Propane Heat for Construction - Heaters and Radiators

With temperatures beginning to drop in central Ontario, construction crews are planning for the use of temporary space heating to keeps their projects on schedule. Propane heaters and radiators are the best choice. In this blog we look at the propane solution.

Why is Temporary Heat Needed?

“With today’s construction processes — all the wetwork that goes in there — you have to be able to address what you’re going to do with all that moisture. Once the building is enclosed, a combination of heat and ventilation is critical for floor finishes, drywall work, plastering, painting, and all of the material finishes that go on inside the building”.

Plus, temporary heat can keep your workers warm and productive. In some regions, codes or safety regulations require that workers have a supplementary heat source when temperatures drop below a certain level. These material and human requirements mean that temporary heat is often required to keep a project on schedule through the winter. source: Propane.com

Planning Process

Construction project managers are responsible for ensuring building construction stays on schedule and propane heaters and radiators help as we move from fall into winter. Typically a construction site manager gets in touch with their propane supplier to work out an estimated heating budget. 

"When the cold weather arrives, the propane retailer delivers the heater and sets it up with a propane tank connection. The process is mostly turn-key from start to finish; the builder is responsible for ducting the heat into the building and powering it.

While temporary heat is versatile enough for massive jobs, smaller heaters are available for single-family construction projects. Homebuilders often lease heaters for the season, moving them from site to site as needed. 

Regardless of the application, propane is the cleanest and easiest choice for the fuel source. While kerosene and electric heaters are available, each has distinct disadvantages, Smith says. “Kerosene is a dirty fuel,” he says. “Unless you’re using an indirect-style heater, you can get a film on the equipment you’re working with. Or if you’re trying to drywall, you can get a little film on the walls. It can also be a little more sloppy. You put it in a truck and it moves around”. source: Propane.com

Propane is an ideal energy source for construction projects and manufacturers and equipment rental companies provide a wide variety of choice in propane heaters for a range of application. For example a propane heater can be used to dry out a weather damaged building or provide enough ambient temperature to cure concrete.

Types of Propane Heaters

The Canadian Propane Association identifies two main types of propane heaters: direct-fire and radiant heaters.

Direct-fire appliances: Heat the ambient air directly (forced air heater), with high energy efficiency. These appliances are divided into two classes – those with an exposed flame burner and those with a controlled flame burner (modern and more efficient). In both cases, good ventilation is required to evacuate the combustion of gases.

Radiant heaters: Indirectly heat the ambient air through a chamber that in turn releases heat (radiant heating). Pipes carry the heat to the desired locations; the combustion gases remain outside or are exhausted through a pipe.

Regardless of the choice of appliance, propane provides clean, even heat without mold or contaminated fumes. source: Propane.ca

Propane's portability and flexibility make it an ideal energy source at the job site. It can be used as a temporary heat source to assist with drywall finishing, or even as an option for heating the office or site.

In its liquid form, propane is 270 times more compact than it is in its gas form, allowing for easy storage and transportation. In a business as mobile as construction, propane’s versatility makes it the ideal fuel source with many applications.

Budget Propane offers a full range of professional propane services to meet your needs during new construction projects, whether you are a general contractor, sub-contractor, a builder or homeowner.

Get in touch with us today to discuss your construction project and learn more about our construction heat services.