Many years ago, I remember working on a house that had electric radiant heat. It was built into the ceiling. We had to add to a section where we were building an addition. The electrician ran wires back and forth across the ceiling, and then the plasterer covered them with mud. It was not very efficient, being electric, but was entirely invisible. Anything under the ceiling was warmed. The top of the coffee table was warm to the touch, while the floor underneath it was noticably cooler.
My present project has an entry where this is about the only heat that would work, but no one here remembers anything about it but me. Can anyone provide insight, suppliers, directions, etc?
When all else fails, use duct tape!
Replies
Did you Google for it? I got 202 hits on "radiant ceiling heat".
Wouldn't have to be electric. You could also do it with hot water if you put the tubes above the sheetrock.
And finally, a quibble. Electric heating is extremely efficient. Nearly 100% of the power you pay for is converted to heat. What it isn't is cost effective, in most parts of the country.
I have a condo in a complex with electric radiant ceiling heat. I works nicely especially compared to electric baseboard.
The problem we're seeing now is that the heaters are beginning to fail after 20 years. Difficult replacement. 20% failure rate so far.
Unc -
It may be most efficient but even here in the Pacific Northwest where we have some of the least expensive power rates in the country, it's not the most inexpensive. But - it takes up the least room and is relatively inexpensive to install as well.
The only problem with *ceiling* radiant heat is, anything under that coffe table isn't all that warm. Sitting at the breakfast table, one's feet aren't as warm as one's head! (grin)
If t'were my choice, I'd opt for the electric resistance cable in the floor instead. That's becoming quite popular around here for small areas like bathrooms and might work for this fellow's entry as well. People are probably less likely to pound nails in the floor than they are in the ceiling like for hanging potted plants or whatnot.
...........
Dennis in Bellevue WA
[email protected]