Residential and commercial HVAC systems heat and cool buildings to maintain safe, comfortable temperatures indoors. They also extract excess humidity and offer limited air filtration. However, this is often where their similarities end. Whether replacing climate control equipment in your American Fork, UT home or business, you should know these six ways in which residential and commercial HVAC systems differ.
1. Size
HVAC equipment sizing is about far more than measuring the total square footage of your intended service area. Reputable HVAC installers always use the Manual J Load Calculation to determine the correct heater, heat pump, or AC capacity. In addition to square footage, this calculation accounts for:
- The number of windows present
- Window locations, sizes, and types
- Ceiling heights
- Building layouts
- Number of residents
With these and other factors considered, commercial HVAC systems are usually significantly larger than residential systems. While both commercial property owners and homeowners can pick from all common heating and cooling equipment types, each appliance in a large commercial building will be far bigger than what’s required for the typical single-family home.
2. Location
Heat pumps and air conditioners typically have indoor air handling units and outside condenser/compressor units. In residential installations, AC and heat pump condensers are installed on concrete or composite pads in back or side yards.
Many commercial spaces lack back or side yards to accommodate these units. Moreover, when outside space exists, it isn’t ideal to have them positioned in high-traffic areas. As such, commercial AC and heat pump condensers are frequently roof-mounted. In fact, many commercial air handlers are also installed outdoors and roof-mounted as well. For instance, if you install a self-contained Direct Expansion (DX) HVAC system, your packaged air handler will contain all of the ventilation, cooling, and heating functions in a single, roof-mounted unit.
3. Drainage
Air conditioners, heat pumps, and condensing furnaces extract excess moisture from the indoor air during operation. In a home, this moisture is routed through a single condensate drain line and into a single condensate drain. Given that commercial HVAC systems service larger areas and invariably collect more moisture, they often have two to three condensate drain lines instead. In some commercial systems, all of these lines converge onto a single condensate drain. In others, they’re attached to drains at opposite ends of the building.
4. Adaptability
With energy efficiency and emissions reduction among consumers top HVAC installation goals, both residential and commercial HVAC systems are becoming increasingly adaptable. This allows them to suit the needs of unique environments. Additions like zone control systems and smart thermostats offer geo-fencing, customized climate control, and indoor air quality monitoring among other things. However, commercial HVAC systems tend to be more adaptable when it comes to incorporating and leveraging these improvements. After all, commercial property owners have far more to lose when it comes to wasting money on heating and cooling spaces that are temporarily unoccupied or rarely used.
5. Cost
With their larger sizes, roof-mounted components, and more complex and highly adaptable designs, commercial HVAC systems tend to cost far more than residential systems. This makes routine tune-up services, timely repairs, and frequent filter changes all the more important for business owners. Anything that companies can do to protect and extend the lifespans of these essential appliances is guaranteed to save them a fair amount of money in the long run.
6. Maintenance
Maintenance for a commercial HVAC system can look pretty different from the maintenance that’s required for home heating and cooling equipment. If you own a large, bustling business and maintain long service hours, you should have your commercial HVAC professionally tuned up each quarter. This is also the most commonly recommended schedule for commercial HVAC air filter changes. Swapping these components out every three to four months is essential for protecting indoor air quality (IAQ), promoting efficient operation, and avoiding stress-related performance issues.
To compare, homeowners are advised to check their HVAC air filters monthly and change them every 30 to 90 days. They should also schedule professional tune-up services once each year for their heaters and once each year for their air conditioners. Households that use heat pumps for year-round climate control should schedule professional maintenance in late fall and again in late spring.
Reliable HVAC Professionals
We help residents of American Fork, UT maintain healthy, comfortable living and work environments. We offer outstanding heating and air conditioning services for homes and businesses. We also provide plumbing services, drain cleaning, and advanced indoor air quality solutions. To request a quote or schedule an appointment, contact Gunthers Heating, Cooling, and Plumbing now.
