What is the best way to heat my workshop and why is it important?

When you're designing an industrial workshop or factory in cold regions, one of the key factors to think about is how you’re going to keep staff warm and comfortable. 

As an employer, you have a duty of care to your staff to keep them safe. By managing the temperature inside your workshop, you can improve the morale and productivity of your workers. This can not only improve health and safety outcomes but also makes good business sense and is key to upholding performance and attracting and retaining top talent.

People working in uncomfortably cold environments are more likely to behave unsafely because their ability to make decisions or perform manual tasks deteriorates. Equally, the consequences of cold conditions, such as patches of ice, can raise the risk of accidents, and staff are more likely to fall sick with prolonged exposure to the cold. 

So, what's the best way to maintain these temperatures? 

There is an extensive range of heating options available for your workshop, we’ll explore them in this article and look at the advantages and considerations for each of them. 

Why is it difficult to heat workshops and industrial spaces?

High ceilings trap heat

The average workshop can often be over 7m at its highest point. As warm air naturally rises, it causes pockets of heat to linger near the roof and away from the spaces where it is most needed.

Doors constantly open and close

The nature of workshop operations require doors to usually be kept open which allows the warm air inside to easily escape.

Flexible heating demands

Often, heat is required in specific zones, for a certain period, adding to the complexity of industrial warehouse heating.

large spaces

Growing spaces add to the cost and difficulty of warehouse heating, as bigger floor areas need more warm air, as well as solutions for heat distribution.

Besides heat, what do I need to consider? 

When selecting a heating system for your workshop, consider things like: 

Energy efficiency

Opting for systems with minimal environmental impact and maximum energy efficiency.

Cost-effectiveness

Balance upfront costs with long-term savings and operational efficiency.

Comfort and safety

Prioritise systems that provide consistent warmth without compromising safety or obstructing workflow.

Customisation

Systems that offer flexibility in temperature control and zoning to meet specific workspace requirements could suit your workshop.

Understanding your options

Heated floors

Heated floors are a common method for providing warmth in cold-region workshops. Hydronic underfloor heating is much more efficient and has much lower running costs than electric underfloor.  

At XL Structural, we have specified many workshop projects in Southland that have included hydronic underfloor heating systems which work by circulating warm water through pipework enclosed in the concrete floor slab. The heat can be provided by specially designed air-to-water or ground source heat pumps, or by boilers fuelled by gas, diesel or wood. Hydronic heating offers several advantages:

• Ground-up heating: Ensures tools and surfaces remain warm.
• Comprehensive warmth: Heats both air and floor surfaces, creating a comfortable working environment even at very low air temperatures.
• Consistent distribution: Provides uniform heat distribution throughout the workspace.
• Energy efficiency: Efficiently warms the space while operating silently and without obstructing work areas.
• Zoning and control systems: Allowing different areas of the workshop to be heated independently. 

What can I use to heat the underfloor system?

To run an underfloor heating system, you can use heat pumps, waste oil burners, or boilers to supply heat. Often the heat source is determined by the availability of fuels in the area and businesses that have access to cheap waste oil or is a byproduct of their operations for example, could use a waste oil burner.

However, typically heat pumps have lower running costs and are better for the environment compared to boilers.  

What floor covering works well with an underfloor heating system? 

Concrete floors have high thermal mass, meaning they can absorb, store, and distribute heat effectively. This characteristic of concrete enhances the performance of underfloor heating systems by providing a stable and consistent temperature throughout the workspace. Additionally, the thermal mass of concrete helps to regulate indoor temperatures, reducing energy consumption and increasing comfort.

Infrared heaters

These heaters are usually mounted on the ceiling or wall and emit radiant heat, ideal for spaces with large air volumes. This radiant heat transfer provides rapid warmth without heating the surrounding air extensively. The heaters create zones within the workshop, reducing energy consumption by only heating necessary areas.   Additionally, smart control systems enable precise temperature management and zoning, allowing users to tailor heating levels to specific areas of the workshop.

Radiators

Radiators are heated with hot water and offer the flexibility to adjust temperatures on a per-room or per-radiator basis, making them suitable for spaces with varying heating needs. They don’t however offer any air exchange and can result in heat loss in the boiler house and from the pipes to the radiator. 

Cost considerations

To determine the cost of heating your workshop, you must evaluate various factors, including the type of heating system and the size of the space. 

In 2023 XL ran budget number comparisons to add a heated floor to a 1,000 sqm workshop project in Central Otago. These numbers came out as:

Running the numbers for upfront costs is an important consideration. However, care must be taken to calculate how heating costs and maintenance costs for the heating system will develop in the future, as well as the upfront costs for the system.

Insulation and compliance

Having insulation in your workshop enhances energy efficiency and helps maintain a comfortable temperature, potentially reducing heating costs in the long run. While insulating the roof and walls alongside floor heating may seem logical, from a compliance standpoint it may not be obligatory, allowing for standard cladding without insulation. For more on insulation options, read our article here.

Chatting with an industry expert who understands your needs can help you find the right solution for your workshop. Contact our team of experts today to discuss your next project. Alternatively, for more information about designing a commercial building in colder regions, read our article on Commercial Warehouse Building Design Considerations for Colder Regions.