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There are several ways to heat a room. With a wood-burning stove, you heat your space through both radiant heating and convection heat. On this page you will learn what radiant heating is and how it works.

What is radiant heating?

Radiant heating does not warm the air, but directly warms objects and people in a room. This happens through infrared radiation, similar to the warmth we feel from the sun. The heat waves travel through the space and warm any surfaces they reach, such as walls, floors, furniture, or your body. These surfaces then release the heat slowly, creating a pleasant and long-lasting warmth.

Radiant heating is often experienced as very comfortable because it is felt immediately and does not cause air circulation.

Which appliances use radiant heating?

There are several appliances and systems that use radiant heating. Some of the most common are:

• Wood-burning stoves and open fireplaces. They radiate heat into the room and directly warm nearby objects and people.
• Infrared panels. Electric panels that emit infrared radiation and warm objects in the room.
• Underfloor heating. This heats a room for about 70% through radiant heating and 30% through convection heat.
• Radiant radiators. Some radiators combine convection heat with radiant heating by creating a warm surface that radiates heat.

Radiant heating or convection heat?

Both heating methods have their own benefits and applications. Below we list the key differences.

• Heat distribution. Radiant heating warms objects and people directly, while convection heat warms the air, which then spreads through the room. That is why radiant heating is also more effective outdoors on a terrace than convection heat.
• Comfort. Radiant heating feels like a natural heat source, comparable to the warmth of the sun. Convection heat, on the other hand, heats up an entire room faster.
• Energy efficiency. In well-insulated spaces, radiant heating can be more efficient because the heat is retained for longer. Convection heat moves faster, but can also escape more quickly through ventilation and draughts.

A modern wood-burning stove offers the benefits of both radiant heating and convection heat. You can quickly bring a room up to temperature and enjoy the pleasant warmth of radiant heating. Also read our knowledge article about convection heat for more information on this topic.