There are two main non-recirculating direct gas-fired heater designs for commercial and industrial applications and those are blow-through and draw-through. The main difference in these two systems is the location of the blower relative to the burner. While a simple difference, blow-through units provide multiple benefits for large industrial space heating driven applications.

Industrial settings - with much exhaust airflow for contaminants and a substantial footprint - can struggle to achieve clean and temperate indoor air conditions without expensive mechanical cooling systems. However, the sheer size of many of these facilities prices that technology out of the possible solution set. On the other end of the cooling option spectrum, HVLS fans tend to move the hot air around, dependent on contact cooling for temperature relief. The moving air from HVLS fans can help employees feel more comfortable but cannot address internal heat gains within a facility nor provide temperature relief. Somewhere between those two options stands evaporative cooling technology, which provides tempered make-up air while also improving indoor air quality with the usage of 100% outdoor air.

Indoor air quality affects us daily, but we don't always consider it. We spend more than two-thirds of our time indoors, which means we're always breathing in air quality. This can have a significant impact on our health. Cambridge Air Solutions has over 60 years of experience in the industrial cooling industry, and we understand the importance of indoor air quality (IAQ).

While electrified systems that produce zero carbon are a long-term goal for some, the reality is that leaders will need make decisions for their facilities long before that goal will be achievable. Finding partners and technology that require less carbon, especially for large, high-bay facilities is instrumental to helping these leaders along that path.

When addressing the conditions specific to that type of facility, heating and ventilating a car wash tunnel can be challenging. Corrosive chemicals, high humidity and open tunnel doors all present obstacles to effectively heat the tunnels.

In warehouse and distribution center spaces where our standard S-Series HTHV (high-temperature heaving & ventilation) heaters are commonly installed, the units see 20-30+ year lifespans under routine maintenance and within the range of normal environmental conditions. However, not all applications are “standard” and need specific conditions to be considered in the system design. A prime example of a situation where a facility needs the heat throw and efficiency that our S-Series provides, but with an overly humid environment, is that of heating a carwash tunnel.