By Arina Smith
Boilers are valuable to many industries; they’re must-haves in almost all manufacturing and power plants. And it’s easy to understand why.
A boiler fulfills an industrial company’s need for hot water using different types of heating mechanisms. These include operating steam engines and turbines, thermal power stations, and producing garments, paper, and other products.
If you’re a business that needs one, know when to consider renting or purchasing a portable boiler room to optimize this resource.
What Are Mobile Boiler Rooms?
Mobile boilers rooms refer to a portable heating system that uses steam, hot water or oil, and thermal fluids contained in a trailer for optimal mobility. A portable boiler room (PBR) is also called a containerized industrial boiler and is designed for use in facilities facing issues with their built-in system.
This equipment often comprises a feedwater system, water softener, separators, and motor control. It can be operated via fuel, natural gas, heating, ventilation, cooling systems, and external connections.
Because power requirements vary from one company to another, mobile boiler rooms also come in different uses, sizes, capacities. A vessel or boiler has maximum allowable working pressure, measured via pounds per square inch or psi. A gauge pressure or psi gauge (psig) is also often used to classify a boiler.
A portable boiler room is often mounted to a trailer, making it extremely easy to transport. Its setup also helps save effort and time, being that the user can position the vehicle without using a crane and other pieces of heavy equipment. You also don’t need to build a sheltered area as the container can protect it from harsh elements and unpredictable weather.
How Does A Mobile Boiler Room Work?
Apart from portability, mobile boiler room advantages include quick delivery and easy installation. While not intended to replace the entire boiler setup, a mobile boiler room works to supplement the former in emergency cases and scheduled maintenance works that require shutting down the in-house boiler.
A PBR also comes in handy when factories and power plants need more boilers during breakdowns. Put simply; a mobile heating system is used to supplement a company’s needs, ensuring continuity of operations.
Renting Vs. Buying A Mobile Boiler Room: Which Is Better?
If time isn’t a critical factor, a permanent solution may be best for your business. Companies would choose this alternative if setting up a fixed boiler room can be done as fast as rental heating systems.
Whether you need to purchase or lease one will depend on multiple factors. Here’s a guide to help you arrive at a better decision:
Ease Of Installation
Rented portable boilers are often a better option in emergencies because they can reduce a company’s downtimes considerably. If your business needs to function despite flooding, earthquakes, and similar incidents, a rented mobile boiler serves as a quick fix because it can be set up in a few hours. These systems can also be customized without the wait times.
Purchasing a new unit often requires longer delivery and installation times, leading to more losses.
Cost-Effectiveness
Companies that are just starting and may not have enough funds to purchase a new unit can rent until they’re capable of buying one. Renting out an industrial boiler system may prove to be a quick fix, but leasing a unit for several months isn’t the most practical solution. Thus, buying one may be a better option if you need a high-capacity boiler for years.
According to industry estimates, rental fees for commercial boiler facilities that can generate over 50 horsepower cost up to USD$10,000 per month. One-time payment of delivery fees, installation, and extraction charges, which can run up to USD$50,000, are excluded from this fee. If you are considering a long-term rental, it is best to negotiate a price that will fit your budget.
Meanwhile, new portable boilers cost roughly USD$345 per horsepower, on average, per estimates by the Michigan state. This means a heating unit with a 50 hp-capacity would have a cost of USD$17,250 on average, excluding other one-time charges, as applicable.
Accessibility
In unexpected situations, including mechanical problems, a company can rely on portable heating system rentals to considerably shorten downtimes. Companies offering mobile boilers are generally easy to reach so you can get your unit in no time.
However, in case of widespread disruption, your business may not be able to rent out a boiler room according to your requirements. Buying one ensures you’ll have heating equipment whenever you need one, ensuring flawless operations.
Ease Of Maintenance
As a PBR comes ultimately set up, users can use it with ease and only a few adjustments to make. Leasing a PBR also doesn’t require commercial boiler maintenance in most cases. Buying a mobile boiler unit, on the other hand, requires companies to take charge of minor fixes, although major repairs will be covered by warranties.
The Bottom Line
Time is money in any business; that’s why companies should address downtimes caused by boiler problems as soon as possible. Rentals prove a good option for most companies because of their advantages, including mobility and reduced wait times. In some cases, though, it might be better to opt for a portable boiler room purchase, especially if you want to save on costs down the line.
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