Commercial Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning Systems

4. Differences Between Commercial and Residential Systems

Some of the primary differences between residential and commercial HVAC systems include:

5. Installation and Replacement

A commercial HVAC installation improves employee productivity by enhancing indoor comfort while improving efficiency and decontaminating the air. Installations can differ depending on whether your HVAC system is for a new construction or a pre-existing building.

6. Commercial HVAC Replacement

Your HVAC system can account for up to 39% of your total energy usage, even more, if you have an outdated system. You might assume an HVAC replacement is an expense you can’t afford but installing or upgrading your system could save you a small fortune in the long run. You might want to opt for commercial roof to HVAC units as they tend to be easier to access than those stored inside your building’s roof, which means your ongoing maintenance costs will be more affordable.

Before replacing your system, your HVAC contractor will perform an inspection to find out your current system requirements. It may be the case that adjustments or improvements need to be made, or you might require a new system altogether, especially if your HVAC solution is no longer compliant with current energy code regulations.

7. Commercial HVAC Design Considerations

As mentioned above,designing an HVAC solution for a commercial building, whether it’s a school, hospital or industrial unit, is a complex process, and one that requires a qualified contractor’s expertise.

1. Size

It’s essential to calculate the loading and size requirements of your HVAC system to ensure it works optimally. If the unit is too small or lacks power, it will fail to serve its purpose. Similarly, you don’t want an oversized system because bigger is not better with regards to HVAC system design. Oversized systems will fail to produce adequately comfortable conditions inside your building because they tend to turn on and off continuously, never running for long enough to remove humidity efficiently. As a result, your building’s interior could be clammy and riddled with cold and hot spots. In short, your system needs to be designed specifically to the space configuration that it is to cool and/or heat.

In most cases, your contractor will consider more than just the square footage of your property to design a suitable HVAC solution. They will likely use computer simulation tools that account for the materials used to build your property, average daylight hours, space activity patterns and lighting design.

2. Power

To produce the most power, your HVAC solution will need to be optimally sized to your building. The smaller the unit, the less power that your system will recieve.

3. System Placement

It’s crucial for your HVAC contractor to find a suitable place to install your system, and that includes all its components, from the ductwork to the thermostat. You need your solution to be positioned not only to maximize its performance and efficiency but also ensure it’s easy to access should it require repairs. In most cases, your contractor will design a system to place on the roof while ensuring the thermostat is within easy reach. Rooftop HVAC systems are usually the best option for commercial purposes.

However, there are other options available. Depending on your requirements, you might be better off with air conditioning units for individual rooms. In other cases, air-to-air heaters will be a better choice. Choose your contractor wisely, and you can feel confident the placement of your system will keep your running costs to a minimum while keeping your workplace comfortable and contaminant-free.

4. Complexity

To add to the complexity of HVAC design, your contractor should consider independently-controlled zones to craft a suitable solution. Even in open-plan environments, certain areas have different requirements to stay comfortable. For example, some areas may have special needs for humidity and temperature control, such as computer rooms or areas that contain industrial equipment. Also, areas such as conference rooms will require more cooling during large gatherings and less when the space is unoccupied.

5. Drainage

The system will probably require a complicated network of pipes and pans to achieve proper drainage. The last thing you want is water to overflow or freeze because rectifying such a situation can be expensive. If you’re scouting around for an HVAC installer and want to ensure that they know their stuff, you might want to ask them about how they’ll design the drainage aspect of your system.

6. Equipment

HVAC systems comprise a wide variety of components, thousands in most cases. Choosing the right equipment to build your solution is essential for its performance, maintenance requirements, energy-efficiency and durability.

Would a ductless system be the most suitable solution for your building? Is your contractor bearing safety and fire requirements in mind when deciding on which commercial HVAC equipment to use?

Always discuss this issue with your contractor before you commit to the installation.

7. Mechanism

Another consideration your contractor needs to bear in mind is whether your building will be better off with a modular or integrated system. In most cases, they’ll probably recommend a modular HVAC solution as these systems usually perform better in commercial buildings.

Otherwise known as decentralized systems, modular units give you the flexibility to control the temperature in different areas of the building at different times, maximizing their energy efficiency as well as comfort-providing abilities.

8. What Is The Cost of a Commercial System?

When it comes to calculating how much your HVAC your system will cost, it’s advisable to compare the prices offered by as many local HVAC companies as you can. Remember, the cheapest companies might not provide a high standard of service, making their initial installation fee less significant than you think considering you’ll pay more on energy than necessary.

Primarily, four factors affect how much you’ll pay for your commercial HVAC solution.

9. Service

10. Can HVAC Be Green?

As a rapidly evolving industry, HVAC solutions are becoming much greener. Not only do they clean the air inside your building, but they also use less energy than ever before, saving you money in the process. Some chemicals can contribute to the depletion of the ozone layer, but these are being gradually eradicated.