Temporary heat
Temporary heaters have come a long way from the days of mushroom-style pot heaters, which had the potential to spread carbon monoxide throughout a building. Today’s heaters run much more efficiently, using technology such as electronic modulating burner controls and remote space thermostats to automatically adjust gas flow. They can also draw clean outside air for combustion or be placed outside with temporary ductwork to deliver heat to the building. And they are available for seasonal rental.
Construction heaters range in size from small, portable heaters that produce about 35,000 British thermal units (Btus) of heat to large heaters capable of heating hospitals or resorts, with energy outputs up to 5 million Btus. Combined with proper ventilation, temporary heaters allow construction materials such as floor finishes, drywall, plaster, and paint to dry and cure even during cold weather.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, testing and triage tents at Express Care Rutland and Express Care Castleton in Vermont relied on propane heaters with installation provided for free by Proctor Gas.
Temporary construction heat can also keep your workers warm and productive. In some regions, codes or safety regulations require that workers have a supplementary heat source when work area temperatures drop below a certain level.
Temporary heat also offers a solution when facilities need to erect temporary structures. During the 2020 pandemic response, for instance, propane temporary heaters were used to heat a range of facilities, from outdoor drive-through testing sites to tented overflow facilities fully ducted to meet air-quality requirements.
Regardless of the application, propane offers a clean, readily available energy source. On many projects, a natural gas connection isn’t available until the building is nearly finished. Propane, on the other hand, is portable and convenient. Project managers can work with their local temporary heat and propane provider to budget and plan for construction heat. The process is mostly turnkey from start to finish; the builder simply needs to duct the heat into the building and power it as needed.