Heating Checkout Zones in the METRO Hypermarket Network

A real project for local heating of work zones

Teplov implemented a local supplementary heating solution for checkout zones in the METRO hypermarket network.

The hypermarkets already had a main heating system. Heat pumps are used, among other systems, to maintain the basic temperature throughout the retail space.

However, for employees who remain at fixed workstations for long periods, a general temperature of around +15°C may not provide sufficient thermal comfort.

There is no need to raise the temperature throughout the entire hypermarket simply to improve conditions at individual workstations. Therefore, Teplov Black Edition BE2600 ceiling infrared heaters were used for local supplementary heating of checkout zones.

The heating task

The infrared heaters do not replace the main heating system.

Their purpose is to provide additional thermal comfort specifically where cashiers remain at their workstations for extended periods.

The two systems therefore perform different functions:

• the main heating system maintains the basic temperature throughout the hypermarket;
• local infrared heaters provide additional heat in specific work zones.

This approach is relevant to checkout areas, security posts, operator workstations and other stationary work zones.

Equipment for checkout-zone heating

The project uses Teplov Black Edition BE2600 heaters with a nominal output of 2600 W.

For local heating applications, equipment selection is based on the heater's nominal thermal output. Therefore, the relevant output for this project is the BE2600 nominal rating of 2600 W.

The model's general catalogue area rating is not automatically applied to this project. The actual checkout-zone area was not established in the available project information, so it is not stated here.

Why local infrared heating?

An infrared heater transfers a significant part of its thermal energy by radiation. Within the radiation zone, people and surfaces absorb heat, followed by further heat exchange with the surrounding air.

This makes it possible to address thermal comfort in a specific zone without changing the temperature of the entire volume of the retail facility.

In the METRO project, this created a clear division between general and local heating:

Heat pumps → basic temperature throughout the hypermarket.

Teplov BE2600 → additional heating of cashier work zones.

The ceiling height in the facilities is at least 7 m, while the heaters were installed at approximately 3.5–4 m, directly above the zones requiring additional thermal comfort.

Project result

The local supplementary heating solution addressed the thermal comfort of checkout-zone employees without requiring the temperature throughout the entire hypermarket to be increased.

The main heating system therefore continues to maintain the basic temperature, while the infrared heaters provide additional heat where it is specifically required.

Teplov equipment

Teplov Black Edition BE2600 is a ceiling infrared heater with a nominal output of 2600 W, designed for main or supplementary heating.

More models are available in the ceiling infrared heater category.

Another completed project for local heating of the staff workplace.