If you own a commercial building in Berryville, VA, you know how important its HVAC system is. So, when the time comes to purchase a new HVAC for your business, you can’t afford to pick the wrong one. Here are five tips for choosing the right commercial HVAC system for your building.
1. Consider Energy Efficiency
The first thing you’ll want to consider when evaluating a new commercial HVAC system is efficiency. Energy costs make up the largest piece of the average commercial building’s operating expenses. Choosing an efficient HVAC system can minimize energy costs and improve your bottom line.
Establishing a budget for the initial acquisition and anticipated annual costs is useful. Purchasing energy-efficient appliances means saving the maximum on your operating expenses for the lifetime of your HVAC. Since the average commercial HVAC lasts between 15 and 20 years, those savings will add up.
2. Evaluate Available Features
Commercial HVAC systems have come a long way in recent years. Today’s models include advanced features that could meaningfully improve your building’s comfort. For example, some commercial HVAC systems now work with occupancy sensors.
Such sensors can tell if anyone’s using the various rooms in your building. This allows the system to adjust its operation to prioritize comfort in occupied spaces. It will simultaneously prioritize energy savings in unoccupied ones.
Some systems also collect data that property managers can use to fine-tune their HVAC settings. They make it possible to adjust comfort settings for individual tenants while still meeting energy savings targets. That makes an excellent addition to the comfort arsenal of any multi-tenant commercial building.
3. Consider System Type
It is worth your time to consider the type of commercial HVAC system that best suits your building, budget, and tenants. For example, a single-split HVAC system may suffice if you have a small, single-tenant building. For larger multi-tenant buildings, though, a multi-split HVAC would provide the flexibility you need.
A heat pump provides cooling and heating within the same system, which might align well with your anticipated needs. This highly efficient approach can be a great way to move your building toward full electrification. It can also help you lower your building’s carbon footprint significantly.
4. Think About Existing Infrastructure
As you evaluate your commercial building’s HVAC options, consider your building’s existing infrastructure. For example, does your building have ductwork that’s sufficient to support your new preferred HVAC system? If not, you will need to include ductwork modifications to your budget plans.
You should consider the installation location of your prospective new system. For example, will your new system require modifications to your building’s structure to safely install it? This is another thing you should include in your budget plans, or you might receive an unpleasant surprise later.
5. Consider the Upfront Cost
While it would be nice to upgrade your commercial building with the most advanced HVAC possible, that’s not always realistic. The bottom line is, after all, the bottom line. So, you will want to scrutinize the costs of any prospective commercial HVAC system you’re evaluating.
You should also consider the options available to cover the costs of your new commercial HVAC system. Remember that you will need to add those payments to your building’s monthly expenses. You don’t want your new HVAC system to tip your building’s monthly expenditures into the red.
No matter what kind of commercial HVAC system you settle on, count on Griffith Energy Services to help. We have been the go-to HVAC contractor and fuel supplier for commercial building owners in Berryville, VA, and the surrounding areas in the Mid-Atlantic region for over 100 years. So, if you are ready to install a new commercial HVAC system, contact one of our professional technicians at Griffith Energy Services today!
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