The 6 Best Heaters for Construction Sites

Are you working on a construction project and need some temporary heat? No problem! Just because the temps have dropped lower than you expected doesn’t mean your team needs to stop working—or stop working comfortably.

Portable heaters provide the ideal solution for any type of cold-weather construction site, from thawing out basements and garages to finishing ongoing framing and drywall projects well into the winter months.

When it comes to temp heat, there are many different options available to you, depending on your needs, preferences, and budget. If you’re looking for the best type of portable heater, here are six solutions to consider for your winter job site.

1. DIRECT-FIRED HEATERS

Direct-fired heaters are powered by propane or natural gas and emit both indirect and direct infrared radiation. They transfer heat to objects without needing an internal fan, which makes them especially great for thawing out basements, garages, and other areas before pouring concrete.

Ideal uses include:

• Thawing out areas prior to pouring concrete
• Providing heat for temporary buildings or tents
• Heating construction sites in cold weather

2. INDIRECT-FIRED HEATERS

Indirect-fired heaters are similar to direct-fired models, except they don’t emit any direct radiation and instead rely on heated air that’s propelled into the area being heated. As such, they’re best used once the project is underway. They work well both outdoors and indoors and are highly efficient when it comes to providing warm air where it’s needed.

Ideal uses include:

• Drafty structures with poor insulation
• Open areas like warehouses & factories
• Spaces with a lot of foot traffic
• Indoor and outdoor temporary structures

3. DIRECT-FIRED ENCLOSED-FLAME HEATERS

Direct-fired enclosed-flame heaters are powered by propane or kerosene and provide a more controlled, efficient form of heating than direct-fired heaters. They’re great for areas with high ceilings since they don’t need to be placed close to the ground to work effectively. They also produce fewer emissions, making them a safer option when used indoors.

Ideal uses include:

• Areas with high ceilings such as warehouses and factories
• Heating outdoor construction sites in cold weather
• Providing heat for temporary buildings or tents

4. ELECTRIC HEATERS

Electric heaters are powered by electricity and work best in small, enclosed spaces. They’re often used as temporary heaters in offices and homes but can also be a good solution for smaller construction sites. Electric heaters are safe to use indoors and don’t produce any emissions, making them a good option if you need temporary heat without worrying about ventilation.

Ideal uses include:

• Small to mid-sized indoor construction sites
• Temporary buildings or tents
• Heating areas with good insulation

5. CONVECTION HEATERS

Convection heaters are a lot like electric heaters, except they rely on convection rather than radiation to transfer heat from the heater to the air around it. This makes them more efficient than electric heaters since they don’t need to heat the air directly. They’re ideal for temporary construction sites because they don’t require a lot of electricity and are easy to set up.

Ideal uses include:

• Temporary indoor construction sites
• Areas with poor insulation
• Heating large areas without good ventilation

6. GROUND THAWING UNITS

Ground heater units utilize heated water or glycol to thaw frozen ground before construction work begins. They can be used both indoors and outdoors, although they’re most effective when used on hard surfaces such as concrete and asphalt. They’re also a good solution for heating temporary enclosures in cold weather.

Ideal uses include:

• Thawing out frozen ground prior to construction work
• Heating temporary buildings or tents in cold weather

STILL UNSURE WHICH IS THE BEST CONSTRUCTION HEATER FOR YOUR PROJECT?

All of these portable heating solutions can help you get the job done both on time and under budget. But if you still don’t know which construction heater would be best for your job site, give us a call—we would love to help!

And if you’re still looking to rent the best heater for construction this winter, we have many of the portable heater types listed above available to rent.

At Controlled Climate Solutions, we go beyond the simple steps of heater rental and delivery to provide expert-led installation, building enclosure, fuel concierge, and more. You’ll see why Twin Cities custom home builders and commercial contractors are choosing to partner with us for their temporary heating needs.