Engineered Car Wash Infrared Heaters

Keep wash bays, detail lanes, and service areas comfortable with commercial infrared heating systems engineered for wet, high-door-cycle environments. Combustion Research Corporation manufactures durable gas-fired and electric infrared heaters that warm floors, vehicles, and workers directly—helping reduce energy waste, preserve floor space, and withstand the demanding conditions of car and truck wash facilities.

Commercial car wash bay with infrared heaters

Our Car Wash Infrared Heater Services

Commercial infrared heater options for wash bays, detail areas, covered entrances, and high-moisture vehicle service environments.

Reflect-O-Ray Systems

Custom-engineered vacuum radiant tube systems for larger wash facilities, with Stainless Steel construction available for corrosive bay conditions and energy savings over conventional forced-air heating.

Omega II Heaters

Power-vented gas-fired radiant tube heaters suited for commercial bays where a unitary system is preferred, available in straight or U configurations and Stainless Steel construction.

Serengeti-IR Units

Compact 40K-60K BTU radiant tube heaters for smaller wash areas, single bays, detail bays, quick-lube spaces, and light commercial applications needing efficient overhead heat.

Synergy Spot Heat

High-intensity ceramic infrared heaters for spot or zone heating in protected areas, reaching maximum operating temperature in under one minute for fast warmth on demand.

Solaira Electric Heat

Commercial electric infrared heaters for semi-outdoor or gas-limited facilities, including protected entrances, covered vacuum areas, and applications where electric power is the available fuel.

Sizing Support

Engineering support for BTU sizing, mounting height, clearance to combustibles, operating cost, and ROI using facility data, product specifications, and representative guidance.

Wash Bay Comfort

Reliable Heat for Wet Wash Bays

Car wash facilities need heat that performs despite water, chemicals, road salt, and constant door movement. Combustion Research Corporation infrared systems mount overhead to preserve floor space and reduce contact hazards around vehicles and equipment. With Stainless Steel options, CSA certified designs, and 30-50% energy savings over conventional heating, they deliver practical comfort for wash bays, detail areas, and service zones.

Infrared heater above a commercial car wash bay
Proven Performance

Trusted Applications

Specified across North America for demanding commercial, industrial, automotive, and wet-environment heating applications.

"Our 16-bay garage runs with doors opening constantly, so keeping students comfortable through Connecticut winters was a real challenge. Reflect-O-Ray units installed over each bay solved it. The concrete floor acts as a heat sink, absorbing and re-radiating warmth back into the space, so students feel warm at lower thermostat..."

Ella T. Grasso Technical School

"We chose a two-stage Omega II 30-ft low intensity tube system for our new two-story hospital, and it's been the right call. The 60,000–100,000 MBH output keeps our rear operating area genuinely comfortable, not just warm air blowing around. Our concrete slab absorbs and re-radiates the heat, so the space..."

Fenton River Veterinary Hospital

"Hangars are the hardest buildings to heat. High bay, minimal insulation, and a massive overhead door that dumps cold air in every time it opens. Forced air simply couldn't keep up without burning through energy. Ten 40-foot straight tubes at 150 MBH with reflectors changed that completely. Radiant heat warms..."

Tac Air – Bradley International Airport

"Heating a 120-yard indoor field under a 65-foot domed roof is not a standard job, and Reflect-O-Ray was the only system engineers felt could be tailored to it. Twelve 360,000 B/H burners firing 140-foot tubes condition the entire space efficiently. Infrared fit directly into our campus energy conservation standards and..."

University of Connecticut Athletics

"Our 16-bay garage runs with doors opening constantly, so keeping students comfortable through Connecticut winters was a real challenge. Reflect-O-Ray units installed over each bay solved it. The concrete floor acts as a heat sink, absorbing and re-radiating warmth back into the space, so students feel warm at lower thermostat..."

Ella T. Grasso Technical School

"We chose a two-stage Omega II 30-ft low intensity tube system for our new two-story hospital, and it's been the right call. The 60,000–100,000 MBH output keeps our rear operating area genuinely comfortable, not just warm air blowing around. Our concrete slab absorbs and re-radiates the heat, so the space..."

Fenton River Veterinary Hospital

"Hangars are the hardest buildings to heat. High bay, minimal insulation, and a massive overhead door that dumps cold air in every time it opens. Forced air simply couldn't keep up without burning through energy. Ten 40-foot straight tubes at 150 MBH with reflectors changed that completely. Radiant heat warms..."

Tac Air – Bradley International Airport

"Heating a 120-yard indoor field under a 65-foot domed roof is not a standard job, and Reflect-O-Ray was the only system engineers felt could be tailored to it. Twelve 360,000 B/H burners firing 140-foot tubes condition the entire space efficiently. Infrared fit directly into our campus energy conservation standards and..."

University of Connecticut Athletics

"Our 16-bay garage runs with doors opening constantly, so keeping students comfortable through Connecticut winters was a real challenge. Reflect-O-Ray units installed over each bay solved it. The concrete floor acts as a heat sink, absorbing and re-radiating warmth back into the space, so students feel warm at lower thermostat..."

Ella T. Grasso Technical School

"We chose a two-stage Omega II 30-ft low intensity tube system for our new two-story hospital, and it's been the right call. The 60,000–100,000 MBH output keeps our rear operating area genuinely comfortable, not just warm air blowing around. Our concrete slab absorbs and re-radiates the heat, so the space..."

Fenton River Veterinary Hospital

"Hangars are the hardest buildings to heat. High bay, minimal insulation, and a massive overhead door that dumps cold air in every time it opens. Forced air simply couldn't keep up without burning through energy. Ten 40-foot straight tubes at 150 MBH with reflectors changed that completely. Radiant heat warms..."

Tac Air – Bradley International Airport

"Heating a 120-yard indoor field under a 65-foot domed roof is not a standard job, and Reflect-O-Ray was the only system engineers felt could be tailored to it. Twelve 360,000 B/H burners firing 140-foot tubes condition the entire space efficiently. Infrared fit directly into our campus energy conservation standards and..."

University of Connecticut Athletics
The CRC Difference

Why Choose Combustion Research Corporation?

Built for facilities where durability, efficiency, and specification confidence matter.

Experience

Over 50 years manufacturing infrared heaters for demanding commercial and industrial environments.

Certified

Systems are CSA International Design Certified to applicable ANSI/CGA standards.

Efficient

Radiant systems reduce operational costs 30-50% compared to conventional forced-air heating.

Support

Engineering resources support sizing, clearances, specifications, and retrofit or new-construction planning.

Meet Combustion Research

Experienced infrared heating manufacturers supporting demanding facility applications.

Combustion Research Corporation has manufactured low-intensity infrared heating solutions for over 50 years, serving commercial, industrial, and agricultural facilities that need durable heat in difficult environments. From its Rochester Hills, Michigan headquarters, the company supports facility managers, mechanical engineers, and design-build contractors across North America through representative access, engineering resources, and detailed product specifications. Its vision is practical: build infrared heating systems that last, reduce operating cost, and solve comfort problems where conventional forced-air systems struggle. For car and truck wash bays, that means overhead radiant heat that preserves floor space, supports worker comfort, and can be specified with corrosion-resistant construction for wet, demanding conditions.

Over 50 YearsManufacturing experience in infrared heating solutions.
30-50% SavingsEnergy savings compared to conventional forced-air systems.
10-Year WarrantyLimited radiant tube warranty on applicable systems.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are car washes heated in the winter?

Many commercial car washes heat specific areas in winter, especially wash bays, detail lanes, drying zones, equipment rooms, and employee work areas. Infrared heaters are useful because they warm surfaces, floors, vehicles, and people directly rather than relying only on heated air that escapes when doors open. Stainless Steel construction is often considered for wet or corrosive wash environments.

What is a car heater called?

Do car washes use heated water?

Why use infrared heaters in a car wash bay?

Do car wash heaters need stainless steel construction?

How are car wash infrared heaters sized?

What fuel types are available for car wash infrared heaters?

What warranty is available on these infrared heaters?

Still Have Heating Questions?

Get application-specific guidance for your wash bay heating layout.

Certified & Durable

Awards and Recognition

CSA International Design Certified logo

CSA Design Certified

Confirms design compliance with ANSI/CGA standards.

ANSI Z83.20 CSA 2.34 certification mark

ANSI Z83.20

Recognized gas-fired infrared heater safety standard.

10 year limited warranty badge

10-Year Warranty

Long-term protection for radiant tube systems.

Specify Your Car Wash Heating System

Share your square footage, ceiling height, fuel type, and wash bay conditions so the team can help route you to the right representative and sizing resources.

Contact Us Today

For immediate assistance, feel free to give us a direct call at 888-852-3611. You can also send us a quick email at info@combustionresearch.com.