How Commercial HVAC Can Benefit Your Business
Commercial HVAC jobs are generally more organized than residential HVAC jobs. They require a deeper understanding of the equipment and typically work within designated business hours.
Comfortable indoor environments make for more productive employees. Unmanaged or old HVAC systems can create distractions due to uncomfortable temperatures and a stale atmosphere.
Single Split System
There are many commercial HVAC systems that can be found for your building. These include single split systems as well as multi-splits, VAV systems or VRF systems and district cooling systems. It’s important to consider the dimensions of your building, energy efficiency requirements, climate and the sustainability goals of your company in determining which system is suitable for your business. Working with a professional service provider, such as Jack Lehr, can help you select the right system for your needs.
Single-split systems are ideal for smaller spaces or individual rooms. It consists of an air conditioner, evaporator coil, and furnace that work together to extract heat and cool air and circulate it through ductwork throughout the property. They are generally more affordable to install than central HVAC systems.
The major drawback with this type of system is that it’s restricted to a single room therefore if you’re looking to cool and heat several areas or buildings, you’ll have to select an alternative. Multi-split systems are a great solution for larger buildings because it allows you to connect up to nine indoor air handlers with only one outdoor unit.
These systems have heat pumps that move waste heat from hot areas to cooler ones to save energy. They’re also ideal for large offices and multi-tenant retail areas since they offer individualized temperature control for each part of the building.
You can install one-split units in your building. However, you might find the multi-split systems to be more affordable in the long-term because of their higher energy efficiency and flexibility. They are also easier to maintain and respond quicker to temperature fluctuations than single-split units. They also have more versatility, as they can be used for heating or cooling your property depending on the season. This means you can use them to create a comfortable, sustainable environment all year round.
Multi Split System
Commercial HVAC systems are available in a variety of varieties, and the decision of which system is right for your business is contingent on the layout and design of your building. Also, you should consider the size of your building, the size and location of rooms. Another factor to consider is the kind of climate you have in your area. Heat pumps and variable refrigerant flow (VRF) are well suited to various climates.
Single split systems are frequent in smaller commercial structures and offices. These are ductless HVAC units that have separate air conditioning units as well as heaters. Each space is equipped with an indoor air handler that is connected to a condenser through refrigerant tubes. Both units are controlled by thermostats. Single split systems are inexpensive to install and ideal for offices and smaller spaces. They are also easy to maintain and if any reason, one unit stops working, it won’t impact the other units.
Multi-split systems are an improvement over single-split systems. They connect multiple indoor units to a single outdoor unit by making use of advanced inverter technology. Indoor units can be put on the wall, placed on the floor or hidden in the ceiling for an elegant appearance. These systems are perfect for medium-sized business because they can control the temperature of the space with individual controls.
A multi-split system uses less energy than a traditional forced-air system because sensors in the system can detect small environmental changes and make small adjustments. This lets the system operate with a higher energy efficiency than a traditional forced-air system and still provide optimal comfort for occupants.
Another option for larger companies is a VRV or VRF system, which provides cooling and heating via an array of indoor air handlers linked to one or more outdoor units via refrigerant tubes. These systems are ideal for mid-sized businesses, and they’re particularly efficient for warehouses with large spaces because they can cool spaces without creating hot spots or using up energy. These systems are also ideal for restaurant and retail establishments as they can be mounted in the ceiling, walls or even in an area that does not have ductwork.
VRV/VRF System
While the majority of heating and cooling systems are divided into two categories: ductless or ducted, commercial VRF/VRV systems offer a unique blend of benefits. These HVAC systems are at the forefront of technology and make use of inverter compressors create climate zones that can be controlled separately. These systems offer precise temperature control, making sure that each zone is able to meet the specific requirements of the people living in it. This allows for a variety of temperatures, and also the highest efficiency in energy and system uptime.
In a commercial VRV/VRF, an outdoor unit is connected to several indoor units that can be mounted on ceiling or walls. These indoor air handling units connect to the outdoor unit using refrigerant pipe. They can also be placed a reasonable distance from the outdoor unit, which allows for flexibility in design and installation.
They utilize the highest efficiency heat pump cycle that incorporates an electric resistance heater. They also come with multiple heat recovery modes, which allow them to repurpose heat that could otherwise be wasted. This is a great feature for businesses that need to keep their temperatures high, but also want to reduce their carbon footprint.
In contrast to traditional duct systems, which usually require a separate indoor unit for each space, these systems work by adjusting the flow of refrigerant through the individual terminal units. When the space is activated by an inverter or zoning control remote, the compressor closest to that room is shut down and the pressure decreases. Coolant from other compressors will be pumped into the space to compensate. This is referred to as volume displacement.
Because these systems are so flexible, they are an ideal choice for multifamily offices, homes, shopping malls, and other large facilities with complex floor plans. They are incredibly quiet to operate, and they have simple controls that anyone can use.
As with all modern technologies, a VRF/VRV device requires expert installation to maximize its efficiency and reliability. A certified technician will know the system’s forward and backward directions, as well as the nuances of installation that could affect the performance of your new system and its longevity.
Routine Maintenance
Commercial HVAC maintenance offers other benefits to business owners, apart from stopping failures and reducing costs. For instance, keeping a consistent and comfortable temperature throughout the office improves employee performance and morale, especially when compared to a cold workplace. It also helps to prevent productivity loss due to fatigue or lack of focus.
A commercial HVAC system requires regular inspections and tune-ups to prevent problems that could disrupt the operation of your business. A skilled technician will perform many tests and tasks to optimize the system to ensure optimal performance and discover hidden issues that could lead to expensive and time-consuming repairs. If you choose a company that has a thorough maintenance checklist, you will be able to ensure that any issues are caught early and fixed before they get any more serious.
During a routine maintenance visit, the technician will inspect the electrical connections, belts and motors. They will also look for any signs of wear or damage and ensure that thermostats are calibrated correctly. They will also clean the evaporator coils and condenser in order to prevent dirt from accumulating in the system. This can cause blockages and decrease efficiency.
Air filters need to be checked and replaced regularly. A blocked air filter could hinder air flow, overload the system, and lead to equipment failure. Technicians also clean the ductwork, fan, plenum and flue or vente pipe to minimize the accumulation.
A technician will also examine the drain pan to make sure it is sloped in a way that will prevent water or condensation from accumulating. They will also lubricate the moving parts so that they operate smoothly.
A routine maintenance plan for commercial HVAC system can also help meet the terms of a lease agreement. When leasing retail space, landlords and property managers typically require evidence of regular maintenance. The documentation of regular HVAC maintenance can show that the tenant is devoted to maintaining the property and will take care of the property’s investment.
Regular maintenance is essential to ensure that your system operates properly, whether you have one unit, multiple units or a VRV/VRF. During regular visits, an experienced and reliable technician will identify and fix minor issues before they turn into bigger and more costly ones.