HVAC Methods

The second step to achieve energy and Heating and cooling system optimization is knowing your system. Your Heating and cooling system is critical to your interior environment, but it also represents a large element of your utility expenses. While it is beyond the scope of this article to discuss each and every system, a few recommendations can be addressed. Every Houston air conditioning program component has increased in efficiency over the years. In case your system is more than 13 years old, it’s time to start planning for an upgrade in order to new equipment. Well maintained residential systems possess a life expectancy of about 15 years or so but appear to fail at the worse times. Have a substitute plan ready during the day your equipment isn’t able.

Commercial systems vary, but if your building is using packaged equipment or split systems, the same lifetime can be expected. For larger commercial methods and industrial programs, the HVAC system may be more complex as well as require an individual evaluation by a mechanical professional. As I said, HVAC systems vary and no one-size-fits-all evaluation works for larger methods. What all these systems have in common is they are usually fueled by electricity. Electricity cost money, therefore any efforts in the direction of increased efficiency is really a plus.

HVAC Program Tips:

Find a qualified consultant you believe in. If you are a home owner or small commercial creating owner, find a good Heating and cooling company or mechanic to evaluate and maintain your system. If you are a large commercial building owner, find a commercial HVAC organization for normal upkeep and a good mechanised engineer for particular guidance. I do not suggest using a mechanical professional employed by the HVAC Company; find a third party engineer for impartial information.
Verify your HVAC system load. Home owners should make use of ACCA’s Manual J calculation method and all others should have a load conducted by a mechanical engineer. Commercial buildings convey more requirements related to code conformance, minimum ventilation prices, etc and are individual to each building.

Choose equipment sized for your load. NEVER OVERSIZE! More-is-better doesn’t apply for HVAC systems. It will cost more to purchase the equipment as well as run it. Get the load and the equipment selection right the first time.

Buy high efficiency or Energy Star equipment. Many of the new systems include adjustable speed drives with regard to fans and converters. Over the years of ownership this will be paid back often over. Compare regular efficiency equipment to high efficiency equipment in terms of initial cost and life cycle costs. Worthwhile HVAC company or mechanical engineer can obtain this information.

Consider some form of energy recovery for any air exhausted from the building and use it to condition the inbound fresh air. This is air you have paid in order to condition, so extracting some of the energy prior to exhausting it should be important.

For large commercial structures, consider conditioning the outside air with a dedicated outside air device. This will eliminate any kind of problems related to moisture control in most instances. It will also increase occupant comfort and allow for further downsizing of apparatus.

Commercial buildings should consider economizers on their equipment. Most up to date codes require economizers on equipment over Fifteen tons in size. Frequently available at a low incremental cost, these units draw in fresh air from the outside once the temperature (sometimes humidity) outside is lower compared to temperature inside.

Property owners and small commercial building owners should install programmable a thermostat. Commercial building proprietors should install a Direct Digital Control (DDC) system. The investment in either of those will pay back more than the cost in a small amount of time. Read more below.