You are absolutely correct, each has it's own applications and neither is the complete answer 100% of the time. I stand corrected. It was and is the best solution for my application. Because of my wifes worsening Asthma condition, we have had to install radiant heat in our floors and not burn ours stove like we used to, in order to remove any particulate from her environment. Although I fire up my Napoleon whenever she is away because I love wood heat, I also understand and appreciate the dynamics of radiant in-floor heating. Warm floors are a wonderful thing too!
Here are a couple of diagrams that maybe helpful for folks who do not fully understand the dynamics of how heat transfers.
The first picture on the left is a good example of radiant heat coming out of a heating appliance, the second is a example of convection, the third shows convection, conduction and radiant, the next one on the right is radiant again, the last one on the right shows both convection and radiant heat. I hope that these pictures clarify the differences in how heating appliances work so folks can make an intelligent choice on what they think will work best for them. As always, thanks for what you guys do here at Hearth.com to help folks. We really appreciate your hard work, honesty, and professionalism. It is great that this resource is available to folks seeking a better understanding of how hearth products function.
Here are a couple of diagrams that maybe helpful for folks who do not fully understand the dynamics of how heat transfers.
The first picture on the left is a good example of radiant heat coming out of a heating appliance, the second is a example of convection, the third shows convection, conduction and radiant, the next one on the right is radiant again, the last one on the right shows both convection and radiant heat. I hope that these pictures clarify the differences in how heating appliances work so folks can make an intelligent choice on what they think will work best for them. As always, thanks for what you guys do here at Hearth.com to help folks. We really appreciate your hard work, honesty, and professionalism. It is great that this resource is available to folks seeking a better understanding of how hearth products function.