How Does a Mobile Boiler Work?

Mobile boilers provide heat and hot water to commercial buildings on a temporary basis. They are utilized when the building’s permanent boiler is unable to operate for an extended period, usually during a boiler upgrade or an emergency breakdown.

A versatile solution for short- or long-term applications, in this article, we’ll take a closer look at mobile boilers, including:

• What is a mobile boiler?
• Why would you need a mobile boiler?
• Benefits of using mobile boilers
• How does a mobile boiler operate?
• Key components of a mobile boiler

Need Emergency Heat and/or Hot Water? Mobile Boilers to the Rescue!

Turn to your reliable NYC temporary boiler specialists at Mobile Boiler Systems. Not only do we provide state-of-the-art portable boiler rentals for apartment complexes, condo buildings, schools, and other commercial facilities, but we have decades of plumbing and heating experience in the NYC area. You can count on our team to find the right solution for your temporary heat and hot water needs.

What is a Mobile Boiler?

Designed for easy movement from one location to another, mobile boilers are basically large, powerful heating systems that are mounted within a container trailer for simple transport and self-contained on-site operation. Think of it like a mobile boiler room on wheels!

They are designed for the high capacity heating and hot water needs of commercial buildings when the permanent boiler is not operational.

Once deployed, mobile boilers are transported to a commercial building, where they are connected to the building’s existing heating and hot water lines. They serve as a temporary source of heat and/or hot water production until the permanent boiler is ready for start-up and use.

Why Would You Need a Mobile Boiler?

You might need a portable boiler rental for your commercial building in various situations, such as:

• Boiler Replacement / Fuel Conversion – Replacing a commercial boiler or converting your building from oil to gas can be a lengthy process. Depending on a variety of factors, such as the type of boiler being installed, the availability of a replacement boiler, or the complexity of the work, it can take anywhere from a few days to several months or more from start to finish. By utilizing a temporary boiler, you can continue providing heat and hot water to the building for the entire duration of the boiler replacement or fuel conversion process.
• Heating Plant Upgrade – As a commercial boiler ages, the plumbing and mechanical components will require replacement and upgrades. A temporary boiler should be considered for any planned upgrades that require the permanent boiler to be shut down for a significant amount of time.
• Emergency System Breakdown – A boiler breakdown can happen out of nowhere. If an immediate fix is not possible, the good news is you can be up and running again in as little as 24 hours with a temporary boiler, with the right boiler rental company leading the way.
• Stand-by Emergency Unit – If you’re boiler has known issues and can potentially break down at any given moment, having a temporary boiler onsite and ready for hookup can be a great emergency back-up.
• Asbestos Abatement – In the NYC area, with buildings over 100 years old, it’s not uncommon to experience issues with asbestos. If asbestos is found in the boiler room, the boiler will need to be shut down while the asbestos is removed. A mobile boiler is a great contingency for heat and/or hot water during the asbestos abatement process.
• Chimney Work – When chimney work is needed, whether it be repairing or replacing the liner or the entire chimney itself, the boiler must be shut down during the project. In a large commercial building, this can require a substantial amount of time and warrant the use of a mobile boiler until the chimney work is complete.
• Domestic Hot Water for Specialty Events – Aside from providing heat and hot water to a commercial building, a portable boiler can also be used for on-location or outdoor gatherings such as sporting events or festivals that require hot water production.

Benefits of Using Mobile Boilers

A mobile boiler can be an ideal temporary heat and hot water solution for a variety of reasons…

Versatile and Safe – We can transport these boilers to virtually any location in NYC and customize them to meet your site’s specific requirements. Plus, they’re self-contained and operate safely and efficiently.

No Down-time / Quick Deployment – Swift installation gets your heating and/or hot water up and running quickly, ensuring minimal down time, which is especially helpful in case of emergencies.

Cost-Effective – If repairs can be made, utilizing a temporary boiler in the interim can be a cost-effective solution compared to the significant financial investment of purchasing and installing a new heating system.

How Does a Mobile Boiler Operate?

A mobile boiler operates the same way as a permanent boiler, except it’s mounted inside a trailer container and portable in its application. It’s transported to a building and tied into the existing heating and hot water system.

Just like a building’s main boiler, a mobile boiler uses a burner to heat water from the combustion of a fuel source. Most portable boilers use oil as a fuel source, which is distributed from an oil tank stored inside the trailer, along with the boiler, burner, and all other mechanical and plumbing components necessary for operation.

Once the water is heated, it’s distributed from the temporary boiler into the building to provide steam heat and/or domestic hot water.

Key Components of a Mobile Boiler

Mobile boilers feature several key components to keep them operating effectively, including:

• Burners. These parts allow air to mix with fuel to produce a controlled flame.
• Combustion chambers. These chambers house the burner and provide space for ignition and heat generation.
• Heat exchangers. Heat exchangers serve a dual purpose. They transfer heat to the water while keeping it away from combustible gases.
• Operational controls. Thermostats and other operational controls make it simple to control the temperature and other facets of the mobile boiler system.
• Safety devices. Essential additions to mobile boilers, such as pressure controls and safety valves, help prevent potential hazards.
• Water feed systems. Hooking mobile boilers up to pipes delivers a steady water supply to generate steam.
• Fuel supply systems. These systems move fuel to the burner for combustion.
• Exhaust stacks. These pipes sit atop mobile boilers and vent combustion gases into the atmosphere during operation.

Heat on Wheels — Mobile Boilers Ready for Deployment

If you find yourself in need of a temporary boiler, rely on New York’s #1 solution for mobile boiler rentals, Mobile Boiler Systems. Whether you need a portable boiler rental for a sudden emergency, planned maintenance, or if you’re replacing your boiler, we have you covered, anywhere throughout the NYC area.