The Challenge
Kew Gardens’ world-famous Palm House is one of the most iconic glasshouses in London and a vital part of the Gardens’ global plant conservation work. Home to hundreds of tropical species, the Palm House must maintain an internal environment of 27°C with humidity levels between 75–85%, conditions essential for the plants’ survival and growth.
When the existing heating system required temporary support, Kew Gardens needed a high-capacity, precision-controlled boiler system that could maintain this delicate climate with absolute reliability. The challenge lay in delivering a powerful and stable heating solution capable of supporting a historic structure, integrating seamlessly with existing systems, and operating safely within a sensitive environment.
Cross Rental Services Solution
Cross Rental Services designed and installed a comprehensive temporary heating system to replicate and maintain the Palm House’s tropical conditions. At the core of the solution was a 2000kW boiler supported by 4 × 500kW oil burners, providing the heating power necessary to sustain the required 27°C temperature throughout the glasshouse.
To ensure consistent operation, fuel efficiency, and safety, the installation included:
· 2 × 10,000L fuel tanks: for extended runtime
· 2 × 1000L buffer tanks: for system stability and temperature consistency
· 128m of single braid flanged hose: for high-performance heat transfer
· 50m of 63A 415V 5-pin power cable
· Fuel bund mats: for environmental safety and containment
· Remote monitoring: for live performance tracking and fault alerts
A Hot Tapping process was also carried out, allowing the temporary system to be safely integrated into the existing heating network without the need for a full shutdown, minimising disruption and ensuring continuous temperature control during the transition. All equipment was installed, commissioned, and tested by our specialist engineers, with full compliance to site safety and environmental standards.
The Outcome
The temporary heating system successfully maintained the Palm House’s tropical climate, consistently holding 27°C and 75-85% humidity, safeguarding the delicate
balance essential for the tropical plants within. The installation provided a stable and energy-efficient heating solution, ensuring there was no disruption to the environment or visitor experience during the project. By combining high-capacity boiler technology with robust fuel management and real-time monitoring, Cross Rental Services delivered a reliable, responsive, and environmentally conscious solution tailored to one of the UK’s most iconic botanical sites. This project showcases our expertise in complex, temperature-critical environments, where reliability and precision are key. Whether it’s heritage buildings, museums, or conservation facilities, we provide turnkey HVAC and boiler hire solutions to meet the most demanding specifications.
For more information or to discuss your project, call 0808 169 1919 or email [email protected]
Gallery
Overview
- Maintained stable 27°C temperature and 75–85% humidity throughout the project
- Delivered energy-efficient heating using high-capacity boilers and fuel management
- Enabled real-time monitoring for reliable, responsive temperature control
- Protected delicate tropical plants with no environmental or visitor disruption
- Demonstrated expertise in complex, temperature-critical heritage environments
