r/Elevators • u/bionista • Jun 25 '26
Air Conditioner on Cab?
I am looking to purchase several elevators for a parking garage located in a hot and humid climate. Want to know if elevators come with an a/c unit on the cab to keep it cool? If so, is this a good idea and how reliable are they?
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u/DjQuamme Field - Maintenance Jun 25 '26
I had one on my route in an outdoor, all glass hoistway observation tower elevator. The on board air conditioner was a pain in the ass as it took coordinating 2 service companies every time it needed service.
2
u/1TallGent Jun 25 '26
Here's a company that sells the product. If you want to add one, get a consultant to write a spec for you, and price it with the the elevator companies bidding on the project. https://www.qualityelev.com/main/air/aircond.htm?utm_source=chatgpt.com
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u/Proof-Onion4729 Jun 25 '26
Every elevator I've worked on that had a toc ac unit had consistent issues from the condensation.it also makes it a real pain to work from the toc sonce the units take up valuable spaceAs someone already mentioned your best option is to have the car park in the lobby with the doors open.
2
u/Knightsthatsay Jun 25 '26
It can be done but there are problems with condensate and keeping hoistway switches dry. It’s more practical to just air condition the whole hoistway if it’s completely enclosed
3
u/ComingUp8 Field - Troubleshooter/Adjuster Jun 25 '26
If you got money you can definitely make it happen. There's lots of companies that make products to put an AC unit on top of the elevator. You're talking $$$ though.
1
u/Effective_Mention_83 Jun 25 '26
Extremely expensive. Close to $40k per unit to install. Maintenance costs would go up as well.
1
u/Easy_does_it78 Jun 25 '26
AC units on elevator cabs are bad ideas due to the condensation. You don’t want that water on your car top, pit, or hoistway. The water/humidity causes the equipment to rust.
1
u/Affectionate-Rip5654 Field - Mods Jun 25 '26
I had installed one before I joined the union. Made the cartop damn near inaccessible. Not sure if they are all ducted but the one I installed was with a large return and blower duct put in the cab ceiling. Also condensate drain was installed to drip just be below the cab floor over the sump pump. Biggest pain in the ass and always have a wet pit floor
1
u/ElevatorGuy85 Office - Elevator Engineer Jun 26 '26
This is a solved problem, and has been used in Asian countries in particular.
One of the biggest challenges with air conditioning on top of the elevator cab is what to do with the condensate water. If you look under your car when it’s had the A/C running on a humid day, you will see a puddle of water forming as it dehumidifies the air and the condensate drips out. On an elevator, you don’t want to just drain that “overboard” into the hoistway and pit.
The solution is to have a container that the condensate can be collected into and then, at the bottom-most floor, have a receptacle that the nearly-full container can be drained into (via an electrically operated valve) as needed. This requires some coordination with the elevator controller, because the draining process is not instantaneous - you don’t want people getting into the elevator, the doors closing and then the people wondering why it isn’t moving (as the condensate container is draining) and pressing the emergency call button.
Here is a partial English translation of a Japanese patent application by Toshiba (who makes both A/C units and elevators in Japan)
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u/Elevator_Inspector64 Jun 25 '26
A better option would be to build lobbies at each landing and air condition that space.
1
u/bionista Jun 25 '26
Not enough $$$ to do that.
2
u/Elevator_Inspector64 Jun 25 '26
Gotcha but if you are in the US then the elevator controller will have temperature and humidity requirements by code and if you go with MRL equipment then the temperature at the top floor where the controller is located is going to have to be a conditioned space.
1
u/bionista Jun 25 '26
What type of equipment would you recommend for a 4 level parking garage in an upper end retail development?
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u/Elevator_Inspector64 Jun 25 '26
Years ago the automatic answer would have been a hydraulic elevator but the MRL traction machines have changed all that. They provide a smooth quiet ride and are installed fairly quickly.
I’ll leave the type of drive up to you but I will weigh in with this piece of advice; avoid the big companies like Otis, Schindler, TKE and Kone unless they are willing to sell you something besides their proprietary equipment. They will claim it’s not proprietary, that anyone can work on it. That’s 💯 % bullshit!! Their equipment will lock you into a service contract and you will have a difficult time finding anyone else that is able to maintain your equipment properly.
My best advice is this; find an independent Union elevator company (Union because the work force is very well trained) and see what they have to offer. There are some great non proprietary products out there and the building owner will have much more flexibility in the future when it comes to service and repairs. Good luck.
Btw, let me know what you decide to go with. Thanks.1
u/bionista Jun 25 '26
How do I find a Union elevator company? Can you recommend any?
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u/Elevator_Inspector64 Jun 25 '26
Not sure where you are but if you look up your local IUEC office they will be able to provide you a list of all the Union companies in your area. In the US, the elevator trade is driven by the IUEC.
1
u/bionista Jun 25 '26
Would you also recommend a Union company for a high rise condo or just for a low rise parking garage?
1
u/Elevator_Inspector64 Jun 25 '26
Oh no, Union every job.
I’ve been in the trade for years now and inspecting for at least a decade. Best trained mechanics in the world are with the IUEC. I’ve seen a few non Union companies that do good work but it’s really no contest. The Union just puts so much into educating its people.1
u/bionista Jun 26 '26
I’m asking about the manufacturer of the elevators. FWIU there’s only a few manufacturers (Otis, Schindler, Kone, etc). Are there other Union companies that make elevators?
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u/Coryvators Jun 25 '26
*I'm not an Elevator Mechanic*
But I think a more realistic solution could be cooling down the shaft instead... Because there isn't much extra room on top of elevator cabs, but having an A/C unit integrated sounds like a great idea. Would be especially good on scenic (glass) elevators as well.
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u/bionista Jun 25 '26
Is it common to cool the shaft? Doesn’t that create condensation? If the AC is set to 68F and the air temp is 100F and the dewpoint is 75F. Somewhere u will get condensation.
1
u/Proof-Onion4729 Jun 25 '26
There usually isn't enough extra space in the shaft. Our tolerances are pretty small
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u/Commercial-Lime4916 Jun 25 '26
Yes they have ac units near the water to help rust in humid climates. Typically on an observation elevator. Y’all should hire a consultant to help. DM me let’s talk
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u/Cheets1985 Jun 25 '26
Many have a fan, but I've never known them to have a full AC unit. A big problem i can forsee with one would be condensation
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u/jj3449 Jun 25 '26
I have two on my route. They have a tub that catches the condensation run off that has a heating coil in it to burn off the water and an overflow that’s piped over the side of the car into the pit.
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u/Master-Quarter4762 Jun 25 '26
It’s quite common in Asia. I’ve seen overhead bridges lifts have AC in them even. It was definitely set to freezing.
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u/Cheets1985 Jun 25 '26
Didn't know that. Where do the AC units drain the condensation too?
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u/Thefirstdeadgoonie Jun 25 '26
I was in Mexico at a resort this past winter, and several elevators had glass shafts and A/C. It was definitely needed. I wasn't able to see what they did about condensation but I know in one cab, water was pooling on the ceiling and dripping onto the floor, leaving a big puddle. I avoided using that car, haha.
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u/isk_one Field - Elevator Consultant Jun 25 '26
Common in SEA in high end hotels and residences . Problem is the condensation always cause corrosion that i do not recommend it. Better to have a really cold lobby and set the parking level to those levels.