We offer both air conditioning hire and permanent installation, so we’re asked which is better more often than you might think. The answer depends on how long you need cooling, how often you’ll need it again and what the space is.
This guide sets out when hire makes sense, when it doesn’t, and how the two can work together, for example when a hire unit keeps a server room running while a permanent system is designed and installed.
When hire makes sense
- Breakdowns. A server room, comms cupboard or office loses its cooling and the repair needs parts. A hire unit bridges the gap.
- Events. Marquees, exhibitions, weddings and one-off functions.
- Building works. Cooling during a refurbishment, before the permanent system is commissioned, or while an old system is replaced.
- Short, unusual heat. A hot spell in a space that’s normally fine, or a temporary office.
- Trying before you commit. Seeing how much difference cooling makes to a room before investing.
Hire works best when you know the end date. If the need keeps returning, or the “temporary” unit is still there in September, it’s usually a sign that a permanent system would serve you better. Tell us how long you expect to need cooling and what the space is used for, and we’ll suggest the right unit.
Our air conditioning hire page explains the service. Hire is quoted at a fixed price after we understand the space and the period.
When installation is the better choice
- The room gets uncomfortable every summer.
- You want heating as well as cooling: most fixed split systems are air-to-air heat pumps.
- Noise matters, for example in bedrooms, offices or meeting rooms.
- Security matters: portable units usually need a window left partly open for the exhaust hose.
- Running cost matters over several seasons.
A permanent split system puts the compressor outside, so the indoor unit is much quieter than a portable one. It also needs no window gap.
Comparing the two
| Hire | Permanent installation | |
|---|---|---|
| Speed | Quick, for short-term needs | Survey, quote and an installation visit |
| Commitment | Only for the hire period | Long-term equipment you own |
| Noise indoors | Usually louder (portable units) | Quieter; compressor outside |
| Windows | Often need a gap for the hose | Closed and secure |
| Heating | Some units only | Most split systems heat and cool |
| Cost | Fixed price for the period | Single room from £1,200–£2,200 + VAT |
Want it done properly? AirCon Doctor installs, repairs and services air conditioning and heat pumps across London and the South East, from our base in East Grinstead. We’re an F-Gas certified company and NICEIC approved. Get a fixed-price quote.
Portable rules worth knowing
Under GB F-gas rules, movable air conditioning using HFCs with a GWP above 150 is banned in new products. Portable units sold or hired now use lower-GWP refrigerants. Our guide to fixed vs portable air conditioning goes deeper into the differences.
Hire for server rooms and critical spaces
For server rooms, hire is often an emergency measure. The unit needs to be sized for the heat load, the exhaust has to go somewhere sensible and the condensate has to be managed. If your server room relies on a single unit, a breakdown can quickly become a business problem. A second unit or a planned standby arrangement is worth considering. See server room air conditioning and our server rooms guide.
Doing the sums
If you find yourself hiring every summer, the hire costs over a few seasons can approach the price of a permanent system, without the comfort, efficiency and heating benefits. Ask us for both prices and compare them over the time you expect to stay. For homes, the VAT treatment of a permanent installation depends on HMRC’s rules for energy-saving materials, which we confirm on your quote.
Using hire and installation together
Hire and installation often go together. A typical sequence:
- The existing system fails or can’t cope.
- We supply a hire unit to keep the space usable.
- We survey and quote for a permanent system.
- The new system is installed and commissioned, and the hire unit comes back.
For an urgent problem, call our 24/7 line on 07833 053749. For anything else, get in touch and we’ll reply the same working day.
Quick answers
Is it cheaper to hire or buy air conditioning?
For a short, one-off need, hire. For cooling you’ll want every summer, a permanent system usually works out better over a few seasons and adds winter heating.
How quickly can I hire air conditioning?
It depends on the unit and the site. Tell us what you need and we’ll reply the same working day with options.
Can I hire air conditioning for a server room?
Yes, as a temporary measure while the permanent system is repaired or replaced. The unit must be sized for the heat load.
Do portable hire units need a window open?
Most need an exhaust route, often through a window gap or a panel. Permanent split systems don’t.
Related services
- Air conditioning hire
- Air conditioning installation
- Server room air conditioning
- Emergency air conditioning repair
More advice
- Air Conditioning vs Portable Air Conditioner: Which Is Better?
- Air Conditioning for Server Rooms: Complete Guide
- What Happens During an Air Conditioning Emergency Call-Out
- How Much Does Air Conditioning Cost in the UK? 2026 Complete Guide
- All advice
This guide is general information, checked against the sources linked on 30 October 2026. It isn’t legal, tax or financial advice. Rules, grants and product ranges change, so check the current position before you rely on it.