Commercial heating systems – Design

We are always keen to be involved in the design of your commercial heating systems.

Our extensive experience of maintaining commercial heating solutions has given us a first-rate insight into what works and what doesn’t and also the lifetime costs associated with running and maintaining your system rather than just the initial capital outlay.

We firmly believe that including the people that will install and maintain a commercial heating system in the design process is a great way to ensure a pragmatic design that will pay dividends in the future.

We have considerable experience of helping clients define what they want from their commercial heating and then turning that into a commercial heating system design brief.  There are several steps we will always include in a commercial heating design project:

  1. Assessing heating requirements: Our work will begin by evaluating the specific heating needs of your commercial space. We will consider factors such as building size, “U” values (the rate at which your building loses heat) , layout, occupancy, climate conditions, and local regulations to determine the heating load requirements.
  2. System selection: Based on the heating requirements, we will work with commercial heating equipment manufacturers to recommend the appropriate heating system for the commercial space. This could include options like boilers, gas-fired radiant tube heating, unit warm air heaters, cabinet heaters or a combination of different systems. Our recommendations will consider factors like fuel source (gas or electricity). energy efficiency, cost-effectiveness, and compatibility with the building’s infrastructure.  We have experience working with equipment from a wide variety of manufacturers including Nortek, Powrmatic, Roberts Gordon (Combat) and Tansun.
  3. Where gas-fired warm air unit heaters or cabinet heaters are specified, it is always beneficial to complement the installation with roof mounted destratification fans.  These will push the air back to low level where keeping warm air can be problematic.   Destratification fans have a number of benefits:
    • Reduced fuel bills, by eliminating heat build-up in roof spaces.
    • Makes use of additional heat produced by lighting and machinery, circulating it to the desired area.
    • Reduces pre-heat time.
  4. Sizing calculations: Proper sizing of heating equipment is essential to ensure optimal performance and energy efficiency. We will perform detailed calculations to determine the appropriate capacity for heating units, such as boilers or furnaces, based on the heating KW load requirements. Oversized or undersized equipment can lead to inefficiencies and increased operating costs.  Our designs will include any associated gas pipework required.
  5. Ductwork design: For forced-air heating systems, we will design the ductwork layout to ensure proper air distribution throughout your commercial space. This involves determining the duct sizes, airflow rates, and placement of supply and return vents. Our commercial heating design recommendation will consider factors like air balance, noise reduction, and energy efficiency.
  6. Zoning and controls: In larger commercial buildings, zoning can be beneficial to regulate heating in different areas independently. We will assess your building layout and occupancy patterns to recommend zoning strategies and select and design appropriate control systems, such as thermostats, sensors, and building automation systems, to optimize heating performance and energy management.
  7. Energy efficiency optimization: Our expert designers are well-versed in energy-efficient practices and technologies. We can provide guidance on selecting high-efficiency heating equipment, integrating renewable energy sources, utilizing advanced control strategies, to minimize heat loss. Our expertise can help reduce energy consumption and operating costs while maintaining comfort levels.  Recently, a number of our clients have been forced to switch from Red diesel to White diesel, which involves a significant cost increase and can make a conversion to gas a more cost-effective solution.
  8. Compliance with regulations: Building codes and regulations related to heating systems can vary depending on the location. We will ensure that the design adheres to all applicable codes, standards, and safety guidelines and assist with obtaining necessary permits and inspections.
  9. Installation supervision: Once the design is finalized, our designer will supervise the installation process to ensure proper implementation of the heating system. If Fairburn Heating Solutions are not selected for the implementation work, we can work closely with contractors, technicians, and other stakeholders to address any technical challenges and ensure that the system is installed correctly.

We know from experience that our expertise and knowledge can significantly contribute to the design and implementation of an efficient, reliable, and compliant commercial heating system for your building.