Planning Your Commercial Heating Upgrade: Key Considerations for Radiant Tube Systems

When your business premises aren’t warming up properly despite the thermostat being cranked to the max, or your energy bills are climbing faster than a Hampshire hill walker, these are clear signs you need a new commercial boiler or heating system. Having worked with businesses across Winchester, Salisbury and the surrounding areas for over 15 years, we’ve helped countless commercial clients navigate the sometimes confusing process of upgrading their heating.

Radiant tube heating systems are becoming increasingly popular for larger commercial spaces throughout Hampshire, and for good reason. But before you take the plunge, there are several important factors to consider to ensure you get the right solution for your specific needs.

Understanding Your Current Heating Challenges

The first step in any commercial heating upgrade is to properly assess what’s not working with your current setup. In our experience servicing businesses across Hampshire, common issues include:

• Uneven heating with cold spots in certain areas
• Excessive heat loss through high ceilings
• Slow warm-up times on cold mornings
• Drafts and temperature fluctuations near doorways
• Soaring energy costs despite moderate usage

Recognising these common boiler problems helps determine whether a radiant tube system might be the right solution for your premises.

Why Consider Radiant Tube Systems?

Unlike conventional commercial boilers that heat air (which then rises), radiant tube heaters work more like sunshine, directly warming people and objects below without wasting energy heating the entire air volume of your building.

For warehouses, factories, workshops and other large spaces with high ceilings, this approach can deliver significant energy savings while providing more consistent comfort at floor level where your staff actually work.

Assessing Your Commercial Space

Every commercial property is unique, and what works brilliantly for a warehouse in Winchester might not be ideal for a workshop in Romsey. When we visit a commercial site to assess heating requirements, we look at:

Building Structure and Layout

The ceiling height, insulation levels, and overall layout of your space significantly impact the design of an effective radiant tube system. For instance, areas with mezzanine floors need careful planning to ensure consistent heating throughout.

Usage Patterns

Do different zones of your building see varying levels of activity? Are some areas used only occasionally? Understanding exactly how your space is utilised helps us design a system with appropriate zoning controls, ensuring you’re only heating areas when and where needed.

Door Usage and Air Movement

Facilities with frequent door openings, like loading bays or vehicle workshops, benefit particularly from radiant tube heating as it doesn’t rely on maintaining a body of warm air that escapes every time a door opens.

Planning for Installation

Once you’ve decided that radiant tube heating is the right choice for your commercial property, proper planning ensures a smooth installation process:

Timing Considerations

Most businesses prefer to schedule major heating upgrades during quieter periods or planned shutdowns. As local heating engineers, we understand the seasonal patterns of different industries across Hampshire and can help plan your installation to minimise disruption.

Infrastructure Requirements

Radiant tube systems require appropriate gas supply, electrical connections, and flue arrangements. We’ll conduct a thorough assessment of your existing infrastructure to determine what modifications might be needed.

For buildings without mains gas, LPG options are available, though these require additional planning for tank placement and supply arrangements.

Regulatory Compliance

Commercial heating installations must comply with various regulations including gas safety, building regulations and sometimes planning requirements. Our team handles all necessary certifications and compliance checks as standard.

Maximising Efficiency and Return on Investment

When investing in a new commercial heating system, getting the best return on your investment is naturally a priority:

Zoning and Controls

Modern radiant tube systems can be zoned and controlled with precision, allowing different areas to be heated to different temperatures or on different schedules. This capability often delivers the most significant energy savings compared to older ‘all or nothing’ systems.

Maintenance Planning

Like all heating systems, radiant tubes require regular maintenance to perform at their best. We recommend annual servicing to ensure safety, efficiency and longevity, which we can schedule during your quieter periods.

Monitoring and Optimisation

Many of our commercial clients in Hampshire benefit from ongoing monitoring and optimisation of their heating systems. Small adjustments based on actual usage patterns can often yield substantial energy savings over time.

Real-World Results from Hampshire Businesses

Having installed radiant tube systems throughout Hampshire, we’ve seen some impressive results:

• A Salisbury warehouse reduced its heating costs by 37% after switching from overhead unit heaters to a radiant tube system
• A Winchester automotive workshop eliminated cold spots and improved staff comfort while reducing energy consumption
• A manufacturing facility in Romsey created separate heating zones, allowing them to heat production areas without wasting energy on rarely-used storage spaces

Making the Right Choice for Your Business

The decision to invest in a new commercial heating system shouldn’t be taken lightly. As local experts who’ve worked with businesses across Hampshire for many years, we understand that every commercial property has its own unique heating requirements.

If you’re noticing the signs you need a new boiler or heating system – from rising energy bills to uneven heating – it’s worth exploring whether radiant tube heating could be the solution for your commercial space.

Our team of commercial heating engineers can provide a comprehensive assessment of your current setup and detailed recommendations for improvements, with no obligation. Whether you’re considering a commercial heating replacement or looking to upgrade from a traditional system to radiant tubes, we’re here to guide you through every step of the process.

Contact us today to arrange a site visit and discover how the right heating solution could transform your commercial property’s comfort and efficiency.