As temps soar, residents race to rent ACs, coolers

Pune: With the rising temperatures in the city, residents have started queuing up to rent air-conditioners and air coolers to beat the heat.
"We took an unfurnished apartment on rent in Nov last year. We didn't require ACs or coolers until now, but heat has become unbearable even during nights. Now, we were forced to rent an AC for the next few months," said Vini Jaiswal, a resident of Baner.
For those whose landlords don't allow new installations, portable ACs and air coolers are among the top priorities.
"I rented a portable air cooler online as local appliance rental agents ran out of stock. Coolers could not be as good as ACs, but something was better than nothing. My kids didn't sleep for several nights due to the heat," said Kunal Desai, a resident of Pashan.
Appliance rental companies have been offering seasonal packages between Rs 12,000 to 15,000 for four months, including transport and installation charges. Rental coolers cost between Rs 1,000 and 1,200 per month. "We have been seeing a huge demand for split AC rentals. We have been installing about 15-20 ACs daily in our area," said Arif Sheikh, who runs an appliance rental company Cool Breeze in Kondhwa.
Hadapsar-based Nizam Siddiqui, who runs Hire and Cool, said they have special summer packages, which could be extendable for the whole year. "People start by taking ACs on rent for the summer months, but then get used to them and ask for extensions. We have different packages for split and window ACs. Over the last few weeks, we rented out 70-80 ACs in the area," said Siddiqui.
Madhavi Kumar, a resident of Kharadi, said she preferred rented AC from local dealers than from online portals. "If there was an issue with the appliance, we have a point of contact and they can immediately repair or replace the device. We considered buying an AC, but prices were too high, so we decided to rent it instead," she said.
PK Bhalgat, who runs Deshna Enterprises on Karve Road, said most people who rent ACs and coolers were those living in rental apartments. "They want the AC to be fixed with minimum damage, so it takes time and effort to get the perfect fit for them. We also have to be prepared for any maintenance-related complaints or service issues," said Bhalgat.