Everyone loves comfort. When one walks into a building and begins sweating profusely or shivering uncontrollably, the person can get irritated. There is every chance that such a person will never set foot in that place again.
Offices, businesses, and organizations are aware of the need to keep their staff and customers relaxed and comfortable, which is why many have a working HVAC (Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning) system in place to give their buildings a homely feel. Their work environment needs to be pleasant to operate in.
A commercial HVAC system helps to maintain a suitable temperature value (around 72 degrees), quality indoor air (setting carbon dioxide level to less than 1000PPM), and constant relative humidity (between 40-60%). Improving the device’s efficiency helps businesses to reduce cost and energy consumption.
It is essential to understand the HVAC system of your commercial building for several reasons – the chief of which is to avoid being left baking or freezing during the summer and winter seasons, respectively. So, you should be in tune with the working process of this system.
In this piece, we’ll talk about everything you need to know about commercial building HVAC systems.
1. The Mechanism of Action
Commercial building HVAC systems are generally larger than the ones in our homes. However, both HVAC systems operate similarly, though the commercial ones are a little more complicated. A commercial HVAC system comprises a chain of systems that provide air conditioning, heating, and cooling within the walls of a large building.
There are different types of commercial HVAC systems, but they all work similarly:
● Their air conditioning units reduce temperature levels by emitting air via refrigerant or water-cooled systems. In the process, they also drain excess moisture from the air.
● The working operation of the heating unit is the direct opposite of the AC unit. Here, air enters systems that heat the air using gas, radiator coils, or water.
● Ventilation systems maintain quality airflow by using fans to circulate and pass air through filtration systems.
The thermostat regulates this complex process in a large building.
2. Installation and Maintenance
Due to its complexity, a commercial HVAC system is quite expensive to purchase and install in public spaces. Also, because the heating and cooling system runs almost non-stop throughout the day, it must undergo regular quality HVAC preventive maintenance. This will also help to maximize its lifespan, lower energy consumption, and reduce the frequency of costly repairs.
Tasks involved in preventive maintenance include:
● Testing control systems.
● Cleaning and inspecting its parts, such as belts, evaporator coil, blower, and other vital components.
● Checking and recharging refrigerant levels.
● Disinfecting outdoor parts.
● Inspecting and sanitizing indoor heating system components, such as ignition system and burner assemblies.
● Changing air filters at regular intervals, following the manufacturer’s guidelines.
● Examining drip pans, drain lines, and thermostats.
A commercial HVAC system is usually located in the building’s swamp cooler. But in a bid to manage space and perhaps allow easier access, it can also be installed on the roof.
3. Specific Components of a Commercial HVAC System
There are certain components that you will find in any HVAC system. However, the thermostat is perhaps the most important part of this system. It is the brain behind the heating and cooling functions of an HVAC system.
Without the regulating function of the thermostat, you cannot count on a heater, gas furnace, or air conditioner to function when it is most needed in your building. Therefore, this particular component is core to any HVAC system, whether in a residential or commercial space.
However, there are components peculiar to the heating and cooling system in public places. Terminal units are tasked with controlling the quality and quantity of conditioned air being channeled into different areas within the building.
Furthermore, large commercial buildings often choose to utilize Chillers as the cooling unit of their HVAC system. Whether water-cooled or air-cooled, a chiller’s primary purpose is to dehumidify the air in a building over an extended period. This process removes heat from a liquid through vapor compression before passing it through fan-coil units.
4. Different Types of Commercial HVAC Systems
Quite frankly, it is easy to conflate all commercial HVAC systems, but they are divided into three different variations. There are factors to be considered when choosing the right type of heating and cooling system for your building. They include building size and design, the average number of occupants, and the efficiency of the HVAC system. Commercial building HVAC systems are classified into three major groups.
The single-split system is the most popular one, often used in smaller buildings like offices or restaurants. It comprises a furnace-chiller combination that allows individual heating and cooling control, utilizing a separate outdoor unit.
Also, there is a multi-split system that connects up to nine indoor units to one outdoor unit. This commercial HVAC variation is more energy-efficient, complex, and expensive to set up.
Finally, the list is rounded up by the Variable Refrigerant Volume system, also known as the Variable Refrigerant Flow system. In this variation, the simultaneous heating and cooling of different places within the same building can be achieved. It is the most appropriate for big multipurpose buildings, such as hotels and office complexes.
5. Drainage
The heating and cooling system in a commercial building serves many people, which explains why draining off the liquid waste derived from the condensing unit requires a complex drainage structure. This complex structure comprises numerous pipes and conduits, as opposed to domestic HVAC units, which usually have only a single drain.
As a building owner or manager, a commercial HVAC system is an expensive investment to make. However, splashing money on this system will be rewarding if it is properly cared for as it is being used. With proper and regular maintenance, you can substantially reduce the frequency of repair and replacement of your commercial HVAC system components.
To ensure proper maintenance of your commercial HVAC system, you should only engage the services of a trusted and reputable company. Anderson Air is a reputable company that offers quality commercial HVAC maintenance and installation services.
Contact them today to have your commercial HVAC system checked out by a friendly team of experts, as a faulty system can cause you to lose customers and employees.
