost to replace a driveway, sidewalk or patio is many times the
cost of the Heatizon Systems products.
visit
"http://www.heatizon.com>http://www.heatizon.com for more information
about Radiant Heat.
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About the Author: Daniel Davidson is the Manager of Electronic
Marketing at Heatizon Systems, a Utah based company which specializes in Radiant
Heating and Snow Melting applications.
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