Air heaters are useful in many areas of the agriculture sector. Applied Heat Pty Ltd, based in Johannesburg, now extends its range capability for its well established ARCOTHERM range of air heaters.

Why use a portable air heater?

Quick installation, low running costs and high efficiency are but a few of the benefits that have made them the preferred type of equipment for heating tunnels and livestock buildings, as well as grain drying applications.

Air heaters are not just handy for increasing the temperature, they can also be used for drying and more. The farming industry is often highly sensitive to seasonal changes. Heating is typically only required for a short period of the year. This makes portable air heaters an ideal solution. They can be wheeled in and positioned as needed and removed when not used.

Air heaters in livestock and crop storage buildings usually attract a large amount of dirt and dust. They are also exposed to toxic gases, including ammonia (livestock buildings). Farmers typically also use considerable cleaning agents and disinfectants in these areas. Applied Heats range is now tailored specifically for heater operation in these conditions – all stainless hygienic systems are available in the range too, on request.

Applied Heat can offer a varied range of systems, using diesel/paraffin or gas. Systems are also available in 400V electric format – for those that have capacity.

A correctly selected ARCOTHERM heater can provide increased crop yield or shortened dry times, using either directly heated air streams which are 100% efficient, or clean air systems where desired.

The range is versatile and adaptable to all sectors, and are most commonly used for:

  • Poultry farming
  • Greenhouse tunnel heating
  • Pig farming
  • Fish farming
  • Grain drying silos or rooms
  • Pack house comfort heating
  • Crop storage climate control

To reduce costs, these systems are mobile. This lowers capital investment as no fixed plant and installations are needed. The systems have their own fuel tanks and come as “plug-and-play” systems.

Each system can also be connected to a control thermostat or timer, to reduce energy consumption automatically.

For example – for chicken farmers – the heater can be moved backwards each time, as the space for the chicks is extended, as the chicks grow.

The Italian-made ARCOTHERM product has been sold in South Africa since 1984 – a full range of spares and service support is available.

APPLIED HEAT also locally produces its own range of VAPOMAT steam and THERMOMAT oil heaters for use in this and parallel sectors of the market.

Examples of these capital plant applications include:

  • Soil sterilisation for the mushroom industry,
  • Steam curing of dried crop products,
  • Oil frying systems for food processing and snack industries.

Extruded products like cereals, aqua food, pet foods, proteins, porridges, pasta

Invest in your very own ARCOTHERM air heater by visiting www.appliedheat.co.za or contact Applied Heat by sending an e-mail to info@appliedheat.co.za or give them a call on +27 (0)10 300 7406.