Construction heat from Backus, Minnesota
BCI Rentals supplies temporary construction heaters for buildings, winter concrete work and frozen ground across northern Minnesota. Choose indirect heat for ducted air without combustion exhaust in the supply, make-up air for large fresh-air requirements, or hydronic heat for the ground and slab itself.
Tell us what you need to heat, the size of the space and the fuel and power on site. We will help you choose the equipment and check availability for your job.
A heater's BTU rating is only part of the decision. The air you need to replace, where exhaust goes and whether you are warming a building or thawing soil determine the right system.
| Your job | Start with | Why it fits |
|---|---|---|
| Warm an enclosed building or finish-work area | Indirect fired heater | A heat exchanger separates combustion exhaust from the heated air. |
| Replace exhausted air while heating a large space | Make-up air heater | Supplies high volumes of heated outdoor air. |
| Thaw frozen ground before excavation | Hydronic ground heater | Heated glycol circulates through hoses under insulated blankets. |
| Protect and warm concrete during winter curing | Hydronic heat and curing blankets | Applies controlled heat at the surface, following the project's curing plan. |
| Heat an open or well-ventilated work area | Direct fired forced air heater | Compact high-output heat where the required ventilation can be maintained. |
Working out the difference? Read our direct vs. indirect fired heater comparison before you choose.
Keep the heater and combustion exhaust outside and bring heated air into the work area through ducting. BCI's catalog includes 200K through 1M BTU size classes, with diesel and propane or natural gas options for building shells, workshops and finish work.
Compare indirect heater sizesMake-up air units heat 100% outdoor air to replace air leaving a building through exhaust or planned openings. Our 1.5M and 2.5M BTU listings cover large airflow needs; ask about the 550K option and match the system to the site's ventilation plan.
Compare make-up air heatersFor footings, utility repairs and slabs, warm the surface directly with glycol-filled hoses and insulated blankets. Wacker Neuson units in BCI's catalog cover ground-thaw areas up to 2,500, 6,000 or 10,000 square feet, depending on the setup and conditions.
Plan ground thaw and concrete heatThe HeatStar 250K to 400K BTU LP/NG heater is an option for open or adequately ventilated construction work. Direct fired units put combustion products and water vapor in the heated airstream, so ventilation and the manufacturer's use requirements are part of the choice.
View the direct fired heaterStart with the building's length, width and ceiling height, then the outdoor temperature and the temperature the work needs. A tall uninsulated shell with overhead doors opening all day needs a different plan from a sealed shop of the same floor area.
Call to size your job. Catalog size classes help compare equipment, but they are not a promise of a particular heated floor area or a substitute for the job's heat-loss and ventilation requirements.
Warm air can collect above the work zone in tall buildings. Schaefer floor and ceiling-hung fans help circulate it through the space, reducing hot and cold pockets when positioned for the job. Ceiling-hung units need a suitable mounting location and secure installation.
Heat helps finishes dry, but moisture still needs a way out. Direct fired heaters, including make-up air heaters, add combustion moisture. A planned fresh-air and exhaust balance or a commercial dehumidifier can support drying, depending on the building, outside conditions and materials involved.
BCI Rentals is based at 2050 County 41 NW in Backus. We work with contractors and property owners across the Brainerd Lakes area and north-central Minnesota. Call with the jobsite location to discuss equipment availability and delivery and pickup options.
Yes. BCI's catalog includes LP/NG direct fired, indirect fired and make-up air heaters. The best option depends on the ventilation plan, heat requirement, fuel supply and electrical service. Call to confirm the equipment and connections for your site.
An indirect heater warms air. A hydronic ground heater is usually the more focused choice for frozen soil because its hoses apply heat directly to the surface under blankets. See the ground heater guide for sizing and timing considerations.
Indirect heat avoids adding combustion moisture to the supply air and is a useful starting point for enclosed finish work. The full plan still needs temperature control, airflow and a way to remove moisture. Follow each material manufacturer's drying requirements.
Call (218) 947-3353 for a rate and availability. Have the job location, dates, space dimensions and available fuel and power ready so the quote matches your project.
Call (218) 947-3353 for a rate and availability. We can help match heaters, ducting, blankets and air movement to the work ahead.