Low-intensity infrared radiant tube heaters heat floors and objects rather than just the air, which makes them well suited to buildings that are tall, drafty, or opened frequently. Fuel savings of 30-50% over forced-air systems and unit heaters are commonly reported in high-bay industrial buildings, and the payback period is usually short.
We supply Roberts Gordon CoRayVac, GordonRay, and Vantage systems, and stock replacement parts for all three. They work well in a shop, a pole barn, or a large plant.
Infrared vs. warm air: where the savings come from
Infrared tube heaters save fuel through three mechanisms.
First, they heat surfaces rather than air. The floor, equipment, and people absorb radiant energy directly, so the building stays comfortable at a lower air temperature, typically about 5 degrees lower.
Second, because the heat is stored in the slab and in the building contents rather than in the air, comfort recovers quickly after a dock door opens. A forced-air system has to reheat the entire volume of air that just left the building.
Third, radiant systems do not drive the ceiling stratification that forced-air systems create, so less heat ends up wasted at the roof deck. In buildings where stratified ceiling heat is already present, that same heat can be used to temper incoming ventilation air — see Energy Jet unfired makeup air.
Published savings for low-intensity infrared over forced-air systems in high-bay industrial buildings are commonly cited in the 30 to 50 percent range. Actual savings depend on building height, insulation, air change rate, door activity, and the system being replaced.
How does a tube heater work?
Just as the sun warms the earth, infrared gas tube heaters warm the floor. This means quicker recovery of comfort after closing a door.
No more drafty forced air!
Your infrared heaters will keep you comfortable at lower temperatures—typically up to 5°F—and save you even more money.
in stock & ready to rock
Replacement Parts
Roberts Gordon is the premier manufacturer of infrared tube heaters. Radiant Energy maintains a fully stocked warehouse of systems and all replacement parts:
• CoRayVac
• GordonRay
• Vantage
• Caribe
What Size Tube Heater Do I Need?
We provide heating and ventilation load calculations and system layouts for your project, along with pricing options so budgets can be considered early. For mechanical contractors, that design work comes at no charge.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between low-intensity and high-intensity infrared?
Low-intensity tube heaters operate at lower surface temperatures across a longer radiating tube, spreading heat over a large area. That is the standard choice for general space heating in industrial buildings. High-intensity heaters concentrate higher-temperature radiation over a smaller area, used for spot heating and for outdoor or partially open applications.
Can infrared be used in a building with an existing warm air system?
Yes. Infrared is often added to specific zones such as loading docks, assembly areas, or high-bay space where a forced-air system struggles, while the existing system continues to serve the rest of the building.
How does a gas-fired infrared tube heater work?
A burner fires into a steel tube, and the hot combustion gases traveling through that tube make it radiate infrared energy downward. A reflector directs the radiation toward the floor. The floor, equipment, and people absorb that energy and re-radiate it, warming the occupied space from the ground up rather than heating the air first.
How much fuel does infrared heating save compared to warm air?
Savings of 30 to 50 percent over forced-air systems are commonly reported for low-intensity infrared in high-bay industrial buildings. The range is wide because savings depend on ceiling height, insulation, air infiltration, door activity, and the efficiency of the system being replaced. A load calculation on the specific building is the only way to project it accurately.
Is infrared a good choice for a building with frequent door openings?
It is one of the strongest applications for infrared. Because the heat is stored in the floor slab and the building contents rather than in the air, comfort recovers quickly once a door closes. A forced-air system has to reheat the entire volume of air that just left.
What if my building has dusty, humid, or corrosive air?
Standard burners are not built for contaminated air, and over time it fouls components and shortens equipment life. Roberts Gordon's Vantage line includes the HEV harsh environment model built for those conditions, and the CTHN negative pressure series uses corrosion resistant materials. Common applications are plating operations, wash bays, foundries, agricultural buildings, and process areas with airborne chemicals. Tell us what is in the air and we will select accordingly.
Who installs infrared tube heaters in Michigan?
Infrared systems are installed by mechanical contractors. Radiant Energy Systems supplies Roberts Gordon equipment and produces the system design and layout. If you are a facility manager without a contractor for the work, contact us and we will connect you with one in your area.
What size tube heater do I need?
Sizing depends on building volume, ceiling height, insulation, air change rate, and door activity. We produce heating load calculations and layouts for the specific building at no charge to mechanical contractors. Send us drawings or dimensions.
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