How is Radiant Energy Used?

Heating of residential spaces is a common use of radiant energy. Other uses include cooking. Light is also a form of radiant energy, emitting energy in the visible portion of the electromagnetic spectrum; the common usage refers to radiant infrared energy or heat.

Heat sources are categorized by how heat is transferred from one object to another. Conductive heat is transferred through material, such as the heat received by picking up a metal spoon left in hot coffee. Convection heat is transferred by a medium such as the water in a warm bath or the air in central forced air heat systems.

Radiant energy is energy supplied by heat radiating or emitted from a source. The sun is a source of radiant energy. On Earth, radiant energy is always accompanied by convection due to the atmosphere. The sun warms a person’s back through radiant energy directly while also warming the air. The warm air rises, conducting more heat to the skin by convection.

Many older homes, apartment buildings, and dormitories use steam for heating. The steam, a gas, circulates from a boiler through the building and transfers its heat via radiators in each room before finally condensing to water and returning to the boiler. Steam heat is very comfortable and can be quite efficient in multi-housing arrangements. The overall efficiency depends on the fuel used to create the steam. Steam heat can cause burns and can be noisy.

Radiant heat flooring is often an effective heating system for residential spaces. In the most popular choices, either electrical wire or tubing for hot water is placed in a grid under the flooring or within the subfloor. Subfloor access is required, so these installations are suitable for new construction, first-floor use above an unfinished basement, or for smaller projects.

Electrical installations are best suited to small places such as the bathroom and may be installed by the homeowner. Mats are available that plug into each other and are wired into an electric source controlled by a switch or a thermostat. Electrically conductive plastic mats that are less susceptible to corrosion or damage are also available.

Hydronic radiant flooring systems pump hot water through pipes or rubber tubes. In new installations, the piping can be laid within a concrete foundation, which acts as a thermal mass or heat sink for continuous, even heating. Installing these systems usually requires the help of a contractor. Like the older steam radiators, the cost effectiveness is a function of the energy source for the hot water.

Electric blankets and heating pads are smaller users of radiant energy. The use of electric blankets may be much more cost effective on cold nights, compared to heating the entire home via a forced air system. Use of electric blankets or heating pads requires adult supervision.

Cooking is a major use of radiant energy in the home. The electric stove, oven, and toaster use radiant energy, as does the microwave oven indirectly. In a microwave oven, the water molecules in the food absorb microwave energy and then conduct the heat to neighboring molecules.