If you are moving into a new commercial or industrial building, one of the most expensive infrastructure costs you face will be the design and installation of your HVAC mechanical system. The good news is that you can benefit from selecting a Design Build contractor to assist in delivering a system customized to your building and the services you provide. The mechanical contractor will lead the entire project, including architects, plumbers, electricians, pre-fabrication, and installation, and will keep tight control over the timeline to mitigate cost overruns.
A Guide to Custom HVAC System Installation
Custom HVAC systems are tailored solutions designed to meet the specific heating, cooling, and ventilation needs of a building, ensuring optimal performance and efficiency. Constructing custom commercial mechanical HVAC systems is a complex task, but it can be broken down into key stages:
- Planning and Design
- Construction and Installation
- Evaluation
- Ongoing Maintenance
Each of these stages is critical to prolong your building’s lifecycle and meet the needs of those who occupying it. The key difference of a custom HVAC system is that every component is selected specifically to perform like an orchestra. No off-the-shelf components will be used. By selecting components designed to work in harmony with each other, you will have greater control over energy consumption, with proper service and maintenance, extend the life of your equipment, and be capable of optimizing system performance.
The Importance of Hiring a Custom HVAC Contractor in New Construction
A well-designed HVAC system is essential for maintaining comfort, efficiency, and air quality in any new commercial construction project. This system is key to ensuring that your building functions efficiently while maintaining a comfortable environment for all occupants.
With new construction comes the opportunity to configure an HVAC system for improved safety and optimal indoor environments at the most affordable time.
It isn’t uncommon for different facilities to have unique HVAC requirements specific to the products and services they provide. If you have specific dimensional requirements due to space or clearance requirements, a standard, out-of-the-box solution may not suffice. In those cases, an experienced HVAC contractor can build custom sizes to meet your requirements and recommend components that fit your buildings specs.
Custom HVAC Construction Process
When beginning your construction project, the first phase in designing a custom commercial HVAC system is developing a plan. This starts with hiring a licensed professional to design and install an HVAC system that suits your needs.
Custom HVAC Contractors Can Help Develop a Plan That Works
The contractor will want to understand your business, the customers you serve and the products/services you provide. They will also take into account any specific requirements for your building type, whether it’s a retail space, office, or industrial facility. They will review federal, state and local permit requirements for performing this work and measure the footprint of the facility to determine the airflow requirements.
Designing a System That Fits Your Needs
In the design phase, they will meet with plumbers, electricians, duct fabricators and HVAC equipment suppliers to generate an initial budget and prepare a list of materials required to complete the project.
This collaboration ensures all systems are aligned and that the project moves forward smoothly. They will create engineered drawings outlining the location of every component in your facility, confirm an approved budget and set a timeline for completion of the project.
Licensed Contractor Will Ensure The Project is Done Safely
The contractor will then develop a detailed list of safety protocols to avoid unnecessary accidents. These protocols will help ensure that both construction workers and building occupants are protected during the installation process.
With hiring a licensed custom HVAC mechanical contractor, you have a single source to deliver the entire implementation of an HVAC solution on time and within budget.
Challenges in Incorporating Custom HVAC Systems
Designing and installing custom HVAC systems to match your newlu constructed building requires balancing technical requirements, energy efficiency, and occupant comfort. While custom HVACs offer immense opportunities to create functional and sustainable environments, it also comes with its share of challenges. Some challenges for custom HVAC projects include:
Accurate Load Calculations
One of the primary challenges in HVAC design is accurately calculating heating and cooling loads. Miscalculations can lead to underperforming systems or oversized equipment, resulting in inefficiency, higher costs, and occupant discomfort.
Balancing Energy Efficiency and Comfort
Striking the right balance between energy efficiency and occupant comfort is a delicate process. Systems that are too focused on efficiency may compromise air quality or fail to maintain consistent temperatures.
Space Constraints
In many projects, space limitations can make it difficult to incorporate the necessary HVAC components without compromising performance or aesthetics.
Noise Control
HVAC systems can generate noise that disrupts the comfort and functionality of a space, particularly in office settings.
Ensuring Proper Air Distribution
Poor air distribution can lead to hot and cold spots, uneven humidity levels, and inadequate ventilation, negatively affecting occupant comfort.
Compliance with Standards and Regulations
HVAC systems must comply with various building codes, energy efficiency standards, and safety regulations. Failing to meet these requirements can lead to project delays and increased costs.
Accounting for Future Scalability
Buildings often evolve over time, with changes in usage patterns or expansions that increase HVAC demands. Designing a system that cannot accommodate these changes can result in costly retrofits.
Managing Project Costs
Balancing budget constraints with performance requirements can be challenging, especially when incorporating advanced technologies or sustainable solutions.
While designing an HVAC system comes with its fair share of challenges, these obstacles can be overcome with strategic planning, collaboration, and the use of modern tools and technologies. By addressing issues like accurate load calculations, energy efficiency, and compliance early in the design process, you and your HVAC professional can create custom solutions that are efficient, reliable, and adaptable to future needs.
Taking Care of Your Custom HVAC System
Once built and installed, new cooling, heating, and plumbing systems must be evaluated for proper functioning and efficient operation. Evaluation typically includes:
- Testing system performance and ventilation systems by evaluating airflow, looking for leaks, and checking the pressure
- Measuring output and testing temperature changes as well as indoor air quality
- Evaluating load and capacity use, which compares energy use to how efficiently your system heats, cools, and moves air
Once your custom HVAC system is tested and adjustments are made to optimize performance, establishing a service and maintenance program is essential. Weather conditions can vary throughout the country and if not recognized, result in substandard performance of your system. Working with a mechanical contractor to develop a maintenance program designed to keep your custom system operating properly will help prevent equipment failure and potential business interruption.
Ensuring Building Performance with Custom HVAC
Every commercial building is unique, and HVAC systems should be designed and managed to match the workspaces within your building. Annual expenses for operating HVAC systems are a significant part of the annual budget.
With proper maintenance and service, your mechanical system should last 15-20 years. Without adhering to a regular maintenance plan the useful life of the equipment will be significantly less. There is no better way to secure your HVAC investment than developing and following a regular service and maintenance program.
There are tremendous opportunities for saving money and reducing energy consumption when all of the components within your system are operating at peak performance. Employee engagement improves when your internal air environment consistently delivers the right heating, cooling and humidification. When thermostats maintain prescribed temperature levels, you can maximize energy costs and consumption. Protect your investment and deliver clean indoor air quality to your team by keeping your HVAC equipment operating at peak performance.
Cost Considerations of Custom HVAC Systems
Custom HVAC equipment can be configured to include combinations of air-handling components that will solve almost any industrial HVAC requirement. Custom equipment is the perfect choice for institutional or industrial applications where high flow rates, very close control, and poor air quality conditions exist.
Although more costly than many “out-of-the-box” solutions, they have the longest lifespan and offer the most satisfaction in the long term. Customization of your HVAC air handling system ensures that your system will be the right size.
Oversized systems end up wasting energy due to their inefficiency. On the flip side, an undersized unit will run continually without ever reaching or sustaining optimal temperatures. Both result in higher energy bills. Over the lifespan of a customized piece of HVAC equipment, having a system that is matched correctly to its environment often offers optimal energy and operating savings due to the custom components selected.
When you’re ready to invest in long-term performance and efficiency, it’s important to partner with a team that understands how to deliver tailored HVAC solutions that truly meet your needs.
Unitemp: Your Custom HVAC Partner
With over 50 years of experience providing custom HVAC solutions for commercial and industrial buildings, Unitemp has the experience and team to optimize your custom HVAC challenges. Call us today at 877.704.4822.