Choosing the right type of HVAC system for your commercial building is essential for ensuring it stays comfortable all summer and all winter long. The type of system you choose can also make a big difference in how much you have to pay for heating and cooling. In terms of which commercial HVAC system is best, there’s not a single answer since every commercial building is different and the cooling and heating requirements can vary dramatically from one building to the next. In this article, we’ll explore some of the most common types of residential HVAC systems along with some of their pros and cons and what types of buildings each one is best suited for.
Single-Split Systems
A single-split HVAC system is similar to what most people have in their homes. It consists of an outdoor unit that’s connected to a single indoor unit. Most split systems have an AC condenser that provides cooling along with a furnace that provides heating. However, a split system can also have a heat pump that provides both cooling and heating. Another option is to just have a split AC system and then some other type of heating such as a radiant heating system.
Single-split systems are best suited for smaller commercial properties where the heating and cooling requirements are the same across the entire building. You could also use a single-split system for a larger building, but this would generally require installing several separate systems and likely cost quite a bit more than some of the other options. The main drawback to this type of system is that it is usually controlled by a single thermostat. That means you can end up encountering issues fairly frequently with some areas or rooms being hotter or colder than you want. In certain types of commercial buildings, the only way to prevent this from happening is to employ a zoned system.
While a zoned system still has just a single indoor air handler unit, the system can be controlled by more than one thermostat. This works because there are dampers that split the ductwork up into smaller zones. Each damper can automatically open to allow hot or cold air to flow into a zone or close to block off the airflow once the zone reaches the right temperature. It provides the benefit of ensuring that each zone remains at the right temperature and also reducing how much energy the system uses.
Multi-Split Systems
A multi-split HVAC system also provides zoned temperature control for each part of the building. The difference with this type of system is that it has multiple indoor air handlers that are all connected to one larger outdoor unit. This type of system can further reduce your energy costs compared to a standard zoned system since the blower in each air handler only runs when needed. With a standard zoned system, you just have one larger blower that has to run when any of the zones need to be heated or cooled.
You commonly find multi-split systems used in larger commercial properties like office buildings. They’re also common in a place like a restaurant or a warehouse/office building where different parts of the building have different cooling and heating requirements. For much larger properties, you’ll still typically need to have several outdoor units that each run a different system. While the cost for a multi-zone system is higher than that of a single-zone system, it’s usually worth it since it provides better and more adaptable temperature control. The main drawback is that a multi-zone system takes up much more indoor space as a result of having additional indoor units and requiring more ductwork.
Ductless Mini-Split Systems
Ductless mini-split systems are similar to multi-split systems with the main difference being that the system doesn’t require ductwork to circulate hot and cool air. Instead, you have one smaller air handler mounted on the wall or sometimes the ceiling in each room. All of the air handlers are then connected to either an AC condenser or heat pump outside via copper lines that the refrigerant flows through.
Mini-split systems are also a great choice for office buildings since each person can set the air handler in their office to whatever temperature they wish or even just turn the unit off. Another major advantage of a ductless HVAC system is that it saves you lots of space due to the lack of air ducts. Most mini-split systems are also more energy efficient than standard split systems, meaning that going with this option can help keep your cooling and heating costs down.
Packaged HVAC System
A packaged HVAC system is one of the most common choices for various types of commercial buildings. Instead of having separate indoor and outdoor units like a split system, every part of a packaged system is contained in one larger unit that sits outside. That means the AC condenser or heat pump, evaporator coil, condenser coil, and blower are all housed within the packaged unit. You can also find packaged systems that include a furnace as well as an AC condenser. The only parts of the system located inside the building are the air ducts and the thermostat.
You commonly see packaged HVAC systems installed on commercial buildings with a flat roof, but you can install one on the ground next to the building as well. There is a sealed opening on the roof or exterior wall where the ductwork connects to the packaged unit.
Packaged HVAC systems can be suitable for a wide variety of commercial buildings from a small office to a larger workshop or other open space. One of the main reasons why so many business owners opt for a packaged system is that it saves lots of space compared to a split system. Another major benefit is that packaged systems are much quieter since everything is located outside. If your ductwork is insulated, you often won’t be able to hear any noise when the system is running. Packaged systems are also a bit easier to maintain as a result of everything being in the same location.
Variable-Refrigerant Flow Systems
Variable-refrigerant flow (VRF) systems are a relatively new option that has quickly grown in popularity. This type of system is similar to a multi-split system in that it has one outdoor unit and several indoor units. The main difference is that a VRF is the only type of HVAC system that can provide cooling and heating at the same time. This makes it ideal for certain applications such as an office building with a server room. In this case, the system can use refrigerant to draw all of the heat out of the server room so it stays sufficiently cold. It can then pump the hot refrigerant to the indoor units in other parts of the building and use it to heat them. This can also be extremely useful for a restaurant since it can use all of the heat from your commercial kitchen to keep the rest of the building sufficiently warm during the winter.
Being able to heat and cool at the same time when needed allows a VRF system to work far more efficiently at times compared to any other type of system. Even when a VRF system is only cooling or heating, it still works efficiently since it can continually adjust the refrigerant flow to supply each zone with exactly how much cooling or heating it currently needs.
At Rosenberg Plumbing & Air, we have more than three decades of experience helping home and business owners in the San Antonio area with their indoor comfort needs. If you’re building a new commercial building or you need to replace your HVAC system, you can count on our team to help you choose the best option. You can also turn to us whenever your system needs any repairs or commercial maintenance to ensure it works just as effectively as it should. In addition to that, we offer a full line of plumbing services. To schedule a consultation and learn more about your commercial HVAC installation options, contact us at Rosenberg Plumbing & Air today.
Tags: Commercial HVAC, HVAC Replacement