These days, we provide thermal comfort in winter by heating the entire air volume in a room or building, an approach that consumes a lot of fossil fuels. In this series of articles, LOW_TECH MAGAZINE focuses on our forebearÕs concept of heating, which was more localized. They used radiant heat sources that warmed only certain parts of a room, creating micro-climates of comfort, and they used personal heating sources that warmed specific body parts. It would make a lot of sense to restore this old way of warming, especially since newer technology has made it much more practical, safe, and efficient. By placing heating technology in a historical context, LOW_TECH MAGAZINE challenges the high-tech approach to sustainability and highlights the possibilities of alternative solutions.
Contents table:
Restoring the Old Way of Warming: Heating People, not Spaces
Insulation: First the Body, then the Home
The Revenge of the Hot Water Bottle
Energy Labels Oblige Frugal Homeowners to Make Unsustainable Investments
How to Keep Warm in a Cool House
Sunbathing in the Living Room: Tile Stoves and Other Radiant Heating Systems
Heat Storage Hypocausts: Air Heating in the Middle Ages
The Revenge of the Circulating Fan