In 2018, Eielson Air Force Base near Fairbanks Alaska put more than 30 of ESI’s ES700 indirect fired heaters to work supplying temporary building heat as temperatures fell. The ES700 is already respected for its dependable performance in extreme cold, but this project highlighted something very important: the importance of optimizing these heaters to reduce fuel consumption.
This case study, based on real fuel consumption data collected at Eielson AFB, demonstrates how simple additions, like a remote thermostat and recirculation ducting, can dramatically reduce daily burn rates and operating costs.
Baseline: ES700 Standard Burn Rate
The following data reflects the ES700’s fuel use at its maximum output.
- Total burn rate: ~ 6.2 GPH
- Heater burner: ~ 5.7 GPH
- Generator: ~ 0.5 GPH
- Total fuel consumption: ~ 150 gallons per day
Upgrade 1: Remote Thermostat
Standard on ESI’s ES700 rental fleet
Installing a remote thermostat allows the ES700 to maintain precise building temperatures without excessive heat output. During the Eielson AFB project, this addition brought the heater’s burn rate down a noticeable amount.
- Average burn rate: 4.5-5.0 GPH
- Fuel consumption: 108-120 gallons per day
- Fuel savings: 30-42 gallons per day
This alone represents a meaningful reduction in fuel costs, especially when multiplied across a fleet of heaters.
Upgrade 2: Recirculation Ducting
Adding both a remote thermostat and a 20-inch recirculation duct delivered the largest savings. With recirculation, the ES700 pulls warm air from inside the building instead of cold exterior air, requiring far less energy to maintain an optimal temperature. Eielson’s project data showed a dramatic improvement in fuel efficiency when both upgrades were implemented.
- Average burn rate: 1.25-1.75 GPH
- Fuel consumption: 30-42 gallons per day
- Fuel savings: 108-120 gallons per day
The addition of a remote thermostat, combined with recirculation ducting, reduced fuel use by up to 80%! Using insulated ducting could push efficiency even further.
Proven Performance in the Real World
For operations facing extreme cold, rising fuel costs, or remote logistics challenges, these results matter. The data collected during Eielson AFB’s construction project shows that the ES700 doesn’t just deliver dependable heat, it does so with exceptional efficiency when configured correctly.
Whether you’re heating temporary structures, remote sites, or industrial facilities, ESI has the equipment and accessories needed to maximize performance and reduce operating costs.
