HVAC rental equipment offers a flexible solution for businesses facing unexpected breakdowns, seasonal demands, or temporary cooling and heating needs.
At HVAC-ENG, we’ve seen firsthand how renting HVAC systems can be a game-changer for many organizations.
This blog post explores the types of equipment available, scenarios where rentals make sense, and the benefits of choosing this option for your facility.
What HVAC Equipment Can You Rent?
HVAC rental equipment offers various solutions for cooling, heating, and air quality needs. We’ll explore the most common types of HVAC equipment available for rent and their applications.
Portable Air Conditioners and Spot Coolers
Portable air conditioners and spot coolers excel in temporary cooling for small to medium-sized spaces. These units cool areas up to 500 square feet and require minimal setup. They’re perfect for offices, server rooms, or event spaces that need quick cooling.
A 1-ton portable air conditioner cools about 400 square feet, while a 1.5-ton unit handles up to 600 square feet. Installation is simple: just plug into a power outlet and vent hot air (often through a window or drop ceiling).
Temporary Chillers
For larger spaces or industrial processes, temporary chillers provide powerful cooling. These units range from 5 to 1000 tons of cooling capacity, suitable for medium-sized office buildings to large manufacturing facilities.
Temporary chillers prove invaluable during planned maintenance of permanent systems or emergencies. For example, a 200-ton chiller cools a 100,000 square foot office building, ensuring business continuity during primary system failures.
Industrial Heaters and Furnaces
Cold weather applications call for industrial heaters and furnaces. These units come in various sizes and fuel types (electric, propane, and natural gas options).
A 500,000 BTU indirect-fired heater warms up to 12,500 square feet of warehouse space. These units are essential for construction sites, outdoor events in cold weather, or supplemental heating during building renovations.
Dehumidifiers and Air Scrubbers
Dehumidifiers and air scrubbers maintain air quality and prevent moisture-related issues. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency provides guidance on controlling moisture in buildings.
Air scrubbers remove airborne contaminants. A high-capacity air scrubber cleans the air in a 2,000 square foot area, capturing particles as small as 0.3 microns. These units are indispensable in construction sites, renovation projects, or any situation where air quality is a concern.
Now that we’ve covered the types of HVAC equipment available for rent, let’s explore the scenarios where renting makes the most sense for businesses and facilities.
When Do You Need HVAC Rental Equipment?
HVAC rental equipment proves invaluable in various scenarios, from unexpected emergencies to planned events. Let’s explore the most common situations where renting HVAC equipment makes sense for businesses and facilities.
Emergency Breakdowns
When your primary HVAC system fails unexpectedly, rental equipment becomes a lifesaver. Standard retrofit measures can provide cost-effective and low-risk efficiency upgrade options, including equipment, system, and assembly retrofits. Renting temporary units keeps your operations running while permanent repairs take place.
For example, if a chiller fails in a data center, a rental unit can be installed quickly, preventing costly equipment damage and data loss.
Planned Maintenance and System Upgrades
Regular maintenance extends HVAC system longevity but often requires equipment shutdown. Rental units bridge the gap during these planned outages. The U.S. Department of Energy recommends annual maintenance for commercial HVAC systems.
A rental chiller can maintain optimal temperatures in an office building during a chiller replacement project. This approach ensures employee comfort and productivity without disrupting the upgrade process.
Seasonal Peak Demands
Many businesses experience fluctuating cooling or heating needs throughout the year. Extreme heat events are growing in intensity, frequency, and duration, intensifying the need for supplemental cooling. Cities are using various heat adaptation strategies to improve public health and social outcomes.
Retail stores often require additional cooling during summer sales events. A portable air conditioner can cool retail space, accommodating increased foot traffic and heat generated by promotional lighting.
Special Events and Temporary Installations
Outdoor events, trade shows, and temporary structures often require HVAC solutions. Event planners consider climate control a top priority for attendee comfort.
For an outdoor tent event, multiple high-capacity portable air conditioners can maintain a comfortable environment. This setup ensures guest satisfaction and protects sensitive equipment or products on display.
Construction and Renovation Projects
Construction sites and renovation projects frequently need temporary climate control. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) mandates specific temperature ranges for worker safety, making HVAC rentals essential in extreme weather conditions.
During winter construction of a commercial space, indirect-fired heaters can maintain workable temperatures. This not only ensures worker comfort but also allows for proper curing of materials like concrete and paint.
Now that we’ve covered when to use HVAC rental equipment, let’s examine the benefits of choosing this option for your facility.
Why Renting HVAC Equipment Makes Sense
Financial Benefits of HVAC Rentals
Renting HVAC equipment eliminates the need for significant upfront capital investment. A 100-ton chiller can cost upwards of $100,000 to purchase, while renting the same unit for a month might cost around $10,000. This makes rentals particularly attractive for short-term projects or seasonal demands.
Rental costs are often tax-deductible as operational expenses, providing additional financial benefits. The Equipment Leasing and Finance Association reports that nearly 8 out of 10 U.S. companies lease some of their equipment (including HVAC systems), highlighting the financial advantages of this approach.
Cutting-Edge Technology Access
HVAC rental companies continuously update their equipment inventory, giving clients access to the latest energy-efficient technologies. Modern VRF systems can achieve energy savings of 22.2% compared to traditional HVAC systems in office buildings. Renting allows businesses to leverage these advancements without committing to a purchase.
Scalability and Flexibility
HVAC rental solutions offer unparalleled flexibility. Businesses can easily scale their cooling or heating capacity based on changing needs. A retail store might rent additional portable air conditioners during a summer sale event, then return them when no longer needed. This scalability ensures optimal climate control while avoiding unnecessary long-term costs.
Reduced Maintenance Responsibilities
Most HVAC rental agreements include maintenance services, shifting the burden of upkeep from the client to the rental company. This can result in significant time and cost savings. Replacing heating and cooling equipment with higher efficiency equipment can reduce energy use by 50% for electric heating and cooling, a benefit that comes built-in with many rental agreements.
Sustainability Advantages
Renting HVAC equipment can contribute to a company’s sustainability goals. Rental companies often offer the most energy-efficient models available, helping businesses reduce their carbon footprint. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s ENERGY STAR program has found that ENERGY STAR certified HVAC equipment can use up to 10% less energy than standard models (translating to both environmental and cost benefits).
Final Thoughts
HVAC rental equipment provides a versatile solution for businesses facing various climate control challenges. From emergency breakdowns to planned maintenance, these temporary systems offer the flexibility needed to maintain optimal conditions. The benefits of renting extend beyond convenience, offering financial advantages, access to cutting-edge technology, and reduced maintenance responsibilities.
Businesses can avoid significant upfront costs while still accessing the latest energy-efficient technologies through HVAC rental equipment. This approach allows for easy scaling of cooling or heating capacity based on changing needs, ensuring optimal climate control without unnecessary long-term expenses. Most rental agreements include maintenance services, which shifts the burden of upkeep from the client to the rental company (resulting in substantial time and cost savings).
We at HVAC-ENG encourage businesses and facility managers to consider HVAC rental equipment as a viable option for their specific needs. Our platform provides in-depth information on HVAC systems, design methodologies, and industry best practices to help you make informed decisions. Leveraging the flexibility and efficiency of rental solutions will ensure optimal climate control while maximizing operational efficiency and minimizing costs.
