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The height of summer can cause some of the most strenuous working conditions — no matter where you are. Even indoor work is not safe from heat, humidity, dryness and overall stress. In order to keep operating in this extreme weather, you’ll need more than just one way to cool off.
Thankfully, there are multiple ways to fight heat on a jobsite. Each piece of machinery suits different environments and temperatures, so the best fit for your jobsite depends on your needs. With so many options, however, it’s easy to get in over your head. There’s no need to worry, because the experts in equipment rentals and purchases in EquipmentShare’s Advanced Solutions division are here to dive into the coolest equipment you can find.
Common Types of Cooling Equipment
Cooling equipment can be separated into three categories: fans, air conditioners and industrial coolers.
1. Coolings Fans and Air Movement
Industrial Fans
These fans are an essential part of any summer project. Sometimes, they are referred to as warehouse fans or axial fans. Their simple design and ease of transportation make them useful in virtually any situation. Even big warehouse fans are portable, and smaller fans can be mounted to a wall. Industrial fans are considered “axial,” because they allow the cool air to move through them horizontally. Industrial fans come in a wide variety of sizes. Smaller fans can have a diameter as small as 12 inches, while large units can be up to 96 inches. Although fans like this are versatile, they do not provide precise temperature regulation or concentrated air flow.
Air Movers
Sometimes, the job requires a little more power in your fan — time for an air mover. Also known as centrifugal fans or air blowers, these are extremely similar to axial fans in design and makeup. However, the blower fan pushes all the air through a singular vent, allowing for more force. In residential use, air movers are used to dry carpets. In an industrial setting, however, these are commonly used to prevent toxic fumes or moisture from collecting in the air. They also produce faster, cooler air flow.
Evaporative Cooling Fans
Also known as evaporative air coolers, swamp coolers or portacools, these specialized fans are an effective way to cool an indoor or enclosed outdoor area. They are capable of producing cooler air because they use water to help cool the air. Below the fan is a reservoir, which is used to dampen a filter. The fan pulls warm air through, which is then cooled by the filter. Because swamp coolers use plain water instead of chemical refrigerants, they are especially versatile and easy to use.
2. Air Conditioners
If you need more consistent and intense temperature control than a fan can provide, you would benefit from an air conditioning system. Air conditioners use a chemical refrigerant and a compressor to remove the heat from the air. Typically, A/C units work best in an indoor environment, but different types offer different features.
Commercial Air Conditioning
Air conditioners like this are classified as “commercial,” because they are typically meant for commercial buildings, such as offices, stores and restaurants. Their main purpose is to keep everything in the building comfortable. Not only do these machines keep the building cool, but they also dehumidify the building. Most commercial air conditioning units use a duct system to distribute tempered air throughout the entire building, and they are usually stored outside. You have likely seen rooftop A/C units already, which is a common spot to place them.
Industrial Air Conditioning
Like commercial air conditioners, industrial air conditioning systems are meant for large-scale industrial buildings, such as automobile shops and warehouses. Unlike commercial A/C units, industrial air conditioning is used to regulate the temperature for industrial processes and keep everything in the building stable. Industrial air conditioners run larger than their commercial counterparts — ranging from 12 tons to 70 tons.
Spot Coolers
Although they’re smaller than other kinds of air conditioning units, industrial spot coolers can be just as useful in situations that require an entirely self-contained unit. The hot air produced by the unit is pushed out through an exhaust on top, which can be attached to the ceiling, a window or a door. Some spot cooler units are even portable. If you have a small indoor space that needs intense climate control, a portable air conditioner rental offers a perfect solution.
3. Industrial Cooling
Very large environments, especially those with multiple buildings, need a cooling system that can handle that much space. An industrial cooling system is a smart solution to this; they are extremely powerful without using refrigerant gas to cool the air. Amusement parks and shopping malls often use these because of their power, and automotive and equipment repair shops use these because they offer very precise temperature control. Typically, an industrial cooling system consists of two pieces of machinery: an industrial chiller and an air handler.
Industrial Chillers
Unlike air conditioners or evaporative cooling fans, an industrial chiller uses chemically treated water to remove heat from the air. Similar to many air conditioning models, however, the air chiller blasts the excess heat through exhausts on its sides. Because of this, they need to be deployed outdoors or within well-ventilated areas.
Air Handlers
Unlike other types of cooling equipment, an air handler’s primary purpose is not to keep air cool. Instead, air handler systems are equipped with fans to keep air continuously circulating throughout the ventilation system of a building. These are also frequently used in residential homes as a means of air conditioning, but an industrial air handler will be equipped with more power. The largest units can weigh more than 200 tons, but smaller, portable air handlers also exist. Most industrial models have multiple fans, since warehouses and factories are often expansive. Many models will also have humidifiers built into them to help keep the air clean.
Putting the ‘Cool’ In Cooling Equipment
Cooling equipment is often bulky and stationary, especially if it cools everything in a large space. Nevertheless, there are plenty of unique and interesting pieces of machinery, each with useful applications.
Evaporative Cooling Oscillating Fan
Usually, the water reservoir on a swamp cooler is located below the fan, but that’s not always the case. This evaporative cooler comes with a larger water reservoir — about 85 gallons. The fan attached to the water tank might look small, but it’s capable of oscillating 60 degrees in either direction, providing a wide range of cooled air. Storage and transport are easy because of the fan’s attached wheels and compact shape.
Low Profile Air Mover
It might look like a Roomba, but it actually does the opposite. This air blower is designed to be just as powerful as a normal fan with three different speeds. However, this fan can fit in small or awkwardly-situated spaces, unlike other models. The flat, compact shape of the air mover also makes it easy to store, both vertically and horizontally.
Explosion Proof Centrifugal Fans
A fan like this is incredibly strong, and it’s primarily used to clear the air in small, cramped spaces, such as sewer manholes or storage tanks. Power like that requires a very strong, fast motor. Initially it might seem a little odd to label a fan as “explosion proof,” but there’s a perfectly good reason why. In such close proximity to others, it could prove to be dangerous. Luckily, this fan’s motor is designed to not produce sparks when turning on and off.
Which Piece of Cooling Equipment is Right for You?
Your unique jobsite requirements will determine which cooling equipment is right for you. A new carpet installation might only need a few air movers, but a large warehouse operation will need something much stronger. Unsure of what you need? Get in contact with one of our hundreds of locations across the country and speak with the coolest people in equipment rentals. Whether you need climate control solutions for indoors or outdoors, EquipmentShare has your rental and equipment needs covered.
