Category Archives: Energy

Which is cheaper: Oil or LPG heating?

Discover the key differences between oil and LPG heaters to help you decide which option is more suitable for your industrial property.

Oil and LPG heaters are most commonly used to heat commercial and industrial properties that are located in rural or isolated areas where there is no mains gas available.

Both options are easy to transport and store and are usually delivered in tanks or bottles.

There are however some key differences between oil heating and LPG heating systems, read on to find out more about each option to help you decide which is more suited to your requirements.

What is LPG?

LPG is liquid petroleum gas, a hydrocarbon gas that can be either liquid or gas in form. When stored under pressure in a container, LPG is a liquid, when released, it becomes a gas. Two common types of LPG are Butane and Propane.

LPG is a clean and environmentally-friendly fuel that can be used to heat either domestic or commercial properties.

At Winrow Industrial Heating, we specialise in designing and installing LPG heaters in commercial and industrial properties.

LPG heaters are highly efficient and produce very low levels of carbon emissions, meaning that when your business chooses an LPG heater it will significantly reduce both its energy expenses and its impact on the environment.

If your business premise does not already have a mains gas supply, then an LPG heater may be the ideal option for you.

LPG heaters Vs oil heaters

Oil can be used to power a range of different industrial heaters including warm air heating systems.

Oil is a fossil fuel and is less environmentally friendly than LPG. The carbon emissions created by oil heaters are said to be up to 20% higher than the emissions from LPG. LPG also emits fewer toxic particles than oil.

Which is cheaper: Oil or LPG?

It is widely agreed that LPG is the more eco-friendly choice, but which is the most cost-effective?

  • Price of fuel – There is very little difference between the price of oil compared to LPG.
  • Stability of price – Whilst there is little difference in price on average, the price of oil can fluctuate whereas the price of LPG is much more stable and reliable.
  • Efficiency – LPG heaters are highly efficient; they can be up to 20% – 30% more efficient than oil heaters.
  • Maintenance costs – LPG is a cleaner fuel than oil and so LPG heaters generally require much less maintenance than oil heaters.
  • Future – As a society, we are trying to phase out the use of fossil fuels that are damaging our environment, fuels like oil could become scarcer and more expensive in the future. With this in mind, opting for LPG could be a more future-proof option.

At Winrow Industrial Heating, our team have over 30 years of experience in designing and installing heating systems in commercial and industrial premises. For further help and advice choosing the most suitable fuel or heating system for your requirements, give our team a call on 08000 588 035.

Energy Efficient Industrial Heating Solutions

Reduce your business’ energy bills whilst looking after the environment when you invest in an energy-efficient industrial heating system.

Heating large industrial spaces and warehouses can be challenging and expensive. To save money and reduce your business’ carbon emissions, it’s important to seek advice from an expert on the most energy-efficient option for your building.

Benefits of investing in energy-efficient industrial heating

The key benefits of investing in an energy-efficient industrial heating system include:

Reduce energy bills – Investing in an energy-efficient heating system will save your business money. Cut your business’ energy consumption and you also cut your operating costs.

Reduce your business’ carbon footprint – Reduce your business’ carbon emissions to help tackle climate change and look after our environment for future generations.

Attract more business – Investing in the environment is beneficial to your business’ reputation and helps your business to meet its corporate social responsibility.

As a nation, we are becoming more concerned about the environment, and your business will be more attractive to suppliers and customers if it can market itself as being environmentally friendly.

Different types of energy efficient industrial heating solutions

At Winrow Industrial Heating, we pride ourselves in supplying and installing some of the most energy-efficient industrial heating systems on the market today, including:

Ambient air curtains

Ambient air curtains provide a stream of unheated high velocity air at the point of a doorway or entrance to your building. This stream of air creates an energy-efficient barrier between the two different environments, preventing heat loss and stopping draughts from entering. They are particularly useful in areas that require doorways or entrances to be open for long periods of time.

Independent research has found that ambient air curtains can reduce energy loss by 60-80%, cutting your business’ energy bills and creating a warmer, more comfortable working environment.

LPG heating systems

Liquid Petroleum Gas (LPG) is a hydrocarbon gas that can be used to fuel a variety of different heating systems. LPG heaters are a popular choice for heating industrial properties located in rural or isolated areas where there is no mains gas available as it can be delivered in tanks and is easy to transport and store.

LPG is a clean, environmentally-friendly and highly efficient fuel that can reduce energy consumption and costs whilst significantly lowering your business’ impact on the environment. LPG heaters are said to be 20% – 30% more energy-efficient than oil heaters.

Radiant heaters

Rather than forcing hot air around a space, radiant heaters naturally distribute heat from panels or tubes that are installed at strategic points on the walls or ceilings of your industrial building.

Radiant heaters are said to be up to 30% more energy efficient than traditional heating methods as they eliminate energy loss through ductwork.

Warm air heaters

Warm air heaters come in all different shapes and sizes to suit a variety of industrial building requirements. The systems work by taking in cold air, passing it across a heat source, and pushing it back out of the system and around the room as hot air.

Warm air heaters are a highly energy-efficient option for heating large industrial spaces as the heat source warms the air directly to reduce heat loss.

For help and advice choosing the most energy-efficient heating solutions for your warehouse or industrial space, give our team of experts here at Winrow Industrial Heating a call on 08000 588 035.

Top 5 Signs It’s Time to Upgrade Heating System at Your Commercial Property

Often businesses will wait until there is a problem with their heating before looking into replacing their current heating system. Not only is this likely to happen during Winter when your commercial property will need your heating system more than ever, but it will be extremely costly and stressful. There will however be a clear sign that your commercial heating system is reaching the end of its life, which we will be discussing here.

Efficiency

You may begin to notice that your system is consistently taking longer and longer to heat your space to the desired temperature as well as the heat is unevenly distributed. Not only is this a clear sign that your system may need replacing, but it will also mean your utility bills will be suffering. Broken heating systems can cause your energy bills to increase by up to 30% but with the efficiency of newer models being around 98%, upgrading your system can save you a lot of money and energy.   

Noise

Heating systems can last a long time and you will naturally become accustomed to any noise they make but when you start to hear unusual sounds, it may be time to upgrade. Any loud crashes or bangs could signify a blockage, an internal component breaking, a build-up of pressure as well as a range of other issues depending on what system you have. It is therefore imperative a qualified HVAC contractor assesses your system to see if the issue is repairable or whether you need to upgrade your system.

Age

The age of your system will, without doubt, have a dramatic impact on its performance and efficiency. The lifespan of your system will vary depending on the make, model and type of system you have installed but when it begins to reach the end, you’ll want to look into a replacement.

Regular Breakdowns

It is never a convenient time when your heating system breaks down and once is more than enough when it comes to your commercial property. Breakdown repairs that aren’t covered by your warranty are not only costly but will generally occur in winter when you crucially need heat in your property- something your employees certainly won’t be happy about. So, when you begin to notice that your heating system is in need of repair more often than not i.e. 2-3 times a year, it may be time to think of upgrading.

Leaks

Generally, dated heating systems are more prone to leaks and whilst these leaks are not great for your system and are likely to cause internal damage/ decreased efficiency, more worryingly it can cause harm within your business. Leaks put your property, business and employees as a whole at risk from floods and water damage- a cost that can be again avoided by upgrading your heating system in advance.

If your commercial heating system is showing any of these signs and you believe it may be time to upgrade your system don’t hesitate to get in touch with our experts at Winrow, who will guide you through our range of commercial and industrial heating solutions. Contact us today on 08000 588035 for more information!

How To Make Your Retail Property Energy Efficient

Energy efficiency is something that all businesses should be striving to achieve today. We all have a responsibility to ensure that we do our bit to protect the planet. When you consider the fact that a lot of business operations can be a drain on energy resources, it is important to have a strategy to lower our carbon footprint. With that in mind, let’s take a quick look at some of the different steps that you could be taking now in order to make your retail property more energy efficient.

Heating

You can reduce the amount of energy you use in terms of heating your retail property. Here are some ideas…

• Consider outside temperature – Always consider what the outside temperature is like before turning up the heat. Every degree lower or higher accounts for around eight per cent of your total heating bill, so don’t simply blast the heating during the winter.
• Set up timers and temperature zones – Set up individual time profiles that will work around the opening times of your store to make sure that energy is not being wasted when the store is empty.
• Ditch the open-door policy – A lot of retail stores leave their doors open to entice customers, yet this wastes a lot of energy. Closing your doors may not seem good for business but there are a lot of ways around this. For example, you can ensure your store appears welcoming and open from the outside or you could simply install an automatic door.


Lighting


There are a number of different changes you can make relating to lighting in your retail property that are going to make a considerable difference to the amount of energy you use. This includes the following…

• Label light switches – This is a good way to make sure new and existing employees are not tempted to flick every switch without contemplating if it is needed.
• Install occupancy sensors in staff areas – This is a great way to manage light use, ensuring lights are only turned on when people are in the room in question.
• Replace outdated light fittings – They will use up more energy! This is an investment that will save you money in the long-term.
• Invest in low energy lighting – There are lots of different light bulbs on the market that have been made to give you the same level of brightness without using such a high amount of energy. Do some research and see what would work best for your operation.

Reduce Energy Consumption

We have covered the two main areas of energy consumption but there are plenty of other changes you can make, including…

• Ensure HVAC systems are clean, free from dirt and grime
• Make use of natural ventilation
• Involve staff in the energy reduction process
• Look for energy-saving opportunities as a monthly task
• Don’t allow the cooling and heating system to operate at the same time

So, there you have it: some of the different steps that you can take to make your retail property more energy efficient. If you follow the suggestions that have been mentioned above, you can go a long way to making sure that you cut your carbon footprint by a considerable degree. Plus, a lot of the ideas that have been mentioned do not require a lot of effort, but they can certainly make a massive difference. It’s worth putting an action plan together.

For more of the latest news and features from Winrow Building Services, visit our newsfeed. Or, to find out about our diverse range of industrial heating solutions, call us on 08000 588035.

How to Heat your Factory Efficiently

The way you heat your factory can be detrimental to the success of your operations. Your productivity and work efficiency can often align with the efficiency of your factory’s heating systems. You want to hit the correct balance of keeping your employees happy with efficient factory heating, without wasting money on excessive heating bills.

Importance of temperature in the workplace

Employee productivity can be hugely affected by the temperature of the work environment. No one is going to be able to work at an optimum level if it’s during cold months and they’re shivering.

29% of workers reported spending between ten and thirty minutes each day not working due to workplace temperature. This shows that your heating decisions should take into account your employees working environment and experience.

A balance between efficiency and effectiveness

While it is ideal to keep all your employees happy, you also want to ensure your factory’s heating is cost-effective. The sheer size of factories make them more complicated when it comes to heating. There is a large, often open-plan, space to attempt to maintain at an optimum temperature, without throwing away unnecessary amounts of expense.

A big part of this is ensuring you are avoiding waste wherever possible. Adding time controls to your factory heating system can be beneficial for this purpose. You are able to set the heating to come on a little before the work day begins so it is a nice temperature when employees arrive. You can then plan for it to turn off a little before the work day ends and be certain you are not paying for any heating whilst the factory is empty.

When it comes to the price of your heating bills, you can make sure you are being efficient by shopping around different companies. If your current supplier is charging you more than you can find elsewhere, see if they will price match.

Different heating types

Your most efficient heating method will vary depending on the individual circumstances of the factory. There is the option of both warm air and radiant heating, both suitable for different environments.

Warm air heating is the most common method and works by actively delivering warm air into a building. It can be efficient as one heater is able to heat a large area. It constantly sends warm air into a factory and in the cold months can be left on for extended periods of time to keep a space heated.

A downside to the warm air method is that the hot air will rise. This means the benefits are reduced as constant new warm air will be necessary to maintain the heating effect.

Arguably more efficient is radiant heating. Rather than pushing warm air into an open space, radiant heating works by heating up objects, structures, or people that are near it. It can be ideal in that it works instantaneously, and can be switched on or off for short bursts to have effect.

Because it is more of a close proximity heating method, you will likely need more radiant tubes to be installed around the building rather than the single warm air heater. This method can be ideal if your factory contains a lot of separate aisles and cut off areas. With the warm air method, warm air could struggle to be effective throughout all the different spaces, whereas radiant heat can specifically target all areas.

If you are looking for new heating systems for your factory, get in touch with us at Winrow Industrial Heating. Feel free to call us on 08000 588 035.