Rental Boilers: What to Know Before Your Heat Dies on You

 Nobody wants a dead boiler, and it's never on a convenient Tuesday night in January, when the super's phone is ringing off the hook and thirty coat-clad tenants wait in the heated lobby. I've seen it happen more times than I can count, and it never gets easier. The good news is you have options to get heat back on without waiting for a new boiler to be delivered in three weeks. Let's go over them.

Why Boilers Always Quit at the Worst Possible Time

Boilers see their heaviest use in the depths of winter, which tends to be when the weak spots reveal themselves. Whether it's a cracked section, faulty burner, or leaking tube, the issue always seems to crop up when the rental boiler is working the hardest. The boiler might have been straining for months, but nobody could tell because it wasn't that cold out. Now it's the dead of winter and the first real cold snap of the year, and the boiler simply can't keep up.Much of the equipment in use throughout New York City is decades old, so parts can be hard to come by. It's not unusual for a supposedly simple repair to require sourcing a part from another company, which prolongs the outage.

So What Are Temporary Heating Systems?

Temporary heating systems are essentially self-contained heating plants that are mounted on a truck or trailer and connected to your existing piping. Think of it as the big-brother to a space heater, only instead of running off of a standard electrical outlet, it's a full-sized boiler that has been sized to meet the needs of your building. While many buildings opt for a temporary boiler to mitigate an emergency, they are also installed with intention as a method to allow service on a plant that would otherwise be offline.

When Is Temporary Steam Equipment a Better Fix

Buildings that use steam heat have unique needs, as standard space heaters aren't built to augment a central steam distribution system. Temporary steam equipment is engineered specifically for this scenario and is tied into a building's existing piping in much the same way that the permanent plant is. This lets the radiators, risers, and other equipment continue to function normally, with few or no changes to the way that the building is heated. My rule of thumb is that anything more than a couple of days off is a good candidate for a temporary boiler rental. While it's perfectly reasonable to weather a short emergency, longer outages quickly become untenable for both occupants and the plumbing in the building.

Steam Vs. Hot Water Boiler Rentals

Not all buildings are the same, and the equipment that they use to heat them is also varied. A steam boiler rental is appropriate for buildings that use a steam distribution system. Hot water systems use a totally different medium and require a separate kind of temporary heating equipment. It's a waste of time and money to try and use one type of unit for the other kind of system. Some companies offer both types of equipment and some only offer one. It's always a good idea to confirm upfront that the company that you're dealing with actually has the type of equipment that you need. It's an easy oversight, and one that can lead to wasted time and money.

Brooklyn NY Is Unique Beast

With many pre-war buildings and brownstones, many of the multifamily buildings in Brooklyn NY have aging steam plants that have been patched for decades. Boilers in Brooklyn, NY tend to be in much more compact spaces, with far less access than one might be used to in other parts of the city. Navigating the delivery and installation can be far more complicated than one might expect. It goes without saying that having a company with local knowledge to handle the installation is a must.

Getting the Right Size Equipment (Don't Just Guess)

Equipment that is too small will be unable to sufficiently heat the building, while oversized equipment will burn through fuel and cycle unnecessarily instead. Sizing a temporary boiler is based on the output of your current boiler, the square footage of the building being heated, type of distribution, and sometimes even the nameplate of the failed unit itself. If you don't know this information off the top of your head, a good provider will be able to come out and measure. It's good practice to ask if they can provide a quote based on a picture of the nameplate of the failed or currently occupied unit. It's a small step that can shorten the timeline by a day or more.

Permits, Inspections, and the NYC Red Tape

Temporary boilers in New York City often have additional requirements attached to them. Depending on your situation, you might need permits, inspections, or a licensed professional to sign off on various aspects of the installation. Fuel connections to the equipment tend to be scrutinized the most, and this is well deserved.A good rental provider will handle most or all of the red tape associated with your installation and will be able to tell you precisely what is needed for your specific installation.

How Fast Can You Get a Temporary Boiler NYC Installed

Faster than you might think. In many cases, a temporary boiler NYC installation can happen within twenty four hours of making contact. For true emergencies, many companies have equipment on hand and can have a team on site the same day to begin the installation.It may seem crazy to be searching for a company at the tail end of a day, but 24/7 dispatch is de rigeur in this line of work.

What Slows These Projects Down?

The main culprit tends to be the customer. If you don't know the type of system you have, if you don't have someone available to let installers in or out of the building, and if you don't understand the permitting process it will prolong the project dramatically. Make sure to ask what your installers need to know before responding.

How Much Will This Cost Me?

Pricing is dependent on many variables, such as the size of the unit, the length of the installation, delivery and setup fees, fuel, and additional materials such as hoses and stack work. Rates vary drastically from company to company, and a responsible provider will always ask clarifying questions before submitting a bid. In my experience, this is where most people start to see the true value in a temporary steam. The cost of a temporary boiler rental pales in comparison to the costs that a heat failure can incur, such as tenant complaints, hotel rooms for displaced families, emergency plumbing services, and city fines. Put these costs into perspective the next time you're talking to a provider about a heat emergency.

How to Choose a Boiler Company Near Me

When you're frantically searching for "boiler company near me" it's easy to call the first number that comes up in your search engine. Let me assure you that this is rarely the best option. Give yourself two minutes to consider a few options and ask a few clarifying questions. Ask if the company owns the equipment that they are sending to you, or if they are brokering it out of another territory. Ask if they have experience in your type of building and how responsive they are outside of standard business hours. Ask about companies that offer a true end-to-end service, including install, maintenance, and pickup. Having a single point of contact can go a long way when an emergency strikes.Ask if they have more than one type of temporary boiler, as some projects require more specialized equipment.

Wrap It Up

A dead boiler is no fun, but knowing a few tricks of the trade can make all the difference between a simple emergency and a multi-week ordeal. Knowing the basics of what temporary steam equipment is, how to size it, what kind of permits you will need in your area, and who to call are all part of a well-rounded education in temporary heating. There exists a wide variety of temporary solutions to keep your building heated while your permanent boiler is offline. If you're having issues or looking to get ahead of the curve before your boiler fails this winter, give A Heating Inc Temporary Boiler Rentals a call. Tell them what you have, take a picture of the nameplate on your existing or failed boiler and let them know how soon you might need help. They'll help you keep your building heated and your tenants happy.

Name: A Heating Inc Temporary Boiler Rentals

Address: 9221 Ditmas Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11236

Phone No: 718-234-8441

Alternate Phone No: 718-234-2263 

FAQs

How long can I keep a temporary boiler?

As long you want! Some people only keep a temporary boiler for a day or two, while others use them on a seasonal basis to allow for a major replacement. Rental periods are always very flexible.

Will a temporary boiler work with my existing radiators?

Yes, as long as you specify the type of system that you have, such as steam to steam or hot water to hot water, the temporary boiler will be connected to your existing distribution system.

Do I need a permit for a temporary boiler?

Sometimes, depending on the situation. Your provider should be able to tell you what does and doesn't apply to your installation.

Can I get one on a weekend or at night time?

Most emergency services are operating around the clock, as boilers don't tend to fail at convenient times. Call up your preferred provider and ask them how responsive they are.