Industrial HVAC System Design and Use

HVAC systems provide approximately thirty percent of the energy used by manufacturing companies and are common for small business and home use as well. A good air system design not only cools a building but reduces energy consumption, improves air quality, and is not harmful to the environment. The word HVAC stands for heating, ventilation, and air conditioning. An HVAC system for an industrial building can have different combinations of heating and cooling devices.

These systems can include a boiler, furnace, heat pump, rooftop unit, or electric heat. Common cooling systems include rooftop units, heat pumps, chillers, and basic air conditioning units.

Commercial HVAC installation varies depending on the design of the system. For this reason, installation need to always be performed by an industrial air conditioning service that is familiar with many designs and industrial type buildings. Some HVAC designs are more complex while others are very simple. A basic HVAC system is often used for a single zone in an industrial plant. Modifications are performed to create an effective system for multi-plants and large areas.

In a basic industrial HVAC system, air is brought in from an air intake located on the top or side of the building. The air is forced through a damper by atmospheric pressure that regulates how much air is taken in. Air that has already run through the system is combined with the outside air. This air mixture is then run through a filter that removes large particles such as dust, leaves, and bugs. A second filter takes care of smaller particles before the air goes through a fan. Air leaves the fan and is heated or cooled by coils. A drain pan collects any condensation from the coils and the air is sent through the ductwork to cool or heat the building. It is then returned by air registers to be mixed with new air or sent out of the building.

Three main types of air conditioners are commonly used in commercial HVAC installation. An industrial HVAC system has other primary functions whereas a regular air conditioner's main function is to make a space comfortable. Direct expansion coolers consist of three components including window units, heat pumps, and packaged units. Units may be located on the rooftop and air is cooled when it passes over the coils. Chilled water systems have a refrigeration machine that cools water that is used by a coil to cool the air. Finally, evaporative coolers combine hot air with a damp surface to eliminate heat in dry climates. This action causes the moisture to evaporate and decrease air temperature.

HVAC systems in an industrial environment can become very complex and it is extremely important to know what is needed before installation. Using an industrial air conditioning service that has experience in these types of setups can be very helpful and ensure you get a quality installation. A bad installation can result in higher energy costs, bad air quality, and insufficient working conditions. These types of problems can decrease productivity and make daily operations next to impossible in some cases.