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Over Walls & Ceilings
Applying Radiant Panels in the ceilings and walls are often overlooked solutions. WBI panels can be attached to walls to provide even heat that rivals floor heating and comfort as supplemental heat or special conditions in new construction or remodels. And yes, WBI panels have been successfully employed in radiant ceiling cooling designs. Call for more information about these more demanding mechanical designs.
Radiant Ceiling Cooling
WBI Radiant Panels can be employed in both the ceiling and to a lesser extent in floors for radiant cooling. Radiant hydronic cooling systems must be carefully engineered with proper mechanical components, controls and humidity control to work effectively. Consult our cooling expert for selection of the right WBI panel for these applications with special attention to tubing spacing and backside EPS insulation requirements. Consult your hydronic heat pump manufacturer and mechanical engineer for complete system design
5 Ways Radiant Ceiling Heat is Better
5 Ways Radiant Ceiling Heat is Better
Heated ceilings deliver more than 90% of their heat output as thermal radiation. They “shine” thermal radiation down into the room much as a light fixture shines visible light downward. They offer several benefits:
Radiant heated ceilings have low thermal mass.
Low-mass radiant ceilings can quickly warm up following a cold start. They are ideal in rooms where quick recovery from setback conditions is desirable. Low mass also means they can quickly suspend heat output when necessary. This helps limit overheating when significant solar heat gain occurs.
Radiant heated ceilings higher heat output.
Because occupants are not in contact with them, radiant heated ceilings can be operated at higher surface temperatures than radiant floors. This allows greater heat output per sq. ft. of ceiling. For example, a ceiling operating at an average surface temperature of 102° releases approximately 55 Btu/hr./ft2 into a room maintained at 68°. This is almost 60% more heat output than a radiant floor with a mean surface temperature limit of 85°.
Not affected by changing floor coverings.
It’s probably safe to say the days of shag-carpeted ceilings are over. Ceilings are the least likely surface of a room to ever be covered, especially by anything with high thermal resistance. Thus, the output of a heated ceiling is very unlikely to be compromised by future changes, such as surface coverings or furniture placement.
Radiant heated ceilings warm objects in the room.
The energy emitted from a radiant heated ceiling is absorbed by the surfaces in the room below. This includes unobstructed floor area as well as the surfaces of objects in the room. The upward-facing surfaces tend to absorb the majority of the radiant energy; the top of beds, tables and furniture are slightly warmer than the room air temperature. The surface temperature of floors below an active radiant ceiling will be slightly warmer than they would be if the room were heated by convection.
Radiant heated ceilings are easy to retrofit.
Radiant ceilings are usually easier to retrofit into existing rooms than are radiant floors. They add very little weight to the structure and require minimal loss of headroom. Read More…
