How Do HVAC Radiator Works ?

A radiator is a heating unit/heat transfer element or also called as Heat Exchanger. Radiators are the most important and most effective equipment which is used for winter heating equipment to your home. Radiators are still desirable because of their simplicity and their ability to heat a space evenly and comfortably. In order to get the most out of your radiator heating system, or decide if radiators are the right option for you, it’s important to understand how they work.

It is exposed to view within the room to be heated. All objects which fall within its visible range are heated by radiation. It also imparts heat by conduction to surrounding air which in turn circulates the heat by natural convection currents. Thus, heat is transferred to room by the radiator both by radiation and covered in such a way that it is not visible in the room, it is said to be a concealed radiator. This type of radiator heats the room by natural convection air current.




Base board radiators are installed along the bottom of the walls in places of the conventional board. These are supplied with steam, hot water or electric energy. They operate with gravity circulated (natural convection) room air and have a substantial portion of their surface directly exposed to the room.



The 'finned tube units' consist of metal tubing with metallic fins bonded to the tube. The tubing is supplied with hot water or steam. They may be completely exposed to room or enclosed with top, front or inclined outlets. They operate with gravity or natural circulation of room air. Pipe coils are sometimes used in factory buildings and are usually placed under windows or along exposed wall.

The output of these units is expressed in kj/hr. Or in sq. meter of equivalent direct radiation (EDR). Preferably a radiator should be installed near floor and should deliver a horizontal natural current of heated air so that it mixes readily with room air and thereby reduces stratification i.e., difference of temperature of air at floor and ceiling.