What is Radiant Heating?
 
Radiant heating is a technology for heating indoor and outdoor areas. Radiant heating consists of radiant energy being emitted from a heat source. Radiant heating heats a building through radiant heat, rather than other conventional methods including convection heating. The technology has existed since the Roman use of hypocaust heating. Underfloor radiant heating has long been widespread in China and Korea. The heat energy is emitted from a warm element, such as a floor, wall or overhead panel, and warms people and other objects in rooms rather than directly heating the air. The internal air temperature for radiant heated buildings may be lower than for a conventionally heated building to achieve the same level of body comfort, when adjusted so the perceived temperature is actually the same.

In the case of heating outdoor areas, the surrounding air is constantly moving, making conventional patio heaters, also known as "mushroom heaters", which rely partly on convection heating, impractical. The reason being, that once you heat the outside air, it will blow away with air movement. Outdoor radiant heaters allow specific spaces within an outdoor area to be targeted, warming only the people and objects in their path.

Radiant heating can also be used for snow melting and for roof and gutter de-icing applications. Snow and ice melting can be achieved on concrete, asphalt, pavers and other surfaces by placing heating units (electric heating elements or hydronic tubing)under the substrate, embedded into the substrate, or retrofit by saw-cut into the substrate of the surface to be free of snow and ice buildup. For roof de-icing, heating elements can be placed on the surface of the roofing material and some technologies can be placed underneath the roofing materials. Heating elements are used in gutters and downspouts to prevent ice buildup that can cause ice dams and icicles. Radiant heating is also used on roofs to eliminate heavy snow loads that can cause structural damage.

Underfloor and wall heating systems often are called low-temperature systems. Since their heating surface is much larger than with other systems, a much lower temperature is required to achieve the same level of heat transfer. The maximum temperature of the heating surface can vary from 29–35 °C (84–95 °F) depending on the room type. Radiant overhead panels are mostly used in production and warehousing facilities or sports centers; they hang a few meters above the floor and their surface temperature is much higher.
 

   The radiant heating systems can be divided into:

   • Underfloor heating systems—electric or hydronic
   • Wall heating systems
   • Radiant ceiling (overhead) panels
   • Trace heating- Gutter and Roof De-icing
   • Snowmelt system- Electric or Hydronic
   • Overhead natural gas-fired radiant heaters