Good to Know Blog

Ottinetti Radiator Valves

Thu, 15 Sep 2011 10:24:38 -0400

Ottinetti is regarded as one of Europe’s industry’s leading
producers of high quality radiator valves, lockshields, thermostatic
valves and accessories. We are extremely please to have them as
part of our product range.

The continuous attention paid to
the requirements and trends of
the market, as well as the needs
of its clients and the environment,
has permitted Ottinetti to always
be well-informed and on the
forefront of technology.

The valves are available with
NPT/NPT connections or NPT/
Compression (PEX or Copper).

Available stocked finishes include: nickel plated and chrome finish, other colors include antique brass, black chrome, satin chrome, brushed nickel or RAL 9010.

For more information, click: info@rdes.ca

Runtal North America Launches New Design Center

Mon, 1 Aug 2011 16:53:32 -0400

In celebration of the 25th anniversary of manufacturing in the United States, Runtal unveils its expanded Flagship Showroom with our new Gallery of Radiator Design.

Runtal is world renowned for producing radiators
with an unmistakable flair for design – radiators
that can add the ultimate aesthetic touch to
individual living and working environments. The
exciting new Flagship Showroom consists of:
(1) vignettes of a variety of installations for all
rooms of the home and (2) our “Gallery of Radiator
Design” showcasing our complete offering of
radiator designs for hot water, steam and electric
heating systems.

The showroom is located at the American
Headquarters in Ward Hill, MA (Haverhill) -
conveniently located off of Route 495 and it is
opened Monday to Friday 9:00am to 5:00pm or by appointment.
In addition to the current offerings, new concepts in radiators will be introduced on a regular basis so check in and visit often.

For more information, click: info@rdes.ca

TWA Radiant Cooling Technology

Tue, 12 Apr 2011 18:55:01 -0400

Radiant cooling panels follows the same principals as radiant heating. Consequently thermal energy is exchanged between the heat loads in the space and the cool ceiling. To ensure air quality and removal of the moisture load in the room, radiant cooling panels do need to be used in conjunction with a small ventilation system. However, since radiant cooling
systems do not use forced air flow to facilitate
cooling, a uniform temperature gradient in the room
space is crated. With this reduction in draft, radiant
cooling panels provide a very comfortable
environment for the occupants of the cooled space.

ADVANTAGES:

• Operational costs are reduced for the mechanical
chilling system since cooled ceilings operate at
relatively high temperatures (average surface
temperature of 16°C or 61°F).
• Chillers can operate at higher temperatures
resulting in an increase in efficiency and reduction
in energy costs.
• Radiant panels can be used as both heating and
cooling panels reducing the amount of equipment
and piping required compared to conventional
heating & cooling systems.
• Cooled ceilings are silent and virtually draft free
since air flow volumes are reduced compared to
conventional systems (typical radiantly cooled office
requires 2 to 3 air exchanges/hour compared to
6 to 10 with conventional systems)
• Radiant cooling panels can be retrofitted into false
ceiling of older buildings as the plenum space
requirement is minimal relative to fan coil units or
VAV systems.
• Smaller plenums result in savings in building height
(1’/floor) compared to air conditioning systems.

RADIANT COOLING

The heat transfer occurs between the space and the
panels through a temperature differential. However,
unlike radiant heating, the colder ceiling is absorbing
thermal energy radiating from people and their
surroundings. The major difference between cooled
ceilings and air cooling is the heat transport
mechanism. Air cooling uses convection only, whereas
cooled ceiling use a combination of
radiation and convection. This amount of radiative
heat transfer can be a s high as 55% while
convection accounts for the remainder. With cold
ceilings the relative heat transfer occurs through a
net emission of electromagnetic waves from the
warm occupants and their surroundings to the cool
ceiling. On the other hand, convection first cools the
room air due to the contact with the cold ceiling, creating convection currents within the which transfer the heat from its source to it is absorbed.

Since air quality must be maintained and radiant panels remove only the sensible heat from the space,
radiant cooling panels are used in conjunction with a ventilation system. The ventilation not only ensures the air quality to recommended levels but also regulates the latent, or moisture load, of the space. To prevent high humidity levels within a room, the supply air must be drier than that of the supplied space especially in light of additional sources of moisture within the room. Consequently, outdoor air must be dehumidified which is usually done by cooling to a dew point of approximately 15°C (59°F). If the environment is dry, the ventilation system is used to humidify the air. Since the ventilation system is used only to maintain the air quality
and to regulate the latent load of the space, the air flow
required is small relative to conventional cooling systems.
The best results are usually attained with a straight
displacement ventilation system with no air recirculation.
This system typically supplies air through outlets near or at
floor levels at temperatures below that of the room air which
provides for a uniform layer of fresh air at the floor level. In
turn, people and other heat sources will provide for a passive
convective flow of fresh air to the ceilings where it can be
exhausted. With this reduction in air flow and the fact that
radiant panels can operate at a relatively high surface
temperatures (mean temperature of 16°C or 61°F), radiant
cooling is a more comfortable way of cooling a space than the
conventional cooling systems. Therefore, in a radiant cooling
ceiling, the panels provide most of the sensible cooling while
the air system provides ventilation and air moisture control.

A cooled ceiling operates in direct proportion of the heat load
in the room. Typically, a person sitting at a desk will emit
130 W of energy while a computer emits 90 to 530 W to
its surroundings. The greater the number of people and/or appliances and exposure to sunlight, the greater the temperature gradient and therefore an increased capacity of cold ceiling. Generally, cold ceiling are able to handle between 100 and 225 watts per square meter with up to 50% of the ceiling space utilized for cooling.
Condensation on the surface of the panels is not a problem
with radiant cooling. Since condensation of water occurs when
the dew point temperature is reached, proper water
temperatures control will help avoid any condensation. To
prevent the formation of condensation, a sensor monitoring the
dew point temperature of the room used in conjunction with a
controller which modulates the inlet water temperature
accordingly. Therefore if a risk of condensate is present, the
water temperature is raised or the water flow is shut off.
However, since the lower the panel’s temperature is, the more
work the panels do, the inlet temperature should be determined
to be as close as possible to the room’s dew point temperature.
Consequently, the cooling capacity of a radiant cooling system is
generally limited by the minimum allowable temperature of the
inlet water relative to the dew point temperature of the room air.

If the panel area required for cooling covers most of the ceiling
(70% and more), a total ceiling is needed. In a total ceiling
system, the panels must be perforated and covered with acoustic
blanket insulation.

Ceiling cooling panels can come in a variety of designs and configurations. Panels can be suspended, lay in type or even made into a design feature.

For more information, click: info@rdes.ca

Runtal North America Announces Antimicrobial Paint

Thu, 10 Jun 2010 09:58:50 -0400

A new "antimicrobial paint" developed at MIT can kill
influenza viruses that land on surfaces coated with it,
potentially offering a new weapon in the battle against a
disease that kills hundreds of thousands of people every
year.

Effective September 1, 2010 Runtal North America will be
offering the introduction of a new antimicrobial paint. This
advanced paint finish inhibits the growth of microbes
(bacteria) on the radiator surface, does not sustain bacterial
existence, and prevents the contamination of the paint from
microbes. The antimicrobial finish will be a perfect
compliment for schools, hospitals, community centers and
other public spaces, as well as the in-home environment.

STANDARD ANTIMICROBIAL PAINT COLOR

Runtal White (9010RA) will be the standard antimicrobial
finish, and available at no additional cost. All other
colors will be available with the antimicrobial finish with a
premium on all items to be painted (radiators, trims,
pedestals, etc.).

This a major step for Runtal North America towards healthy living!

For more information, click: info@rdes.ca

Runtal's Bisque Collection

Wed, 27 Jan 2010 20:54:56 -0500

Runtal North America is pleased to announce the addition of The Bisque Collection to our family of decorative radiant heating products. For more than 25 years, Bisque has been regarded as the leading innovator throughout Europe of “heating art”. Cutting edge designs have been commissioned from designers and artisans throughout Europe.

The Bisque Collection consists of five models: (1) Hot Spring, (2) Flow Form, (3) Seta, (4) Quadrato and (5) Hot Hoop. The radiators in the collection operate as part of a closed loop hot water heating system and have both residential and commercial applications.

HOT SPRING

Designed by Priestman Goode for
Bisque, the award winning design of
the Hot Spring, captures a tightly
coiled elegance.

Available in two sizes in white,
chrome and metallica finnishes.

FLOW FORM

The industrial heating element appears
as a beautiful object in its own right. Flow Form’s
spiral fins designed for technical efficiency add a
dramatic twist to modern living.

Available in three lengths in white, matt black,
argenta and chrome finishes.

SETA

Seta’s revolutionary design with
rounded “pepper shaker tops”
makes a bold and powerful
statement. Perfect for placement
under windows. Add the attractive
chrome towel bar accessory and
the Seta becomes a towel radiator.

Available in two sizes in white,
matt black, metallica and chrome finishes.

QUADRATO

Far from square, the new angular
towel radiator makes a statement in
a modern bathroom. The square tube
design complements perfectly the
latest trend of square faucets and
fittings.

Available in three sizes in white and
chrome finishes.

HOT HOOP

The Hot Hoop, designed by
Priestman Goode for Bisque,
encircles empty space in a series
of sinuous coils.

Available in white, metallica and
mirrored stainless steel finishes.

For more information, click: info@rdes.ca