Commercial HVAC Archives - United CoolAir

August 25, 2022 by Matt Hanson

Portable Commercial Air Conditioner

Since the invention of air conditioning in 1922, the public has grown accustomed to having instant cooling or heating at the push of a button. However, there are times that for various reasons life isn’t so simple. In some instances, the need for AC may be in a remote place such as an outdoor tent or construction site. Other times the installed HVAC system could be out of order or electricity is not available. This can happen in critical locations such as hospitals and data centers and for these instances, a portable commercial air conditioner is literally a lifesaver.

Whether trying to cool or heat equipment or individuals, finding the proper portable commercial air conditioner is of the utmost importance. Considerations include how large the space is to be treated and how many people are expected to occupy this area. Commercial portable units come in various tonnages and capabilities, and some are operational both indoors and outside. These units are like the type of residential units that one would acquire at the big box stores but with some major differences.

Constructed to Last

For starters, commercial portable AC units are constructed of metal instead of plastic. This ensures that the units these rugged and will last much longer with extended use. Also, commercial portables can be much higher in cooling and heating abilities. These units are able to move around on caster wheels and larger 25-to-30-ton units can be skid or trailer-mounted. Some units are additionally equipped with lifting pods, so they can be easily moved around with a forklift.

Commercial portable AC units are available for many purposes and the following table shows just how versatile they are when needed.

After-hours-Cooling	Assembly Lines	Automotive Industry
Banks	Computer/Telecom rooms	Conference Rooms
Construction Sites	Data Centers/ Server Rooms	Emergency Back-up Supplemental Cooling
Hospitals	Laboratories	Libraries
Manufacturing Plants	Moisture Removal	Museums
Nursing Homes	Off-season Spot Cooling/Heating	Offices
Outdoor Events	Process Cooling	Retail Spaces

In Summary

Because portable units do not require permanent installations, they are not subject to many of the regulations that apply to stationary HVAC units. While this may be true, portable units are still highly efficient and function in the same way. Portable commercial air conditioners are available through rental companies. However, if they are going to be in need even a few times, purchasing one can be more economical.

May 4, 2022 by Matt Hanson

BTUs in Air Conditioning

When it comes to air conditioning, calculating BTUs is an essential part of determining the size of the unit. A BTU or British Thermal Unit is the measure of heat energy that comes from a thermal unit and an Imperial Gallon is 10 pounds in weight. Therefore, a BTU is 1/10 of an Imperial Gallon or one pound of water at sea level and a BTU will raise water temperature one degree Fahrenheit. However, in air-conditioning, we are not changing water temperature, but the temperature of the air. While the metric system has taken over most industries, BTUs in air conditioning remains the standard due to their significance in heating and cooling.

What does a BTU do?

Simply put, a BTU measurement shows how much energy an AC unit uses to remove heat from a space within an hour. This allows HVAC techs to determine what size HVAC units should be installed. When an HVAC tech determines BTU usage, they must account for many factors. Every BTU has a corresponding tonnage, which has nothing to do with weight but is in reference to a unit’s cooling capacity.

A ton of cooling known as refrigeration is the amount of heat it takes to melt a pound of ice in a 24-hour period. Furthermore, 12,000 BTUs is equal to one ton of cooling and there are guidelines for how many BTUs are needed for the square footage of a space. Also, heat in air conditioning is referring to energy and not temperature. Air conditioning systems simply move energy from one place to another.

Square Fee	BTUs
100-150	5,000
150-250	6,000
250-300	7,000
300-350	8,000
350-400	9,000
400-450	10,000
450-500	12,000
500-700	14,000
700-1,000	18,000
1,000-1,200	21,000
1,200-1,400	23,000
1,400-1,500	24,000
1,500-2,000	30,000
2,000-2,500	34,000

Here is a resource to quickly calculate the BTUs needed.

Calculator

Conclusion

Many factors go into choosing an HVAC system and BTUs are just one factor in this calculation. It also helps in determining kilowatts which has a direct impact on energy costs. Equally important are room size, aspects of insulation, humidity levels, ceiling height, window size, and room occupancy. Being informed of all these factors make sure the perfect sized HVAC unit is installed to serve the cooling needs.

March 17, 2022 by Matt Hanson

Commercial vs Residential HVAC

While the commercial and residential HVAC industries have similarities there are differences as well. No matter what type of HVAC being deployed, the purpose always comes down to cooling, heating, dehumidification, and ventilation. Some of the key differences involve size, location and manufacturing. While there are HVAC manufacturers that specialize in one or the other, some companies are more specialized. Whichever industry is in question there are key things to know about when it comes to commercial vs residential HVAC.

Residential HVAC

Residential HVAC systems are what cools and heats homes and small businesses. Fundamentally, these systems operate the same as commercial units. These unit are often split between the evaporator and condenser section and located outdoors beside the home. Other times the location is an attic or crawl space. These use of these types of units is most heavily in the Summer and Winter months.

The residential market accounts for roughly 40 percent of the HVAC market. Furthermore, servicing these units occurs by a single contractor. Residential units are usually smaller than commercial units and are easier to service. As a repair technician there is much more contact with the owner of the unit than with commercial.

Commercial HVAC

Commercial HVAC systems have the same functions as residential but are instead, installed in corporate and industrial buildings of all sizes. These units are very large and located on rooftops but there are also modular packaged units that are installed indoors. These units usually involve contractors and architects in the planning phase. Some industries using commercial units include manufacturing, healthcare, education, offices, churches, restaurants, retail stores, banks, and hotels. Commercial units are more complex and costly than residential and require a higher skill level to install and maintain. They account for up to 60% of the HVAC market.

Summary

Whether residential or commercial, HVAC units will continue to innovate to meet the cooling and heating needs of both markets. New efficiency requirements and coolant types are ever evolving. The following resources have updated information on the HVAC industry.

American Society of Heating, Refrigerating, and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE)
HVAC Excellence
North American Technician Excellence (NATE)
Refrigerating Engineers and Technicians Association (RETA)
Refrigeration Service Engineers Society (RSES)

September 8, 2021 by Matt Hanson

How HVAC Retrofit Can Benefit Commercial Buildings

Every day there is a commercial HVAC system that is starting to fail as it reaches the end of its lifespan. Even well-maintained systems have components that will wear out. On top of that, the needs of a building change overtime as perhaps more people occupy the space. There could also be a change in office equipment or hours of operation. In fact, the life span of the typical HVAC system is only from 15–30 years. This is why an HVAC retrofit could be the best way to solve this unending problem.

Early Warning Signs of a Failing HVAC System

The first warning signs of a system that is starting to diminish is a noticeable change in the comfort level and changes in IAQ. Also, there could be an increase in the energy costs associated with the building. The rising costs of repairing and maintaining an HVAC system is also a sign that it might be time to consider an HVAC retrofit.

The Problem with Retrofit and Replacement of Existing Equipment

Most commercial HVAC systems are installable as packaged rooftop units or located in a basement or mechanical room. This presents s huge problem of having to hire cranes or major demolition to a building. Many times, a retrofit replacement unit is too large to move through hallways to their final destination. Complicating the process is the disruption to occupants as replacement can take a long time to complete. The cost of replacement equipment along with business down time is enough to discourage many facility managers to complete the update.

Finding the Best HVAC Retrofit Solution

Fortunately, there is a way to avoid all the drawbacks of a retrofit or replacement HVAC system. United CoolAir creates modular replacement HVAC units that can fit through standard doors and hallways and then reassembled. Additionally, this retrofit process is most often accomplished over a weekend. With United CoolAir units, HVAC retrofit and replacement is a easy process.

August 26, 2021 by Matt Hanson

What is a Water Source Heat Pump?

When it comes to reliability and efficiency, a Water Source Heat Pump (WSHP) could be the best option for commercial buildings. A Water Source Heat Pump works much in the same way as an air source heat pump; but extracts and disperses heat by water instead of air. An air source uses heat from the outside since even cold air contains substantial heat, until it reaches below freezing temperatures. This happens by cycling water through a piping system loop usually supplied by a water tower.

The WSHP operates in a simple way and operate year-round by bringing in heat in the Winter months and removing it in the Summer. Additionally, they are usually packaged units that are installed in a closet or even above the ceiling. They are deliverable into zones and controllable independently so that we achieve energy conservation. For this reason (WSHPs) are more efficient in cooling rather than heating.

During Spring and Autumn there can be extremes of both warm and cold weather and WSHPs can serve both situations. This makes them ideal for commercial buildings such as office buildings, hotels, hospitals, schools and retail spaces. The simple design of WSHPs contains a compressor, 4-way reversing valve, refrigerant heat exchanger, thermal expansion device, coil, and fan. Furthermore, the popular packaged systems can be easy for technicians to service since every component is in the same location.

United CoolAir is The Best Solution

United CoolAir (UCA), offers several units that operate as both air source and water source heat pumps. These units come in both vertical and horizontal configurations and a wide range of tonnages. As an added benefit, United CoolAir units contain modular construction which allows them to go through standard doorways. This makes UCA units the best choice when it comes to choosing a Water Source Heat Pump for your commercial building.