Energy Saving Electric Heat - Yesterday, Today and in the Future
Aug
5
Written by:
8/5/2011 12:54 AM
Are you just a little surprised by the title of this article? Energy saving electric heat? This must be a mistake! No, there is no mistake. This has been one of the best kept secrets since the 60’s. As the manufacturer of CeramiCircuitTM Radiant Electric Heat, based in Germantown, Wisconsin, it is our passionate endeavor to amend this misconception.
Infrared radiant electric heating panels were growing rapidly in popularity from their introduction in 1948 up until electric heat, in general, got a black eye during the first energy crisis in the 70’s. The title of energy hog was well deserved in regard to convective electric heat, but unfortunately radiant electric got swept along in the raging current of the new environmentalism.
Before touting the energy efficiency, reliability and many other benefits of radiant electric heat; I would like to offer a brief, yet interesting history lesson. Infrared radiant electric heat was developed by the French before World War II for use in their underground bunkers along the Maginot Line, a vast fortification that spread along the French/German border. Many challenges had to be overcome in heating this type of environment, a heating system was needed that would be energy efficient, non-magnetic, non- combustible, and produced zero emissions at the point of use. The solution was a glass panel with a ceramic circuit that produced extremely efficient radiant energy. The only difference between the original, and the elements produced today, is the change from glass to porcelain over low carbon steel. However, we have produced a limited number of glass panels for the U.S. Geological Survey for use in their magnetically sensitive monitoring stations.
All of the original properties and many more make Radiant Electric Heat an efficient alternative to today’s more traditional heating methods.
· Saves up to 73% in energy costs over other traditional heating methods. A retrofit of 590 apartment units for the Housing Authority of Quincy, MA is saving 2,066,770 kWh of electricity and $345,740.00 per year.
· Simple low cost installation. No piping, ductwork or venting.
· Room by room zone control provides economical comfort only where you need it.
· Works great with setback thermostats; rapid recovery times raise temperatures into your comfort zone in minutes not hours.
· Reduces carbon emissions; most of all when replacing direct-fired gas heating units in industrial, warehouse and garage applications, and also in large commercial applications. One recent installation reduced emissions by 73% when replacing a gas-fired system in a country club banquet and restaurant facility.
· No future maintenance expense, no service requirements, no filters to replace and no inspections.
All of the above are key benefits of Radiant Electric Heat; although there is one more that we at REH are most proud of… Reliability! I don’t believe there is another manufacturer of heating equipment that can point to units in the field still operating and saving energy after 62 years. Our elements are constructed of low carbon steel and porcelain, with a ceramic circuit that is thermally applied evenly over the entire surface of the panel. It is this unique CeramiCircuitTM construction that makes our panels the industry standard and unmatched in quality, energy efficiency and reliability.
Today there are a lot of options in the HVAC industry on how best to create a thermally comfortable environment that is also energy efficient, environmentally friendly and cost effective. Radiant electric heating panels are the solution to all four in nearly unequalled fashion. It is a product that not only competes with many of its HVAC counterparts, in application after application it outperforms them in all four of the above mentioned areas. Whether it is industrial, commercial or residential, there is not a forced air or boiler system in existence that can match the efficiency of REH’s infrared radiant panels.
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