Indicative heat load band
89-103 kW
Top fit for this brief
Radiant tube heating
Key design note
High-bay buildings with intermittent occupancy often favour targeted heating over full-volume air heating.
| System | Suitability | Capex | Annual running cost | Pros | Cons |
|---|
What matters most in warehouses
Height changes the game
At 6m to 10m+, warm air systems can lose efficiency if heat stratifies above occupied level. That is why radiant systems and destratification fans are regularly considered together.
Door openings drive infiltration
A facility with frequent loading-bay activity may struggle to hold warm air, so systems that heat people and working zones directly can become more attractive.
Occupancy pattern affects payback
Intermittent or shift-based use often rewards faster-response zoned solutions, whereas well-insulated full-time facilities can justify heat pumps and lower-flow distribution.
Methodology
How the option scoring works
The calculator estimates a warehouse heat-load band using floor area, ceiling height, insulation, and door-opening frequency. That load is then used to generate simplified capital cost and annual running cost ranges for five common strategies: warm air, radiant tube, infrared, destratification fans, and heat pumps.
Suitability scoring blends building physics and operational fit. High ceilings and frequent door opening improve the relative score for radiant and infrared systems because they heat occupied zones more directly. Better insulation and full-time occupancy improve the relative score for heat pumps, while tight budgets increase the score for warm air systems and fan-based enhancement measures.
Annual running costs are benchmark estimates using UK indicative tariffs: gas at 6.24p/kWh and electricity at 24.50p/kWh. Heat pump cost assumes a seasonal coefficient of performance in the region of 2.6 to 3.2, while destratification fans are treated as a supplementary measure that trims running cost rather than replacing primary heat generation.
Real projects should also account for process heat, ventilation rates, racking layout, occupancy zoning, fire strategy constraints, electrical capacity, and whether the building is being used as a low-temperature storage volume or a comfort-critical workspace. The output is best used to narrow the shortlist before detailed design and supplier quotations.
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