Radiant energy is one of the most important forms of energy on the planet, but it’s easy to overlook. That’s because only a small portion of it is visible to the human eye. Most types of radiant energy, such as X-rays and radio waves, don’t fall on the spectrum of visible light so they require specialized equipment to perceive.  

But even when we can’t see radiant energy, it’s still an incredibly important resource: we use it to communicate over long distances, grow crops, and even heat our homes.  

Learn everything you need to know about radiant energy and how one type of radiant energyradiant heating – can help you save money on your electricity bill. 

What Is Radiant Energy? 

Let’s start by exploring the definition of radiant energy. According to Lehigh University, radiant energy is “electromagnetic energy that travels in transverse waves.”  

Unlike potential energy, in which energy is stored and can be used later, radiant energy is a type of kinetic energy, which means that it’s related to motion.  

Types of electromagnetic energy include:  

  • Solar energy 
  • Gamma rays 
  • Radio waves 
  • X-rays 
  • Light (visible electromagnetic energy) 

Everything from the sunlight coming through your window to the microwave you use to heat your food is a form of radiant energy. 

How Does Radiant Energy Work? 

Radiant energy moves from one place to another in the form of electromagnetic waves or electromagnetic radiation. At its most elementary level, electromagnetic waves are made up of photons, which have no mass and move at the speed of light.  

When the sun releases energy, it travels to Earth in the form of solar radiation, a type of radiant energy. This energy doesn’t produce any heat when moving through space because there isn’t anything for it to interact with.  

But when it reaches the Earth, it transfers that energy onto other objects. Plants turn the sun’s radiant energy into chemical energy using photosynthesis. Solar panels turn solar radiation into electrical energy. 

What Are the 7 Types of Radiant Energy? 

Radiant Energy Types of Energy Image of Person Starting Powersource

All types of radiant energy are on the same electromagnetic spectrum (sometimes abbreviated as EM spectrum). The main difference is in their wavelength, or the frequency of the waves they produce.  

Higher-frequency waves have shorter wavelengths and produce more energy, with frequency measured in Hertz (Hz), or the number of cycles per second. Let’s take a look at the seven types of radiant energy in order of their frequency. 

Radio waves 

Radio waves are at the lower end of the spectrum because they have much longer wavelengths than other types of radiant energy. We can use them for transmitting information over long distances using radio receivers and we can observe them in space using radio telescopes. 

Microwaves 

Like radio waves, microwaves are invisible to the human eye but are used in many types of technologies, including radar, satellites, and Wi-Fi. Most of us encounter microwaves in the kitchen in the form of microwave ovens. 

Infrared waves 

Infrared waves are notable because they have higher energy than microwaves, so we can feel them on the body as heat. If you’ve ever sat next to a heat lamp, you’ve felt infrared energy on your skin. Although they aren’t visible to the naked eye, we can observe infrared waves using thermal imaging devices. 

Visible light 

Visible light is the only kind of radiant energy that the human eye can see. Colors are the result of different wavelengths giving light energy its unique appearance. 

Ultraviolet (UV) light 

Ultraviolet radiation is another form of light energy that has a shorter wavelength than visible light but can still be seen by some animals. In addition to visible light, the sun’s energy contains UV radiation that can be harmful to the skin in large amounts. (That’s why doctors recommend wearing sunscreen every day.) 

X-rays 

X-rays have such a short wavelength that they can penetrate types of matter that other types of radiant energy can’t. That’s why they’re commonly used for radiology, as a type of medical imagery. If you’ve ever had a broken bone or visited the dentist, you’ve had an X-ray. This is distinct from radiometry, which refers to measuring radiation anywhere on the electromagnetic spectrum. 

Gamma rays 

Finally, there are gamma rays, which have the highest frequency of all electromagnetic waves. These are mostly produced by stars and in nuclear reactions. 

Is Radiant Energy a Type of Electrical Energy? 

Radiant Energy Being Generated per Electrical Energysource

Although it has the word “electro” in its name, radiant energy is distinct from electrical energy, which relies on the movement of electrons to deliver energy. 

But that doesn’t mean they aren’t related: according to the laws of thermodynamics one type of energy can be converted into another.  

In fact, we do this all the time: You can use electrical energy to power a light bulb, which gives off visible light, a type of radiant energy. Or you can use electricity to create heat by plugging in a space heater to generate infrared radiation. 

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Do Humans Have Radiant Energy? 

The sun and stars aren’t the only things that produce radiant energy. All living things, including humans, give off electromagnetic radiation.  

It’s at the lower end of the spectrum, so it isn’t visible to the naked eye, but it’s part of the infrared region. That’s why humans and other animals can be seen at night using thermal imaging devices. 

Is Radiant Energy Safe? 

Radiant energy produces ionizing or nonionizing radiation depending on where it falls on the electromagnetic spectrum. Ionizing radiation removes electrons from atoms – including those in the human body – while nonionizing radiation doesn’t.  

Waves on the higher end of the EM spectrum, including UV rays, X-rays, and gamma waves, give off ionizing radiation. That’s why we need to avoid too much exposure to these sources of radiation (and wear UV-blocking sunscreen).  

Waves on the lower end of the spectrum, including microwaves and infrared waves, aren’t ionizing. That’s why it’s safe to cook food in the microwave or sit in front of an infrared heat lamp without putting ourselves at risk. 

How Is Radiant Energy Used? 

As we’ve seen, radiant energy comes in many forms, so it has hundreds of uses. Here are just a few examples of how radiant energy is used:  

  • To produce heat (campfire, infrared heat lamp) 
  • To communicate (radio waves, cell phone signals) 
  • To cook food (microwaves, electric kettles) 
  • To create images (X-rays, radio telescopes) 
  • To grow plants (sunlight, ultraviolet lights) 
  • To produce electricity (solar power, nuclear power) 

It’s safe to say that food production, healthcare, the power grid, and our communication systems simply wouldn’t work the same way without radiant energy! 

How Does Radiant Heating Work? 

Radiant Energy per Radiant Heating Photosource

If you hear someone talking about radiant heating, they aren’t talking about the entire electromagnetic spectrum. Radiant heating relies primarily on direct heat transfer via infrared radiation – just one type of radiant energy.  

Because radiant heating is more efficient than other types of heating, it’s increasingly being used to heat homes and buildings.  

How does it differ from other types of heating? Picture a forced-air heating system in which hot air is blown through the rooms of a building via a duct.  

This type of heating is usually less efficient than radiant heating because it heats the space unevenly, and hot air can escape through gaps in the duct. It can also worsen allergies by blowing around particles of dust.  

In contrast, radiant heating uses tubes or cables to distribute heat, usually via a wall panel or floor installation. Heat “radiates” from the floor or wall panel and circulates naturally, so it doesn’t need to be forced by a fan or vent.  

Radiant heating takes less time to heat up a room compared to other methods, which may result in long-term energy savings. 

How Many Types of Radiant Heating Are There? 

Although wall panels and floor installations work slightly differently, they rely on one of two methods to produce heat: electric cables or hydronic tubes.  

Electric cables may be more expensive to operate since they require a power supply, but they may be practical if your electricity provider offers a time-of-use (TOU) plan.  

For example, if your electric cables are embedded in a concrete floor, you could turn the system on during free nights or evenings to heat up the concrete. It will continue to keep the house warm even after you turn off the electricity.  

If you use hydronic tubes, then your radiant heating system will deliver heat via liquid (usually hot water) instead. Since this is connected to your boiler rather than electric power, it may be more cost-effective for everyday use.  

To make the most of your energy usage (and budget), you may want to do a bit of research while you consider switching power suppliers 

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Is Radiant Energy Renewable? 

Whether or not radiant energy is renewable depends on the source. The sun’s energy is renewable, which is why solar panels are considered a form of green energy.  

Microwaves and infrared heaters also produce radiant energy, but if they’re powered by a non-renewable power source, such as coal power, then they aren’t renewable.   

At the same time, not all renewable energy sources rely on radiant energy. Wind power is a type of motion energy, while geothermal power plants rely on thermal energy.  

If you want to know whether your home heating system is renewable, you’ll have to dig a little deeper to find out its ultimate power source. 

Understanding Radiant Energy Could Help You Save Money on Your Electric Bill

Radiant Heating Saving Money of Electric Bill source

Radiant energy is all around us even though we’re not thinking about it every day. But knowing just a bit more about what it is and how it impacts our everyday lives can make a difference.  

Just Energy makes it easy to power your home with renewable energy with our green power plans and time-of-use offers. Simply choose a green energy plan to ensure that 100% of your energy usage is offset by renewable energy sources.  

And if you want to get the most bang for your buck, our free electricity plan lets you run your most energy-intensive appliances during off-peak hours at no cost. Just enter your ZIP code to compare your options. 

Learn everything you need to know about radiant energy and how one type of radiant energy can help you save money on your electricity bill. 

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