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Temperature regulation is a tricky task in workspaces lacking built-in HVAC systems. This is particularly true on construction sites with open-air and temporary work setups that make project-long heating an expensive prospect. Still, being able to provide a comfortable environment that encourages productivity could make the difference in maintaining workflow, meeting deadlines and ensuring the comfort and well-being of employees.

Many high-powered heating solutions for entire commercial spaces fall into direct-fired heating or indirect-fired heating solutions. Indirect-fired heaters, while safer due to lower CO, CO2 and NO2 emissions, do not supply heat with the energy efficiency of direct-fired heaters. 

For many enclosed spaces and construction projects alike, one direct-fired heater, the salamander heater, is a particularly popular option for providing consistent temperature control.

What is the Salamander?

A salamander heater is a portable heating unit employed as a temporary heating solution. Units often run on fuel, commonly kerosene or propane, while still requiring electricity for power.

Salamander heaters have been around for over 100 years, dating back to the early 1900s. Originally produced by Scheu Manufacturing for farmers to use during extreme weather in the 1940s, the modern salamander unit has become a go-to choice for large-scale heating needs. They are typically found not only on construction sites but also in large warehouses, workshops and even open-air sports venues.

Salamander heaters are available under a number of common alternative names, including “salamander furnace”, “torpedo heater” or the more basic “salamander”. The salamander name derives from a traditional Spanish wood burning stove called a “salamandra”. The name stems from the ancient legend of the salamander that could control and thrive in the fire, a myth fueled by the supposed occurrence of salamanders crawling from logs on the fire.

How Do Salamander Heaters Work?

Salamander heaters are a form of direct-fired heaters. It is an easily transportable forced-air or convection heater. Product air is forced over a heating element, making direct contact with either an electric coil or open flame. The air is then blown out at rapid speed (lending to the nickname “torpedo heater”). 

All of this occurs within a single open-ended tube. Cool air is drawn in by the fan on one end, passes over the heating element and gets shot out of the other end.

Benefits of Salamander Heaters

Direct-fired heaters are regarded as less safe for enclosed spaces because of the direct contact air has with combustion inside the unit. Harmful byproducts, including dangerous gases, are subsequently circulated into the work area. The fuel that many salamander heaters run on poses carbon monoxide poisoning and oxygen deficiency risks. 

Fortunately, electric salamander heaters exist to mitigate the health hazards of fuel-burning units while offering the same level of heating power, control and efficiency. With air being blown over a series of electric coils, toxic fumes are eliminated and the heaters can be subsequently employed in confined and enclosed spaces with little risk.

Electric salamander heaters provide clean, fume and odor-free heated air, which can be tightly controlled with built-in thermostats. The coils heat up quickly, allowing for much faster heat production and warm air circulation. Standard safety features on many electric units include automatic overheat protection, which helps maintain its longevity. Many also have the option to be used in a fan mode to circulate cool air when needed.

Salamander heaters are relatively lightweight and designed for portability. Sporting wheels and push handles, these are easy to transport and maneuver throughout workspaces. 

Electric salamander heaters only require a standard power source for use, making setup easy and worry-free with compatibility to generators, panels and power outlets. Plus, compared to fuel-burning models, electric units are less susceptible to failure.

Electric salamander heaters come in a wide range of sizes, allowing you to choose the perfect size to fit your space. For their safety, space-efficiency and heat output, salamander heaters are excellent heating options for a variety of spaces including:

• Workshops and garages.
• Retail floors.
• Office spaces.
• Schools.
• Outdoor tents.
• Construction sites.

Disadvantages of Salamander Heaters

When discussing electric salamanders, the benefits greatly outweigh the disadvantages. Nonetheless, certain drawbacks must be considered for their effect on the space and those using it.

As mentioned, these units do get dangerously hot. Although they do not pose health risks in confined areas from the air they expel, being able to keep them out of the way is critically important for employee safety. Furthermore, the intense heat they produce can cause considerable discomfort in poorly ventilated areas.

Salamanders are generally safe to leave unattended but if left on while near flammable items, the risk of starting a fire is greatly increased. When attempting to move a salamander, it is also absolutely essential to let the unit turn off and cool entirely beforehand.

Electric salamander heaters are also relatively limited in heat output. Their ability to generate over 200,000 BTUs far exceeds the capacity of most space heaters but still pales in comparison to many indirect-fired or fuel-burning direct-fired heaters. In large, airy warehouses or open construction sites, more powerful options may be more budget-friendly.

Electric Salamander Heaters from Preferred Climate Solutions

Electric salamander heaters available through Preferred Climate Solutions combine industrial-power heating ability with conscientious safety features and user-friendly controls. We carry electric units in a variety of sizes, ranging from 50,000 BTUs to 205,000 BTUs, making it easy to find the appropriate solution to fit your exact space requirements. Warm air produced by these units can be sustained at up to 100 degrees Fahrenheit.

We carefully select the units we make available for rent, opting for the best blends of power, reliability and user control. Our quality products are backed with exceptional service. We understand that temporary climate-control solutions can arise unexpectedly and urgently. We work hard to provide expedited service by being available 24/7 for our customers throughout Texas.

We strive to be the premier provider of heating and cooling solutions for commercial spaces in Texas. Contact our team of experts to discover how the salamander heater or any of our other quality commercial heating options can be the perfect fit for your needs.

Maintaining proper heating of commercial workplaces is critically important for the safety, health, comfort and productivity of employees sharing the space. In new commercial properties or construction sites, central heating may not be possible and supplemental heating apparatus may need to be installed. These temporary heating solutions are available in two options: direct-fired heaters and indirect-fired heaters.

Direct-Fired vs. Indirect-Fired Heat

Direct-fired and indirect-fired heaters differ in how air is heated within the unit. In a direct-fired heater, air is exposed directly to the hot flame and combustion that heats it before it is pumped out of the blower. 

Indirect-fired heaters add a heat exchanger for the burner to fire into, creating a barrier between the combustion and the air that is blown out. Similar to the operation of residential gas or oil furnaces, cool air moves over and around the heat exchanger to warm it before being pumped out of the blower. Combustion byproducts are removed from the exchanger through a flue, as opposed to combining with the product air that gets pumped into the occupied space.

Because the product air is exposed directly to the combustion occurring within the heater, direct-fired heaters produce warm air more efficiently. For large areas like warehouses and sites with poor insulation, direct-fired heaters are a less expensive and more energy-efficient option. Since the open flame makes direct contact with the product air, nearly 100 percent of the burned fuel contributes to the output. They are effective in extremely low temperatures and offer excellent control in managing the heat output.

Despite the benefits of direct-fired heaters, many common commercial spaces can actually get better use out of an indirect heater. Here we will discuss the reasons for choosing an indirect heater and appropriate settings for this type of temporary temperature control.

Benefits of Indirect Heaters in Commercial Areas

To begin, the size and layout of the commercial workspace can determine whether the benefits outweigh the disadvantages of both types of heaters. Certain spaces may be better serviced by direct-fired heaters while others may get the most use out of indirect heaters.

Indirect-fired heaters are placed outside of the building, using ducts to channel the warm air into the workspace. An exhaust ventilation tube connects to the chamber to dispense fumes and combustion byproducts from the heat exchanger outside.

For many commercial setups and certain industries, this heating arrangement yields important benefits:

• The air being introduced to the work environment is 100 percent clean and dry, free from any combustion byproducts.
• The system recirculates air, saving on fuel and offsetting the lower efficiency compared to direct-fired heating options.
• Built-in thermostats offer adjustable heating.
• Indirect-fired heaters do not release carbon dioxide into space, making it both safer and able to be applied to existing ductwork for better circulation throughout the space.
• Heaters can operate in tighter, confined spaces.
• There is a lower potential for sparking a fire.
• Indirect heaters are useful for protecting against frost.
• Indirect-fired heaters produce much drier air than direct-fired models. This creates less humidity, which can improve overall comfort and reduce the risk of harmful mold development. Plus, the dry air can also speed up drying and curing processes.

Despite their relatively high use and maintenance costs and inherent transportation difficulty, indirect heaters are a non-negotiable necessity for certain spaces. 

The biggest advantage of these units is the cleaner, safer air they provide, free from harmful byproducts and gases such as carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide and nitrogen dioxide. Hundreds of individuals throughout the country lose their lives and countless more are hospitalized due to carbon monoxide inhalation every year. Improper ventilation combined with the use of direct-heating apparatus, similar to grills, for instance, is a major cause of these health issues.

Outside of large, airy warehouses and open construction sites, indirect-fired heaters are the best solution.

They are particularly useful in enclosed areas and establishments that require high levels of cleanliness, including:

• Hospitals and health care facilities.
• Restaurants and food preparation sites.
• Tight office spaces.
• Schools and universities.
• Chemical handling and production facilities.
• Retail spaces.

Additionally, indirect-heaters can be useful even in construction sites where a direct heater may seem like the best option. When pouring cement, for example, the dry air from indirect heating units is preferable in expediting the curing process.

Choosing Indirect Heaters

Indirect heaters are a great temporary solution for enclosed spaces and rentals are a great option to keep your heating cost-effective. Carefully investigate the most appropriate setup for your space and consider how you plan to install the unit and circulate the air. Keep in mind that indirect-fired heaters are often much larger than direct-fired heaters, making their setup less versatile in certain spaces and more difficult to transport.

The ability for many indirect heaters to recirculate warm air helps reduce energy consumption costs so taking advantage of that feature can be significantly beneficial.

The higher rental, purchase and maintenance costs of these units is an important factor to consider with regard to indirect heating. Plan your budget accordingly and explore smaller electric space heaters if the costs are prohibitive.

Indirect Heater Options from Preferred Climate Solutions

Temperature and climate-controlled environments can make a difference in the health and productivity of workers. Choosing the right heating option for your space is absolutely essential to promote efficiency in your operations. 

At Preferred Climate Solutions, we carry a comprehensive catalog of portable and temporary heating solutions to fit the production and budgetary needs of customers in all industries. Our Campo Blaze Turbo indirect-fired heaters offer up 588,000 BTUs of heat blowing at 2,500 CFM. These efficient and reliable machines produce higher quality heat in less time. We offer these units to customers across Texas, backing our solutions with convenient 24/7 service availability. 

We believe that heating and cooling solutions should be made a cost-effective priority and we work diligently to offer the highest value to our customers. Contact our team today for more information on available rental heating units for your commercial space.

Regardless of season, anyone planning an outdoor tent event in Texas needs to consider what kind of cooling and heating system they will need to keep their guests comfortable. Summer sun and humidity can create brutal, sweltering conditions, and the chill of the winter time can leave your guests shivering and feeling underdressed. In addition to the variable environment, there are also multiple cooling and heating solutions available to suit every need and budget. How do you know which is the right solution for your event?

As a premier provider of mobile HVAC services, Preferred Climate Solutions (PCS) has the knowledge and experience to help you select the right system for your event that won’t waste energy or blow your budget.

Let’s take a look at our guide to choosing the right tent event cooling and heating system:

Planning Considerations

Before we discuss types of heating and cooling solutions, let’s examine what factors need to be taken into account during the planning stage. Write down concrete answers to the following, or consider these statements:

• What time of day will your event take place and how long will it run?
• What is the size of the area or tent you are attempting to cool or heat?
• Event temperature control is about keeping the temperature within a set range, not adjusting it throughout the event
• Reserve tent and HVAC accessories sooner rather than later so that you will have everything you need on the day of your event.

Once you have your plan in place, you are ready to start looking at what cooling or heating system will best suit your event needs.

Cooling Systems

The chief advantage to cooling a tent event is guests are out of direct sunlight (the chief culprit for heating things up when you are celebrating outdoors). That being said, you are still going to need some sort of cooling system to prevent the environment in the tent from becoming unbearable. Sometimes you can accomplish this without a tent AC unit, sometimes you can’t. We will consider all the options and take a look at some ways you can save energy and keep things cool even without using a standard electric cooling unit.

Tent Fans

A cost effective option, this allows you to keep air moving through the tent without costing a fortune in energy bills. Fans perform best when placed in corners or in every section of larger tents.

Cooling Units

A cooling unit will always be the most expensive option for two reasons: first, they have a higher rental rate, and second, you need a tent with sidewalls to make efficient use of them. They are well worth the greater investment, however, since they are more compact, less noisy and cool tent interiors more efficiently and effectively than fans.

Misting Fans

Like an ordinary tent fan for the most part, misting fans are an excellent solution for hot weather events where your guests won’t mind a little added humidity. Cool water is periodically sprayed into the airflow and distributed through the tent interior, cooling everyone off. 

The one drawback is guests are going to find themselves with slightly dampened clothes after a while. So long as everyone is okay with that, misting fans are an excellent and inexpensive way to keep a tent event cool.

Pro-Tip: Don’t Put Up Tents On Asphalt In Summer

Setting up a tent on the grass is cooler than setting up on asphalt by a factor of ten. In the winter time though, setting up a tent on asphalt later in the day is ideal. The heat trapped in the asphalt means you need less energy to keep your event warm with all that stored energy in the ground.

Pro-Tip: Plan Your Event For Later In The Day

Planning a tent event for midday may be a necessity for you depending on your booking, but summer tent events are always best scheduled during the latter half of the day. Not only do you catch the sunset, but you will also save significantly on your cooling costs.

Now that we have covered everything cooling related, let’s examine how tent heating solutions work.

Heating Systems

Renting a heating system for your tent event is a lot less complicated than renting a cooling solution. Your choices are propane or electrical depending on the venue. The only difference beyond energy source is how many or how large a heater you need for your tent event. Here are a few guidelines to help you out:

1. Hang Tent Sidewalls

To control the temperature of any given space, it needs to be enclosed. To enclose a tent, you need to hang sidewall panels from the roof and leave no more than 10-20 feet of open space for entrances and exits. Where those 10-20 feet are depends on how you want foot traffic to flow and where you plan to place the heating units.

2. Check Power Access Availability

If you are running propane powered tent heaters, then access to electricity only concerns powering any equipment you may have inside the tent. All tent heating units are designed to run outside of the tent with a blower extended into the tent to maintain a comfortable temperature. 

It is highly recommended you have your tent heaters installed by the rental company to prevent malfunctions or failure during your event. This also allows professionals to assess the power access availability and safely run any extension cords needed.

3. Calculate the Size/Number of Tent Heaters

This is actually the easy part. You need answers to the following questions to make this calculation:

• What size is your event tent?
• What is your desired temperature for the thermostat?
• How long is the duration of your event?
• What is your estimated run time for the heaters?
• How many electrical outlets will you have access to on-site?

Give this information to your heating rental provider, and they will give you an estimate of how many heaters you need and for how long. Their technicians show up on the big day and ensure everything is configured and running properly before your start time.

Final Thoughts

Choosing a cooling or heating system for your tent event doesn’t have to be complicated. If you are a Houston local and planning a tent event for 2021, contact Preferred Climate Solutions today for a free estimate. Let us make the temperature the last thing on your mind at your next tent event.

As the days grow shorter, blustery and cold, many buildings and facilities managers find themselves needing a little extra heat to keep out the chill in normally comfortable workspaces. Keeping operations running as close to normal as possible is key to adapting to seasonal changes, so many operations managers move space heaters into various locations to help workers stay comfortable and maintain their productivity.

That being said, using space heaters indoors requires that all possible safety precautions are observed to prevent property damage, injury or worse. Are you planning to set up electric heaters at your commercial property or at your major event?

Here’s an overview of the ten most important safety tips you need to know:

1. Only Use Electric Heaters

Not all space heaters are created equal, and the different types of energy a space heart uses determine whether it can be used indoors, outdoors, or in an intermediary space like a garage or workshop. As a rule, though, electric space heaters are far safer and more efficient than kerosene or propane heaters for indoor use. Preferred Climate Solutions recommends only using electric heaters since they are far less likely to cause accidents and present a significantly lower fire hazard risk.

2. Ensure All Heaters Have Been Tested & Inspected

When you rent from PCS, you can rest easy in the knowledge that every electric heater has been tested and inspected since its last usage date. Additionally, we do not rent or use any equipment that does not have a testing and inspection label from a major electrical testing authority.

3. Read All Operator Manuals Carefully

 It is unwise to switch on an electric heater without first consulting the manufacturer’s operation manual and getting familiar with the controls and indicators. The PCS technicians who deliver our mobile electric heaters always spend time with the client educating them on safe operation before they leave. This is a part of our commitment to your safety and provides everyone involved with peace of mind.

4. Remember To Turn Heaters Off

Not only is it expensive to run heaters from a utility costs standpoint, but an active electric heater that doesn’t need to run during certain hours of the day is costing you money and presents real potential as a fire hazard. Always shut your heaters off when they are not in use.

5. Always Use Heaters As Instructed

Electric climate heaters are meant for that specific purpose: altering the climate within a certain space. They are not intended to be used to dry wet clothes or thaw pipes, and using them for purposes outside of the manufacturer’s intended purpose is asking for trouble. More specifically, you are deliberately creating a fire hazard that may invalidate your fire insurance policy should the fire be sourced back to improper use of a space heater.

6. Prepare For The Worst

To adhere to fire safety codes, every room in your building needs to be equipped with a smoke detector, sprinkler system and/or carbon monoxide detector. If you don’t have this fire safety equipment installed at your facility because you operate at a smaller scale, make sure you update your equipment to prevent tragedy. Safety should never be sacrificed to save on operating costs.

7. Clear Surroundings

Space heaters and electric heaters work best when placed in high traffic areas. You may need to rearrange furniture or other equipment to accommodate this placement, and you need to make sure that nothing is touching the heater during operation that poses a fire hazard risk.

8. Never Use A Powerstrip

The larger units we rent at PCS would never operate off of a power strip, but it is important to note space heaters should never be plugged into power strips or small-gauge extension cords. Space heaters draw a significant amount of current and generate significant amounts of heat within the circuit. Over an extended time period, this can actually cause a power strip to melt or ignite, neither of which is a desirable scenario. 

Additionally, only use 14 gauge or larger extension cords with any space heater, as these cables are designed to handle the higher current draw without melting or overheating. Last but not least, never run an extension cord or space heater cord under a rug or carpet, as this can lead to overheating.

9. Place on Flat Surfaces Only

When PCS delivers heating units for your facility, we always ensure they are placed on a flat surface to ensure units are secure against bumping or other impacts that could compromise their stability. If you are placing a personal space heater. It is critical you never leave it on furniture, place it in a cabinet or leave it on a table. Tip-over safety shut off is also a must-have feature for any small space or personal space heater too, as it can make a significant difference between a close call and a tragedy.

10. Incorporate Heaters Into Fire Safety Plan

Corporate fire safety plans should be reviewed and renewed annually, but that doesn’t mean that including space heater usage always makes the cut. Be certain that your company’s safety committee has reviewed the potential hazards of using electrical heaters, and that they are mentioned/discussed in the fire safety plan. 

Protocols and procedures should also be included to better direct first responders in the event of a fire at your facility as well. After all, if a space heater is a source of ignition, and they haven’t cut power to the building, it puts everyone at risk. 

Final Thoughts

Keeping your workers warm and productive during the winter months is important, but you also need to be operating safely, too. Be sure to review any changes to your safety plan with employees and educate them on safety protocols and operations for your electric heaters. You will be glad you did.

Are you in need of an indoor or outdoor electric heater solution? Preferred Climate solutions can help. Contact us today for more information.

Figuring out what kind of heat source you are going to use is the first step in planning out any Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning project (HVAC). The two primary types are direct and indirect fired heaters.

Direct Fired Heaters

A direct fired heater is called such because the heating fuel is funneled directly into the burner and combusts when combined with a spark and oxygen. Direct heaters are usually powered by natural gas or propane. The heat source is burned in an open flame but in a safe and effective manner. Heaters feature systems to channel the air-fuel mixture to ensure correct amounts of both. Direct fired heaters can heat huge industrial and commercial spaces.

Benefits of Direct Fired Heaters

Direct fired heaters have several benefits which make them very popular. One of the greatest advantages of using a direct fired heater is efficiency. Nearly 100 percent of the fuel is burnt in a way that is productive in creating heat. This means that you are not wasting fuel by having it not burn or not burn correctly. You can also control the temperature to a greater degree than with indirect heaters

Another benefit is easy maintenance, as these heaters feature a simple design that is less prone to breakages. Any error or breakdown can be resolved quickly, cheaply and without an extraordinary amount of skill or labor. Compared to indirect heaters, direct fired heaters tend to last longer, meaning you will have a reliable heating system for years to come.

Direct fired heaters also can be constructed to whatever size you will require in order to create the heat that you need. In many cases, this means a physically smaller heater that can better suit your specific needs to a greater degree. You can build the exact heater that is right for your specific purposes.

The downside to Direct Fired Heaters

Unfortunately, direct heaters are not perfect. Because they burn fuel directly in the form of an open flame, direct fired heaters require a proper ventilation system to dispose of exhaust fumes. The resulting gas from the combustion of fuel is toxic and needs to be redirected out of the workspace the heater is being used in.

This also means that certain workspaces will not be able to use direct fired heaters. The exhaust and byproducts may not be suitable or allowed in certain environments and workplaces. Be sure to make sure you can operate a direct fired heater on whatever premises you intend to use it on before making your decision.

Not only must exhaust be removed from the workspace, but outside air is required for the air-fuel mixture. Without proper air circulation within an enclosed space, fresh air often needs to be pumped inside. 

While direct fired heaters may be more versatile in their heating capabilities, they cannot be used everywhere. 

Indirect Fired Heaters

An indirect fired heater performs its combustion cycle in what is called a heat exchanger. As the heat exchanger grows hot, the air is drawn in around it and then warmed by coming in contact with the heat exchanger. The combustion byproducts remain in the heat exchanger for some time before leaving through a flue.

Benefits of an Indirect Fired Heater

Indirect fired heaters have several advantages that make them ideal for certain situations. The largest benefit is that they do not produce any combustion byproducts that are released back into the space they are heating. This makes them ideal for closed spaces and when working with material that is sensitive to contamination, like food. 

By recirculating air, indirect fired heaters save on fuel and do not usually require as much when compared to direct fired heaters. 

At no point does the air that is being heated actually make contact with the flame. While direct fired heaters are still incredibly safe, this can be seen as an additional safety feature that indirect fired heaters have. All of the air that is emitted from the heater is also fully clean. 

Disadvantages to Indirect Fired Heaters

While they might not use as much fuel, indirect fired heaters are not as efficient as direct fired heaters. They usually only operate at about 80 percent efficiency, meaning a good deal of the fuel that is burned does not go directly towards providing heat.

Indirect fired heaters are oftentimes more expensive than direct fired heaters because of their more complicated design. Not only does this raise initial costs, but maintenance will be much higher should anything breakdown. 

Because they are more complicated, getting the right heater for your needs may mean that the right-sized indirect fired heater will take up more space than its direct fired counterpart that produces the same amount of heat. They have specific sizes that cannot be as easily modified as direct fired heaters.

Another disadvantage of indirect fired heaters is that they do not feature as precise temperature control settings when compared with direct fired heaters. While still equipped with thermostats, these heaters tend to generate heat within a few degrees of the intended target temperature. If you need precise and constant heat, an indirect fired heater will not be suitable.

Conclusion

Both of these types of heaters can do a fantastic job of heating whatever sized space you need them to heat. Direct fired heaters feature a fluidity that makes them perfectly adaptable to your specific environment. Indirect fired heaters come in a variety of sizes, but those sizes are set by the manufacturer and cannot be tailored to your needs.

Because an indirect heater does not produce or secrete any type of exhaust back into the space in which they operate, they can be used in tightly sealed environments. A proper ventilation system is an absolute necessity for any direct fired heating system unless it is operating outdoors.

Whichever heating system is right for you and your business, Preferred Climate Solutions has you covered. We offer a variety of heaters and can work with you to better understand your HVAC needs. Give us a call today at 888-466-7180, and we will help you figure out exactly what kind of heating you require. We serve the entirety of Texas and offer 24/7 customer support. Take care of your business environment, and it will take care of your business. 

With winter fast approaching cold weather can start creeping in to weigh down your business’ productivity. If you are working in an outdoor or indoor environment that lacks climate control, you are more than aware of the temperature of the problem can pose. Keeping your business well heated in the winter means that you and your employees can stay productive and focused on the work instead of the weather. Additionally, if you work with water, keeping your pipes from freezing saves valuable work hours, and keeping your products at a stable temperature ensures consistent quality. 

Picking the right heater depends on a number of factors. You want to make sure that whatever heater you choose is up to the task and can do the job you expect of it. In a lot of ways, a proper heater is an investment because it is an improvement in infrastructure. Making the right investment means less time spent worrying about how to deal with climate control and more time actually tending to your business. 

There are a number of variables to keep in mind when looking for a portable heater to heat your workspace:

• Size of the Workspace

The primary thing to keep in mind when considering a portable heater is how big it will need to be to fulfill your needs. Keeping this in mind, you can start out with a size that will best suit your environment. Different kinds of heaters are best suited for different sized spaces. For instance, industrial and commercial heaters are large enough to heat the entire warehouses. However, that much power can quickly overwhelm a smaller workspace that does not require as much heating. 

Portable heaters come in all different sizes, from being able to heat only small rooms to the largest spaces imaginable, so to find the right one for your space requirements, pay particular attention to Cubic Feet Per Minute, or CFM. A larger space requires a heater with a higher CFM number. For instance, a certain industrial heater may be rated to heat 3200 CFM. This means that the heater has the capability to heat 3200 cubic feet of space and maintain it heated at the desired temperature. The size of any area in cubic feet can be found by multiplying length times width times height.

CFM often relates to the power of the heater’s fan, as a fan is needed to circulate the hot air through the room and away from the heater.

• Heat Required

It is also important to consider how much heat you will need to produce, and whether or not the heat level can be monitored and controlled. Many portable heaters will feature a thermostat, so keep this feature in mind during your search. Depending on your specific needs, you may be looking to keep a workspace hot or just warm enough to operate comfortably. You can determine how much heat a heater produces by either looking directly at the temperature gauge that it offers or by looking at its BTU (British Thermal Units) output. 

When you need more heat, check out how many BTUs the heater produces to find the temperature best suited for your workspace. Having a workspace that is overheated is as bad as having one without any heat at all.

Smaller heaters best suited for smaller spaces may have a BTU measurement of around 5,000 to 25,000 BTU. The higher the BTU, generally the larger space the heater is meant for. Industrial heaters can have a BTU output of up to and exceeding 500,000. While the BTU output can be adjusted on most heaters, there is usually a set maximum and minimum temperature. The larger heaters that produce higher temperatures may also produce a great deal of heat even when at their lowest settings. Be sure to take into consideration exactly how much heat you will need in order to protect both your products and your employees.

• Power Source

Heaters can be powered by electricity, gasoline and many other fuel types. The power source of some heaters varies, however, electrical power is the most common. Electric heaters can function in both indoor and outdoor settings, so long as there is a consistent electricity supply. Check the voltage on the outlets in your workspace to ensure that they can handle the heaters you intend to use. Industrial heaters may require a voltage of 115 or 240, depending on the model. 

If you are using a fuel source such as gasoline or propane, it is important to provide proper ventilation. If heating an open outdoor space you do not have to worry about ventilation. But an indoor space needs to be properly ventilated when burning any kind of fuel to ensure that your employees and yourself are safe while they work. 

Space heaters can vastly improve your business’ productivity and the comfort level of your employees. They provide the capacity to continue working through tough winters. To find the right heater for your workspace, it is important to keep in mind:

• How much space you will be heating;
• How high you need the temperature to be;
• What kind of power source will allow you to operate safely and effectively.

If you’re looking for a portable heater, we here at Preferred Climate Solutions can help. We service the entire state of Texas and offer superior customer service 24/7. If you ever experience any issues with your heater we are on call at all times to help sort it out. We feature a variety of portable heaters to best fit your needs and the needs of your business. Call us today at 888-466-7180 and take care to keep warm.

The server room is the brain for any commercial space. From software developers to medical offices to retail stores, the server room’s operating efficiency determines the experience for employees and customers. They control point of sale equipment, communications technologies and any information system in general so the success of your business relies on its seamless operation.

Servers are high-powered pieces of equipment, often tightly packed in small storage spaces. In this setup, it is easy to see why server rooms can quickly heat up to over 100 degrees consistently. This high heat can have serious consequences for your server’s performance and subsequently your profits and expenses.

Servers and High Temperatures

Servers are being built to handle higher and higher heat as the technology improves. However, any hardware has a breaking point and while you may not have to worry about combustibility, consistent exposure to high heat can greatly shorten your server’s lifespan and potentially void the warranty. This can lead to significant yet otherwise avoidable costs.

At the very least, promoting air flow between the close knit servers in your arrangement is essential to lessen the effects of heat where it is most prevalent. For optimal performance, air conditioning is absolutely essential, especially if the server room is prone to high heat and temperature fluctuations.

Portable A/C Solutions for Server Rooms

Creating your own server room allows for hands-on control and security of your systems and customizability if your business needs change. Unfortunately, servers need a controlled climate, with low humidity and a temperature around 70 degrees.

On-site server rooms are often reappropriated storage spaces or underused rooms that may be prone to high heat, humidity or fluctuating temperatures. All of these factors contribute to slowed performance and hardware malfunctions.

Finding an affordable and effective cooling solution for your server room can be a challenge. Fans and evaporative coolers require little setup and provide cooling with relatively low electrical costs. However, fans are limited in cooling capabilities and neither option has the responsiveness to temperature changes.

Spot Cooling Server Rooms: A Single Source Approach

Servers need to stay within a certain temperature range — not too hot, not too cold. Dynamic temperature modulation and automatic shut-off features of A/C units make them the best climate-control solution for server rooms of all sizes.

Using central air as the only source of cooling can add significantly to your utility bill. Many of the spaces that businesses use for server rooms are also poorly ventilated, a necessity for proper A/C function. In these situations, portable air conditioning is the best option.

Our portable air conditioner units, or “spot coolers,” deliver cold air in small spaces to keep costs low. Server rooms can vary greatly in size according to the organization’s needs and capabilities. We carry spot coolers that work in areas as small as 200 square feet or spaces up to 2,100 square feet.

The Efficiency of Spot Coolers

Spot coolers deliver on three levels to solve common issues in server rooms — temperature control, humidity reduction and installation versatility. When it comes to temperature control, the digital control panel allows you to set the temperature and blower speed. The A/C will then work automatically to keep the climate within your defined range.

The humidity demands of server rooms are also addressed with portable air conditioners. Server rooms need to work within a relative humidity below 60 percent to avoid corrosion and equipment failure. As spot coolers circulate air, it removes moisture, helping control the humidity levels.

Finding a cooling solution for an enclosed space that lacks vents can be tricky but portable air conditioners allow venting through windows or through makeshift ports in the ceiling. In many commercial spaces, ceiling tiles are removable and replaceable, making it easy to set up a port in a windowless room. Beyond venting, all that is needed is a 120 volt power source (standard wall plug) and you will be up and running.

Backup Measures: Spot Coolers as a Secondary Source

Even if you do have ample air conditioning in your server room, using a spot cooler as a backup is a good idea. Servers contain critical information and control the function of the most important systems needed to run a commercial operation. If your central air or other primary cooling source fails, server performance will suffer and put your business at a disadvantage.

Having a portable air conditioner on-hand can keep your operation running smoothly in the event of central air failure. The built-in thermostat can recognize when the temperature rises above the preset temperature and turn on to maintain it in case the primary source fails. This is an extremely low-cost solution because the A/C will only draw power when in use.

Portable air conditioners make a lot of sense as an emergency cooling solution for server rooms but keeping one on hand as a regular backup may also save you money. Server rooms still need to be controlled even in idle states, including weekends or holidays when the building is closed. Central air cools the entire building and using its entire function for the specific purpose of cooling one room means wasted energy and subsequent dollars. Having a backup portable air conditioner lets you turn it on during these downtimes and save money on your utility costs.

Versatile Air Conditioning Rentals to Fit Your Space and Your Budget

Server rooms are one of the most critical elements to keeping your business functioning, profitable and enjoyable for employees, customers and stakeholders. At Preferred Climate Solutions, we believe in maximizing value by providing air conditioning rentals perfectly suited for your unique needs at an affordable price.

We understand that emergencies happen in an instant and need resolution immediately to save your equipment and your business. That is why we offer 24/7 service with delivery and setup — so we can be as responsive as possible in getting you back up and running with a portable air conditioner.

Texas heat does not take much time to cause damage and discomfort. If you run a server room of any size, contact us today to see how our solutions can get you the cooling you need at a price you will love.

As we continue to confront the ever changing circumstances of Covid-19, keeping our businesses and public spaces safe is of paramount importance. Many establishments are using screening tents as an essential preventative measure to ensure the safety of the staff, patients, customers and other stakeholders. Many pop-up tent options go a step further with drive-thru convenience.

The safety afforded by these temporary solutions are, for many employees, offset by the discomfort of working hours in a non-controlled climate. In Texas, sunny days pour in generous amounts of heat and it does not take long before productivity and well-being begin to suffer. This summer has been particularly tough on outdoor workers as temperatures have soared close to 120 degrees. Add in several layers of PPE that many employees have to wear and the heat becomes that much more unbearable.

At Preferred Climate Solutions, we have an acute understanding of the difficulty of keeping outdoor areas at a comfortable temperature for you and your clients. In regards to screening tents, these temporary workstations will hopefully become a thing of the past sooner rather than later and investing in expensive permanent solutions may not be the most cost effective option.

To ensure you get the best value and climate control for your particular needs, we offer a comprehensive array of affordable air conditioning rentals for Texas residences and commercial spaces. Tent suppliers have been doing an exceptional job in making their products available  within a few business days to meet the sudden needs of establishments around Texas. A/C rentals are equally critical and we strive for maximum responsiveness with our 24/7 service.

We want to ensure that our customers are able to get the benefits they need, when they need them and at a price they will enjoy. Explore our different air conditioning categories and read on to see how they can help in your outdoor Covid-19 screening areas.

Evaporative Coolers for Tents, Partial Enclosures and Outdoor Areas

Many screening tents have one, two or even three lines for patients and customers waiting to be tested. These lines are usually enclosed on only three sides, with two walls, a ceiling and open ends for the in-and-out flow of traffic.

Traditional portable A/C units become impractical in these situations, drawing large amounts of power and dumping cool air outside with wasted energy. Evaporative coolers are an excellent option for screening tents trying to keep the public comfortable as they wait several minutes or even hours waiting to be tested.

Evaporative coolers require very little energy, costing as low as a dollar a day to operate. They provide directed air that cool areas in their path and drop temperatures by as much as 20 degrees. They can effectively cool indoor and outdoor areas, with the most powerful options able to cool up to 5,000 square feet. Plus, since you can control the direction of the cool air, you know that there is no wasted energy.

These cooling units offer easy installation, allowing for quick adjustments and fast cooling as needs rapidly change. With no need for venting, all you need to do is add a little tap water, hook it up to power and point it at the area you want cooled. Cool blasts of air arrive quietly within seconds and work for a full eight hours with the energy usage of a small kitchen appliance. Select from several evaporative cooler sizes to find the best fit for your outdoor testing setup.

Power Breeze Fans for Economical Outdoor Cooling

Similar to evaporative coolers, power breeze fans offer a low-cost solution for directed cooling. These units draw exceptionally low power despite being able to drop the temperature by over 25 degrees in an area up to 3,000 square feet. Setup does not get much easier than this — all you need is an outlet and you are ready to go.

For a quick, convenient and affordable cooling solution, screening tents can get a lot of benefit from power fans. Shop our various power breeze fans to find the right option for your screening area.

Spot Coolers for Enclosed Screening Tents of All Sizes

Screening tents are being made available in a broad range of sizes. The smallest options start at just 25 square feet while the biggest options measure up to 400 square feet and beyond. These different sizes require different equipment, as high-powered A/C solutions are impractical for small spaces but absolutely necessary for larger tents.

Portable A/C rentals are an excellent temporary solution to mitigate the heat in enclosed spaces. The equipment is simple to set up, requiring only a 120 volt outlet and a space for venting. Fortunately, most screening tents use windows in their designs so setting up a powered unit with warm air venting is an easy process.

Our portable air conditioners can handle screening tents of any size. Our smallest units start at 10,000 BTUs, powerful enough for small spaces up to 200 square feet. If you have a larger area or greater heat output from equipment and larger groups of people, our strongest options go up to 83,000 BTUs, covering over 2,000 square feet of space.

If you operate an enclosed testing tent and are concerned about the health, safety and productivity of your workers, consider a portable A/C solution. These are the best option for continual cooling in insulated areas and provide the most customizability in choosing your level of air conditioning. Screening tents can see waves of traffic and periods of downtime so being able to adjust the output with convenient remote control capabilities ensures you will always be at the desired comfort level.

As the days stay hot in Texas, portable A/C rentals may be the perfect option for keeping your people comfortable as you work to keep the public safe. Shop our portable A/C options and reach out to our customer service team for information to get the right product for your unique needs.

In the hot Texas sun, air conditioning is not just a luxury, it’s a necessity. Whether you’re looking to plan an outdoor event or just keep your warehouse cool, having a climate control solution is a vital part of any plan. The problem is, air conditioning can be confusing and expensive.  There are so many options available that it can be hard to know exactly what you need – and then when you do figure it out, you have to pay for it!

To help solve these problems, many choose to rent. Renting an a/c system can be a good idea for many reasons. It’s cheaper on the budget in many cases, it allows you to outsource things like maintenance and it makes it easier to get the exact system you need.

Renting an a/c system is not without its problems, though. Before you decide to rent, here are some tips to keep in mind:

Consider Your Exact Needs

One of the biggest mistakes people make is getting the wrong type of air conditioning system. Not all systems are created the same, and each type of system has been designed for a very different situation. Keeping a small space in an office corner comfortable, for example, requires very different needs than cooling down a large tent at an outdoor reception. 

Not planning your system based on your needs can lead to a lot of problems, not the least of which is simply getting a system that doesn’t do the job right. A poorly performing system causes anger and frustration, and it’s even worse when the problem could have been avoided by just taking the time to understand what sort of cooling system works best for the need. Whether it’s a spot cooler for a smaller space, a power breeze fan for a line of people or a large 25-ton unit to cool down an entire warehouse, understanding your needs is the first, most critical step in renting the right air conditioning system.

Consider Your Available Resources

One thing to remember when you are using energy-intensive air conditioning units is that they suck up a lot of resources. If you are powering an office, that’s one thing, but if you are looking to cool down a tent at an outdoor venue, or keep customers cool while standing in a line, then the amount of power you have at your disposal becomes an important factor to consider. Renting out equipment that draws too much power or causes outages to put you right back into the same trouble that you had without them, and is therefore a very good reason why 

Different types of units require different amounts of energy and resources, and this factor must be taken into account when planning for your cooling needs.

Consider Your Space

In addition to knowing your needs, you also have to consider the size of the space that needs to be cooled. The reasons for this are probably obvious. If you are trying to use a large space, then getting an air conditioner that is too small for space is just a bad idea. Not only will the space stay too warm and humid, but it will also tax the system and add stress to a machine that is already working overtime. This can cause the system to fail, which of course means your space gets even warmer. 

What a lot of people fail to realize, however, is that having a system that is too big can actually create other problems. First, an oversized system cools a space too fast. This fast cooling is actually bad because it does not allow the entire space to get cooled gradually and evenly. The result is an area with a multitude of warm or cold spots that are uncomfortable. 

The second problem with an oversized air conditioner is that the shorter cycle means the a/c doesn’t have a chance to thoroughly dehumidify the air. Many people don’t realize that cooling the air is only one of the a/c’s jobs. The other is to take the moisture out of the air and leave the space dryer. If the air conditioner is unable to do that, the result is cool, moist air that feels cold and clammy. This is not comfortable and can lead to a very unpleasant working environment.

Consider Your Budget

Another factor to consider is a very practical one – money. How much can you spend on air conditioning rental? While renting is a much cheaper option than purchasing and financing a system, it still has costs associated with it. The difference is that renting is a cost that doesn’t go away, which means that it needs to be planned for over a longer period. You might be saving money, but you still 

Consider Expert Advice

Of course, you can avoid all of these pitfalls if you make the smart move first and call in an expert, like those at Preferred Climate Solutions. A knowledgeable, trained expert can listen to your information – or even visit, if possible – and make recommendations based. This recommendation takes all factors into account, from your cooling needs to the size of the space involved to the budget you’re working with, and provides the best possible solution for your situation. Renting out equipment without consulting an expert means you run the risk of obtaining the wrong cooling system and causing more problems than you were trying to solve.

If you would like to get more information about the types of air conditioning available, or you would like to speak with someone about your air conditioning needs, please don’t hesitate to contact us at Preferred Climate Solutions today!

Trying to conduct any sort of business without air conditioning is difficult, at best. It might technically be possible, but it makes everyone involved miserable and irritated, which can really have a negative impact on your business. In fact, studies have shown that workers who have to perform in less-than-optimal environmental settings are more irritable, prone to distraction and less likely to get their work completed to their manager’s satisfaction. To make matters worse, this irritability is often taken out on the customers, leading to further problems down the road. In a place like Texas, these problems are only magnified by the extreme heat.

Sometimes, your a/c problems are the result of a malfunction. Sometimes, they might be the result of poor planning at an outdoor event. Regardless of why you need the air conditioning, it’s important to know that there are options available. Even when it is a last-minute emergency, Preferred Climate Solutions is ready to help out by providing quality air conditioning rentals at a reasonable rate. Here are the types of air conditioning rental solutions we offer:

Spot Coolers

If you’re familiar with the idea of a space heater, then the spot cooler should make sense to you. Unlike most air conditioning, which is large and bulky and takes up massive amounts of space, spot coolers are smaller and more portable. These are excellent solutions for when you are trying to cool a smaller area or maybe even just one person. Simply direct the jet of cooler air to the place that needs it the most. Because they are portable you can even take them on the go if your immediate cooling needs change.

Don’t let the “small and portable” description fool you, however. Spot coolers come in all sizes, and if you need to cool a larger area – even up to 2,000 square feet or so – we have spot coolers that can handle the job, allowing the powerful force of cool air to work its way around the venue. Of course, once you start getting into even larger areas than that you might want to look at something else, but for quick, convenient, small-scale cooling, there’s nothing more convenient or affordable than a spot cooler from Preferred Climate Solutions!

Event A/C

If you are planning an outdoor event, most likely you’ve already taken air conditioning into consideration. However, even the best plans can change or fall through, and you might find yourself needing outdoor event air conditioning at the last minute. Thankfully, Preferred Climate Solutions has got you covered. We offer a variety of last-minute outdoor a/c options that not only fit your event style perfectly, but they also fit your budget.

Whether your event is in a larger, outdoor area that’s exposed, inside of a tent or even in a building like a warehouse that just doesn’t have adequate airflow, our outdoor event solutions are ready to make your event a success. 

Our options allow you to cater to the air conditioning to the event: need a smaller unit? We have units ready to go as small as 5-tons. If you need something larger, we can go as high as 25-tons. Even better – multiple units can be stacked, shipped and set up wherever you need them. All of these units deliver powerful cooling that you can easily control, ensuring that your guests always feel cool and comfortable, no matter what the temperature outside might be.

Evaporative Coolers

If these solutions sound great, but you are really worried about the inconveniences of traditional air conditioning such as the noise, the good news is that there are even more options. Evaporative coolers are another type of portable cooling option that works a little differently. Rather than relying on jets of cool air like a spot cooler, evaporative coolers work a little differently, but still with the same result: delivering cooler air to an area that desperately needs it.

Evaporative coolers are great because they provide a low-cost, quiet solution that you can’t just get from other types of air conditioning. Perfect for a hot barn, a line of guests waiting outside a venue or even a workshop, evaporative cooling’s versatility makes it a valuable addition to our line of emergency air conditioning rental solutions.

Power Breezer Fans

One final option is the power breeze fan. These fans use a self-contained water tank to deliver cooling that can be as low as 27 degrees less than the surrounding ambient air. If you’ve ever seen someone rig a cooling fan by putting a blower on top of a cooler, then you’ve seen the makings of a power breeze fan.

Power breeze fans are a popular choice for many people for a number of reasons. Not only do they provide fast-moving, cooler air to spaces as large as 3,000 square feet, they also do that while consuming less electricity than your standard a/c. In fact, some models use even less energy than a hairdryer! What’s more, power breeze fans do not contain any chemicals like Freon at all. Instead, the entire system is water-based, which means the only thing you’re feeling is pure, the natural mist that helps to cool you down.

As you can see, there are many ways you can beat the heat in the hot Texas sun, even if your air conditioning needs are a last-minute emergency. If you find yourself, your event or your venue in hot water – or air, as the case maybe – don’t suffer needlessly. Instead, contact us at Preferred Climate Solutions. We are ready to deliver fast, efficient, portable air conditioning whenever you need it.