Mechanical Technologies

As a business owner, you need to make sure that the HVAC unit in your commercial space is running efficiently. To ensure that your building’s indoor air quality is ideal, you need to consider the size of your commercial HVAC system. The size will directly affect the performance, cost and other maintenance factors of your HVAC unit. 

For this reason, it’s crucial for business owners to hire a professional HVAC technician that understands the sizing process. In this article, Mechanical Technologies, known for quality home AC repair services, shares tips on how the pros determine the correct size of a commercial HVAC system. 

Why Is It Important to Get the Right Size?

The size of your HVAC unit has an impact on its performance, energy efficiency and installation costs. Remember that bigger isn’t always necessarily better. For instance, an oversized commercial HVAC system might have poor humidity control. This can lead to an increased risk of discomfort, especially if you’re suffering from asthma. In worse case scenarios, mold can even gradually form.

Should you choose an oversized swamp cooler for your building, you may face some economic effects. Not only will it contribute to energy waste, it can also lead to increased wear and tear, high installation costs and frequent swamp cooler maintenance.

By comparison, an undersized HVAC system will be unable to cool your commercial space effectively. It will have to work harder than usual to produce the ideal amount of cooled air, pushing the compressor to its limits. Thus, it could cause a significant rise in your energy bills. 

How Do You Size a Commercial HVAC System?

HVAC sizes are measured in tons. Commercial HVAC systems can range from two tons to 30 tons. A one-ton HVAC system can remove around 12,000 BTUs (British Thermal Units) of heat per hour. As such, your technician will need to calculate the building’s cooling load to know the capacity of the air conditioner to use. 

While there are many factors to consider, such as external temperature and building design, a general rule of thumb is that it takes approximately 25 BTU to cool one square foot. Your HVAC technician may follow these steps when estimating the size:

 

• Calculate the square footage of the building space you want to cool down. Note that the following calculation assumes 8-foot ceilings, and space with higher ceilings will require a larger system.

 

• Divide the space’s area by 500.

 

• Multiply the result by 12,000 to get the exact space cooling load.

 

• Add 380 Btu for each person who works in the space all day. If the number varies, your technician may take an average.

 

• For each window in the space, add 1,000 BTU. For each kitchen, add 1,200 BTU. 

 

• Convert the number back to tons by dividing by 12,000 to get the size of the HVAC system you need for your commercial building.

 

To get an accurate size, it’s always best to hire a professional, which is why you should turn to our experts at Mechanical Technologies. We’ll do our best to provide assistance for your commercial HVAC needs. If you’re wondering how much refrigerated air costs, call us today at (915) 544-1550 or fill out our contact form to schedule an appointment.