5 Things to Consider When Choosing a Commercial HVAC System
Selecting a commercial HVAC system for a building is no easy task. However, if you know what to look for, you don’t have to worry. To make things easy for you, here are 5 things to consider when choosing a trading system.
You can save on energy costs by selecting an HVAC system that has good energy efficiency ratings. Here are some energy ratings to consider when making your decision.
The Seasonal Energy Efficiency Index is an efficiency indicator for air conditioners. Higher SEER ratings will result in better energy efficiency. The minimum SEER rating in the US is 13. Anything higher is considered highly efficient.
The heating seasonal performance factor (HSPF) is used to measure the efficiency of the heat pump. An HVAC system with an HSPF rating of 8.2 or higher is considered highly efficient. HVAC systems do not have an HSPF value less than 7.7.
Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency (AFUE) is used to measure the efficiency of heating systems. Therefore, this rating is important when choosing fuel and electric ovens. Look for a furnace that has a rating in the mid-90s or higher.
The best way to ensure your commercial HVAC system is energy efficient is to select the right size system. An undersized system may need to operate at a lower temperature than required to cool the building. Because of that, you may end up spending a lot more on energy costs. What’s worse, fluctuating temperatures can also make the office space uncomfortable.
Selecting a large unit may cost you more in up-front costs. On top of that, you may also have difficulty controlling humidity, which can lead to excessive mold growth. This, in turn, can damage equipment and increase repair costs in the process. Be sure to hire a professional to determine the correct size for your HVAC system and help you select the one that best fits your building design.
Take into account the structure of your building
An HVAC system interacts with a building’s lighting system and design, natural ventilation, and daylight. Therefore, your HVAC system must be in line with these factors to improve efficiency and reduce your energy and maintenance costs.
Each building or different parts of a building have different indoor air quality (IAQ) requirements. You should keep this in mind when selecting an HVAC system so you can maximize energy efficiency and improve air quality throughout the building. If your building is more likely to be affected by dust, mold, pollen, and other contaminants, you may need a system that has better air filtration.
You should look for a system that can be expanded without having to be completely replaced. Upsizing may need to be done after building renovations, so you shouldn’t have to spend more money on a whole new system in that case.
Once you know how to install a commercial HVAC system, be sure to find a contractor that takes into account all of the above selection factors.