Article Number : 2479 |
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| Date | 9/18/2007 8:50:03 AM |
| Written By | LGM & Associates Technical Flooring Services |
| View this article at: | //floorbiz.com/BizResources/NPViewArticle.asp?ArticleID=2479 |
| Abstract | By Monica Irgens When more than 1,100 people come to Hartford, Conn., for three days in late August to attend the Radiant Panel Association’s (RPA) conference and trade show, REX Expo, one doesn’t need much more to see this is one of the fastest growing categories in home furnishings... |
| Article | By Monica Irgens When more than 1,100 people come to Hartford, Conn., for three days in late August to attend the Radiant Panel Association’s (RPA) conference and trade show, REX Expo, one doesn’t need much more to see this is one of the fastest growing categories in home furnishings. While sales in 2006 took a slight dip due in part to the housing slump as new home sales are a prime contributor to radiant heat products being sold, the big picture numbers don’t lie. Since 1991, sales of hydronic tube systems have grown from approximately 25 million lineal feet of tubing to just under 330 million lineal feet in 2006, according to an RPA survey. Likewise, sales for electric (tube) unit systems—electric systems come in cables, mats, panels, etc.—show that from 1998, the first year statistics for this type of system began, they increased by more than 6 million square feet. The REX show started in 1995 with a two-year interim of RadFest shows and now is back to stay. Here is where you come to learn all about the radiant industry and products available. You also get to network with top manufacturers, engineers, designers and contractors. The environment, was on the table with topics covering energy efficiency, environmental concerns and the LEED program. Alternative energy options were also presented, such as geothermal and solar systems. Not all the sessions were technology oriented; there were also seminars for those interested in learning how to grow their business. The exhibit center was the place to be in order to learn more about available systems and equipment. These displays were not only showing boilers, tubing, manifolds and controls for hydronic systems, but electric radiant systems, insulation and flooring products as well as green technologies. In the middle of the exhibit hall was a Radiant House giving visitors a real-life look at installed systems and equipment. Building changes With the tremendous changes in building requirements and end users’ expectancy in comfort and energy efficiency, radiant panel systems bring a concept that can offer a solution to this new trend. As flooring materials are diverging from carpet to hard surfaces and can feel cold, radiant heating will keep these floors warm and cozy. Also, when your feet are warm and you eliminate drafts, you can lower the room temperature, making the system energy efficient. Radiant heat is the most economical and comfortable way of heating a whole building. Another example is that, even with a good forced-air heating system, a basement cannot be kept warm without overheating the whole house. With radiant floor heating consumers easily gain a comfortable living space. Many people think that radiant heating is something just used in typically cold climates such as the Northeast, North Dakota, Minnesota, Wisconsin and Michigan. And that it is also only installed under ceramic tile in bathrooms. Both assumptions could not be further from the truth. Southern exposure First, radiant heat is very popular in warm climates, for example in California, where tiles and natural stone are common flooring options. Radiant is the only way to take away the chill and humidity of cold floors. But, thanks to technological advances, many of today’s heating systems can be installed under any type of flooring—from carpet to wood. This has opened several new doors to profitability for retailers. Flooring materials often go over radiant panel systems, and it is therefore very important and necessary for both the flooring and radiant manufacturers to work together so they can inform the trade and end users how this can be done properly. The RPA can help to specify the installation procedures depending on the application, the type of flooring materials and the radiant panel used. And its REX Expo is a good place to come and learn about radiant heat in general. Next year’s REX Expo will take place Aug. 13 to 15 in Chicago. For more information, go to www.radiantpanelassociation.org. Monica Irgens is president of Electro Plastics, manufacturer of Step Warmfloor heating systems. She is a board member of the Radiant Panel Association (RPA) and chairperson of the Electric and Green committees. She is also a certified IICRC Senior Inspector and ATF Hard Surface Inspector. To contact her, send an e-mail to monica.irgens@ warmfloor.com. |