Heater hire in the UK – everything you need to know

There are many reasons why you may need to hire a temporary heating arrangement. In almost any working environment, the absence of a functional heating system is at best extremely inconvenient and at worst, crippling.

Heater hire is often the best solution if the application is either short-term or temporary. This could be due to the failure of a building’s existing heating system, or the need for short-term supplementary heating during extreme weather conditions. Other short-term requirements exist within the event hire industry, where heaters are supplied for corporate, public and sporting events during the winter months.

Offices and schools, for example, often face problems due to their own central heating systems failing. In such cases, small portable electrical heaters can be hired to provide instant safe heating powered from the domestic electrical supply. In instances where there is insufficient power available, small Catalytic gas heaters can sometimes be used as an alternative. Similar applications also occur in retail, healthcare and care homes. In situations where the requirement is for a longer duration, temporary boilers are also available to hire and can be connected to existing central heating systems.

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In the construction industry, larger heaters are hired to accelerate drying times and to protect buildings from frost. Cold weather can easily delay projects by weeks and often damage delicate, expensive materials. To prevent this, indirect fired oil heaters or high powered electrical heaters can be hired to provide warm dry air throughout the site. These are often coupled with dehumidifiers to provide warm dry conditions, even when severe weather strikes.

In fact, there are very few surroundings where a heat source is completely unnecessary. Even typically outdoor applications, like farms and agricultural areas, need heating for crop drying and frost protection during the colder months.

What are the advantages of hiring temporary heaters rather than purchasing them?

No capital outlay – when hiring heaters, you only need to pay a weekly hire charge which is effectively “pay as you go” with solutions to fit most budgets.

Instant availability – portable heaters should normally be delivered within hours of placing the order, so heating can be provided quickly, and normal conditions restored within the same day.

No maintenance worries – The hire company is responsible for maintaining the heaters and even in the unlikely event of the heater failing, you should expect it to be replaced without further cost immediately. Specialist heating hire companies will also provide support 24/7 which is particularly important for the event and healthcare sectors.

Safety – The heater hire specialist should ensure that any heater provided is fully maintained and safety checked prior to delivery. All electrical units must be PAT tested with certification available on request.

Expert advice – Experienced specialist heater hire providers should offer expert advice to ensure that the units provided are best suited and safe for the application. Choosing the best unit for the job can also often provide significant fuel savings.

Upgrade – At times, the amount of heating required may vary during the hire period, but the client is able to both increase or decrease the number and size of units being hired should the requirement alter at any point.

Fuel management – When using oil or gas fuelled heaters, it is also vital to establish a regular fuel delivery process. Specialist heater hire companies will be able to assist by managing fuel deliveries to ensure uninterrupted running, whilst also providing safe environmentally-approved fuel storage tanks.

What type of heaters are available for hire?

With a broad spectrum of applications relying on the availability of temporary heating systems, it is unsurprising that there is such a variety when it comes to the type of unit.

Electric heaters, for example, provide customers with an instant source of warm air – aided by simple plug-and-play installation – with the units most suitable for offices, hospitals, schools, shops and similar applications. The range of electric models is so varied that it can be split into four different groups: fan-assisted, oil-filled, quartz and convector heaters. High capacity electric heaters are available in 110V, 230V and 415V versions, with heating capacities of up to 43kW per unit.

Indirect fired heaters provide clients with the perfect option for many applications, safely delivering huge volumes of warm, fume-free dry air. These units, which can run on either gas or fuel oil (diesel), offer users a significant amount of flexibility in terms of their deployment. They can either be positioned outside the target area – with the hot air ducted inside – or the unit can be stationed inside the desired application with the fumes and exhaust transferred outside via a flue. It is these characteristics that make indirect fired heaters ideal for marquees, exhibition halls, workshops and many other environments.

Direct fired heaters can be used in some situations; however, these tend to be industrial applications with high levels of natural ventilation. These heaters can also be run on either gas or diesel. With heating capacities of up to 82kW, the units within this range provide clients with a fast, efficient solution to cold indoor temperatures. Direct fired heaters should not be used where people are working, or hazardous flammable products are present.

High capacity site heaters are often used for projects where units are required to generate high volumes of warm air for extended periods of time. These robust, heavy duty units are capable of operating unattended and can generate nominal heating capacities of up to 383kW.

What should I consider before choosing a specialist heater hire provider?

Although selecting the correct product for your application is important, the choice of unit itself is only one faction of guaranteeing the best heating rental solution. Choosing a reliable supplier will ensure you attain the peace of mind necessary to proceed without having concerns about whether your requirement will be handled professionally.

Experience and specialisation. Many tool hire companies can offer heaters for hire but if you choose a specialist heater hire provider they will have the in-depth knowledge and experience required to offer the advice you need to ensure the safest and most economical heater hire package.

Delivery capability and coverage. Specialist heater hire companies should have a national coverage in order to provide a same day delivery service along with a 24/7 back-up. This will ensure that heaters are delivered quickly and kept working regardless of any problems that may occur.

Reputation. It is essential that the provider chosen has a good reputation in the industry, with a long track record of providing a safe reliable heater hire service. This will also mean that said provider should meet all relevant safety, quality and environmental standards

Range of units to choose from. A dedicated heater hire company should also be able to offer a wide range of modern units which are fuel efficient and reliable. Appearance and cleanliness are also important in many environments. Fuel efficiency can provide significant savings over a period of time.

At Andrews Heat for Hire, we have an excellent track record of proposing, delivering and installing temporary heating systems across a full spectrum of industries. This expertise has been garnered from over 50 years of experience and allows us to exceed customer expectations time and time again. No other company can claim to have the experience of Andrews Heat for Hire, with our heritage and reputation extremely well-known throughout the industry.

Our huge range of portable heaters mean that we can provide the very best solution time after time. Andrews’ units start from small 3kW oil filled radiators and extend up to large containerised units that can be coupled to provide multi-megawatt packages.  We pride ourselves on developing and introducing quality innovations and maintaining a modern hire fleet nationwide. Our experienced operators are easy to contact by phone or online and our service team provide an exceptional level of service to ensure each heater hire runs as smoothly as possible. With depots spanning the whole of the UK, you can expect us to deliver quickly – even out-of-hours – protecting your business and operations at all times.