Ultimate Guide to Air Conditioned Tents for Weddings & Events
SHELTENT
-
For any successful summer outdoor event, such as weddings, business meetings, parties, etc., equipping a reliable climate control system is key to elevating the overall experience. That's where an air conditioned tent becomes invaluable.
A qualified tent nowadays could offer good protection to people and assets, and maintain a cozy temperature for everyone to fully enjoy the occasion.
Therefore, most manufacturers have worked hard to enhance their tents by allowing customers to add or customize extra necessary facilities and accessories.
No matter if you are trying to invest in your first outdoor tent or want to upgrade your current setup, it's highly recommended that you try tents with air conditioning this time. And if you decide to do so, this guide would be very useful to you.
How Much Tent AC Do You Need For Different Tent Sizes?
When finding an air conditioning tent, the first step is to understand how much AC you need for your tent. To figure out the accurate number, you need to understand the concept of BTU. It is shortened for the British Thermal Unit, which is often used to measure heat energy. It refers to the amount of heat required to raise the temperature of one pound of water by 1°F.
Back to the topic, it is more like a unit that measures the cooling or heating capacity of the air conditioner. It means the amount of energy that the air conditioner needs to cool or heat the tent in one hour.
When calculating the BTU, one determining factor is the total square footage of the room. Normally, every 100 to 150 square feet of tent space requires about 12,000 BTUs. And it's easy to understand that the more space you have, the more BTUs it may take.
Then you may need to decide whether to add more BTUs according to the required temperature drop (larger differences require more cooling), ceiling height, sun exposure, insulation, etc.
You can quickly estimate your tent's BUT requirement by following the steps below:
- Figure out the tent's total size. Say, if you are using a 10x30 tent, the total size would be 300 square feet.
- Calculate the basic BTU quantity. Normally, 12,000 BTUs are required for every 100 to 150 square feet, so the general estimate for the 10x30 feet tent ranges from 24,000 (300/150*12,000) to 36,000 BTUs (300/100*12,000).
- Consider other factors. Every guest needs 750 BTUs. Add 10% BTUs for other factors like ceiling height, insulation, sun exposure, and other necessary facilities. For example, the 10-foot ceiling would require another 2,400 to 3,600 BTUs.
Total BUTs for a 10x30 tent estimated: 30,000 - 45,000.
If your tent is a smaller one, say a 10x10 ft tent, then from the perspective of energy saving, 10,000 BTUs is totally enough. For other common statistics, you may take the following clear table as a reference:
| Tent Size (ft) | Total Area (sq ft) | Estimated BTU Needed | Price Range (USD) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10×30 | 300 | 30,000 – 45,000 | $1,500 – $2,000 |
| 20×20 | 400 | 48,000 – 53,000 | $1,800 – $2,300 |
| 15×30 | 450 | 55,000 – 60,000 | $2,000 – $2,600 |
| 20×40 | 800 | 70,000 – 100,000 | $3,200 – $4,200 |
| 30×30 | 900 | 78,000 – 112,000 | $3,500 – $4,800 |
| 20×50 | 1,000 | 86,000 – 125,000 | $4,000 – $5,200 |
| 30×45 | 1,350 | 115,000 – 160,000 | $5,000 – $6,500 |
| 40×40 | 1,600 | 135,000 – 200,000 | $6,000 – $7,500 |
| 30×60 | 1,800 | 150,000 – 240,000 | $6,800 – $8,800 |
| 40×60 | 2,400 | 200,000 – 290,000 | $8,000 – $10,500 |
| 40×100 | 4,000 | 300,000 – 500,000 | $12,000 – $15,000 |
Other Factors When Choosing an Air Conditioned Ten
BTU is not the only thing you should consider for an outdoor AC party tent. You might need to go further by thinking of other factors, such as:
Tent Sidewall and Insulation
The air conditioner in the tent can achieve its highest efficiency when it is installed in a relatively concealed room. Then it is highly recommended that you choose a tent with sidewalls or one that is easy to insulate. This will greatly reduce energy loss and enhance the functionality of the AC tent.
Ventilation
Maintaining ventilation is good for keeping the tent cool in summer and cuts the possibility of incidents or safety concerns in winter (reducing harmful gas accumulation and ensuring air circulation). While you are setting up the air conditioners, install them in the right places.
It's better to put them near the windows or vents to promote air intake and exhaust. Avoid placing the ACs around the tent corners as the airflow there is often limited. Don't expose them to direct sunlight, either. This usually requires more energy and power consumption to achieve the ideal temperature.
UV-resistance
Then the tent should help resist the harmful ultraviolet rays. The harsh sunlight on summer days is unbearable to most people who attend outdoor events. It makes everyone feel scorching hot. More importantly, it is harmful to their skin and their bodies.
A reliable UV-resistant air conditioned tent can not only prevent UV rays but also avoid heat accumulation, thus keeping the whole tent cool and creating a comfortable experience.
Types of Tent AC (Air Conditioning Unit)
Among so many choices on the market, there are several typical air conditioning units for tents that deserve a try.
Portable AC for Tent
The portable air conditioned tent is known for its convenience. Most portable air conditioners are small and don't require complex installation processes. Meanwhile, they can be easily transported and moved, so you can place them around the tents in various spots and make free adjustments anytime.
But the capacity of a portable AC allows it to function well only in cooling or heating those small tents.
Window Air Conditioners
This tent air conditioning unit works very well in lowering or raising the temperature inside a tent. It often has higher BTUs, so it is more efficient in cooling the tent in various sizes. Compared to the portable tent ac unit, the window air conditioner can save more space as it is connected outside the tent.
However, it is less portable, and you have to reserve a window or hole in advance to install it. This could potentially increase the overall cost. And it needs a stable power source like an RV hookup or generator, so it is not so perfect for remote events or parties.
Spot Cooler
Spot coolers are designed to cool the particular areas of your tent. For example, you can use it to maintain a comfortable temperature around the dancing floor, dining areas, or the stage of an outdoor air conditioned wedding tent.
It is super lightweight, which means this unit is easy to carry and move. For temperature control of specific areas or localized cooling, the spot cooler is always a top choice. But it's not suitable for large spaces.
Evaporative Coolers
As its name suggests, the evaporative cooler uses evaporation to cool the air. It can save lots of energy and is particularly used in dry regions. This unit takes in warm air and generates cooled air back into your tent. They are very efficient in dry environments but can't provide much cooling capacity in humid climates.
DIY Tent Air Conditioning
When applying a tent ac unit, you may also try to do it yourself. You'll need to prepare a cooler or Styrofoam box to work as the main body. If you choose to use a hard cooler, you should insulate it first to keep cold air for as long as possible. Then cut two holes in the lid of the cooler; one is smaller than the fan's diameter, and the other is the same size as the pipe or vent hose.
Then you may need to install the fan over the smaller hole and insert the PVC pipe or dryer vent hose into the other hole. And remember to secure them with specialized duct tape. Next, you can add ice packs or frozen water bottles to the cooler. Then the last step is to seal the cooler and power it up!
How to Choose the Best Tent Air Conditioning
It is hard to select the best tent air conditioning from various options, but you may find the one that suits you the most by considering:
Climate Conditions
The local climate conditions should be the top priority when choosing an outdoor cooling tent. For instance, if you want to host a grand event in summer, you may need to prepare a tent with strong air conditioning capability.
In addition, for someone who has to attend or organize outdoor activities frequently, it is wise to invest in those high-quality tent coolers, as they can be used for a very long time. While on freezing winter days, the AC's capacity to heat the tent deserves more attention.
Power Source
Another thing to remember is that tents' air conditioners can function well only when they have the right access to power sources. Some coolers are battery-powered while others are electric.
The former is more suitable for those remote places. However, using batteries as the power source for the AC is not so efficient and convenient, so we recommend that you pick up those electric air conditioners. Though they are not as portable as battery-powered ones, they are still the best choice for large marquee tents.
Energy Efficiency
The energy efficiency of a tent air conditioner is related to saving power and avoiding batteries or generators from draining too quickly. Thus, you should look for those units with a high Energy Efficiency Ratio (EER) and adjustable settings like eco or sleep modes.
These functions help balance cooling performance with lower energy use. If you need to stay outside for a very long time, consider solar-compatible or low-wattage options to extend runtime.
Noise
The noise levels can affect guests' feelings. Some tent air conditioners will cause loud noises when they are working. This may make the attendee feel annoyed, thus affecting the overall experience of participating in this outdoor event. That's why you should use those quiet coolers (below 50 dB) to minimize disturbances.
Additionally, you can further reduce noise through strategic measures. For example, you can elevate the AC on a soft mat or anti-vibration pad. This can help you absorb part of the sound.
Some Additional Features
Air conidtioned tent equipped with additional features can further enhance comfort. Models with a remote control allow you to adjust the temperature and modes from a long distance. And the dehumidification function is especially useful to combat muggy conditions.
Other extras include programmable timers for energy savings and multi-speed fans for customizable airflow. These features can make a big difference in boosting guests' experience, particularly for multi-day events or overnight stays.
If you have chosen a reliable supplier, you can even customize specific functions or facilities that perfectly match your specific needs, whether it's efficient heating for an exciting outdoor winter party or powerful cooling for large group events in summer.
Air Conditioned Tent Rental or Buying?
There are two ways to own an air conditioned tent: rent or purchase one. Most people would think that renting a tent is a cheaper choice since you only need to pay the rental fees. In terms of initial cost, it surely does. But in the longer term, purchasing your own AC tent would be much more cost-effective.
This is especially true when you need to host various events multiple times throughout the year. Although you may pay a little bit higher at the beginning, buying an air conditioner tent is a long-term investment.
This could save you a lot of labor and time cost to find a reliable rental company every time. Moreover, the ownership of such a tent also means that you can personalize its accessories, functions, features, etc., as you wish.
Find the Perfect Air Conditioned Tent for Party
An enclosed canopy could greatly improve the efficiency of an air conditioner, so we suggest that you try the Keder tent from Sheltent. The sidewalls, top cover, and components are tightly connected to its sturdy frame. The Keder track system has made it very easy to set up. Even if you know nothing about its installation, you can erect a standardized-size tent in 30 minutes to 2 hours by following the instructions.
It can be equipped with different cooling or heating systems such as air conditioners, HAVC systems, fans, etc. In addition, the cover of the keder tent is made of a double-coated UV-resistant PVC, which significantly reduces harm from harsh sunlight and hot temperatures.
Conclusion
Choosing a reliable air conditioned tent for outdoor events may not be easy. But a good start is half the success. Therefore, try to opt for a renowned supplier like Sheltent from the very outset. As a ten-year-old brand, we are committed to offering you the best AC tent and professional suggestions for maintaining a comfortable temperature in your outdoor tent. Contact us today for the best outdoor air conditioned tent solution!
