Owners, facility manager and even the tenants of commercial buildings have a slew of responsibilities. Apart from managing staff and serving customers, they have an obligation to the actual structure and all its components – they need to make sure it stays in good shape. Failure to maintain and identify commercial HVAC system issues can lead to loss of income, and loss of clientele in some cases.

Let’s face it, commercial HVAC is complicated stuff. If you thought residential HVAC systems were a head scratcher, you’re in for a not-so-pleasant surprise. That’s exactly why we came up with this wonderful commercial HVAC guide. Our hope is that it gives you the necessary information you need to stay on top of all things HVAC in your building so you can keep your commercial HVAC utility costs, and repair costs low.

If you’re a business owner or facility manager in Maryland and you’re looking for commercial HVAC help, look no further than SuperTech HVAC for all your needs. Our qualified technicians have years of commercial HVAC experience. Whether you need extensive repairing and replacing, or simply have questions, we promise a minimally disruptive, charmingly educational experience.

How Does a Commercial HVAC System Work?

Controlling the climate in a commercial building requires three things: warm or cool air, a distribution method, and controls. The building’s cool air flows through the same ducts the heated air does and is regulated by the same thermostat. But the source will differ.

Warm or Cool air

Most of the time, when the heating is activated in commercial HVAC, the burners create combustion gas that is transferred to a heat exchanger, which warms the air that is passed through. Sometimes heat pumps transfer outdoor heat indoors. Air conditioners work the same way as heat pumps, but in reverse, transferring indoor heat outdoors.

Some commercial buildings use a boiler system to heat water and hot water is carried through pipes installed in the walls, floors or ceilings. You might not notice that the structure itself is warming, but you’ll feel the air being warmed.

Distribution

Check it out – mechanical systems circulate a building’s air through ventilation, and the principle that warm air rises and cool air falls, helps. There’s a constant induction and removal of air, which has been thermally altered in some cases.

Controls

To control all of this, commercial buildings can have simple, programmable thermostats that send various heating or cooling queues throughout the day, like in residential HVAC systems. Commercial HVAC systems can also have direct digital controls (DDC), which are more complex. Commercial buildings benefit from more advanced controls for better energy efficiency and reliability. A central computer utilizes sensors to monitor and automate temperature schedules and even lighting operations.