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