Advantages and Disadvantages of Indirect Fired Heaters

Although Texas is known for its hot weather, it can get mighty chilly during the winter months. As the temperature drops, you need to find a heating solution for your business or worksite. Fortunately, with an indirect fired heater from Preferred Climate Solutions, you can get the heat you need without any hassle.

Because indirect fired heaters provide so much warmth and offer so many benefits, we want to break down what you can expect from this kind of machine. Here’s what you need to know.

Indirect vs. Direct Fired Heaters – What’s the Difference?

As you can probably guess from the name, the type of heating that these machines do is based on whether the air comes into contact with an open flame. Direct fired heaters will ignite the air passing through it, providing fast and efficient heat to your space.

Indirect fired heaters, however, work similarly to a residential furnace. The fuel and fire are contained within, but the heat goes to a stainless steel exchange element. As the element heats up, fans will blow the ambient air out. This means that the air coming from the heater is clean, with no combustible materials.

The Advantages of an Indirect Fired Heater

There are many different reasons why you would want this kind of unit in your commercial workspace. Here are our top benefits.

• Fresh, Clean Air – you don’t have to worry about breathing in toxic elements such as carbon monoxide or gas. Because of this, you can place these heaters in a wider variety of spaces, even those without significant ventilation.
• Maximum Recirculation – one of the best ways to save money on a heater is to keep the air recirculating inside. With an indirect fired heater, you can do that because there are no harmful byproducts produced by the heating element.
• Precise Thermostat Control – like your home’s furnace, you can set the ambient temperature accurately without worrying about the space getting too hot or cold. Also, thanks to the recirculation, the air maintains a comfortable temperature the whole time.

The Disadvantages of an Indirect Fired Heater

While there are many reasons to get one of these models for your business, they aren’t ideal for all situations. Keep these factors in mind when picking out the best heater for your needs.

• Less Fuel Efficient – since the flame isn’t touching open air, about 20 percent of the heat is lost in the transfer. While recirculation can help recoup some of this, these heaters are not as efficient as direct-fired models. Still, 80-percent heating is excellent for most situations.
• Ventilation Ducts Required – although you can place these heaters in tight quarters, you still have to ventilate the combustible part. Running ducts outside can be tricky in some places, and it can make it more challenging to install and run a heater overall.
• Higher Rental Cost – these models are much more complicated than direct-fired units, so you will have to pay more for a rental. Also, because of the ductwork involved, that can inflate the price as well. At Preferred Climate Solutions, we’ll work with you to minimize the expense as much as possible without diminishing your heat source.
• Substantial Electrical Requirements – if your event or worksite is outdoors, you will need to have a generator to run this machine. Unlike direct-fired heaters that can use propane or other fuel, these models do require electricity to operate.

When to Use an Indirect Fired Heater

Now that you understand the pros and cons of this machine, let’s take a look at some of the instances where it can come in handy. At Preferred Climate Solutions, we also offer emergency heater rentals for when you need heat immediately.

• Enclosed Office Spaces – if your central heating unit goes down, you don’t want your workers to be uncomfortable. These heaters are perfect for offices because they can produce constant ambient temperature. Also, electricity is easier to come by in an office building than outdoors.
• Low-Humidity Environments – one of the issues with direct-fired heaters (and other models) is that they can either dry the air out too much, or they can add moisture as a byproduct. If your worksite needs to maintain a specific humidity balance, an indirect fired heater is your best choice.
• Healthcare Clinics – because the air circulated by these models is clean, healthcare professionals don’t have to worry about aggravating patients in potentially delicate situations.
• Retail Spaces – commercial shops can benefit from indirect fired heaters because they provide maximum comfort for both employees and patrons. Not only that, but you don’t have to worry about damaging products because of excessively dry air. For example, a hair salon would be a perfect place for this kind of heating.

Get Fast and Easy Installation With Preferred Climate Solutions

As we mentioned, one potential drawback of indirect fired heaters is that they are challenging to install. Fortunately, that’s not a problem for us. We will survey your space and provide the lowest-impact solution so that you don’t have to worry about disrupting your work area.

Our ducts can reach up to 150 feet, so no matter your situation, we can customize installation as needed. Also, since we provide emergency heater rentals, you don’t have to freeze for too long. Give us a call, and we’ll be out there as soon as possible.

We also offer multiple heating solutions, so if indirect fired heaters are not the ideal choice, we can still give you warmth and comfort. Call us today to find out more and see how we can benefit your business.