When planning any event in London during February, heating becomes just as important as food, lighting, or transport. With temperatures still low, a temporary boiler rental often steps in where the main system comes up short. London Climate Hire provides temporary boiler hire across London and nearby counties, helping event teams put reliable heating in place when permanent systems are unavailable or under strain. Whether it’s a last-minute need or part of the original plan, having temporary heating can make or break an event’s comfort level.
But not all rentals go smoothly. We’ve seen how easy it is to make small mistakes that, on the day, lead to big problems. Boilers not showing up on time, not fitting where they need to go, or simply not doing the job. It’s frustrating, especially when you’re trying to keep things calm and collected. By pointing out the things that often trip people up, we hope to save a few headaches for anyone arranging heating for their next indoor or outdoor gathering this winter.
Overlooking the Venue Layout and Access
One of the earliest mistakes starts with where the boiler is actually going to sit. It’s easy to book a unit based on size or output, but if it doesn’t fit on site, everything slows down. Some venues don’t offer clear flat access, and uneven ground or narrow entry points become a problem for both delivery and setup.
Before booking, we always look at:
- Is there adequate space for temporary equipment without blocking footpaths or emergency exits
- Can the delivery vehicle safely reach the install point
- Are nearby power sources easy to access and protected from weather exposure
Without thinking this through, it’s not just the install team that struggles. It could delay every other setup task, from catering to lighting, especially when crews are working in close quarters with limited time. A quick walk-through, even just with photos or a video call, can help avoid most of these issues.
Misjudging Heating Needs for the Size of the Event
Getting the boiler size wrong is probably the most common misstep. You don’t want to go overboard, but underestimating the required output is even worse. A boiler that’s too small simply won’t keep the space warm, and one that’s too big may use more fuel and power than needed without much benefit. Our temporary boiler options range from compact 22 kW electric units through to 300 kW trailer boilers and 600 kW boiler plant rooms, which makes it easier to match output to the size and type of venue.
This becomes trickier when dealing with:
- Open-plan marquees or venues with high ceilings that lose heat quickly
- Shifting guest numbers that change how much warmth is needed at different times
- Events running late into the evening when the outside temperature drops sharply
London in February can be brutally cold after sunset. If your boiler was chosen based on mild conditions earlier in the day, you might have to scramble to fix that mismatch just when the guests need comfort most. We always run a quick check factoring in guest count, venue insulation, and flow of people before confirming any temporary solution.
Leaving Installation to the Last Minute
A heater might not be the first thing on your event checklist, but leaving it too late can lead to unnecessary stress. Booking with only a day or so to go makes it harder to coordinate safe setup and testing, especially if there’s limited access or other suppliers on site.
Last minute setups often miss steps like:
- Testing full system pressure before opening to guests
- Setting up temperature monitoring or basic control options
- Allowing enough time in case adjustments need to be made to fit the space
What we find is that heat checks usually get squeezed in with everything else on event day. But if something’s off, you’re suddenly dealing with trouble during the event instead of beforehand. Giving boiler setup its own spot on the timeline makes the rest of the day easier to handle.
Failing to Plan for Backup or Support
We get it. Nobody wants to think about what might go wrong. Especially not when it feels like everything’s falling into place. But not having some sort of backup plan can turn a minor issue into a major problem.
When things stall and there’s no game plan, that’s when panic kicks in. We’ve seen these issues cause trouble:
- Not having direct contact for technical help if the boiler cuts off
- No extra heaters in case the main one drops out
- Staff lacking basic instructions on what to do if they hear alarms or alert lights
Having someone to call, or at least a way to spot the signs of trouble early, can keep the mood steady. It’s not about overplanning every moment. It’s just giving people enough info to respond calmly if something starts acting up. London Climate Hire operates a 24/7 hire and support service for temporary boilers, so event teams can get technical help or replacement equipment even if an issue appears outside normal working hours.
Forgetting About Fuel or Power Supply Logistics
Heating a large space takes more than just plugging something in. Every boiler runs on something, whether that’s gas, oil, or electricity. Overlooking supply needs is one of those mistakes that aren’t always obvious until it’s too late.
We always advise checking:
- What fuel type the boiler needs and how it will be delivered or stored nearby
- Whether the venue’s electrical setup can handle the draw without tripping circuits
- Who will top up the fuel or monitor levels throughout the event
If these things aren’t known ahead of time, you might have a boiler set up and ready, but no way to turn it on or keep it going. It only takes one missed delivery or a single overload to shut things down. Better to spot those risks early and deal with them gently than face a power cut mid-toast or during a speech.
Stay Warm Without the Worry
Running an event in winter already comes with its own set of challenges. Bringing in extra heating should be something that eases stress, not adds to it. When we pay attention to the details early on, the day flows smoothly and guests stay comfortable from start to finish.
Most of the mistakes we’ve seen aren’t massive issues on their own. It’s usually that they show up late, under pressure, when the day’s already in full swing. That’s why checking access, knowing your heating needs, and letting the setup happen with time to spare ends up being worth it. With a bit of effort upfront, the boiler stays in the background like it should and lets the main event take the spotlight.
Planning an event in London this winter means paying close attention to heating, setup, access, and fuel needs. Rushing these details can bring unnecessary stress, which is why at London Climate Hire we always recommend simplifying the process and resolving major elements in advance. See our temporary boiler rental services to find out how we support events across the city. If you’re not sure which setup works best for your space, just give us a call and we’ll help you plan the ideal solution.