A primary cooling solution is the main system used to cool an entire building, while supplemental cooling offers a room-by-room solution via a portable spot cooler. Just about every building benefits from a primary cooling method, but supplemental cooling options are common too. Say for instance, you have a server room that needs to be kept cool 24/7 but you don’t want to pay a fortune simultaneously cooling the entire building via the central or primary cooling system. Instead, you could reduce cooling costs by employing a supplemental cooling solution, such as a spot cooler, to maintain temperatures.
What is a Primary Cooling Solution?
Primary cooling is your main cooling component. A prime example is the central AC system that cools the entire building. Sure, you might have fans or spot coolers in certain rooms, but your central or primary AC is what you rely on to cool the building at large. Unless you are dealing with a single-room location, the primary cooling method usually cools or heats multiple rooms in the building simultaneously.
What is Supplemental Cooling?
Supplemental cooling is used as a secondary cooling solution in conjunction with a primary cooling solution. This type of cooling is used when the central AC cannot supply enough cool air to a certain space or room.
If you need to add additional cool air to a space that is already outfitted with an air conditioning system, you require supplemental cooling. Some reasons you may require supplemental cooling include:
- Certain areas of your building are warmer than other parts
- The existing primary cooling system is too small for current conditions
- The number of people or equipment occupying a space increased, thus increasing the need for more cool air.
Benefits of supplemental cooling systems:
- Heat or cool certain areas/rooms to a different temperature than the entire building—this is ideal for server rooms and data centers.
- Provides cool and comfortable air in hot pockets, say for instance on TV or movie production sets where a flurry of lights and equipment quickly heat up.
- Provides a solution to air conditioning units that are too small to adequately cool a space.
What is Spot Cooling?
When your central AC system can’t do the trick, that’s when spot cooling comes into play. Spot cooling is used for small areas or single rooms. Spot cooling can also be utilized in large spaces such as commercial garages, warehouses, factories, and at sporting events. Spot cooling provides a lot of cool air to a designated space. Thus, keeping people and equipment cool even in the heat of summer.
Spot coolers are an example of supplemental cooling, as they focus on one room or area instead of the entire building. Supplemental cooling units can be portable or mounted in place. They can be used year-round, seasonally, or during emergencies such as equipment failure.
Portable air conditioners are self-sufficient and easy to maintain. Plus, they are easy to move from one location to the next as needed.
You may benefit from a spot cooler if there’s an area of your building that is impossible to cool off using the primary AC system. Or, you’re dealing with a hot spot caused by workers or equipment.
Benefits of spot coolers:
- Easy to move around as needed
- Quick & easy set-up
- Provides a solution for hard-to-cool locations
- Temporary solution to a power outage or failed primary cooling system
- Spot coolers are a great option for industrial spaces where large cooling systems are prohibited in the lease.
We specialize in portable, supplemental and spot cooling solutions for businesses of all sizes. Contact us today to learn more about spot coolers for rent and sale.