How to choose a heating system?
Choosing the right heating system means balancing volume, insulation, and energy: heat pump for efficiency, gas for power, or electricity for small premises. Everything depends on the emitter chosen: convection for rapid temperature rise or radiation for large volumes to avoid stratification.
The mistakes? Ignoring the construction coefficient $C$, neglecting acoustics in offices, and forgetting BMS control. A well-sized installation ($V \times C \times \Delta T$) guarantees comfort and profitability — provided you anticipate maintenance and the scalability of your building.
Choosing the right heating system is a strategic decision that impacts not only the comfort of your employees and customers but also your company's profitability for the next ten years. Between changing energy prices and new environmental standards, the choice can no longer be made "by gut feeling." At Climatik, we support our clients through a rigorous analysis of their needs to transform an energy expense into a performance investment.
1. The crucial step: Analyzing your needs
Before even talking about boilers or heat pumps, you need to define your building's thermal profile.
Volume and ceiling height
A 100 m² office with a 2.50 m ceiling height is not treated the same way as a 1,000 m² warehouse with an 8 m ceiling height.
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Low height: Convection (hot air) or hydraulic (radiators) are preferred.
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High height: Radiation (infrared) is preferred to prevent all the heat from accumulating at the ceiling.
The level of insulation
This is the K factor (heat loss coefficient). The older and less insulated your building is, the more "striking" heating power you will need. Conversely, in an RT2020 building, low power is sufficient, but the regulation must be ultra-precise.
2. Energy comparison: Which source to choose?
The choice of energy is often dictated by access to networks, but also by your long-term vision.
Electricity: Simplicity, a cost to monitor
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Usage: Small premises, offices, or supplementary heating.
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Advantages: Low installation cost, low maintenance, immediate responsiveness.
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Disadvantages: High kWh price. For large volumes, it can quickly become a financial black hole.
Gas: The industrial standard
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Usage: Workshops, shops, gymnasiums.
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Advantages: Massive power, moderate energy cost compared to electric, mature technology (condensing boilers or gas air heaters).
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Disadvantages: Requires a connection or a propane tank, mandatory annual maintenance.
The Heat Pump (HP): Ecological efficiency
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Usage: Modern offices, shops, low-energy buildings.
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Advantages: For 1 kWh consumed, it restitutes approximately 3 to 4 kWh of heat.
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Disadvantages: High initial investment, performance decreases in very cold weather (except for specific models).
3. Choosing the right emitter: How to distribute heat?
Once the energy is chosen, you need to decide how to "push" the heat into the room. This is where Climatik's expertise makes the difference.
Convection Heating (Hot Air)
Air is heated then blown by a fan (air heater, rooftop unit, split system).
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Ideal for: Shops and spaces where a rapid temperature increase is desired.
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Watch out for: Stratification (hot air rising).
Radiant Heating
Tubes or panels directly heat objects and people without heating the air in between.
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Ideal for: Work areas in large hangars or loading docks.
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Watch out for: Not suitable if numerous obstacles (high shelving) block the rays.
Hydraulic Heating
Hot water circulates in radiators or underfloor heating.
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Ideal for: Tertiary comfort (offices) and areas where a gentle, constant heat is sought.
Calculating your system's power
To avoid mistakes, our technicians use the simplified formula for thermal needs:
P = V x C x Delta T
Where:
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P : Required power in Watts.
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V : Volume of the premises in m3
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C : Construction coefficient (from 0.7 for very insulated to 2.0 for uninsulated).
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Delta T : Difference between the desired temperature and the lowest outdoor temperature in your region (e.g., 20°C indoors - (-5°C outdoors) = 25).
Climatik Example: A 1,000 m³ workshop, moderately insulated (C=1.2) with a target of 18°C at -7°C outdoors will require a power of: 1000 x 1.2 x 25 = 30000 Watts, or 30 kW.
4. Often overlooked criteria when purchasing
Making a good choice also means anticipating daily constraints.
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Noise: In an office, a noisy fan interferes with concentration. Check the sound pressure in dB(A).
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Maintenance: A complex system performs well, but are spare parts available? Is after-sales service local?
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Scalability: Will your company expand? Can you add modules to your current installation?
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Regulation: A good system without a good thermostat is like a car without a steering wheel. Invest in a Building Management System (BMS) to control your consumption.
Why go through Climatik for your heating choice?
Choosing a heating system from a catalog is a risk. At Climatik, we transform this risk into certainty:
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Profitability study (ROI): We compare the installation cost with the energy savings generated over 5 or 10 years for you.
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Multi-brand solution: We are not tied to a single manufacturer. Our priority is the most coherent technical solution for your building.
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Turnkey installation: From network installation to commissioning, our technicians manage the entire process.
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Regulatory compliance: We guide you through state aid (CEE) and the obligations of the Tertiary Decree.
Conclusion
Choosing a heating system means finding the balance between occupant comfort, energy cost, and ease of maintenance. Whether it's a powerful oil generator for a construction site, a reversible heat pump for offices, or a gas air heater for a workshop, each project deserves a tailor-made study.
Are you unsure about the necessary power or the energy to prioritize? Contact Climatik experts. We will put our expertise at the service of your comfort and your savings. With Climatik, choose intelligent heating.