- Q.I'm considering using
electric radiant heating panels in the ceiling of a
small superinsulated apartment, but I hear a lot of
bias against electric heat. Can it be cost effective in
this case?
A.Registered engineer and
sustainable design consultant Marc Rosenbaum, of
EnergySmiths, Inc., in Meriden, N.H., replies:
Electric radiant heat for a superinsulated small
space makes a lot of sense. It gives you a low
installation cost and a moderate energy cost; it's
highly zonable; and there's no combustion. I assume
that the hot water would also be provided by
electric resistance.
An alternative might be a combination wall-hung,
sealed-combustion, gas-fired water heater coupled
to a wall-mounted kickspace heater or two for heat,
but that would cost more to install, take up more
space, be noisier, and require the location of a
vent and a fuel tank.