Quick answer: For most winter job sites, propane-powered temporary heat is the fastest, most flexible way to keep crews productive and materials curing. Use direct-fired heaters in well-ventilated, open areas, indirect-fired heaters for enclosed/finished spaces that need clean, dry air, and infrared/radiant heaters for spot-heating workers and work zones—always following OSHA/NFPA clearances, ventilation, and cylinder-placement rules.
Why builders choose propane for temporary heat
Propane heat keeps projects on schedule by maintaining worker comfort and allowing water-based products—drywall mud, plaster, paint, masonry—to dry and cure in cold weather. It’s portable, scalable (from 20-lb cylinders to bulk tanks), and available where grid power is unreliable.
Heater types at a glance
Safety & code quick checks (what we enforce on every setup)
- Clearances: Minimums per OSHA 1926.154—e.g., circulating room heaters 12″ sides/rear (18″ at connector); radiant heaters 36″ sides/rear (18″ connector). Use manufacturer’s listed clearances if greater.
- Cylinder & heater separation: For temporary heating, position heaters ≥ 6 ft from any LP-Gas container; don’t aim blower/radiant output toward a container within 20 ft.
- Placement distances & codes: Follow NFPA 58 container placement requirements and local fire code; verify site-specific setbacks.
- Listing & controls: Choose UL/CSA/ETL-listed equipment with tip-over/high-temp/safety shut-off; secure units and place on non-combustible, level surfaces.
- Ventilation: Provide fresh air to support combustion and prevent CO buildup; never use outdoor-only heaters indoors.
- Cylinder handling: Transport, store, and use portable cylinders per PERC guidance; keep storage outdoors in well-ventilated areas.
Planning fuel & logistics
We size BTUs to the structure, phase, and weather, then right-size storage (from on-site cages of DOT cylinders to temporary bulk tanks) and schedule deliveries to minimize downtime. Clean, dry indirect heat is especially useful for finish trades and moisture-sensitive materials.
Don’t forget: rebates for new construction
Many projects can stack incentives for propane appliances installed during new builds—great when your temp heat transitions into permanent systems. Programs vary by state, but builders in Ohio, for example, can access construction incentives and appliance rebates; PERC also maintains a national rebates hub. We’ll help you navigate what’s available.
Ready to keep your crew warm, your schedule on track, and your finishes curing right? We can design, install, and service a code-compliant temporary heat plan for your job site—then transition you seamlessly to permanent propane systems. Contact Collett Propane to get started.