When temperatures drop or heating systems fail, heater hire offers a fast, flexible, and reliable way to maintain safe and comfortable conditions across your site.
Whether you’re managing a construction project, warehouse, hospital, retail premises or event venue, having the right temporary heating solution in place ensures you stay operational — without disruption, downtime, or discomfort.
In this guide, we’ll explore the main uses and types of heater hire, the benefits of temporary heating, and why choosing a specialist provider like Ideal Heat Solutions ensures dependable performance and full compliance.
What Happens If You Don’t Have Heater Hire?
When your permanent heating system fails or seasonal demand spikes, the absence of heating can lead to serious consequences:
- Reduced productivity and comfort – cold workplaces lower morale and efficiency.
- Health & safety risks – under the Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992, employers must maintain a “reasonable” temperature.
- Disruption to operations – in hospitals, schools, and public buildings, heat loss can quickly impact service delivery.
- Construction delays – cold or damp environments can slow curing, drying, or finishing work.
- Equipment and material damage – frost or condensation can harm sensitive machinery and stock.
Heater hire provides an immediate and efficient response, restoring warmth quickly and keeping your operations compliant and on schedule.
Types of Heater Hire Available
At Ideal Heat Solutions, we offer a wide range of heater hire options to suit every environment — from small, enclosed offices and retail shops, to large industrial sites and outdoor events. We offer emergency heater hire, temporary heater hire, planned heater hire and commercial heater hire.
1. Indirect Fired (IDF) Heater Hire (47kW to 375kW)
IDF heaters are oil-fired systems designed to heat large or well-ventilated spaces such as warehouses, factories, marquees, and construction sites.
They generate warm, fume-free air through ducting, delivering reliable dry heat safely and efficiently.
Ideal for: Warehouses, factories, marquees, large open areas
Benefits: High airflow, external combustion, and clean, fume free air distribution.
Electric fan heaters offer instant, portable, and emission-free warmth, making them ideal for smaller or enclosed environments.
Available from 2kW to 40kW, they connect directly to either 110v, 230v or 400v three-phase power supply and are perfect for offices, workshops, and welfare units.
Ideal for: Offices, workshops, retail units, temporary facilities
Benefits: Plug-and-play setup, quiet operation, zero emissions, minimal maintenance
3. MDA Electric Fan Heater Hire
For larger commercial or industrial environments, MDA electric fan heaters (ranging from 18kW to 72kW) provide powerful, controllable, and clean heat.
They’re designed for logistics hubs, factories, and construction drying, delivering consistent temperature regulation with zero emissions.
Ideal for: Industrial buildings, construction drying, manufacturing spaces
Benefits: High-capacity heating, thermostatic control, low noise, sustainable electric operation, Multi-Directional Airflow
Infrared heaters work differently from fan-based systems — they deliver direct radiant heat to people, surfaces, and equipment rather than warming the surrounding air.
This makes them particularly effective for outdoor or partially open environments, such as workshops, events, or construction sites.
Ideal for: Outdoor workspaces, events, garages, or partially ventilated sites
Benefits: Instant radiant warmth, silent operation, efficient targeted heating
Oil-filled radiators provide steady, silent background heat — perfect for sensitive or occupied environments like hospitals, offices, schools, and welfare units.
They require no installation, emit no fumes, and maintain even heat for consistent comfort.
Ideal for: Healthcare, education, offices, and temporary accommodation
Benefits: Safe, quiet, efficient operation with thermostatic control
When Do Businesses Use Heater Hire?
Temporary heater hire is used across multiple sectors and scenarios, including:
- Emergency breakdowns – fast response when permanent systems fail.
- Planned maintenance or refurbishments – maintaining heat during plant room or HVAC upgrades.
- Seasonal demand – additional heat during cold weather peaks.
- Construction drying and curing – maintaining optimal conditions for materials like screed, plaster, or paint.
- Event heating – keeping marquees, studios, and outdoor venues comfortable for guests and staff.
- Business continuity – ensuring no downtime in critical environments like hospitals, data centres, or care facilities.
Also explore our Contingency Planning Service to develop a site-specific response plan for heating, cooling, or power failures.
Do You Really Need Heater Hire — Or Are There Alternatives?
In some cases, fixed heating systems or mobile electric radiators may provide enough coverage. However, for larger or more complex environments, temporary heater hire offers unmatched flexibility:
- Fast setup – no waiting for permanent installations.
- Scalable output – from small fan heaters to high-output IDF units.
- Minimal disruption – temporary systems can operate alongside ongoing work.
- Zero capital cost – hire only when you need it.
- Sustainability options – Electric alternatives reduce carbon impact.
Temporary heater hire bridges the gap between short-term needs and long-term stability — making it the smarter choice for flexible, compliant site heating.
UK Regulations & Compliance
All temporary heating installations must comply with UK legislation to ensure safety, efficiency, and environmental responsibility.
Key regulations include:
- Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 – ensuring safe equipment use and working environments.
- Electricity at Work Regulations 1989 – covering safe connection and maintenance of electrical systems.
- Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998 (PUWER) – requiring proper inspection, training, and maintenance.
- Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992 – mandating adequate temperature control.
- Environmental Protection Act 1990 – minimising emissions and safe fuel handling.
All Ideal Heat Solutions engineers are OFTEC and Gas Safe-registered, fully trained, and DBS-checked. Every installation is delivered with method statements, risk assessments, and safety certification, ensuring compliance with NHS, construction, and FM standards.
Benefits of Choosing a Specialist Provider for Heater Hire
Working with an experienced provider like Ideal Heat Solutions guarantees reliable performance, professional service, and complete peace of mind.
What you can expect:
- Full range of heating solutions – from compact electric fan heaters to large IDF and MDA systems.
- Fast mobilisation – survey, delivery, and installation within hours of your call.
- End-to-end support – from design and setup to 24/7 maintenance and monitoring.
- Nationwide coverage – serving London, Kent, Essex, Surrey, Sussex, and the South East.
- Sustainability focus – offering electric, and low-carbon options.
- Complete compliance – all systems installed safely and to current UK regulations.
See related pages: Boiler Hire, Electric Boiler Hire, and Chiller Hire for complete HVAC rental solutions.
Conclusion
When you need fast, flexible, and reliable heat, temporary heater hire keeps your business running smoothly.
From electric and oil-filled heaters for small spaces to high-output IDF and MDA units for industrial environments, Ideal Heat Solutions provides safe, compliant, and efficient heating — backed by expert installation and 24/7 support.
Call our team today or complete our quick online form for a free, no-obligation quote on heater hire.
FAQs
1. How quickly can you deliver and install a heater?
We can usually mobilise within 24 hours, depending on your site location and power availability.
2. Are electric heaters suitable for enclosed spaces?
Yes — electric, MDA, infrared, and oil-filled heaters produce zero emissions, making them ideal for occupied or sensitive areas.
3. Can I use IDF heaters indoors? Indirect Fired (IDF) heaters are designed for safe, ducted operation in large or ventilated spaces, with combustion kept outside.
4. Do you provide 24/7 support?
Yes — our engineers are available around the clock for installation, maintenance, and emergency call-outs.
5. Can you help me plan for a heating emergency?
Yes — our Contingency Planning Service prepares your site for potential heating, cooling, or power failures with a bespoke action plan.
6. What areas do you cover?
We provide heater hire across London, Kent, Essex, Surrey, Sussex, and the South East.
To learn more or book a free site survey, contact Ideal Heat Solutions today.
📞 CALL US: 0808 3014 183
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