Winter always exposes the weak points in heating systems and this year merchants are seeing installers feel the strain earlier than expected.

Breakdown jobs are picking up, retrofit schedules are slipping, and customers still expect heating issues to be sorted quickly; even when a system is offline. Arctic Hayes says that more installers are turning to portable heaters as a result, as a simple, reliable way to keep properties warm and jobs progressing.

For merchants, this shift has become a clear seasonal pattern. Branches supplying the general plumbing and heating trade, as well as busy sectors such as social housing, landlord portfolios and healthcare facilities, are seeing increased demand for temporary heat that can be deployed safely in occupied buildings.

When a boiler fails and parts aren’t available until later in the week, when pipework needs isolating for an upgrade, or when a property can’t be left cold during a system outage, installers want dependable units they can pick up at the counter and use immediately.

Suitability and user safety are key factors in these environments. In settings where heaters may be left unattended or used by vulnerable occupants, there is often a preference for oil-filled radiators over fan heaters. Their enclosed heating element reduces the risk of tampering or accidental covering and the steady, silent output makes them better suited to homes, communal areas and even clinical spaces.

Where faster warm-up is required - for example, on callouts, in voids or during short maintenance windows - fan and convector heaters remain a practical option for installers who need quick, directional heat on site.

Portable electric heaters are designed with these varied trade demands in mind: quick to deploy, easy to carry between jobs and built with the safety protections installers expect when working in occupied homes or sensitive environments. The combination of stable heat output, tip-over protection, over-heat cut-outs and simple user controls means merchants can recommend them confidently across a range of callouts and temporary heating needs.

According to Lee Parsons, MD at Arctic Hayes, merchants are playing an increasingly important role in helping heating professionals manage winter pressures: “Installers are telling us the same thing every year - when the weather turns, they need something reliable they can grab from their local branch. Portable heaters won’t replace the main system, but they keep customers comfortable and keep the job moving. Merchants who stock the right units are helping installers stay productive at the busiest time of year.”

Merchants are also finding that temporary heat solves a customer experience issue that often lands on the trade counter. When a heating system is down for repairs or upgrades, providing a suitable portable heater - matched to the building type and user needs - reduces the urgency and stress that lead to repeat visits and rushed decisions.

With the coldest months still ahead, Arctic Hayes expects portable heating to continue as a strong, dependable winter line for branches: not as a niche accessory, but as a practical solution that supports installers, protects vulnerable occupants, reduces downtime and helps keep properties warm while work is completed.