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Fundamental Series Item.: Choosing the Best HVAC System <br />file:///cl/windows/1`EMP/0,2637,162$7,( <br />19 <br />Posted on:'12/08r2000 <br />Choosing the Best HVAC System <br />By Samuel C. Monger <br />Which is suited to your application: unitary, rooftop, or packaged? <br />The purpose of an HVAC (heating, ventilating, and air-conditioning) system is to prop <br />maintain environmental conditions within an area called the "conditioned space." The <br />system selected is determined by the mechanical designer's knowledge of systems <br />building owner's financial and functional goals. <br />The commercial system selected for a particular application should endeavor to prop <br />optimum environment for employee comfort and productivity, process function, and c <br />air quality with energy efficiency and cost-savings. Different systems will satisfy each <br />objectives with different degrees of success. It is up to the designer and the owner tc <br />correct assessments. <br />In most applications, there are several choices for the type of system to use: The sel <br />the type of HVAC system by the designer and the building owner is a critical decision <br />designers responsibility to consider the various systems and select the one that will <br />best combination of initial cost, operating cost, performance, and reliability based on <br />.understanding of the owner's needs and goals. In the selection process all factors m <br />analyzed, but cost of installation and operation are usually foremost. <br />Some of the many cost concerns include initial or installation cost, operating and ma <br />cost, and equipment replacement costs. Another cost concern that may be overlook <br />designer is the cost associated with equipment failure. For example, how often migh <br />system or component be expected to fail and what is the cost in loss of product and <br />How long will the system be down? Wow will the comfort, safety and productivity of tl' <br />occupants be affected by such a failure and what are these costs? <br />Depending on the owner's goals, each of these concerns has a different priority. Mo: <br />do not have knowledge or understanding of the advantages and disadvantages of th <br />types of systems, so it is up to the designer to advise the owner which is best for eac <br />application. <br />Likewise, the designer usually does not usually have a complete understanding of al <br />-owners financial and functional goals. For these reasons, the best situation is when <br />and owner are bath involved in the HVAC selection process. <br />