ICE RINK CHILLER HIRE FOR TEMPORARY EVENT IN WEST SUSSEX

DELIVERING LOW-TEMPERATURE COOLING FOR A CHRISTMAS ICE RINK IN WEST SUSSEX

Ahead of the winter season, an events operator required a specialist temporary cooling solution to create a public ice rink in West Sussex. Producing and maintaining ice outdoors demands consistent sub-zero temperatures, stable flow rates and highly reliable equipment.

Ideal Heat Solutions was appointed to supply a temporary chiller package engineered to deliver –10°C operating temperatures, high flow performance, and 24/7 stability throughout the duration of the event. The system also needed to be safely designed for a busy public environment and installed within a tight construction schedule.

OUR TEMPORARY COOLING RESPONSE: STEP BY STEP

We deployed a structured, engineering-led installation plan to ensure the rink was ready for opening weekend.

– SITE SURVEY & SPECIFICATION

Our engineers assessed:

  • – Chiller placement and site accessibility
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  • – Required cooling capacity for ice creation
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  • – Flow and return temperatures for consistent freezing
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  • – Hose runs, pump location and ducting layout
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  • – Available power supply
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  • – Public event safety and equipment segregation

This enabled us to design a dependable low-temperature cooling system capable of maintaining ice throughout the winter period.

– EQUIPMENT DELIVERY

Based on the survey, we delivered:

  • – 2 × IHS 200 HP (Heat Pump) Chillers
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  • – 1 × 1100-L Buffer Tank
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  • – Stainless Steel Braided Hose
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  • – High-Performance Pump Set
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  • – Glycol mixture for safe sub-zero operation

All components were configured beforehand to ensure quick on-site installation.

– INSTALLATION & SETUP

Our engineers installed the system adjacent to the rink, with the buffer tank and pump arranged to maximise operational stability.

Key steps included:

  • – Connecting stainless steel braided hoses to the rink’s cooling mat
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  • – Programming the chillers to run at –10°C
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  • – Optimising flow rates for efficient ice formation
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  • – Pressure-testing all pipework
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  • – Commissioning the system and monitoring early ice build
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– ADVANCED PERFORMANCE CONTROL WITH TRANE CONNECT

During the entire hire period, Ideal Heat Solutions utilised Trane Connect remote monitoring technology, allowing us to:

  • – Track real-time system performance
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  • – Monitor flow/return temperatures
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  • – Detect abnormal behaviour
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  • – Adjust operating parameters without attending site
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  • – Ensure consistent low-temperature output in fluctuating weather

This added an extra layer of reliability and reduced potential downtime

– SYSTEM DESIGN & OPERATION

The final system delivered:

  • – Reliable cooling down to –10°C
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  • – High flow rates across large cooling mat areas
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  • – Stable temperature control via buffer tank
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  • – Safe air-side installation for public events
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  • – Remote monitoring & ongoing optimisation

SPECIALIST EQUIPMENT DEPLOYED

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  • IHS 200 HP (Heat Pump) Chillers – High-performance heat pump chillers capable of delivering reliable low-temperature cooling down to –10°C for ice rink and event applications.
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  • – 1100-L Buffer Tank – A large thermal buffer vessel designed to stabilise system flow and maintain consistent chilled-water temperatures under varying load conditions.
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  • – Stainless Steel Braided Hose – Durable, flexible hosework engineered to provide secure, leak-free connections capable of handling high-pressure, low-temperature glycol circuits.
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  • – High-Performance Pump – A robust circulation pump delivering the flow rates required for efficient heat transfer across large cooling mat networks.
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  • – Glycol Mixture – A specialist antifreeze fluid formulated to ensure safe, frost-proof operation at sub-zero temperatures throughout the cooling system.
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CHALLENGES AND RESULTS

THE CHALLENGE

The cooling system needed to:

  • – Achieve and hold –10°C
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  • – Operate in outdoor winter conditions
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  • – Support high flow rates for large surface areas
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  • – Meet a short deadline before event launch
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  • – Operate safely in a public-facing environment

OUR SOLUTION

We designed and installed a complete low-temperature cooling package based around two IHS 200 HP chillers, a buffer tank, stainless-steel hose network, pump set and glycol mix.

Using Trane Connect, we remotely monitored performance and adjusted system settings whenever required — ensuring continuous efficiency and uninterrupted ice formation.

THE RESULT

The system successfully produced and maintained a high-quality ice rink from installation through to the end of the Christmas period.

Key outcomes:

  • Successful ice creation — consistent –10°C cooling
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  • Stable operation — buffer tank + pump delivering smooth flow
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  • Safe integration — compliant external installation
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  • Season-long reliability — continuous 24/7 performance
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  • Faster decommissioning — chillers were switched into heating mode at the end of the event to melt the remaining ice

Switching the heat pump chillers into heating mode significantly accelerated the de-icing process, reducing labour time and improving site safety for the event close-down.

temporary chiller hire for ice rink in west sussex
temporary chiller hire for ice rink

WHY IDEAL HEAT SOLUTIONS?

Ideal Heat Solutions is trusted across the events sector for providing reliable, engineered cooling and heating systems.

We offer:

  • – Expertise in ice rink and seasonal event cooling
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  • – A modern fleet of heat pump chillers
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  • – Buffer tanks, pumps, hoses, glycol & ancillaries
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  • – Engineers trained for public-facing event sites
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  • – Trane Connect remote monitoring
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  • – 24/7 support & nationwide coverage

CONCLUSION

Creating a dependable temporary ice rink requires a precisely engineered cooling solution. Ideal Heat Solutions delivered a complete, monitored, low-temperature system using two heat pump chillers, buffer tank, pump and glycol — keeping the West Sussex rink fully operational throughout the Christmas season.

With remote monitoring and the ability to switch to heating mode at the end of hire, we supported the client from installation through to efficient decommissioning.

FAQS

Can temporary chillers create ice for outdoor rinks?
Yes — our heat pump chillers can generate the sub-zero temperatures required for ice formation.

What temperature should chillers run at for ice rinks?
Typically around –10°C, depending on weather and rink size.

Can you monitor the equipment during the hire?
Yes — we use Trane Connect to remotely monitor and optimise performance.

Do you supply buffer tanks, pumps and hoses?
Yes — all ancillaries can be supplied as part of the package.

Can temporary chillers run outdoors in winter?
Absolutely — they are designed for cold-weather performance.

Do you support end-of-event de-icing?
Yes — our heat pump chillers can be switched into heating mode to melt remaining ice.

Do you offer nationwide ice rink chiller hire?
Yes — we cover West Sussex, London, the South East and the entire UK.

get in touch today

Need temporary, planned or emergency chiller hire for an event?

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