How to Choose the Right Electric Heater for Your Canadian Commercial Space

DirectIndustrial.ca  |  Buying Guides  |  Heating

You're spec'ing a heater for a warehouse, garage, shop, or commercial unit. You know the voltage, you know the square footage — but the options are wider than they need to be, and every manufacturer makes their product sound like the obvious choice. This guide cuts through it.

Here's how to make a fast, defensible decision on electric commercial heating — without overpaying or undersizing.

Step 1: Understand Your Load — kW and BTU

Electric heaters are rated in kilowatts (kW). One kilowatt equals roughly 3,412 BTU/h. For Canadian commercial spaces with poor insulation, cold concrete floors, and loading dock doors that open frequently, the common rule of thumb — 10 watts per square foot — is a starting point, not a ceiling.

A well-insulated 1,000 sq ft shop might need 10 kW. That same footprint with an overhead door used daily and uninsulated walls could need 15–20 kW. Always factor in:

• Insulation quality (walls, ceiling, slab)
• Ceiling height — high bays lose heat fast
• Door frequency and type (roll-up, man door, loading dock)
• Occupancy — are people working in it, or is it just protecting equipment from freezing?

Step 2: Match the Heater Type to the Application

Not all electric heaters are the same. The two main categories for commercial use are unit heaters and infrared heaters, and they heat differently.

For enclosed spaces under 20 ft ceiling height, unit heaters are typically the most cost-effective install. They're straightforward to wire, mount, and commission. TPI unit heaters are a staple for exactly this reason — predictable performance, CSA-listed, and available in configurations from single-phase 208V through 3-phase 480V.

For larger bays, open-faced areas, or spaces where doors are constantly opening and closing — infrared makes more sense. You're not heating air that escapes; you're heating the floor, equipment, and the people in the space directly. Schwank infrared heaters are engineered specifically for these high-demand Canadian commercial environments.

Step 3: Confirm Voltage and Phase Before You Order

This is where contractors sometimes get ahead of themselves. Always verify the electrical service before specifying a heater:

• Single-phase 208V or 240V — common in smaller commercial units and residential/light commercial panels
• 3-phase 208V, 240V, or 600V — standard in industrial and larger commercial buildings

Ordering a 600V/3-phase heater for a single-phase service is a costly mistake. Check the panel, confirm with the building owner or electrical drawing, and order accordingly. Most TPI unit heaters are available in multiple voltage configurations — select the right one at time of purchase.

Step 4: Think About Placement and Controls

For unit heaters, ceiling-mount in the corner of the space angled diagonally to maximize air circulation. Pair with a line-voltage thermostat or a remote-mounted thermostat for better comfort control. For larger installs, consider zoning with multiple smaller units rather than one oversized heater — it gives more flexibility and redundancy.

Infrared heaters are typically ceiling-mounted in rows, with spacing based on mounting height and heater output. Schwank provides layout tools and application support to help size these installs correctly.

Bottom Line

Right-size for your actual load, match heater type to how the space is used, confirm electrical service before ordering, and you'll get a clean, efficient install that performs through a Canadian winter.