Need A Boiler For Long-Term Use? The Pros And Cons Of Using A Boiler Rental
Posted on: 15 July 2016
Industrial boilers produce large amount of steam that can then be turned into energy to power machinery and equipment. If your business is in need of a boiler, you may be considering buying one. However, another option is to rent one. While many companies rent boilers for short-term use, such as in the event of an emergency or when their boiler needs repairs, other companies rent them long-term. Learning the advantages and disadvantages of boiler rental can help you decide if it is better to rent or buy a boiler for your business needs.
Cons of Boiler Rental
- Renting May Be More Expensive
One of the biggest downsides to renting out a boiler for a prolonged period of time is that it can be more costly than buying it upfront. If your business can afford to purchase a boiler, or you have the business credit to take out a loan for one, it can be cheaper in the long run to buy it outright rather than renting it.
- You May Have Fewer Options When You Rent
When you decide to get a boiler rental, you may have limited options as to what type of boiler you get. A boiler rental company will not always have every type and size of boiler in stock. There are many differences when it comes to industrial boilers. For example, the fuel source varies among different types of boilers. Some use coal, biomass fuel, electricity, gas, oil or wood to heat the water and produce steam. Another difference among boilers is the combustion technology. Some have a fluidized bed, stoker system, spreader, traveling grate, or a thermic fluid heater. When you buy a boiler, you get to select the option that makes the most sense for your business. Think of it like buying versus renting a car. When buying, you get to select the make and model of car you want. Then you get to select the color of car you want and the upgrades in the car, customizing it exactly how you want. However, when you go to rent one, you may not get exactly what you want. You may have to select from the options that the rental company has available. The same is true for boilers. There are so many different ways to customize them and personalize them, that you may have more options available to you when you buy versus settling on what's available to you when you rent.
Pros of Boiler Rental
- The Rental Company Maintains the Boiler
One of the biggest benefits to a boiler rental is that the company you are renting from generally maintains the boiler. Maintaining a boiler can be pricey. And it can also be time-consuming. When you rent a boiler, you do not have to worry about its maintenance needs or repairs. The rental company will inspect it, maintain it, make repairs as needed and replace it if it is under-performing.
- You Can Change the Boiler as Needed
The other advantage to a rental boiler is that you can swap out the boiler for a different one, as needed. If your boiler is going out, but you intend on changing out the machinery that utilizes the power produced from a boiler, you may be hesitant to invest in a new boiler. After all, your boiler needs may change when you purchase new machinery or equipment. When you rent a boiler, you have the opportunity to swap it out, if the type you want and need is in stock. This is a great way to see how much your fuel costs will be with various types of boilers or see which brand works best for you. You can also change out your machinery without worrying about what impact it will have on your boiler and if your boiler will work with the new machinery. An industrial boiler can last upwards of 25 years if it is properly-maintained. If you have a hard time committing to one for that long, a rental gives you the opportunity to change it up, as you see fit.
There are pros and cons to using a boiler rental versus buying one outright. Taking the time to learn about the upsides and downsides of boiler rental can help you decide which option makes the most sense for your business.
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