In disaster or in case of failure of the primary HVAC system of a building, immediate response must be achieved to give secure temperatures, safeguard equipment, and maintain occupant comfort. Emergency HVAC function is required under these circumstances. The most dependable option available in such situations is a package unit rental that can be transported within short notice, operate in flexible conditions, and deliver high performance for emergency climate control applications.
What Is a Temporary HVAC Package Unit?
A package unit is stand-alone equipment that can be used to deliver heating, cooling, or both on a temporary basis. Unlike conventional HVAC systems where the units like condensers and air handlers are placed separately, all the equipment needed—compressor, condenser, evaporator, and blower—are housed in one package unit. These units are typically installed outside and served by a building or room by flexible ductwork. As they are intended for installation in an emergency condition, package units can be a choice of preference in emergency services where time is critical and downtime is not acceptable.
Typical Emergency Situations
Temporary package HVAC units are employed in a general range of emergency situations, such as:
- Natural Disasters: Following hurricanes, floods, or fires, buildings may be destroyed or made uninhabitable without air conditioning or heat. Temporary HVAC brings vital climate control back for recovery occupancy or short-term use.
- Equipment Failure: When equipment breakdown occurs on a permanent HVAC, businesses and buildings can’t tolerate days or weeks of out-of-service time for repair or replacement. A package unit can be deployed hastily to avoid further loss.
- Hospital Surge: During pandemic conditions or medical emergencies, overflow tents or modulars are installed in hospitals. Temporary HVAC climate-controls the spaces code-compliant for health requirements.
- Data Center Cooling Loss: Data center equipment is highly sensitive to temperatures and, in case of failure of cooling, temporary units avoid equipment overheat and data loss.
Speed is one of the major characteristics of a temporary HVAC system. The top rental companies can deliver and install a package unit in a matter of hours. The systems are pre-assembled and crane-lifted or rolled in, depending on model and location. After being installed, the technicians equip the ductwork, electricity, and, when necessary, fuel lines for heat. The units are electric, diesel, or natural gas fired, depending on local availability and the site requirements. After being installed, the system can be operational immediately and providing simple temperature control within a few minutes.
Versatility and Customization
There is none, single size of temporary HVAC units. Rental equipment is made in many different sizes from small 5-ton portable offices up to 80-ton or more for bigger commercial or industrial buildings. The fact that they are made in modular design means they can be sized to the dimensions of the space that they will be heating or cooling. Advanced controls enable the technicians to set standards against environmental conditions, usage needs, and air demands. Dehumidifying controls, filtration, and humidity control can also be added, depending on the unit model and use.
Major Advantages during Emergency Situations
The biggest benefit to employing a temporary HVAC package unit in case of an emergency is reliability. They are constructed to perform while under adverse conditions and field-tested to determine if they can perform well in an astronomical number of environments. Rental companies also have them serviced regularly, reducing the likelihood of anything happening wrong while in use.
There are a few other big benefits:
- Minimum disruption: Fitting can be completed outside working hours to minimize disruption.
- Energy efficiency: Rent equipment more modern is designed for maximum productivity and minimum energy usage
- Flexibility: Simple to disassemble or relocate as required or as normal systems come back on line.
Not every rental house delivers the same level of service. In crisis situations, response time, availability of equipment, and knowledge in installation are extremely important. A reliable provider will not only supply the correct package unit for the application but also help with permitting, site assessment, fuel management, and 24/7 support.
Portable HVAC package units are presently standard in disaster climatic control. Addressing disaster relief or bridging time to a full repair, a rental unit can provide continued operation, safe standing, and loss mitigation at high expense.
