Radiant vs. Convection vs. Forced-Air Heating

Radiant heaters use infrared radiation to transfer heat from the source directly to the people and objects in the room. These heatwaves are undeterred by air currents, meaning an infrared radiant heater does not waste energy heating the air.

For example: sitting around a campfire. The fire warms you, but not the surrounding air. A radiant heater works the same way.

Radiant heaters include patio heaters, portable heaters, and space heaters. Use radiant heaters in open, outdoor, or drafty locations that need short-term heat. Radiant heaters can work well in patios, garages, or workshops. Radiant heat also functions as an effective underfloor heating method for bathrooms and bedrooms.

Convection Heating

Convection heaters offer indirect heat. This means they heat the air surrounding the person or object instead of the object itself.

Convection heaters take in cool air surrounding the heater and pass it over a heating element until warmed. The heater then circulates the warm air back into the room. This creates a convection current where the warm air rises and the cooler air drops, allowing it to be warmed by the heater.

Convection heating works efficiently in enclosed rooms to avoid heat loss from drafts or open doors. Use them in rooms that need long-term heat. Consider convection heating for living rooms and kitchens.

Most homes use forced-air systems, making them one of the most common types. They employ a furnace or heat pump to warm the air and use ductwork to move the air throughout the house. This central heating system provides a form of direct heat.

According to the U.S. Department of Energy, furnaces may use a furnace, heat pump, or active solar heating. Forced air systems work to heat multiple rooms and floors at a time. Place the furnace in a central location to optimize air distribution.