Radiant Floor Heating, Underfloor Heating, Radiant Ceiling Heating, In Slab Heating - CBS Radiant Heating Systems
Reusable Energy and Radiant Heating
Reusable Energy and Radiant Heating
21/7/2007
As the use of Solar Panel energy is now subsidised to the tune of AU$8000.00 by the Australian Federal Government, many householders may wonder what electrical central heating system is preferable to combine this with. As we all know, providing winter comfort consumes a significant part of the household budget and diligent foresight is a must if you are to minimise these financial pressures.
The prudent customer considering solar power will be seeking to get credits for excess power generated. In turn, they can reap the benefit of the credit back to them when their consumption is in excess of their solar supply. Others in outback areas where grid power is not available will have other generation means and possibly battery banks to store energy.
It makes sense that when using solar power generation for subsidising your grid supply; the lower the loading the central heating system has, the further your credits will go.
The following general criteria are a guide:
In-Slab Cable (Off Peak Power)
160W/m2 e.g. 200m2 requires 32,000 watts (32.0 KW)
Under Tile/Carpet for Living Areas
130W/m2 e.g. 200m2 requires 26,000 watts (26.0 KW)
Bathrooms
160-180W/m2
In Ceiling Thin Heating foils
55-75W/m2 e.g. 200m2 requires 15,000 watts (15.0 KW)
100W/m2 approx. at up to 4.5m Ceiling Height
Note: In Ceiling Heating requirements must be calculated using a "Steady State Heat Loss Analysis"
Radiant heating has a number of advantages: it is more efficient than baseboard heating and usually more efficient than forced-air heating because no energy is lost through ducts. The lack of moving air can also be advantageous to people with severe allergies.