Your commercial HVAC system is the unsung hero of your business, silently ensuring the perfect environment. Commercial HVAC systems are complex and designed to handle large spaces, often with custom heating and cooling requirements for the different working groups within the building.
Evaluating Your Commercial HVAC Needs
The rapid introduction of updated technology, building automation systems, and building analytics requires the assistance of a professional contractor: An outside team to help evaluate the optimal components for your specific space, a design plan, installation, and ongoing maintenance to manage the indoor air quality your employees and customers expect. Your commercial HVAC system efficiently manages airflow, ensuring fresh air circulation, reducing pollutants, and maintaining a healthy workplace environment.
The benefits of retrofitting an existing building include significantly reducing energy costs and 24/7 optimization of indoor air quality, which can extend the life of your system and your production equipment and inventory.
Choosing the Right HVAC System for Your Business
Upgrading or designing a new HVAC system is a complex task, but with the support of a licensed contractor, the work will be done properly. Because no building is the same and the industry your business serves has unique indoor air quality requirements, the structure and components will vary.
Top Components of HVAC Systems
Some components in every system will include air conditioners to keep the air cool and comfortable by removing heat and moisture. Compressors compress refrigerant gas, allowing them to absorb heat from the air and regulate required temperature ranges. Condenser coils receive the hot gas from the compressor and disperse this to generate heat. The evaporator coil absorbs heat and moisture from the building, cools it down, and sends it back into the building as cool air. Air handlers include the evaporator and blower and distribute cool air throughout the building.
Regulation and Filtration Components
The thermal expansion valve regulates the amount of refrigerant that flows into the evaporator coil, and air filters remove particles from the air flowing through your system. Ductwork distributes air throughout the building, and ventilation equipment ensures proper air exchange and distribution. Chillers can be air or water-cooled and distribute cool air throughout the building. Controls and thermostats regulate temperature and air quality.
HVAC System Types and Considerations
In designing each HVAC system your contractor will need help in understanding the unique products or services you provide. Is the HVAC system being designed to be installed in a data center, pharmaceutical manufacturing plant, university, office building, grocery store, etc.? Some of the common options available for most buildings include single split systems. These are good for small commercial spaces, offering an affordable and easy-to-manage option for individual room heating and cooling.
Advanced HVAC Options
Multi-split systems are best for buildings with multiple rooms, allowing for individual control of the temperature in each space. VRF (variable refrigerant flow) and VRV (variable refrigerant volume) are systems that work well for medium and large commercial spaces. Heat pump systems are an energy-efficient option that can provide both heating and cooling by transferring heat from one area to another. Rooftop units are mounted on the roof and are common in large retail and industrial buildings.
They provide a compact and centralized solution. Packaged heating and air conditioning systems are a good choice for larger buildings. These systems combine heating and cooling components in a single unit.
Selecting a Reliable HVAC Contractor
Selecting the right contractor is critical in many respects. Experience in building systems that fit the industry you serve will make the final installation easier; they will be familiar with the best technology and components available for your specific install needs. They will be familiar with your industry’s local, state, and federal regulations. They will offer options that fit your requirements and a budget for installing a new system.
Options include design-build agreements where the contractor creates the design, purchases the components, and installs your complete system. They can also provide a plan and spec agreement. This is a common process where the building owner has an independent engineer design the system and deliver it to your contractor for acquiring components, assembly, and installation.
The contractor you select and the team they assemble to complete your retrofit or new installation are key to a successful HVAC installation.
Legal and Compliance Issues
Once your new system is installed and working properly, you can expect it to operate reliably for 20 years when properly maintained. The team that built and installed your system knows everything about your business and how to ensure all components work in harmony. The components in your system will have maintenance recommendations from the OEM who built them.
If you fail to follow these recommendations, you may void your warranty. Each component may have different maintenance schedules, and your contractor will build a plan to inspect your system as required by warranty conditions. A proper maintenance routine will provide Eddy with current testing, water analysis, and vibration analysis. When problems are found in chillers, boilers, or cooling towers, they can be identified and repaired before they stop working.
Maintenance and Aftercare
Preventative maintenance service should be part of your annual operating budget. Poor maintenance shortens the useful life of the equipment. In addition to extending the life of your equipment, a maintenance schedule will help conserve energy, improve the system’s reliability, reduce emergency repair calls, optimize productivity, and maximize indoor air quality for your employees and customers.
Contact Unitemp for Your Initial Consultation
Unitemp has provided commercial and industrial businesses with a complete range of HVAC services for over 50 years.
Call Unitemp for Your HVAC Needs Today 877.704.4822