Residential and commercial HVAC in Sioux Falls, SD are not interchangeable. Both have needs specific to their environments. When you hire an HVAC company for your business, you may not always be able to hire the same one you use for your home. Fortunately, A & R Heating & Air Conditioning Inc. performs work in both areas, which makes us available for both your home and your business. Here are the differences between the two systems:
- The modular nature: Unlike homes, businesses are in a constant state of expansion. When a business site becomes larger through remodeling or warehouse space is converted to offices, the HVAC resources must grow with it. Sometimes, new equipment and machinery increase the pressures to heat or cool a building, which leads to the need for additional ductwork or even larger units. For this reason, commercial HVAC is designed in a modular fashion, which allows it to expand as easily as your business itself. Homes are typically static and do not require the same flexibility.
- Layout: Conventionally, residential HVAC systems are located outside the home or in an isolated place like a basement or a hidden closet. Ductwork and other components are placed throughout the home. Commercial HVAC, meanwhile, places the primary components on the roof, especially in busy locations where there is no outdoor ground space. The roof location also allows the components to be larger so they can heat or cool more square footage.
- Accessibility: Keeping commercial HVAC components on the roof also prevents them from being vandalized. While home units are often locked behind a fence or gate, commercial properties do not always have the same advantages. Fixing a commercial unit often involves arriving during working hours to assure that someone is there to give the technician access. Home units located outside can often be serviced while the homeowner is at work, provided the gate is unlocked.
- Regulatory compliance: OSHA and other commercial regulations dictate temperature control and noise issues that affect worker health. HVAC units are required to comply with these, and failing to do so can result in huge fines. Residential systems may need to meet local code requirements or undergo inspection, but the process is not nearly as stringent as OSHA.
- Packaged vs. split: Commercial HVAC systems are offered in what are called packaged units. This one primary component contains the condenser, evaporator, compressor, blower and drainage system. It is installed all at once and connected to the ventilation system. Residential systems have these parts installed separately, which is why they are called a split unit. The outdoor part normally contains the condenser, compressor and fan, while another unit indoors houses the evaporator, drainage system and blower. Some systems may be more customized for unique properties, but this is the overall standard.
A & R Heating & Air Conditioning Inc. offers services for commercial HVAC in Sioux Falls, SD, as well as for residential systems. Call us today to make a repair or maintenance appointment.