Radiant Heating Glossary of Terms
A
B
C
D
E
F
H
I
L
M
P
R
S
T
V
W
Z
A
Accumulator tank
Actuator
Air elimination vent or air eliminator
Air expansion tank
"Air floors"
Ambient temperature
AntiFreeze
Aquastat
B
Backflow testing
A process of testing a radiant heating system to ensure that fluid does not flow back into the water supply.
Baseboard
Boiler
A device that heats the fluid in a radiant heating system. Check our boiler services.
Bleeding the system
Brass adaptors
BTU
C
California Title 24 Energy Requirements
A set of energy efficiency requirements for buildings in California.
Ceiling radiant heating
A type of radiant heating system that uses panels installed in the ceiling to heat the room.
Circuit
A section of tubing in a radiant heating system that serves a specific area of the room.
Closed system
A type of radiant heating system that uses a separate loop of tubing to circulate the heated fluid.
Commercial Radiant Heating
A type of heating that uses radiant energy to heat large buildings and spaces, such as warehouses, factories, and offices
Convection
The transfer of heat through the movement of air or fluid.
Convector
D
Damper
A device that controls the flow of air in a radiant heating system.
Distribution manifold
A device that distributes the heated fluid to different circuits in a radiant heating system.
E
Emitter
A device that transfers heat from the radiant heating system to the room.
Energy Star
A government-backed program that recognizes energy-efficient products.
Expansion Vessel
A pressurized tank that absorbs the expansion of fluid as it heats up, preventing overpressure in the system
F
Floor mat
A type of radiant heating system that uses a flexible mat to heat the floor.
Flow Rate
The speed at which the fluid moves through the system
H
Heat exchanger
A device that transfers heat from one fluid to another.
Heat sink
A device that absorbs and dissipates heat.
Hydronic balance
The process of ensuring that the flow of fluid is evenly distributed throughout a radiant heating system.
Hydronic Heating
A type of radiant heating that uses a heated liquid to transfer heat to objects and people
I
Infrared Heating
A type of radiant heating that uses infrared radiation to heat objects directly.
Insulation jacket
A layer of insulation that is wrapped around pipes and tubing in a radiant heating system to prevent heat loss.
L
Load calculation
A process of determining the amount of heat required to heat a space.
Low-temperature radiant heating
A type of radiant heating system that uses lower temperatures than traditional hydronic radiant heating systems.
M
Manifold
A device that distributes the heated fluid to different circuits in a radiant heating system.
P
Panel
A flat surface that is used to radiate heat.
PEX tubing
A type of flexible tubing that is often used in radiant heating systems.
R
Radiant barrier
A material that is used to reflect radiant heat back to the source.
Radiant cooling
A process of using radiant heating panels to cool a space.
Radiant floor
A type of radiant heating system that heats the floor.
Radiant Heating
A type of heating that transfers heat directly to objects and people using infrared radiation. Check our floor radiant heating services.
S
Smart thermostat
A thermostat that can be programmed and controlled remotely.
Subfloor
The layer of flooring that is located beneath the finished floor.
T
Temperature differential
The difference in temperature between the heat source and the surrounding environment
Thermal mass
A material that can absorb and store heat.
Thermostatic radiator valve (TRV)
A valve that controls the flow of fluid to a radiator.
V
Venturi Valve
A device used to control the flow of water within a hydronic heating system.
W
Warmboard
A radiant heating system that uses panels to distribute heat evenly and efficiently throughout a home
Z
Zone control or Zoning
A system that allows different areas of a building to be heated at different temperatures.
