Friday 23 August 2019

7 Reasons to Consider Commercial HVAC Units

Ready to install a new HVAC system for your business or eking by with an older, residential unit? A new commercial system offers serious advantages. While residential and commercial heating and air systems have many underlying similarities, they are not the same. Why should you consider a commercial HVAC unit?

Commercial Systems Are Space-Savers

A commercial rooftop system is an ideal solution for businesses. Commercial systems are typically packaged, not split as in residential HVAC. They combine heating and cooling into a single rooftop unit, typically locating it rooftop and out of the way of real estate, office, and industrial space. This saves space and reduces noise pollution in the building.

Commercial HVAC Systems Are More Powerful

Because commercial areas are typically larger than residential spaces, commercials systems are larger and more powerful. This allows them to heat and cool your space more efficiently and effectively when properly sized by a skilled HVAC mechanical contractor.

Commercial Systems Support Zoned Heating & Cooling

Commercial systems are typically designed to support multiple thermostats, managing temperatures in your building by zone. This approach can help you save annually on energy expenses, lowering your carbon footprint.

Commercial Systems Are Easier to Install and Service

The out-of-the-way location of rooftop systems make them easier for your commercial HVAC company to install, maintain, and service without disrupting day-to-day activities.

You Can More Easily Increase/Decrease Capacity with Commercial Systems

Because commercial systems are modular, not standalone as residential units, they offer more flexibility. Modifications and expansions are far easier with commercial systems. Simply add modules, take them away, or integrate new features to increase/decrease cooling capacity and accommodate the changing needs of your business.

Commercial HVAC Systems Offer Superior Ventilation

Unlike residential systems, which typically rely on windows, commercial systems offer a wide range of ventilation options. Mechanical ventilation additions such as local systems that remove contaminants directly at the source, and general ventilation systems that reduce contaminants throughout the building, help you provide a safe environment and good indoor air quality for your staff.

Commercial HVAC Systems Provide Superior Humidity Control

In the Pennsylvania and New Jersey area, the climate can range from humid in the summer, to dry in the winter. Commercial humidity control is a must to protect your staff, inventory, and equipment. When the air is too dry, asthma, allergies, and colds can flare up as pollen and bacteria are more easily distributed. Wooden structural components and furnishings can crack and split, and static electricity become a constant annoyance. Too humid, and mold, mildew, bacteria, dust mites, and pests thrive. With a commercial system, it is easy to keep your indoor environment in the optimal 30-50% relative humidity range, customizing it with the right humidification and dehumidification equipment to protect your employees and assets.
Design a system that is customized to the unique needs of your business. Learn more about powerful, space-saving commercial systems from the commercial heating and cooling contractors at H&H today.

Friday 9 August 2019

Cooling a Large Office Space? How to Control Energy Costs

Commercial heating & cooling is typically one of the largest expenses for any business. And according to the Department of Energy, many of these energy dollars are going to waste – more than 30%. Reducing wasted HVAC energy consumption is essential to controlling operating costs and safeguarding the environment, ensuring future sustainability.

8 Ways to Control Commercial HVAC Costs and Lower Your Carbon Footprint

  1. Regularly change HVAC filters.
    This simple, inexpensive maintenance task can reduce wasted energy by 5-10%. Why? Dirty filters restrict airflow, forcing your system to work harder to heat/cool your office. Air filters are best changed monthly, every 3-months at the least.
  2. Don’t neglect annual maintenance.
    Preventive maintenance can reduce commercial HVAC repair costs by 40% and operating costs by 15%, ensuring your office heating and air conditioning system is not wasting energy due to low coolant levels, thermostat malfunction, dirty or aging components.
  3. End office thermostat wars and control your budget with a programmable thermostat.
    Today’s latest smart thermostat options, such as the Nest, offer built-in locking, preventing warring employees from constantly adjusting thermostat settings and inflating your energy costs. They can also allow you to program temperature setting for when your office is not in use, saving your business hundreds annually and offering a rapid return-on-investment.
  4. Make sure ductwork is properly sealed and insulated.
    Contact your commercial HVAC services company to have your ductwork inspected for leaks and inadequate insulation. Simply sealing ductwork can improve system efficiency by 20%. Adding insulation to ducts in attic/basement spaces further enhances savings.
  5. Seal conditioned air in.
    Don’t heat and cool the office parking lot. Seal conditioned air in. Prevent air leakage, caulking around windows, adding weather stripping to doors, and using spray foam insulation surrounding plumbing, electric, and other fixtures, keeping heated and cooled air where you want it – inside the office.
  6. Control sunlight infiltration. 
    Offices typically have lots of windows and doors. When these are left open in the summer months, it can increase the strain on your HVAC system and make office workers uncomfortable. Blinds and awnings can help keep windows cool, as can solar window films, which reduce the effects of the sun without impacting the view.
  7. Upgrade decrepit systems.
    Replacing systems greater than 10-years old with newer, Energy Star-rated equipment can offer substantial savings. Your old system could be costing you hundreds more in energy dollars annually that could be better reinvested in a new system. This will not only lower your business’ carbon footprint but reduce your energy costs up to 20%.
  8. Schedule an energy audit.
    An energy audit performed by your local utility company can help you uncover additional opportunities for savings – and may also qualify you for rebates and incentives based on any energy efficiency improvements you make!
HVAC taking a bite out of the office budget? Schedule a complimentary consultation from a qualified HVAC contractor  and get HVAC costs back under control with the help of H&H Commercial Services today.