Load-Calculation Procedure for Electric-Panel Space Heating

Radiant heating by means of low-temperature ceiling panels permits establishing comfort in a room with lower air temperature-and therefore a greater feeling of freshness-than is possible with heating systems of conventional type. Because of the reduced air temperature, the energy loss due to heating of ventilation air is less than usual and, in some cases, the over-all heat requirement for the system may be substantially less than that of a corresponding convection system. Architecturally, panel heating is advantageous, because there need be no visible evidence of the heating element. When electrically energized panels are used, this advantage is increased, as neither stack, boiler, nor fuel storage is required, and the only visible evidence of a heating plant is the electric switch. Electric systems of many types have been used extensively, but need exists for a panel of this type which will combine good diffusion characteristics (to give a uniform surface temperature) with minimum thermal capacity (to assure rapid response to load changes). The three steps which must be followed in designing a panel-heating system have been enumerated and discussed, and a detailed rational procedure has been presented for carrying out the analysis leading to determination of the required panel size (or operating temperature) and the energy requirement of the system.