High volume, low speed (HVLS) fans can sometimes run in reverse, This function of HVLS fans helps distribute heat throughout a warehouse during cold winters. Yes, you read that correctly, large ceiling fans can keep your warehouse warm just as well as they cool it off. The fans’ reverse function heats up a large warehouse by pushing warm air provided by the building’s heating system upward and outward, forcing the layer of hot air to distribute down the warehouse walls and evenly across the floor. The fans move the collected warm air, which provides a comfortable climate for any warehouse space. Radiant Heaters Radiant heating is usually seen as wall mount unit heaters, suspended plaque heaters, or suspended radiant tubes. This heating source is not in the form of pushed warm air. It is in the form of infrared heating. In order for people to feel the heat, they have to stand directly under (or next to) the heat source. Basically, people have to stay close to stay warm. Radiant floor heat is another option. It is easier for new construction but can be difficult with existing warehouse spaces because the radiant heat coils are placed underfloor. They create an even distribution of heat throughout the warehouse space at ground level. There are three different types of radiant floor heat outlined by energy.gov. 1. Air-heated radiant floors – which are basically floors where the air is the heat-carrying method 2. Electric radiant floors – which are floors where there are electrical coils 3. Hydronic radiant floors – which use hot water to heat the floors. The heaters can operate on a variety of fuels from natural gas, LPG, oil, and biofuels. By combining a warm air heater with a sophisticated control system, businesses can easily manage the temperature without overheating or getting too cold. Warm Air Heating Warm air heating is a great option. Unlike radiant heating, which heats only those within close proximity of the heater, warm air heating pushes warm air throughout the space. In fact, in order for warm air heating systems to work well, they must be well designed into the warehouse layout. Place them strategically to ensure that each nook and cranny of the building is warmed. Additionally, for the warm air to be evenly dispersed throughout the building, heat has to move around free from any obstructions (racking, dividers, walls). There are a couple of different options with warm air unit heating. You can get electric or gas heaters, floor mount or ceiling, and all different sizes and fuel types depending on your warehouse. Consider the needs and challenges of your warehouse space. Also, consider the type of ventilation and durability you require. Take into account the hazardous materials or pollutants your warehouse handles. Also, remember the required air quality standards that must be maintained for employee safety. Be aware of the adverse effects of poor ventilation and why it is a critical piece of your warehouse. e heating system. Controlling the heating Achieving optimum energy efficiency involves both selecting efficient heating plant and controlling it effectively to ensure that no energy is wasted. The control strategy will need to be aligned to both the layout of the space and the ways in which different areas are used. For example, if there are some areas of the space that are used very occasionally it may be beneficial to zone the heating system so that those occasionally occupied spaces are not heated to the same temperature as areas where people are working all day. There will also be benefits to using timed control to bring the heating on before work starts to ensure the building is warm when people arrive and turn it off at the end of the working day. The morning pre-heat period can be combined with weather compensation control to adjust the pre-heating period in line with outdoor temperatures – the colder it is outside the longer the pre-heat period.
