Radiant heat detection in the home

In an attempt to winterize the standard suburban household, one must first endeavor to locate and identify any and all sources of radiant heat, no matter whether an intentional heat supply (e.g. a furnace) or an unintential device that gives off warmth as a byproduct (e.g. a small appliance).  Over the past few years, the Managed-Energy Online Workgroup has used the newest in heat-detection equipment to assist consumers with their heating problems, making housecalls in answer to their letters of worry and concern.  Here the Managed-Energy Online Workgroup would like to share some typical problems in locating radiant heat sources and demonstrate how those sources were ascertained to the satisfaction of the consumer.  The letters are here organized by room, and it is hoped that the following short guide will help consumers recognize household 'hotspots' that, if rendered efficient, can lead to economic savings and environmental benefits.

Location: Kitchen From: Jamie Turnbull of Boston, MA Dear Managed-Energy Online Workgroup, I bought my 1979 ranch-style house just over three years ago, and I'm embarrassed to say it, but even though I'm a civil engineer, I've never been able to figure out how my kitchen actually gets heated.  It's nice and toasty in the winter, but it's a bit of a mystery to me as to how it gets that way. Mystified, Jamie Dear Jamie, There's no need to be embarrassed.  Our state-of-the-art heat-detection device is able to hone in on radiant heat sources better than anything else available, dispelling all the mystery.  We've managed to locate a heat vent approximately two feet in front of your refridgerator next to the wall.  Congratulations -- it appears you indeed have central heating! Sincerely, The Managed-Energy Online Workgroup PS -- Now about that wallpaper....
Location:  Family room From: Ginny Betonia of Sweethome WI Dear Managed-Energy Online Workgroup, Unlike the rest of our new house, our family room tends to experience relatively disparate temperature swings, rather warm in the day and somewhat cool at night.  What might account for this disparity? Confused, G. Betonia Dear G. Betonia, By any chance does your family room have a skylight?  It's possible your glass isn't up to National Fenestration Rating Council standards, and you may need some high-performance, energy-efficient glass.  At the moment, our detector hasn't identified it as a "problem" per se, but you might want to look into it. Sincerely, The Managed-Energy Online Workgroup
Location: Office From: Bai Ruixu of Minneapolis, MN Dear Managed-Energy Online Workgroup, The glass in my windows is high quality, my central-heating thermostat works well and feeds into my office without any problem.  Yet when I sit down to my desk, I'm still sweating and flushed after a long work session.  Am I missing something? Melting in Minneapolis, Ruixu Bai Dear Ruixu, People often don't realize how many BTUs their computers belt out until it's too late.  We recommend throwing away all computers and any form of technology (except for our own state-of-the-art detection equipment) because we often can't predict the evil side effects such as heat flush.  Sincerely, The Managed-Energy Online Workgroup
Location: Garage From: Marabella Vonn of Portland, OR Dear Managed-Energy Online Workgroup, Call me insane, but my garage doesn't have heating ducts, space heaters, windows, skylights or any other source of heat, and yet there are evenings when I can just feel the radiant heat waves rippling toward me.  But where do they come from?  Do I have ghosts -- ghosts from hell whose bodies still reek of their fearsome, flame-strewn homeworld when they materialize on our plain? For the love of all the gods, please help me! Mara Dear Mara, Some things are best left a mystery.  We can't think of anything else that might be introducing a radiant heat source into your garage, and you seem to have eliminated every earthly possibility.  We recommend an immediate exorcism.  Unfortunately we're not insured to carry it out ourselves. Sincerely, The Managed-Energy Online Workgroup
Location: Bedroom From: Tim Bruckbaumhof of Dim Beach, CA Yo dudes!   Me and my girl are living in Granny's unheated attic, see, and every morning for reasons we can't figure out, we're all still snuggly and warm but there's like no space heater in sight.  What's up with that, man?  Not chillin' and almost grillin', Timmy Yo Timmy, After a quick test, the answer became obvious.  You yourself are a heat source.  We often forget that we are merely biological machines, and like all other lowgrade, inefficient appliances, part of the energy input comes out as radiant heat. Sincerely, The Managed-Energy Online Workgroup Consumer tip: If you want to avoid heating up your house completely in the summer, it is thus advisable that you don't go into it.
Location: Utility room From: J'Artus Keanon Dear Managed-Energy Online Workgroup, Obviously my washer and dryer put out a lot of excessive heat in the utility room, but when I take the piles of laundry out to their respective rooms to be folded, I get the feeling I'm just distributing blazing coals throughout the house, like little radiant heat bombs being squirreled away in every bedroom closet and airing cupboard.  What can I do? From the heat-shy guy, J'Artus Keanon Dear Mr. Keanon, We always recommend immediately refridgerating your clothes after pulling them from the dryer.  Unfortunately we seem to have lost our heat sensor while carrying out tests on your home.  If you come across it, could you post it back to us? Sincerely, The Managed-Energy Online Workgroup