But which mobile heater should you choose for your tent? Gas, oil, electric or infrared? Direct- or indirect-fired? And how do you make sure the heat actually reaches the spots where it’s needed in the tent? In this article, we list the most important mobile heaters for event heating so you can make the right choice for each tent and event.
Direct- or indirect-fired heaters: the difference
Direct-fired (gas or diesel):
A direct-fired mobile heater blows combustion gases into the tent along with the warm air. They are often cheaper, quick and powerful, but you must always ensure good ventilation. The air can also feel somewhat humid.
Application: Only suitable for well-ventilated or open tents without an audience.
Indirect-fired (oil/diesel):
The mobile heater is placed outside the tent. Warm air is ducted inside via hoses, while flue gases are discharged separately. This results in drier air, less odor and less noise in the tent—more comfortable for guests.
Application: The standard for events with guests: parties, weddings, corporate events.
Which mobile heater suits which application?
Propane gas heaters (direct-fired)
Propane gas heaters are fast, affordable and mobile. Suitable for open tents, construction tents, work areas, or situations where comfort is secondary to speed and simplicity.
- Advantages: High capacity, instant heat, plug & play
- Disadvantages: Flue gas and moisture in the tent → ventilation is a must
- Examples: Remko PGM/PGT series (10–100 kW)
Indirect-fired diesel heaters
Diesel heaters are the standard for events in tents with an audience. Ideal for parties, dinners, premium events. Comfortable, clean and safe.
- Advantages: Dry, clean air. Low noise. Can be placed outside.
- Disadvantages: Requires outdoor space + flue gas exhaust
- Examples: Remko ATK 25 (compact), CLK series (powerful, suitable for HVO).
Electric heaters
Electric heaters are quiet, clean and compact. Perfect for small tent areas where there must be no emissions.
- Advantages: No flue gases, no odor, plug-and-play
- Disadvantages: Limited output, dependent on power supply
- Examples: Remko ELT series (2–18 kW)
Infrared heater
Infrared heaters provide targeted heat without moving air. They heat objects and people, not the air in the tent. Useful for tents with open sides or wind-exposed locations.
- Advantage: No draught, dust or odor. Direct radiant heat
- Disadvantage: No volume heating. Only suitable as supplementary heating
- Examples: Remko EST radiant heaters
Smart event heating = keeping temperature stable
A good mobile heater will warm an event tent. But if you also want to maintain the desired temperature, it’s best to connect a thermostat to your mobile heater. A thermostat ensures the temperature truly remains constant—crucial for events with fluctuating occupancy or falling outdoor temperatures.
- Automatic on/off at the set temperature
- More stable indoor climate → fewer guest complaints
- Lower consumption → more efficient operation
- Easy to connect to many Remko diesel heaters
Ideal for: multi-day events, premium parties and corporate tents where comfort makes the difference.
How much output do you really need to heat a tent?
Want to know how much output you need to heat a specific tent? Use the REMKO Heat Guide to calculate the required heating capacity. Based on tent volume, insulation, wind load and desired temperature, you’ll quickly see the right mobile heater for your tent.
Practical tip: Use ducts or distribution manifolds to distribute warm air properly throughout the tent. For tall tents: hang a recirculation fan at the ridge so the heat doesn’t just accumulate at the top.
More sustainable event heating with HVO100 biodiesel
More and more rental companies are switching to HVO100: synthetic diesel made from waste oils and fats. With biodiesel, you can significantly reduce CO₂ emissions.
- Up to 90% less CO₂ emissions
- Runs without modification on all modern Remko diesel heaters
Makes your offering future-proof for customers demanding sustainability
Event heating decision aid
Want to quickly choose which mobile heater you need for your tent? Use this checklist.
| Question | Advice |
|---|---|
| Tent with an audience? | Choose an indirect-fired diesel heater |
| Open or well-ventilated tent? | Diesel heater and propane heater are suitable |
| Lots of draught or open sidewalls? | Add infrared as supplementary heating |
| Need a constant temperature? | Use a Remko thermostat |
| Sustainable heating? | Use HVO100 biodiesel as fuel |
| Even heat distribution? | Work with distribution ducts and fans |
In conclusion
A comfortably warm tent requires more than just placing a heater. As a tent rental company or event organizer, you know the circumstances. We provide the technology that fits. Unsure about capacity, ducting layout or heater type? Call or email us. Our heating specialists are happy to help! For more information about the different heater models, also see our REMKO mobile heater page.
