Selecting the correct commercial HVAC system to optimize function and energy savings for a specific application is not trivial due to the multitude of interrelated variables that must be considered.
This process is often left to experienced designers who are knowledgeable of the attributes of the many different HVAC systems available. In many cases, a designer narrows the options and then conducts a life-cycle cost analysis (LCCA) to quantify the fiscal impacts of the options over the building’s life. This financial data is then balanced against the numerous non-quantifiable variables to determine the best HVAC system for a specific application.
Design Teams and Regulatory Knowledge
Choosing a designer and engineering team that understands the products you provide and the customers you serve is an important step when selecting system components. Understanding airflow in your facility will help determine the optimal locations for ducting and vents. The HVAC requirements for restaurants, retail stores, pharmaceutical facilities, and other similar establishments necessitate a selection of components that deliver optimal indoor air quality tailored to each customer’s specific business needs. Hiring a team that understands local, state, and federal regulations will expedite the permitting process and advance the project at a faster pace.
Why Maintenance Planning Should Begin Immediately
Once your system has been installed, the most important action you can take is to engage a licensed mechanical engineer to design a planned maintenance program for your system. Preventive maintenance helps reduce emergencies. By staying ahead of potential problems, businesses can avoid sudden breakdowns and reduce the need for reactive maintenance, ensuring facility managers, employees, and customers are not affected.
Proactive Care Saves Money and Prevents Downtime
Regular checks by facility managers identify small issues in commercial HVAC maintenance before they become big problems for customers and employees. Keeping up with maintenance can significantly extend equipment life. Without regular care, wear and tear accumulate quickly, leading to early failure or costly replacements. By addressing minor repairs promptly, you prevent larger failures later on. This proactive approach limits the risk of needing complete system overhauls too soon after installation.
Understanding the HVAC System Beyond Installation
Seasonal Settings Matter for Efficiency
Commercial HVAC systems require different settings for summer and winter. Adjusting these settings is important to maintain comfort and efficiency. In the summer, HVAC maintenance involves setting thermostats to a temperature that strikes a balance between comfort and energy use.
This means not too cold to avoid high utility bills. In winter, it involves setting the heating system at a lower temperature when buildings are unoccupied. Doing this can save on energy costs without sacrificing comfort during working hours. Preparing your commercial HVAC for high-demand seasons is important when preventing breakdowns.
Prepping Systems Ahead of Seasonal Shifts
Before summer begins, ensure cooling systems are ready to handle increased usage. Similarly, heating systems must be prepped before winter strikes. This preparation often involves checking refrigerant levels or inspecting heat exchangers. It’s important because it helps identify issues before they lead to costly repairs or downtime.
Custom Maintenance for Unique Demands
Every business’s HVAC system faces unique demands. Custom maintenance schedules ensure systems run efficiently. For high-use areas, frequent check-ups prevent breakdowns. Less busy spaces need less attention. Businesses benefit greatly from this approach. A tailored plan can reduce energy costs and extend equipment lifespan.
Regular Maintenance and Inspections
Preventative maintenance is important for an HVAC system’s longevity. Regular check-ups prevent small issues from becoming big problems. For example, changing filters and checking refrigerant levels can help extend the life of your system. Consistent upkeep means fewer breakdowns over time. This results in less strain on the unit and a longer overall lifespan. The quality of installation sets the stage for an HVAC system’s health.
Installation Quality Impacts Long-Term Efficiency
A well-installed system works efficiently from day one. It also faces fewer mechanical failures throughout its life. Poor installation can lead to frequent repairs and a shortened lifespan. Ensuring that professionals install your HVAC is important for long-term performance. Every commercial space has unique demands on its HVAC system. High usage puts more wear and tear on components, affecting longevity. Managing these operational demands is important.
Adjusting Maintenance to Operational Demands
Systems in high-demand environments may need more frequent maintenance to last many years. Filter changes and system diagnostics are often at the top of maintenance tasks. It’s critical to prioritize these actions because they directly impact system efficiency and air quality. For instance, filters should be replaced regularly to prevent dust and debris from clogging the system. Regular diagnostics can identify potential issues before they become costly repairs. This proactive approach saves money in the long run by avoiding downtime or significant damage.
Budgeting for the Expected and the Unexpected
Commercial buildings require consistent HVAC maintenance to run smoothly. Planning your budget means understanding the distinction between regular expenses and unexpected repairs. Regular costs are predictable. They include inspections, filter changes, and cleaning services. Unexpected repairs can hit hard if you’re not prepared. These often come from neglect or unforeseen issues within the system. To manage these expenses, set aside a contingency fund specifically for emergency repairs.
Monitoring Energy Efficiency
Regular HVAC upkeep boosts energy efficiency. Commercial HVAC systems run smoother and use less power when well-maintained by facility managers. This leads to lower energy bills, a smaller carbon footprint, and benefits from commercial HVAC maintenance for facility managers and employees.
Maintenance plans must meet industry regulations. Different sectors have specific air quality needs. Hospitals require cleaner air than warehouses, for example.
Incorporating these standards is critical for safety and compliance. It also boosts customer and employee trust in your business’s commitment to health. Investing in proactive maintenance leads to long-term savings for commercial properties.
Regular upkeep extends equipment life and efficiency, reducing the frequency of costly replacements over time:
- Improved system performance lowers utility bills.
- Fewer emergencies mean less downtime and disruption.
Budgeting wisely for commercial HVAC maintenance is essential in managing overall building expenses effectively.
Importance of Proper HVAC System Usage
Knowing how to identify HVAC issues is the first step to troubleshooting your system. To fix common HVAC problems, you need to identify their root causes. A few of the most common operational issues affecting HVAC systems include:
- Restricted Airflow: If you notice the AC isn’t working in one room, or some areas in your office are warmer than others, you may have airflow issues. Restricted airflow, one of the most common HVAC problems in commercial buildings, is often caused by obstructed vents and dirty air filters.
- Dirty Filters: Maintaining your air filters in good condition is essential for maintaining optimal indoor air quality in your building. HVAC filters remove dust, pollen, and germs from the air, eventually becoming saturated with particulate matter that clogs your system’s airflow. These blockages prevent air from evenly heating your rooms and are one of the most common furnace problems in cold weather.
- Increased energy costs: In commercial buildings, HVAC operations account for 60% of monthly energy use. Inefficient HVAC systems can consume almost twice as much energy depending on the size of your building. As your system ages, everyday wear and tear reduces the effectiveness of your equipment. To compensate, your HVAC system draws extra energy to maintain the same output. If you’ve noticed utility bills increasing over the last few months, that’s a solid indication your HVAC system may have an underlying problem.
- Digital Controls: Difficulty receiving commands from the control system is another common issue in commercial buildings related to HVAC. If you’re having trouble with an unresponsive system, your thermostat is most likely the culprit. Most modern thermostats are battery-powered; however, if you’ve already replaced the batteries and the problem persists, the issue may lie within your electrical system.
Facility engineers and staff should receive ongoing training on your HVAC system. A thorough understanding of potential issues can prevent costly equipment failures. A part of every planned maintenance program should include quarterly equipment training sessions. Remember, being proactive with HVAC repairs and maintenance extends the life of your equipment.
Air Quality Management
The most long-term effects of poor air filtration in a commercial office building include persistent health problems. The least severe consequences include a rise in allergy symptoms like a runny nose, scratchy throat, and itchy eyes. However, even minor symptoms can significantly reduce the efficiency of your employees.
Prolonged exposure to low-quality building air can have serious consequences for your employees and customers. Every member of your management team should consistently reinforce the importance of delivering optimal indoor air quality. Facility managers and technicians should be applauded regularly for their work repairing and maintaining your HVAC system.
Addressing Warranty and Service Agreements
Following manufacturer-recommended practices is not just a suggestion; it’s necessary for warranty purposes and optimal performance. Each piece of equipment comes with specific guidelines that ensure its longevity and reliability. Failing to follow these recommendations could result in voided warranties or accelerated component wear. Always check the manual for each unit when setting up your maintenance plan. Different types of equipment might require unique care based on their usage patterns. An office building’s air conditioning unit may not require as frequent servicing as one in a busy restaurant kitchen, due to the varying demands placed upon it. Creating tailored checklists helps address individual needs effectively, ensuring that all aspects of your commercial HVAC systems receive appropriate attention.
Updating HVAC Technology and Controls
Commercial HVAC controls are sophisticated systems that regulate various elements of an HVAC system to maintain a comfortable indoor environment while optimizing energy consumption. These controls enable businesses to efficiently manage the premises’ heating, cooling, ventilation, humidity, and air quality. The primary components of HVAC controls include sensors, thermostats, dampers, actuators, and a central controller.
One of the most effective ways to optimize energy usage is by implementing zoning controls within the HVAC system. Zoning divides commercial space into distinct areas or zones, enabling independent temperature control within each zone. By adjusting the temperature according to occupancy and specific zone requirements, businesses can minimize energy waste in unoccupied or underutilized areas. Zoning controls enable customization according to individual preferences, enhancing employee and customer comfort.
HVAC controls should be integrated with a building automation system (BAS) whenever possible. BAS is a centralized control platform that oversees and manages various building systems, including HVAC, lighting, security, and more. Integrating HVAC controls with Building Automation Systems (BAS) enables seamless communication between systems, allowing for coordinated operations and optimized energy management. For example, the BAS can utilize occupancy data from security systems to automatically adjust HVAC settings, ensuring comfort when needed.
Environmental and Regulatory Compliance
In commercial construction, HVAC compliance and regulations play a role in maintaining efficiency, safety, and sustainability. Mechanical contractors must navigate a complex web of federal, state, and local regulations that dictate everything from energy efficiency standards to air quality requirements.
Failing to meet these regulations can result in legal consequences, increased operational costs, and diminished occupant comfort. Compliance with HVAC regulations helps avoid fines, maintain energy efficiency, and ensure public health protection.
Several governing bodies oversee HVAC requirements, including:
- Ashrae: (American Society of Heating, Refrigerating, and Air-Conditioning Engineers) – Sets industry standards for ventilation, air quality, and energy efficiency.
- EPA: (Environmental Protection Agency) – Regulates refrigerants under the Clean Air Act.
- OSHA: (Occupational Safety and Health Administration)– Establishes workplace safety standards related to HVAC equipment installation and maintenance.
- Local Building Codes – Vary by state and municipality, impacting installation and operational guidelines.
Seasonal Adjustments and Calibration
Your commercial HVAC system is responsible for maintaining a comfortable environment in your building throughout the year. For this reason, HVAC seasonal maintenance is a necessary part of running a business. Two primary types of maintenance should be performed throughout the year: DIY tasks as needed and professional inspections in the spring (for cooling equipment) and fall (for heating equipment). The best solution for ensuring a long operating life for your HVAC system is to locate a licensed mechanical contractor. They will review your equipment and design an annual service and maintenance plan that will extend the life of your equipment and maintain optimal indoor air quality for employees and customers.
Cost Management and Budgeting
Any good business owner is always looking for ways to lower costs in reasonable ways. There are always ways to make operations more affordable. One area that can be expensive is the operation of the HVAC system at your business. Luckily, there are several great ways to reduce your expenditure on your HVAC system.
Some of the ways to reduce annual HVAC operating costs include:
- Install an efficient system sized to match your facility and designed to produce the products you provide efficiently.
- In construction or renovation, add Building Controls and Building Automation systems to automatically regulate energy consumption.
- Hire a licensed mechanical contractor who will design an annual maintenance and service program.
- When preparing your annual budget, be sure to review the operating costs for your HVAC system over the last three years. Determine how the costs changed year over year and include adding an appropriate reserve for operating costs in the coming year.
Partnering with Unitemp, Inc. for Ongoing HVAC Care
For over 50 years, Unitemp has been providing design, construction, and installation services for commercial HVAC systems in New Jersey and New York. Call us today at 877.704.4822 to schedule a meeting. From new installation to renovation to automated building control systems, our team looks forward to working with you.