Heating large spaces

[edit] Introduction

A comfortable temperature is vital for organisations to function. Temperatures that are too low or too high can affect productivity by making it difficult for employees to focus on their work.

Workplace regulations state that employers have a legal obligation to ensure reasonable temperatures for their employees. The challenge though is heating large spaces such as warehouses and factories. Buildings with 1,000s of square metres and high ceilings are not conducive to heat retention. Cost is another important consideration, as issues like poor insulation result in higher energy usage.

[edit] Types of commercial heating systems

There are two primary options to heat large spaces: warm air heating and radiant heating.

[edit] Warm air heating

Warm air space heating systems draw in air through a heat exchanger and distribute it evenly throughout an area. Although natural gas or oil can be used as an energy source, LPG can be cost-effective. The units themselves can be situated on the ceiling, mounted on walls, or placed on the floor. How they are distributed depends on the building layout and how much space needs to be heated.

Warm air inevitably rises in buildings with high ceilings, resulting in energy loss. Suspending destratification fans addresses this by lowering and evenly distributing the warm air back to the occupied space. These units offer a flexible heating solution and are ideal for areas where a constant temperature is needed.

[edit] Radiant heating

Radiant heating provides heating through radiant tubes or plaque heaters. These can either be suspended from the ceiling or mounted to the wall. Both work by emitting infrared radiation from the surface to heat objects and people rather than the air itself.

Radiant heating offers an energy-efficient solution for commercial spaces, as such systems are able to direct heat where it is needed. Infrared radiation provides heat to occupants within range but this may pose some limitations depending on how the workspace is laid out.

[edit] Heating solutions for commercial and industrial spaces

Each commercial heating system offers distinct characteristics, so it is important to first consider the type of heating required and the space it is for before making a decision.

If you’re struggling to maintain a comfortable working temperature or experiencing heat loss issues, there are a lot of options and companies across the UK who can install heating systems and potentially reduce your overall energy costs.

Heating requirements depend on various factors, so experts will typically start by assessing your situation and property which allows them to recommend heating solutions which are both cost effective and energy efficient.

--WinrowBuildingServicesLtd 12:29, 29 Nov 2018 (BST)

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