The sustainability of a commercial building depends greatly on the performance of its air conditioning system. Furthermore, regulations are increasingly requiring that buildings maintain a healthy supply of fresh outside air. These systems are required for the comfort of occupants and for critical functions like server rooms and other sensitive equipment. Eventually, every HVAC system reaches the end of its lifespan and building managers face the reality a commercial air conditioning installation & replacement solution.
Even with regular maintenance and repairs no HVAC unit will last forever. To complicate the matter, replacing an HVAC system often includes significant alterations to a building’s structure. Any cooling and heating unit accounts for a significant amount of the cost to the building. With all of these concerns it is essential to explore all options when replacing a cooling system
How to know when it’s time to replace
The age of the HVAC system is one of the factors to consider since the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recommends replacement after 10 years of use. Frequent breakdowns are yet another factor when thinking about replacement. This is due to the 50% rule that if half or more of your costs are in repairing the unit it makes financial sense to replace it. An excessively noisy system is yet another warning sign that the system may need replaced.
Benefits of replacement
There are many benefits to upgrading to a newer energy efficient air conditioner. With the increasing cost of energy, significant savings become achieved by upgrading. Newer systems are more efficient and therefore do a better job of controlling temperature and humidity while also improving indoor air quality (IAQ). Newer systems also use better refrigerants such as the replacement of R-22 with R-410A. In the future there will be even more efficient refrigerants. Also, worth considering is that a new HVAC system will have a warranty which can save money on costly repairs. Finally, the Government often supply’s tax incentives for the purchase of newer higher efficient systems.
Split vs Packaged
Most commercial buildings contain split systems that use ductwork with an outdoor condensing unit pared with an indoor evaporator system. Many of these units were installed when the building was under construction presenting a problem of needed demolition to walls when replacing the units. There is often lot of expense in replacing these types of units because of building alterations but also hiring of equipment to lift the unit on to the roof. Packaged units on the other hand also use ductwork but here the condenser and evaporator reside within a single unit. Many times, there is not enough room outside to place the retrofit unit. Most packaged units operate outside but indoor packaged units like the ones produced by United CoolAir also exist. For this reason, an all-indoor packaged unit can save money on air conditioning installation & replacement when factoring the total install cost.
