United CoolAir

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Commercial vs Residential HVAC Units

Learn the similarites and differences between commercial and residential units

Commercial vs Residential

Commercial and Residential HVAC units share many similarities but contain many differences as well. While some HVAC manufacturing companies produce units for both markets, others specialize in one or the other. The biggest differences have to do with size, and whether the unit is packaged or split. Commercial systems are typically modular in nature, which makes them more flexible and expandable. These units are for business applications and can serve very large office buildings to small shops.

Many times the HVAC unit is installed when the building is first being constructed presenting a problem later. Eventually the unit will be in need of replacement. Commercial units because of their size and complexity usually require more highly trained technicians to install and service the equipment. This type of HVAC unit is designed to serve multiple zones and is capable of providing heating as well as cooling to the building. The American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) sets Minimum Ventilation Rates in Breathing Zone standards as to how much fresh air must be delivered for the number of occupants in a given room. HVAC units are measured in tonnage or CFM (Cubic Feet per Minute), while ASHRAE advises 20 CFM per person in a health club, only 5 CFM per person is recommended for a library.

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Sick Building Syndrome and what to do about it

Sick building syndrome, sometimes referred to as tight building syndrome is a term that was developed from the ill effects building occupants incur because of poor indoor air quality. Although there is not one specific disease that is solely attributed to (SBS). Ill health and loss of employee productivity is a major concern of poor indoor air quality.

Sick Building Syndrome

An extensive list of symptoms related to (SBS) include:
  • headache
  • cough
  • dizziness
  • nausea
  • eye, nose or throat irritation
  • dry cough, dry or itching skin
  • difficulty in concentration
  • fatigue
  • sensitivity to odors
  • hoarseness of voice
  • allergies
  • cold, flu-like symptoms
  • increased incidence of asthma
  • shortness of breath on mild exertion
  • edema
  • palpitations
  • nosebleeds
  • cancers
  • pregnancy problems and miscarriages
  • Legionnaire’s disease
  • humidifier fever
  • pneumonia and occupational asthma
  • chest pain

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Business Owners Guide to Commercial HVAC

Business owners in the market for a new or replacement commercial HVAC system are faced with many questions about where to start.  First and probably most importantly is the cost. However, cost not only pertains to the price of the equipment, but to the installation cost as well. Equipment cost will vary from one brand to another and between companies performing the install. Since most buyers are usually not HVAC experts, they often defer to the expertise of the engineer or contractor and may not search or understand that there are alternatives.

Commercial HVAC systems are generally quite large and in many cases are installed when the building is constructed. The condenser unit is typically placed on the rooftop or outside the perimeter on the ground which causes them to be susceptible to weather damage and vandalism. The evaporator section is then placed in a mechanical room and cannot be easily relocated.

These units generally need to be replaced after a few decades and the building owner is faced with the daunting task of choosing a replacement unit. Building owners are routinely told by installers that in order to replace the unit, they will have to remove some of the walls or part of the roof in order to complete the retrofit install.  The reason is although the old unit can be chopped up and removed, it is very difficult to get a replacement unit in the space. Additionally, if the building is several stories high, a crane is needed to hoist the replacement unit into place.

The total cost of installation can be broken down into separate categories; labor materials, and tasks. Installation companies will compute hourly wage times how many laborers it will take to complete the change out. Other expenditures could include permits, insurance, supervision, warehouse, crane rental, and delivery. 

The selection of the proper HVAC system is yet another consideration. Owners, architects, engineers, and contractors have the choice of chilled water, refrigerant direct expansion, packaged, air-cooled, water-cooled, and VRF systems. Will the system be a central or floor-by-floor method? Each of these will have pro and cons and can be one of the more difficult decisions to be made. Sometimes decisions are based on building codes.  Historic districts usually have restrictions on placing units outdoors or on the rooftop.

There is a better way!

United CoolAir  (UCA) products are designed to avoid all of the unnecessary costs that can occur in a typical retrofit installation. UCA HVAC units are designed differently than most other units on the market. It all begins with units that are designed as packaged systems and installed completely indoors. This factor alone saves the unit from weather damage and potential vandalism. Additionally, UCA units are built as modular units that fit through doorways, meaning there is never a need for expensive rigging or demolition of the building. UCA units can also fit into historic buildings, thus avoiding the aggravation of code restrictions. Additional permits or non-allowance for outdoor equipment. United CoolAir HVAC units not only save in installation cost but their units last longer over the competition.

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Choosing a Dedicated Outdoor Air System

In order to comply with current strict ventilation standards in the HVAC industry, manufacturers’ are introducing innovative new equipment to improve indoor air quality. Dedicated outdoor air systems (DOAS) are one such method used to regulate temperature and humidity in schools, hospitals, offices, and other commercial spaces. As these systems become more popular throughout the USA and Canada, technicians and end users need to understand the operation and importance of these units.

DOAS units are not the primary source of cooling but are often used in conjunction with other HVAC equipment. These units function by bringing in fresh air independently of other cooling and heating equipment. This pretreated air will ultimately save fan energy on the main HVAC unit and improve the overall indoor air quality. These units can be air-cooled, water-cooled and chilled water and may include variable capacity compressors.

Specifying a DOAS unit usually begins with selection software, which takes the basic parameters of the installation and then focuses on the specific needs and requirements for fresh air to be introduced. The software will calculate the performance expectations and recommend additional modifications to the basic package. A variety of fresh air units handle a range of CFM and tonnage and include options such as water-source heat pumps and modulating hot gas reheat. Other fresh air units could include direct expansion with an energy recovery enthalpy wheel. The unit should be able to handle the large latent ventilation load and deliver “neutral” air of 72°F to 75°F @ 50% RH. By separating the sensible load from the latent load, the unit will remove moisture from the primary source of fresh outside air. This, in turn, reduces the load on the primary AC unit that will be used in cooling the space and leads to greater efficiency and better indoor air quality with a lower overall cost.

Many HVAC manufacturers provide outdoor rooftop equipment as DOAS units, but occasionally a customer might require an all indoor packaged unit when the building topography does not allow for outside mounting. Additionally, codes affecting historic buildings may not allow for unappealing HVAC equipment to be installed even if there were ample room on the roof or outside. This indoor packaged solution typically realizes a smaller footprint and can be used for new installations as well as retrofitting as part of a VRF or conventional DX air conditioning project.

Ideally, the performance of your DOAS unit should meet or surpass the ASHRAE 90.1 standards of ISMRE 11.1 and ISCOP 8.0 and adhere to a sound rating of less than NC-40. Dedicated Outdoor Units also include options such as the installation of MERV 8 or 13 filters. Units can also include special coil coatings to prevent rust and corrosion when installed in harsh conditions such as marine or paper mill applications. Lastly, units may also include a manual on/off override switch and meet the power requirements of 208/230 single or three phase or 460/3 phase power.

When calculating the need for a DOAS unit it is important to understand all the benefits that can be realized with this type of installation.

  • By removing outdoor contaminants before they enter the building the indoor air quality will be greatly improved and will allow the main cooling unit to run more efficiently.
  • Much like the operation of a dehumidifier, moisture is removed from the entering air, which can prevent the formation of mold growth that affects the health of the building occupants.
  • Energy savings can be achieved by separating the ventilation requirement from the main cooling or heating unit.

Dedicated Outdoor Air Systems have become an integral component to an overall approach to HVAC installation. As concerns about climate change drive governments to enact more stringent energy requirements in the manufacturing process, DOAS units will continue to grow in importance. Ongoing developments will ensure that these types of units will become even more efficient and used well into the future.

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HVAC Replacement Made Better

What if there was a way to replace existing indoor HVAC equipment that has reached its lifespan without expensive demolition and alterations to the building structure?
Many contractors, engineers and property managers are challenged with this question every day. It would seem to be a question that is easily answered. Outdated equipment could simply be chopped up and the debris hauled away to make way for a replacement unit. The problem is most replacement units are not small enough to be brought into the space without major disruption and structure modifications.

There is a better way of HVAC Replacement

United CoolAir equipment is a better solution for replacement HVAC units. Our units are modular in construction with quick connects and re-sealable fittings that allow replacing equipment without demolition. Most UCA units can fit through a standard doorway or elevator, around tight corners of hallways and into the space. The process of installing United CoolAir units can save time and money leading to greater satisfaction in the retrofit process.

Countless numbers of HVAC units were installed while the building was under construction thus confining the unit in its chosen location. The current protocol is to chop up a brand new unit and bring it into the space and then reassemble the equipment, or the alternative of knocking down a wall or removing part of the roof in order to accomplish the replacement task. The problem with both of these solutions is the damage that can result in new equipment and the expense of building demolition and reconstruction. These building alterations can add tens of thousands of dollars to the total replacement cost.

Do all commercial HVAC units have to be installed outdoors?

No, companies such as United CoolAir produce HVAC units that are installed completely indoors.

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VariCool Renovator

Developed as a Direct Replacement
for Trane SWUD Units

VariCool Renovator Picture
Exploded View

During the 1980’s and 90’s, Trane SWUD units were installed in thousands of buildings throughout the USA. In most cases these Variable Air Volume and Constant Volume Systems units were installed while the building was being erected and the walls were built around the units enclosing them inside mechanical rooms or other hard to access spaces. Now years have gone by and the Trane SWUD units are reaching the end of their lifespan. This presents a problem as well as an opportunity. While the old AC units can be disassembled and removed, it is quite another thing to bring in a suitable replacement unit. Building managers are routinely told they need to demolish an outside wall or roof and hire a crane to accomplish the replacement task. The expense and logistics to replace the Trane SWUD units can be enormous leading to much frustration to the end user.

The United CoolAir Renovator was developed as a solution for the numerous Trane SWUD units that are in need of replacement. The Renovator is designed to be a direct replacement for Trane SWUD units 42 through 80 tons. These self-contained water-cooled units are shipped in multiple sections and fit through a standard 36″ door or smaller, all while maintaining their original factory charge. The Renovator maintains the original Trane SWUD footprint while simultaneously eliminating the cost of rigging, permits and tenant disruptions, resulting in cost and time savings for clients.

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