In the grand scheme of building (or remodeling) a multi-million dollar commercial building, your HVAC unit equates to only a small part of your concern. However, time after time it is proven that by taking just a little time and effort to consider the specifics of your HVAC needs and choose the optimum sized unit for your building’s ventilation, heating and A/C, you’ll be able to save a lot of money down the road.
Failing to make sure your commercial HVAC unit is properly sized now can result in three major expenses in the future:
Start-up Costs
Industrial HVAC units tend to be unnecessarily oversized. You’re already going to be spending plenty of money getting your business established, there’s no need to spend extra on a large HVAC unit that will only run at half capacity. To determine what size system you need, call a NATE-certified HVAC contractor and insist they use the ASHRAE Handbook for their calculations. The right sized HVAC unit will need to be slightly larger than needed (just in case); however, it only needs to be about 10-15% bigger.
You should also plan for later expansion by installing an HVAC unit that can run at both part- and full-load capacity, or by installing a modular unit that allows for expansion.
Energy Costs
You also need to take into consideration the energy costs your HVAC unit will incur over its lifetime. If you choose an energy efficient upgraded system, you could save between 10 and 40 percent in the long run. By sticking to an HVAC unit that is properly sized for your building, you could increase these savings even more to between 40 and 70 percent.
Maintenance Costs
Oversized HVAC units typically short cycle (turns on and off frequently), which can lead to more breakdowns and a shortened working life for the equipment. Short cycling of the HVAC unit also increases the humidity and the risk for mold growth – a health hazard for your employees, potentially damaging to your building and expensive to clean.
If your business is based in Atlanta, Alpharetta or surrounding areas, consider contacting the Gagne HVAC-certified technicians at (678) 221-4328 to schedule an appointment. We’ll ensure your unit is properly sized and perform needed maintenance to prolong the lifespan of the system.
In addition, we invite you to learn more about identifying your HVAC needs by browsing our blog and knowledge center.