Heating sizing — frequently asked questions
How many BTUs do I need to heat my space?
BTU/hr requirement equals the cubic feet of your space, multiplied by the temperature rise needed (in degrees Fahrenheit), multiplied by an insulation factor. Industrial baseline for a sealed space targeting a 40°F rise runs roughly 0.3 BTU per cubic foot per degree. Adjust upward for open or uninsulated structures, downward for tightly insulated buildings. The calculator above runs this math automatically and recommends a specific Cantherm Arcotherm heater for the calculated load.
What’s the full Cantherm Arcotherm heating lineup?
Cantherm Distributors carries the complete Arcotherm portable heating lineup: EC Series indirect-fired (112,141 to 293,982 BTU input) for workshops and mid-bays; PHOEN Series indirect-fired (380,000 to 412,000 BTU) for heavy construction, mining, and oil & gas; JUMBO Series indirect-fired (600,000 to 800,000 BTU) for major industrial applications; TITAN Series indirect-fired (750,000 to 1,000,000 BTU) for the largest industrial loads; FIRE Series radiant (45,000 to 155,000 BTU) for large open spaces and dust-sensitive applications; EK Series electric (5,000 to 60,000 BTU, launching Fall 2026) for indoor finishing and zero-emissions applications. The entire range delivers clean breathable air — Cantherm carries no direct-fired blown-air heaters.
What’s the difference between indirect-fired, radiant, and direct-fired heating?
Indirect-fired heaters (Arcotherm EC, PHOEN, JUMBO, TITAN Series) isolate combustion inside a heat exchanger and vent exhaust gases outside the heated space — delivering clean dry heat with no carbon monoxide, no carbon dioxide, no combustion moisture in the breathable air. Radiant heaters (Arcotherm FIRE Series) create a high-temperature grille that radiates heat outward; the high heat barrier burns combustion residues for clean output and 100% efficiency, with no air movement (ideal for dust-sensitive applications). Direct-fired heaters burn fuel in open flame and blow combustion air directly into the heated space — Cantherm does not carry direct-fired blown-air heaters. Cantherm’s deeper buyer’s guide compares the technologies in detail.
When should I choose radiant heating over indirect-fired?
Choose the Arcotherm FIRE Series radiant heater for large open spaces (warehouses, industrial sheds, yards, open construction sites) and any application where stirring up dust, debris, or fine particulates is unacceptable. Radiant heat doesn’t move air — it warms surfaces and people directly through infrared radiation. This makes FIRE Series ideal for industries where dust control matters (woodworking, food processing facilities under refit, certain agricultural applications). For occupied enclosed workspaces and moisture-sensitive applications (concrete curing, drywall, paint drying), choose Arcotherm EC, PHOEN, JUMBO, or TITAN Series indirect-fired instead.
Can a portable heater heat an enclosed workshop?
Yes — Arcotherm EC Series indirect-fired heaters are specifically engineered for enclosed workshops. The sealed combustion chamber prevents combustion byproducts from entering the heated air, making them safe for occupied workspaces. The EC 100 (112,141 BTU input), EC 200 (204,873 BTU input), and EC 300 (293,982 BTU input) cover the workshop, mid-bay, and large-industrial-bay size ranges respectively. For larger enclosed bays, step up to PHOEN, JUMBO, or TITAN Series indirect-fired.
What’s the largest portable heater Cantherm carries?
The Arcotherm TITAN 1000 delivers 1,000,000 BTU input with 92 to 96% efficiency — Cantherm’s largest single-unit portable heater. TITAN 750 (750,000 BTU) sits one notch below. Both can be outfitted with gas (natural gas or propane) or oil (diesel, kerosene, jet fuel) burners. For loads beyond a single TITAN 1000, Cantherm specs coordinated multi-unit installations.
Why use indirect-fired heating for concrete curing or drywall?
Direct-fired combustion releases water vapor into the heated air along with the heat. For moisture-sensitive applications — concrete curing, drywall protection, paint and finish drying — that additional humidity is harmful. Arcotherm EC, PHOEN, JUMBO, and TITAN Series indirect-fired heaters vent combustion moisture outside the structure, delivering dry heated air. This is why Cantherm’s industrial heating lineup is built around indirect-fired technology — it’s the right answer for the widest range of professional applications.
Does Cantherm offer electric heating options?
Yes — the Arcotherm EK Series electric portable heaters are launching at Cantherm in Fall 2026. The EK Series delivers 5,000 to 60,000 BTU of nominal heating power with 100% clean output (no flame, no fumes) and 100% efficiency (all electrical input becomes heat output). Ideal for indoor finishing work, ventilation-restricted spaces, paint drying, and sites without fuel storage. For pre-launch quotes and information, contact the Cantherm product team.
Can portable heating equipment run on a diesel generator?
Yes. Most Arcotherm portable heaters (EC, PHOEN, JUMBO, TITAN, FIRE Series) are engineered for off-grid power compatibility — the fan motor and ignition system are the only electrical loads. Smaller units run on standard 120V 15A or 20A breakers; larger units typically require 240V 30A. Generator sizing should account for inrush current at burner ignition. The Cantherm product team can advise on power matching for specific generator installations.
How does ceiling height affect heating load?
Cubic feet drives the heating calculation — not just floor area. Tall ceilings dramatically increase the cubic feet to be heated. A 40 by 30 foot workshop with 8-foot ceilings is 9,600 cubic feet; with 16-foot ceilings it’s 19,200 cubic feet (doubling the heat load). The calculator handles this automatically via the Length, Width, and Height inputs.
