Infrared Heating for Warehouses and Factories
Warehouses and factories present some of the most challenging environments to heat efficiently. Large floor areas, high ceilings, frequent door openings and fluctuating occupancy all make traditional warm air heating systems inefficient and costly to run.
Conventional heaters attempt to warm the air first, which immediately rises and escapes. This results in cold working conditions at floor level, high energy consumption and uncomfortable temperature stratification across the building.
Far infrared heating provides a fundamentally different approach. Instead of heating the air, infrared heaters emit radiant heat that warms people, floors, machinery and surrounding surfaces directly. This creates usable warmth at working height, even in large industrial spaces.
Infrared heating is particularly effective in warehouses, factories, logistics centres and manufacturing facilities where only specific zones are occupied at any one time. By targeting heat where staff are working, infrared systems reduce wasted energy while improving comfort and productivity.
To understand the technology in more detail, our Infrared Heating Guide explains how radiant heat works and why it outperforms convection systems in large-volume buildings.
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Where infrared heating works best in warehouses and factories
Infrared heating performs best in fully enclosed industrial buildings where staff work in defined zones. Packing stations, assembly lines, loading areas, mezzanine floors and inspection zones can all be heated independently without the need to warm the entire building volume.
High ceilings are not a disadvantage for infrared heating. Powerful indoor-rated bar heaters and industrial panels can be ceiling mounted or suspended to deliver radiant heat directly to working areas below, avoiding heat build-up at roof level.
Because infrared heat is unaffected by air movement, it continues to perform even when roller shutters, loading doors or internal partitions are opened throughout the day. This makes it particularly suitable for logistics hubs and distribution centres.
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Calculate the right infrared heating for your space
Use our wattage calculator to determine the correct infrared heating setup based on room size, insulation, and how the space is used.
Performance, efficiency and system design considerations
Designing an effective infrared heating system for warehouses and factories starts with understanding how the space is used. Rather than heating the full cubic volume, infrared systems focus on occupied zones, significantly reducing overall energy demand.
Key factors include ceiling height, insulation quality, working patterns and physical obstructions such as racking or machinery. Clear line of sight between the heater and the working area ensures optimal radiant performance.
Infrared heating eliminates heat stratification, removing the need for destratification fans commonly required with warm air systems. Heat is delivered directly to people and surfaces, creating consistent comfort across the workspace.
With no fans, ducts or moving parts, infrared heaters require minimal maintenance. This reduces downtime, servicing costs and long-term operational disruption in busy industrial environments.
Infrared heating also improves air quality. With no air circulation, dust, allergens and airborne particles are not disturbed, which is beneficial for both staff wellbeing and product handling.
From an energy perspective, infrared systems typically achieve substantial reductions in electricity usage compared to convection heaters, especially when combined with zoned control strategies and occupancy-based scheduling.
Infrared heating supports long-term sustainability goals by reducing reliance on gas and lowering overall energy consumption. Learn more about the environmental benefits of infrared heating.
Frequently asked questions
Is infrared heating suitable for large warehouses?
Yes. Infrared heating is specifically suited to large, high-ceilinged spaces because it delivers heat directly to working areas rather than heating unused air volume.
Can infrared heating be zoned within a warehouse?
Yes. Warehouses can be divided into multiple heating zones, allowing only occupied areas to be heated and reducing overall energy consumption.
Does infrared heating work with frequent door openings?
Yes. Because infrared heat is not carried by moving air, performance is unaffected by open roller shutters or frequent vehicle access.
Is infrared heating expensive to maintain?
No. Infrared heaters have no moving parts, no filters and no ducting, resulting in minimal maintenance requirements and long service life.
