Infrared Heating for Warehouses

Heating a warehouse is a common challenge for many businesses. Even more so to heat it effectively and efficiently.  

The unique structure of these buildings means that traditional heating systems often fall short in their quest to bring consistent, energy-efficient warmth. They can leave you with cold, uncomfortable workers and high energy bills. 

Infrared heating comes with a completely different approach to standard home heating. Instead of wasting energy on heating air, infrared (IR) delivers highly targetted warmth by heating people and objects directly. 

For warehouses looking to find a balance of effective warmth and reduced costs, IR heating could be a modern, practical alternative.

Warehouses are notoriously difficult to heat due to their size, high ceilings and poor levels of insulation. Even smaller warehouses tend to be open-plan spaces with large volumes of air.  

It’s this sheer volume of air needed to be warmed that makes traditional convection-based radiator heat a non-starter. And any air that does get heated tends to dissipate off pretty rapidly.

Standard heating solutions are just too inefficient to heat a warehouse. Attempting to do so would likely result in huge amounts of wasted energy, which would of course result in unnecessarily high costs.

Infrared heating offers a more practical solution and can address a lot of the issues associated with warehouse heating and commercial use. Instead of wasting energy trying to heat the vast airspace, infrared systems focus on specific zones where warmth is needed most. 

For example, IR heating can be used to target workstations, packing zones or assembly lines rather than general areas.

“Rather than heating a whole load of air that drifts up into the ceiling area and into the outside world, infrared heating can help workers stay comfortable and more productive in an energy-efficient way.”

Efficient heating isn’t just about comfort – though of course it’s an important factor when you’re in the depths of winter. Inefficient systems increase operational costs and contribute to unnecessary energy waste, which directly impacts on the bottom line of a business. 

Infrared heating provides a cost-effective and sustainable alternative, designed to meet the unique demands of warehouse environments.

Typical challenges of heating a warehouse

  • High ceilings – As you know, warm air rises. This leaves the all-important ground-level areas cold, whilst any air that is heated drifts up towards the ceiling.
  • Large spaces – The sheer size of warehouses requires significant energy to heat effectively. And even then it’s almost impossible to provide consistent heat throughout the building using traditional methods. This leads to one-to-many localised cold spots and not many warm spots.
  • Insulation issues – Most warehouses lack any sufficient form of insulation, resulting in significant heat loss.
  • Inconsistent temperatures – Drafts from loading bays, frequently opening doors and fluctuating outdoor temperatures create major heating issues. They make maintaining consistent temperatures in a warehouse a logistical nightmare.
  • Zoning – Different parts of the warehouse have unique heating needs that are difficult to meet with a one-size-fits-all approach.

Benefits of infrared heating in warehouses

Equipping a warehouse with infrared heating can bring many benefits for your workers, costs and the environment. Here are some of the main advantages of going with IR. 

  • Targetted heat – The major benefit of IR heating in a warehouse environment is that it heats people and objects rather than the surrounding air. Through the strategic placement of IR panels, you can really zone in on heating the areas that need it the most.
  • Energy efficiency and cost savings – By focusing on specific zones, IR heating reduces energy waste, meaning businesses can significantly reduce energy consumption and lower their operational costs. It’s also said that IR panel heaters require 30% less energy input than a traditional convection system to give off the same amount of heat.
  • Greater control – Modern-day IR panel heaters come with precise, smart control features. For example, you can set heating schedules and temperature targets based on when people will be using the areas. You also have the option to ad sensors that turn them on and off when someone is in the vicinity of the heated area.
  • Quick heating – One of the standout advantages of infrared heating is its rapid effectiveness. Unlike conventional systems that take time to warm the air, infrared heaters provide immediate warmth and reach full heat intensity in just a few minutes. This is particularly beneficial in warehouses where quick heat is needed. It also means that you don’t have to keep IR heaters turned on when there’s nobody around. Read more on how long do infrared panels take to heat up.
  • Improved working environment – Comfortable working conditions help maintain productivity and staff morale. By providing direct heat to workstations, it eliminates the chill that often comes with working in large, open spaces.
  • Reduced maintenance requirements – Being fully electric and with fewer moving parts compared to conventional systems, infrared systems come with lower maintenance costs and fewer disruptions to operations. It also reduces the wear and tear meaning they can last for 20 years and more. Read more on how long do infrared heaters last.
  • Integration with renewable energy – If the warehouse has green tech like solar PV panels, infrared heating can be powered with renewable energy. Depending on the size of the solar array, it might not be enough to power your IR for 100% of the time, but it can certainly help to lower those bills significantly.
  • Flexibility in installation – IR systems can be mounted on walls, ceilings or even freestanding, making them adaptable for different warehouse layouts and operational needs.
  • Reduced carbon footprint – Compared to gas-fuelled boiler systems, infrared heating powered by renewable energy or green tariffs is a more sustainable approach, helping you and your business to lower your overall carbon footprint. Think of that all important Scope 1 emissions reduction. 

Infrared heating systems offer several environmental benefits, particularly in reducing carbon emissions. 

Unlike traditional fossil fuel-based heating methods, infrared heaters operate on electricity and can achieve efficiencies of up to 100% – this means they can convert almost all of the consumed energy into heat energy.  This high efficiency means that less energy is required to achieve the desired warmth

Conventional heating systems, particularly in poorly insulated warehouses, result in considerable energy waste. This isn’t good for the environment. With its zonal heating and potential for smart controls, infrared heating offers many advantages when it comes to efficient use of energy. 

Another key advantage is that infrared heaters don’t produce on-site emissions, such as carbon dioxide or other greenhouse gases, when they are in operation. The same can’t be said for fossil-fuel based heating systems. Being electric, IR heating is also fully compatible with renewable energy sources, such as solar panels, which further reduces emissions. 

Drawbacks of using infrared panels in a warehouse?

For all the benefits and positives, infrared panels aren’t without their downsides. Here are a few of the main potential drawbacks of using IR panels in a warehouse setting. 

  • Limited heat reach – The effectiveness of infrared panels depends on their size, power and placement. If panels are not correctly positioned, they may not provide adequate heat to all necessary areas. For example, most IR heaters have a maximum range of around 3 metres. Read more on how far do infrared panels reach.

    The easiest way to negate this issue is to work with a specialist infrared heating specialist installer.
  • Potentially high running costs – At over 20p/kWh, the unit cost of electricity in the UK is very high. Depending on the sizes and how many IR panels you’re running, the costs can add up. However, configured right, they won’t be as much as the equivalent costs of running a traditional heating system with all the energy waste it brings in a warehouse. Read more on infrared panel running costs.
  • Direct line of sight heating – Infrared’s direct heating is usually an advantage in a warehouse, however, obstacles like machinery or shelving units can block heat distribution.
  • Doesn’t heat air – Infrared heating is excellent for localised warmth but less effective if you’re looking to maintain a consistently warm air temperature, which as you know isn’t exactly possible in a warehouse setting.

FAQs about infrared heating for warehouses

1. Does infrared heating work in cold climates?

Yes, infrared heating is effective in cold climates because it directly warms objects and surfaces. It bypasses the inefficiencies of heating large volumes of cold air. Good insulation and strategic placement can enhance its performance.

2. How long does it take to heat a warehouse with infrared systems?

Infrared heaters provide almost instant warmth to targeted areas, unlike conventional systems that require time to heat the air. The time to achieve a comfortable environment depends on the size of the space and the system’s configuration, but it should be up to full heat intensity in 3-10 minutes.

3. Is infrared heating safe for warehouse use?

Yes, infrared heating is safe when properly installed and maintained. These are electric systems so care needs to be taken to avoid any fire hazards. IR heaters emit no harmful fumes, come with no unnatural health risks and operate silently, making them suitable for industrial and commercial environments. When in operation, they are hot to touch

About the author 

Ben Hardman

Ben is a professional writer and the creator of sustainable living website TinyEco.com.
It's here where he helps people to reduce their environmental impact through simple, everyday choices. Away from the laptop, Ben loves spending time in the natural environment with his young family and Murphy the cocker spaniel.

Experience:
First Class BSc Biology degree (environmental and climate change focus)
Six years of working and writing in the environmental sector, including two years working at an international sustainability consultancy
Written for Ethical Consumer magazine, My Mother Tree, Unsustainable Magazine, Happy Eco News, Emission Index, PeakDistrict.org
Commented in The Independent, The Guardian, GreenMatch. Also featured on Radio 1's environmental special 'Minute of Me'

{"email":"Email address invalid","url":"Website address invalid","required":"Required field missing"}
Subscribe to get the latest updates