How Commercial HVAC Units Differ From Residential Systems
Commercial and residential HVAC systems, though they have the same goal and purpose, are actually quite different. Not because one is for a business and the other is for a home, but because the needs are different and the components need to match the needs of the building’s size, complexity, or demands of the specific industry.
When looking for a commercial, or residential HVAC system, it is smart to do research for yourself, but when it comes to the purchase and installation of heating and cooling equipment, you should always be in contact with a professional HVAC company to make sure everything is implemented properly, and the correct equipment is purchased. Here the factors that separate residential and commercial HVAC units.
HVAC System Size
Perhaps the most obvious difference between an HVAC system installed for commercial use, and one that is intended for homes is the size of the system. A heating and cooling system for a home will generally be smaller since homes are typically smaller than businesses. If the building used for your business was formerly a house or is a smaller size then as long as your system is sized properly then everything should be okay. If there is any doubt, you should get it inspected by a reputable, trustworthy HVAC company like Ventec.
If an HVAC system is too small or too large for the space it is tasked with providing climate control for, then it will either run too frequently, or not often enough. This causes extra wear and tear on the system and can result in frequent breakdowns and shorter life span, both of which are expensive.
HVAC System Placement
As stated previously, homes are typically smaller than commercial buildings, and so are the units that provide them with heating and cooling, and conversely, commercial units are bigger. Residential units are typically placed on the ground, or mounted to an exterior wall. For businesses, there are often multiple units involved in commercial buildings and the roof would be largely unused otherwise, and putting all those units on the ground would be loud, and take up a lot of space, and be at greater risk of tampering since commercial properties have more foot traffic. Roof mounted units also require shorter and straighter duct work so this reduces the price and distance required to move climate controlled air to the furthest parts of the building.
HVAC System Intricacy
Residential HVAC systems are usually pretty straight forward and simple relatively speaking unless a hybrid system is installed with different zones or methods of heating. The systems required for commercial HVAC are created to be more open ended and flexible to accommodate different functions and peace meal improvements as the demands of the building change. Complexity is one of many reasons that commercial units are more expensive to buy, and why they cost more to install.
HVAC System Energy Usage
Larger buildings require larger systems, and larger systems require more energy. This doesn’t speak to them being inherently less efficient, but instead references the fact that controlling the interior temperature of larger spaces requires more energy to do so.
HVAC System Drainage
All HVAC systems need to dispose of moisture collected during the heating and cooling process. This moisture needs to travel from the HVAC unit to a place where it will not do any damage to the structure it is providing climate control for. Residential systems typically have a small diameter pipe leading to the yard, or some sort of drainage system. Commercial HVAC units are much larger and have more moisture as a biproduct. This requires a more involved and sizable drainage system to make sure the system doesn’t get backed up.
HVAC Maintenance Cost
As mentioned previously, residential units are more complex and larger in size. They will need to be inspected more frequently than HVAC units installed on residential buildings. These larger systems take more time to inspect and when they are let go, the repairs are more costly. Ventec recommends scheduled preventative maintenance to extend the life of your system regardless of whether it is installed in a house, or a business building.
Summing It All Up
If you are looking for an HVAC system, and wondering if you can install a “residential unit” on a small commercial building, it really comes down to the size of the space, the size of the HVAC unit, and the factors other than size that affect the demand that will be placed on the unit. The two types of HVAC systems are not often interchangeable and it is best to discuss with a professional before any unit is used. On the other side of the coin a larger HVAC unit intended for a large commercial property shouldn’t be used to provide heating and cooling for a small house thinking it will provide better coverage. The biggest take away should be that the system needs to be sized to the building.
Contact Ventec for Residential, or Commercial HVAC Installation, Maintenance or Repairs
Work with a reputable company life Ventec to get a properly sized HVAC unit for your home or business. Our technicians are factory trained and have decades of cumulative experience helping customers in the greater Pittsburgh area. Call us with questions, or submit a request for a quote on our website!
