When you need heating installation for your commercial building, you have a few choices. Most building owners would not attempt to install a system themselves, but DIY is an option. Similarly, if the heating installation is part of a larger renovation project, you may be motivated to use the same general contractor to install your HVAC systems. However, there are benefits to hiring an HVAC service company that specializes in heating services. Here are five reasons you should hire a professional for heating installation:
Sizing the System
Choosing a system that is the correct size is critical to your project. If the system you choose is too small, it will be unable to control the building’s climate or will strain to meet demand. If the system you choose is too large, it will be inefficient.
A building’s HVAC system is selected to balance two considerations. First, the HVAC system must be capable of delivering at peak demand times. Specifically, an air conditioning system must have the capacity to cool the building at noon on a hot summer day and a furnace must be able to heat the building at opening time on a cold winter morning. If a system cannot do this, the building can become uncomfortably hot or cold during peak demand.
Second, and in a somewhat contradictory way, the HVAC system must be efficient during normal demand times. Thus, once the building cools down overnight during the summer or warms up during the day in the winter, the system must efficiently maintain that temperature. If the system cannot do this, the system will be very costly to operate.
Long Island HVAC contractors have the education and experience to design the right size system for your building. This specialized knowledge gives them an advantage over DIY building owners and general contractors in helping you to install an HVAC system that will meet your building’s needs at both peak demand and normal demand.
Energy Efficiency
As alluded to above, energy efficiency is an important metric in choosing and installing an HVAC system. About 50% of energy used in U.S. homes and businesses goes to heating and cooling. An inefficient system can cost you money and harm the environment through wasted energy.
The design and installation of a system can have a profound effect on the system’s efficiency. HVAC system designers consider many factors including:
- Zone control: An efficient system can control zones separately and maintain each at its desired temperature while minimizing the unwanted travel of heat from one zone to another.
- Heat recovery: An efficient system uses waste heat to pre-heat or pre-cool air in the system.
- Ventilation: An efficient system moves heated or cooled air through the building without accumulating in dead spots.
By hiring an HVAC contractor, your system can be designed and installed with energy efficiency in mind, saving you money in operating expenses.
Fire Risks
Whether the heating system you choose runs on heating oil or natural gas, it most likely involves combustible fuel. Professional heating installation can reduce the chances of accidental fires that might occur from these combustible fuels.
As a building owner, you are likely aware that there are industry standards and local ordinances that control how HVAC systems are installed. HVAC contractors are trained to install systems safely, while observing standards, laws, and best practices, to minimize fire risks.
Exhaust
Fuel combustion produces exhaust. The cleanliness of this exhaust may vary depending on the fuel, but almost always includes carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, water vapor, and, depending on the fuel, particulate matter. These exhaust products must be vented safely, since carbon monoxide is poisonous to building occupants.
Moreover, these exhaust products must be cleaned and vented safely into the ambient air. Particulates lead to air pollution (or smog) and carbon dioxide is a greenhouse gas that can contribute to climate change. HVAC contractors are familiar with the environmental regulations that dictate how exhaust can be released into the air.
Maintenance
One of the keys to keeping a system running for its entire lifetime is proper maintenance. A benefit of professional heating installation is your HVAC installer can create and execute a maintenance plan for your system.
HVAC service companies can ensure that your HVAC system is properly installed and maintained to provide an efficient and safe system.