Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: SUNDAY, April 9, 1995                   TAG: 9504110086
SECTION: HOMES                    PAGE: B-1   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: JAMES DULLEY
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Medium

WALL HEATERS ARE AS PRETTY AS A PICTURE

A: Radiant wall picture heaters are energy efficient. They provide heat quickly, just like feeling the radiant warmth of the sun on a cold day. I use one on my basement wall across from my pool table for quick heat.

The surface temperature never exceeds 170 degrees, so they are safe around children. In case they get knocked off the wall, some models have tip-over automatic shut off switches. They plug into a standard 120-volt outlet.

These are called picture heaters because they look like a wall painting (1-inch thick). Many are landscapes, sunsets or snow scenes. If you are artistic, order a less expensive blank heater and paint your own scene with acrylic paint. A decorative frame can be added without reducing efficiency.

Several sizes are available from about 2 feet by 2 feet (310 watts) to 2 feet by 3 feet (475 watts). It costs about 3 to 4 cents per hour to operate. "Under desk" floor models with a thermostat are ideal for chilly offices.

Radiant heat is naturally energy efficient. People feel as comfortable in a room at 64 degrees with radiant heat as in a room at 72 degrees with typical forced air heat. Radiant heaters create just enough warm air circulation for more constant floor to ceiling air temperatures.

Lowering the room temperature not only cuts heating bills, but it is more comfortable and healthier. Since a radiant heater does not heat the air excessively as a forced air heater does, the air is not dried out. Also, radiant heaters are totally quiet and maintenance-free (no moving parts).

There are many easy-to-install options for using radiant heat as the sole heat source for a large room or entire house. Narrow radiant cove heaters (from 3 feet to 11 feet in length) can be mounted on the wall near the ceiling.

Cove heaters provide the majority of their warmth as quick radiant heat. The long narrow housing (about 3 by 4 inches across) has slots to provide some of the heat as warm-air circulation. These are ideal for zone heating a house because each room can have its own thermostat.

Flat (1-inch thick) radiant panels can be attached under a ceiling or recessed in it. Other options include electric heating wires, fiberglass cloth or plastic sheets with wires or graphite conductors embedded inside. For simple installation, some drywall is made with the wire already inside.

For a of listing manufacturers of picture, cove, ceiling and floor radiant heaters, heat outputs, dimensions, prices and available picture heater scenes, write to James Dulley, Roanoke Times & World-News, 6906 Royalgreen Dr., Cincinnati, Ohio 45244. Ask for Utility Bills Update No. 656. Please include $2 and a self-addressed envelope.

Q: I am building a house that will use passive solar heating. What is the best way to plan the rooms for the best natural heat circulation?

A: An open floor plan is best for passive solar heating. Adding a low-speed continuous air circulation blower motor to your existing central furnace also helps. These motors run efficiently at the low speed (about one-quarter of the high speed).

Finish the interior walls with large openings between rooms. For efficiency and a contemporary look, build curved walls and transitions between rooms. National Gypsum makes bendable drywall (called High Flex) for this purpose. It is 1/4-inch thick, so two layers are needed.