CFSI performs a comprehensive range of HVAC services: HVAC equipment installation, replacement, and repair, plus preventive maintenance services.
When making a new purchase for your commercial facility, especially a large investment like HVAC, it can be easy to go with the lowest initial investment. However, initial cost should just be one of many factors you consider. In order to truly understand the cost of new HVAC equipment, you must consider total cost of ownership (TCO).
What is Total Cost of Ownership (TCO)?
TCO is a financial estimate intended to help building owners and property managers better estimate the cost of HVAC equipment over the lifespan of that equipment. Additional factors that are taken into consideration are energy costs – HVAC account for 40-70% of a commercial building’s energy bill – as well as maintenance and repairs, which can account for as much as 30% of the total costs over a 30-year life-cycle.
Initial Cost + Energy Efficiency + Maintenance and Repairs = Total Cost of Ownership
Designing for HVAC Operations
Today, many buildings are likely draining money thanks to decisions made years ago.
Design teams often ignore energy efficiency and system maintenance and repair costs, which can have a negative impact on your bottom line. Planning for such factors helps building owners and property managers better budget for long-term sustainable operations. Such planning will also help maintain energy efficiency, minimize costly downtime, and extend the lifespan of your equipment, delaying expensive equipment replacement.
Just think of your commercial HVAC system like a car. Without regular maintenance – oil changes, tire rotations, etc. – your car will not last nearly as long as it would with regular preventive maintenance and timely repairs. The same goes for your HVAC system. So it is important to not only budget for such maintenance, but also factor such costs into HVAC design.
In layman’s terms, designing for proper maintenance can save money.
Where to Start
There are several strategies that can be implemented early in the design process that will help building owners and facility managers make smarter decisions about the life-cycle maintenance and operations costs.
- Designing for Accessibility: HVAC maintenance points should be designed to be easily accessible. For example, valves and filters and access points for water treatment for water-based heating and cooling systems need to be placed where it’s easy for maintenance to access them.
- HVAC System Redundancy: Even if one piece of equipment can handle your building’s heating and cooling loads, it is important to design some sort of redundancy into the system. This way, one unit can be shut off for maintenance during times of low demand.
- Ask the Experts: Commercial HVAC service contractors know what they are talking about and can help you make much more well-informed decisions about a building’s design and its impact on HVAC maintenance and planned replacement of key equipment and parts. While you’re at it, discuss a preventive maintenance program to ensure your HVAC equipment will operate at peak performance. And the sooner you bring your HVAC service provider into the project, the better.
- Improved Training for Facility Managers: The handoff between the construction company and facility manager is vital. Too often, facility managers are handed a building with very little training by the construction team. By understanding the philosophy of why and how the building will be operated and maintained, it’s easier for the maintenance team to better troubleshoot when issues arise.
Overall, a building’s costs will decrease and equipment life will be longer if the design team considers maintenance needs upfront. It’s worth the investment to think through HVAC maintenance needs from the start.
Crockett Facilities Services, Inc. (CFSI)
CFSI performs a comprehensive range of HVAC services: HVAC equipment installation, replacement, and repair, plus preventive maintenance services. Our service technicians are fully trained and qualified to maintain, repair, troubleshoot and install all types of sophisticated refrigeration, dehumidification and heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems, such as rooftop units, air handling units, chillers, heat pumps and boilers.
To get a service quote for HVAC preventive maintenance or on-site engineering services, please contact Crockett Facilities Services Inc. (CFSI) by calling 202.600.2787 or email sales@crockett-facilities.com. CFSI provides 24/7 commercial mechanical and HVAC services throughout Washington D.C., Maryland, and Virginia. So give us a call today to find out how our MSCA GreenSTAR certified service technicians can improve your HVAC performance and energy efficiency.
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Sources:
How to Design for HVAC Operations, Facilitiesnet.com