Industrial heaters are used to heat large spaces. Industrial electric heaters and industrial gas heaters can be found in office buildings, factories, hospitals, warehouses -- anywhere where a large space requires heating.

Whether it be a rental electric heater used to heat a building temporarily, or a more permanent industrial heater, the maintenance and required repair are the same. If you are interested in furthering or pursuing a career in servicing process electric heaters, electric industrial heaters or business heaters of any kind, consider the following industrial heaters education and training options:

1. Enroll in a course offered by a technical school that covers industrial heater basics.

2. Take a course offered by a professional organization that can be easily applied to industrial heater work.

3. Earn certifications to increase your marketability in the industrial heater industry.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Enroll in a course offered by a technical school that covers industrial heater basics

Check out technical schools in your area to see if they offer classes that discuss industrial heating systems as part of a heating and/or cooling systems overview. More and more schools are offering online courses as well, which may work better with your schedule.

I recommend: The Penn Foster Career School offers an online HVAC technician program that includes coursework in basic heating systems. The MTI Academy of Heat Treaters offers various "heat treating" courses that provide the basics about industrial heating systems.

Take a course offered by a professional organization which is applicable to industrial heaters

Professional networking associations and organizations serve to represent the interests of a particular industry and keep its members abreast of pertinent issues. These associations also often offer educational opportunities taught or written by experts.

I recommend: ASM International, a materials information networking organization, offers a self study course in Induction Heating, a method of providing heat that requires electricity. The Industrial Heating Equipment Association (IHEA) offers online coursework entitled the "Fundamentals of Industrial Process Heating."

Earn certifications to increase your marketability in the industrial heater industry

Nothing advertises the term 'expert' better than the mention of an industry certification after your name. There are a number of certifications that may enhance your marketability in the industrial heater business.

I recommend: Many industrial gas heaters run on propane, which makes completion of the National Propane Gas Association's Certified Employee Training Program (CETP) worthwhile. The CETP teaches propane gas industry workers how to perform their work safely and effectively. The Lone Star College System offers a Commercial Servicing Certificate for Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning and Refrigeration. One of the required courses for certification is a class on gas and electric heating.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Many of the principals that apply to commercial or industrial heaters also apply to residential heating systems. Consider taking a course or two about residential heating basics and seeing if your industrial heater experience will translate well to residential heating opportunities.

Industrial heaters are capable of serving a variety of business purposes beyond simply heating an area for comfort. Business heaters can heat material containers, conduct heat current, bend to fit and heat a piece of equipment, and heat substances such as liquids, to name just a few applications.

But perhaps the most common association for the industrial heater is act of heating space, a task that is growing beyond the limited sophistication of blowing hot air. Both industrial electric heaters and industrial gas heaters can be applied to heat air to stave off freezing and control humidity.

Industrial heaters are most likely to be available in the following forms:

1. Cartridge heaters placed into a heated substance.

2. Coil, cable and cylindrical band industrial heaters that heat through conductivity.

3. Industrial space heaters used to heat air.

4. Industrial heaters cast into a part.

5. Ceramic fiber heaters used for radiant heat.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Control your business' climate with industrial space heaters

Control of the air temperature and humidity is yours with an industrial space heater, which conveniently comes in the form of both industrial electric heaters and industrial gas heaters.

I recommend: For electric industrial heaters, peruse the inventory at The Heater Shop. If you need industrial gas heaters, find them at Cambridge Engineering Inc.

Coil and cable industrial heaters bring big heat to small spaces

Coil and cable heaters are a must for heating at high temperatures, and for tasks where you need your heater to conform to customized shapes and configurations.

I recommend: HCS offers coil and cable heaters, while National Plastic Sensor Heater & Control Inc. offers coil heaters for numerous applications.

Find cartridge heaters for any temperature

While cartridge heaters are often associated with heating needs that top the 1,000 degrees Fahrenheit mark, these heaters are also available in more economic forms for lower operating temperatures. Get the right type of cartridge heater for your needs from reputable online sources.

I recommend: Direct Industry lists numerous cartridge heaters by manufacturer, while Complete Plastics offers a wide range of different cartridge heater types.

Use cast-in industrial heaters that adapt to your equipment

Cast-in heaters are designed to further enhance your equipment for heating purposes. These heaters offer flexibility in design to conform to any shape or size.

I recommend: Watlow offers online brochures for their cartridge heaters detailing size and watt density. Tempco also details their cast-in heater offerings for the processing of plastics.

Conserve energy with ceramic fiber heaters

Almost exclusively used for radiant heat applications, ceramic fiber heaters provide a more consistent, even heat source that uses less energy--but with great results.

I recommend: Rex Materials Group sells numerous heater designs, and Thermcraft sells ceramic fiber heaters in two different temperature ranges.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  All types of industrial heaters can help you save money and energy--but if they're damaged or not operating properly, they can prove to be more burden than help. To get the most out of your industrial heaters, depending on the type, be sure to check regularly for cracks, examine pressures, or replace heaters over 20 years old.