Think of your commercial HVAC unit as the beating heart of your company. Like a real heart, it needs plenty of energy to keep running smoothly.
Think of your commercial HVAC unit as the beating heart of your company. Like a real heart, it needs plenty of energy to keep running smoothly. That’s why energy efficiency is always important. Late summer is when you can expect temperatures to be at their peak, so you should do everything you can to keep your building’s inhabitants cool and comfortable without causing your energy bills to climb accordingly.
Partition the System Ducts
Different parts of your building have different heating and cooling needs. By partitioning the system ducts, you can send warm air into areas that are too cold and cold air into areas that are too warm. For instance, if your server rooms are already too hot from the machines constantly running, then you can introduce more cold air into that environment since that equipment is too valuable to allow it to overheat during periods of high usage.
Adjust the Thermostat
You’ll also need to adjust the thermostat attached to your commercial HVAC system. Your employees work much more efficiently when they feel comfortable. Imagine, if you will, how an hourlong Monday morning meeting can feel like it takes three hours if the temperature in the room is too high or too low. No one can concentrate if they are sweating or freezing.
Take Advantage of Automation
Commercial HVAC units are sophisticated machines, with several different components that must all work together to achieve maximum energy efficiency. Automation is one of the most popular and widely-used features of modernized commercial HVAC systems, since you can change the speed of the fans, air distribution through the ducts, and how long the system’s uptime should be on before it cycles down again. Although each of these tasks can be done manually, when you use automation features, the system can manage them without human input, based on sensors that determine how much airflow is needed according to how populated the room is.
Use Variable Speed Equipment
Variable frequency drives, also known as VFDs, have become increasingly common upgrades for commercial HVAC equipment. Instead of having fans, blower motors, and chillers running at full blast every time they turn on, the VFDs can help set them to run at lower speeds, using less energy and reducing problems due to these components overheating or breaking due to overuse.
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.