Radiant heating FAQ
Industrial radiant heating is a technology that provides comfort and energy savings by heating surfaces and people directly, without having to treat large volumes of air. In this section we will clarify the differences with hot air heating, the main advantages, and ideal applications.
Radiant heating is a natural phenomenon of energy transmission from a body at a higher temperature to a body at a lower temperature.
Specifically, energy is emitted in the form of electromagnetic waves, whose intensity depends on the temperature of the emitting body. This energy is absorbed by receiving bodies (people, machinery, floor, walls, shelving, etc.), which are then heated.
The systems are suspended from the ceiling and/or walls of the environment to be heated, so as to directly strike the floor, machinery, and people to whom the heat is intended, without dispersion. Appropriate calculations are made to concentrate the heat flow only where needed, making the system as effective and efficient as possible while reducing electrical and fuel consumption.
The advantages are numerous: greater comfort in the workplace, reduced heat dispersion in the environment (hot air rises while radiation is concentrated in the desired area), healthier and more sanitary spaces (no air currents or dust lifting), and greater sustainability compared to a convection system.
If there is low air exchange within the work environment, the most effective solution for heating warehouses with heights below 10 meters is represented by radiant strips and radiant belts. Another optimal solution in this case is represented by radiant tube modules.
If instead the height exceeds 10 meters with low air exchange, the solutions can be: radiant diffusers, gas radiant belts, radiant strips, radiant tube modules.
Each case is then studied individually, so for more detailed information that meets your needs we recommend contacting us. Our technicians will be at your complete disposal to provide all the specifications you need.
Radiant heating is advisable when the objective is to heat people and workstations at "human height" with efficiency and comfort, especially in environments with significant heights and where thermal stratification needs to be limited. If instead very rapid responses are needed for large volumes or it is necessary to heat the air for process reasons/frequent air exchange, hot air systems may prove more practical and less expensive to install. The choice must be evaluated based on: use of the space, frequency of door openings, time profile, and energy costs.
Sizing starts from: calculation of thermal losses (losses through envelope and ventilation), useful height, desired internal temperature, operational positions, number and frequency of openings, and internal thermal loads. From this data, the required useful power at human height and the configuration (number and power of panels, distribution) are derived. The hydraulic design and regulation (zones, local thermostats, time-based control) are fundamental to achieving efficiency and comfort.
Maintenance is generally lower compared to systems based on forced ventilation, but not nonexistent: checking hydraulic seal integrity, verifying pumps and valves, checking insulation of pipes and joints, cleaning emitting surfaces when necessary, and checking proper operation of the control system.
Radiant heating maintains the advantage of heating surfaces and people, but frequent openings reduce effectiveness because they increase heat loss and modify the thermal balance: in these cases it is advisable to combine the radiant system with mixed solutions (e.g., radiant tubes + rapid-seal doors and air curtains at loading docks). The design must therefore include anti-dispersion measures and control strategies to compensate for the imbalance created by the presence of frequent openings.
