Solving Cooling Challenges

By Dan Hounsell HVAC

OTHER PARTS OF THIS ARTICLEPt. 1: Specifying Effective Portable Cooling EquipmentPt. 2: Determining Facility Cooling NeedsPt. 3: This Page

Given the complexity of the cooling challenge in such spaces, managers might consider working closely with the manufacturer or distributor to specify the most appropriate unit.

"Contact the local HVAC distributor," Stevenson says. "Manufacturer web sites offer product selectors to help them. You can go through the selector, and it'll recommend the proper model and accessories for you, based on your application."

Paulson recommends managers come to such discussions armed with questions to help them narrow the search:

Does the unit have auto restart in case of a power outage?
What is the operating range of the unit? "If you have a server room, it is important the unit can cool down to 68 degrees," Paulson says. "If it is for a hot, humid warehouse, it is important it can work in temperatures over 100 degrees."
What kind of application support is offered by the manufacturer or distributor? "Do they have qualified people to help you size the correct unit for your application?" he asks.
Does the seller offer rental units in case a warranty issue arises or the heat load increases, requiring more cooling?