Commercial HVAC Installation In Santa Clarita, CA

How Do Commercial HVAC Systems Work?

Commercial HVAC systems in buildings contain several interconnected systems that provide heating, cooling, and ventilation to the building’s levels or other areas.

So, how does it all come together? The basic concepts remain the same: Modern commercial HVAC systems usually include heat pumps that extract heat from the air or water for heating purposes. They are an efficient alternative to traditional gas boilers.

• Rooftop HVAC units are typically installed on the roof of the building but may also be on the ground. They work to put conditioned air into the building without an intrusive footprint inside the building.
• Chiller systems help achieve proper temperature control by pumping chilled water through a piping system running throughout a building to absorb heat in the air.
• Heaters within commercial HVAC systems usually come in two types: Furnaces that burn fuel to produce heat and radiant heaters that utilize infrared radiation.

To control all these systems, commercial buildings utilize simple, programmable thermostats. These thermostats send various heating or cooling queues throughout the day, just like those residential HVAC systems. Hilo Aire can also help install direct digital controls (DDC) alongside your HVAC system.

Direct digital controls are more advanced controls that can help your commercial HVAC system achieve even better energy efficiency and reliability. A DDC system comprises a central computer that utilizes sensors to monitor and automate temperature schedules throughout the building.

Differences Between Commercial and Residential HVAC Systems

Both commercial and residential HVAC units serve the same purpose: to heat, cool, and ventilate a building. However, commercial HVAC does it on a much grander scale. The HVAC systems also vary significantly in terms of parts and mechanisms.

So, Commercial vs. Residential HVAC - What is the Difference? Here’s how residential HVAC systems differ from their commercial counterparts:

1. Size and Design

Commercial HVAC systems are much larger because they are generally used to cool larger spaces. The larger the building, the larger the HVAC system needs to be

2. Power Draw

One of the most significant differences between commercial and residential HVAC systems is how much power each system draws to cool the space it serves.

3. Location

While contractors usually place residential HVAC systems outside the house, commercial HVAC contractors typically place commercial HVAC units on a building’s swamp cooler or the roof.

4. Complexity

Apart from the size, commercial and residential HVAC systems also vary in structure. Commercial HVAC systems are usually customized to fit the specific environmental requirements of a facility

5. Mechanism

While residential HVAC systems usually come as standalone units, commercial systems are usually modular. Commercial HVAC systems are generally located in one spot, whereas residential units are split between indoor and outdoor units

6. Drainage

Since residential HVAC units serve a much smaller area, the entire system drains in a single pan placed outside the house. Commercial systems, on the other hand, have many pipes and drains to collect condensation and eliminate the possibility of overflowing

7. Equipment

Since residential units are much smaller than commercial systems, the equipment used in such units is usually smaller compared to commercial units

8. Maintenance Costs

Commercial HVAC systems are much larger, more complex, and expensive, so you should only trust a commercial HVAC expert to install them

Common Types of Commercial HVAC Systems

There are three main configurations of commercial HVAC systems available on the market.

1. Split HVAC System

Split HVAC systems comprise the following parts:

• An indoor unit, either as an air handler or a furnace
• The outdoor unit, either an air conditioner or a heat pump
• A programmable or non programmable thermostat
• Indoor air quality components, like filtration or humidity control systems
• The ductwork

There are two types of split commercial air conditioning systems:

» Single-Split System

HVAC split systems are typically less expensive than a rooftop HVAC unit. They are extremely energy efficient and are suitable for smaller spaces such as offices, cafes, server rooms, and shops.

While compact split systems are easy to install, the unit’s energy efficiency drastically drops if the installation isn’t done correctly.

» Advantages

• Easy to install
• Affordable and suitable for small commercial facilities
• Split system air conditioners run quietly
• Greater Energy Efficiency since occupants can control the indoor environment independently
• Each of the units works independently. If one of the units breaks down, the others will still work

» Disadvantages

• Since they require one outdoor unit for each indoor unit, they take up a lot of space

» Multi-Split System

Multi-split systems take up less outdoor space and allow for better management of indoor units. Depending on the provider, multi-split AC systems can connect up to ten indoor units to one outdoor unit, making them ideal for larger spaces such as retail shops and restaurants.

Since you need more pipework for these systems, the installation fee will be much higher than that of a single-split system.

» Advantages

• Space-saving installation. A single outdoor unit can pair with multiple indoor units.
• Quiet activity
• Requires no ducting
• Rapid heating and cooling
• Independent control for each indoor unit

» Disadvantages

• Higher installation cost
• Interconnection can create problems if the outdoor unit fails

2. VRV or VRF System

A variable refrigerant flow (VRF) or variable refrigerant volume (VRV) systems take a more sophisticated approach to commercial HVAC.

VRV and VRF refer to the same system. They use a refrigerant as their heating and cooling element, making them more powerful than the other commercial HVAC systems.

Similar to a multi-split system, a VRF or VRV system connects multiple indoor units to one outdoor unit, making it perfect for medium or large commercial spaces.

There are two types of VRV systems:

• Heat pump systems - While heat pump systems can provide both heating and cooling, they will only provide one or the other at a given time.
• Heat recovery systems - Heat recovery systems can provide cooling and heating simultaneously by transferring heat from the rooms being cooled to the rooms that need heating.

» Advantages

• Allow for precise zone control
• Highly efficient
• Easy to expand as your building’s needs change
• Sufficient for most medium and large commercial spaces
• Quick installation

» Disadvantages

• Expensive to install
• increased maintenance requirements

3. CAV and VAV Systems

Constant Air Volume (CAV) and Variable Air Volume (VAV) systems are two different HVAC systems that function nearly the same way.

» CAV System

CAVs provide constant airflow and regulate the building’s climate by adjusting the air supply temperature. CAV systems are ideal for commercial spaces where temperatures remain constant for long periods, for example, in manufacturing plants and warehouses.

» Advantages

• Best suited for single-zone applications where the load experiences minimal change over time

» Disadvantages

• Produces constant airflow, which could be expensive to run if you don’t require the highest airflow
• Poor at controlling humidity

» VAV System

VAV systems create constant, comfortable temperatures by varying airflow. Since VAVs allow different areas of the building to be separately heated and cooled, they are ideal for multi-room spaces, such as small offices

» Advantages

• Highly efficient
• Suitable for buildings with variable ventilation loads
• Very cost-effective
• Superior humidity and temperature control
• Lower maintenance requirements

» Disadvantages

• Expensive upfront costs
• More significant space requirements

Quit your search for “Commercial HVAC installation near me” and give Hilo Aire a call. Our experienced team can provide a custom HVAC system design tailored to your building’s layout and your company’s needs.

Benefits of Replacing Your Current HVAC Equipment for Your Business

Here are the top five benefits of upgrading your commercial HVAC system:

1. Reduced Energy Costs

If your commercial AC is more than ten years old, it’s probably not very efficient. A new HVAC system will use much less power to achieve the same results.

2. Reduced Carbon Footprint

Higher efficiency means a lower power bill and fewer carbon emissions.

3. Quieter Systems

Modern air conditioners use blowers that run at a low speed, which helps reduce noise.

4. Many Have Extended Warranties

New commercial HVAC systems often have an extended warranty, offering years of maintenance and repair coverage.

5. Health Benefits

Modern commercial HVAC systems can filter harmful pollen, virus, and bacteria in the air.

Whether you’re installing a HVAC system in a new building or you need to replace your current system, you can trust Hilo Aire to provide expert commercial HVAC services in Santa Clarita and across the entire Santa Clarita Valley.