Heating an aircraft hangar presents unique challenges that demand specialized solutions. Large doors, expansive spaces, and high ceilings make traditional heating methods inefficient and costly. Infrared radiant heating systems have emerged as the superior method for providing consistent, energy-efficient warmth in these demanding environments.
The Challenge of Heating Aircraft Hangars
Aircraft hangars often feature ceiling heights ranging from 20 to 85 feet, creating vast volumes of air that traditional heating systems struggle to condition effectively. Forced air systems, while common, suffer from significant heat loss, especially when large hangar doors are frequently opened. This results in increased energy consumption and higher operational costs.
In contrast, infrared radiant heaters work by warming surfaces directly, rather than heating the air. This method ensures that warmth is retained at the ground level, where aircraft technicians and maintenance crews operate, even when hangar doors are open.
Space-Ray’s Expert Approach to Hangar Heating
At Space-Ray, we deploy our proprietary COMPUHEAT Analysis Program to deliver custom-designed infrared heating solutions tailored to the specific dimensions and requirements of each aircraft hangar. This meticulous analysis ensures optimal heater placement, energy efficiency, and a comfortable working environment.
Our process involves:
- Conducting an in-depth assessment of the hangar’s dimensions, insulation levels, and operational usage.
- Designing a strategic layout utilizing high-efficiency gas-fired infrared tube heaters, including U-tube and straight tube models.
- Positioning heaters strategically around the perimeter and adjacent to the main hangar doors to maximize radiant floor heating while minimizing radiant spill onto sidewalls and doors.
Strategic Heater Placement for Maximum Efficiency
Proper placement of infrared heaters is critical. By locating units along the perimeter, we allow the infrared energy to be absorbed by the floor and surrounding objects, turning them into secondary heat sources. This method creates a massive radiant plane, ensuring a consistent and comfortable temperature throughout the work area.
This strategy is particularly beneficial in active hangars where doors open frequently. Even with a 60-foot wide hangar door open, technicians on the floor experience little to no discomfort thanks to the floor’s radiative heat retention.
Key Benefits of Space-Ray Infrared Heating Systems
Choosing Space-Ray’s infrared heating systems for aircraft hangars offers numerous advantages that directly impact operational efficiency, employee satisfaction, and energy consumption:
Customized Gas-Fired Infrared Solutions
Heating requirements vary widely based on the size, usage, and location of the hangar. Space-Ray provides tailored solutions rather than a one-size-fits-all approach. Each system is carefully designed to meet the unique needs of individual hangars, ensuring maximum performance and energy savings.
Temperature Zone Control
Our systems incorporate advanced digital thermostat panels with night setback features, allowing facility managers to reduce heating during non-operational hours. This zoning capability prevents energy waste and lowers utility costs without sacrificing comfort during active periods.
Significant Energy Savings
Aircraft hangars switching from traditional boiler systems to Space-Ray’s radiant tube heaters can realize dramatic energy savings. Case studies reveal savings up to 80% in some large-scale hangar complexes, providing a substantial return on investment over time.
Improved Employee Comfort and Productivity
A properly heated hangar is essential for maintaining worker morale and productivity. By heating the workspace from the ground up, infrared systems ensure that mechanics and technicians remain comfortable, even when external temperatures plummet and large hangar doors are in operation.
Ideal Applications: From Private Planes to Jumbo Jets
Space-Ray’s infrared heating solutions are versatile enough to accommodate a wide range of aircraft and hangar types. Whether a facility houses small private planes like Cessnas or massive Boeing 747s, our customized heating systems deliver consistent, reliable performance tailored to the specific demands of the operation.
Our extensive experience—having successfully installed systems in over 2,000 aircraft hangars across the United States—positions us as the premier choice for hangar heating solutions.
Technical Excellence in Every Installation
Space-Ray’s heaters feature advanced technology, including high-efficiency burners, corrosion-resistant construction, and modular design for ease of maintenance. Our U-tube and straight tube heaters are built for high-output performance, ensuring that even the largest and most demanding spaces are adequately heated.
Technical highlights include:
- High thermal efficiency ratings
- Corrosion-resistant aluminized steel construction
- Optional protective coatings for harsh environments
- Multiple mounting configurations to fit diverse hangar layouts
Why Infrared Heating Outperforms Forced Air Systems
Unlike forced air systems that heat the air (which naturally rises away from work areas), infrared heating focuses energy directly on floors, objects, and people. This results in:
- Faster heat recovery times after hangar doors open
- Reduced stratification and heat loss
- Enhanced energy efficiency
- Lower operational and maintenance costs
Furthermore, the quiet operation of infrared heaters enhances the working environment by reducing noise pollution often associated with large HVAC blowers.
Customer Success Stories
Customers who have transitioned to Space-Ray’s infrared heating solutions consistently report significant improvements in comfort levels, operational efficiency, and energy cost reductions.
- An 88,000 sq. ft. hangar that switched from a boiler system to radiant heating reported 52% savings.
- A 1,000,000 sq. ft. hangar complex realized 80% savings after retrofitting their oil-fired boiler system with Space-Ray infrared tube heaters.
Such success stories highlight the transformative impact that properly engineered infrared heating systems can have on operational efficiency and cost control.
Trust Space-Ray for Your Hangar Heating Needs
With decades of industry experience, an unmatched portfolio of successful projects, and a commitment to delivering custom-engineered infrared heating solutions, Space-Ray stands as the trusted partner for aircraft hangar operators seeking dependable, cost-effective heating solutions.
Contact a Space-Ray representative today to initiate a comprehensive evaluation of your facility’s heating requirements and discover how we can enhance comfort, productivity, and energy savings in your aircraft hangar.
