What Is Radiant Heating? Efficiency and Coverage Explained
Providing effective, efficient heating for a large commercial or industrial space is no easy task, especially when many conventional heating systems waste energy because the heat they generate rises to the ceiling.
The solution: radiant heating, the ideal solution for a large facility that prioritises efficient coverage.
In this article, we will explain what radiant heating is, how it works, why it’s efficient, and more.
What is Radiant Heating?
A radiant heating system uses infrared radiation to heat objects and people directly, rather than a warm air system that heats the air.
Common examples of radiant heaters used in industrial spaces include:
How Does it Work?
This is the process of how a radiant heater works:
- The burner will heat the emitter (or radiant tube if using a tube heater).
- The heated part will emit infrared heat down towards people and objects, travelling through the air.
- The targeted surfaces will absorb and reradiate the heat, efficiently warming the area.
Why is Radiant Heating So Efficient?
By heating machinery, surfaces, and people directly, radiant heating doesn’t waste heat on massive volumes of air in a large space. Industrial spaces benefit significantly from this, especially if they have high ceilings or need fast warm-up times.
Zonal heating can also be considered when using a radiant heating system; this involves targeting key areas where workers and active machinery are, while deprioritising areas that are less crucial to operations.
Other benefits of efficient radiant heating include:
- Not needing to set the system to a high temperature to keep employees comfortable.
- There will be less heat loss from ventilation systems or open doors due to targeted heating.
How Does Radiant Heating Coverage Work in a Large Space?
In a large factory, warehouse, or commercial building, radiant heating systems will heat specific areas of the floor. The coverage will depend on the heater’s output, the building's size and layout, and the ceiling height.
To ensure even heat distribution and minimise cold spots, we usually install radiant heating in rows or specific zones that point towards the most occupied floor areas.
When is Radiant Heating the Best Option?
Radiant heating is a great heating solution for large commercial and industrial environments, such as:
- Warehouses
- Manufacturing and processing facilities
- Logistics facilities
- Large retail environments
- Aircraft hangars.
If your building has a high ceiling, frequent open doors, or subpar insulation, radiant heating will be especially beneficial.
How Combat Can Help with Radiant Heating Systems
If you’re looking for radiant heating solutions that will improve efficiency and deliver targeted coverage, Combat has what you need. We offer multiple types of radiant heating systems for a variety of buildings, including warehouses, factories, retail, aircraft hangars, and more.
We also provide complete installation of our heating systems and can offer a site survey to help you choose the best system for your business.
Get in touch with Combat using our enquiry form or call us on 0121 506 7700 to start the conversation on radiant heating today.