It's 4°C in your construction building, the concrete isn't drying, and your teams are working in puffer jackets. You need a construction heater, but choosing between oil, gas, and electric isn't easy. Each energy source has its strengths and limitations—the right choice mainly depends on your site, your volume, and your constraints. Let's take a look.

Before choosing: 3 questions to ask yourself

There's no point in comparing energy sources if you haven't laid the groundwork. Three parameters determine everything else:

What volume needs heating? A 200 m³ room and a 10,000 m² hall don't require the same equipment. The basic calculation: volume (m³) × desired temperature difference (°C) × insulation coefficient (1.5 for a poorly insulated building, 2 to 3 for an open construction site). This gives you the required power in watts.

Open or closed construction site? This is the number one criterion. A direct-fired oil generator cannot operate in a confined space (toxic fumes). Indoors, you need either indirect combustion (with a chimney), propane gas, or electric.

What power supply is available? No power on the site? Oil or gas are essential. Just 230 V? You are limited to small electric heaters. Three-phase 400 V? You can increase power with electric heaters.

Oil heaters: raw power for large volumes

Mobile oil heaters are the kings of construction sites when you need to heat quickly and powerfully. Oil-fired hot air generators deliver power from 20 to 110 kW and reach temperature in a few minutes.

Direct or indirect combustion?

This is the essential distinction. In direct combustion, fumes are mixed with the blown hot air: very efficient (close to 100% efficiency) but usable only outdoors or in very well-ventilated spaces—building drying with open doors, open-air construction sites. In indirect combustion, fumes are evacuated via a chimney: the blown air is clean, allowing you to heat a closed or occupied space. This is the case for GF chimney ranges and AGRI generators for agricultural buildings.

Who is it for?

Oil is the logical choice for large volumes (hangars, structural buildings, unattached warehouses), construction sites without an electrical supply, and wherever high power is needed at a lower operating cost. It requires a fuel supply and an integrated tank or reservoir.

Strengths: high power, autonomy (tank), operates without electricity (excluding fan), moderate kWh cost.
Limitations: fumes in direct combustion, odor, oil supply, regular maintenance.

Propane gas heating: versatile and cleaner

Mobile gas heating is the most common compromise on professional construction sites. Propane gas generators range from 10 to 100 kW, and their combustion is significantly cleaner than oil—fewer particles, less odor, less residue.

Blowing or radiant?

Two technologies coexist. Gas forced-air heaters (cannon type) heat an entire volume by convection—suitable for enclosed or semi-open spaces. Portable gas radiant heaters heat by infrared radiation: they directly warm surfaces and people, without heating all the ambient air. Ideal for outdoor workstations, loading docks, or covered terraces.

Who is it for?

Propane gas is the right choice for occupied indoor construction sites (finishing, secondary work), marquee events, and situations where air quality matters. It requires propane cylinders (13 or 35 kg) or a connection to a tank.

Strengths: clean combustion, usable in ventilated interiors, rapid temperature rise, no power needed for some radiant heaters.
Limitations: propane cost higher than oil, autonomy linked to cylinders, cylinder storage on site.

Electric heating: simple, clean, but limited in power

Mobile electric heating is the simplest to implement: plug it in, and it heats up. No combustion, no fumes, no fuel to store. Electric hot air cannons cover power ranges from 3 to 40 kW.

Forced air, radiant, or convector?

Electric forced-air heaters are the most common on construction sites: compact, robust, effective for medium volumes. Electric infrared radiant heaters target a specific area—perfect for a workshop workstation or a rest area. Convectors are suitable for small premises (site offices, modular buildings).

Who is it for?

Electric is the solution for small and medium indoor volumes (technical rooms, site offices, workshops), construction sites with a three-phase power supply, and wherever air cleanliness is a priority. Beyond 15-20 kW, check that your electrical installation can handle the load.

Strengths: zero emissions, zero odor, almost no maintenance, maximum safety indoors.
Limitations: power capped by electrical installation, highest kWh cost, unusable without power.

Quick comparison: oil vs. gas vs. electric

3 concrete situations, 3 solutions

Drying a new 2,000 m³ building in winter

It's necessary to quickly raise the temperature and maintain it over time. A direct-fired oil generator of 60 to 90 kW does the job. The building is unoccupied and can be ventilated—direct combustion is acceptable and efficiency is maximized. Plan for a 1,000 L tank for autonomy.

Finishing work in an office building

Enclosed space, occupied by workers, moderate volume. A forced-air propane gas generator of 30 to 50 kW is the right choice: clean combustion, breathable air, rapid temperature rise. Two 35 kg cylinders alternating ensure a full day of heating.

Construction office / modular building of 30 m²

An electric forced-air heater of 3 to 5 kW on a 230 V socket is more than enough. No fuel storage, no combustion risks, just a plug-in and it's set.

The accessory often forgotten: the thermostat

Running a generator at full power for 10 hours a day without regulation is wasteful. A programmable thermostat automatically switches the appliance on and off according to the target temperature. Result: less consumption, more stable temperature, and less wear and tear on the equipment. Think about it when purchasing—we offer mobile heating accessories compatible with most of our ranges.

Need help choosing the right appliance? Contact our team with your volume, type of construction site, and available power supply—we'll guide you to the right solution.