Commercial & Industrial HVAC Hire
Maintaining the right environmental conditions is essential in film and television production. Sound stages generate significant heat from powerful lighting, production equipment and the number of people working within enclosed spaces, making reliable cooling critical throughout filming.
When a film production facility in South East England required temporary cooling for one of its sound stages, Ideal Heat Solutions was asked to provide a solution that would maintain a comfortable working environment without disrupting an active production schedule.
This case study explains how a temporary heat pump chiller and air handling unit (AHU) were installed to provide effective comfort cooling, helping maintain suitable temperatures for cast, crew and production equipment throughout the hire period.
The client required a temporary cooling solution for a purpose-built sound stage used during an active filming schedule.
Unlike many commercial buildings, television and film studios often experience exceptionally high internal temperatures due to a combination of high-output lighting, insulated construction, electrical equipment and continuous occupancy.
Maintaining a comfortable environment was important not only for the wellbeing of cast and crew but also for protecting production equipment and supporting uninterrupted filming.
The temporary cooling solution needed to:
Because filming schedules are carefully planned, the installation also needed to be completed efficiently while allowing the production team to continue working safely.
Following an assessment of the site’s requirements, Ideal Heat Solutions designed and supplied a temporary cooling package centred around a 100kW heat pump chiller and a 150kW air handling unit.
The equipment was positioned externally using a HIAB before flexible ducting was routed through an existing cable access point into the sound stage, allowing cooled air to be delivered without intrusive alterations to the building.
This approach provided effective temporary cooling while minimising disruption to production activities and maintaining comfortable internal conditions throughout the hire period.
Every temporary cooling project begins with understanding the operational requirements of the building and the practicalities of installation. In this case, the objective was to provide reliable comfort cooling while ensuring the temporary equipment could be installed with minimal impact on the filming schedule.
The proposed solution needed to deliver sufficient cooling capacity, work within the site’s access constraints and integrate seamlessly with the existing environment, allowing production activities to continue throughout the hire period.
Before installation, the project team assessed the available access routes, equipment positioning and the most practical method of delivering conditioned air into the sound stage.
As the studio remained operational, careful planning was essential to ensure the installation could be completed safely and efficiently without disrupting ongoing production. Existing access points were reviewed to identify the most effective route for the temporary ducting, while external space was allocated for the cooling equipment.
This planning stage ensured the temporary system could be installed quickly and commissioned with minimal interruption to the client’s operations.
The temporary cooling package included:
The combination of a heat pump chiller and AHU provided an effective method of delivering conditioned air into the studio, while the ancillary equipment ensured the temporary system operated safely and efficiently throughout the hire period.
A HIAB was used to position the temporary equipment externally, allowing the installation to be completed safely and efficiently without affecting activity inside the studio. From there, flexible ducting was routed through an existing cable access point into the sound stage, enabling conditioned air to be delivered exactly where it was needed.
Once all equipment had been connected, the system was commissioned and tested to confirm it was operating correctly before being handed over for use. This ensured the temporary cooling solution was ready to support the production from day one.
Film and television sound stages present unique cooling challenges. Powerful production lighting, extensive electrical equipment and high occupancy levels can generate significant heat, particularly within enclosed, acoustically insulated spaces.
In addition to maintaining comfortable working conditions for cast and crew, excessive temperatures can affect sensitive production equipment and make extended filming sessions increasingly difficult.
The installation also needed to accommodate the site’s access arrangements without disrupting an active filming schedule.
Ideal Heat Solutions designed a temporary cooling package that could be installed externally while supplying conditioned air directly into the sound stage.
By positioning the equipment outside the building and routing ducting through an existing cable access point, the installation avoided unnecessary disruption while providing reliable comfort cooling where it was needed most. The use of a HIAB also enabled the equipment to be positioned safely and efficiently, supporting a straightforward installation process.
The completed installation maintained comfortable temperatures throughout the sound stage, helping to create a suitable working environment for cast, crew and production staff.
With reliable temporary cooling in place, filming was able to continue without interruption, while the production team benefited from a practical solution tailored to the operational requirements of the site.
Temporary cooling plays an important role in environments where maintaining stable internal temperatures is critical. Film and television studios are a good example, with sound stages often generating substantial heat from lighting rigs, cameras, production equipment and the number of people working within the space.
A temporary chiller and air handling unit provided an effective way to maintain comfort during the production period without the need for permanent alterations to the building. This flexible approach allowed the studio to continue operating while ensuring internal conditions remained suitable for both people and equipment.
For production facilities, temporary cooling can also provide valuable support during planned maintenance, refurbishment works, seasonal demand or unexpected cooling system failures, helping to minimise disruption and maintain business continuity.
Every temporary cooling project has its own operational and technical requirements. Factors such as access, available space, cooling demand and programme timescales all influence the most appropriate solution.
At Ideal Heat Solutions, we work closely with facilities teams, contractors and project managers to design temporary heating and cooling packages that meet the needs of each site. Whether supporting a planned refurbishment, responding to an equipment failure or providing additional seasonal cooling, our engineers take a practical approach to delivering reliable temporary HVAC solutions.
Our support includes:
From commercial buildings and industrial facilities to specialist environments such as film and television studios, we help organisations maintain comfortable operating conditions while minimising disruption.
Providing effective temporary cooling for an active film production required more than simply supplying equipment. The installation had to be carefully planned, accommodate the site’s access arrangements and deliver reliable cooling without disrupting the filming schedule.
By supplying a temporary 100kW heat pump chiller and 150kW air handling unit, Ideal Heat Solutions created a practical cooling solution that maintained comfortable temperatures throughout the sound stage, supporting both production staff and sensitive equipment.
Whether the requirement is for planned maintenance, seasonal cooling or emergency support, our team can design and deliver temporary cooling solutions tailored to the needs of commercial, industrial and public sector organisations across the UK.
Whether you’re planning maintenance, responding to an emergency breakdown or looking for temporary heating or cooling, Ideal Heat Solutions can help.
We provide temporary boiler hire, modular boiler hire, temporary chiller hire, air handling unit hire, heater hire, portable air conditioning, evaporative coolers, generators and fuel tanks for commercial, industrial and public sector organisations across the UK.
Our experienced team can recommend the most suitable solution, arrange a site survey where required and support both planned and emergency projects.
Film studios often generate significant heat from production lighting, cameras, electrical equipment and the number of people working within enclosed sound stages. Temporary chiller hire provides an effective way to maintain comfortable temperatures during filming, helping to improve working conditions while protecting temperature-sensitive equipment. It can also support studios during planned maintenance or unexpected cooling system failures.
The equipment supplied depends on the application, but a temporary cooling package commonly includes a chiller, air handling unit (AHU), flexible ducting, hoses, buffer tanks and the necessary power connections. Additional ancillary equipment can also be provided where required to ensure the temporary system integrates effectively with the site.
Yes. Temporary cooling systems are designed to minimise disruption wherever possible. Equipment can often be positioned externally, with conditioned air delivered into the building using flexible ducting or existing access routes. Careful planning and a site survey help identify the most practical installation method while allowing day-to-day operations to continue.
Temporary chiller hire is suitable for a wide range of commercial and industrial buildings, including film and television studios, offices, healthcare facilities, hotels, manufacturing sites, data centres, education buildings and retail environments. It is commonly used during maintenance, refurbishment projects, seasonal demand or emergency breakdowns.
Installation times vary depending on the size of the system, site access and project requirements. Following an initial assessment, the equipment can be delivered, installed and commissioned in line with the programme of works. For emergency situations, temporary cooling solutions can also be deployed at short notice where appropriate.