Electrical Resistance Heating Services in Houston, TX
If you’re overseeing industrial projects in Houston, TX, you understand that precision in heat treatment is non-negotiable, especially for critical welds, pressure vessels, and alloy structures. At Onsite USA, we specialize in electrical resistance heating (ERH) services, delivered directly to your jobsite. Whether you're working in Baytown, Pasadena, or inside the Houston Ship Channel industrial zone, our team brings certified technicians, advanced equipment, and code-compliant heat cycles right where the work happens.
We help fabrication shops, refineries, power plants, and offshore yards stay on schedule and within spec by offering fully controlled, code-compliant heating services, right where the work happens.
What is Electrical Resistance Heating?
Electrical Resistance Heating is a process where electric current is passed through special heating elements, often made from metal alloys like nichrome, that convert electricity into heat. These elements are placed around or on your metal parts, and they heat the material by direct contact.
This method allows precise control over temperature, time, and heating rates. You can heat up a weld gradually, hold it at a certain temperature for a specific period (known as soaking), and then cool it down at a controlled rate. All of this is done under programmable control systems that log the entire cycle.
ERH is widely used for:
- Preheating metals before welding
- Post Weld Heat Treatment (PWHT)
- Hydrogen bake-outs
- Annealing or normalizing steel
- Slow cooling of alloy steels
This method is safe, efficient, and highly effective, making it ideal for the strict standards required in Houston’s industrial sectors.
Why Resistance Heating is Ideal for Houston’s Industrial Needs
Houston is home to one of the largest concentrations of energy, petrochemical, and manufacturing plants in the U.S. Projects in places like Baytown, Pasadena, Deer Park, Texas City, and the Port of Houston often involve complex steel structures, high-pressure piping, and sensitive welds that need exact temperature control.
In these industries, improper heat treatment can lead to:
- Cracked welds
- Premature failure of parts
- Hydrogen embrittlement
- Rejected inspections
- Costly rework or shutdowns
Electrical resistance heating helps prevent these issues. It offers full-surface, even heating without using open flames or high-frequency magnetic fields, making it safer for explosive or hazardous environments.
Applications of Resistance Heating in Industrial Work
At Onsite USA, we use resistance heating in several common applications across industrial job sites:
1. Preheating Before Welding
Preheating slows down the cooling rate of the weld area to reduce cracking, especially for thicker metals or alloy steels.
2. Post Weld Heat Treatment (PWHT)
PWHT relieves internal stresses that build up during welding. It's required by most industry codes (like ASME and API) and helps restore metal toughness.
3. Hydrogen Bake-Out
This involves heating parts above 400°F for several hours to remove trapped hydrogen that could cause cracking in the weld.
4. Controlled Cool Down
Certain materials need a slow cooling rate after welding or heat treatment to prevent brittleness or hardening in the heat-affected zone.
5. Annealing and Normalizing
These processes improve ductility, soften metals, or refine grain structures. They’re often used in pressure vessels and structural components.
How Onsite USA Delivers the Service
When you book resistance heating with Onsite USA, you get a turnkey onsite service, we come prepared with all equipment, trained personnel, and everything required to do the job right the first time.
Here’s what’s included:
- Custom heating element setup based on your weld size and geometry
- Programmable control panels with ramp, soak, and cool-down features
- Digital temperature monitoring using thermocouples
- Insulation blankets and pads to retain heat and reduce energy loss
- Full documentation with temperature charts, soak times, and compliance reports
We work directly at your site, whether that’s a refinery in Pasadena, a fab shop in Baytown, or an offshore platform near Galveston. Our mobile heating units are designed for quick mobilization and rapid setup, reducing delays and helping you meet your deadlines.
Industries and Facilities We Serve in Houston, TX
Our resistance heating services are trusted by clients across:
- Oil & Gas – On-site PWHT for pressure piping and structural welds
- Petrochemicals – Preheat and post-weld treatment of alloy vessels and exchangers
- Power Generation – Heat treating steam lines, turbine casings, and supports
- Pipeline & Terminal Construction – Preheat and stress relief of heavy-wall piping
- Structural Steel Fabrication – Welding support and heat treatment for beams, joints, and columns
We cover Houston and surrounding areas including:
- Baytown
- Deer Park
- Pasadena
- La Porte
- Texas City
- Freeport
- Channelview
- Galena Park
Whether you need planned work or emergency services, we’re ready to respond.
Why Choose Onsite USA for Resistance Heating?
Here’s why industrial clients across Houston rely on us:
- Certified Technicians – Our crews are experienced in ASME Section VIII, API 650, and AWS D1.1 jobs.
- Quick Mobilization – We respond fast and come fully equipped, reducing downtime.
- Custom Solutions – Every job is different, and we adapt to your part size, material type, and jobsite conditions.
- Documentation Ready – Get temperature charts, cycle logs, and inspection-ready data after every job.
- Safety First – Our method doesn’t use open flames or combustion, making it safe even in volatile plant environments.
When quality, compliance, and schedule matter, Onsite USA delivers resistance heating services that meet the demand, without compromise.
Let’s Get Your Project Heated Right, Onsite and On Time
If you need resistance heating services in Houston, TX, don’t leave it to chance. Choose a local team that understands your codes, timelines, and quality expectations.
Onsite USA provides dependable, on-site electrical resistance heating to help you pass inspections, prevent failure, and keep operations moving.
Call us today to schedule service or request a project quote. We’re local, responsive, and ready when you are.
Resistance Heating - Houston, TX
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is electrical resistance heating so expensive?
Electrical resistance heating involves specialized equipment, skilled technicians, and precise control systems. It’s also energy-intensive and requires setup time. However, its accuracy, safety, and compliance with industry codes make it a cost-effective solution for high-stakes industrial applications.
How does electrical resistance cause heat?
When electrical current flows through a resistive material, it encounters resistance, which converts the electrical energy into heat. This heat is then transferred to the surrounding metal, allowing for precise thermal treatment without using open flames.
What is electrical resistance trace heating?
Trace heating uses electric resistance cables to maintain or raise the temperature of pipes or surfaces. It’s often used to prevent freezing or maintain fluid flow in pipelines, especially in colder environments or process-critical applications.
What industries in Houston use resistance heating?
Industries like oil & gas, petrochemical, power generation, and steel fabrication rely on resistance heating for welding, PWHT, and thermal stress relief due to Houston's dense concentration of industrial plants and refineries.
Is resistance heating safe for explosive environments?
Yes. Unlike flame-based methods, resistance heating doesn’t produce sparks or open flames, making it suitable for hazardous areas like refineries and chemical plants where flammable gases may be present.
Can large or irregular components be heat treated onsite?
Absolutely. Onsite USA customizes heating element setups for any part geometry or size. From pipe spools to large vessels, we deliver precise, uniform heat treatment right at your job location.
