If you manage a construction site in Massachusetts, you’ll have many choices about how to provide temporary heat during the cold winter months – and those choices can mean the difference between making and missing your project deadline.
This week we’ll take a look at two of the more common temporary heating system solutions: Salamander and Infrared heaters.
The Basics
Sometimes called a “torpedo furnace,” a salamander heater is a portable forced-air or convection heater that pushes cold air though a flame to produce heat. Why is it called a “Salamander” heater, you ask? A traditional woodburning stove in Spain or Portugal is called a “salamandra.” This name originates from a legend that the salamander could survive a fire, since they often emerged from a log when it was thrown on a fire. Powered by commercial propane, salamanders provide instant warmth to your workspace.
Uses
Salamander heaters typically work well on construction sites and in workshops, warehouse areas, and other well-ventilated areas (including football sidelines). Please note, however, that you must have a well-ventilated area to operate a Salamander heater. They also run quite hot, so some safety precautions are needed.
The Basics
Infrared heaters use propane (or natural) gas to heat ceramic panels that radiate heat (just like the sun). Infrared rays travel through the air and are absorbed by objects they come in contact with – including you (that’s why you feel the heat really quickly if the sun comes out on a cloudy day…it’s not because the air around you became warmer). Infrared heaters are extremely efficient – more than 99 percent efficient.
Uses
The heating effect of an infrared heater is extremely targeted: if you want a heater to stand in front of after coming in from the cold, infrared heaters are a great choice.
Looking for a temporary heating solution for your construction project? Holden has the solutions you need to keep your crew warm and working. Contact our construction specialists today to learn about comprehensive temporary heating fuel and equipment in the North Shore of MA! From propane tanks to on- and off-road diesel, we’ll help you get the job done on schedule.