How to heat an industrial hall? An overview of heating systems – pros and cons

With a large volume, heat generated by machinery and the need to maintain staff comfort, it’s worth knowing how to heat an industrial hall effectively and without overspending on running costs before you choose your equipment. There is no one-size-fits-all solution for every facility: forced-air heaters, infrared heaters and hybrid systems are all suitable for different conditions.

In this article, we compare the most popular methods of heating industrial halls, highlighting their pros and cons and offering guidance on when each technology is the best choice. If you’re looking for a solution specifically tailored to a production hall, including a cost comparison and ready-made product recommendations, take a look at our guide: heating of production halls.

Why is proper industrial hall heating so important?

In industrial halls, heating plays a huge role, not only for the comfort of employees, but also for maintaining optimal production conditions. The right temperature plays a significant role in production processes, the storage of raw materials or finished goods, and also affects the productivity of teams. A well-designed heating system can significantly reduce operating costs, improve energy efficiency and contribute to long-term resource savings.

Which heating systems will work well in an industrial hall?

1. air heaters

One of the most popular ways of heating industrial halls is air heaters. They can run on gas, fuel oil or electricity. Their main advantage is rapid heating of the room air, which is particularly useful in large buildings where even heat distribution is important. Air heaters can be mounted on walls or ceilings, saving floor space.

Pros:

- Low running costs - thanks to the use of heaters EOLO Systema Poland gas as a fuel, they allow heating costs to be kept low, even for large spaces.

- Even heat distribution - a powerful fan, fitted as standard to EOLO heaters, allows heated air to be distributed throughout the room, eliminating cold zones and ensuring optimum working and storage conditions.

- High energy efficiency - EOLO heaters meet the requirements of the ErP 2021 standard.

- Multifunctional - in addition to the basic heating function, the heaters can act as a heat destrier and, with the installation of filters, assist in air purification.

– Zoned heating possible: controllers allow flexible adjustment of the heating conditions in different parts of the building, resulting in energy savings.

Disadvantages:

- It generates air movement that can lift dust, which is not desirable where the production system requires extremely sterile conditions.

2. radiant heaters

Radiant heaters are state-of-the-art devices that work. using infrared radiation. They emit heat that directly warms surfaces (e.g. walls, floors, furniture) and people within their range. The air is heated secondarily by drawing heat from heated objects. In this way, the occupants of the room immediately experience thermal comfort. This allows selected zones to be heated efficiently, rather than the entire space. INFRA gas heaters are ideal for halls with a large volume and where there is no need to heat the entire area.

Pros:

• Immediate thermal comfort  with low energy consumption: infrared radiation provides a quick feeling of warmth without heating the entire air.
• Natural and comfortable warmth: radiant heaters do not dry out the air, creating a friendly atmosphere for users.
• No air movement: thanks to radiant heating, dust and dirt are not stirred up, which promotes cleanliness in the rooms.
• Improved user comfort: heat is distributed evenly without the discomfort of forced air circulation.
• Energy efficiency: heating users, surfaces and objects instead of air allows more efficient use of energy.
• Versatility: suitable for medium and large rooms.
• Easy installation and operation: simple to install, ensures reliable operation.
• Efficient heating: the ideal solution for heating large premises, such as industrial halls and logistics centres. Radiant heating strips OHAs provide 40% savings compared to other solutions, and the lack of indoor gas installation further reduces investment costs.

Disadvantages:

- A limited operating zone, however, by creating a system made up of several radiant heaters and appropriately separating the heating zones, it is possible to ensure thermal comfort in the required areas. 

3. forced-air heating systems

Blowing systems work by supplying warm air to the interior of the hall through a network of ventilation ducts. The warm air is introduced into the facility and the ventilation system ensures that it is circulated. Blower systems often combine heating and ventilation functions, allowing for efficient air exchange and maintaining comfortable conditions throughout the hall. Systema Polska offers such solutions OHA X - radiating belts with a recuperation and exhaust gas recirculation system. 

Pros:

- Combination of heating and ventilation functions possible.

- Even heat distribution throughout the hall.

- Flexibility to adapt the system to different needs.

Disadvantages:

- High installation costs.

- Energy consumption associated with the operation of the ventilation system.

4. heat pumps

Heating industrial halls with heat pumps is gaining some popularity thanks to manufacturers' claims about their energy efficiency and environmental benefits. Before choosing this solution, however, it is worth carrying out a detailed analysis of needs and operating conditions to avoid problems related to low efficiency or high operating costs.

Pros:

1. Lower operating costs - Heat pumps use energy from the environment (air, ground or water), which reduces the consumption of fossil fuels and leads to significant savings on heating.
2. Eco-friendliness - These systems emit minimal amounts of CO2, which contributes to reducing the carbon footprint and supports sustainable development.
3. Possibility of integration with renewable energy sources - heat pumps are combined with photovoltaic panels, further improving the energy balance of the facility.

Disadvantages:

1. Lower efficiency at low temperatures - Air-to-air and air-to-water heat pumps have a reduced efficiency at very low outdoor temperatures, which can lead to increased heating costs.
2. Need for the right system - An incorrectly selected heat pump can operate with a low COP (Coefficient of Performance), which reduces its cost-effectiveness.
3. Clocking phenomenon - switching the pump on and off too frequently results in reduced performance and faster wear of the equipment. 

How to choose the optimal heating system for an industrial hall?

Choosing the right heating system for an industrial hall depends on several key factors, such as:

- Type of activity - some production processes may require specific temperature conditions.

- The cubic capacity of the facility - the height and area of the hall will influence the choice of an appropriate solution.

- Thermal insulation - well-insulated buildings require less intensive heating.

- Investment budget - the costs of purchasing and installing the equipment must be balanced with the operating costs.

In the case of a production hall, we describe the detailed selection process in the guide on heating of production halls.

Economical hall heating - the key to savings

In addition to choosing the right heating system, it is also worth paying attention to the potential for energy savings during use. Investing in automatic temperature control, presence sensors and heat recovery systems can significantly reduce operating costs. It is also worth taking care of regular maintenance of the equipment to ensure optimal operation over a long period of time.

Heating an industrial hall is a process that requires an individual approach, taking into account an analysis of the needs and conditions of the facility. Choosing the right heating system is of paramount importance for both comfort and energy efficiency. Contact the experts at Systema Polska, who will help you choose the most optimal solution, tailored to the specifics of your industrial hall.