Correct sizing is important for commercial HVAC systems, not just for ensuring comfort and energy efficiency, but also for preventing potential problems during their service life. In today’s post, All Seasons Inc. takes a look at the variables that impact commercial HVAC sizing.
What Makes HVAC Sizing Important?
HVAC systems need to be properly sized for the rooms or buildings that they’re supposed to heat and cool. An undersized system would be running at full capacity at all times just to meet the minimum heating and cooling needs, which increases the risk of unexpected breakdowns. An oversized system is not ideal either, because it would end up cooling or heating the room too quickly. This results in a stop-start operation that would cumulatively put greater amounts of strain on the system.
This is why HVAC contractors take into account the square footage of the space before recommending any particular model. In multi-level commercial buildings like office spaces, multiple HVAC systems will be needed, so every floor will be factored into the calculation. In addition to heating and cooling output, airflow is also a factor that’s considered in selecting the vents, fans, and registers.
Other Factors That Affect HVAC Sizing
Square footage plays a large role in HVAC sizing, but it’s not the be-all and end-all. Here are other factors that HVAC contractors take into consideration when selecting an HVAC system.
- Climate. Climatic variables like humidity and average annual temperatures are considered when choosing the HVAC size. Commercial spaces in areas that experience a wide range of climatic changes are more likely to require greater headroom. Conversely, the same HVAC system size in the same room under unchanging climatic conditions would still be as effective but not as efficient.
- Occupancy and equipment. There is no one-size-fits-all HVAC solution for commercial spaces because occupancy varies widely. If you take a restaurant, a mall, and an apartment complex with the same floor area, the HVAC system suitable for one won’t be suitable for any of the others because of the foot traffic and how they’re occupied. The same logic applies to the equipment housed within a data center, commercial kitchen, and vehicle repair shop would have different HVAC requirements even if they have the same footprint.
Planning on getting a new HVAC system? Give our team at All Seasons Inc. a call at (253) 879-9144, or fill out our contact form to schedule a consultation. We serve Puyallup and Tacoma, WA, as well as the surrounding communities.
