Green Technologies in HVAC: It's Time to Make the Switch

According to US Department of Energy reports, cooling accounts for up to 73% of the energy used in commercial buildings. Switching to cleaner, greener HVAC technology is a wise investment. It not only protects your bottom line, increasing energy efficiency and cost savings, it also protects the environment, reducing greenhouse gas emissions and shrinking your carbon footprint. And these aren’t the only reason for embracing green HVAC tech. Why should you make the switch?

Take Advantage of HVAC Tax Incentives Before They Expire

Federal tax incentives are still available to offset the cost of replacing older commercial HVAC systems with newer, more efficient, greener technology. Most enjoy savings of $5,000 or more – but it is unknown if these savings will expire in the coming year, so act fast while the current incentives are in effect.

Avoid the Expense of Operating AC Units Using Phased-Out R-22 Freon

As of January 1, 2020, R-22 refrigerant is no longer legal to manufacture or import in the US. Replacing this refrigerant in older, leaky commercial heating and cooling systems is becoming more challenging and expensive as new, more efficient air conditioners using more environmentally friendly R-410A refrigerant to replace retired cooling R-22 technology.

Take Part in Local Green Initiatives

Most state and local governments and utility providers offer support and resources for businesses committed to reducing their greenhouse gas emissions by 30%+ over 10 years, helping them find and integrate greener heating and cooling options.

Make the Most of Economical Solar Energy

Rooftop mounted systems offer readily available solar power, converting sunlight into green heating and cooling. Many tax incentives exist to mitigate the costs of these systems.

Take Advantage of Energy Saving Enhancements for Traditional HVAC Systems

• Smart thermostats

Smart thermostats allow you to control temperature settings anytime, anywhere from a compatible Wi-Fi-enabled mobile device. Program your system to turn off during unoccupied hours or holidays, enjoying significant energy savings.

• Zoned system design

HVAC mechanical contractors recommend zoned system designs for commercial spaces with different heating and cooling needs throughout. Compatible with traditional ducted, VRF, and mini-split systems, zoning reduces energy costs by allowing you to turn off or adjust temperature settings in unused areas.

• Geothermal

Geothermal systems take advantage of the earth’s constant core temperature using an underground heat pump. It is the most efficient HVAC technology available.

• Economize

Adding an economizer to your current system provides cost-effective cooling, moving cooler inside air into your establishment and reducing the amount of time your system needs to run to reach your desired temperature. Economizers can reduce the need for mechanical cooling up to 75%, substantially reducing energy use.

• Variable refrigerant flow (VRF)

VRF systems can deliver heating and cooling simultaneously, using multiple miniature air handlers to meet requirements in different zones of your building. They provide precise cooling, running less frequently and at a lower capacity.

Make your business and your profit margins a little greener. Learn more about available green HVAC technologies from your business from the knowledgeable commercial heating and cooling contractors at H & H Commercial Services today.

This blog was originally posted at https://hhcommercialonline.com/green-technologies-in-hvac-its-time-to-make-the-switch/

Critical Requirements Grow Room HVAC Design

Precise climate in your grow room is central to your success, whether you’re growing mushrooms or medical marijuana. Quality cultivation requires a high standard of care, and traditional AC systems are not enough to meet those needs. Our experienced commercial HVAC mechanical contractors understand the industry and the need for an expertly designed HVAC system that meets the challenges of each unique grow room setting.

Tips for a Successful Grow Room HVAC System Design

Specific environmental conditions are necessary to prevent disease, fuel proper growth, and support healthy plants with the full expression of all beneficial qualities. Precise grow room climate control is especially important in the cannabis industry. Focusing on these essential elements is crucial to avoid jeopardizing your business’ success:

• Airflow

Airflow, which should be designed to mimic the natural winds outdoors, is essential for healthy, well-developed plants. Airflow directly impacts stem strength and formation and influences the transfer of heat and gases between the plant and surrounding air (respiration/CO circulation). Wind angle also affects transpiration rate, including water movement from the plant to the environment. Airflow involves more than simply moving air and must include the right mix of ventilation and air recirculation to support CO circulation and prevent fungal diseases and odor. There are many options to manage this, including innovative stratifying fan technology, fabric duct air distribution, floor-mounted fans, and oscillating ventilators, as well as ionization and UV light technology to manage odors and disease.

• Temperature

Maintaining the optimal temperature range is integral to plant growth. Straying outside these parameters for significant amounts of time inhibits development, weakening plants and making them susceptible to disease. These temperatures must also correspond with the proper relative humidity levels, which can pose a significant HVAC challenge. Our experienced contractors understand how to properly size your system for precise climate control, avoiding oversized systems that cause drastic temperature fluctuations and poor relative humidity control, as well as undersized systems, which struggle to keep temperatures in the optimal range.

• Humidity

One of the greatest challenges for any grow room operation is maintaining the proper relative humidity levels. This is complicated by plant lifespan. Transpiration rate and moisture release increase as plants grow and must be removed from the grow room. This humidity release complicates conditions in the flowering phase, which requires lower humidity levels. Traditional HVAC systems simply cannot manage the challenges of commercial humidity control, making an effectively designed dehumidification system an essential component of your grow room climate control design. Paired with smart HVAC technology, it’s possible to achieve optimal results while reducing energy consumption and cost and reducing the likelihood of error when managing the grow room climate.

Ensure optimal growing conditions and the success of your business with a commercial HVAC service company with experience in the industry. Schedule a grow room HVAC design consultation with H & H Commercial Services today.

This blog was originally posted at https://hhcommercialonline.com/critical-requirements-grow-room-hvac-design/

Grow Room Intake and Exhaust Setup - Tips

Grow room climate control is a critical component of a well-functioning, productive facility. Well-designed setups enjoy clean, odor-free air and proper temperature and humidity levels that support the health of plants. How can you improve air circulation and ventilation in your grow room and ensure a healthy environment for plants and people?

Choose the Right Intake System for Your Setup

The air in your grow room should be replaced every 5 minutes when the lights are on and more often when struggling to manage heat and humidity. This can be accomplished with a passive or active intake system. Which is best?

• Passive intake

Best for small to moderately sized facilities.

HVAC mechanical contractors recommend passive intake for most grow tent setups. Rather than using an air intake system, passive systems utilize an inline exhaust fan, creating a vacuum that draws stale air out of the tent, pulling in fresh air from intake ports at the tent base. To function properly, your grow room must be a negative pressure environment, holding a lower pressure than its external environment. Because passive systems aren’t completely sealed, they are more at risk of pest issues and odor problems.

• Active intake

Best for larger tents, managing high temperatures, or fine-tuning your growing environment.

Active intake designs integrate an additional inline fan at the base of the tent, actively pulling in fresh air through intake ports. They are typically only necessary for larger tents, high-temperature environments, or when intake ports at the tent’s base are smaller than exhaust ports.

Grow Room Ventilation Configurations

Your commercial HVAC company may recommend several ventilation setups: placing filter inside and fan outside, the fan inside and the filter outside, or the fan and filter outside. However, locating the fan and filter inside is the preferred method to ensure optimal performance with short, straight ducting that facilitates optimal airflow. Ultimately, system design is dependent on the positioning of your grow lighting system and reflectors.

The Importance of a Properly Sized Grow Room Ventilation System

As with commercial heating and cooling systems, proper sizing of your ventilation system is essential. The size of your grow room, the length and path of ducting, and the use of a carbon filter all impact fan performance and the CFM (cubic feet of airflow per minute) needed. For grow room setups using carbon dioxide or an air conditioner to boost plant growth, a sealed room and closed-loop system design featuring a fan and carbon filter are recommended.

Installing Grow Room Ventilation

Inline fans are typically attached to your tent’s extra ceiling bars using an adjustable rope. It may be fitted directly into an exhaust hole or to ductwork running through the exhaust port. Carbon scrubbers are hung in the same manner, attached to the inline fan. Outside air is pulled from the bottom, into the filter, through lights, through the inline fan, and exhausted outdoors.

Ensure a successful, productive grow room with help from H & H Commercial Services. Contact us to schedule a complimentary consultation from a qualified HVAC contractor today.

This blog was originally posted at https://hhcommercialonline.com/grow-room-intake-and-exhaust-setup-tips/

Maximize Comfort in Open Office Spaces with Careful HVAC Design

Does your office feature an open floor plan? Open office spaces face unique HVAC design challenges, particularly in the COVID era. Whether you intend to retain or rethink your office layout, planning your HVAC system design is crucial for ensuring comfort and indoor air quality in today’s office spaces. Knowledgeable commercial HVAC contractors know a bit of forethought now can protect you against costly changes down the road.

HVAC Strategies to Keep In Mind for Open Office Designs

• Energy-efficient operation

One of the most frequent complaints commercial air conditioning repair service contractors hear involves energy costs. As the most energy-intensive component of your office space, designing an office HVAC system setup that reduces energy consumption is essential to protecting your bottom line. A high SEER commercial system alongside a well-sealed building with highly insulated walls, low-e window glass, and occupancy sensors can help you achieve these goals.

• Zoned climate control

Creating zones with independently controlled areas throughout your office space improves comfort and efficiency. This may seem counterintuitive in an open office design; however, each region will have special needs. Zoned climate control is ideal for managing problem areas such as outside walls impacted by weather, crowded areas like meeting spaces, computer rooms with more exacting temperature and humidity control needs, and more.

• Proper system sizing

Calculating your heating and cooling load, carefully including square footage and energy-efficient design features, ensures an HVAC system that is not oversized. Our commercial HVAC mechanical contractors understand why bigger is not better, helping you achieve energy efficiency and comfort with properly size equipment. Is your current unit oversized? Equipment that is constantly turning off and on, hot and cold spots, and a humid environment point to an improperly sized system.

• Under-floor air distribution

In open office spaces with high ceilings, under-floor distribution offers better efficiency compared to traditional overhead designs. Under-floor systems, installed beneath a raised floor, take advantage of natural convection as warm air moves to the ceiling to be replaced by cool, conditioned air.

• Smart technology upgrades

Occupancy sensors and smart learning thermostats are essential tools in controlling HVAC energy costs. These additions track worker schedules, ensure comfort during office hours, and reduce energy use when the space is unoccupied.

• Indoor air quality and ventilation

In the COVID era, air quality is as important as climate control in ensuring a healthy, productive work environment. A system design that eliminates contaminants like bacteria, viruses, mold, dust, pollen, carbon monoxide, and other pollutants protects you from liability and ensures the well-being of workers. Ventilation – exchanging fresh, outdoor air for stale, contaminated indoor air – is essential. The insight of a knowledgeable HVAC commercial design professional makes all the difference between getting it right the first time or suffering costly problems down the road.

A properly designed commercial HVAC system is like money in the bank. Invest for success with help from H & H Commercial Services. Contact us for a system design consultation and obligation-free quote today.

This blog was originally posted at https://hhcommercialonline.com/maximize-comfort-in-open-office-spaces-with-careful-hvac-design/

Wondering Which HVAC System Best Suits Your Need? Here's The Complete List!

Our experienced commercial HVAC contractors know businesses have much for diverse needs than residential properties. From small mom-and-pop businesses to large office spaces and massive warehouse and government facilities, H & H can help you find the ideal solution for maintaining comfort efficiently in your commercial space. We offer a variety of solutions to meet the diverse application needs of our clients.

Heat Pumps

Ground, air, and water source heat pumps offer efficient comfort control, moving heat from outdoors to the interior of your building in the winter and vice versa in the summer. Our commercial air conditioning repair service contractors install and repair many of these popular systems.

Rooftop Units (RTUs)

Unlike residential units, which are typically located on the side of the house, RTUs are located out-of-sight, rooftop. Featuring a modular design, it is easy to add to or take away from your design, removing or adding heating and cooling as needed. Choose from electric and gas-powered options, creating a zoned system design for enhanced performance and efficiency.

Single Split System

Single split systems less expensive than central systems but require the space to maintain an outdoor unit for each indoor unit. They offer an excellent solution for small commercial buildings. Popular and affordable, single split systems can be used to heat and cool individual rooms or used in combination to serve multiple areas. Versatile and efficient, they are easy to add on as your business grows.

Multi-Split System

Multi-split systems work much like single split systems but offer the added versatility of combining additional indoor units to a single outdoor unit. Our commercial HVAC mechanical contractors frequently install these in offices, shops, and restaurants. They are ideal for businesses short on square footage, requiring less space.

VRF/VRV Systems

Variable refrigerant flow, also called variable refrigerant volume systems are ideal for medium to large buildings such as hotels and larger office and retail spaces. They use heat recovery technology, offering the unique capability to heat one room while cooling another. They put waste heat to efficient use, repurposing it for heating rooms and heating water.

Evaporative Coolers

Evaporative coolers are highly efficient, cooling air using the process of evaporation. They supply 100% fresh outdoor air, displacing indoor air with air filtered through cooling pads in the system, which also removes pollutants and allergens.

Heaters

H & H offers a variety of popular heating options, including gas-powered furnaces, boilers, and radiant heating systems.

Ventilation

High volume fans and ventilation offer effective, economical cooling in the warehouse setting, particularly when combined with misting systems for added comfort.

Dehumidification Systems

Our indoor pool dehumidification systems are designed to improve air quality and enhance comfort in your natatorium. Our high-performance systems prevent mold proliferation, corrosion, and structural damage while controlling energy costs, preserving the lifespan of your pool room.

Uncover the HVAC solution best suited for your needs with help from the experts at H & H Commercial Services. Contact us to schedule a complimentary HVAC design evaluation and get a quote on a new HVAC system today.

This blog was originally posted at https://hhcommercialonline.com/wondering-which-hvac-system-best-suits-your-need-heres-the-complete-list/

The ABCs of Optimizing Indoor Air Quality at Restaurants

Encouraging mask use, regularly cleaning surfaces, and social distancing are essential for reducing the spread of COVID 19. However, reducing the presence of potentially infectious airborne virus particles can increase confidence in dining at your restaurant. Broaden your approach to optimizing indoor air quality with these ABCs of pollutant control.

A – Enhance Filtration

Upgrade the air filter on your commercial heating or cooling unit to one with a MERV 13 rating or better.  MERV 13-rated filters remove less than 75% of bacteria and airborne particles 0.3-1 micron in size and 90% of particles over 1 micron. For the best protection, consider HEPA filters (not “HEPA-style”). True HEPA filters trap particles 0.3 microns and larger with 99.7% efficacy.

B – Increase Fresh Air

When possible, avoid recirculating indoor air, opting instead for 100% outdoor air. Introducing fresh air can be accomplished with outside air units or outdoor air economizers. You can use these units to pretreat dining rooms and kitchens, improving air quality and comfort inside your restaurant. Compared to typical restaurant HVAC designs, these systems over-ventilate, delivering 125-180% more fresh air than required by code while reducing energy use.

In fact, during moderate seasons, it may be easier to maintain your desired restaurant temperature and humidity levels with this design. In more extreme weather conditions, your HVAC system must have the capacity to compensate for this; otherwise, ventilation levels should be adjusted for comfort.

C – Add UV Technology

Add a third layer of protection, reducing the presence of microorganisms with ultraviolet germicidal irradiation. These lights can be installed within your restaurant HVAC system or ductwork or the upper regions of dining and kitchen areas. The duration and intensity of UV-C exposure are crucial to efficacy and safety. Limiting direct exposure of patrons and staff to UV is essential to avoid eye and skin damage. Your local HVAC commercial contractor must professionally install these systems to ensure optimal performance and safety.

Specialized computations using the Wells Riley rate should be conducted to determine how to best use ultraviolet germicidal irradiation at your restaurant, including the number of lamps and duration of exposure. This formula is widely used to identify the probability of infection in an occupied space, including studying airborne infections and the link between sick leave and ventilation systems.

Optimize the air quality in your restaurant, improving the dining experience and ensuring repeat business. Contact H & H Commercial Services to uncover ways to boost patron confidence in your restaurant’s indoor air quality today.

NOTE/Disclaimer: ASHRAE, in alliance with recommendations from the CDC and WHO, offers recommendations specifically to operating your commercial HVAC system during COVID. However, given the many unknowns and continued study of COVID-19, HVAC systems and products have not yet been tested for their effectiveness in reducing the spread of this disease.

This blog was originally posted at https://hhcommercialonline.com/the-abcs-of-optimizing-indoor-air-quality-at-restaurants/

10 Best Energy Saving Technologies for Your Commercial Space

Heating, ventilation, and air conditioning account for over half of your business’ monthly energy costs, offering tremendous opportunity for cost savings. Fortunately, many commercial HVAC system modifications can help you save energy and control operational costs, from the tried-and-true to the latest cutting-edge technology. Shrink your carbon footprint and improve occupant comfort with these commercial HVAC additions.

Top 10 Energy-Saving Commercial HVAC Technologies

Note – The technologies mentioned below offer significant savings but may not always be the best solution for your business. Talk to your local commercial HVAC contractor to uncover the ideal additions for your application or industry.

1. Duct sealing
   One of the easiest ways to save energy is to eliminate duct leakage. Duct leakage is a significant source of energy waste, so be sure to make this part of your regular commercial HVAC maintenance routine.
2. Variable-speed blower motors & adjustable speed drives
   Reducing blower motor speed to meet commercial heating and cooling demands offers significant savings.
3. Dedicated outdoor air systems
   Reduce load on your cooling system and improve comfort, removing moisture from outdoor air and conditioning it separately from indoor return air with a dedicated outdoor air system.
4. Demand-controlled ventilation
   Using carbon monoxide sensors and economizers, demand-controlled ventilation helps you maintain indoor air quality while avoiding wasteful overventilation.
5. Energy recovery ventilation
   ERV systems repurpose energy from exhausted air, using it to precondition incoming air, reducing commercial heating and cooling loads while maintaining comfort.
6. Displacement ventilation
   Improve indoor air quality, introducing a low-velocity stream of cold air at the floor level to displace stale air near the ceiling.
7. Desiccant dehumidification
   Using liquid desiccants to remove moisture, evaporate heat, and precool makeup air reduces cooling load
8. Zero-degree heat pumps
   Today’s latest heat pump technology works efficiently in climates as cold as 0 F. Because these systems move heat rather than create it, they offer more than 100% energy efficiency.
9. Variable refrigerant flow systems
   These flexible ductless-style systems utilize multiple compressors to deliver partial load performance and zoned temperature control, improving occupant comfort while saving energy.
10. Microenvironments
    These personal desktop-style climate control systems offer environmental control in a single unit. Attached to a work surface, they create a virtual zone for each occupant, improving staff comfort and productivity.

Low Tech Commercial HVAC Energy Savings Solutions

In addition to taking advantage of the latest available technology, routine commercial HVAC maintenance is essential for optimizing performance and efficiency. Regular inspection for leaks and mechanical issues and the cleaning of system components reduces energy losses, keeping your operational budget under control.

Keep your facility comfortable while controlling costs. Contact H & H Commercial Services to schedule a commercial HVAC system energy assessment today.

This blog was originally posted at https://hhcommercialonline.com/10-best-energy-saving-technologies-for-your-commercial-space/