Complete Guide to Chiller Hire: Finding the Perfect 20 kW Chiller

Reliable Temporary Cooling for Every Business and Application

When your permanent cooling system fails, or when seasonal demand exceeds your capacity, every minute without cooling can mean spoiled products, halted production, or uncomfortable working conditions. That is where professional chiller hire becomes an essential business strategy. Whether you need a small unit for spot cooling or a larger system for an entire facility, having access to reliable temporary chillers ensures business continuity. Among the most popular and versatile options is the 20 kW chiller, a perfect middle-ground solution for a wide range of commercial and industrial applications.

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Why Chiller Hire is a Critical Business Strategy

Chiller hire serves multiple purposes beyond emergency breakdown response. Smart businesses use temporary cooling strategically.

1. Emergency Breakdown Response

The most common reason for chiller hire is an unexpected failure. When your permanent chiller goes down, a rapid-response hire provides an immediate, plug-and-play solution to restore cooling while repairs are arranged. This prevents product spoilage, equipment damage, and costly downtime.

2. Planned Maintenance and Upgrades

Scheduled maintenance or system upgrades shouldn't mean shutting down your operations. Hiring a temporary chiller allows you to perform essential works on your permanent system without interrupting production or risking inventory.

3. Seasonal and Peak Demand

Summer heatwaves or seasonal production spikes can push your existing cooling system beyond its capacity. Adding a hired chiller provides the extra duty needed to maintain consistent temperatures during high-demand periods.

4. New Builds and Commissioning Delays

Construction projects often run behind schedule. If your permanent chiller installation is delayed, temporary hire bridges the gap, allowing you to begin operations on time.

Spotlight on the 20 kW Chiller: The Versatile Workhorse

Among the many capacities we offer, the 20 kW chiller is one of our most popular hire units. It offers the perfect balance of cooling power, portability, and efficiency.

What is a 20 kW Chiller?

A 20 kW chiller is a refrigeration unit capable of removing 20 kilowatts (approximately 68,000 BTU) of heat from a water or glycol circuit. This chilled water is then circulated through process equipment, air handling units (AHUs), or other heat exchangers to provide cooling where it is needed.

Why 20 kW is a Popular Capacity

1. Ideal for Medium-Sized Applications: A single 20 kW chiller can comfortably cool a small manufacturing process, a server room, a retail space, or a medium-sized office floor.

2. Portable and Practical: Units of this size are often mounted on wheels or small skids, making them easy to position and relocate.

3. Standard Electrical Supply: Many 20 kW chillers operate on a standard three-phase electrical supply, simplifying installation.

4. Cost-Effective: This capacity provides significant cooling power without the higher rental costs of larger industrial units.

Typical Applications for a 20 kW Chiller

1. Plastic Injection Moulding: Cooling moulds to ensure consistent part quality and cycle times.

2. Medical and Laboratory Equipment: Maintaining precise temperatures for lasers, MRI machines, or analytical instruments.

3. Printing and Packaging: Cooling rollers and drying systems.

4. Server Rooms and Data Centres: Providing dedicated cooling for IT infrastructure.

5. Small Manufacturing Processes: Cooling chemical reactors, welding equipment, or laser cutters.

6. Comfort Cooling: Cooling a small office, retail space, or restaurant.

Types of Chiller Hire Available from Rapid Chiller

Rapid Chiller offers a comprehensive range of temporary cooling equipment to suit diverse needs.

1. Air-Cooled Chillers

These chillers reject heat to the ambient air via fans. They are ideal for sites with good external airflow and no access to a cooling tower.

Advantages: Simple installation, lower maintenance, no water consumption.

Best For: Most commercial and light industrial applications, including 20 kW chiller hires.

2. Water-Cooled Chillers

These chillers reject heat to a separate water loop (cooling tower or city water). They are more efficient for very large applications but require additional infrastructure.

Advantages: Higher efficiency, quieter operation.

Best For: Large industrial plants or sites with existing cooling towers.

3. Portable Spot Coolers (2 kW to 15 kW)

These are self-contained, mobile units for targeted spot cooling. They are ideal for server rooms, small workshops, or supplementing existing HVAC.

4. Portable Air Conditioners

For office or personnel cooling, our portable AC units provide immediate relief without complex installation.

Why Choose Rapid Chiller for Your Chiller Hire Needs?

With over 18 years of industry experience, Rapid Chiller has built a reputation for speed, reliability, and technical expertise.

Rapid Response, Nationwide Coverage

Based in the Northwest, we serve the entire UK. Our dedicated support line (0161 523 3933) is available 24/7 for emergency call-outs, with equipment often deployed within 24 hours.

Expert Engineers, Not Just Salespeople

Our cooling engineers are trained in F-Gas legislation, best practices for rental applications, and real-world problem-solving. They provide honest, expert advice to ensure you get the right solution—whether that is a 20 kW chiller or a larger unit.

Comprehensive, Modern Fleet

We supply a wide range of chillers, from 10 kW portable units to 1000 kW industrial systems. Our fleet includes both air-cooled and water-cooled options, all well-maintained and energy-efficient.

True Turnkey Service

We handle everything: delivery (including HIABs and cranes where needed), installation, electrical connection, pipework integration, and commissioning. You do not need to coordinate multiple trades.

Transparent, Competitive Pricing

Rental costs are generally charged as a weekly rate, with longer fixed-term contracts attracting lower rates. We provide clear, itemised quotes with no hidden fees.

The Chiller Hire Process: From Call to Cool

1. Initial Consultation: Call our support line. We gather details about your application, required cooling capacity (kW), temperature set point, flow rate, and site access.
2. Site Assessment (if needed): For complex installations, an engineer visits to assess power supply, pipework connections, and positioning. For a standard 20 kW chiller hire, this may be a rapid virtual assessment.
3. Quote and Agreement: You receive a clear, competitive quote for equipment, installation, and ongoing support.
4. Delivery and Installation: Our team delivers the chiller, positions it safely, completes all connections (electrical and pipework), and commissions the system to your specified parameters.
5. 24/7 Support: Throughout the hire period, we provide 24/7 technical support. If a fault occurs, we arrange a replacement unit promptly.
6. De-hire and Collection: When you no longer need the equipment, we simply collect it. Hassle-free.

Beyond Emergency: Planned Chiller Hire

While emergency response is our speciality, we also support planned hires for:

1. Scheduled Maintenance: Keep your facility running while your permanent chiller is serviced.

2. System Upgrades: Bridge the gap during chiller replacement or pipework modifications.

3. Seasonal Peak Demand: Add cooling capacity during summer months without investing in permanent plant.

4. New Builds and Commissioning Delays: Get your operation running on time even if your permanent system isn't ready.

Conclusion: Keep Your Cool with Rapid Chiller

Reliable chiller hire is an essential tool for any business that depends on temperature control. Whether you need a compact 20 kW chiller for a mid-sized application or a large industrial unit for a factory, Rapid Chiller delivers the equipment, expertise, and speed you need. Don't let a chiller failure become a business crisis.

Need immediate chiller hire? Contact Rapid Chiller now. Call +44 7572 302508, email [email protected], or visit our office at Black Horse Chambers, 231 Elliott St, Tyldesley, Manchester M29 8DG.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

How quickly can you deliver a 20 kW chiller for hire?
We prioritise emergency call-outs. In many cases, we can deploy a 20 kW chiller within 24 hours of your initial contact. Call our 24/7 support line for immediate assistance.

What size chiller do I need for my application?
Sizing depends on your cooling load (kW), required temperature set point, and flow rate. Our engineers perform a heat load calculation or rapid assessment to specify the correct unit. For many medium-sized applications, a 20 kW chiller is an excellent starting point.

Do you provide installation for hired chillers?
Yes. We provide a complete turnkey service, including delivery (HIAB/crane if needed), positioning, electrical connection, pipework integration, and commissioning. You do not need to arrange separate trades.

What is included in the rental cost for chiller hire?
Rental costs generally include the equipment, delivery, installation, commissioning, and ongoing technical support. A replacement chiller, if required due to fault, does not cost extra. We provide clear, itemised quotes with no hidden fees.

Can you provide both air-cooled and water-cooled chillers for hire?
Yes. We offer both types. Our engineers will advise on the most suitable and efficient option for your specific application and site constraints.

Do you offer heating solutions as well as cooling?
Yes. Rapid Chiller also provides temporary boiler hire for process heating, space heating, and hot water applications. We are your single-source partner for all temperature control needs.