How radiant systems work
1. The structures of a space have internal temperatures that de-
pend on the outside temperature, the ambient temperature and
the transmittance of the structure itself. In the figures, , the col-
our scale from blue to red indicates cold to hot.
2. Convection system in heating: heats the ambient air. If the
structures have a very cold surface, to reach the appropriate
operating temperature, the ambient temperature must be in-
creased a lot. This can cause a high vertical temperature differ-
ence and possible air stratification.
3. Convection system in cooling: cools the ambient air. If the
structures have a very hot surface, to reach the appropriate op-
erating temperature, the ambient temperature must be lowered
a lot. This can cause a vertical temperature difference and strati-
fication, making air distribution difficult.
1.
4. Underfloor system in heating: exchanges energy with adja-
2.
3.
cent structures, increasing their surface temperature. This in-
creases the mean radiant temperature until reaching the desired
operating temperature, all without excessively increasing the air
temperature and causing the stratification.
5. Underfloor system in cooling:subtracts energy from the adja-
cent structures, decreasing their surface temperature. This re-
duces the mean radiant temperature until reaching the desired
operating temperature, with the advantage of an adequate air
temperature without air movement.
6. Wall system in heating : particularly suitable as a supplement
in bathrooms, where the demand for heating comfort is high-
est, or in stairwells. The small convective air movements, repre-
4.
5.
sented by the red arrow, assist the performance of the system in
terms of winter power.
7. Wall system in cooling: the cooling yield is equal to heating, a
characteristic not common to other types of systems. Particu-
larly suitable as a supplement on outer walls of spaces exposed
to solar radiation.
8. Ceiling system in heating: the best solution for latest genera-
tion buildings. Particularly fast and responsive, it has the lowest
output temperature of radiant systems. Especially suitable for
spaces where the occupants are lying down such as hospital
admissions and patient rooms.
9. Ceiling system in cooling: the system allows working with
6.
7.
higher surface temperatures than other radiant systems. In fact,
the ceiling system is, among the irradiation systems, the one
that provides the highest cooling performance in terms of emit-
ted power. Particularly suitable in highly crowded spaces.
8.
9.
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Underfloor Radiant Systems - Product Guide
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