The Challenges of Garage and Workshop Heating
Providing effective heating for garages and workshops can be difficult due to many potential considerations. These challenges include:
Poor Insulation
Minimal or no insulation in walls or ceilings, as well as cold concrete floors.
Exhaust Fumes
Running vehicles or equipment can introduce harmful fumes that require proper ventilation, complicating heating efficiency.
Significant Heat Loss
Large garage doors that open frequently for vehicle access let warm air escape quickly.
Higher Operating Costs
Poor insulation, frequent door openings, and ventilation needs for fumes all increase energy use and make heating the workshop more expensive.
Why Fit a Bespoke Workshop Heating Solution?
By partnering with OKEL, you’ll get a fully tailored solution for your workshop or garage heating needs. With a bespoke heating system designed and installed by our expert team, you’ll enjoy:
Reduced energy costs.
Safer working environment.
Increased productivity.
Quality manufacturing.
Fewer maintenance issues.
Improved eco-friendliness.
Commercial Heating Case Studies
Brooks Bros
Brooks Bros approached Okel in September 2025 with concerns about the performance and reliability of the heating system in their timber finishing room.
The Motor Family
We were approached by our customer, The Motor Family, who was looking for a more effective way to heat their car showroom and on-site service and MOT test centre.
Arriva UK Bus
Arriva UK Bus required a new heating solution for their open-plan Wakefield workshop, used for bus repair and servicing.
Workshop Radiant Heating Solutions
The installation of Radiant heating systems delivers an efficient heating solution especially for smaller workshop and garage space that lack insulation and require large shutter entrances to remain open all day for vehicle access.
Targeted & efficient
Warms surfaces and occupants directly, not the air, making it highly energy efficient.
Zone heating
Lets you heat only the areas in use, reducing energy waste and improving comfort.
Energy-efficient
Less heat is lost to open doors or high ceilings compared to warm-air systems.
No air circulation
Ideal for paint spray and woodwork areas where still air helps maintain cleaner, more controlled results.
Electric Warm Air Heaters
The Winterwarm EH Electric Warm Air Heater is an ideal choice for gas-free sites or those using renewable energy. Compact, efficient and easy to install, it delivers fast, even heat to factory spaces. With smart airflow control, centralised thermostat options and low maintenance.
100% Electric:
Efficient, gas-free solution ideal for commercial 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.
Electric Infrared heating for Workshops
If you’re in need of spot heating solutions for an open-plan garage or workshop, and it’s without a gas supply or simply wanting a greener alternative fuel type, then an electrically powered infrared heating system could be the answer.
Simple installation
No flues or ventilation systems required.
Low maintenance
Fewer moving parts and no combustion mean minimal upkeep.
Clean and fume-free
Produces zero onsite emissions, ideal for enclosed workshops.
Safe in dusty environments
No exposed flames or combustion risks.
Instant heat
Warms up quickly, delivering fast, targeted comfort.
Gas Warm Air Heating Solutions
A warm air heating system is a highly efficient way to heat large spaces. OKEL’s customisable, modular systems use strategically placed heaters that draw outside air, heat it, and evenly distribute it with integral circulation fans.
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
Experience the perfect blend of efficiency and performance with customised Hybrid Heater and Heat Pump systems. Tailored to your factory’s needs, they use advanced technology and smart controls to deliver consistent warmth, lower costs, and enhance workplace 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 a Summer Ventilation Mode for continuous air circulation to keep spaces cool during warm days.
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 workshop or garage?
There are many options when it comes to providing effective heat for garages and workshops. However, the best way to heat these spaces will depend on the size and age of your building, as well as how often it’s used. Long-term efficient heating and cooling solutions include radiant and far infrared heaters.
- What workshop heaters do OKEL use?
At OKEL, we provide heating and cooling solutions using the latest technologies and innovations to make sure our clients’ workshops receive reliable, efficient, and eco-friendly heating. Our team uses makes and models from learning manufacturers to find the solution that’s best for your needs.
Our popular heaters for workshop spaces include:
- Winterwarm EH electric air heater.
- Winterwarm radiant tubes.
- Winterwarm XR+ gas-fired heater
- Far Infrared electric bar heaters
- How long does it take to install workshop heating?
The expected installation time for a workshop heating system will vary depending on several factors relating to the layout of the workshop/garage and the type and complexity of the system chosen. Our expert team makes sure to minimise downtime for your operations, completing installations as quickly as possible while maintaining a high standard.
- Where do garages lose the most heat?
Oftentimes, heat loss occurs in garages and workshops through large shutter entrance doors, and poorly insulated walls and roof space.