Much like delicate ice cream, shipping container cooling is essential in maintaining your container to keep anything stored inside it protected against temperature changes.
Despite all their strengths, shipping containers aren’t exactly platforms with the best climate management features in their basic forms. However, we can make these containers more resistant to temperature changes with the best practices.
As such, let’s find out why shipping container cooling is so important and how to do it properly!
Why Shipping Container Cooling is Important
Before we jump into cooling solutions, it’s essential to understand why shipping container cooling matters in the first place.
For starters, shipping containers like those from Tradecorp use Corten steel as their construction material. While highly reliable to protect cargo from external damage, this steel construction makes them susceptible to intense heat.
This can be a major concern when you store perishable goods like food, pharmaceuticals, or electronics, as extreme temperatures can compromise your item’s quality.
Temperature management inside shipping containers is also important for maintaining product integrity and ensuring safety.
For example, storing goods like wine, medical supplies, or artwork requires a consistent temperature range to avoid spoilage or damage. Extreme temperatures can lead to melted packaging, metal corrosion, faded paints, and even mold and mildew growth.
Moreover, temperature fluctuations can cause the container’s construction to degrade over time.
Excessive heat can warp the metal while freezing conditions can cause cracks in the structure. As such, shipping container cooling not only improves its performance but also extends its lifespan.
Also Read: How To Vent A Shipping Container: The Ultimate Know-How
Considerations Before Cooling Your Shipping Container
Before you start looking at specific cooling methods, it’s important to consider a few factors that will help determine the best solution for your needs.
Usage Purpose
What is the primary use of your shipping container? Are you using it to store goods, run a business, or live in it?
Shipping container cooling for non-perishable goods will be very different from regulating the temperature of your shipping container home or office.
The reason is that container home temperature management is often more complex and needs a more reliable, consistent cooling method than a simple storage space.
Size
A standard 20-foot container will need a different cooling solution than a 40-foot one. Larger containers require more powerful cooling systems to maintain a consistent temperature.
Make sure to take measurements and account for the exact space you need to cool, as this will influence your cooling choices and budget.
Climate
The geographical location plays a significant role in determining the cooling method.
You’ll need more robust shipping container cooling solutions in hot and humid places, whereas, in temperate areas, you might get by with minimal cooling.
Consider whether your container will have frequent exposure to extreme temperatures or whether it will be used in milder conditions.
If you live somewhere with a dry climate, for example, an evaporative cooler might be a great option. However, if you live in a humid area near the coast, you’ll likely need a more traditional air conditioning system.
Energy Efficiency
Cooling a shipping container can be energy-intensive, especially in warmer months.
If you’re looking for a long-term solution, consider the energy consumption of your chosen system.
Some cooling options, like evaporative coolers or solar-powered systems, are more energy-efficient than others. Make sure you balance cost, efficiency, and environmental impact when selecting your cooling method.
Installation and Maintenance
Some cooling methods may require more complex installations and regular maintenance.
For example, a split AC or refrigeration unit requires professional installation and periodic maintenance, such as filter changes and system checks.
Meanwhile, a basic fan system or insulation can be easily installed with minimal maintenance.
Consider whether you want a set-it-and-forget-it solution or to invest time and effort into maintaining the system.
Keep in mind, that systems like portable AC units are easier to install but require you to manage the power supply. Meanwhile, more permanent solutions might need more infrastructure but offer longer-term cooling power.
7 Options for Shipping Container Cooling and Temperature Management
Now that you’ve considered the basics, let’s look at seven popular cooling solutions for shipping containers.
Ventilation and Passive Cooling
The simplest and most cost-effective way to manage the temperature inside your shipping container is through ventilation.
Ventilation allows the hot air to escape and promotes airflow, which can reduce the internal temperature, especially in mild conditions.
How it works:
- Install vents on the container’s top and bottom. Hot air rises, so placing vents at the top lets it escape while cooler air enters through the bottom.
- You can also add louvers or fans to increase air movement, especially in areas with minimal wind.
While this won’t provide full cooling, it’s often enough in temperate climates or for short-term storage of non-perishable goods.
Insulation
Insulating your shipping container is one of the most effective ways to prevent it from getting too hot in the summer and too cold in the winter.
Insulation helps regulate the temperature by slowing down the transfer of heat.
How it works:
- You can insulate the container using foam board, spray foam, or fiberglass insulation.
- Adding insulation inside the walls, ceiling, and floor helps maintain a steady internal temperature without relying on active cooling systems.
Though insulation doesn’t actively cool the space, it does a great job of keeping the temperature more stable.
Portable Air Conditioners
If you’re looking for a more direct cooling solution, portable air conditioners are perfect. These devices are relatively easy to install and don’t require significant modifications to the container.
How it works:
- A portable AC unit can be placed inside the container, with the exhaust vent directed outside through a window or a hole in the wall.
- These units can cool a small to medium-sized shipping container quite effectively.
While ACs are perfect, they do require regular maintenance, such as cleaning the filters, and they consume electricity, which can be a concern for off-grid containers.
Split Air Conditioning System
A split AC system is another option, offering a more powerful and permanent solution to shipping container cooling. It consists of two parts: the indoor unit, which cools the air inside the container, and the outdoor unit, which expels the hot air.
How it works:
- The indoor unit is mounted inside the container, while the outdoor unit is installed outside so that the container can enjoy improved air circulation both inside and outside.
- This solution requires professional installation and may have higher upfront costs, but it’s great for long-term cooling and larger containers.
A split AC system is a good option for containers that will be used as living spaces, offices, or for long-term storage that requires consistent, long-term temperature control. This method offers higher capacity and efficiency, making it ideal for cooling large spaces.
Evaporative Coolers (Swamp Coolers)
Evaporative coolers, also known as swamp coolers, use water to cool the air and are a more energy-efficient option than traditional AC units. They work best in dry climates, as they rely on evaporation to lower the temperature.
How it works:
- These systems pull in warm air, pass it through water-soaked pads, and blow cool air into the container. By evaporating the moisture, the cooler can make the container’s interior temperature cooler.
- While they’re more efficient than air conditioning, they don’t work as well in high-humidity areas.
Evaporative coolers are great for eco-friendly cooling solutions that don’t require refrigerants and can keep your shipping container cool without consuming a large amount of electricity. They are best suited for dry, arid climates, where the evaporation process can significantly lower the internal temperature.
Simple White Paint
While this cooling method doesn’t look like much, white paint can be one of the cheapest and most effective ways to cool your container since it’s better at reflecting sunlight.
How it works:
- Compared to black and darker colors that can readily absorb sunlight and heat radiating from it, white and lighter colors instead deflect sunlight helping the container stay cool.
With the use of white color paint, container owners can rely on its relatively cheaper spending to keep the container cool with budget-friendly means.
Container Dehumidification
Excessive humidity inside containers can cause something known as “container rain”, a phenomenon when moisture inside the container evaporates and turns into rain-like droplets when it cools down.
How it works:
- Reduce your container’s moisture levels using tools like absorbent blankets, absorbent pads, and desiccant bags that can absorb moisture.
Considering how damaging cooled moisture can be to your belongings, properly dehumidifying the container can keep the container dry and cool at the same time.
Also Read: Shipping Container Garage: Comparisons, Plans, and Tips
Additional Tips for Cooling a Shipping Container
While the above methods will help cool your container, here are some additional tips to keep in mind for even better temperature management:
Shade the Container
Placing the shipping container in a shaded area can significantly reduce the amount of heat it absorbs. Consider using a canopy, or tarp, or placing the container near a building tree.
Reflective Coating
Applying a reflective paint or coating on the outside of the container helps deflect sunlight and reduce the amount of heat absorbed into the container.
Keep Doors Closed
When not in use, keep the doors of the container closed to prevent hot air from entering and seal gaps around the doors to prevent unwanted airflow.
Monitor Temperature Regularly
Use a thermometer to monitor the internal temperature of your container to see whether your cooling system is working effectively or if you need to adjust settings.
Conclusion
Although some shipping container cooling methods can be somewhat expensive, they’re still better than spending millions to recoup losses if your belongings are damaged from excessive heat. Contact Tradecorp today if you need help with the best shipping container for your business and advice to regulate its temperature by contacting us via our quote form here!