A light tower is a light source with powerful lights affixed to a mast, connected to a built-in generator and trailer-mounted to make it portable. The mast is able to extend up to 26 feet high. Every event is unique and has a special set of needs. There are many types of light towers on the market; it can be confusing to determine the best option. Below are some factors to consider when choosing to purchase or rent a light tower for your next event: 

• Cost 
  • Events are planned social gatherings that typically last anywhere from a few hours to several weeks or months. A light tower's cost can range from $5,000 to more than $20,000. Renting a top of the line light tower is typically much cheaper than buying one.  
  • Fuel needs to be factored into your cost as well. Some rental companies include the first tank of fuel with the cost of their rental. If purchasing a light tower, refueling and maintaining the fuel system can be very expensive.
• Storage and Maintenance
  • If you were to purchase a light tower, you would be responsible for storing that equipment and performing both routine and emergency maintenance. A reputable rental company will keep the equipment in a locked facility, keep it washed and clean, and provide regular maintenance so it is in perfect condition inside and out for your event. 
• Personalized Placement
  • Events range from small social gatherings to having thousands of people. Regardless of the size, there are still a lot of factors that go into planning an event. Choose a rental company where the sales representative will ask questions and visit the site in an effort to provide you with the best solution for your event. Common solutions involve the balance of appropriate placement for adequate lighting and sound reduction since the units do make noise while running. Your salesperson should be accountable for every aspect of the event and take the stress away by providing the best solution for the area.
• Mechanical Issues
  • Any piece of mechanical equipment can have issues. New or used, young or old, machines can break down. The worst thing is to have an event running and your equipment stops working. When you rent a light tower and something goes wrong, you need to be sure your rental company can fix the problem with little or no downtime. To really ensure the best possible experience, ask your rental company if they have a tech on-site option. A tech on-site will be available at your event to ensure the equipment operates to spec and immediately troubleshoot should something go wrong.

At Portable Air, customer satisfaction is always our top priority. We take great pride in providing the best solutions and service in the industry. Our light towers are popular with the event industry because they use LED lights over halogen, providing a brighter solution while making them considerably more fuel efficient. The towers are self-crank with the push of a button instead of a hand-crank which is time-consuming and a pain! Each tower comes with a standard 110v outlet for regular power use allowing vendors with a small power requirement to plug in without needing an additional generator. The towers can be programmed to turn on and off at specific times so the user doesn't have to be on-site or remember to do so daily. Portable Air’s accountable sales representatives oversee the entire rental and fulfillment process while the talented installation team and expert technicians make sure your equipment is delivered on time and set up properly. 

Portable Air is always looking for hard working people to join our talented team of professionals! Visit portableac.com/careers to learn more.