Stainless Steel Car Wash Heaters – The Best For YOUR Car Wash!

Introduction

Car washes, from small automatic types at gas stations to larger independent tunnels, present a unique and challenging environment for heating systems. Frequent water use, combined with corrosive alkaline chemicals (and even more caustic chemicals in truck washes), creates conditions that significantly shorten standard heating equipment life. Fortunately, Detroit Radiant Products Company (Re-Verber-Ray®), available through Great Lakes Radiant, offers heating solutions specifically designed to withstand these harsh conditions. Learn why Stainless Steel Car Wash Heaters are the best for your Car Wash by reading further!

 

Why Radiant Heat for Car Washes? How Stainless Steel Car Wash Heaters Differ

Radiant tube heaters are a popular choice for heating car wash tunnels and bays. Unlike forced-air systems that primarily heat air (which quickly escapes or displaces), radiant heaters warm objects and surfaces directly. This works particularly well in environments with large doors, drafts, or high ceilings. It ensures the floor and equipment stay warm. This is crucial for preventing ice and providing comfort.

 

 

 

The Corrosive Challenge and the Stainless Steel Car Wash Heaters Solution

Constant moisture and corrosive chemicals in a car wash environment severely damage standard heating equipment materials. Steel components rust. Electrical connections corrode. This leads to early failure and higher maintenance costs.

To combat this, use heaters built with corrosion-resistant materials. Specify these crucial features:

• Stainless Steel Radiant Tubes: These resist corrosive effects from chemicals and moisture.
• Stainless Steel Reflectors: They help maintain heating efficiency and appearance. They prevent rust and degradation.
• Outside Combustion Air: This feature is critical. Drawing combustion air from outside the wash bay prevents corrosive airborne contaminants from entering the heater. This significantly extends the unit’s operational life.
• Watertight Thermostats and Sealed Electrical Components: These ensure safe and reliable operation in a wet environment.

 

 

Choosing the Right Level of Protection: Fully Stainless vs. Component Upgrades

For the most demanding car wash applications, especially in the main wash tunnel or truck wash bays using caustic chemicals, a fully stainless steel system is highly recommended. This ensures that the most vulnerable components resist the environment. This includes tubes, reflectors, control box housing, clamps, hangers, supports, and even the gas flex connector. Durable stainless steel (like 304 or 409 grade) constructs these parts. This comprehensive approach offers the highest protection and longevity.

A fully stainless system provides maximum durability. However, Detroit Radiant Products also offers options to upgrade specific components to stainless steel. You can upgrade the control housing box (SSCBAO). This box is silicone sealed. It uses 304 series stainless steel. It has watertight electrical attachments. These upgrades improve resistance over standard components. Still, the fully stainless package works best for the harsh car wash environment.

 

Strategic Installation for Car Wash Environments: How Stainless Steel Car Wash Heaters Fit

Proper installation maximizes heater performance and lifespan in a car wash. Consider these points:

• Placement: Install heaters out of the direct spray area if possible. Still, position them effectively to provide heat where needed. In tunnels, placing heaters on the cold wall is common.
• Burner Box Orientation: In tunnel applications, install burner boxes at opposite ends. This helps achieve more even heat distribution along the length.
• Venting: Heaters in car washes typically vent directly. Exhaust routes through the sidewall or roof. Outside combustion air is required. It draws directly into the heater from outside the building.
• Reflector Angle: Typical reflector mounting angles are 15 to 30 degrees. Angle them towards the floor to direct radiant heat where it’s needed most.
• Clearances and Shielding: Always observe all manufacturer-specified clearances to combustibles. You may need to shield car wash components to protect them from heater heat.

In entrance or pre-wash areas, where employees work, heaters provide comforting spot heat. They also prevent ice. Short-length tube heaters with high BTU/h ratings often work well here. Look for features like water-resistant circuitry.

 

 

Considering Stainless Steel Unit Heaters

Detroit Radiant Products also makes Unit Heaters (forced air heaters). They are available in stainless steel versions (UH-SS and FA-SS series). These units feature durable 304 and 409 grade stainless steel construction. This includes the housing, vest panel, core, and louvers.

Tube heaters often work best for the main tunnel area. However, Stainless Steel Unit Heaters are an excellent choice for other car wash facility parts exposed to humidity or corrosive elements. Consider them for:

• Equipment rooms (a smaller unit might provide freeze protection; millivolt controls offer power failure backup)
• Employee break areas
• Detailing bays
• Tunnel areas in which radiant tube heaters aren’t a good fit (too tight to install, and/or can’t meet the clearances to combustibles)

Their robust stainless steel construction resists corrosive atmospheres in car washes. They offer another reliable heating solution from the Re-Verber-Ray line.

 

Conclusion

Heating a car wash demands careful thought. Water, humidity, and corrosive chemicals pose unique environmental challenges. Using heating equipment specifically designed or adapted for these conditions is vital for performance, safety, and longevity.

Both Stainless Steel Radiant Tube Heaters and Stainless Steel Unit Heaters from Detroit Radiant Products offer necessary corrosion resistance. They are built to perform in demanding applications like car washes.

 

For expert assistance with designing a heating system for your car wash, including product selection and technical support, you can give us a call, email, or fill out our Project Details form so we can start working on a infrared radiant heat solution for your project!

Phone: (888) 501-0252

Email: sales@glradiant.com

Website: www.GLRadiant.com

Also feel free to check out Detroit Radiant Products for more information on our product!