definition
strict definition
radiators
Heating devices that transfer heat from circulating water, steam, or another heated substance through a large metal surface.
A radiator is a device which heats its environment by passing pumped water, steam, or other substance through coils with a high surface area. Heat passes through the metal surface to the room by convection and thermal radiation.
Water is one possible heat-carrying substance rather than the only one. Steam and other substances are also included in the definition.
The radiator transfers heat into the surrounding space. Its presence does not identify the fuel or other source used to heat the circulating substance.
radiators Photos
Related definitions
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coal heating
A building heating system that burns coal on the site and distributes the resulting heat, normally through air ducts. -
electric coils in floor
Heating is generated by passing electric current through heating coils embedded in the floors. -
electric convectors
Electric heaters that warm surrounding air and create circulation through the density difference between warm and cool air. -
fireplace
An open hearth where wood is burned to heat the adjoining interior space, distinct from an enclosed wood stove. -
forced air
Room-level or floor-level electric heating with fans beside heated coils, excluding fuel-fired ducted heating. -
gas heating (central)
Heating is generated for the whole building by burning natural gas on the site. -
gas heating (floor-by-floor)
Natural-gas heating with an individual burner serving a room, space, or floor rather than central ducted distribution. -
geothermal heating
Heating is generated by transferring natural heat underneath the building or nearby into the interior. -
heat pump
A heating system mechanically transferring heat from nearby air or water into a building, with geothermal heating listed separately. -
hydronic floor heating
An underfloor heating system circulating boiler-heated water through closely spaced pipes in a closed loop. -
oil heating
A building heating system that burns oil products on the site, normally distributing the resulting heat through air ducts. -
pellet stove
An interior heating system using a stove which burns compact pellets of biomass or compressed wood. -
remote heat generation
Heat is supplied by an external heating plant, and delivered in the form of a heat conductor such as water. -
solar heating (active)
A building heating system supplied by electricity generated from solar radiation by photovoltaic panels on the site. -
wood oven
A building heating system burning wood in enclosed chambers, either centrally or in separate floors or units.