How Facility Managers Can Utilize Portable Air Conditioning Solutions

Portable air conditioners are usually regarded as a residential need or something to be used only in emergencies. In truth, there are plenty of situations where facility managers might want to use a portable cooling solution. These air conditioning units are just like regular ones, in that they release cool air and exhaust heat. Most of them employ an evaporator and a condenser and have a duct to release heat into an unused area, drop ceiling, or outdoors through a window. Some models are air-cooled, while others are water-cooled. Water-cooled units require a source of water and a place to drain it away after use. While setting up and figuring out how to vent heat from a portable AC may sound challenging, there are several situations where these cooling solutions can be extremely useful:

For Emergencies

Just to get this one out of the way -- emergencies often mean no HVAC. This could be because a facility management program has chosen to divert electricity to more crucial functions, because of a blackout, or simply because of a breakdown that necessitates emergency repairs. Either way, having a portable air conditioning unit can be a literal lifesaver for facilities like hospitals or schools, and vitally important for data centers. Anywhere where climate control is a priority should have a portable AC unit to cover emergencies.

For Specialty Equipment

Some equipment, like servers, computer labs, or diagnostic imaging machines, can generate a lot of heat. Unfortunately, this kind of technology will also malfunction if things get too hot. HVAC alone often isn't enough to keep everything at the optimal temperature, but portable AC can be a very helpful way to offer some supplemental cooling that's targeted to the rooms that need it. This will keep equipment safe and running well, and make sure you aren't wasting energy on cooling other rooms more than necessary.

For Special Inventory

Say your facility is involved in manufacturing, and your inventory needs to be kept below a certain temperature. Goods like soaps, candles, and some raw materials, for example, don't require refrigeration -- but their quality does suffer if they get too hot. Portable AC can help keep stock rooms cool, protecting inventory. They also cost far less than refrigeration or cooling the entirety of the facility.

For Regular Maintenance

If you're engaging in predictive or preventative maintenance, you're already ahead of the game by only taking down your HVAC system when demand is likely to be low. Low demand doesn't mean zero, however -- you're still likely to have at least a few areas that need to be kept cool. Rolling in a portable air conditioner can cover these until the primary HVAC unit is back online.

For Special Events

If your facility is holding an event or meeting in an outdoor tent, or any area not typically covered by the HVAC system, then a portable AC unit can keep the attendees safe and comfortable. Roll it in for the duration of the event, then maintain it and pack it away again afterward.

For Worker Safety

Some industries require workers to be around hot machinery, or in confined spaces that are difficult to ventilate well. These conditions likely don't extend to the rest of the facility, so it doesn't make sense to use the regular HVAC in order to cool these areas sufficiently. Instead, a portable air conditioner can provide supplemental cooling to keep workers safe while they do their jobs. This is also a great solution for machinery or rooms that aren't used consistently. A portable HVAC unit can cool them as needed while having no impact on the safety or comfort of the rest of the occupants of the building.

For Temporary Areas

During the height of the pandemic, a lot of industrial facilities re-worked themselves to produce masks, other protective equipment, and ventilator parts. This often meant moving machinery and personnel around, or even using temporary structures or re-purposing rooms. While these measures weren't intended to be permanent, they were going to last long enough for cooling to be an issue. Portable air conditioning is the perfect solution for situations like these, where you need some form of climate control but it doesn't make sense to build in ductwork and set up an HVAC unit. Portable air conditioners are just what they say they are -- they're portable, and they cool. As long as you have power and a way to vent excess heat from the unit, you can use them. Even if your facility doesn't need one on a daily basis, it's a good idea to have at least one in your inventory. They can protect your workers and valuable equipment during emergencies, and help you out during any other contingencies that arise.

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