Don’t Buy Temporary Heating

Lease it.

Save up to 50% on temporary heating costs when you lease unit heaters from RL Leasing.

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THE PROBLEM

Temporary Heating Shouldn’t Feel Like Lighting Money on Fire

Temporary heating is required by building code between TCO and lease-up for most office, retail, and speculative development projects. With unit heaters costing over $1,000 each and engineers requiring one heater every 1,500 square feet, those costs add up fast.

Differences in phase, volts, and BTUs prevent unit heaters from being readily reused on your next project.

The result?

  • Thousands spent on equipment used for only a few months

  • Heaters tossed into dumpsters once the project wraps

  • Added hauling and disposal fees

  • Investors questioning unnecessary waste

Temporary solutions shouldn’t require permanent waste.

THE SOLUTION

A Smarter Way to Handle Temporary Heating

RL Leasing provides unit heaters on short term leases that meet your project’s needs. Instead of purchasing temporary heaters you’ll never use again, we provide the equipment only for the period you’re required to have it.

Nothing else about your job site changes:

  • Same installers

  • Same inspections

  • Same freeze protection between TCO and lease Up

Built by professionals with 12+ years of experience working alongside developers, contractors, and architects on commercial construction projects, RL Leasing is the partner you want.

A TaskMaster ventilation or exhaust fan with black louvers and a beige housing.
A square-shaped evaporation cooler with a fan inside and four metal louvers on the front, branded with the QMARK logo.
A small white bread proofer with multiple horizontal racks and a temperature control dial at the front.
A black electric fan heater with horizontal metal louvers and a metal fan blade behind the louvers, branded 'NBERKO' on the front.

HOW IT WORKS

The Simplist Value Engineering You Will Ever Do

People collaborating on architectural plans with a laptop, calculator, and measuring tools on the table.

1. Selection

We identify the right unit heaters for your project and help you complete any necessary submittals.

Interior of a building under construction with large windows, exposed ceiling, and gravel floor. Plastic sheets cover parts of the floor; some construction materials are visible.

We deliver the heaters directly to your job site, coordinating drop off with appropriate site leaders.

Units are installed by your site team or mechanical contractor. RL Leasing can handle installation for an additional fee.

2. Delivery & Use

Construction site with an interior in progress, showing metallic insulation on the walls and a door/window opening at the center, with building materials and tools on the wooden floor.

At the end of the lease term, we pick up the equipment. No disposal. No dumpsters. No Wasted Capital.

3. Pickup & Reuse

- Customer Testimonial -

“We were quoted $17,000 to purchase unit heaters for a commercial project. RL Leasing delivered the same solution for less than $4,000. The heaters performed flawlessly through a major ice storm. This was an easy decision and an even easier process. We will absolutely do this again. ”

— Recent Customer

Interior of a building under construction with exposed metal beams, large windows, and a gravel floor, with construction materials and plastic sheeting on the ground.

THE STAKES

The Cost of Doing Nothing

When developers continue buying temporary heating equipment, they:

  • Pay 2× more than necessary

  • Incur excess dumpster and hauling fees

  • Throw away barely used equipment

  • Accept waste as “just part of the process”

One developer spent $60,000 on unit heaters that were all thrown away less than three months later.

There’s a better option.

A dumpster filled with old air conditioning units at a construction site with commercial buildings in the background.
Two professionals, a man and a woman, giving each other a high five in an office setting with a wooden table, laptop, and office supplies.

What Success Looks Like

A cleaner, smarter approach to temporary heating, without changing how your job site operates.

A successful job is about more than affordability, it’s about experience.

  • Lower Costs from equipment and disposal fees

  • Reduced Construction Waste that you can stand behind

  • On Time, Reliable Delivery that keeps your project on schedule

  • Fast Responses from knowledgable professionals

Unit Heater Leasing FAQ

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Unit Heater Leasing FAQ *

Work With Us

  • One electric unit heater typically covers approximately 1,200 square feet of space.

    For example:

    • 12,000 SF building → 10 heaters

    • 20,000 SF retail strip → 16–17 heaters

    Final quantities depend on ceiling height, insulation, climate zone, and mechanical design.

  • Most jurisdictions require buildings to maintain freeze protection (above 40°F) once domestic water or fire suppression systems are active.

    If permanent HVAC systems are not yet operational, building officials may require temporary heat before issuing a Temporary Certificate of Occupancy (TCO).

  • Lease costs depend on duration and quantity, but developers typically save 50% or more compared to buying new unit heaters.

    A 20,000 SF project that may cost over $20,000 to purchase heaters could cost approximately $3,000–$4,000 to lease.

  • A new electric unit heater typically costs $1,000–$1,500 per unit, before installation, supplier markup, taxes, hanging hardware, and thermostat controls.

    Engineers typically specify one unit heater per 1,200 square feet.

  • Developers typically save 50% or more by leasing instead of buying.

    Example:
    - 20,000 SF building
    - 17 heaters required
    - Purchase cost: ~$20,400+
    - Lease cost: ~$4,000
    - Savings: ~$16,000+

  • Speculative developments often receive TCO before tenant improvements are complete.

    Permanent HVAC systems cannot operate effectively because:
    - Tenant demising walls are not finalized
    - Ceiling grids may not be installed
    - Duct layouts are not determined
    - Final mechanical loads are unknown

    Unit heaters provide temporary freeze protection until full lease-up.

  • Permanent HVAC systems are often not fully installed, not properly zoned, not commissioned, or not sized for final tenant layout.

    Unit heaters are a flexible, short-term solution.

    1. Developer notifies contractor they will provide leased heaters.

    2. Mechanical drawings are reviewed and inventory is reserved for the project.

    3. Heaters are delivered to the site.

    4. Construction team installs when needed and uninstalls at lease up.

    5. RL Leasing picks up heaters when no longer needed.

    Simple. No waste. No long-term storage.

  • Scheduled change. We get it.

    • Delivery dates can be adjusted with 72 hours’ notice.

    • After the initial term, leases can continue month-to-month.

    • In rare long-duration cases, units may be purchased at replacement cost.

  • Purchased unit heaters are often removed and thrown away, sold for scrap, or abandoned on site.

    Leasing eliminates unnecessary landfill waste and dumpster fees.

  • Yes. RL Leasing serves speculative retail, office, and mixed-use developments throughout:
    - Charlotte, NC
    - Winston-Salem, NC
    - Greenville, SC
    - Spartanburg, SC

    … and the surrounding Southeast markets.

  • - 6 unit heaters required
    - Purchase quote: $17,000
    - Lease cost: under $4,000
    - Lease duration: less than 6 months
    - Savings: over $13,000

  • Leasing reduces HVAC contract costs, improves developer returns, eliminates waste, maintains building code compliance, and provides schedule flexibility.

See How Much You Can Save on Your Next Project

If you’re planning a development project and need temporary heating, we’ll help you determine how much you can save. Get started today by sharing on your project here:

Ready to Learn More? Let’s talk:

Temporary Heating Savings Calculator

This estimate assumes 1 heater per 1,200 sq ft and a 6-month lease.