Choosing the right warehouse heating system

Warehouse heating is rarely a case of choosing the heater with the highest output. The right solution depends on the height and shape of the building, whether the whole space is occupied, how often doors open, whether there is high racking, the available energy supply and how quickly the space needs to recover after periods of heat loss.

The main options used in commercial and industrial buildings include radiant heating, warm air heating, electric heating and supporting technologies such as destratification fans and air curtains.

Radiant heating

Radiant heating transfers heat directly to people and surfaces in the heated area. Because it does not depend entirely on heating all of the air in a high-volume building, it can be well suited to warehouses with high ceilings, defined working zones or frequent door opening.

Radiant tube systems can be arranged as individual heaters or as a continuous system. The design must consider mounting height, coverage, obstructions, racking and the location of occupied areas. Radiant heating can also be useful for spot heating where only part of a building needs regular comfort heating.

Warm air heating

Warm air heaters heat and circulate air through the building. They are a familiar and flexible option for warehouses where a large proportion of the space needs to reach a consistent temperature.

The main design challenge in high-bay buildings is stratification. Warm air rises, so without appropriate air movement the roof space can become much warmer than the occupied zone. This is why warm air systems are commonly considered alongside destratification fans and well-designed controls.

Electric heating

Electric heating can play an important role where gas is unavailable, where a site is moving towards electrification, or where particular zones need a simple controllable heat source. Electric radiant systems can provide targeted heat, while other electric technologies may be appropriate depending on the building and electrical capacity.

The decision should consider more than the heater purchase price. Available electrical infrastructure, peak demand, operating hours, tariff structure and the site's wider decarbonisation plan all influence whether an electric solution is suitable.

Destratification fans and air curtains

Destratification fans are not a heat source. Their job is to move warm air that has collected at roof level back into the occupied space. In the right building this can improve comfort and reduce the amount of additional heat the main system has to produce.

Air curtains have a different role. They are used around frequently opened doors to reduce the exchange of indoor and outdoor air. In warehouses and distribution buildings, controlling door-related heat loss can be an important part of the overall strategy.

Which option is best?

Radiant heating may be attractive for high buildings, defined working zones and areas with frequent door opening. Warm air can be effective for quickly heating a larger occupied volume. Electric solutions may suit specific zones or sites with a clear electrification strategy. Destratification and air curtains can improve the performance of the main heating system rather than replace it.

In many buildings the best answer is a combination. ABS can assess the building and compare options as part of a free site survey, taking account of heat loss, operating pattern, existing services and future energy objectives.

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