Emergency Chiller Hire: A Step‑by‑Step Guide to Avoiding Downtime

When critical systems fail, time is everything. Whether it’s a data center losing climate control or a manufacturing line overheating, downtime can cost thousands of pounds per hour. According to a 2024 report by Uptime Institute, the average cost of an unplanned data center outage now exceeds £6,000 per minute. The need for rapid emergency cooling has never been greater—this is where emergency chiller hire becomes a vital lifeline.

In this guide, we’ll walk through the technical, logistical, and strategic steps to implementing emergency chiller hire quickly and effectively—along with a real-life case study that shows how it works in action.

Step 1: Recognise the Early Signs of System Failure

In many cases, mechanical failures or temperature spikes provide warnings before a full breakdown. Common warning signs include:

• Sudden temperature fluctuations

• Unexpected shutdowns or alarms from BMS (Building Management Systems)

• Reduced airflow or cooling output

• Increasing pressure in refrigeration lines

Acting during this window can save hours of production downtime and reduce financial losses significantly.

Step 2: Contact a Specialist Chiller Hire Provider Immediately

Every minute counts during a breakdown. The ideal emergency chiller hire provider should:

• Respond within 1 hour

• Deploy equipment within 24 hours

• Provide site survey and installation services

• Have a wide fleet of low-GWP compliant chillers ready

Advanced Cooling provides 24/7 support with strategically located depots across the UK, allowing fast deployment and support at short notice.

Step 3: Conduct a Rapid Site Assessment

Once contacted, the hire provider will send a team to:

• Assess heat load requirements (in kW or BTUs)

• Evaluate access points for delivery and setup

• Identify power requirements (typically 400V for commercial chillers)

• Recommend ancillary equipment (hoses, buffer tanks, pumps)

This assessment forms the technical foundation for selecting the correct chiller size and setup.

Step 4: Choose the Right Chiller for the Job

Selecting the appropriate chiller is crucial to stabilising the temperature and restoring operations. Here’s a quick technical guide:

Application Type	Recommended Chiller Type	Capacity Range
Data Centres	Air-Cooled Scroll Chiller	30–500 kW
Food Processing	Low Temperature Chillers	-10°C to +5°C output
Industrial Machinery	Water-Cooled Chillers	300–1000+ kW
Events / HVAC Systems	Packaged Air Handling Units	50–300 kW

Modern chiller hire fleets often include eco-efficient refrigerants like R-1234ze and smart telemetry systems for real-time monitoring.

Step 5: Swift Installation and Commissioning

Once the unit arrives on site, installation usually involves:

• Crane or forklift positioning

• Hose connection to existing pipework

• Electrical hookup and generator (if needed)

• Flow and return calibration

• Live system pressure testing

• Final commissioning

With a fully staffed team, a 500kW chiller can typically be installed and operational within 6 to 8 hours, depending on site conditions.

Step 6: Monitor Performance and Maintain Operation

Emergency chiller units often remain on-site for days or even weeks. Remote monitoring and daily performance checks are essential to:

• Maintain optimal operating conditions

• Detect refrigerant pressure drops or flow anomalies

• Respond quickly if temperatures deviate

Advanced Cooling provides remote monitoring support, reducing the need for constant manual oversight.

Real-Life Case Study: Emergency Response at a Midlands Data Centre

In May 2024, a leading financial data center in the Midlands faced sudden HVAC failure during a critical server migration. Internal temperatures began rising above 28°C, threatening performance and data integrity.

Response Timeline:

• 11:30 AM: Site reported HVAC fault

• 12:10 PM: Advanced Cooling received call

• 2:00 PM: Engineers on-site for survey

• 6:00 PM: 300kW air-cooled chiller delivered

• 1:00 AM: Full system commissioned and operational

Result: Downtime was limited to 8 hours, and no data was lost. Estimated savings from prevented downtime: £480,000.

The Long-Term Value of Preparedness

A proactive emergency chiller hire plan can make the difference between minor disruption and major operational loss. By working with experienced providers like Advanced Cooling, businesses gain not only fast solutions but also access to technical support, compliant equipment, and 24/7 availability.

Final Thoughts

Whether you're managing climate-sensitive inventory, maintaining production temperature, or protecting digital infrastructure, emergency chiller hire delivers speed and resilience. With the right process and support, it's possible to minimise downtime and control risk—without long-term capital outlay.

Need rapid cooling support? Contact Advanced Cooling for immediate response and technical guidance.