What is Radiant Heating?

Infrared transfers heat by radiation. There are three methods of transmitting heat:

• radiation
• convection
• conduction

Everything emits infrared radiation. The radiant heat you feel from an oven or a fire is infrared radiation. Greenhouse gases in the atmosphere trap some of this infrared radiation, and keep the earth habitable for life.

Using this same infrared heating principle, infrared energy from a heating element or bulb can be used to heat animals, birds, people, or objects). This infrared energy is identical to the sun's energy but without the UV rays. Infrared heat does no heating until it is absorbed by the subject from the heater. The heated subject then gives off some heat to help heat the surrounding air.

Convection heat uses natural air circulation currents to transfer heat. Convection involves two basic principles:

• cold air displaces warm air
• warm air rises in the presence of cold air

In convection, heat is transferred using air currents to transport energy through a space.

Heat conduction is the transmission of heat across matter. Heat transfer is always directed from a higher to a lower temperature. Denser substances are usually better conductors. Metals are excellent conductors.