Increasingly popular, portable heat pumps do more than their name implies. These easy-to-install units provide heat, air conditioning and dehumidification when and where you want it. They offer greater efficiency than other types of electricity-generated heating and cooling, and they don’t burn fossil fuels, so there are no emissions.

Convenient for offices, commercial spaces and jobsites as well as event tents, a portable heat pump may be a smart choice when you need to supplement an existing climate control system or warm or cool a space that lacks one.

What is a heat pump?

Portable heat pumps provide heating, cooling and dehumidification functions in a single box. They run on electricity. Because they have wheels, they can easily be moved from one area to another.

Different sizes of portable heat pump serve different purposes. A 1-ton portable heat pump can fit into small spaces and plug into a standard outlet. It can heat or cool up to 1 ton of air per hour and is perfect for heating or cooling a room in a home, a small store or an office, or for providing spot heating or cooling in a larger space.

A larger heat pump, such as this 5-ton portable heat pump, is ideal for heating and cooling larger spaces. Though still wheeled and portable, larger heat pumps must be hardwired by a qualified technician.

How does a heat pump work?

Heat pumps work by transferring heat from one place to another, not by combustion or electric resistance.

To warm a space, they extract heat from cold outside air, warm it further using a refrigerant and condenser, and bring it inside, circulating the warm air with a fan. In cooling mode, they act like an air conditioner, pulling heat from warm indoor air to cool it. Like an air conditioner, they also dehumidify warm air.

Because no combustion is involved, heat pumps produce no emissions. They are less likely than other heating sources to cause a fire.

Are portable heat pumps efficient?

Portable heat pumps are highly efficient. As far as temporary heating solutions go, they draw significantly less power than portable space heaters, and they can supply more heat. For temporary cooling, they use less electricity than window air conditioners. What’s more, renting a portable heat pump means you can use the same unit for both heating and cooling as the weather changes.

Common portable heat pump applications

Heat pumps are excellent temporary climate control choices for a variety of applications, including the ones below. Keep in mind that they are less effective in very cold or very hot temperatures. Many models won’t work well in temperatures under 40°F or 55°F, depending on the model.

Supplementing climate control in indoor spaces

Portable heat pumps are used in hospitals, retail stores, office spaces and other indoor spaces to supplement existing heating and cooling equipment when it can’t keep up with climate control needs, especially in specific areas.

Providing emergency heating and cooling

An adequately sized generator can power a portable heat pump of up to 5 tons. If the power goes out or your primary heat source fails for any other reason or is taken offline for maintenance, a heat pump can provide enough warmth or cooling to bridge the gap.

Managing temperatures in event tents

Because they are portable, quiet and emit no fumes, portable heat pumps work well in event tents to keep guests safe and comfortable in most weather. If the ambient temperature is hot in the afternoon and cool in the evening, a heat pump can be switched from cooling to heating mode to seamlessly control the climate.

Bringing reliable warmth and cooling to indoor jobsites

In unfinished buildings, portable heat pumps provide efficient temporary heating or cooling to keep workers comfortable and productive.

Considering renting a portable heat pump? The climate control experts at United Rentals can help you choose the best model and size for your application.

Visit our online marketplace to explore all our HVAC equipment for rent, including portable heat pumps.