The heatwave business: every hot spell triggers a rush on AC units — renting beats buying for 2 weeks of use per year.
$4,244
net profit per year · That's on average $354 per month
29 bookings per year
Yearly costs
€0/month — billed only per confirmed booking
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Estimate before taxes and contributions, based on your assumptions. This is not an income promise — adjust every value to your situation.
A 3.5 kW portable unit bought for around €400 and rented at €25 for 50 days generates roughly €1,250 in annual revenue. Bookings are often concentrated into just a few hot weeks.
In France, Kiloutou starts at around €33 per day, while Loxam lists €50 to €66 including VAT. Locaclim goes as low as €9.90 and Climloc €12.50 for some rental periods. At €25, a locally available offer remains well positioned.
Allow 8% of the purchase price for maintenance and close to €600 in annual fixed costs. Each unit needs about 0.3 m³ of off-season storage. Suitable business liability insurance is strongly recommended.
In France, and under the applicable European rules, a portable R290 unit with less than 2.4 kg of charge is not subject to periodic fluorinated-gas leak checks. Propane is still flammable, so transport units upright and inspect them on return. A deposit of around €60 mainly covers minor incidents.
Buy before hot weather arrives, then target offices, shops, property managers and top-floor homes. Offer a daily rate, a weekly package and delivery as a separate service. When demand is high, availability is often worth more than a discount.
Show live stock and accept online bookings instead of juggling phone calls and spreadsheets. Louez.io can centralise time slots, payment, contracts and deposits. Standardise return checks and group deliveries by area.
For five portable units at around €400 each, allow close to €2,000 for equipment, then add accessories. Include insurance, storage and a repair reserve. Starting with three to five units lets you test local demand without tying up too much cash. Buy before summer, as dependable models can be hard to source during heatwaves.
Business liability insurance is strongly recommended. Check that the policy covers damage at the customer’s premises, rented equipment, theft and transport. Personal insurance is not always enough. Align your rental agreement and check-in report with the insurer’s exclusions. A deposit can reduce small disputes, but never replaces appropriate cover.
The right structure depends on your country, projected revenue and funding needs. In France, the micro-entrepreneur regime is often suitable for testing a small fleet alone: setup is simple, accounting is lighter and contributions are based on revenue collected. It becomes less attractive when equipment, storage and delivery costs grow, because actual expenses are not deductible. Compare it with a company structure with an accountant.
In France, June 2026 was the hottest June on record. Between 15 and 28 June, nearly 1.9 million cooling appliances were sold, including around 160,000 air conditioners. At €25 for 50 rental days, one unit generates about €1,250 in annual revenue. Profitability depends mainly on utilisation and how the €600 in fixed costs is shared across the fleet.
A deposit of around €60 is appropriate for a missing hose, damaged kit or unusual cleaning. It does not cover a unit bought for around €400. For a longer rental, adjust the deposit to the risk and your insurance. State possible deductions, photograph the equipment at collection and return, then release the deposit promptly when everything is in order.
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