Key Issues When Putting in A Business HVAC System
Air conditioners on a roof of the industrial building with blue sky and clouds in the background. https://shp.com/2018/08/07/designing-hvac-systems-to-last-in-schools/
This article was written by Emergency Air, an Arizona-based AC service and repair company.
A commercial building these days is hard to imagine without a good HVAC system. As the climate becomes more extreme and unpredictable, it only makes economic sense for anyone who owns and operates a commercial building to ensure the comfort of the people who work, do business and shop there.
There are several things to consider when looking for a new HVAC system for your commercial building in the market. Here are some of those critical factors that need to be considered in your advertising HVAC installation.
The costs
Given the upfront cost of a commercial HVAC unit and its installation, it is normal for a building owner or manager to be tempted by the cheapest option. However, a cheap commercial HVAC system is likely to have more than a few drawbacks, from a much shorter lifespan to poor performance. However, that doesn’t mean you should buy the most expensive system on the market. Just make sure you are getting quotes from multiple HVAC contractors so you can make the necessary comparisons for life, performance and system efficiency, among other things.
The size of the building
The larger the building, the higher the comfort requirements. Make sure you choose an HVAC system that is the right size for the building so that residents and visitors are comfortable whatever the weather. If you install one that is too small for that, expect higher energy costs as your HVAC unit will work harder and longer to keep everyone cool. If the HVAC system you choose is oversized, the entire building will be cooled and heated inconsistently due to the frequent short cycles. It will also be difficult to dehumidify the air with the much shorter on and off cycle.
To get the right HVAC system for your commercial building, contact your trusted HVAC contractor who will perform a load calculation to assess the size of your property and its other properties, as well as cooling and heating needs. If you operate a large system, you can also use the load calculation of an air conditioning system to determine whether you need more than one heating or cooling system for it.
The type of HVAC system you need
Commercial HVAC systems come in a variety of brands and models including:
- Single split systems– A single shared HVAC system is known as such because it is “split” into two main components: the condensing unit, which contains the compressor, condenser and condenser fan, and the ventilation unit, which houses the expansion device, evaporator and fan Evaporator fan. Single-split systems are compact and cheaper to install than a central system. They take up less space, making them ideal for small offices, shops, cafes and restaurants.
- Multi-split systems– While a single split system consists of a compressor and an air outlet, a multi-split system usually uses a single larger outdoor unit to power up to four indoor units. This setup allows a multi-split system to cool multiple rooms at the same time, making it perfect for larger commercial spaces such as retail stores, offices, and doctor’s offices with multiple walls and floors. Even if you are connected to a single outdoor unit, you can operate and control each indoor unit independently with its own remote control.
- VRF systems (variable refrigerant flow)– Unlike traditional HVAC systems, VRF (Variable Refrigerant Flow) units use refrigerant lines instead of lines to cool or heat rooms in a commercial facility. What makes them a great choice for commercial buildings is that VRF systems are highly efficient and can achieve energy savings of up to 30% to 40%.
Contact your HVAC contractor to find out what type of commercial HVAC system will best fit the landscape of your building.
The current status of your sewer system
Does your building have a central management system that has been in place for years?
If so, you might want to have one HVAC technician Check the current status before installing your new heating and cooling system. After all, old ducts are more likely to have leaks, making your HVAC operation inefficient and therefore costly to you. If your plumbing is causing problems, your HVAC technician can recommend any repairs, adjustments, or renovations needed before proceeding with the installation of your new HVAC system.
The geographic location of your building
It is possible that your building will heat or cool in a certain way due to its geographic location. Regardless of whether the location of your building on the map is intentional or totally unintentional, you should still opt for an HVAC system that can handle the heating and cooling functions associated with its location. If you don’t take into account the geographic location of your building and its heating or cooling effects, your HVAC system could run inefficiently throughout its life. When choosing a new commercial cooling and heating system, always make sure that you are only working with HVAC contractors that you can trust. This is the only way to get the right HVAC system for your commercial building.