Warehouse Heaters
Warehouse heaters are heavy-duty infrared or electric infrared heaters used to provide heat for large open spaces such as warehouses in order to maintain a comfortable working environment, or a suitable storage temperature. In large buildings where complete insulation is impractical and convectional or forced air heating methods are inefficient, infrared heating is an energy saving and cost-effective solution.
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Advantages to Warehouse Heaters
Warehouses are often used for manufacturing processes and industrial purposes, as well as storage of goods, and agriculturally for livestock and greenhouse activities. In locations where the climate changes dramatically during the winter months, or for temperature-sensitive processes, drastic changes in temperature could cause costly damages and result in malfunctions of equipment. Achieving and maintaining a suitable interior temperature could prevent some of this damage and save costly repairs and replacements. If a warehouse is used for factory and industrial purposes, it is essential to keep the interior temperature comfortable for the people working inside the warehouse.
Warehouses are typically large areas and therefore the process of heating the space may require more than one heater to be effective. Heaters are generally ceiling or wall mounted as to the desired output and location of heat. In less common cases, warehouse heaters can be portable, usually on a wheel system, allowing for ease of movement along the warehouse floor. Typical safety features include thermostat control and a switch-off capability at high temperatures.
Design of a Warehouse Heater
Due to the high energy efficiency of infrared heating, warehouse infrared heaters can be considered an environmentally sustainable method of heating. Infrared heat is a result of long electromagnetic waves located near the visible section of the electromagnetic spectrum which radiate energy. An electric infrared heater consists of an element or filament – composed out of a material such as tungsten – that gives off heat.
A radiant gas heater uses the heat from a flame produced by propane or a natural gas to create infrared energy. The radiant heat waves produced from the element or gas-flame are then reflected off a polished surface in the direction in which heat is desired. Infrared energy is absorbed by objects, surfaces and people as heat, and does not require air molecules for the transportation of heat energy. Minimal energy is lost due to convection or conduction because it is not a required part of infrared wave movement. Radiant waves are able to penetrate materials more quickly and more effectively than convection heat methods or UV lamps, making infrared heating a far more efficient process for large areas such as warehouses, garages and sheds.