Energy efficiency: this is a key goal for maintenance engineers and building owners. It can be difficult to know if it’s worth spending more for HVAC equipment that claims greater energy savings and performance. As we’ve mentioned in previous blogs, HVAC systems in commercial buildings account for more than 40% of total energy use.
Energy Savings and Certification
Determining what HVAC equipment to purchase is not always a straightforward decision. Not only can this equipment be expensive, but building and facility managers will have to live with these decisions for years to come. A poor decision could impact operating costs for quite some time. Portable cooling units, chillers, boilers, cooling towers, air handling units, refrigeration units, and water heaters will all affect a building’s energy efficiency long after installation. So how do you know you are making a wise investment?
Look for products that meet Air Conditioning, Heating, and Refrigeration Institute (AHRI) standards.
AHRI Certification
The AHRI Product Performance Certification Program is a voluntary program that ensures heating, ventilation, air conditioning and water heating equipment meet a set of energy-efficiency and performance criteria. To qualify for certification, manufacturers submit their products to an independent testing facility. A product’s performance is then evaluated using specific test procedures under set operating conditions.
Benefits of AHRI Product Performance Certification
Basically, when products are AHRI-certified, purchasers know they are getting what they pay for. Here are some other advantages.
- Provide a reliable, apples-to-apples comparison of equipment
- Verify that the equipment performs as advertised by the manufacturer
- Make product comparison possible with competing products tested and rated to the same standard or specification
- Meet mandated energy standards
- Help qualify the building for participation in utility rebate programs
- Comply with EPA’s Energy STAR verification program and reporting requirements
Of course, even AHRI certified equipment requires regular maintenance to maintain its high energy efficiency performance.
HVAC Preventive Maintenance and Energy Efficiency for Class A Office Buildings
At Crockett Facilities Services, Inc., our key focus is helping building owners, property managers, and facility professionals lower their operating expenses through proactive HVAC maintenance. With the warm spring weather here, it’s even more important to check your mechanical equipment for proper operation, and to clean and fine-tune its operation before equipment fails and tenants complain that office environments are too hot. By servicing your HVAC equipment now with preventive maintenance, you can prevent emergency calls and equipment repairs. Give us a call now to set up an appointment for an HVAC system evaluation.
For more information on how we can help you lower your HVAC equipment’s operating costs, please contact us by calling 301.262.2771, email sales@crockett-facilities.com, or submit a form for a service quote. Like us on Facebook; follow us on LinkedIn, Twitter, and Google+.
Sources:
HVAC Retrofits: Certification for Energy Savings, Facilities.net
AHRI Certification Program, AHRInet.org