Roberts Gordon Tube Heater: Complete Guide

Use this complete guide to evaluate Roberts Gordon tube heater options alongside durable radiant infrared alternatives from Combustion Research Corporation. Learn how tube heater sizing, venting, BTU range, fuel type, mounting height, clearances, corrosion resistance, and warranty coverage affect comfort, efficiency, and long-term operating costs in commercial, industrial, agricultural, and high-bay facilities.

Radiant tube heater in industrial facility

Our Tube Heater Guide Services

Compare CRC radiant tube heater options, sizing guidance, and application-specific solutions for demanding facilities.

Reflect-O-Ray

Custom-engineered vacuum gas-fired radiant infrared tube heaters for large commercial, industrial, agricultural, and high-bay facilities requiring efficient coverage and long-term comfort.

Omega II

Power-vented gas-fired radiant tube heaters for warehouses, service bays, manufacturing zones, hangars, and other facilities where a unitary infrared system is preferred.

Serengeti-IR

Compact 40K-60K BTU power-vented radiant tube heaters for smaller commercial, agricultural, single-bay, workshop, pole barn, detail bay, or light-industrial applications.

Sizing Guidance

Engineering reference support for BTU sizing, mounting height, clearance to combustibles, installation cost, operating cost, payback period, and utility rebate considerations.

Warehouse Heating

Radiant infrared heating solutions for warehouses and distribution centers with tall ceilings, large footprints, and frequent loading-dock door cycles.

Hangar Heating

High-bay hangar heating guidance for FBOs, MROs, airport facilities, and military hangars where large doors frequently displace heated air.

Engineer reviewing radiant tube heater plans

How to Evaluate Tube Heaters

Define the Facility Conditions

Start with the building type, occupied zones, ceiling height, insulation level, door cycle frequency, and available fuels. These factors determine whether a low-intensity tube heater, high-intensity ceramic heater, or electric infrared solution is appropriate.

Compare Tube Heater Configurations

Review Sizing and Clearances

Estimate Operating Value

Request Project-Specific Guidance

Proven Performance

Application Success

Specified across North America for demanding commercial, industrial, agricultural, and high-bay 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?

Combustion Research Corporation helps facility teams specify durable radiant infrared heating systems with confidence.

Experience

Over 50 years manufacturing infrared heaters for challenging commercial and industrial applications.

Certified

Systems are CSA International Design Certified to ANSI/CGA Standards for specification confidence.

Efficiency

Documented 30-50% savings over forced-air systems help reduce long-term facility operating costs.

Support

Engineering support helps designers compare sizing, venting, construction, clearances, and retrofit requirements.

Meet the CRC Team

Experienced infrared heating manufacturer supporting complex facility projects.

Combustion Research Corporation has manufactured low-intensity infrared heating solutions for over 50 years from its headquarters in Rochester Hills, Michigan. The company serves commercial, industrial, and agricultural facilities across North America through an established representative network, supporting both new construction and retrofit projects. CRC’s focus is durable infrared heating equipment engineered for difficult spaces: warehouses with dock doors, aircraft hangars, CNG repair bays, manufacturing plants, natatoriums, ice arenas, agricultural buildings, and service garages. Its vision is practical and performance-driven: provide industrial infrared heating solutions built to last, backed by specification support, certified designs, energy-saving performance, and warranties that help facility owners control long-term operating costs.

50+ YearsManufacturing infrared heating solutions for demanding facilities.
30-50%Typical operational cost reduction versus conventional heating.
10-Year WarrantyLimited radiant tube warranty for qualifying CRC systems.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a Roberts Gordon tube heater?

A Roberts Gordon tube heater is a gas-fired infrared heating system commonly used in commercial and industrial buildings. Instead of heating air first, radiant tube heaters emit infrared energy that warms floors, equipment, vehicles, inventory, and people. Combustion Research Corporation offers comparable low-intensity radiant tube systems including Reflect-O-Ray, Omega II, and Serengeti-IR for facilities requiring efficient overhead comfort heating.

How efficient are radiant tube heaters compared with forced air?

How do I size a commercial radiant tube heater?

What is the difference between vacuum and power-vented tube heaters?

Can radiant tube heaters run on natural gas or propane?

What clearances are required for infrared tube heaters?

Where are commercial radiant tube heaters commonly used?

What warranty is available on CRC radiant tube heaters?

Still Comparing Heater Options?

Talk with CRC for application-specific guidance and rep support.

Certified & Trusted

Awards and Recognition

CSA International certification mark

CSA Design Certified

Design certified for commercial heating safety standards.

ANSI CSA standard certification

ANSI CSA Standard

Recognized standard for infrared heater compliance.

MasterSpec listed product badge

MasterSpec Listed

Specified resource for engineering documentation.

Need Help Comparing Tube Heaters?

Request product guidance, engineering support, rep information, or quote assistance for your radiant infrared heating project.

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.