Energy Efficient Commercial HVAC Equipment Presents Opportunity to Free Up Operations Budgets for Other Projects
The U.S. Department of Energy reports that HVAC systems account for about 30 percent of a commercial building’s energy use, even the more modern, efficient ones. Even these energy-saving systems present opportunities to trim expenses with the right equipment swaps and installations.
Even critical environments like hospitals, which rely on ceiling diffusers and stainless steel air outlets to keep air sanitized, can improve their HVAC system’s energy use. The secret is in controlling your HVAC system according to actual demand within the walls of your building. This means only regulating the temperature in spaces that are actively in use. Let’s look at how this can be possible.
Perform Regular HVAC Maintenance
Proper maintenance of HVAC systems of any kind can help ensure your energy bills are lower. That’s because well-maintained systems tend to be free of mechanical issues, which can cause the system to work harder and use more power than necessary.
Expert HVAC installers will also configure your system to be as efficient as possible – and the right commercial stainless steel HVAC products can help direct the air where it needs to be for optimal savings.
If you’re installing a brand-new system, opt for the latest technology with the highest energy efficiency, plus precision-fabricated commercial HVAC equipment that is thoroughly leak-tested, like components from AJ Manufacturing.
VAV Boxes Add Airflow Control
Variable air volume (VAV) boxes, or terminal units, decrease energy use while keeping building occupants comfortable. VAV boxes in upgraded HVAC systems use controlled dampers to vary how much air is pumped into a specific zone, rather than the old way of sending a mass of air into the space.
VAV boxes are connected to the ductwork near the outlet of each HVAC system zone. Within each zone, a thermostat adjusts the dampers to allow more or less air into the room, depending on the room occupants’ preferences.
Occupancy Sensors Control Indoor Temperature
Like lighting sensors that turn off the overhead bulbs when no movement is detected in a room, occupancy sensors can also control your HVAC system. And those same lighting sensors can be linked to your HVAC system to detect whether there are people in the room and adjust your heating or cooling to match the need.
Today’s technology also does not require you to hardwire these sensors, which means you don’t have to rewire your entire office space to control your HVAC. Wireless sensors work just as well and are much easier to install.
To see the biggest effect on your HVAC operations costs, install occupancy sensors in spaces that are used only intermittently, like conference rooms or other gathering spaces.
Consider Under-Floor Air Distribution
If you’re starting fresh in new construction, consider an underfloor method for heating and cooling, appropriate for spaces that are not critical environments.
Heated or conditioned air runs in a plenum space under a raised floor instead of in overhead ductwork. Fan-powered terminal units and ducts may also be employed. And rather than ceiling diffusers pushing air downward, diffusers in the floor circulate the air instead.
This method of air distribution is more efficient because people are physically closer to the air source and due to the natural thermal stratification of air. It works particularly well in offices with open plans because the raised floor can accommodate power and networking cables without creating a visible tangle of wires.
Don’t I Already Control Demand?
Modern technology has improved the way building occupants can control demand on the HVAC system. The old methodology, using programmable thermostats or adjusting the temperature based on time of day, only works to a certain degree, without taking into account the number of room occupants, such as the difference between a crowded conference room, or a single office with one worker inside.
Truly zoned spaces detect when rooms are full and need more or less conditioning, and adjust your HVAC system accordingly, without the need for programming.
AJ Manufacturing is Your Source for Commercial HVAC Equipment
Whether you’re looking for return grilles, stainless steel air outlets, or hinged diffusers, AJ Manufacturing can supply you with every component you need. Working with sheet metal since the 1920s, AJ Manufacturing now specializes in made-to-order commercial stainless steel HVAC products.
For product specifications, or to place an order for your next commercial building project, contact us online or via phone at (816) 231-5522. We provide HVAC components all over the world – including where you are.