Services | Heat Exchangers | Pumps | Thermal Cast Refractory | SIME® Boilers | SIME® Distributors

About Radiant Heat | Heat Transfer | Floor Coverings | Snow Melt | Electric Radiant

Heat Transfer

All forms of heating work on three basic modes of heat transfer: Convection, Conduction, Radiant.

Convection Heat Transfer is the most familiar type of heat. All forced-air systems are convective heat transfer systems. This includes hydronic baseboards and fan coils.

Conductive Heat Transfer is energy moving through an object. Place a metal pot on the stove and in a few minutes the handle is hot.

Radiant Heat Transfer is the exchange of energy from a hot source to a cold source. The sun is typically used to illustrate this mode of transfer.

Regardless of the type of heating system used, all follow one basic rule. Hot always moves to cold. Place your hand under a lamp and your hand begins to get warm. This is because the lamp is hotter than your hand and is trying to lose energy to its cooler surroundings.

http://www.wattsradiant.com/homeowner/heattransfer.asp