Business owners and facilities managers frequently lack the knowledge to make the best decision when purchasing a new commercial air conditioner. You might start doing brand research to discover which one receives the top reviews, much as when buying a computer or car.

Some of the best commercial air conditioner brands include Mitsubishi, Trane, McQuay, Carrier, and Daikin. However, it is important to understand that there are other factors besides the brand when picking a commercial air conditioner. Read on to find out about other significant variables to consider.

What We’ll Cover:

• Type
• Capacity
• Distribution
• Installation quality
• Commercial air conditioners for warehouses
• Changing HVAC filters
• Installing programmable thermostats
• Scheduling routine maintenance
• Sealing your HVAC ducts
• Upgrading and replacing older units
• Key takeaways

Why a Commercial Air Conditioner Brand Isn’t Everything

Based on our experience, the leading commercial air conditioner brands don’t differ much from one another. The majority can offer you decades of dependable service and high-quality standards. However, other considerations should come into play before the brand selects an air conditioner that will work effectively for you.

Keep reading to find out how to select the ideal commercial air conditioner for your business.

How to Choose the Best Commercial Air Conditioner

The appropriate technology for your demands and space should be your first consideration when looking at commercial air conditioning repair or installation.

Consider the unique cooling needs of your commercial property. If you run a restaurant or a small boutique, you’ll probably want a centralized cooling system that you can control conveniently with one thermostat.

As a business owner, this step will allow you to maintain a comfortable temperature according to your preferences. Of course, this temperature regulation is not ideal if your property includes individual offices or living spaces.

In such events, you may wish to zone your system so that renters can control temperatures in their areas or even opt for ductless mini splits, which simplify personalized cooling.

1) Type

A company owner’s ultimate decision is between two vastly different options: a duct-based or ductless AC system. There is a significant contrast between the two.

For example, a Mitsubishi ductless system independently uses air handlers to deliver air to each room.

Meanwhile, using metal ducts, ducted air conditioning systems distribute warm or cold air throughout the property. They may require central air conditioner repair over time.

A) Ducted Split System

This system is the standard air conditioner found in single-family houses. It has a single indoor air handler and an external condensing unit. It uses ducts to circulate cooled air throughout your room (usually the same ducts that supply the heating system). This type can be a fantastic alternative for central air conditioner repair if your space already has ducts.

B) Ductless

Duct installation can be difficult and expensive in an older structure if you don’t already have any. If so, you might want to think about a Mitsubishi commercial mini-split with numerous interior air handlers in each room. This air conditioner model is also a wonderful addition to an existing system (for a computer room, for instance).

C) Water-Cooled

Installing equipment in your space that connects to the building’s base system and disperses chilled water throughout the structure is necessary if your property already has a water-cooled base system installed.

D) Variable Refrigerant Flow (VRF)

VRF is a more recent technology that differs from typical split systems. It may respond to the operational circumstances rather than working at maximum capacity constantly. It is, therefore, quieter and uses less energy. Even better, different regions of your space can receive simultaneous heating and cooling.

E) Rooftop Unit (RTU)

An RTU is a bundled unit that offers both heating and cooling. They require ladders and ventilation gear experts to install the unit above your business. As a result, it is a fantastic option for one-story structures like warehouses.

2) Capacity

Choosing the proper cooling capacity for a commercial air conditioner is crucial to how well the device will function. Make sure the vendor you select is performing the calculations properly. It would help if you started by factoring in the square footage of your workspace. Beyond that, your HVAC contractor should review your area and working environment to assess your required capacity.

3) Distribution

Even if you acquire the finest commercial air conditioner, you may still experience poor performance without professional maintenance. For instance, the ductwork architecture is crucial if you have a ducted system. Conversely, if your system is ductless, you must install air handlers correctly.

4) Installation Quality

The most crucial aspect—which business owners and managers might not be aware of—is commercial air conditioning repair, which can distinguish between a poorly performing unit and one that provides consistent cooling for years.

A variety of installation errors might hamper the operation of your commercial air conditioner. Make sure the HVAC designers and installers you choose are qualified. Note: Make sure your builder hires professionals if you’re installing a new air conditioner as part of a renovation.

Does Your Business Include Warehouses?

The warehouse needs a unique ventilation system to cool the massive space effectively. To have optimal cooling results, you might need to combine many different systems, depending on the size. Keep reading to learn how to choose the right air conditioning unit.

A) Large Ceiling Fans

We’re referring to ceiling fans with 24-foot blades that operate at high volume and low speed (HVLS). These will aid in lowering warehouse temperatures by at least 20 degrees.

B) Evaporative Coolers

These deliver excellent, affordable comfort levels by combining a box fan with a fine-tuned misting system.

C) Industrial Box Fans

These are portable and can circulate massive amounts of air through large spaces (in this case, your warehouse). HVAC companies can schedule industrial freezer repair at the same time that they install your fans.

One More Critical Factor Ensures Reliable Performance

There is one more thing you must do if you want your commercial air conditioner to provide reliable comfort, operate without issues, and use minimal energy:

Get your HVAC provider to perform routine preventative maintenance.

Why is this such a big deal? It’s comparable to having your car’s oil changed. It maintains the components’ functionality and stops minor issues from becoming major ones.

5 Tips to Save Money on Your Commercial Air Conditioning Repair

Your air conditioner operates effectively by changing filters, maintaining drains, and cleaning coils. The truth is that HVAC equipment needs routine check-ups before you resort to emergency freezer maintenance.

1) Change HVAC filters

Dirty filters overwork HVAC systems by restricting airflow, cost far more to use, lead to poor indoor air quality, and result in far more commercial HVAC maintenance issues and costs. Check HVAC filters every quarter. KCR can perform regular check-ups.

HVAC filters should change every month. At the longest, HVAC filters should switch out every three months. Switching out dirty filters is one of the simplest sustainability steps a business can take, and it can reduce wasted energy costs by 5-10%.

2) Install programmable thermostats

Temperature settings in a business can often be contentious. Installing programmable thermostats removes much of the burden of tailoring temperature settings to meet the desires of a diverse workforce and customer base by focusing on sustainability and reduced costs.

3) Schedule routine maintenance

Commercial HVAC maintenance is like getting a tune-up for a car – both are necessary for top performance. Regular quality maintenance on all HVAC systems and equipment ensures that those systems and equipment are not wasting energy due to substandard, aging, or faulty performance.

Taking a proactive approach to a building’s HVAC systems through regular quality maintenance can reduce commercial HVAC maintenance costs by up to 40%. But the key to unlocking that level of savings is finding an HVAC technician who can provide in-depth knowledge, work, and advice crucial to properly maintaining HVAC systems and equipment.

4) Seal your HVAC ducts

Doing something as simple as properly sealing heating and cooling ducts can improve HVAC efficiency by 20% or more. Finding an HVAC technician with experience sealing ducts is the best way to maximize added efficiency.

5) Upgrade and replace older units

Sometimes the best ways to improve HVAC efficiency come through upgrading or replacing existing HVAC equipment and systems. Running HVAC systems and equipment past their suggested lifespans reduces energy and commercial air conditioning repair costs.

If a building’s air conditioner or heat pump is over 10 years old, replace it with ENERGY STAR-certified products.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

Commercial air conditioners can meet your company’s unique needs to circulate air and keep your office comfortable. Quality systems automatically regulate the temperature to maintain a constant temperature throughout the day. As a result, it gives a comfortable working environment. Comfortable working conditions increase productivity and make employees healthier as well.