Radiant ceilings vs underfloor heating

Robin Wakefield, Specialist Product Manager of SPC compares the benefits of radiant ceiling panels versus under floor heating.

When selecting the type of heating to use in a building, it is sometimes not appreciated how similar radiant ceiling panels are to under-floor heating in terms of heating effect.

This is because of the opposite nature of the positioning of the heating elements.

Radiant Ceiling panels emit radiant heat from their lower surface, this radiant heat has no effect whatsoever, until it 'shines upon' the surface of an object.

This object is usually the floor of the room, and it is therefore the floor which is warmed first when radiant ceiling panels are installed.

This means that all the advantages of under-floor heating with regard to the heat being applied at low level, and the resulting effect on stratification within the room, apply to radiant ceiling panels.

However there are, of course, some major differences.

Firstly, it is the visible surface of the floor which is heated by the radiant heat, not the floor structure.

As the room air is in direct contact with the visible surface, it means that the radiant heating system has a low inertia, and is far more controllable, saving energy in unused periods.

Secondly, as a radiant heating system, the air temperature can be a couple of degrees lower to achieve the same comfort temperature.

This gives further energy savings as there is a lower heat loss from the building.

One argument for underfloor heating is that low water temperatures can be used which makes boiler operation economical, which is true.

But this can also be true using the latest radiant panel technologies such as the unique, rigid, composite aluminium sheet structure of the SPC Thermatile radiant ceilings which allows either the whole ceiling to be made from the radiant panel, or large 'sails' or 'floating ceilings' forming any architectural shape on the ceiling.

Large surface area radiant systems can also be used for efficient cooling.

Using the unique, rigid, composite aluminium sheet also means that with any radiant tile or strip panel arrangement, there are no sidewalls or additional structures for strengthening the panel, and the insulation therefore covers the entire upper surface, making it one of the most efficient radiant heating products available.

The bottom visible surface is completely smooth, which is both hygienic for healthcare applications, and is attractive within a ceiling grid.

SPC offer a CPD seminar on the design of radiant heating systems which is approved by the Construction CPD certification service.

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