Temporary Naval HVAC Hire for Australian Navy Vessel

Aircon Rentals was engaged to deliver a specialised temporary HVAC and power solution for a Royal Australian Navy vessel undergoing dry dock maintenance in Sydney. With onboard chillers out of operation and no access to seawater for condensing, our team provided a tailored 600 kW cooling system to support communications and instrumentation rooms onboard. The project spanned six weeks and required multi-frequency chillers, custom transformers and secure pipework across the ship and dock.

Cooling Requirements During Dry Dock Maintenance

In naval environments (ships), seawater is typically used for condensing in onboard HVAC systems. However, once a vessel enters dry dock, seawater access is cut off and onboard chillers cannot operate. Despite this, key internal systems — such as comms rooms and mini server rooms — still require continuous cooling, especially during equipment testing or prolonged dock periods.

Aircon Rentals was approached by a defence-specialised HVAC contractor operating within Sydney’s naval dockyard to support one such project.

The scope: provide a reliable, cost-effective and compliant HVAC rental solution that could operate on 60 Hz site power.

Naval HVAC Hire Solution Delivered by Aircon Rentals

To meet the project needs, we deployed:

• Three x 200 kW air-cooled chillers (600 kW total capacity)
• Fluid pumps
• Water filtration systems and strainers
• High-performance flexible hoses with couplings
• Custom-built transformers for optimal chiller performance
• Suspended gantry system for hose routing between dock and ship

This configuration allowed us to run the chillers from available dockside power, avoiding the need for diesel generators and significantly reducing project costs.

The chillers were positioned on the dock and chilled water was routed through temporary pipework into the vessel. The hose fittings ensured 100% sealed connections — a critical factor in preventing environmental contamination and meeting naval compliance requirements.

Because of the unpredictable nature of dry dock scheduling, our team maintained flexibility throughout the project. We ensured timely deliveries, adapted to time slot changes and remained on standby for extended deployment beyond the initial six-week period.

Why the Defence HVAC Contractors Chose Aircon Rentals

Our client, a defence-focused mechanical contractor, selected Aircon Rentals for several key reasons:

• Proven experience in naval HVAC hire
• Access-compliant and 60 Hz-compatible equipment
• Strong familiarity with naval dock logistics
• Ability to provide a complete package including chillers, power transformers, pipework and commissioning
• Responsive support team and flexible scheduling

This level of integration and reliability made us the preferred partner for defence-related HVAC projects.

Lessons Learned and Strategic Insights for Naval HVAC Hire Service

Operating within the defence industry requires:

• Patience: Projects may be delayed or accelerated on short notice
• Preparedness: Equipment must be readily available for urgent deployments
• Compliance: Environmental, logistical and site-specific standards must be met
• Partnership mindset: Our role extends beyond equipment rental to full project support

Our investment in 60 Hz-capable chillers, sealed hoses and step-down transformers has positioned Aircon Rentals as a leader in this niche but critical space.

HVAC and Power Solutions for the Defence Industry

Whether supporting frigates, destroyers, or other naval vessels, Aircon Rentals delivers tailored, scalable HVAC and power hire solutions for:

• Dry dock maintenance
• Comms room and server room cooling
• Temporary system testing and commissioning

We proudly support defence operations across Sydney, Perth, Adelaide and Cairns and have built a reputation for reliability and readiness.

Need Naval HVAC Hire for Your Next Defence Project? Call 1800 626 996 to speak with our specialist team.