Cohousing-L Mailing List: Re: Common house heating

[Hungerford, David (dghungerford]

Ian Higgenbothan wrote:

>We were unable to agree on a single heat source and have
>decided to install a more expensive dual system that includes electric 
>heatingas 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.

Have you explored radiant floor heat--very energy efficient, uses a 
recirculating hot water loop, you can pre-heat with solar.  Do you guys not 
have access to gas?  I do energy efficiency research,  contact me directly 
for some references.

David Hungerford, Muir Commons
dghungerford [at] ucdavis.edu


Hig
(Ian Higginbottom)
Cascade Cohousing
Tasmania, Australia