direct heating

Direct heating is a method of warming an enclosed space where the conversion of energy into heat occurs at the location being heated. This contrasts with indirect or central heating, where heat is generated elsewhere and then transported to the space via a fluid medium like air or water.1

Early forms of direct heating included open fires and fireplaces. Later developments, such as enclosed stoves, became more efficient by absorbing and radiating heat into the room rather than losing it up a chimney. Modern direct heating systems can utilize electric-resistance wiring or hot-water pipes embedded in floors, ceilings, or walls. These are often referred to as radiant heating systems, where heat is transmitted directly from a heated surface.12