Thinking about climate control for your jobsite this winter? Choosing the right equipment is simpler than you think.

We all know from the song that Jack Frost nipping at our nose is the start of the colder, darker days of winter. It’s not something we like to think about in August. But if you’ve ever worked at a poorly heated jobsite in the middle of winter you know the feeling all too well.

So the bad news is that yes, winter is right around the corner and it’s time to start your heat planning. The good news? With a bit of effort, and a headstart, you can keep Jack Frost at bay – and keep your jobsite safe, comfortable and efficient. To get there – make sure your rental partner is ready to support – informing you of how they are going to heat your project, while also providing a great team of people and the right technology to monitor your heat and track your progress in the most cost-effective way.

Don’t worry if you’re not sure where to start. Here’s some advice from our climate specialists to help ensure you have the right climate control equipment for your project this winter.

1. Start planning early

A head start on climate control planning is crucial – especially for larger projects. Your rental provider’s heating inventory can be limited come fall and early winter so you don’t want to be scrambling at the last minute.

There’s a long list of factors to consider before you press go on your heating plans. The square footage and volume of your building, the number of rooms, the amount of walls going up and even what materials will be used (to name a few). You’ll also need to understand the difference between the outside temperature and the temperature you want inside, the tightness of the building, and the amount of heat generated by inside work.

Your climate control specialist can and should be supporting you throughout the process. They may recommend different configurations of heat equipment depending on what stage you’re at in your project, so anticipate and plan for changing the type of temporary heating you’re using.

2. Make sure your rental partner has the right knowledge

Anyone who’s tried to cure concrete or apply drywall in -30℃ temperatures knows how important it is to maintain the right climate. It is definitely not the time to cut corners.

Working with a reputable rental partner means  you’re getting the best equipment and the best advice. Think of them as a one-stop shop for all your climate solutions. Climate specialists come with extensive knowledge – from building construction, air flow and ventilation requirements to the impact of doors and the effects of outdoor temperatures and humidity levels. They can help you identify the type of heat needed and determine how to install and repair equipment (which ahem…should only be done by trained professionals).

Should you need it, your rental provider should also be able to employ licensed gas fitters and apprentices to help with the assortment of heating equipment you may require.

3. Train your employees

Your workers should be aware of the hazards of handling heating equipment and follow procedures and controls necessary to mitigate those hazards. Propane training programs can provide basic information regarding the safe handling of propane including storage and how to properly inspect cylinders and handle emergency situations. Hands-on practice means workers are able to safely connect, activate, and disconnect heaters and propane.

Lean on your rental partner to help train your workers so they can better understand what they can and cannot do when it comes to using heating equipment.

4. Make the most of technology to lower costs

Are you turning your heaters on in November and leaving them on until April regardless of the temperature outside? Overheating is a sure-fire way to drive up costs…but there are solutions to prevent this from occurring.

You can optimize equipment performance by using heat monitoring technology to monitor the temperature of your jobsite. This technology can provide detailed records of environmental conditions throughout the whole construction project. And all those manual checks you’ve relied on over the years? Remote monitoring means you can check temperatures from anywhere – saving time and money. Notifications are sent when the ambient temperature rises above safe working thresholds, reducing labour costs and improving the overall efficiency of your project.

5. Make safety and comfort a priority

With the winter months quickly approaching, it’s critical to have a plan to keep your construction site heated, and your workers safe and warm. We can all agree…warm workers are productive workers. And who doesn’t want that? Many regulatory bodies are now setting specific heating standards at construction sites to ensure workers are both safe and comfortable.

Be sure to always use the right equipment and have a qualified individual do your set-ups, since they will be familiar with product and manufacturer safety specs as well as Canadian gas codes.

Lean on your rental partner to ensure you have what you need, when you need it

What works best for your jobsite depends on a lot of factors – and planning for heat is not always an easy task. If you’re looking for climate control solutions this winter, be sure your rental provider is on board to support your business – helping identify potential challenges that may arise along the way. And don’t forget to engage them early on so you get the right equipment for your jobsite, mitigate risks and keep your workers safe.

To find out more about our heating solutions, contact our climate control team.