Sufficient heating is important in any workplace, and factories are no exception. Employers are required to provide their staff with a safe working environment, which includes ensuring the temperature of their workplace is well-maintained. In a busy, hot factory environment, a good heating level is difficult to maintain efficiently. This is why it’s so important to install and use the right factory heating systems and ensure good heat distribution throughout the space.
Read on to find out more about the best factory heating systems and how to choose the right one for your business.
Factory heating options
There are two main forms of heating suitable for a factory: warm air heating and radiant ceiling heating.
Warm air heating works by heating the air in the space, which in turn warms the people in the building. The warm air is distributed throughout the space by a fan and, to ensure a consistent temperature, the warm air will need to be evenly distributed throughout the space. There are many different types of warm air heaters to choose from, including suspended ceiling, floor standing, and wall mounted. The ideal model will depend on the layout of your factory, and the space available.
The other kind of heating system best suited to a factory environment is radiant heating. Radiant ceiling heaters do not heat the air directly. Instead, radiant heaters produce infrared heat that directly heats surfaces, people, and objects in its path, creating a more all-round warmth. Radiant heaters provide rapid heat at a lower running cost than many other types of heating systems.
Read a more in-depth analysis of all the different factory heating options available below.
Suspended ceiling heaters
If you have a busy factory full of machines and staff, then suspended ceiling heaters are a great option. They require minimal space, effectively and efficiently heat large areas, and are easy to maintain.
Well-designed factory heating systems keep the air distributed evenly throughout the space. To enable factory heating to work at full efficiency, the air must be free to travel, eliminating any cold spots. If some areas are not being heated, you may need to reorganise the layout of your factory to ensure no warm air is being trapped. Alternatively, if this is not possible, you could invest in multiple warm air heaters placed strategically throughout your factory to ensure full coverage.
Floor standing cabinet heaters
If you’ve got space to spare in your factory, then floor standing cabinet heaters are ideal.
There are a vast range of models to choose from, but the ideal choice for factory spaces are floor standing cabinets. Versatile and easy to maintain, floor standing heaters are available in lots of different options to suit all, including oil or gas compatible, vertical or horizontal, and room-sealed.
Radiant ceiling heating
The alternative to warm air heating for factories is a radiant heating system. These produce infrared heat that directly warms surfaces, people, and objects in its path.
Whilst rapid and efficient, radiant heating systems need to be directly over an area to provide warmth. This means tall structures like shelving and machinery might block out the heat source. However, they are great options for factory areas frequently open to outside air, such as loading bays. The heat won’t blow away, as radiant heating systems don’t rely on air circulation.
Industrial and commercial air curtains
Industrial and commercial air curtains work by blocking incoming cold air and stopping the warm air from escaping from the building.
In factories, doors are frequently opening and closing, or large roller doors are left open as goods are loaded outside. One of the benefits of commercial air curtains is that it keeps working efficiently even when doors are left open. In the summer, it reverses, keeping cool air in the building and removing hot air, creating a suitable environment for your workforce all year round.
Electric heating
If you don’t want to go a for a gas or oil heating system or your premises doesn’t have access to gas or oil, then our electric heating options are also brilliant. Our electric heating range works by warming objects rather than the air around it.
Destratification fans
Factories usually have high ceilings, leading to heat loss. Warm air rises so, with conventional gas-fired warm air heaters, destratification fans should also be used to maximise their effectiveness.
Through destratification, warm air is re-circulated from the roof to the occupied space at floor level. Large volumes of air are moved at a low velocity and at a controlled temperature and fans are used to circulate the air, creating an even temperature distribution throughout the space. With destratification, one heater can be used to heat a large space, lowering costs and producing a more energy-efficient solution.
At Heritage, we provide industrial grade, flexible and effective heating solutions for businesses and commercial buildings. Our high-quality industrial heating systems are perfect for factory environments, and we stock only top-quality, industry-leading heating brands.
We understand the difficulties of trying to maintain a constant, healthy temperature inside large industrial spaces like factories. Even if you require a complicated heating system where different areas of your factory require different temperatures, we can help provide a solution.
If you’re looking for a factory heating system to suit your business, contact us today and an experienced member of our team will happily answer any questions. We also offer a free site survey to assess your heating needs and quote for a solution at no extra cost.
