Air Purifier and Humidifier: Rent or Buy—Which Is Better?
The difference between renting and owning cannot be directly quantified in financial terms, because these are two entirely different services (sale and rental) that ensure the achievement of a goal or lead to it.
The purpose of acquiring an asset is to use it over the long term, and it makes sense to do so if you are able to maintain, store, and use the asset on a daily basis yourself.
In our case, it makes sense to use the example of owning or renting a humidifier.
Most people and businesses have previously purchased a humidifier—and, why not, an air purifier as well—assuming that it would be cheaper and more practical for them.
Today, many companies have come to realize that just as it makes more sense to rent coffee or water services, it also makes more sense to rent humidifiers and air purifiers. This way, the equipment is used only when it’s needed (seasonally).
Most offices experience air quality problems during the heating season, which runs from September through mid-May. The rest of the time, the equipment sits idle and is not maintained, which reduces its value and shortens its service life.
But think about it: wouldn’t it make more sense to rent air purifiers and/or dehumidifiers as needed? For example, you could rent dehumidifiers for the heating season and then return the equipment afterward. You can rent them again the following season. (The equipment is stored and maintained for you by experts in the field.)
If a device malfunctions, it will be replaced with a new one under the rental agreement, so service will not be interrupted. It’s a convenient and secure solution in every way.
The filter systems are maintained for you, so you don’t have to worry about when the equipment needs servicing or what to do with it when you no longer need it. Keep in mind that at some point, the asset will need to be disposed of or sold, which in turn is another expense. As a rule, the lessor has information on where, how, and the best way to manage the asset, as well as what the disposal options are; thanks to this, they can operate more effectively in the secondary market, and you can focus on your core business.
There is also sometimes a need to adjust the equipment inventory (a new building or leased space, additional space, or a reduction in space). Leasing provides the flexibility needed for this, which is either unavailable or significantly more difficult to achieve when owning the assets.
As an example of our company’s focus, in order to make rational asset acquisitions, it is necessary to understand the field of air humidifiers and air purifiers, stay up to date on air quality concepts and methods of improvement, and see the big picture in this field. If a company’s expertise and specialization lie in a completely different field, there is a high probability that the lessor will be able to manage the assets more effectively, make more informed decisions, and ultimately, this will result in a more cost-effective, convenient, and efficient solution for the lessee.
For example, an IT company tends to focus on its own field, whether that be programming or something else. Dry air, air quality and its improvement, employee well-being through a healthy work environment, a lower likelihood of contracting illnesses during an outbreak, and the removal of allergens so that even people with asthma and allergies can feel comfortable at the company—this service is outsourced, since the company’s core business is something entirely different, and building up the knowledge and experience needed to make specific improvements to the work environment is costly and potentially ineffective.
However, renting is not a magic wand that solves all problems. The main advantage of renting is flexibility, and when signing a lease, you should ask yourself whether this condition is met.
So what are the advantages of an air purifier/humidifier rental service:
- Flexibility
- Use of a humidifier and/or air purifier as needed
- Seasonal use of equipment (e.g., an air purifier during pollen season or an outbreak of illness, or if you have a coworker who is temporarily suffering from allergies or asthma)
- The right number of devices, as needed
- We calculate the required solution using a simulation program
- If your needs grow, you can easily upgrade to a more powerful device
- A Reliable Partner
- Easy budgeting and expense tracking
- You can use your working capital for your core business
- Leases are not reflected as loan obligations on a company’s balance sheet (this may be important for various municipal enterprises, local governments, schools, and other budgetary institutions, as well as branches and subsidiaries of large companies)
- Unlike a loan, there is no need to provide additional collateral
- The company has no need to account for fixed assets
- Those subject to value-added tax can claim a VAT refund on lease payments
- At the end of the period, the asset can be returned or purchased at a previously agreed-upon price.
- Before purchasing the device, you can rent it to see if it’s right for you.
Today, renting humidifiers and air purifiers is a growing trend—we already have over 200 customers who have opted for rental, even though this service is still a new way for us to meet our customers’ needs more flexibly.
If you have a steady, sufficient long-term income and the type of asset you’re purchasing is clear, it makes sense to buy. However, if market fluctuations are significant and the asset isn’t a core tool specific to your line of work, it’s better to rent. A snail invests in a single shell and grows along with it, while a hermit crab, as it grows, seeks shelter in a new seashell. If a snail destroys its own shell, it’s in trouble, but a hermit crab simply takes a new seashell, and its safety is once again assured.
