Do you want to get the most out of your new hall heating system, save on energy costs and be prepared for environmental laws of the future? Then it is advisable to consider a few tips before buying. You can find out which ones in this article.

First of all, be aware that industrial and commercial buildings have different heating requirements than homes or offices. Sounds trivial? But it isn’t. In fact, many planners still make the mistake of applying a heating strategy similar to that used for multi-story buildings. The problem: Warm air rises. With low ceiling heights, such as in offices or apartments, this is not relevant. In halls, on the other hand, the warm air collects quasi uselessly at great heights under the hall roof.

Until it is pleasantly warm on the ground, operators have to channel a lot of heating energy into the hall and use systems that direct air currents back down. This is basically a waste of money, because heat is usually only required in large halls at a person height of around two meters, not at higher levels. As a rule, therefore, it is sufficient to heat 20 percent of the room volume. Even then, employees are pleasantly warm and can develop their full productivity.

Find the right technology for your hall heating

Now the question arises as to which technology should be considered to specifically heat the 20 percent or so of your hall. If you look around the market, you will notice: There are centralized and decentralized heating systems. Centralized systems include industrial underfloor heating, centrally supplied water-based air heaters and hot water radiant ceiling panels, for example. They operate with a central power generator and a piping system that transports hot water to the desired location.

Decentralized heating systems, on the other hand, include infrared radiators that can be mounted under the ceiling. They are gas-powered and work with electromagnetic waves. As soon as the waves hit a solid body, such as a person or the room’s frame, the energy is converted into heat. The clou: Infrared emitters do not heat the air! This means that only the occupied and occupied areas are heated.
At the same time, hall operators enjoy flexibility. They can divide the hall into different heating zones with several infrared radiators – and provide more heat for employees in order picking, for example, than for colleagues in production, where machines already provide sufficient basic heat. This flexibility increases employee satisfaction. Even if the hall is repurposed, it is easier to adapt the system with these decentralized solutions compared to the centralized system.

Another advantage of infrared technology is that it is responsive. Operators switch the heating on and off in much the same way as lights. Since the energy doesn’t take a detour through the air, heat is available virtually at the push of a button. And you don’t even need to manually turn it on and off in the automation age. This task is performed by intelligent control technology, which adapts the heating output to changing conditions. Users thus reduce energy costs by up to 70 percent, so the investment in the heating system pays for itself in a short time.

Get an overview of your hall’s requirements

In order for space heating systems to develop their full potential, they should be adapted to your hall like a tailor-made suit. However, this adaptation by an external service provider will only succeed if you have a clear picture of your hall building, hall use and your wishes for the heating system in advance. Be particularly oriented to the factors that could have an influence on the temperature. These questions can help you:

  • What are the dimensions of your hall?
  • What is the condition of the building?
  • How is the hall used?
  • Are there different areas and times of use ?
  • What about the gate opening times?
  • How was heating done so far – are there consumption data?
  • What goals and requirements should the new heating system meet?

The answers to these questions form a foundation on which your heating partner can build.

Think through different energy sources

In times of climate change, the German government’s goals are ambitious: Germany is to be climate-neutral by 2045 at the latest. The business community is making corresponding efforts to reduce carbon dioxide emissions. Many companies are saying goodbye to heating oil, which will be banned for new buildings from 2026 anyway, and are instead focusing on renewable energies and technologies such as solar thermal energy or electric heat pumps.

If you decide to go this way, however, you should be aware that you are committing to a central heating system. And for this you need a hydraulic distribution system. In addition, such a system is often associated with two to four times higher investment costs and is comparatively inert, so that in many cases the heat supply cannot be adapted quickly enough to dynamic requirements.
Infrared radiators work with natural gas. But compared with other fossil fuels, this gas is environmentally friendly as the lowest carbon dioxide among the classic fuels, since it has the lowest primary energy factor of all. What’s more, natural gas is becoming increasingly green thanks to the upcoming feed-in of renewably generated hydrogen (power-to-gas technology) and is considered one of the most future-proof energy sources in Germany, especially in conjunction with the country’s excellently developed gas network.

Now you may be asking yourself: The new Building Energy Act (GEG) stipulates that in the future I may only heat with renewable energies. Isn’t an infrared radiator prohibited? No! According to the GEG, from a hall height of more than four meters, you are no longer bound to regenerative energy sources. While central heating systems are obliged to use renewable energy in order to comply with the GEG, the most efficient infrared hall heating technology can also be used with natural gas. So you don’t have to worry about compliance.

Take a close look at indoor heating suppliers

To ensure that you find an efficient and future-proof hall heating system, you should check the competence of suppliers in advance. The following questions are suitable for orientation:

  • What references does the provider have?
  • Is there a nationwide service (if you have or want to set up several locations)?
  • Can you trust that you will still receive spare parts and service in 15 years?
  • Does the supplier have a development department that is innovative and develops products according to modern standards?
  • Do the employees appear competent?
  • Is the system flexible? Can it be easily adapted to changes in legislation and conversions?

It is also advisable to focus not only on the price of the hall heating system, but on the total cost of ownership (TCO) – in other words, the operating costs over the entire life cycle. Only with this value can you calculate whether it is a worthwhile investment.