When temps begin to climb and the mercury looks like it’s about to boil, knowing you can retreat to the air-conditioned sanctuary of your home or office is the only way to beat the heat. But what happens when your once-dependable AC fails and you’re left to brave the blaze one sweaty night at a time?
Temporary cooling equipment is not just a capable substitute, but it’s very likely to be an upgrade from your previous system. And before you think of riding out the remainder of the summer months without a breath of fresh air, be warned that cold airflow isn’t just about helping you keep a cool head; it also helps you battle moisture and mold. Exposure to heat can also cause dehydration and heat exhaustion, according to Healthline.
Follow this guide to decipher the jargon and find the right emergency cooling equipment in San Francisco that suits your needs and budget:
1. Choose the Right Type
You might be tempted to purchase a low-cost, small window unit, but it will only be effective if you intend to cool a very small space, warns Consumer Reports. To cool a larger area, you need a more powerful cooling system.
Window units are typically available in three different sizes, ranging from small to large. A small unit is the cheapest to buy or rent and will cost the least to operate. However, it won’t be able to cool any room measuring more than 300 square feet.
Medium and large units can handle up 400 and 650 square feet, respectively. It’s important to note that these units are only meant to cool individual rooms.
Portable air conditioners are designed to be used in homes or businesses where building regulations or window configurations prevent the installation of a window unit. While not comparable to a window unit, the strength of a portable temporary cooling system lies in the fact that it can be quickly moved around, providing cooling in whichever space you are busy using.
Warning: they do tend to be noisier than window- or wall-mounted units.
Split ductless cooling equipment can cool a number of rooms without having to open up the walls or install extensive duct work. Although they’re more expensive than other options, as a temporary solution they provide comparable cooling to a central-air system, and they’re far less noisy.
2. Light it Up
You wouldn’t drive a car without a “check engine” light. The same principle applies to your air conditioner.
Many modern cooling systems come equipped with a “check filter” light, which will warn you when your system has become gummed up and the airflow is being restricted, according to Goodhousekeeping.com. Not only will you be able to prevent your temporary cooling equipment from shutting down, but catching issues with your filter early will help reduce operating costs in the long run.
This is a feature that pays itself off almost immediately.
3. Get More Modes
And not just any mode: sleep mode. This relatively new setting is your ally in the war to catch a few more winks, slightly raising the room’s temperature throughout the night to save you from a teeth-chattering wakeup linked to nighttime chills.
4. Clock it Up
A timer isn’t a gimmick. When used correctly, you’ll shave hundreds off your electrical bill.
Here’s the best way to make use of this feature: set the cooling system to shut down during hours you most likely won’t be home and then to power back on in the hour before you arrive at your doorstep.
Rent or Buy Temporary Cooling Equipment in San Francisco
Allied Rental Company stocks a range of feature-rich emergency cooling systems that can be tailored for any space. Click here to compare temporary cooling equipment in San Francisco or call us at 415-644-5792.