How to Choose the Right HVAC Heater for Your Small Business

Selecting the right HVAC heater for your small business is a critical decision. The heater you choose can impact your employee’s comfort, your building’s efficiency, and the overall functionality of your workspace. With so many factors to consider, selecting the right HVAC heater for your business can be overwhelming. We’ll break down everything you need to consider before making an investment.

The first step to determine which type of heater you’ll need is to take a thorough assessment of your facility. You’ll need to inspect your insulation, the layout, the number of rooms you have, and any specific heating requirements in each area. Most importantly, the overall size of your facility will determine the size of the system you need. The system you choose needs to be powerful enough to provide enough air pressure and circulation to fill your space. 

Another consideration is the quality of air you need for your facility. HVAC systems can do much more than heat and cool—they can provide air filtration and regulate the air’s humidity as well.

Here’s a step-by-step way to determine what size of a system you’ll need.

1. Determine the square footage you’ll be heating.
2. Divide the square footage by 500. 
3. Multiply the result by 12,000. This will give you the British Thermal Unit (BTU) capacity.
4. Next, you’ll need to account for how many people will be in your building. Add 380 BTUs for each person. 
5. Add 1,000 BTUs for each window. 
6. Add 1,200 BTUs for each kitchen.
7. Your result is the number of BTUs you’ll need to heat your space. 
8. Finally, HVAC units are rated in tons. Take your final BTU number from the previous step and divide it by 12,000 to get the tonnage capacity needed for your HVAC system.

In general, there are four types of energy sources HVAC systems run on.

Electricity: Electric heaters are best for supplemental heating. They don’t leak or emit fumes. However, they cannot heat large spaces. 

Gas: Gas is more energy-efficient and costs less than electricity or oil. However, gas heaters cost more upfront and have a shorter lifespan. 

Oil: Oil heaters provide more heat per BTU and are non-explosive. However, they need more regular maintenance due to soot build-up and are less energy efficient than gas heaters. 

Hydronic/Radiant: Hydronic or radiant heat provides instant, uniform heat and is more energy efficient than conventional HVAC systems. However, these systems can only heat small spaces and can be dangerous.

When choosing which type of energy you’d like your heating system to run on, make sure to consider energy-efficient models with green credentials. You’ll save money in the long run and make a better choice for the planet.

Another important consideration is the climate in which your facility is located. If your building is in a more moderate climate, you may want to consider installing a heat pump that simply transfers warm air from one part of your building to another. 

If you’re in a part of the country that experiences cold temperatures, you’ll want to choose a furnace system and perhaps a radiant flooring system to keep your facility warm throughout the winter months.

Make sure to consider all the short- and long-term costs associated with the systems you are considering—from installation and maintenance to repairs. This can help you determine which systems are worth making a long-term investment in.

There are many different types of heating systems to choose from. Let’s get into the details of each kind. 

Unit Heaters

Unit heaters are a popular option for warehouses. They utilize a fan system that blows air over a coil and out into the workspace. Warehouses usually depend upon several to heat the air within a space. They run on natural gas, propane, or electricity.

Heat Pumps 

Industrial warehouses often use heat pumps to heat the building. Heat pump systems work by taking heat out of the cold air. They use a refrigerant that pumps the generated heat throughout the facility. Heat pumps use the natural environment as opposed to fossil fuels, which can make them a more environmentally friendly option. Also, heat pumps don’t require a hefty upfront cost.

Water Oil/Gas Heaters

These water-based systems use either oil or gas to operate. They function by using a boiler to heat the water. The water becomes steam that is then passed through the building's radiators that emit heat. 

Steam Oil/Gas Heaters

Steam oil or gas heaters are a more conventional type of heating system. They operate by boiling oil or gas to create steam. The steam is passed through the pipes in the building to create heat. 

Natural Energy

Natural energy heating utilizes a sustainable resource to power itself. Common sources of natural power include wind, solar, or geothermal power. Without the use of fossil fuels, these systems are friendlier to the environment. Installation costs are usually pretty steep, but many states offer tax breaks to companies that use natural energy. 

Radiant Heating

Radiant heating uses warm water that passes through PEX tubing either in the floor or radiant panels. This type of heating system uses a radiant heat transfer method where heat is sent to cooler areas of the space. 

VRF System

A Variant Refrigerant Flow (VRF) heating system is a common HVAC system that is comprised of an outdoor unit, indoor unit, and ductwork. The outdoor unit has a condenser and compressor that sends refrigerant to the indoor unit. A VRF system has wiring that controls the amount of refrigerant sent through the system.

Split System

Split systems utilize both an indoor unit and an outdoor unit, similar to a VRF system. A heat pump or indoor air conditioner is used as the indoor unit, rather than a traditional HVAC system. 

There are two types of split systems—single-split systems and multi-split systems. Single-split systems are made to heat smaller areas, while multi-split systems are designed to heat larger commercial buildings.

Did you know Zoro has a comprehensive assortment of HVAC supplies? Find all the HVAC parts and equipment you need to keep your building at an optimal temperature all year round. Plus, enjoy everyday low prices on everything else your business needs.

Product Compliance and Suitability

The product statements contained in this guide are intended for general informational purposes only. Such product statements do not constitute a product recommendation or representation as to the appropriateness, accuracy, completeness, correctness, or currentness of the information provided. Information provided in this guide does not replace the use by you of any manufacturer instructions, technical product manual, or other professional resource or adviser available to you. Always read, understand, and follow all manufacturer instructions.