The jet heater (rocket heater) is one of the most common heating devices in poultry houses: a flame or element heats the air, and its internal fan distributes it rapidly through the house. This simplicity means that a jet heater is sometimes chosen only on the capacity on its rating plate, whereas the fuel type, whether or not it is flued, the installation location and coordination with ventilation affect both gas consumption and the air quality of the house.
This article is about jet heaters only. A general comparison of jet heaters with cabinet heaters and radiant heaters is given in the article Comparison of heating systems. Technical figures are quoted from the Cobb management guide, the Ross handbook (2025) and extension publications of the universities of Kentucky and Georgia.
In technical sources, the jet heater belongs to the group of “forced air heaters”: heaters that warm the air of the house rather than directly heating the floor and litter. The Ross handbook divides heating systems into two categories, direct and indirect:
The University of Kentucky also notes that most space heaters use air from inside the house and have no flue; that is, they discharge carbon dioxide, moisture and products of incomplete combustion directly into the house.
Based on fuel and the way flue gases are discharged, common jet heaters fall into four groups. The table below shows examples presented in the poultry heaters category of the Toyooran Sanat Pouya website:
| Type | Example on the site | Capacity | Fuel | Stated specifications |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Small direct-fired gas | ME-50 gas jet heater | 50,000 kcal/h | Gas | Gas consumption 6 m³/h, airflow 2,300 m³/h |
| Flued diesel | 2EL-120 twin-motor jet heater | 70,000 kcal/h | Diesel | Airflow 5,000 m³/h, coverage 700 to 2,000 m³ |
| Three-phase electric | NE15 electric jet heater | 15 kW | Electricity | Airflow 1,050 m³/h, space 150 to 400 m³ |
| Single-phase electric | NE3 electric jet heater | 3 kW | Electricity | Space 50 to 120 m³ |
The key point of the table is the range of capacities: the electric jet heaters in this list are rated for spaces of a few hundred cubic metres, whereas the volume of a production house is usually several thousand cubic metres. For this reason, the main heating of a house is usually provided by a gas or diesel poultry jet heater, and the electric model is used mostly for small or auxiliary spaces.
The Cobb guide gives forced air heater capacity on the basis of house volume and climate:
| Climate | Required heating capacity (Cobb) |
|---|---|
| Tropical | 0.05 kW per cubic metre of house volume |
| Temperate (minimum winter temperature above zero) | 0.075 kW/m³ |
| Cold (minimum winter temperature below zero) | 0.10 kW/m³ |
According to the same guide, the required capacity depends on the outside temperature, roof insulation and how well the house is sealed. Insufficient capacity causes uneven temperatures, cold and hot spots, bird migration and higher fuel consumption.
Calculation example: a house 100 m long, 12 m wide and with an average height of 3 m has a volume of about 3,600 cubic metres. In a cold climate, the required capacity is 3,600 × 0.10 = 360 kW. Converting each kilowatt to about 860 kcal/h, this comes to about 310,000 kcal/h; for example, three 100,000 kcal units or a combination of smaller capacities. This is only an initial estimate, and a precise calculation must also take into account the insulation and minimum ventilation of that particular house.
Cobb also recommends that in poorly insulated houses radiant heating should be the main source during brooding, and that forced air heaters be used as the main source only in houses with solid walls and good insulation. According to this guide, from about 14 days of age, when the bird is able to regulate its body temperature, the forced air heater can become the main heat source.
Jet heater gas consumption has two components: hourly consumption while running and the number of hours it runs. The manufacturer gives the first component on the rating plate or in the catalogue. For example, the specifications of the ME-50 jet heater on the site state consumption of 6 cubic metres of gas per hour for a capacity of 50,000 kcal/h. The second component depends on house conditions and has no fixed value; for this reason, any figure that states “daily jet heater consumption” without house conditions is unreliable.
Factors that determine heater running hours, and therefore consumption:
In a direct-fired jet heater, gas consumption and the need for ventilation are linked. The University of Kentucky writes that burning each pound of propane produces about 1.7 pounds of water vapour, and to prevent moisture build-up from unflued heaters it recommends increasing minimum ventilation by 2.5 CFM for every 1,000 BTU/h of heater capacity. The University of Georgia also reports that burning each gallon of propane produces about 108 cubic feet of carbon dioxide and about 0.8 gallons of water. These figures relate to propane, but the principle also applies to natural gas: combustion inside the house adds moisture and CO2, and less ventilation means wetter litter and more polluted air. For ventilation calculations, see the article Calculating house ventilation capacity.
The Cobb guide sets three clear rules for forced air heaters:
Ross also stresses even distribution of heat across the whole bird area. In practice, fewer heaters with higher capacity may be cheaper, but even coverage must be assessed against each model’s air throw and the length of the house.
A direct-fired jet heater without ventilation can bring air quality to dangerous levels. The limits in the Ross and Cobb guides:
| Gas | Desirable limit | Effect above the limit (source) |
|---|---|---|
| Carbon monoxide (CO) | Below 10 ppm (Ross and Cobb) | Above 50 ppm affects bird health and is lethal at high concentrations (Ross) |
| Carbon dioxide (CO2) | Below 3,000 ppm (Ross and Cobb) | Above 3,500 ppm causes ascites (Ross) |
According to Ross, if CO2 exceeds 3,000 ppm and CO exceeds 10 ppm, chicks become lethargic and may stop eating. Safety points from the sources:
In houses where air quality is critical, a flued jet heater is an option that removes combustion gases, bearing in mind that, according to Ross, indirect heating is less efficient.
The price of a jet heater is not fixed; it depends on heat capacity, fuel type (gas, diesel, dual-fuel or electric), whether it is flued, whether it has one or two motors, the control and flame safety system, and the number required. For an up-to-date price, request a quotation.
The manufacturer states hourly consumption; for example, 6 cubic metres of gas per hour is stated for the ME-50 jet heater with a capacity of 50,000 kcal/h. Daily consumption depends on running hours, which in turn depend on insulation, sealing, climate, installation location and controller settings (Cobb and Ross).
According to Ross, direct-fired heating warms cold air more efficiently but introduces moisture, CO2 and CO into the house. A flued heater removes combustion gases but is less efficient. The choice depends on how critical air quality is, the fuel and the cost of ventilation.
The Cobb guide recommends a height of 1.4 to 1.5 m above the floor, where air movement is calm (usually the middle of the house) and away from inlets.
Total capacity is obtained by multiplying house volume by 0.05 to 0.10 kW/m³ (depending on climate) (Cobb). The number of units is determined by dividing this capacity by the capacity of each model and checking air throw for even coverage.
For a recommendation on jet heater model, capacity and number, send the following information: house length, width and height, the condition of roof and wall insulation, the site’s city, the fuel available (mains gas, diesel or electricity) and the number and size of existing exhaust fans. A Toyooran Sanat Pouya specialist will recommend the capacity, number and layout of the heaters. If the house is being fitted out from scratch, see also the poultry house fit-out and renovation process and ventilation equipment.
Send the house dimensions and available fuel.
Category: Engineering technical guide
Tags: Poultry jet heater, Poultry jet heater gas consumption, Types of poultry jet heater, Dual-fuel jet heater, Flued jet heater
Published: 2026-10-12