When you’re looking to heat one area of a building or home with cold spots, consider spot heating options. Cold spots that need heat include areas that may not have been included when the HVAC system was installed, such as new additions or spaces that were simply overlooked.
In addition to discomfort that results from cold spots, research suggests that employees are less productive when their offices are too chilly.¹ ²
There are a variety of spot heating solutions available for providing heat for potential one-time HVAC system failures. Other product configurations can provide permanent heat in applications where additional HVAC ducting isn’t a cost-effective option. Some application examples are factory assembly lines, outdoor concession stands, al fresco dining, plenum spaces (the space between a structural ceiling and a drop-down ceiling) and shipping and receiving docks.
Spot heating is especially popular in certain residential applications such as rooms that receive less sunlight or are located far from HVAC, basements, attics and home extensions like sun rooms or three season rooms.
Following are three types of heaters developed specifically for spot heating needs:
Plenum-rated heaters – These heaters are ideal for supplemental/primary indoor heating for home extension areas such as attics, sun rooms or three season rooms. Applications where HVAC ducting isn’t a feasible option, such as piping freeze protection, require heat that a plenum-rated heater can provide. Other applications for this product are parking garages and zero clearance areas. Plenum-rated heaters can be hidden in ceilings and branched out for even distribution of heat.
Utility Well House/Pump House heaters – This line of heaters is ideal for supplemental heat in utility environments, pump houses and small, remote, standalone buildings. These heaters work well if you don’t want to add extra electrical lines, piping or ductwork. These compact convection heaters are extremely durable, tamper-proof, require no maintenance, can work in a range of voltages and provide supplemental heat for added comfort or freeze protection.
Radiant/Infrared Heaters – Radiant or infrared heaters are ideal in covered outdoor locations such as sports arenas to provide uniform, zonal spot heating and snow melt. Electric radiant heat warms people directly instead of warming the surrounding air. Additionally, they offer affordable, clean and safe comfort with no gas or propane fumes. Radiant heat cuts through natural elements such as rain and wind. With no fans, dust and allergens don’t get blown around.
Whether your goal is to warm every part of your property or to keep your pipes from freezing, each of these products provides a simple and effective solution for indoor or outdoor spot heating needs.
About the authors: Andrew Martin and Dennis Krob are product managers at Marley Engineered Products®, a leading North American designer and manufacturer of reliable comfort heating and ventilation solutions for residential, commercial and institutional buildings. Recognized by contractors, architects, engineers and HVAC professionals for providing a wide range of high-performance, reliable heating and ventilation solutions, Marley Engineered Products’ brands include QMark®, Berko®, Fahrenheat® and Leading Edge®.
Marley Engineered Products’ manufacturing operations are based in Bennettsville, S.C., with regional sales representatives located throughout the U.S. and an administrative office in Burr Ridge, Ill.
For more information on spot heating solutions offered by Marley Engineered Products heaters, visit the following links:

• QMark Plenum Rated Heaters
• Berko Plenum Rated Heaters
• QMark Utility Well House/Pump House heaters
• Berko Utility Well House/Pump House heaters
• QMark Radiant Heaters
• Berko Radiant Heaters

¹Hedge, Alan, and Daniel Gaygen. “Indoor Environment Conditions and Computer Work in an Office.” HVAC&R Research 16.2 (2010): 123-38. Web; https://www.researchgate.net/publication/233371518_Indoor_Environment_Conditions_and_Computer_Work_in_an_Office
² https://www.psychologicalscience.org/news/minds-business/cold-offices-linked-to-lower-productivity.html