March is here and depending on where you live, the sun may be coming out more frequently and the weather getting warmer as a result. Warmer weather is usually a good thing for job sites which may have been delayed and hampered over the last several months due to snow, wind, or the cold. If you have been working out in the elements over the past several months chances are you might have relied on one or more industrial heaters to help keep your workplace warm.
Industrial heaters serve a number of purposes from providing much needed warmth to you and your employees to keeping your materials in an optimal temperature zone. Industrial heaters can be a savior on several occasions and since they are generally not cheap, a little maintenance in the off-season will help with their longevity.
Now that Daylight Savings Time is just around the corner and spring is officially ready on March 21, it will not be long before it’s time to shelf your portable heaters for half the year before digging them out again next October-November. If you spend an hour or so each spring following these basic industrial heater maintenance tips your heaters will continue to produce at a higher rate and for longer as a result:
Wiping Down & Protecting the Base
The base of your unit is what houses the fan and motor. It also contains the control knobs and other settings which operate the portable heater. Not only in the spring, but periodically throughout the winter, wipe down the base with a lightly rinsed cloth to keep it clean. It is important that your base remains clean to not only prevent the knobs from getting sticky but also free from germs during the flu/cold season.
Pay special attention to the screen where the heat comes out from the fan and motor. If the screen is clean you are going to get a nice clean airflow of heat. If the screen is dirty the flow will also be restricted and you won’t be getting as much out of your portable heater as you might wish.
Never fully emerge any industrial heater into soap and water. Again, all you need is a regular wipe down with a damp cloth and the heater should never get dirty enough that a full fledged wash would be required. Completely submerging any portable heater into water will likely damage the motor. Of course, it also goes without saying that anytime you go to clean the heater make sure it’s unplugged and hasn’t been running for hours to avoid a burn or electrical shock.
Fan & Motor
You may undo the screws or bolts on the screen to access the fan and give it a quick wipe down. If you do so make sure that you avoid getting excess water on the motor. Never drench the motor directly with soap or water or completely submerge the unit into water. If the portable heater appears to be operating incorrectly or the motor is making strange noises it is advised to contact a specialist. The motor on an industrial heater is complicated and best left up to a specialist. If the motor is waning it might be best to purchase a new industrial heater as the repairs might be quite expensive and not worth it when compared to buying a new one.