If you’re designing or managing a commercial or industrial property, your project will need to be economical to construct, have relatively low maintenance costs, and should provide comfortable surroundings for the tenants. This article will explore why a water or electric underfloor heating system is the ideal heating solution for commercial projects. We’ll look at such factors as:
- The key considerations for heating commercial spaces
- The many benefits of floor heating for industrial projects
- Whether a hydronic or electric system is better for your project
- Which UFH systems are the best to install in your building
- How to purchase a Warmup floor heating system
Critical Considerations for Heating a Commercial Building
As part of your development process, providing heat will be a major consideration and underfloor heating is now being recommended by engineers as a primary or supplemental source of heat in commercial and industrial units. There are many benefits of using radiant floor heating in commercial projects, including lower operating costs than traditional heating systems, flexible installation options and a more energy-efficient, cleaner, and quieter heating solution.
A commercial building can present the engineer or architect with many issues affecting the proper delivery of heat to the building, such as large delivery doors in a factory that are open all day, varying ceiling heights, atrium rooms with glazed areas and open spaces. There is also the issue of air quality for businesses that must operate around paints, solvents, and vehicles producing exhaust fumes. The extra ventilation required for these types of buildings will increase the amount of heat loss experienced. Addressing these concerns as well as the concerns listed below will be part of a well-developed plan for a commercial heating system.
1. Windows and Heat Loss
Modern commercial architecture contains a large percentage of glass on the exterior for aesthetics and also to allow light into the building. Designing a heating system that accounts for the loss of heat while at the same time not interfering with usable floor space is a challenge but underfloor heating provides the perfect solution.
2. Poorly Insulated Ceilings
Heat rises naturally, so inadequate ceiling insulation will let much of your heat escape and can increase your heating bills between 45-50%. Adding good quality insulation to attic areas as well as within floors and walls is the first step to overcoming this heat loss.
3. Operational Expenses
Regardless of which type of heating system is used in the building, there is a cost associated with the monthly operation as well as annual maintenance. These maintenance costs will include replacing parts or equipment as it ages, updating annual warranties and regular servicing requirements but UFH offers great value-for-money and savings on your energy bills.
4. Noise
In an office environment or retail sales setting, maintaining a low noise level is necessary for optimum productivity. Radiant floor heating systems are much quieter than many other forms of heating for industrial buildings.
5. Heating Source Reliability
Every component of the heating system needs to be considered when determining its overall reliability. Underfloor heating systems offer a low-maintenance solution for commercial projects.
Why is Underfloor Heating the Most Effective Solution for Commercial Properties?
Water or electric floor heating systems are an excellent solution for both new-build and renovation commercial projects. The main benefits of installing underfloor heating in your industrial property are as follows:
Low Cost
UFH systems are competitively priced compared to other solutions in the marketplace and are economical to operate. Floor heating systems offer low running costs and are considered a much more environmentally friendly heating method than traditional heating systems. Each area can be zoned with its own thermostat so that you are only heating rooms when they are being used instead of heating the whole building all day long.
No Maintenance
The last thing a commercial building needs in the winter is for the heat to stop working and Warmup floor heaters require little-to-no maintenance and all systems come with market-leading warranties.
Easy Installation
The ease of installation of our range of floor heaters makes them a great heating source for commercial projects of all sizes. Electric systems offer rapid installation times while hydronic floor heating systems will take longer to install but offer even lower long-term running costs.
Is a Water or Electric UFH System Better for Your Project?
For a large-scale industrial building renovation or a new-build project, a water underfloor heating system (also known as a hydronic or wet system) is the perfect primary heating measure to bring radiant heat to the space. Many hydronic systems are designed to be installed within a layer of concrete screed, gently pumping heated water in circuits throughout the heated area, offering warmth to the whole building.
For smaller commercial spaces or for use as a secondary heat source on upper levels for instance, an electric floor heater may be a more suitable solution. Our range of electric systems offer rapid installation times and are perfect for all types of refurbishment projects, allowing a less intrusive installation than hydronic floor heaters.
A hybrid heating solution utilising both water and electric UFH systems is also a good idea for certain projects.
The Best Floor Heating Solutions for Commercial and Industrial Buildings
Our Forte Grid System is a great hydronic option for larger projects. It has been developed for installation with load-bearing structural floors and is suitable for use with almost any floor finish, especially those with a commercial application, such as epoxy paint or resin.
The DCM-PRO Heated Decoupling System is a popular electric heating system that is ideal for use in commercial properties with tiled floor finishes.
Buying a Warmup Heating System
If you’re working on a large-scale project, you may want to get in touch with our Global Projects Division who can work with you every step of the way in providing a comprehensive heating solution for your development. Or use our advanced online quoting tool to purchase a system for your commercial or industrial building and in some cases have the materials delivered to your site.
