Sign Up for News Updates
While builders may want to complete the majority of their residential builds in the warmer months, working through the cold season is necessary to keep projects moving or complete jobs with a longer timeline. Winter work can also boost profits and keep crews busy in the typically slow season, setting them apart from the competition. Many construction tasks can still be accomplished in cold weather with appropriate warming equipment, but concrete work, masonry work, drywalling, and painting can take much longer to cure, or can even fail without proper temperatures. To combat potential issues and protect investments of time and money, builders should use propane-fueled construction and temporary heat on their sites to keep projects moving throughout the winter.
In addition, propane-fueled generators can provide portable power to operate tools and equipment such as towables or charging stations in the event of a power loss. Generators are independent of the electrical grid and can even provide power to sales trailers and keep the heat running while waiting on the electric utility to bring service to your development. To ensure the continual operation of residential construction sites when winter weather is approaching, be sure to fill all propane tanks and make sure propane deliveries are scheduled throughout the season.
Options for Construction Site Heat and Temporary Heat
Temporary heat
Propane provides temporary heat for residential construction sites via free-standing and forced-air units. These units can be used for environmental heating, but also to ensure drywall, paint, masonry, and other materials cure properly. Temporary heating powered by propane includes infrared heaters, direct fire heaters, and indirect fire heaters, with the latter being the most expensive but the safest.
Traditionally, the least expensive way to temporarily heat a house was an infrared, or top-hat heater. A benefit is that they don’t have thermostats or require electricity, but they may not be able to turn down to a low enough setting and have very hot surface temperatures. The next step up is a direct fire heater, which is a torpedo-like heater that runs on propane. These heaters burn less fuel and can direct heat to a specific work area. Safety features include a knock-over switch, a high-limit switch that shuts the system off if it gets too hot, and airflow switches that shut the equipment off if it’s pushed against a wall or other surface.
Indirect-fire heaters are the most expensive option but offer the most safety features. The air it puts into the house is dry air and there are no fumes. You can set the unit outside and conduct the warm air in, or set it inside and exhaust out the window for construction purposes. Another advantage is that it’s not putting moisture into the structure, but is actually drying the structure out so a dehumidifier is not needed.
Propane-powered generators
You may be accustomed to using diesel generators on your jobsite, but there is good reason to switch to propane. Diesel is noisy, dirty, and expensive. Propane, on the other hand, provides clean, affordable heat and power that can save you thousands of dollars in fuel costs. Propane generators run quieter and cleaner than diesel, with significantly fewer emissions. Lastly, diesel degrades over time, which may require the addition of fuel additives to prevent quality degradation over prolonged periods, and diesel generators tend to require more maintenance. Propane generators are also advantageous due to their reliability and space efficiency.
Ground thawing equipment
Ground thawing equipment can help extend the construction season by thawing the work site. When the ground is frozen, which happens often in the northern climates, it’s impossible to dig footings and thawing equipment is needed just to break ground. Contractors can either rent ground thawing equipment for the winter and move it around where needed, or they can sign a retainer with a temporary construction equipment rental company that guarantees delivery of ground thawing equipment when requested.
Concrete curing machines
Concrete curing machines help concrete to cure when temperatures dip too low. According to the Portland Cement Association, in order for concrete to reach necessary strength, it can’t be allowed to freeze for the first 24 hours after being poured and placed. Supplemental heating systems and enclosures must be used if necessary to keep the concrete at the required temperature and moisture level required for curing.
Safety First
Conveniently, propane can power generators, heaters, and other equipment from the same tanks to provide the needed power. The same tank can also provide power to two or three houses, for example those that are being constructed in a subdivision. While convenience is important, remember that safety is always the biggest priority when renting temporary heating equipment for residential construction sites.
Ed Parker of Ohio Temporary Heating and Air has this to add: “Safety features are extremely important, especially with numerous subcontractors on a job. A heater may be turned off during the day because the temperature doesn’t warrant it, you have to be sure the heater doesn’t get accidentally moved against flammable material. Some contractors pay for us to build brackets that bolt the heater to the wall so it cannot be moved or accidentally knocked over. Rental companies document every heater they drop off, with a picture of where they left it, ensuring the appropriate clearance. It’s the responsibility of the person renting the equipment to operate it correctly and safely.”
Look to your local temporary construction equipment rental company to help you determine the appropriate and right-sized propane generator and temporary heating equipment for your specific job. They will also help to ensure all the appropriate safety measures are put in place when the equipment is delivered.
