How I Cooled My Retail Store During Dublin’s Last Heatwave – Without Air Conditioning

By Michael, General Manager – Carrickmines Retail Park

The Problem: Heatwaves and High Footfall Don’t Mix

Last July, our retail unit in Carrickmines Retail Park hit 29 °C before lunchtime. Shoppers were turning away at the door, and my team was struggling to keep up in the stifling heat. Our store’s lease forbids permanent fixtures—so installing a standard air conditioning system was out of the question.

Fans made little difference. I needed an effective, temporary solution that wouldn’t break the bank—or the lease.

The Solution: Evaporative Air Cooler Hire in Dublin

A neighbouring store manager recommended A-Z Hire, a trusted provider of tool hire in Dublin. I gave them a quick call and, within the hour, two portable evaporative air coolers were delivered and installed—no electrician required.

I’d used A-Z Hire previously for scaffold towers, so everything went under the same account. One invoice. No hassle.

Why Portable AC Wasn’t the Answer

Traditional air conditioning didn’t suit our retail needs. Here’s why:

• Lease restrictions: No wall or roof penetrations allowed.

• High installation costs: A 12 kW ductless system was quoted at €20,000.

• Expensive to run: Portable AC units use 2–4 kW, costing up to €1.70/hour at current electricity rates.

• Environmental goals: No refrigerants meant we stayed within our sustainability targets.

If you’re managing electronics or dry-goods showrooms and need consistent low humidity, traditional AC might be necessary. But for general retail? Read on.

How Evaporative Coolers Work

Evaporative air coolers use water to lower temperatures. Warm air passes through water-soaked pads, evaporating the moisture and reducing the air temperature before releasing it into your space.

Each litre of evaporated water removes around 680 W of heat—perfect for Ireland’s dry but hot summer spells.

Results in Our Store

Leaving the main doors half-open helped circulate air and flush out humidity, improving effectiveness.

When to Choose Portable AC Instead

You might prefer portable air conditioner hire in Dublin if:

• You operate a tech showroom that requires low humidity.

• Your space has no ventilation (e.g., underground rooms).

• You’re cooling high-output server equipment.

For everything else, evaporative cooling is faster, cheaper, and greener.

Tips to Maximise Cooling Effectiveness

• Ice bags: Adding ice lowers output air temperature by another degree.

• Reverse ceiling fans: Helps push cool air downward gently.

• Essential oils: Add a fresh scent to improve the customer experience.

• Strategic placement: Place coolers near high-margin products to encourage browsing.

Common Questions About Air Cooler Hire

Will my shop feel humid?
No. As long as air can exit (doors open or windows ajar), humidity stays around 55%—well below mould risk.

Do I need a water supply?
Not necessarily. Each cooler has a 60-litre tank lasting about 8 hours. We just refill it at lunch.

Can I leave them running overnight?
Yes. Set the fan to low, turn oscillation off, and you’ll arrive to a pre-cooled store.

What about allergies?
Evaporative coolers use cellulose pads that trap dust and pollen—great news for hay fever sufferers.

Final Thoughts: Evaporative air coolers

Dublin’s heatwaves may be short, but they can seriously impact retail performance. Hiring an evaporative air cooler from A-Z Hire made a noticeable difference in our store. It improved comfort, prolonged customer dwell time, and kept our team energised.

Need a cooling solution for your business? A-Z Hire has you covered—alongside all your other tool hire needs in Dublin, from scaffold towers to Stihl-certified power tools.

📞 Call A-Z Hire on 01 419 2800 and ask about evaporative air cooler hire. Stay cool only when you need to—and save while you do.