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HEATING A HOT YOGA ROOM

The primary requirement in designing a heating system for a hot yoga room is to ensure the system can reach the desired temperature safely and comfortably. Most commercial and residential equipment is designed to work in the "Comfort heating" range between 60 and 90 degrees Fahrenheit. "Process heating," used in Hot exercise rooms, typically heats the room to between 108 and 160 degrees Fahrenheit. Process heating is the focus of this site. Be sure to see our Photo Album where you can see examples of various installations, and see stages of the installation process.

PROCESS HEATING: Convective heating and Radiant heating

The most important considerations in choosing a system to provide heat for an exercise room are safety and comfort. The following paragraphs consider the safety and comfort factors in each method.

Convective heat is the principle behind the central air system, where the air is heated by moving it over the heat source. As the heated air moves through the rooms, it brings heat to the people and objects in the room. A central air system can incorporate devices to purify, detoxify, and humidify the air being heated and circulated. Convective heat is usually considered far more comfortable than radiant heat.

Radiant heat differs from convective heat in that it heats the object upon which it is aimed. There are several types of radiant heat systems. Most people are familiar with radiant heat associated with a steam boiler delivering heat to "radiators" or a system where heated water circulates through pipes throughout the building. These systems are designed for an operating temperature usually no higher than 90 degrees, and a major drawback is the tendency of the system to lower humidity levels beyond comfort. Another important drawback of a radiant heat system is it does not provide air circulation.

Other types of radiant heaters include high intensity gas tube heaters and lower intensity radiant heat panels. These are usually used in outdoor environments (loading docks, restaurants, etc) where it would be futile to try to heat the air. In a room with a 9-foot ceiling a high intensity gas tube radiant heater would be a hazardous as these high intensity heaters often have a 14 foot minimum clearance. A low intensity device such as a electric ceiling panel may be more suitable for a 9 foot ceiling. A radiant heat system can be a good solution but it will need to be optimized with ventilation and filtration.

Electrical heat sources compared to Gas heat sources

Electrical heat sources are quiet and reliable for comfort heat levels of up to 90° Fahrenheit. The way they work is through resistance, much the same as an oven element in a electric kitchen stove. Above 90° most of the electric box style or space heaters have both thermostats and limit switches which shut them off. This is a manufacturer-installed safety system that should never be disconnected without the manufacturer's specific permission. Disconnecting or altering a heater in such a way creates the risk of fire.

Most of the systems of this type in heated exercise rooms have been altered and are in violation of the uniform building code.

Gas sources are usually able to generate higher temperatures as they are actually burning fuel and are designed to withstand the temperature of the gas combustion within a flame chamber. Radiant gas heaters are common in outdoor restaurants and warehouses, where air quality is not critical.

Fireplaces and wood stoves are other forms of radiant heat which would be unusual in an exercise room of any type.

Central forced air systems

When choosing a manufacturer of a forced hot air furnace, look for the device which will operate best for the desired temperature range. Residential and Commercial heating furnaces are not designed for sustained output of above 90° Fahrenheit. These systems are engineered to work in the temperature range of normal comfort heating. To achieve higher temperatures Industrial equipment is required. With slight manufacturer-approved modification Industrial equipment has the capacity to heat air up to 500° Fahrenheit if necessary.

Design considerations determine the most effective equipment for your particular installation. The best way to maintain room comfort is through high CFM (cubic feet/minute) air movement devices. The distribution system is as important as the heating equipment. At many sites across the nation I've seen good equipment installed incorrectly that functions as poorly as bad equipment. It is the intention of this site to provide the tools necessary to promote intelligent installations for everyone's benefit.

The Importance of Distribution

A central distribution system must have an equal volume of air returning to the unit so as to avoid excessive static pressures. The room must breath just as do you--air in=air out. Many problems can be avoided by providing a strong ducted system. Steel duct is the material of choice with flexible duct kept to a minimum or not used at all.

The Volume of air moved in a 1500 square foot room is typically 4,000 CFM. This rate assures the evaporative cooling of the people in the room and provides ample air treatment options.

The air distribution system promulgated for this use is a patent-pending air curtain design which is simply the best possible method of air introduction to the exercise space. The return is conducted in reverse on the opposite side of the space assuring complete changeout of room air 350 times an hour. This air curtain is made of treated sheetmetals and features UV light arrays which minimize transmission of airborne illnesses and destroy viral infections.

It is very important to purify the air as operation temperatures and desired humidity levels create optimal conditions for the spread of viral, bacterial and fungal elements. Air is often heated to180° and emerges into the exercise space at an average of 165°. The returning air temperatures tend to be 90 - 110° depending upon the controls settings.

By the time the air reaches the student, its temperature is closer to 105°. The level of humidity alters the experience of the heat, and is the most effective element in altering comfort level. For example a room with a temperature of 100° and 10% relative humidity may feel just slightly warm, however, introduce the same room temperature of 100° Fahrenheit and 60% relative humidity and the same space suddenly seems overwhelmingly hot.

More information on the forced hot air systems is available on a pay-per-vew basis as it is proprietary to this site. Email us for your password which will expire according to which consulting plan you select.

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