Comparing Warm Air Industrial Heating Solutions in the Market

Winrow building • December 10, 2025

When it comes to maintaining optimal conditions in industrial spaces, choosing the right industrial heating solution is far more than a matter of comfort. It’s necessary to first understand the importance of warm air heating solutions in industrial spaces, the challenges that can be experienced, and the systems that can be deployed. Proper heating is critical for safeguarding machinery and products, preventing costly facility damage, and ensuring the safety and productivity of employees.

Achieving and sustaining the ideal temperature in these environments is rarely straightforward. Fortunately, there are several effective warm air heating solutions available, each with distinct advantages suited to different business requirements. From warm air heating systems known for fast, even heat distribution, to radiant heaters that deliver targeted warmth in open or poorly insulated areas, and destratification fans that help maintain consistent temperatures by recirculating trapped heat, the options are both versatile and adaptable.

Selecting the most suitable industrial heating system depends on a range of factors. These include the size and layout of your facility, available energy sources, operational priorities, and budget considerations. In this blog, we’ll compare leading warm air heating solutions for industrial spaces, explore their respective benefits, and offer guidance on how to choose the best fit for your business.

Empty, industrial warehouse interior with concrete floor, metal beams, and bright overhead lights.

The Importance of Warm Air Heating Solutions in the Industrial Landscape

Warm air heating continues to hold significant importance in the industrial space for a number of reasons. It is no longer simply on the surface level of ensuring the space is comfortable for employees. This extends to ensuring products and machinery remain safe as damage can be caused to facilities in some cases.

Ensuring the right conditions are maintained helps ensure the functional performance and quality of machines that are used particularly in cooler months.

In addition, machinery can potentially become damaged or break down not only resulting in operations being disrupted but also machines needing to be repaired.

When it comes to facilities, damage can be caused by conditions that are too cold. For example, pipes can freeze or rupture, condensation can form resulting in potential growth of mould and mildew and structures made from concrete can shrink or crack as a result.

In addition, it can be unsafe for employees to be exposed to conditions that are too low. While there is no set law in place general guidelines suggest the minimum temperature by UK standards is that the work environment should be maintained at 16°C however this can be lowered to 13°C if the work is physical in nature. Therefore, ensuring the correct conditions are maintained throughout facilities is a necessity for optimal functioning of industrial businesses.

Challenges of Keeping Industrial Spaces at the Correct Heat

Whilst it may seem easy to keep the temperature at a consistent level, heating has a set of unique challenges particularly in the industrial space.

Most industrial spaces have high ceilings which results in heat rising and being trapped rather than staying at a lower level. This makes the environment less comfortable and also results in heating systems having to overcompensate for the loss of heat.

In some cases, warehouses require flexible heating demands depending on the products that are kept within those areas. This is common for businesses that handle pharmaceutical or food related products. Each space can have its own unique temperature profile that must be contained adding to the complexity of heating requirements.

It is not always related to the products that are stored; it can also be due to insulation. For example, if an area has less insulation, the heating requirements may be higher whereas if a space is well-insulated, heat may be contained for longer. Poor insulation can be a common issue experienced particularly with older buildings. A prime example is the estimated 12 million commercial buildings across the EU with roughly 50% being 40+ years old.

In addition, there is an increasing trend of warehousing and more broadly industrial buildings expanding in size and the requirements of businesses are increasing. Therefore, demonstrating the complexity of heating requirements.

What Industrial Heating Solutions are in the Market?

Numerous solutions exist in the market today however the below solutions are offered by Winrow Building Services and can be ideal industrial heating solutions for businesses.

Firstly, warm air heating systems can be an ideal solution for industrial spaces. Ultimately the system heats air through an exchanger which then circulates throughout the space via fans or ducts in the system. Some of the main advantages that these types of systems are known for are rapid and even heat distribution, easy installation and maintenance and versatility across energy sources in many cases.
Secondly radiant heaters are another great solution that can be widely used across industrial spaces. Generally, they emit infrared radiation that then heats objects that are directly under the radiant heater. Often these may be used in spaces where insulation is poor and warm air heating may not be suitable often being in a large or open space. The main advantages include that they offer more targeted heating, are energy efficient and durable and low maintenance in nature allowing them to often be seen as a more cost-effective solution.
Thirdly a popular solution that can be recommended are destratification fans. These solutions play a primary role in creating an entire system for businesses. Effectively destratification fans redistribute heat that has risen back down to lower levels helping keep the temperature consistent. Ultimately this improves heat distribution, reduces overall energy consumption meaning that heat systems don’t need to overcompensate for loss of heat. Advantages can range from energy savings, increased comfort levels for the site and extended lifespan of heating solutions due to reduced strain.

All of the above solutions can be suitable for industrial spaces. For further advice reach out to Winrow Building Services to ensure you consider a solution that is the right fit for you.

How to Select an Industrial Heating Solution That is a Good Fit?

Selecting the right solution that fits your business is one of the most important aspects. Things to consider include:

The layout and size of your building - When it comes to the layout and size of the space that requires heating, it’s important to consider how this could affect the use of the heating solution and whether it would be beneficial to use solutions in conjunction with one another.

The type of energy sources available for use - Availability of energy sources will also affect the solution that is implemented and the type of solution that may be the best fit.

Your operational needs - In some cases your operational needs may be unique, it’s important to look at it from every angle to understand the right fit or if multiple solutions should be used together.

The efficiency and cost considerations of the solution you are looking to implement - Efficiency and cost is the final factor to look at and identify helping eliminate unexpected costs.

Most importantly you can look to speak with heating experts at Winrow Building Services enabling expert advice to be sought after before selecting the right solution for you.

In conclusion, choosing the right industrial heating solution for your business is essential to protect your assets, maintain safe and comfortable working conditions, and optimise operational efficiency. Each heating option—whether it’s a warm air heating system, radiant heater, or destratification fan—offers unique advantages that can address the specific challenges of industrial environments.

By carefully considering factors such as building layout, insulation quality, energy availability, and operational needs, you can select a system or combination of systems that delivers reliable performance and cost-effective results. If you’re unsure which solution best suits your facility, consulting with heating experts at Winrow Building Services can help you navigate your options and ensure you invest in a system tailored to your business’ requirements. The right heating solution is not just an investment in comfort, but in the long-term productivity and resilience of your business.

< Older Post

Newer Post >

Share This Post.

Need a Quote?

Is your business is looking for heating upgrade or an installation quote? Please call us on 08000 588 035 for a free quotation or fill out our contact form and we’ll get back to you as soon as we can.

If you could also attach some relevant images of the building and advise the building volumetric, it will help with our initial design assessment. Thank you.