[Shop-talk] hydronic heat retrofit?

[David Scheidt]

On Thu, Nov 6, 2008 at 11:33 AM, Randall <tr3driver at ca.rr.com> wrote:
>> All resistive electric heaters have the same efficiency
>
> Strictly speaking, that's quite true.  But the neat thing about the infrared
> units is that they heat your skin directly, rather than having to warm all
> the air in the room first (and the walls, ceiling, etc.)  Thus you feel
> warm, without taking time (and energy) to heat the room.
>
> It's like sitting in front of a fireplace; even though most of the actual
> heat goes up the chimney, the infrared light feels good.

To the first approximation, comfort is determined by the temperature
of the surfaces you're radiating heat to.  That's why you feel colder
standing in front of a window than a wall, even though the room air
temperature is the same.

-- 
David Scheidt
dmscheidt at gmail.com