Commercial buildings are heading into heating season at a time when energy performance remains a major industry focus. U.S. electricity demand is forecast to reach record levels in 2026 and again in 2027, while commercial building standards continue to emphasize energy efficiency and system performance.
For facility managers, that makes pre-season HVAC evaluation especially important. Before adding heating capacity or making major equipment changes, determine whether the system you already have is being used effectively.
Start With the Building’s Temperature Profile
A thermostat only measures conditions at its location. In a high-ceiling facility, conditions can be very different 20, 30 or 40 feet above the occupied space.
During heating season, warmer air rises and can create a significant vertical temperature gradient. Before winter, measure temperatures at multiple heights and locations throughout the building. If temperatures near the ceiling are substantially higher than at floor level, the building may be producing enough heat but not distributing it effectively.
Learn more about destratification and Airius airflow solutions →
Look at HVAC Runtime and Setpoints
Long equipment runtime doesn’t automatically mean the heating system is undersized. Compare runtime with thermostat setpoints and temperature measurements throughout the space. If the occupied zone remains below setpoint while substantially warmer air collects overhead, simply increasing the thermostat can result in additional heating without addressing the temperature difference.
A real-world example can be seen at the Naval Surface Warfare Center, where Airius destratification fans were integrated with the facility’s existing electric heat pump system. The installation reduced heating-system runtime by 40%.
See the Naval Surface Warfare Center case study. →
Evaluate More Than the HVAC Equipment
Supply location, return-air location, ceiling height and the physical layout of the building all affect how conditioned air moves. Racking, equipment, partitions and changes in building use can also alter circulation patterns. That means evaluating heating performance should include the space itself—not just the equipment producing the heat.
For manufacturing facilities in particular, high ceilings and large open areas can create additional air-distribution challenges.
See how Airius approaches airflow in manufacturing facilities. →
Consider Controls as Part of the System
Air circulation can also be integrated into a broader building-control strategy. Airius EC systems offer control options including 0–10V, BACnet MS/TP and Delta T temperature-based control.
The Airius Delta T Controller uses ceiling- and floor-level temperature sensors to vary fan speed based on the temperature difference between those locations. This allows destratification operation to respond to actual building conditions rather than relying on a fixed setting.
Explore Airius fan and control options. →
What Should You Check Before Heating Season?
Before temperatures drop, establish a baseline. Check temperatures at multiple heights and zones, HVAC runtime, thermostat setpoints, operating schedules and areas with recurring temperature problems.
The objective is to determine whether the issue is heating capacity, controls, air distribution or another part of the system before investing in additional equipment.
Optimize What You Already Have
Improving building performance doesn’t always require adding HVAC capacity. In high-ceiling facilities experiencing temperature stratification, better air distribution can help make use of conditioned air that is already being produced.
Airius destratification systems are designed to integrate with existing HVAC systems and improve floor-to-ceiling air distribution.
Explore Airius destratification fans. →
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