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Upgrading Your Heating Ventilation and Air Conditioning System

Heating ventilation and air conditioning is responsible for half the energy used in commercial buildings. If you have an old system in your building it may be even more. That’s why so many owners and building managers are taking advantage of recent innovations in heating ventilation and air conditioning design to retrofit more efficient components in their building. The investment on a retrofit can often pay for itself in energy savings in a short period of time.

Where Do I Begin?

Heating ventilation and air conditioning design should ideally begin at the early stage of construction. But if you are already in an existing space there are still plenty of good options for retrofits. Any new construction or retrofit design should take into account all building systems including, air conditioning ventilation, indoor air quality, energy use, environmental impact and occupant comfort. By taking this holistic approach you can more easily and more inexpensively meet building code requirements as well as reduce ongoing energy costs. There ...
... are sophisticated software design programs that your heating ventilation and air conditioning company can use to optimize a system based on your building’s current specs. Your new system will need ongoing maintenance in order for you to gain maximum value and energy savings over its lifetime. Be sure to find a heating ventilation and air conditioning company that can both install your new system and offer an ongoing maintenance agreement.

Heating Ventilation and Air Conditioning System Upgrades

There are various components you may have in your building’s current heating ventilation and air conditioning system that can be upgraded to increase energy efficiency.

Here are some options to consider when upgrading:

* Replacing a single boiler with a more efficient multiple boiler system
* Retrofitting solar-assisted and biomass-fired boilers
* Combining your heat and power by using fuel cells and microturbines
* Installing a high-efficiency gas-fired rooftop unit
* Replacing air-source heat pumps by retrofitting a more efficient ground-source or geothermal heat pump
* Replacing your chiller especially if it’s over ten years old
* Installing a desiccant dehumidification system. They can save energy costs by recovering energy from conditioned air that would otherwise be exhausted from your building
* Switching to a variable-air-volume air conditioning ventilation system. They offer improved energy performance from traditional constant-volume systems
* Increasing the size of ducting to reduce the need for air speed and the work load on your fan system
* Improving the aerodynamics of your duct system by straightening out the duct path and eliminating sharp turns when possible
* Replacing your ducting with a displacement ventilation system that supplies and returns air through floor and ceiling plenums

Energy use is a big operational expense but retrofitting a more efficient heating ventilation and air conditioning system can be a smart investment. For many building owners and mangers special financing is available for retrofits. Talk to your heating ventilation and air conditioning company today and find out what opportunities there are for your building.

Source

*Information on Heating Ventilation and Air Conditioning and Heating Ventilation from the U.S. Department of Energy