When choosing an HVAC company be sure to look for certain criteria that is relevant to your buildings unique properties. HVAC has many components – each unit and its accoutrements are unique to the building’s age, size and needs and will be required to be handled to those specifications and often requires technicians to be specialized with certification in each sector – such as various gas licenses, electricians, etc.
HVAC stands for Heating Ventilation and Air Conditioning – essentially all of the components of heating and/or cooling a space, whether commercial or residential. Commercial licenses are more robust that residential as components are bigger, have more power and combustion properties. HVAC repair have greater complexities in the commercial sector, and need to be handled with strategy and care.
Naturally there are a myriad of various types of heating and cooling systems, some that require duct work (metal tubes that run through the property to push the air through known as “forced air”)
Ductless heating and cooling systems are ones that do not require the metal duct work to be run through the property – but can use systems such as radiant flooring – where the floor warms to heat the building used in residential but often in warehouse situations; or heat pumps – which is a unit or multi unit compact box that mounts to the wall and uses efficient air transference technology to heat or cool a space, exceptionally more efficient than baseboard heating, and an excellent option to switch out such technologies.
TYPES OF HVAC
Commercial HVAC:
Unit Heaters – Efficient encased heating unit which generally hangs from the ceiling. Often used for warehouses.
Boiler Systems – can be used in tandem with other components such as generating both heat (radiator or hydronic fan coil systems), hot water, heated flooring and pressure for various systems simultaneously, or individually for singular purposes. Very efficient options for multi-residential complexes, condos, and large industrial / commercial / educational / institutional settings.
Radiant Flooring – warming the floor through tubes under the structure, such that the heat can rise and climate control the entire space. Often used in warehouses that contain human staff, as their comfort, such as in a large vehicle mechanic shop, is provided more efficiently to getting the heat directly to the occupants than other methods (in some instances the discarded oil from the shop production can be filtered and re-used to fuel the heating system. Can be used in tandem with other technologies such as boiler systems, geothermal and the like. This technology is also used to heat sidewalks and parking lots in some instances as well.
RTU’s / AHU’s / Fan Coil Units – Air Handler Units aka AHU connect to an air conditioner/heat pump to provide air regulation for an indoor space – Generally referred to in Tonnes/Tons ie: 5 Tonne or 20 Ton. RTU’s are Roof Top Units that enclose AHUs to protect the unit from weather. Variable Speed Air Handlers have a multi step motor and can offer more consistent cooling or heating, can save up to 49% in energy costs too over other methods. Thus, instead of the old systems which are either “on or off” this
provides levels in-between of which to operate. As every commercial space as various applications and needs, the variety of AHU options are wide such as: Four pipe vertical stack, Chilled water Fan Coil, Ductless Mini-Split Air Handlers, Hydronic Air Handlers and more.
Forced Air Systems – even in commercial applications sometimes a furnace and ducted air is a great option, whether gas, oil or integrated into another system type.
Residential HVAC – has relatively similar options to commercial above – just on a smaller scale.
Also noteworthy:
Humidity Control: Not just for climate-controlled conditions, but for health on a multitude of levels including asthmatics, breathing comfort-ability, but viral control as well. MIT and Harvard did studies that humidity over 49% had the capacity to eradicate viruses faster than at lower humidity levels. Consider having the humidifier checked, or installed as an add-on unit. HEPA filtration systems can add on to existing units as well. Also – a well tune humidifier can lower temperatures and increase energy efficiency – as humid air feels “warmer” than dry air, thus can run the thermostat leaner while still providing adequate climate control to the occupants.
Air Exchangers: interestingly enough, a building can be too air tight these days – and requires an air exchanger to change out the stale air for fresh incoming air.
Exhaust Heat Recovery Systems: If in a colder climate such as Toronto, there are add-on units recapture the vented hot air that has left the building and recycles it – a dry waste heat recovery system, processes the vented air and recycles it back into the house before it gets to the furnace. Now, the furnace is partially being fed pre-warmed air instead of converting only cold external air, an immense energy efficiency option!
Exhaust Heat Exchangers for Water (generally Commercial application): This add on system can be used with natural gas, diesel and bio-fuel engines. They remove the thermal energy from exhaust gas and transfer it to the water circuit system. The now extracted heat is used for heating hot water, space heating (including radiant floor or wall units) and any industrial process that requires hot water. Various units can reclaim up to 60% waste heat from an engine, and also think of the savings of not also having to provide additional energy costs for heating the now useable hot water.
Each building is unique and HVAC repair should be estimated on the building’s existing structure and merit. However, an experienced HVAC technician would be able to provide effective solutions, retrofitting options, and increased energy savings options that can be incorporated to existing infrastructure.
Other Considerations:
There are other measures of controlling the indoor air quality such as UV lights, heat sterilization units & HVAC incinerators, air purifiers, fresh air exchangers and more.
Checking the ducting system for leakages, blockages, disconnects or correct damper direction is always a good idea before revamping an entire system. As well as considering insulation factors, proper venting, and even simple things like furnace maintenance and duct cleaning can do wonders on some systems in improving efficiency in the meantime, while deciding on upgrading options.
About us:
Heating Ontario is a Canadian Company based out of Toronto for over 20 years and servicing Southern Ontario.
Types of Buildings Heating Ontario Services:
- Warehouses, Arenas, Community Centres
- Offices: high rise, low rise and ground floor
- Townhouses, walk-ups, low rise, homes, condos, lofts
- Real estate buildings & holdings, high rises, rental properties
- Retail stores, Grocery stores, Convenience stores, Box Stores
- Hair Salons, Spas, Gyms, Nail Salons, Laundromats, Insurance Offices
- Medical buildings & Hospitals, Dentists, Doctors offices, Chiropractors, Physio
- Schools; Elementary, Secondary, Public, Private; Day-cares, Universities, Colleges
Call us if your building isn’t listed above, we can make arrangements.
Do you have multiple workplace facilities, franchises, homes, offices or retail space?
No need to deal with multiple companies, technicians and locations – One call will solve it all at 647-591-2683
Heating Ontario is fully licensed and offers fast efficient appointments for our commercial clients.