Best Practices for Commercial HVAC Systems

Office workers, employees of retail establishments, apartment or condo dwellers — all may have different specific requirements for their building’s HVAC system, but all should agree they need access to commercial HVAC systems that keep their spaces cool in the summer and warm in the winter. As you approach the many tasks associated with the commercial HVAC systems in your building, you can keep the following best practices in mind. They will help you design, install and maintain commercial HVAC systems that accommodate the largest number and type of building occupants.

What Are Best Practices?

Best practices are procedures, techniques and methods that have been shown to produce the best results. In the HVAC industry, best practices express what is usually the most effective, reliable, efficient and economical way to accomplish a goal. Whether the intention is to install an air conditioner, design a ductwork system or upgrade a heating system for a multi-story building, a set of best practices should be available from authoritative industry sources to guide you in your tasks.

Best Practices for Commercial HVAC Systems

The following list is a sample of some useful best practices that can be applied when dealing with commercial HVAC systems.

• Install high-efficiency HVAC equipment – High-efficiency HVAC systems use considerably less energy to produce excellent heating and cooling. These systems are available in commercial models that can provide indoor comfort for large commercial buildings. High-efficiency HVAC equipment can save building owners and managers substantial amounts of money on monthly heating and cooling bills. Look for systems with high seasonal energy efficiency rating (SEER) or annual fuel utilization efficiency (AFUE) numbers. Systems certified by the U.S. Department of Energy’s Energy Star program can be relied on to be highly efficient.
• Put in variable-speed fan controls – Variable-speed fans and blower controls ensure that HVAC systems respond more precisely to indoor temperature needs, reducing overheating or overcooling that can waste energy and money. These controls more often at a lower level, switching to high speed only when additional heating or cooling is needed.
• Use temperature setbacks for low-demand times – Install controls that will set back indoor temperature settings at night or when a facility is closed. When a commercial building is unoccupied, less heating and cooling will be needed. These temperature setback systems are usually automated to adjust thermostats appropriately at night, then return indoor temperatures to regular levels in the morning before the building is opened for business.
• Perform regular preventive maintenance – HVAC systems require regular preventive maintenance to keep them working properly, reliably and at the lowest cost. Systems should receive a professional inspection and tune-up from an HVAC professional at least once a year — in the spring for cooling systems and in the fall for heating systems. Ongoing maintenance should be conducted by building maintenance crews, such as changing air filters and keeping HVAC equipment clean and free from obstructions that could impede airflow.
• Minimize simultaneous heating and cooling – Sometimes commercial HVAC systems run heating and cooling functions at the same time. Eliminate this if possible, but otherwise take steps to minimize the amount of time these systems operate together.

For more information on best practices, contact your local trusted HVAC contractor or an appropriate industry trade group or government organization, such as the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), your local construction code enforcement agency, the U.S. Green Building Council or the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating, and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE).

For more information on using best practices in designing, installing, and maintaining commercial HVAC systems, and to view projects we’ve worked on, visit our website! Our goal is to help educate our customers about Plumbing, HVACR, Fire Protection, and Alarm Systems in Mechanical, Commercial, and Residential settings.