Radiant Vs Infrared Heat

[Sharkey]

Hi guys, im getting everything lined up for my new Building 40x56x16. I apologize if this question gets asked often. Looking to Heat this building for shop/hobby use. Our house and building will be on Propane. Looking to see what everyone uses, and the comparisons between the two.

 

[tymbo]

Radiant and infrared are basically the same thing. Do you mean radiant vs. forced air?

 

[stingry]

Radiant and infrared are basically the same thing. Do you mean radiant vs. forced air?

To me, Radiant generally means in floor radiant and infrared means overhead infrared tubes

 

[Climatecreator]

To me, Radiant generally means in floor radiant and infrared means overhead infrared tubes

Bingo

And if you look you'll find many threads on this same topic...maybe they should combine them all and make a sticky....Lol

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[u3b3rg33k]

To me, Radiant generally means in floor radiant and infrared means overhead infrared tubes

with that being the case, you can use a 95% condensing modulating (rinnai, anyone?) boiler to heat water for a hydronic floor. I would imagine you can't do better than 80% on a gas fired radiant overhead system - unless they have a condensing HX and fan at the end. I've not seen one but that doesn't mean they don't exist.

condensing boiler wins out on operating cost. install cost, well, obviously cheaper for the not in-floor system. you can graph your own breakeven.

 

[James-W]

If you plan on heating the garage/shop full time, then my thinking is that in-floor heat would work out great. If you only plan to heat the building occasionally, then I would go with a forced air heating system. In-floor heat will take a long time to get the garage/shop up to a decent temperature for working.

 

[finn]

If you plan on heating the garage/shop full time, then my thinking is that in-floor heat would work out great. If you only plan to heat the building occasionally, then I would go with a forced air heating system. In-floor heat will take a long time to get the garage/shop up to a decent temperature for working.

This, exactly

 

[u3b3rg33k]

not to mention in-floor heat puts the heat where you want it. under your tools/vehicles. It's efficient if you go hydronic regardless of your choice of heat pump (low temp rise means even air-water systems are economical to operate, needing under 90F water) or gas boiler (90% efficiency or better with condensing).

now that thermal cameras are cheap, you don't even have to worry about "what if I need to drill in it?"