• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to footer

ThermaRay | Electric Radiant Heating Systems

  • Projects
    • Assisted Living Facilities
    • Churches
    • Condominiums
    • Home Renovation
    • Hospitals
    • Hot Yoga Studios
    • Hotels
    • Manufacturing
    • New Homes
    • Offices
    • Restaurants
    • Stadiums
    • Universities & Schools
    • Warehouses
  • Products
    • Architectural Series
    • Architectural Series (Thin)
    • Earth Thermal Storage
    • Floor Joist
    • Floor Warming
    • Hot Yoga
    • ThermaRay Patio Heater
    • Radiant Ceiling
    • Snow Melting
    • Snow Melting Controls
    • Warming & Heating Controls
  • Documents
    • Architectural Series Documentation
    • Earth Thermal Storage Documentation
    • Floor Joist Documentation
    • Floor Warming Documentation
    • Hot Yoga Documentation
    • Radiant Ceiling Documentation
    • Warming & Heating Controls Documentation
  • Blog
  • Contact

January 28, 2017 By Kevin Kilbride

Warm Hospitality with Electric Radiant Heat

Warm Hospitality

Download Full Article

Published in Green Building and Design  Magazine – January 2017

Kevin Kilbride has a question he likes to ask developers, builders and regular folks alike: Does heat rise?

Most people say yes. But as Kilbride explains, it’s the hot air that rises—not the heat.

With forced air, anyone seated near a large window, whether in an office, restaurant, home or hotel, feels the chill, even though the heat is on. No matter how high the thermostat is turned up, the window will remain cold, Kilbride says.

It’s Simply Science

“The absolute only way to solve that problem is with radiant heat,” says Kilbride, president of ThermaRay, a manufacturer of electric radiant heating systems based in New Brunswick, Canada. “It’s simply a matter of thermodynamics.”

Radiant heating can be explained by a core scientific principle: Heat transfers from a hot object to a cooler object. It’s how the sun heats the earth. As a building principle, it dates back to Greek and Roman times. That said, it has only been commonly applied to modern construction since the 1980s.

Endless Pursuit of Comfort

Comfort was a huge priority for the developer of New York’s Hyatt House, an extended stay hotel in Manhattan’s Chelsea neighborhood that will open in the fall of 2016. Early on in the project, the engineers considered their heating options.

“If they used a forced air system, the ductwork would either reduce the height of the ceilings or the floor baseboards would limit access to the curtain wall and window,” says Project Manager Masha Dinaburg, associate at MG Engineering D.P.C. “and curtains over each window would block the forced air, creating a cold zone with condensation on the windows.”

The developers needed the floors and windows to all remain warm, but they couldn’t use a system that blocked views of the Manhattan skyline. Enter, ThermaRay.

Comfort is a major benefit of radiant heating—but it’s far from the only one. ThermaRay’s system, which is powered by electricity, is extremely effective at delivering warmth and comfort while saving energy.

Unlike a duct-based system, it’s not circulating air, which potentially can transfer dust and allergens throughout a building. Perhaps best of all, there are no maintenance costs. That’s because there are no moving parts, no bearings, nothing to rust or corrode.

“If you design the radiant heating system right from the start, it will last as long as the building lasts,” Kilbride promises.

It’s the Experience

“Radiant heating panels offset the heat loss at the window while making the guest experience pleasant, providing them a gentle warmth while sitting on the bed near the curtain wall and window,” Dinaburg says.

“The problem with glass towers is that standard HVAC systems can’t provide comfortable heat at the glass, thus making it uncomfortable for those sitting next to the windows,” adds Kilbride.

How It Works

The radiant heating systems made by ThermaRay are powered by electricity.

Hyper-effective panels installed in the floors or ceiling contain coils—much like those in a toaster—that radiate heat. This heats the solid objects in a room, such as furniture, floors, windows and even people.

In doing so, it reduces the difference between your body temperature and objects such as furniture and windows. That chill you feel when you sit by a cold window? That’s the sign of a big temperature difference.

“The greater the temperature differential, the cooler you’ll be,” says Kilbride. “Conversely, the smaller the temperature differential, the more comfortable you’ll feel. “

Design Considerations

Maintaining the design, look and feel of the Hyatt was very important for the architects. The heating panels themselves are invisible to hotel guests.

Because of the room layout, the Hyatt required very slim heaters. ThermaRay custom-designed units just 2 inches deep that could be completely hidden by the window valance. Controls in the room allow guests to adjust the temperature.

“Getting the temperature right is becoming increasingly important for developers today—both for pleasing their customers as well as for meeting sustainability standards, such as LEED.” Kevin Kilbride says.

Radiant Heating Savings Calculator

  • You will find this information on your utility bill
  • You will also find this information on your utility bill
  • Heating costs are approximately 1/3 of your total energy usage
  • Electric radiant heat typically saves 1/3 or more
  • Accessing off-peak rates typically saves 2/3 or more
FacebooktwitterlinkedinFacebooktwitterlinkedin

Filed Under: Hotels

Previous Post
Next Post

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Scott says

    April 7, 2017 at 3:32 PM

    I had never thought about radiant heating as something that is similar to how a toaster works. This is an easy way of thinking and visualizing how it works. I have been thinking about putting this kind of heating in my house. I’ll have to explain it this way to my wife so that she better understands it.

    Reply
  2. Brian H Lager says

    June 22, 2017 at 4:04 PM

    We are in our second home powered by thermaray radiant heat. It is truly the best system available. Low cost highly efficient. The house is R2000 rated and cost effective. Wonderful system. Been a user since 1985.

    Reply
  3. Steve Kilbride says

    June 27, 2017 at 8:45 AM

    Hi Brian!
    Thank you for your very kind comments! It’s always a pleasure to hear feedback from our customers.
    Warmest regards,
    Steve

    Reply
  4. Tiffany Locke says

    April 4, 2018 at 12:27 AM

    I like that this article talks about how radiant floor heating is comfortable and effective while also saving energy. This would make it a great way to keep your feet warm without having to spend too much money. When choosing radiant floor heating, you’d probably want to hire a professional to install it so that it’s done correctly in order to make sure it is effective.

    Reply
    • Steve Kilbride says

      April 4, 2018 at 10:56 AM

      Hi!

      Thank you for your comment!

      I think it’s important to note that not all radiant systems are floor-based systems (which your comment seems to imply). There are radiant ceiling systems and wall systems as well. Depending on your circumstances, each system has its merits. A quality radiant heating project will take this in mind and employ the best solution.

      Also, some radiant heating installations can be a Do-It-Yourself project. I agree, though, that a professional installation can result in superior results.

      Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Footer

Master Distributors

  • British Columbia – Alberta
  • Central/Northern USA
  • Eastern Canada
  • Midwest USA
  • Newfoundland & Labrador
  • New York City Area
  • Pacific Northwest US
  • Pennsylvania
  • Quebec-Ontario
  • Saskatchewan – Manitoba

Sales & Marketing

  • Technical Sales
  • Distributor Opportunities

Quick Links

  • Architectural Series
  • Earth Storage
  • Radiant Ceiling
  • Floor Joist
  • Floor Warming
  • Hot Yoga
  • Heating Controls
  • Snow Melting
  • Snow Melting Controls
  • Product Documentation
  • Radiantly Speaking Blog
  • Warranty Registration
  • Contact ThermaRay

Radiantly Speaking

  • Assisted Living
  • Churches
  • Condominiums
  • Home Renovation
  • Hospitals
  • Hot Yoga
  • Hotels
  • Manufacturing
  • Miscellaneous
  • New Homes
  • Offices
  • Restaurants
  • Stadiums
  • Universities
  • Warehouses

About ThermaRay

Since 1985, ThermaRay has manufactured Electric Radiant Heating and Snow Melting Products for Commercial, Industrial and Residential Projects around the world.

Electric Radiant Heat offers the Lowest Life Cycle Costs of Heating System Ownership, with Lower Capital, Installation and Operating Costs as well as NO Maintenance or Replacement Costs.

ThermaRay

670 Wilsey Road, Unit 6
Fredericton, New Brunswick
Canada E3B 7K4
866.457.4600

FacebooktwitterlinkedinFacebooktwitterlinkedin

Copyright © 2000 ‐ 2022 • ThermaRay | Electric Radiant Heating & Snow Melting • All Rights Reserved. • 866.457.4600