When you are responsible for a commercial space and want everything there to run smoothly, you have to learn a little about many things. Your commercial HVAC system is one of those things.
You can trust and depend on Ambient Edge to handle your heating and cooling needs for you. However, we want you to share some of the system’s inner workings so you will understand what is being discussed when you are replacing or repairing your HVAC system.
It is important to know what a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system does and how it works. An HVAC system keeps your house climate controlled all year round. It provides heat in the colder months and air conditioning during hot weather, and it never hurts to know a little about such an important system.
Primary Components of a Commercial HVAC System
There are a variety of parts that are integral to making an HVAC system function adequately. If one part fails to do its job, heating, and cooling could come to an uncomfortable stop. To ensure that your HVAC unit is running properly, reach out to Ambient Edge about our commercial preventative maintenance program.
Air Conditioner
Many people are confused about what an air conditioner actually does. Surprisingly, it does not cool the air. It takes the humidity out of the air and removes heat.
An air conditioner works with the other parts of the system to keep interior temperatures regulated.
Compressor
You hear more about the compressor than any other component of the HVAC system. They are the portion of the system that is in charge of cooling your commercial space.
The compressor, as its name suggests, compresses the refrigerant. This raises the refrigerant’s temperature so it can be passed to the condenser.
Condenser
A condenser exchanges heat. It is the hot side of your commercial air conditioning unit. It takes heat from inside the business and redirects it outside.
The gas refrigerant is no longer vapor but turns into a liquid refrigerant at this stage. The heat pump requires a condenser as well. It works to gather heat outdoors.
Thermal Expansion Valve
One of the crucial parts of the condenser is the expansion valve. Without the expansion valve, the condenser would fail to function. This functions to allow the refrigerant to expand by removing pressure from the liquid.
Its job is to turn the substance into a vapor from a liquid. The expansion valve allows the refrigerant to flow in a controlled manner into the HVAC unit’s evaporator coil.
The warm refrigerant under high pressure requires a precision valve to improve the effectiveness of the system. The thermal expansion valve is located either in the interior or exterior of the air handler. It is typically screwed into the front of the evaporator coil or connected to the copper lines that link it to the air handler.
Air Handler
The air handler includes the evaporator coil and the blower. This element ensures that air circulates through the HVAC system.
In typical commercial structures, the air handler is connected to the ductwork. This component contains a blower, evaporator, as well as heating and cooling elements.
Very often, the evaporator coil is a part that needs repair. It contains the refrigerant, which is chilled after coming from the compressor. The air from the blower moves over the coil removing the warm air from the treated area.
Terminal Units
In commercial HVAC units, terminal units are often mid-sized rooftop units (RTUs), though their size varies, and they may be make-up air units (MTUs). They contain the air filter, coil, and blower.
Chiller
Chillers operate in a way that takes heat from the liquid that runs through their pipes. Chillers come in two different varieties:
- Water-cooled: These operate best in areas that need to sustain a cool temperature for long periods. The chilling takes place because the water is constantly recirculating.
- Air-cooled: In an air-cooled system, the condenser coils remain cool due to the fan-driven air. These units are only typically installed outdoors.
Duct System
The duct system in many older buildings has been there long before the current HVAC was installed. This should be inspected so that you can ensure the performance of your HVAC system is not negatively impacted because of the way they distribute heat and cool air to the building. It is critical to the effectiveness of your heating and cooling system that your ducts are clean and intact.
Maintenance includes annual duct cleaning so that the ductwork does not become clogged. Filters should be regularly cleaned and replaced if necessary, depending on the type of filter your unit uses.
Regular Maintenance
In commercial spaces, a large part of your utility bill is likely made up of heating and cooling costs. You can reduce those costs by ensuring that they are working at full capacity. This requires a little preplanning and maintenance.
Do not wait until your unit has died or there is a problem attending to your heating and cooling needs. We offer maintenance and repairs to suit your needs. Reach out today to begin an effective maintenance program for your commercial HVAC system.
Contact Ambient Edge
We understand the inner workings of commercial HVAC systems and all of its complexities. If you have a problem or do not think your HVAC system is functioning up to capacity, reach out today.
We will diagnose any problems with your unit and repair it for you if that is the issue. Listen to what our other satisfied customers say about our services here at Ambient Edge.
If you need a new unit installed, we do that too. Reach out if you need installation, repairs, replacement parts, or maintenance. We are here for all of your commercial HVAC needs. At Ambient Edge, we can help you with your commercial and residential heating and cooling needs.