6 Ways Commercial HVAC Differs From Residential HVAC

You might be tempted to call up the first residential HVAC company you find when your RTU or VRF needs service, but we advise against it. Though many companies might provide limited commercial service, they likely lack the expertise needed for large-scale projects. Commercial HVAC needs differ from those of a residential unit for many reasons, including:

• Size: Commercial units need to ventilate and condition air for a much larger area than residential ones. This means that the components used are larger, heavier, and more difficult to move. Commercial HVAC units often weigh in at a few tons. This requires specialized moving equipment and often a separate set of tools.
• Location: In houses, the furnace is often located in the basement while the AC unit is relegated to the backyard. This is referred to as splitting the system. Commercial buildings typically house their HVAC units in the basement, in a utility room, or on the roof. The latter poses safety concerns not usually posed by residential HVAC work.
• Economizers: These might just be commercial HVAC’s secret weapon. Economizers are devices that use sensors and logic controllers to flush out heat and bring in cold air from outside. This lowers overall cooling costs and lowers unit wear and tear. It also increases ventilation and dispels stale air. The latter feature is especially useful to owners of older buildings. Residential HVAC contractors don’t have much experience diagnosing and repairing economizers. This is why it’s best to leave servicing these to a professional.
• Zones: Unlike your typical residential HVAC system, commercial systems are comprised of a number of packaged units with individual thermostats. This allows one building to support a number of different temperatures. This allows for area-by-area customization. Because they can work on one zone at a time, it also minimizes total comfort interruptions. But the added connections also make service and maintenance more complex.
• Ventilation: The larger size of commercial buildings make for more complex ventilation. Because there are often fewer windows, mechanical ventilation is often necessary to deal with stale air. Restaurants, fitness centers, and laboratories also require heightened ventilation levels to achieve optimal air quality. Knowing where and when to set up mechanical ventilation is a key part of commercial HVAC service. This is knowledge residential HVAC companies often lack.
• Cost: A typical homeowner might invest $10,000 to $15,000 in a new heating and AC system. However, due to the amount of cooling needed to handle all the people in a commercial facility, commercial systems typically are required to handle bigger loads than a residential systems—which can be more costly than replacing a residential system. Protect your comfort investment in Berlin. Call Link Mechanical Services, Inc. the next time you need commercial HVAC service.

Rely On Us for Commercial HVAC in Berlin

As an HVAC contractor in the Berlin area, we’ve made much of our money through light-to-moderate commercial HVAC work. Because there’s no waiting until tomorrow to repair commercial equipment, we have expert technicians ready and able to serve you at all hours of the night. This availability is one reason behind our glowing Google reviews. We invite you to give us a try and see why so many businesses in Berlin and Farmington rely on us to keep their clients, staff, and residents comfortable.