How Electric Heating Can Benefit Sports Halls, Gyms and Leisure Facilities

Electric warm air heaters use a fan to draw air over electric heating elements and blow the warmed air back into the room. They are often used in sports halls, gyms and dance studios, as they can distribute warm air over large open spaces quickly.

Chillaire supplies and installs electric warm air heaters across the Midlands, including the Powrmatic LEC and Winterwarm EH ranges.

Why Do Sports and Leisure Facilities Use Electric Warm Air Heaters?

Electric warm air heaters are a popular heating solution for sports halls, gyms, dance studios and leisure centres because they heat large rooms quickly and only need an electrical supply. Some community halls and gyms in converted units have no mains gas. A gas heater would also require a flue through the wall or roof.

Electric heaters can be fitted into buildings without mains gas. They are also installed in leisure buildings because:

– Warm air heaters heat the air directly, so a hall can reach temperature shortly before a session starts.
– Units hang from roof beams or fix high on a wall, which keeps courts, gym floors and studio walls clear.
– Electric warm air heaters convert virtually all the electricity they consume into heat at the point of use, as the electricity they draw becomes heat in the room.
– They can also operate using electricity generated by on-site solar PV panels.

Chillaire has installed Winterwarm EH electric heaters for customers across Coventry, Warwickshire and Leicestershire, suspending them from roof beams on uni-strut and threaded rod frames.

Our guide on how warm air heating works compares electric and gas systems in more detail.

Which Electric Warm Air Heaters Are Best for Sports and Leisure Facilities?

The best electric warm air heaters for sports and leisure facilities, including gyms, dance studios, sports halls and community centres are the Powrmatic LEC and Winterwarm EH ranges.

The Powrmatic LEC and Winterwarm EH are electric unit heaters that mount on a wall or hang from the ceiling. Both ranges cover outputs of 5 kW to 60 kW per heater, so a small studio may need one unit and a sports hall several.

– The Powrmatic LEC has five models, the LEC 5, 10, 20, 30 and 40. Powrmatic warm air heaters are suitable for sports halls and community centres, with modulating controls that adjust heat output according to the temperature required.
– The Winterwarm EH is an electric warm air heater for buildings without a gas supply. Its fan drops to a lower speed once the room is warm, which holds the temperature steady with less draught.

Chillaire supplies, installs and services both ranges. Where a building has a gas supply, we also fit gas-fired warm air heaters from Powrmatic and Winterwarm.

How Do You Heat a Sports Hall Without Affecting Play?

Sports hall heating needs to keep the hall at 12°C to 20°C without blowing air across the courts. Sports hall heating solutions need to handle air movement, ball strikes and the warm air that gathers under the roof. The main measures are:

– Heating the hall before play lets heaters drop to a low setting during matches. The Winterwarm EH fan slows once the hall is warm, and the Powrmatic LEC turns its output down as demand falls.
– Directing the airflow away from the playing area keeps draughts off the courts. The EH can be installed up to 45° and has louvres that change the direction and spread of the air.
– Mounting heaters at high level keeps them out of the way of play, with protective guards fitted where balls could hit them.
– Recirculating warm air from the roof cuts wasted heat in tall halls. The EH’s delta-T control runs its fan first to bring this heat down, switching on the elements only if the hall is still too cold.

Destratification fans can also push warm air back down to floor level. Chillaire designs complete heating for sports halls, covering the heaters, controls and mains electrics.

How Should Gym Heating Systems Be Controlled?

Gym heating controls help manage temperatures around opening hours and occupancy levels. Programmable thermostats and zone controls allow different areas to operate at suitable temperatures while helping manage electricity demand.

These controls help manage gym heating effectively:

– Optimum start brings heaters on early enough to reach the required temperature by opening time. Winterwarm’s MultiTherm Comfort thermostat learns how long the building takes to warm up and offers 10 programmable time blocks.
– Zoned control allows the gym floor, studios and reception to operate at different temperatures. Powrmatic’s MC500 controller can manage up to 12 LEC heaters across four zones.
– Staggered start-up prevents several heaters, drawing full power simultaneously. Heaters linked to one MultiTherm thermostat switch on in sequence to help manage peak electrical demand.

How Should a Dance Studio Be Heated?

Dance studios should be heated to around 21°C and should not fall below 18°C. Dancers in studios and dance halls need a comfortable temperature to move safely, as many classes include stretching and floor work.

Heating solutions in a dance studio should consider:

– Heaters fixed high on the wall or ceiling keep the floor, barres and mirrors clear.
– Warm air angled down towards the floor reaches dancers while they stretch and warm up. The EH tilts up to 45°, and the LEC can hang on a downflow bracket.
– A low sound level stops the heater competing with quiet music or teaching.
– Controls set to the class timetable warm the studio before the first class arrives.

Can Heat Pumps or Infra-Red Heating Work Alongside Electric Warm Air Heaters?

Yes, heat pumps and infra-red heaters can work alongside electric warm air heaters in the same building. Leisure centre heating systems often use different equipment in different rooms, matched to how each space is used.

Common combinations include:

– Heat pump air conditioning heats in winter and cools in summer, which helps gyms and studios that overheat when busy. Chillaire installs heat pumps from brands including Daikin and Mitsubishi Electric.
– Electric infra-red heaters warm people and surfaces directly, which works well at reception desks, entrances and viewing areas. Chillaire fits Tansun quartz infra-red heaters with timer or motion sensor control.

What Needs Checking Before Electric Warm Air Heaters Are Installed?

The building’s electrical supply is the first thing to check before installing electric warm air heaters, as larger models run on a three-phase supply.

The rest of a site survey looks at three areas:

– The heat output is sized to the room’s volume, insulation and how often external doors open.
– Heater positions are chosen to keep units clear of play and within reach for servicing.
– Controls and zones are set up around opening hours, bookings and class timetables.

Chillaire offers a free site survey and quotation, then designs, supplies and installs the full system, including the controls and mains electrics. We advise servicing warm air heaters at least once a year and cover this through planned maintenance agreements. Contract customers also have access to a 24-hour breakdown service.

Need Electric Heating for a Sports Hall, Gym or Dance Studio?

Chillaire supplies, installs and maintains Powrmatic LEC and Winterwarm EH electric warm air heaters across the Midlands. To arrange a survey or quotation:

– Contact us to book a free site survey or to request a quotation.
– Email sales@chillaire.co.uk with the size of the space and how it is used.