How to Choose the Right Heater for Your Site

Choosing the right heater for your site depends on the size of the area, ventilation, available power and whether you need background warmth, instant spot heating or help with drying. Electric heaters are useful for offices, site cabins and indoor working areas. Gas and direct diesel heaters provide higher outputs for suitably ventilated buildings, while indirect diesel heaters can supply warm air through ducting from outside. At FTH Hire Group, our heater hire range includes options for construction sites, workshops, warehouses, offices and events.

As the mornings get darker and temperatures drop, it pays to organise your heating before the first hard frost. Planning ahead gives you time to choose suitable equipment and arrange the power, fuel and accessories needed to keep your site working through winter.

Why Plan Your Heating Now?

Demand increases as temperatures fall. 

Heater hire is seasonal, so booking ahead helps you organise the models, quantities and hire dates your job requires.

Cold weather affects work. 

Wet trades such as plastering and screeding need suitable conditions for curing and drying. Cold, damp buildings can hold up progress, while comfortable working temperatures help teams carry out their tasks safely.

Every site has different requirements. 

Power supply, ventilation, building size and the length of the hire all influence which heater is suitable. Ceiling height, insulation and doors that regularly open also affect how much heat a building needs.

Working through these details early helps avoid a last-minute scramble when the weather changes.

Electric Heater Hire for Offices, Cabins and Indoor Areas

Where a suitable electrical supply is available, electric heaters provide straightforward heating without combustion fumes at the point of use. The range includes options for steady background warmth, circulating warm air and targeted radiant heat.

Ceramic Heater 110V

Our ceramic heater delivers 2.8kW of dry, radiant heat without a fan or moving parts.

Its quiet operation makes it useful for offices, site cabins, small workshops and indoor residential or commercial areas. It can provide steady warmth over longer hire periods, with running costs depending on how often it operates and how well the building retains heat.

Convector Heater 240V

The convector heater is a slimline 2kW unit with three heat settings and an adjustable thermostat.

It provides background warmth and can help maintain suitable temperatures when drying plastered walls and ceilings. Always follow the plaster manufacturer’s drying instructions and ensure moisture can escape or be removed.

Without a fan blowing air around the room, it can disturb less dust and pollen than fan-based heating, making it useful in cleaner working environments.

Fan Heater 110V or 240V

Our fan heater is a robust, quiet-running 3kW unit that circulates warm air to gradually raise the temperature in the surrounding area.

It is suitable for temporary heating in offices, workshops and commercial or industrial buildings, provided its output matches the heating requirement.

Other models include 9kW three-phase and 18kW 400V options for larger demands. Specifications and availability may vary, so check the model, connection and electrical capacity required with your local hire hub before ordering.

Oil Filled Radiator

An oil filled radiator provides up to 2kW of heat, with a built-in thermostat and adjustable output levels to help manage the room temperature and energy use.

It is a practical choice for offices, site cabins and enclosed rooms needing steady background warmth. Castors make it easier to move between areas once it has been switched off and allowed to cool.

Quartz Red Rad Heater 110V

Part of FTH Hire Group’s Core 80 range, the Quartz Red Rad heater provides 3kW of instant infrared heat without waiting for the surrounding air to warm up.

Mounted on four castors, it is useful for targeted warmth in offices, workshops and on building sites where safe positioning and clearance can be maintained.

The heater uses a 110V, 32A connection. A 3kVA heater transformer is available to hire separately. Our team can help confirm the correct power setup.

Gas Heater Hire for Construction Sites and Industrial Buildings

Early-stage construction sites may have no electrical supply. Some gas heaters can provide warmth without electricity, including cabinet and dustbin heaters.

Forced-air propane heaters may also require electricity to run their fans, so check the requirements of the model supplied. All gas heaters must be used with the ventilation specified for the appliance.

Cabinet Heater with Butane

A portable butane cabinet heater offers adjustable output of up to 2.9kW. It can provide localised heating in new-build properties before the power is connected, provided the building meets the appliance’s ventilation requirements.

Butane cylinders in 4.5kg, 7kg and 13kg sizes are available to purchase separately. Ask your local hire hub to confirm the correct cylinder for the heater supplied.

Dustbin Heater with Propane

Our dustbin heater provides 25kW of heat without needing an electrical supply.

Also known as a bin box heater, it distributes heat around suitably ventilated construction areas, factories and warehouses.

Dustbin heaters are also used during building drying work, but gas combustion releases water vapour. If drying is your main aim, discuss the conditions with our team so heating and moisture removal can be planned together.

Medium Propane Space Heater

The medium propane space heater has a stated output of 53kW and airflow of 1,450m³ per hour.

This portable forced-air heater is suitable for well-ventilated warehouses, workshops, building and renovation projects, and agricultural or horticultural buildings.

A regulator and gas hose are included. Confirm the supplied model’s output and electrical requirements when booking.

Large Propane Space Heater

Our large propane space heater has a stated variable output of 58.5kW to 100kW, allowing the heat to be adjusted to suit the job.

It is intended for larger warehouses, industrial premises, workshops and horticultural buildings. The supplied guidance references areas of approximately 100–150m², although suitability also depends on ceiling height, insulation, ventilation and heat loss.

A regulator and gas hose are included. Our hire hub team can confirm the specification and assess which model suits your building.

Propane cylinders in sizes ranging from 3.9kg to 47kg are available to purchase separately. The correct size and fuel supply arrangement depend on the heater and its consumption, so speak to your local hire hub before ordering.

High-Output Diesel and Oil-Fired Heaters

Diesel and oil-fired heaters provide higher outputs for larger working areas. Choosing between direct and indirect heating depends particularly on ventilation and how the building is occupied.

Direct-fired heaters release combustion gases with the heated air. Indirect heaters keep combustion gases separate from the warm air supplied to the building.

Dual Voltage Oil Heater

Our dual voltage oil heater is a tough, portable direct-fired unit with a 29kW output and airflow of 800m³ per hour.

It can be a practical option for heating large industrial areas and open working environments with adequate ventilation. Its dual voltage supply gives flexibility across different site setups.

Confirm the approved fuel and electrical connection before use. Running costs will depend on operating hours, fuel consumption and the building’s heating requirements.

Direct Diesel Heater

For fast heating across larger areas, the direct diesel heater delivers 44kW of heat and airflow of 900m³ per hour.

The listed model requires a 110V electrical supply as well as fuel. It is best suited to open or adequately ventilated warehouses, factories and construction sites.

Indirect Diesel Heater

An indirect diesel heater is an option where combustion fumes must be kept outside the area being heated.

This 21kW unit supplies warm air separately from its exhaust and comes with 7.6m of ducting. The heater can sit outside while warm air is ducted into a marquee, event venue, enclosed warehouse or workshop.

The external position must keep exhaust fumes away from doors, windows and air intakes. Our team can advise on the installation, ducting and electrical supply required.

Heating a Building and Drying It Out

If you need to dry plaster, screed or a damp building, choosing a heater is only part of the job. Moisture must also be able to leave the building through suitable ventilation or be collected by a dehumidifier.

Direct-fired gas heaters add water vapour to the air, which can work against drying. Controlled electric heating or indirect heating may be more suitable, depending on the conditions.

Follow the material manufacturer’s instructions for curing and drying. Avoid directing intense heat at fresh surfaces to speed up the process, and check when additional heating or dehumidification can safely begin.

Think Safety and Ventilation

Gas and direct-fired diesel or oil heaters should only be used in areas with the ventilation required by the appliance manufacturer and your site risk assessment.

For enclosed or occupied areas where direct-fired heating is unsuitable, consider electric heating or an indirect heater positioned outside with warm air ducted in. The building will still need appropriate fresh-air ventilation.

Keep heaters clear of combustible materials and follow the instructions supplied for positioning, power connections, fuel handling and operation. Our equipment safety guidance provides further information.

If you are unsure which heater is suitable, our hire hub teams can advise on the equipment and fuel supply for your site.

Get Ahead of the Cold

A site office needing background warmth, a construction project without electricity and a warehouse requiring high-output heating will each have different requirements.

FTH Hire Group offers heating equipment for these jobs, alongside advice on the power, fuel and accessories needed.

Browse our heater hire range or contact your local hire hub to discuss your requirements and reserve your winter heating.