Whether you’re a purchasing manager in the pharmaceutical industry, a plant manager in food production, or a project engineer in tunnel construction: whenever the topic of industrial refrigeration comes up for the first time, the same questions always arise. How much does it cost? How quickly can it be done? What exactly is the difference between a chiller and a refrigerated container?
This article answers the 5 most common questions that SOS-Rentals receives every day from new customers—straightforwardly, honestly, and without jargon. We also answer 5 additional bonus questions that come up time and again.
The 5 main questions at a glance: |
1. How much does it cost to rent a refrigeration system? (Prices & Cost Factors) |
2. What is the difference between a chiller and a refrigerated container? |
3. How quickly can a rental chiller be delivered and put into operation? |
4. Which industries use industrial refrigeration—and why? |
5. What happens if the rented equipment breaks down? |
Question 1: How much does it cost to rent a refrigeration system?
Short answer: Rental costs depend primarily on cooling capacity (kW), temperature range, and rental duration. Small standard chillers start at around €150; large low-temperature systems can cost €1,000 or more.
Machine | Price per week <4-week stay (approx.) | Typical application |
Air-cooled chiller (4–20 kW) | 150–250 € | Business, events, minor legal proceedings |
Air-cooled chiller (20–100 kW) | 250–450 € | Industry, Data Centers, Manufacturing |
Air-cooled chiller (100–1.000 kW) | 450–2.500 € | Heavy industry, pharmaceuticals, large-scale projects |
Low temperatures (from –30 °C to –80 °C) | 1.250-3.500 € | Tunnel construction, food, chemicals, pharmaceuticals, specialty processes |
What is always included in SOS-Rentals’ rental price—at no extra charge:
✔ Delivery and transport to the job site (throughout Germany)
✔ Installation, connection, and commissioning by a certified SOS technician
✔ Technical support throughout the entire rental period
✔ Pickup and disposal of refrigerants at the end of the rental period
Tip: For longer rental periods (several weeks or months), it’s always worth requesting a customized flat-rate quote directly —
long-term rentals are priced more favorably than the daily rate extrapolation.
Question 2: What is the difference between a chiller and a refrigerated container?
Short answer: A chiller cools a liquid medium (water, glycol) in a closed-loop system—ideal for process cooling. A refrigerated container cools a closed storage space directly—ideal for storing goods, medications, or food.
Criterion | Chiller (refrigeration unit) | Refrigerated container |
Principle | Cools the liquid medium in the circuit | Cools the interior of the container directly |
Coolant | Water, glycol, methanol, brine | Cold air in a closed room |
Typical application | Process cooling, air conditioning, machine cooling | Food Storage, Pharmaceuticals, Chemicals |
Temperature ranges | +20 °C to -80 °C (depending on the model) | +20 °C to -80 °C (depending on the model) |
Performance | 4 to 1,000 kW available | Standard sizes: 20-foot and 40-foot containers |
Mobility | Mobile or stationary, highly flexible | ISO standard containers, movable by crane |
Connection | Process connection + power required | Only power required (plug-and-play) |
HACCP compliance | Possible with the appropriate configuration | Fully HACCP-compliant (at SOS-Rentals) |
Perfect for… | … a process or a machine needs to be cooled | … where goods or materials are to be stored |
Summary:
Chiller = cooling source for processes.
Container = refrigerated storage space.
The two products complement each other—in some projects, both are used simultaneously (e.g., containers for storage + chillers for process cooling).
Question 3: How quickly can a rental chiller be delivered and put into operation?
Short answer: We typically deliver throughout Germany within 48 hours, and within 24 hours in urgent cases. For planned projects, 2–4 business days is a realistic timeframe. SOS-Rentals maintains a fleet of rental equipment ready for immediate use—no custom production required. Delivery throughout Europe is, of course, available.
What happens on the delivery date:
1. SOS-Spedition will transport the equipment to your location
2. Connect the plug-and-play system; if necessary, an SOS technician can be added via phone
3. If you would like an SOS technician to be on site, training for your on-site staff will be provided
4. The system is running — you can get started right away
(The process will be carried out exactly as specified, provided this has been agreed upon in the contract)
Question 4: Which industries use industrial refrigeration—and for what purposes?
Short answer: Virtually any industry that generates heat or requires precise temperatures. SOS-Rentals serves over 16 industries—from food production to tunnel construction.
🍞 Food HACCP, Frozen Foods, Cold Chain | 💊 Pharmaceuticals GMP, Precision Temperature Control | 🧪 Chemistry Laboratory, Process Cooling | 🏗️ Mining & Tunnels Ground freezing technology |
🚗 Automotive Test benches, OEMs, suppliers | 💻 Data centers Peak load, emergency cooling | 🍺 Breweries Precise fermentation temperature control | 🏭 Plastic Process cooling, molds |
⚡ Electroplating Bath temperature control | 🏥 Hospitals Hygienic temperature control | 🏟️ Events Portable cooling units | 🏢 Building cooling Temporary air conditioning |
⛳ Shipping Onboard systems, extreme climates | ⚡ Energy sector Process and Plant Cooling | ⛏️ Mobile ice rinks Ice Rink Cooling Systems | ⚙️ Process cooling Across all industries |
The common thread: In each of these industries, either heat is generated that needs to be dissipated, or precisely defined temperature ranges are required—to ensure product quality, maximize machine uptime, or meet regulatory requirements (HACCP, GMP).
New to SOS-Rentals? Even if your industry isn’t listed above, if your process requires refrigeration, we likely have a solution.
Contact us.
Question 5: What happens if the rented refrigeration system breaks down?
Short answer: SOS-Rentals remotely monitors for any errors that occur and provides telephone customer support. In the event of a complete failure, a replacement device will be provided as soon as possible.
Steps | What SOS-Rentals Does |
Step 1: Sign up | Contact SOS-Rentals immediately—by phone (+49 2933 9836270). Briefly describe the problem. |
Step 2: Diagnosis | SOS-Rentals assesses over the phone or via remote monitoring whether a remote fix is possible. |
Step 3: On-site | If necessary, an SOS technician will come directly to the site to perform repairs or replacements. |
Step 4: Replacement | In the event of a serious malfunction, a replacement unit from the rental fleet will be delivered as soon as possible. |
That is the key advantage of renting cooling capacity over operating your own system:
✔ No in-house maintenance staff required
✔ No financial risk in case of breakdown or repair
✔ No long wait times for replacement parts from manufacturer warehouses
✔ SOS-Rentals bears the technical risk—not the rental customer
Bottom line: Renting industrial refrigeration is easier than you might think
The most common concerns—that it’s too expensive, too complicated, or too slow—usually disappear once you understand the details. In practice, cooling-as-a-service is readily available, technically straightforward to operate, and financially transparent.
Do you have a question that hasn’t been answered here? SOS-Rentals will answer any inquiry free of charge and with no obligation—by phone or through our form.
Any questions? We’ll answer them—for free and right away.
Or request a no-obligation quote for your rental cooling system today.
☎ +49 2933 9836270 | info@sos-rentals.com | sos-rentals.com/contact
