The Challenges of Warehouse Heating
Maintaining a safe, comfortable warehouse temperature is crucial but challenging.
Common Warehouse Heating issues include:
Energy waste.
Heating a warehouse needs a tailored solution. Generic systems often run inefficiently, causing uneven temperatures and higher energy costs.
Stock damage.
Many products need to be stored within strict temperature ranges. Inconsistent conditions can jeopardise product integrity, resulting in spoilage, damage, and financial loss.
Uneven temperatures.
Traditional heating often leaves large, high-ceiling spaces unevenly heated, with warm air trapped above and work areas below staying cold.
Employee discomfort.
Your staff will often have to perform physically strenuous tasks and sometimes while wearing heavy protective gear, exacerbating the risk of heat-related problems.
Why You need a Bespoke Warehouse Heating Solution?
When you choose OKEL, you’re investing in a warehouse heating solution that’s built around your business.
Our specialists design and install a bespoke system tailored to your exact needs, so you can enjoy maximum comfort, efficiency, and long-term savings, including:
Reduced energy costs.
Safer working environment.
Increased productivity.
Quality Manufacturing.
Fewer maintenance issues.
Improved eco-friendliness.
Warehouse Heating Case Studies
Saint Gobain Weber
Saint-Gobain Weber were looking for assistance with their heating project to replace the obsolete, floor-standing, oil-fired heaters installed across their three storage warehouse facilities.
Transmanor
Transmanor first approached us in October 2021, looking to install a heating system for one of their warehouses, in readiness for a new tenant who was soon to be taking over the lease.
Bunches Warehouse
Bunches first approached OKEL in February 2019 looking to upgrade the heating system in their warehouse storage facility.
Medstrom
In October 2018, OKEL was engaged to provide high-efficiency heating for five new and existing Medstrom warehouses and factories in Derbyshire, Kent, Lancashire, and Cardiff.
Sait Abrasives
OKEL was first contacted by Sait Abrasives in July 2019, looking to upgrade the heating system within their large open-plan premises used for both manufacturing and storage of abrasives products.
ARJO UK
ARJO UK is an internationally recognised supplier of mobility solutions. However, they were struggling to keep their Trafford Park warehouse warm in an efficient and cost-effective way.
Warehouse Warm Air Heating Solutions
Warm air heating is one of the most efficient ways to keep large warehouse spaces comfortable all year round.
At OKEL, our modular systems are fully customisable, using strategically positioned heaters that draw in fresh air, heat it, and distribute it evenly with powerful built-in circulation fans, delivering consistent warmth, efficiency, and reliability where you need it most.
Evaporative cooling works by drawing air from outside the building and passing it over pads soaked with water. This doesn’t just cool down your warehouse, but it also provides a continuous source of fresh air.
Your staff won’t just enjoy a comfortable temperature – they’ll also benefit from improved air quality and a lower risk of airborne illnesses.
Flexible Installation:
Wall or ceiling-mounted options to avoid floor obstructions.
Enhanced Efficiency:
Fully modulating heat output to match demand, saving energy and operating costs, and ensuring consistent comfort.
Year-Round Comfort:
Includes Summer Ventilation Mode for continuous air circulation and comfort during warm days.
Hybrid Heater & Heat Pumps
Unlock the perfect balance of efficiency and performance with OKEL’s customised Hybrid Heater and Heat Pump systems.
Purpose-built for warehouse environments, they combine advanced technology with intelligent controls to deliver consistent warmth, slash energy costs, and enhance on-site safety.
100% Electric or Gas Booster:
Available as a fully electric model or with a gas booster for extra heating power when needed.
Energy Efficient:
Operates in heat pump mode around 70% of the time for maximum efficiency. Delivering up to 5 kW of heat output for every 1 kW of energy consumed.
Smart controller:
Smart controller technology optimises energy use, adjusting output to maintain comfort while reducing running costs.
Year-Round Comfort:
Includes Summer Ventilation Mode for continuous air circulation and comfort during warm days.
Electric Air Heaters
The Winterwarm EH Electric Warm Air Heater is the perfect solution for gas-free sites or facilities powered by renewable energy. Compact, efficient, and simple to install, it delivers rapid, even heat across factory spaces.
With smart airflow control, centralised thermostat options, and minimal maintenance, it’s a hassle-free way to keep your workforce comfortable and productive.
100% Electric:
Efficient, gas-free solution ideal for Warehouses and industrial factory spaces.
Multiple Output Options:
Available from 5 kW to 60 kW to suit different heating needs.
Flexible Installation:
Can be wall-mounted or suspended, with optional brackets to angle airflow.
Centralised Management:
Control up to eight units via one MultiTherm thermostat, with BMS compatibility available.
Radiant Heating systems for Factories
Radiant heating is ideal for spot-heating specific zones, like workstations or loading bays, in large, open spaces.
It delivers fast, efficient warmth where it’s needed and retains heat long after shutoff to reduce energy use. Choose radient heating if:
No air circulation:
Warms directly without air movement, making it ideal for dusty or sensitive environments.
Silent operation:
Creates a quieter, more comfortable workspace.
Space-saving install:
Great for high ceilings or limited floor space.
Targeted & efficient:
Warms people and objects, not the air, making it highly energy efficient.
Warehouse Destratification Solutions
In warehouse environments, valuable heat often rises to the ceiling and leaves working areas cold, wasting energy and driving up costs.
Our destratification systems eliminate this problem by recirculating warm air back down to floor level, creating a comfortable, energy-efficient workspace where it matters most.
Up to 10,000 m³/h Airflow:
Delivers powerful circulation, ideal for warehouses with ceilings exceeding 5m high.
Built-In Thermostat:
Automatically activates the fan when air stratifies beneath the ceiling, ensuring consistent temperature spread.
Reduces Heat Stratification & Energy Use:
Cuts the temperature gap between ceiling and floor, reducing heat loss and potentially saving up to 30% on heating costs.
Simple Chain Suspension Installation:
Easy to hang through four eye bolts and chains, quick to position for optimal circulation.
Partnering for a Sustainable Future
Sustainability is no longer a nice-to-have; it’s a priority for forward-thinking businesses. At OKEL, we’re committed to supporting our customers in achieving their environmental and energy-efficiency goals through innovative, future-ready solutions.
Every bespoke system we design is built with energy efficiency at its core. This not only helps lower your operational costs but also supports your wider sustainability ambitions, whether you’re working toward green certifications, carbon reduction targets, or simply looking to demonstrate your environmental responsibility.
With OKEL as your partner, you gain more than a high-performance system; you take a meaningful step toward a more sustainable future for your business and the communities you serve.
Lower Energy Costs
Reduced Emissions
Sustainability Future
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is the best way to heat a warehouse?
Most warehouses are made up of large open-plan spaces with average heights often exceeding 10 metres. That makes heating a warehouse effectively and efficiently a challenging task.
The two types of warehouse heating that are most popular with our customers are warm air and radiant heating, each of which comes with its own individual merits.
To help you decide which is the most suitable type of heating for your own warehouse premises, a member of our team will visit your site to carry out a detailed site survey and to understand more about your individual needs. We can then determine which option would be best suited to you.
- Who needs a warehouse heating system?
Any company that utilises warehouses or other storage facilities may require a suitable warehouse heating system to protect the quality and preservation of stock and to ensure a comfortable working environment for warehouse operatives.
- Can I heat my warehouse without gas?
Some large organisations, as part of their commitment to become carbon neutral, are wanting to phase out gas from their sites, including existing gas-fired heating systems, opting to replace them with a greener and more environmentally friendly alternative fuel source such as electricity.
Whether it’s feasible for you to swap from gas to electric fuel will be dependent on you having sufficient spare 3 phase electricity capacity to fuel your site. It is also likely that running costs will increase should you move to electric, as the cost of commercial electricity per kw/h exceeds that of commercial gas.
OKEL can support you with either gas or electric warehouse heating options and we can also provide you with comparative running costs between the two fuel types to help with your decision-making.
- Why choose OKEL for warehouse heating?
By putting your trust in OKEL to deliver your warehouse heating project you can be assured of the following:
- Bespoke warehouse heating solutions. We understand every warehouse is unique and tailor heating systems to your exact needs.
- Energy-efficient and environmentally friendly solutions. Our designs prioritise energy savings and minimise environmental impact.
- Skilled and experienced warehouse heating engineers. Trust our team of 20+ year industry experts, all of whom are fully certified for safe and expert installation.
- A personal approach. We treat every warehouse heating project with care. Your dedicated project manager ensures seamless communication and guides you through the entire process.
- No job too large or small. We deliver practical heating solutions for warehouses of any size or for multiple sites, offering consistent quality workmanship and service to businesses across the UK.
When you work with OKEL, you’ll have peace of mind knowing your warehouse heating needs are being handled by experienced professionals committed to efficiency, personalisation, and quality results.
- What is OKEL's process for warehouse heating solutions?
OKEL’s warehouse heating installation process is designed to ensure your needs are met with minimum disruption to your business processes and maximum attention to safety. Here’s a breakdown of how we deliver the perfect solution for your warehouse:
1. Initial site survey. Your dedicated project manager assesses your warehouse, your existing heating system, and your specific needs.
2. Solutions and quotations. Our design team crafts a customised heating solution and presents options with clear cost estimates, including financing if desired.
3. Running costs. We provide estimated operating costs for your new system, factoring in usage and energy prices for informed budgeting.
4. Pre-installation planning. Detailed risk assessments and plans ensure a safe installation process for our engineers and your warehouse staff.
5. Warehouse heating system installation. We install your system with minimal disruption to your operations, working with you to schedule all work for your convenience.
6. Handing over. We thoroughly train your team on your new heating system’s operation and provide all necessary documentation and certifications.
7. Aftercare. We offer full warranty protection and our comprehensive aftercare package, including maintenance and priority repairs.From the initial consultation to ongoing support, OKEL is your partner in creating an efficient, comfortable warehouse environment. We ensure a smooth experience and a heating solution tailored to your precise needs.
- Who can install a warehouse heating system?
A warehouse heating system is a complex installation and, subject to your chosen fuel source, will require either commercial gas or electrical approved engineers to carry out the works to comply with safety regulations such as Gas Safe and NICEIC.
Our teams of engineers have years of experience installing warehouse heating systems and are all fully trained and accredited in their chosen field. Not only do they know how to make your new system operate at maximum efficiency, but they also have experience fitting these systems while working at height – a key part of the installation process.
- How much does a warehouse heating system cost?
Every warehouse heating solution we design and install is tailored to our customers’ individual needs. Therefore, we are only able to provide you with a formal quotation after having attended the site in person or having received detailed information remotely relating to your individual project.
- How long does a warehouse heating system installation take?
Much like estimating the installation cost, it is not possible to confirm the length of time it takes to install a warehouse heating system without knowing exactly what kind of heating system you require. For example, a one heater installation could take 1-2 days to complete whilst a large-scale heating project with multiple heaters and destratification systems can take weeks, all depending on the project specifics.