Warehouse heating has quietly become one of the most complex challenges facing commercial property owners. Rising energy costs, decarbonisation targets, EPC pressure and the gradual shift away from fossil fuels have forced many businesses to reconsider traditional gas or oil-fired warm air systems. In this evolving landscape, ceiling suspended electric unit heaters such as the Powrmatic LEC range are increasingly being viewed as a practical and forward-thinking solution.
For many warehouse operators, the primary concern is straightforward, maintain consistent, controllable heat without sacrificing valuable floor space.
High-level installation has always been the preferred approach in logistics centres, manufacturing facilities and distribution hubs. By suspending heating equipment at ceiling level, businesses preserve operational zones below while ensuring warm air is delivered across racking aisles and open floor areas. The LEC electric heater range has been engineered specifically around this principle.
View the Range:
| Model | Heat Output (kW) | Heat Output (Btu) | Phase | Voltage | Airflow (m³/h) | Max Current (A) | Noise dB(A) | Length (mm) | Width (mm) | Height (mm) | Weight (kg) | IP Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| LEC5F | 5 | 17000 | 1ph | 230V~50Hz | 1400 | 24.2 | 49 | 657 | 430 | 440 | 27 | IP54 |
| LEC10F | 10 | 34000 | 3ph | 380-415V~50Hz | 1400 | 16.6 | 49 | 857 | 430 | 440 | 31 | IP54 |
| LEC20F | 20 | 68000 | 3ph | 380-415V~50Hz | 2020 | 32.6 | 48 | 857 | 430 | 670 | 46 | IP54 |
| LEC30F | 30 | 102000 | 3ph | 380-415V~50Hz | 3500 | 45.0 | 48 | 857 | 580 | 670 | 51 | IP54 |
| LEC40F | 40 | 136000 | 3ph | 380-415V~50Hz | 4250 | 64.6 | 52 | 857 | 580 | 670 | 62 | IP54 |
Unlike portable electric heaters or domestic-style wall units, the LEC series is built for industrial duty. With outputs ranging from 5kW through to 40kW, these ceiling suspended electric heaters provide scalable heating strategies for both small workshops and expansive warehouse environments. The larger 30kW and 40kW models in particular offer airflow volumes capable of managing significant air displacement, helping to counteract stratification in high-bay buildings.
One of the most notable shifts in commercial heating over recent years has been the move toward electrification. Gas availability is no longer guaranteed on new developments, and many refurbishment projects are encountering compliance restrictions linked to carbon reduction commitments. In these scenarios, industrial electric unit heaters present a compelling alternative. The Powrmatic LEC range operates on 230V single-phase or 380–415V three-phase supplies, making them suitable for integration into existing electrical infrastructure in most commercial premises.
From a maintenance perspective, electric heating offers simplicity. Without burners, flues, gas pipework or combustion components, ongoing servicing requirements are significantly reduced when compared to traditional warm air heaters. For facilities managers overseeing multiple units across large estates, this reduction in mechanical complexity can translate into long-term operational stability and predictable servicing schedules.
Control flexibility is another factor that often goes overlooked. The LEC range is compatible with Powrmatic’s MC200 and MC500 control platforms, allowing zoning, group control and even BMS integration where required. In modern warehouse settings where heating demand fluctuates depending on occupancy or production schedules, this level of control can improve efficiency while maintaining occupant comfort.
It is also important to recognise that electric heating does not automatically mean inefficiency. While direct electric resistance heating does not achieve the same coefficient of performance as a heat pump, it provides immediate heat output, predictable performance and straightforward installation. In buildings where structural constraints, capital budgets or programme timelines make air source heat pumps impractical, suspended electric unit heaters can provide a pragmatic interim or long-term solution.
The Powrmatic LEC electric heater range is particularly well suited to warehouse decarbonisation projects where a full mechanical redesign is not viable. By retaining the warm air distribution concept familiar to most industrial facilities while eliminating on-site combustion, the LEC range exemplifies a transitional approach to lower-carbon heating.
As commercial property requirements evolve, heating systems must balance practicality, compliance and cost control. Ceiling suspended electric unit heaters are no longer considered a niche solution. Instead, they are becoming part of a broader strategic conversation around electrification, EPC improvement and operational resilience. For warehouse operators seeking a durable, controllable and straightforward electric heating solution, the Powrmatic LEC range provides a credible industrial option.
