Commercial & Industrial Heaters

Frequently asked questions

What types of commercial heater do you stock?

Three core types. Duct heaters, also called inline heaters or heater batteries, are electric heating elements fitted inside a ventilation duct to warm supply air, used for MVHR frost protection and commercial air handling. Air curtains are horizontal fan units fitted above doorways that create a jet of air across the opening, keeping heated internal air in and cold outside air out, used on shop entrances, warehouse loading bays and commercial doorways. Radiant heaters use infrared elements to warm surfaces and people directly rather than warming the air, used for workshops, warehouses, covered outdoor areas and spot heating where heating the whole air volume is impractical. We also stock commercial patio heaters for external and semi-external spaces.

Which type should I choose?

Start with the problem rather than the product. If heat is escaping through an opening that has to stay open, an air curtain addresses the cause and nothing else will. If the building is tall, poorly insulated or occupied intermittently, radiant heating warms the people without paying to heat the air above them. If the space already has mechanical ventilation, a duct heater tempers the supply air and avoids a second system entirely. Heating a large volume with warm air, in a high-bay building, is usually the most expensive way to solve the problem.

How do I calculate the heating requirement for a commercial space?

Work from room volume, ceiling height, insulation standard and the temperature rise you need above the coldest outside design condition. That gives a kilowatt figure. Then sanity-check it against the heating method: warm air output has to be multiplied up in a tall building because the heat stratifies, whereas radiant output is assessed on the area you need to cover at floor level rather than the volume. For entrance zones, size the air curtain to the door width and height first, since a unit that does not span the opening leaves a gap that defeats the whole thing.

Do commercial heaters need three-phase power?

Some do, some do not. Most smaller duct heaters, up to around 5kW, are single-phase 230V. Larger duct heaters, industrial radiant heaters and high-output air curtains typically need a three-phase 400V supply. The product listing for each heater states the requirement. For any commercial or industrial heater, the electrical connection must be sized to the heater rating, protected with appropriate circuit protection, and installed by a qualified electrician in line with BS 7671.

Can duct heaters work with an existing ventilation system?

Yes. Duct heaters are designed to fit directly into ductwork and warm the supply air feeding multiple zones. Two things need checking before you order: that the duct size matches, and that the airflow across the element meets the manufacturer's minimum, because an element starved of airflow will trip on overheat or fail. Allow for the pressure drop the heater adds, since on a marginal system it is enough to pull the fan off its duty point.

Can these heaters be controlled from a BMS?

Yes. Most commercial heaters in our range accept external control from a building management system, typically through a 0 to 10V analogue signal or dry contact switching. Duct heaters interface with Systemair REGO controllers that integrate with a BMS. Air curtains and radiant heaters generally use BMS-compatible thermostats and controllers. Control options are listed on each individual product page.

Are they suitable for industrial and warehouse use?

Yes. Our air curtains and radiant heaters include commercial and industrial rated units for warehouses, loading bays, production facilities and covered outdoor areas. Frico industrial air curtains cover roller shutter doors up to 5m wide. Frico industrial radiant heaters suit large open spaces with high ceilings where convection heating is inefficient. Send us the space dimensions and how it is used and we will recommend the unit.

Can commercial heaters be used outdoors?

Some can. Commercial patio heaters are built for terraces, outdoor dining and open workshops, and radiant heating is the only approach that works sensibly outdoors, because warmed air simply blows away. Check the IP rating on the individual product and mount it at the height and angle the manufacturer specifies. Do not use an indoor rated heater in an exposed position.

What are your delivery and trade terms?

Stocked heaters go out for next day delivery across mainland UK. Larger items such as commercial air curtains and industrial radiant heaters may need two to three working days depending on size and weight, since they ship on a pallet. Trade accounts get contract pricing, and we will quote a full schedule including controls. Call 0161 399 3825 or email hello@efans.co.uk to set one up or to price a project.