Cohousing-L Mailing List: Re: Common house heating

[Ian Higginbottom (Ian.Higginbottom]

Cascade Cohousing (Tasmania) has been labouring over the question of how to
heat the main room in our common house.
We were unable to agree on a single heat source and have
decided to install a more expensive dual system that includes electric heating
as the primary source and a wood fire for those who could not live without it.

Our prefered option for electric heating is to install low temperature
radiant heating in the ceiling.  Does anybody have experience with these 
heaters?  (I have contacted a few local people who use it but I would like to 
get a larger sample of users if possible).

For those who aren't familiar with these heaters they consist of sheets of
plastic with heating strips in it (and look like a rear window demister on 
a car) that are installed immediately above the plaster sheet in the ceiling 
and below the insulation.  The heat is controlled with a thermostat and timer.

We have agreed to install this type of heating unless we hear that there
are problems with it.  It would be good to hear from anyone who has experience 
with it.

Hig
(Ian Higginbottom)
Cascade Cohousing
Tasmania, Australia