Factory heating: zoning a production floor economically
On a production floor the economics turn on zoning. Heating the entire volume to comfort temperature is almost never justified — heating the line positions where people stand, at the hours they stand there, usually is.
What is the most efficient factory heating system?
Zoned radiant heating, because efficiency in a factory is decided by where the heat lands rather than by the appliance conversion rate. Radiant puts output at floor level where people work.
The problem with factory heating
Process heat, high roofs and mixed occupancy across one floorplate. Some areas need comfort heating all shift, others none at all, and a single system for the whole building wastes most of what it produces.
Zoning strategy: Zone per production line or cell; leave automated and process-heat areas unheated.
Options compared
| System | Verdict | Upfront | Running |
|---|---|---|---|
Infrared / radiant panels Warms people and surfaces directly; instant and zonal, with no wet system. | Best fit | Low | Medium |
Gas radiant tube The workhorse of large UK factories where gas is already on site. | Best fit | Medium | Low |
Gas warm-air heaters Heats air, which stratifies to the roof — most output never reaches floor level. | Poor fit | Medium | Low fuel cost, high waste |
Destratification plus existing system A cheap partial fix that recovers roof heat; often paired with radiant zoning. | Viable | Low | Low |
Indicative annual heating cost — 2,000 m², older / poorly insulated
Degree-day method at UK average 2000 HDD, Ofgem price cap (indicative, 2026). Whole-space figures — zoning typically cuts these substantially.
- Infrared panels£44,029/yr
- Air-source heat pump£17,640/yr
- Gas central heating£15,872/yr
- Old electric / storage heaters£56,448/yr
What factory heating costs to install
- Single production cell£2,000 – £6,000
Zoned radiant over the line positions.
- Mid-size factory floor£15,000 – £40,000
Multi-zone radiant with BMS or time control.
- Large plant£40,000+
Phased installation across shifts to avoid downtime.
Factory heating: FAQs
Reviewed by the Infrared Heat Solutions technical team · Last updated July 2026 · Data sources: Open-Meteo, Ofgem, Energy Saving Trust