HVAC engineering takes into account a variety of factors, from facility size considerations to complexities required for certain purposes. Industrial and commercial HVAC design involves more than just setting up an AC unit, a furnace, and some ductwork.
General HVAC System Design
Your HVAC system is just as critical to the habitability of your facility as your roof. Like any other critical infrastructure, the concept might be simple, but your unique system is likely more complex than you realize. In a small building with basic needs such as a home or small office, you might simply have an AC, a furnace, and some ductwork to carry the air around your space. Large industrial facilities, on the other hand, may leverage complex building automation and control solutions, boilers, chillers, and other HVAC equipment. HVAC shouldn’t be taken lightly, and having your system designed, installed, and cared for by experienced professionals is a must.
Heating and Cooling
At its core, your HVAC system exists to keep the environment inside your facility comfortable for tenants, employees, customers, and visitors. In order for this to work properly, your system should be sized correctly for your space. Too small, and your AC or heating units might be fighting a losing battle against nature and will simply be unable to keep your building at the right temperature. Furthermore, a system that is working too hard isn’t going to last nearly as long as it should and could lead to expensive repairs. This doesn’t mean you should choose an oversized system just to be safe. Units that are too large will be inefficient from frequent starts and stops. The temperature and humidity will be difficult to control.
Air Quality
An effective HVAC system doesn’t just keep a building cool in the summer and warm in the winter. The internal air quality almost entirely depends on having the right system in place. From humidity to pollutants, your HVAC system can either make your facility unhealthy and uncomfortable or the exact opposite. If your AC unit is going to dehumidify it needs to be appropriately sized. Also, in order to keep the outside world out of your air ducts, your exterior equipment should be clean and free of debris. Inside your facility, the right air filters are critical to reducing allergens and pollutants. Some threats come from inside your building itself. Air ducts will inevitably get dirty over time, spreading mold, dust, and contaminants throughout your facility. In general, it’s a good idea to consult with professionals you trust to install and maintain your system.
Energy Use
The size of your system is critical here, but also its calibration. The same system might perform differently on two different, even similar spaces. Your HVAC design team should calibrate your system properly to ensure you aren’t just throwing away money on your utility bill every month.
Hook: HVAC systems involve a complex design process and expertise to ensure they are energy-efficient and will last a good while before repairs are necessary. Choose an experienced team that can protect your investment.
System Installation
Site inspection and assessment, system design—including the location of compressor units and heat exchangers, controls, zoning, and more—and installation are best performed by a team that deeply understands the equipment and the facility where it will be installed. HVAC isn’t plug and play and, whether you are investing in an entirely new HVAC system or are retrofitting your existing equipment for modern energy efficiency, proper installation can mean the difference between a long-lasting system and one that fails prematurely.
Maintenance, Maintenance, Maintenance!
People tend to forget about their HVAC system, or at least let it sit in the back corner of their mind. When they are functioning well, they keep humidity at moderate levels, improve air quality, and come with only modest utility costs. But when something goes wrong, HVAC comes right to the forefront. An AC outage in the middle of summer qualifies as an emergency.
It doesn’t have to be that way, though. Preventative maintenance is the key to keeping your system affordable, energy-efficient, and free of unnecessary repairs. A preventative maintenance plan, created by Service Unlimited, will extend the life of your system substantially and help ensure that disasters like the one mentioned above are far less frequent. We can detect problems long before they balloon into expensive repair jobs or catastrophic failures. Connect with us today, whether you are looking to check up on the state of your system or are looking for a complete replacement!
