Best Practice Guide

Food and Beverage Growers and Processors

Central HVAC System

Heating Subsystem

Most industrial and manufacturing facilities that have central heat rely on an industrial boiler system to provide building heat as well as hot water or steam for production processes.

See Boiler Chapter for more information on improving boiler efficiency,

Radiant heating uses less, for more
Radiant heating is a good option for new construction that will be heated during winter months. While it is possible to install a radiant system in existing buildings by either raising the floor or by saw cutting into existing concrete slab, this might not be cost-effective.

Radiant heating works through hydronic tubes installed underneath the floor. Hot water (or, in some models, electric current) moves through the tubes, releasing heat, which radiates through the floor and into interior spaces. Because heat is delivered more effectively to where people actually are, temperatures can be set as much as 20ยบ lower than with conventional heating systems. Radiant heating is up to 40 percent more efficient than traditional forced-air systems -- savings are particularly dramatic in highbay facilities since empty space is no longer heated.

Besides saving energy, radiant heating makes interior spaces more comfortable for building occupants.


Resources

Roos, C. Overview: Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning. Northwest Food Processors Association webpage, Building and Facility Efficiency.

Energy Star. Building Upgrade Manual. Chapter 4, Fan System Upgrades, and Chapter 5, Heating and Cooling System Upgrades.

North Carolina Division of Pollution Prevention and Environmental Assistance.
Energy Efficiency in Industrial HVAC Systems
. September 2003.