Source: Carrier
A direct-fired heater is similar to a gas stove or gas grill. It directly transfers the heat from the internal burner to the airflow. Air is forced directly through a flame that heats the air and the unit converts 100% of its fuel into heat. This design and technology performs well against most measures of efficiency, cost, and convenience. Proper ventilation is a necessity for a direct-fired heater, so tight spaces are not ideal. Consider this unit, however, if you’re working in outdoor spaces, construction sites, or warehouses.
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Balance Point HVAC Blog

The energy intensity for cooling commercial buildings in the United States depends on the climate the building is located in. Energy intensity in buildings is the energy consumed per square foot of floorspace. U.S. commercial buildings in hot or very hot climates, which are primarily in the southernmost parts of the country, were more than six times more energy-intensive for cooling (14.2 thousand British thermal units per square foot [MBtu/sf]) than buildings in cold or very cold climates (2.3 MBtu/sf).