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HVAC Overhauls: Plan Now to Retrofit
by Alan Barns, Jr.
Owners of older buildings must always be ready to update and renovate their properties to stay ahead of their competition. This is especially true in office buildings, where tenants want amenities that are equal to what they would find on a new building, especially when it comes to heating and air-conditioning systems.
For most building owners, no modernization project is complete without some attention to the heating, ventilating and air conditioning (HVAC) system: containing, converting, or replacing the entire unit. The time to start a chiller retrofit or replacement project is now, especially if you are planning for next summer.
Before any decisions are made about converting or replacement, consider taking the following steps:
- Take a close look at the equipment currently in use. How old is it? What is the condition of its oil? Test motors and compressors and take a vibration analysis. Make an honest assessment of your equipment's potential and make decisions accordingly. Twenty years is the typical life span of a chiller; if yours is older, consider replacement.
- Know your building's cooling load profile. Does the cooling load vary throughout the day and year? Do you need substantially different loads at different times of the year? Once you determine this, you can investigate efficient solutions for times when less capacity is needed.
- Determine peak loads. Many buildings do not have enough air-conditioning capacity and more outside air is required during cooling peaks. Building additions or building reconfigurations may have changed cooling loads, and existing distribution may not be appropriate. Make sure you have the proper balance within your building.
- Make sure you are in compliance with the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) standards that require proper building ventilation. Mechanical room modifications may also be needed, including additional exhaust fans and ductwork.
- Consider EPA criteria when evaluating your systems, including ozone depletion, energy efficiency and toxicity. Ecological effects, flammability and costs should also be considered when investigating a new system.
- When researching and comparing HVAC companies, help them find creative designs that will minimize downtime in your building. Working on the weekends and at night, for instance, can ensure that your tenants can continue to work comfortably in their offices. The best times to embark on a project are in the fall and spring, when the temperatures aren't too high or too low.
