Commercial Portable Heaters: Selecting The Right Solution

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Portable heaters are used in many industries to keep people, equipment and materials at the right temperature. But just what type of portable heating solution should you be using? Different scenarios require different heating methods ranging from small electric fan heaters to large jet heaters. In this guide, we’ll explore some of the different types of commercial portable heating and their uses.

Types of Commercial Portable Heaters

Electric fan heaters

The simplest and most widely-used solutions are electric fan heaters. They work by passing air over an electric heating element and then pushing this hot air out using a fan.

Electric fan heaters are most commonly used for small spaces like offices, retail stores or workshops. Because they rely on electricity and not fuel, they don’t produce any on-site emissions, making them a safe option in enclosed spaces. They’re less efficient in larger, more open spaces. Access to electricity is needed to power them.

Infrared heaters

Infrared heaters work similarly to the sun – they emit radiant heat that is absorbed by people and objects, instead of heating and blowing air.

This makes them more effective in outdoor spaces and in large, drafty buildings. Examples of uses include outdoor dining areas in restaurants, loading bays in warehouses and barns. These heaters are powered by electricity and vary in range from 10ft for basic heaters to 150ft for heavy duty heaters.

Gas-fired heaters

Gas-fired heaters run on propane or natural gas, using a burner to produce hot air that’s blown into the space.

They have a high heat output, making them suitable for large spaces, however burning gas produces emissions, making gas-fired heaters only suitable for well-ventilated spaces. They’re commonly seen on construction sites, in warehouses or in agricultural buildings.

Direct oil-fired heaters

These heaters use diesel or oil as their fuel source. Air is blown across an open flame area to deliver an even higher heat output than gas.

They are an economical option for large spaces where electrical supply is limited like construction sites and large remote workshops. These heaters are robust, but require greater safety precautions to use – fuel requires careful storage, and good ventilation is necessary to deal with the fumes. Regular heating oil may not work well in cold environments.

Indirect diesel heaters

Indirect diesel heaters take the concept of oil-fired units and make it safer and cleaner – the diesel flame is burnt in a sealed combustion chamber and fume-free warm air is ducted into the space with exhaust gases vented out.

Such heaters are useful for large enclosed spaces like marquees. They are also used in warehouses and construction sites where materials and goods cannot be exposed to combustion by-products.

Jet heaters

Jet heaters use oil too, but use a powerful jet stream to distribute hot air quickly. This enables them to heat up large workplaces much more quickly than other portable heating options.

They cost more and are noisier, but are considered the most effective choice for cold climate construction sites, big industrial units or aircraft hangars.

Considerations When Choosing a Portable Heater

To help match the right portable heater to your situation, it’s important to weigh up a few core factors. These include:

Size

The size of the space will dictate how much heating power you actually need. Electric fan heaters and basic infrared units have very limited range and so are best suited for small workplaces like offices or small shops. High-output solutions like gas and diesel heaters have a much greater range making them more suitable for larger workspaces like warehouse and construction sites.

Heating speed

Less powerful heaters also tend to provide more gradual heat. Electric fan heaters often take a while to heat up a space, while infrared heaters can provide more rapid warmth to people and objects. For larger spaces, gas and oil heaters get faster results. Jet heating is by far the fastest and is recommended in very cold environments.

Power source

It’s important to think about what energy sources are realistically available and practical. Electricity is often the cleanest solution and is simple to access if you’re in a building with power outlets, but could be more complicated to access in remote areas where you need a power generator. Gas and oil heaters require you to buy and store fuel, but can be more flexibly used in a range of locations.

Fume management

When working in enclosed spaces or when trying to minimize emissions, it could be important to use fume-free methods like electric fan heaters, infrared heaters or indirect-fired diesel/oil. In well-ventilated or outdoor spaces, direct-fired gas or oil can be acceptable with proper safety measures. Pay close attention to placement of heaters relative to people and materials and make sure carbon monoxide is monitored where combustion is involved.

Maintenance

All heaters require basic care, but some require more than others. Electric fans and infrared heaters are generally low-maintenance – keep them clean and check cables for damage. Gas, oil and diesel units often require much more upkeep including burner servicing, nozzle checks, filter changes and periodic safety inspections. When choosing the latter option, think carefully about who will carry out this maintenance. Is servicing support available locally? How easy is it to get parts and fuel?

Cost

Cost isn’t just the purchase and hire price – running costs and downtime matter too. Start by considering the fuel or electricity cost per hour at the output you need. Electric heaters are economical for low heat output, but expensive at high output (oil, diesel and gas are better in these situations). You then need to consider the durability and lifetime of the unit. Oil and diesel heaters tend to be the most robust options for harsh environments. Solutions like jet heating typically cost the most to set up, but are the most economical option if you need fast heating in large cold spaces.

Selecting the right commercial portable heater

Choosing the right commercial portable heater is all about balancing output, safety, air quality and practicality for your specific site. Start with the type that best suits your environment and then refine your choice by exploring the factors above.