Efficient and stylish, today's radiant heat systems add modern décor accents to improved home comfort
TORONTO, Nov. 6, 2013 /CNW/ - Highly efficient, more comfortable and now even sexier - yes, we are talking about modern radiant heat. With all of us starting to feel the chill of winter in the air, Canada's radiant heating association, Beautiful Heat, is seizing the moment to talk about heating your home in style, with improved efficiency and air quality.
Modern radiant heating systems have come a long way from giant radiators dominating a room's décor. One of the world's oldest forms of home heating has moved from the standard radiator to designs that are slim, curved, hidden in stair railings or out-of-sight completely beneath floors or inside walls.
"Radiators have taken on completely new looks that are available in a wide selection of over 100 colours or in finishes that include muted or stainless steel," says Karen Sealy, regular design expert on Cityline and host and designer of HGTV's Summer Home, Season One. "You can also extend heating in bathrooms through functional and stylized hardware like heated towel holders."
Style and applications:
Radiators with a sleek two-inch profile can be integrated into any environment. They can be discreetly blended into classic decor or used as a bold complement to today's vibrant high-tech accessories. Custom sizes can be long and low under windows, attached to the ceiling, designed high and narrow for maximum space saving considerations, run vertically in tight corners or segmented for bay windows. Additional units offer a variety of styles for towel warming, coat hangers or elegant room dividers. Made of welded steel, they may be used as a direct replacement for old cast iron radiators as well.
If you are looking to create clean lines without any noticeable mechanics in your home, in-floor radiant heating systems are virtually invisible. Using durable tubing, radiant heating is hidden beneath any type of floor covering or behind walls and baseboards, distributing warmth to every corner of a space with no bulky ducts to contend with or registers to work around.
"It works under any type of floor covering and opens up options that can't be accomplished with other types of heating systems," says Sealy. "Tile, stone, hardwood or carpets all work with radiant heat. I have it in my studio, laid beneath a polished concrete slab, an application that works just as well in basements and garage conversions. It is a smart design decision and makes cold concrete as warm as slippers."
Radiant heat can also work in tandem with existing forced air systems to distribute heat to typical cold zones such as rec rooms or rooms positioned over an open space like a garage.
Efficiency and air quality:
Initially conceived by the Roman Empire, the concept of radiant heating is not new.
Instead of re-heating cold air once the temperature drops below a set level, radiant heating provides consistent, even heat throughout the home. The system circulates warm water through a network of tubes beneath floors or in walls and baseboards or modern, sleek radiators. With this consistent warmth that leverages water's ability to retain 3,500 times more heat than air, some homeowners can lower their thermostat level by nearly two and up to five degrees to maintain a comfortable and consistent temperature.
When considering the use of zone controls that can redirect heat to and from rooms that are not used regularly, radiant heat can potentially reduce home-heating energy use anywhere from 10 to 25 percent, depending if installation is in a newly built or renovated home respectively.
Improved air quality is another benefit of radiant heating. Using a ductless design to heat the home eliminates blowing and circulation of dust and other allergens, giving homeowners a better chance to take them out of their environment and reduce airborne triggers that can bring on allergic reactions.
If considering a change or an upgrade to your current in-home heating system, radiant heating is not only an efficient and comfortable option, but can also be a stylish and complementary addition to your in-home décor. In a country that is faced with up to seven months of winter every year, the new styles of radiant heating systems available today can ensure your home will look as good as it feels.
For more information on radiant heat, the types of systems available and a list of qualified installers in your area, visit BeautifulHeat.com or like on Facebook at www.facebook.com/beautifulheat or follow on Twitter @beautiful_heat.
About Beautiful Heat
Beautiful Heat represents the finest home heating system you will ever experience. It uses water's natural heat retention properties to distribute warm even heat throughout your home. Founded in 2010, Beautiful Heat is presented by a select group of Canadian manufacturers of radiant home heating products. For further information, visit BeautifulHeat.com.
Video with caption: "Get to Know Beautiful Heat provides an overview of radiant heat for design, an improved in-home environment and efficiency. The clip features, Karen Sealy, regular design expert on Cityline and host and designer of HGTV's Summer Home, Season One, Dr. Robert Oliphant, President and CEO of the Asthma Society of Canada and Beautiful Heat Ambassador, John Goshulak". Video available at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HWU05OYHPk0
Image with caption: "Radiant heating provides consistent and even temperatures, heating control within specific zones or rooms and warm floors without circulating dust and allergens - all with lower energy usage than traditional forced-air systems. Column Radiators (pictured) can be mounted directly on walls or set as room dividers. Available in more than 100 colours they can be as narrow or wide as required for optimum heat distribution and space requirements. (CNW Group/Beautiful Heat)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20131106_C4629_PHOTO_EN_33032.jpg
Image with caption: "Instead of re-heating cold air once the temperature drops below a set level, radiant heating provides consistent, even heat throughout the home. Column Radiators (pictured) can be mounted directly on walls or set as room dividers. Available in more than 100 colours they can be as narrow or wide as required for optimum heat distribution and space requirements. (CNW Group/Beautiful Heat)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20131106_C4629_PHOTO_EN_33034.jpg
Image with caption: "Striking and functional, the Hot Hoop stainless steel towel holder not only provides radiant heat but also ensures towels are toasty warm! Radiant heating provides consistent and even temperatures, heating control within specific zones or rooms and warm floors without circulating dust and allergens - all with lower energy usage than traditional forced-air systems. (CNW Group/Beautiful Heat)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20131106_C4629_PHOTO_EN_33033.jpg
Image with caption: "One of the world's oldest forms of home heating has moved from the standard radiator to designs that are slim, curved, hidden in stair railings or out-of-sight completely beneath floors or inside walls. With enough space for the whole family, this warmed towel holder heats both the room and gives towels that fresh out-of-the-dryer feeling. (CNW Group/Beautiful Heat)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20131106_C4629_PHOTO_EN_33036.jpg
Image with caption: "Radiators with a sleek two-inch profile can be integrated into any environment. They can be discreetly blended into classic decor or used as a bold complement to today's vibrant high-tech accessories. Custom sizes can be long and low under windows, attached to the ceiling, designed high and narrow for maximizing space, run vertically in tight corners or segmented for bay windows. (CNW Group/Beautiful Heat)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20131106_C4629_PHOTO_EN_33035.jpg
SOURCE: Beautiful Heat
Jason Chennette, CASACOM, 416-894-0190 or [email protected]
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Kara Latta, CASACOM, 416-944-2145 or [email protected]
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