Some of the same highly efficient heating systems used in the residential sector can also be used in commercial and industrial applications where they provide business owners reliable cost savings.
Consistent savings in operating costs are especially important in the day-to-day dealings of a large industrial facility. Even minor cost fluctuations in the heating source used in a 50,000 square foot plant that has high roofs, large open areas and doors that are opened frequently, could prove to be financially challenging for the plant manager.
Propane gas provides opportunities to meet this challenge. Three heating methods designed for this purpose are:
Unit Heaters
Central Air Systems
Infrared Systems: Infrared heaters work in both small and large plants. They also work well in buildings with high bays where warm air tends to collect. Since infrared systems heat objects and not air, the heat loss to the ceilings of buildings is practically eliminated.
As a result, fuel is conserved by as much as 35 to 50 percent, which drastically reduces heating costs. In turn, each object heated by infrared systems heats those around it. Infrared heaters are also noiseless, have no moving parts, no drafts, no blasts of chilly air and no corrosion problems because temperatures are kept above the dew point. This prevents condensation.
Central Air Systems: Air from outside the building is heated by a central heating system and utilized to provide cost-effective space heating throughout the facility. The efficiency of these systems is nearly 100 percent, and they are particularly well suited for large buildings with long periods of full load heating requirements.
Unit Heaters: This type of heating system is ideal for heating large areas at low operating costs. Several unit heaters can be "aimed" at specific parts of the building so heat is used more efficiently. This flexibility makes them a favorite of factories and warehouses.
