Deciding whether to install permanent air conditioning or renting your AC supply seasonally can be a complex issue for any business. Evidently, there are pros and cons for either side. Throughout this article, we aim to amalgamate all of the major points for and against both buying and hiring air conditioning in order to make your life easier.
Rent
To begin with the positives, the main benefit of renting air conditioning equipment over buying is not having to fork out a large investment cost. There is little for a business to commit to with renting, as the shorter time frames reflect the smaller prices. Moreover, despite offering a smaller amount of money, you will receive the full benefits you require to cool your space. What’s more, the non-committal aspect of renting your AC supply means you can upgrade and downgrade in sync with your business. This flexibility is further reflected in the portability of rental equipment. The supplier will need to transport the units to various locations, which should ensure you are getting the most effective air conditioning unit within the smallest package. Finally, and tying all of these aspects together, is the lack of installation required when dealing with air conditioning rentals. As with size, the supplier will want to ensure the setup process is as swift as possible in order to save themselves time and offer the greatest service possible. This time saved will further accentuate the benefits of utilising air conditioning in the first place – to improve productivity when the conditions are adverse.
On the other hand, air conditioner hire does not come without faults. Firstly, leasing the units prevents your business utilising the benefits of permanent ownership. This raises issues such as; always having to pay a rental fee and the possibility of all units already being in use. Having to pay a rental fee, although initially offsetting the large investment of a full purchase, will begin to add up over time and may eventually supersede the original savings. Additionally, rental AC units will be in highest demand during the summer months, which is when you will likely require their services. This could, as with any product during a time of high demand, lead to missing out and having to go without. There is a certain risk to this, which will need to be factored into your decision. Finally, again to do with the cost, is the increased energy bills that are likely to come as a result of the use of a rented AC supply during the summer months. This cost, which will need to be added to the cost of actually renting the units, is often overlooked and should be considered when deciphering the path to rent or purchase.
Buy
Much as is true with renting, the positive aspects of buying your air conditioning system will be presented first. And, again similarly as to with rental, the issue of money arises as the main question at hand for buying. Although there is a large initial investment in an air conditioning system, the payments will eventually end. There will become a point in time that the system is owned by your business and there will be no outlay, other than higher energy costs. Furthermore, having aircon built into your office building/place of work means it is readily available. There will not come a time that your employees will be without relief from the heat, which fulfils the main objective of considering AC. Other objectives of air-altering systems can be achieved by opting for an HVAC system. HVAC (or; Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning) – as the name suggests – offers a range of implementations to make the working environment more pleasant. The heating and ventilation aspects of this system mean it can be utilised outside of the summer months, which justifies some of the investment for implementation and takes the service beyond traditional AC. Finally, for larger-scale business, purchasing air conditioning is the better option. The logistical adversity of organising 50 floors worth of aircon units and the relevant costs would quickly reduce the effectiveness of renting – without even factoring in delivery, setup and return.
Contrastingly, the main negative of purchasing air conditioning is the large investment, naturally. For many businesses, it may be unreasonable for them to outlay so much money for something, seemingly, shallow and short-sighted. Similarly, the implementation of a full-scale aircon or HVAC system into an existing building can be disruptive (depending on whether you choose a system with or without ducts). The workplace may be impeded or even uninhabitable during the period of time the equipment was being installed, which offsets the original productivity-boosting goal, even if for a short period of time. Air conditioning is, also, less necessary in the UK than in warmer climates. Therefore, renting could make more sense for such limited use. On another note, as is the case with a rental AC supply, there will be additional energy costs when the system is in use and this is to be evaluated, especially by smaller businesses and/or businesses with a small margin for expenditure. Finally, the maintenance and upkeep of a full-time system, coupled with the potential of breakdown, could be a concern looming over the head of your businesses – should you decide to purchase an aircon system. Although the risk – assuming the system itself is of good quality and installed correctly – is only something to ponder further down the line, it is not a likely issue with rental equipment that should be regularly serviced and retired if/when problems arise.
In conclusion, the debate between the rental and purchasing of an AC supply is best to be evaluated on a case-to-case basis. The effect on your business is relative to the factors dictating your business, the country in which you reside, among other things. In light of this, it is best to assess your case personally and apply the information gained (alongside outside research) before making a decision on your aircon arrangement. For those in the UK, however, renting may be the fiscally responsible way forward when considering the colder climate only requiring a few months of climate control in the ‘inconsistent’ summer.
If you would like to hear more about the air conditioning services we supply, visit our products page or contact us.
