Developed in conjunction with a two-day seminar
course on radiant panel heating systems,
Radiant Basics ($32 from the Radiant Panel
Association, P.O. Box 717, Loveland, CO 80539;
800/660-7187; www.rpa-info.com) is a comprehensive
guide to the design and installation of
hydronic and electric radiant heating systems for floors, ceilings, and walls. The
guide begins with basic radiant heat concepts, then reviews eight residential and
commercial case studies. From there, different hydronic systems are covered in
depth. Shorter sections cover electric systems and various design concepts, such as
estimating heat load, accounting for heat flux, and understanding the properties of
different floor coverings. Several design formulas accompany these issues and are
brought together to