One way to improve overall energy efficiency is to retrofit your commercial HVAC unit.
Spring isn’t over yet, but all the same, we have seen some incredibly high temperatures. While unexpected, this doesn’t qualify as a heat wave. However, it does represent an opportunity to stop and think about how energy efficient your building is before summer arrives.
Retrofitting Your Commercial HVAC Unit
One way to improve overall energy efficiency is to retrofit your commercial HVAC unit. Older units require more maintenance than newer ones do, but if you are not in a position to afford an entirely new system, some upgrades may be able to meet your needs until you can install a brand new commercial HVAC system in your building.
Retrofits help make the atmospheric environment of your building more comfortable, regulating temperature and humidity levels that might otherwise interfere with your employees’ ability to function if left unchecked. Replacing the compressor unit, integrating new condensers and ventilation, and using air-side economizers to draw in cooler air from outside your building are all possibilities to consider.
Improve Insulation
Adding insulation is a simple way to keep warm in during the colder months of the year. However, part of improving energy efficiency is to ensure that you don’t lose anything during the exchange of old air going through the system and new air coming into it. Improving your insulation will keep cool air inside, which is vital to improving energy efficiency during the summer – you don’t want to push your systems to work even harder to replace the previously-cooled air that has already escaped. Doors, walls, windows, ductworks, pipes, and vents are all possible areas where air can get out, so make that these critical elements of your commercial building are well-insulated.
Replace Air Filters
Don’t forget to install new air filters every few months. Clogged air filters don’t run as smoothly, and can cause your commercial HVAC units to work more slowly while emitting loud, distracting noises. Unfortunately, this has the side effect of wasting power, which will only serve to increase your energy bills.
Consider Using Variable Refrigerant Flow
Sometimes, you will need to overhaul your entire system in the name of energy efficiency. To that end, you might want to start making plans for installing a variable refrigerant flow, or VRF, HVAC unit instead. The advantage of the VRF system is that it can deliver different levels of heating or cooling to specific parts of your building. Also, the compressor doesn’t just have one speed – it can operate at several different speeds depending on what you need it to do.
Crockett Facilities Can Help!
Crockett Facilities Services, Inc. (CFSI) is committed to helping building owners, property managers, engineers, and facility professionals lower their operating expenses through HVAC preventive maintenance. We can develop a cost-effective, customized preventive maintenance plan for your commercial building that will provide you with peace of mind, improved comfort, and energy savings.
To learn more about the importance of HVAC Preventive Maintenance, please contact us at 202.600.2787 or mford@crockett-facilities.com. Our PM contract customers receive priority service with 24/7 emergency service in Maryland, Virginia and Washington, DC.