What are the Different Types of Industrial Heating Systems

An industrial heating system is designed to generate and distribute heat efficiently across facilities such as factories, warehouses and commercial buildings. In this guide, we look at the main types of industrial heating systems, including warm air heating, radiant tube heating, heat pumps and destratification fans.

Types of Industrial Heating Systems

Warm Air Heating

Warm air heating systems distribute warm air through ductwork and vents in walls, floors or ceilings. Fuelled by gas or electric, they heat cool air through a heat exchanger, and that warm air circulates throughout the space. 

Best for: Warm air heating effectively blows warm air throughout large spaces, making it a preferred industrial heating option for warehouses and distribution facilities.

Types of Industrial Warm Air Heating:

The following  are common types of industrial warm air heating:

• Suspended warm air heaters
  • Suspended warm air heaters are fitted to ceilings or roof beams, allowing warm air to be evenly distributed across large open areas without taking up floor space.

• Cabinet warm air heaters
  • Cabinet warm air heaters are floor-standing units that deliver consistent heat, making them ideal for factories or workshops with limited ceiling height.

Benefits:

• Heats large spaces quickly, keeping conditions comfortable for workers and equipment.
• Energy efficient and low maintenance compared to traditional radiators.

If you’re looking to heat your warehouse or factory efficiently, you can learn more about warm air heating installations from Chillaire.

Radiant Tube Heating

Radiant tube heating uses gas-fired steel tubes mounted overhead, which release infrared heat that works much like sunlight. Instead of warming the air, the radiant tubes send heat directly to people, objects and surfaces below. 

Best for: This type of industrial heating system is especially effective in high-ceiling environments such as workshops and sports facilities, where traditional air-based systems can lose heat quickly. They are also ideal for spaces where people remain in one spot for extended periods, such as valets and garages. 

Benefits:

• Radiant tubes reduce energy waste and heat loss compared to systems that try to heat up the entire volume of air.
• Each radiant tube layout can be custom-designed for the building, meaning the heating is more targeted, and so it delivers better performance

Learn more about Chillaire’s radiant tube heating installations for reliable options for your workshop or garage. 

Heat Pump Systems

Industrial heat pumps extract heat from the air or ground to deliver efficient, renewable heating. They work through a heat transfer process that captures ambient heat via an external heat pump unit. The system then increases the temperature of this heat and circulates it into the indoor environment. Using a combination of renewable energy and electricity, heat pumps provide a clean and cost-effective way to warm internal spaces.

Best for: These systems are suitable for a wide range of applications, from small and large offices to residential buildings. Larger setups, such as multi-office complexes, can use a VRF (Variable Refrigerant Flow) system, where multiple indoor fan coils connect to a single inverter-driven, energy-efficient heat pump.

Benefits:

• Highly energy efficient
• Operates using renewable energy sources, helping reduce carbon emissions.
• Can provide both heating and cooling

Find out how our heat pump systems at Chillaire can help your business reduce energy bills.

Destratification Fans

Destratification fans are an effective industrial heating solution designed to improve energy efficiency by eliminating thermal stratification. Thermal stratification happens when warm air rises and cooler air settles near the floor, creating distinct temperature layers. This is a common issue in tall buildings such as warehouses or factories. 

These large, powerful fans are installed in the ceiling to continuously circulate warm air from the top of the space back down to floor level. This blends it with cooler air to create an even temperature throughout the area.

Best for: Ideal for tall industrial or commercial spaces, such as warehouses, factories and distribution centres, where warm air tends to accumulate near the ceiling. They are particularly useful in winter when maintaining consistent warmth at ground level is essential for comfort and efficiency.

Benefits:

• Prevents heat loss by redistributing trapped warm air from the ceiling to occupied areas.
• Helps create a consistent, comfortable temperature throughout large open spaces.
• Can be integrated with existing heating systems to enhance performance and sustainability.

How to Choose the Right Industrial Heating System for Your Facility

Selecting the most suitable industrial heating system depends on several key factors, including:

• Building size and ceiling height
• Level of insulation and air leakage
• Frequency of use and operational hours
• Fuel availability (gas, electric, renewable)
• Environmental goals and running costs

Large open spaces (such as warehouses or distribution centres) often benefit from warm air or radiant tube heating systems, which can deliver even coverage across wide areas. Partitioned spaces or multi-level facilities may require zoned control systems or heat pumps for efficient temperature management.

In buildings with high ceilings, warm air naturally rises, leading to heat loss and uneven temperatures. Installing destratification fans helps recirculate trapped warm air from the ceiling back down to the working level.

Not sure which system is right for your building? Book a free site survey with Chillaire’s industrial heating experts in Coventry.

Professional Industrial Heating Solutions in Coventry

At Chillaire, we have more than 30 years of experience designing, installing and maintaining reliable industrial heating systems. We have worked with factories, warehouses, workshops and commercial buildings across Coventry and the wider Midlands.

We supply and install a full range of systems, including warm air heaters, radiant tube heaters, heat pumps and destratification fans. Our engineers are Gas Safe and F-Gas certified, delivering professional installations and services. Our planned maintenance contracts keep your system operating safely and efficiently throughout the year.

Contact Chillaire today to arrange your free site survey and get expert advice for your facility.