Friday, 25 October 2019

Choosing the Right Programmable Thermostat for Your Business

Many business owners are surprised to discover just how much a programmable thermostat can save them on commercial heating and cooling costs. There are added incentives as well, including regulating comfort, reducing the incidence of office thermostat wars, and simplifying thermostat management for those with multiple locations.

How Much Can a Programmable Thermostat Save My Business?

A smart thermostat can save your business money daily, adjusting temperature settings when your building is unoccupied and discouraging employees from tampering with thermostat settings. Today’s programmable thermostat can save you upwards of 20% on your heating and cooling bills, lowering your carbon footprint and rapidly returning your investment on a new smart thermostat.

Which Programmable Thermostats is Best for My Business?

Commercial HVAC contractors report some of the best models on the market today include:
  • Emerson Sensi Smart Thermostats
With the official designation of ‘Best Overall’ and ‘Best Value’ smart thermostat for 2019, you can’t go wrong with a Sensi Smart thermostat. An affordable addition at under $150, the Sensi gets outstanding reviews for its ease-of-installation, intuitive app design, and unparalleled customer support. Adjust the temperature with pre-sets, programming settings for each day of the week, take advantage of Sensi’s flexible scheduling function, or utilize the thermostat’s geofencing technology, programming it to the smartphone location of key staff members for automatic response. Change settings from anywhere from your smartphone or tablet, or integrate with your business’ preferred automation technology, including Apple HomeKit, Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, and Wink.
  • Honeywell T6 Pro Smart Thermostat
    Honeywell’s T6 Pro Smart Thermostat is Energy Star certified. At around $100, this thermostat is a bargain. Program it based on your schedule, or simply let it adjust to daily life at your place of business. Easily controlled by smartphone or tablet, operation is simple, helping you ensure employee comfort while saving on monthly energy costs. Program it to the smartphone location of key staff members for automatic response, or pre-set a schedule based on your preferences. Smart office? The Honeywell T6 Pro is compatible with the latest automation technology, including Apple HomeKit, Amazon Echo, and more.
  • Ecobee3 Lite
    Save energy and reduce heating and cooling costs with the Energy Star certified Ecobee 3 Lite. This system pairs with up to 32 Ecobee room sensors (sold separately), which respond based on occupancy and temperature preference. With this unique system, you can now manage hot and cold spots for more even temperature control. The Ecobee 3 Lite sets up quickly in about 30 minutes, and costs around $169, plus the cost of sensors. Operate with your smartphone, tablet, and or even your Apple Watch. It is compatible with smart setups, working with Apple HomeKit, Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, Microsoft Cortana, Samsung SmartThings, Wink, IFTTT, and more.
Take control of your business’ energy expenses with smart thermostat technology. Contact H & H Commercial HVAC Services and uncover the best smart thermostat setup for your business today.

Friday, 11 October 2019

Rooftop Units, Boilers & VRF: Tips for Choosing the Best Commercial System

Time to upgrade or install a new commercial heating & cooling system? We’ve got the information you need to make the best choice for your business, helping you understand the comfort, efficiency, performance, and initial investment costs of top commercial system styles.

Tried & True Tech: Commercial Boilers

Boilers are the oldest heating technology, used for over 200 years, though technology has infinitely improved. Today’s boilers have a smaller footprint and less piping than their predecessors, and are easier to install and service. They can adapt to outdoor weather, adjust to user comfort needs, and heat multiple building segments to specified requirements. Boilers cost more initially, but offer a faster return-on-investment compared to other options, saving money on monthly utility costs.

Popular & Affordable: Rooftop Unit (RTU)

RTUs offer heating and cooling for commercial buildings. They have been in use for decades, controlling the climate in approximately 40% of all commercial buildings. The main advantage of RTUs is simple implementation. Once connected to power and ductwork, they are ready to go.
Another advantage is their ability to precisely maintain comfort and air quality in ways previously available only in more sophisticated systems. Direct-drive fans and a moderated wheel speed allow for precise, incremental adjustments in single and multi-zone variable air volume systems, as well as dedicated outdoor air systems with demand-control ventilation modulation.
Rooftop units are flexible and customizable on-demand, with the ability to control temperature, ventilation, and overall airflow to every unique space. This flexibility of design translates into improved performance, energy savings, and minimized commercial repair and service. ‘Smart’ software and control allow contractors to login remotely to investigate service and maintenance needs.
RTUs offer a simpler installation and have a lower initial cost compared to similar systems, however, costs vary depending on the application. Packaged systems for single-story rooftop installations go in quickly and easily, with little issue. Systems can also be enhanced with modulating gas burners, ECM direct-drive fans, and inverter compressors for improved performance and savings.

Innovative & Environmentally Friendly: VRF Systems

Variable refrigerant flow, or VRF systems, entered the U.S. market about 10 years ago. They offer simultaneous heating and cooling using a heat recovery method. This method provides precise temperature control, the lowest energy costs among comparable systems, eliminates the need for a separate heating system, and reduces environmental impact.
VRF systems are not only extremely efficient, they are also flexible. VRF systems can be designed as ducted, ductless, or hybrid systems (with gas or boiler-based heating), making them the perfect choice for projects where traditional systems aren’t compatible. These systems are also cost-effective, requiring few structural, mechanical, and electrical alterations for installation.
Confused over commercial system options? Design the ideal system for your business and your budget with the help of your local commercial HVAC company. Contact H & H Commercial today.