Heating people not spaces

by Kris De Decker

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 forebear’s 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
Restoring the Old Way of Heating People, not Spaces
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 Tile Stoves and Other Radiant Heating Systems
Heat Storage Air Heating in the Middle Ages
The Revenge of the Circulating Fan

154 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 30, 2024