Construction sites can present very different temporary cooling challenges compared with completed commercial buildings. Equipment access, available power, heat rejection, temporary connections and coordination with other contractors can all influence the type of system that can be installed.
Aircon Rentals was engaged to provide a construction site chiller hire solution for a multi-storey development at Elizabeth Quay in Perth.
The project required an air-cooled chiller that could connect to the building’s existing air handling system and provide temporary cooling during the hot summer construction period.
A key challenge was access. The chiller needed to be transported through the development using the construction lift, which significantly restricted the physical size of equipment that could be selected.
80kW temporary chiller supplied for a multi-storey construction project at Elizabeth Quay, Perth.
Project Overview
Location: Elizabeth Quay, Perth, Western Australia
Industry: Construction
Application: Temporary cooling during construction
Equipment: 80kW air-to-water heat pump chiller
Connection: Existing air handling system
Supporting Equipment: 30 metres of electrical cabling and 30 metres of 100mm Camlock hose
Key Challenge: Restricted access through the construction lift
The Challenge
The client required temporary cooling to support comfortable working conditions for construction crews during the summer months.
While cooling capacity was important, equipment selection could not be based on capacity alone.
The site presented several practical requirements that needed to be considered before equipment could be supplied:
- Restricted access through the construction lift
- Available electrical power
- Chiller positioning and condenser heat rejection
- Connection to the existing air handling system
- Temporary chilled-water hose requirements
- The operating conditions within an active construction environment
- Coordination with construction crews, engineers, riggers, cranes and delivery vehicles
- Project budget
The dimensions of the construction lift were particularly important. A chiller with suitable cooling capacity would still be unsuitable if it could not physically reach the installation location.
For projects with restricted access, equipment dimensions and the entire delivery route should be considered during the planning stage. Our guide to chiller hire for tight-access sites covers the main factors that should be checked before temporary equipment arrives on site.
Selecting the Temporary Chiller
After reviewing the project requirements and site constraints, Aircon Rentals selected a compact 80kW Carrier air-to-water heat pump chiller.
The unit provided the required temporary cooling capacity while remaining compact enough to be transported using the construction lift.
Selecting the chiller also required consideration of where the unit would ultimately operate.
Air-cooled chillers reject heat through their condenser fans, so sufficient airflow around the equipment is essential. Poor positioning can result in warm discharge air being recirculated through the condenser, reducing performance and potentially affecting operation.
The available electrical supply, chilled-water connection points and hose routing also needed to be considered before installation.
Aircon Rentals provides a broad range of air-cooled chillers for hire for planned and emergency temporary cooling applications.
Installation and Site Coordination
Delivering temporary HVAC equipment into an active multi-storey construction project requires careful coordination.
The chiller had to be moved through the construction site while work continued around numerous contractors, engineers, riggers, cranes, trucks and other site activities.
Along with the 80kW chiller, Aircon Rentals supplied:
- 30 metres of electrical cabling
- 30 metres of 100mm Camlock hose
The temporary chilled-water connections allowed the rental chiller to integrate with the building’s existing air handling system.
Once the equipment was positioned and connected, a qualified refrigeration mechanic commissioned the temporary chiller system and confirmed its operation.
For complex sites, equipment delivery is only one part of the project. Aircon Rentals can coordinate transport, access, positioning and other temporary equipment logistics as part of a complete solution. Learn more about our logistics solutions.
Temporary Cooling for Construction Sites
Construction projects can require temporary HVAC at several stages of a development.
Temporary cooling may be required to:
- Maintain suitable working conditions during hot weather
- Supplement incomplete or unavailable permanent HVAC systems
- Support commissioning activities
- Provide cooling during refurbishment or building upgrades
- Maintain environmental conditions within specific areas
- Support critical equipment or temporary site facilities
The right solution depends on the cooling requirement as well as practical factors including access, power, heat rejection, equipment positioning and connection requirements.
Aircon Rentals supports construction projects with temporary cooling, heating, ventilation and power equipment across Australia. Learn more about our temporary HVAC and power solutions for construction.
Planning Construction Site Chiller Hire
Early planning can significantly simplify a temporary chiller installation.
Before selecting equipment, the following should be confirmed:
Cooling Requirement
The required capacity should be assessed based on the application rather than simply selecting equipment by nominal kW.
Site Access
Check gates, loading areas, lifts, corridors, doorways and the final equipment location.
For this Perth project, the construction lift was a major factor in selecting the 80kW chiller.
Power Availability
Temporary chillers can require substantial electrical supply. Available voltage, current, connection type and cable distances should be confirmed before delivery.
Heat Rejection
Air-cooled chillers need sufficient ventilation around the condenser. Equipment positioning should prevent hot discharge air from recirculating back through the chiller.
Chilled-Water Connections
Hose diameter, connection type and distance between the temporary chiller and the existing system all need to be considered.
Site Logistics
Delivery timing and equipment movement may need to be coordinated around cranes, contractors, loading zones and other construction activities.
These considerations are particularly important when planning temporary chiller hire for construction sites where access and operating conditions can change throughout the project.
The Result
By selecting a compact 80kW chiller that suited both the cooling requirement and the physical limitations of the site, Aircon Rentals was able to provide a temporary cooling solution that could be integrated with the development’s existing air handling system.
The required cabling and chilled-water hoses were supplied with the chiller, and the system was installed and commissioned by qualified personnel.
The project demonstrates why successful construction site chiller hire requires more than selecting equipment based on cooling capacity. Access, power, heat rejection, connections and site logistics all need to be considered as part of the overall temporary cooling solution.
Need Temporary Chiller Hire for a Construction Project?
Aircon Rentals provides temporary chiller hire for construction, refurbishment, maintenance and other commercial and industrial applications across Australia.
Our team can help assess your cooling requirements, site access, power availability and temporary connection requirements before recommending suitable equipment.
For projects in Western Australia, learn more about our chiller hire services in Perth.
Talk to Aircon Rentals about your construction site cooling requirements.
Call 1800 626 996 or contact our team.