Over the last year, tenants of commercial office buildings across the country have navigated dramatic changes to ways they work. For companies that have transitioned to an in-person or hybrid work format, maintaining optimal air balance and eliminating drafts in commercial buildings can make the difference between comfort and discomfort in the work environment and – between productivity and inefficiency of the company as a whole.
The Importance of Optimal Air Balance for Commercial Buildings
As it moves and flows throughout a commercial building, air maintains a natural balance between areas of high and low pressure. However, when differences or gaps in pressure exist throughout the building, both office tenants and companies as a whole may be negatively affected. Not only can drafts make for an uncomfortable and chilly work environment, but they can also decrease energy efficiency and the performance of commercial heating and cooling equipment overall.
There are a number of potential causes for unbalanced air, several of which may occur after the HVAC system’s initial installation. Common office or building changes, such as room expansions or the addition of insulation, have the potential to knock air flow out of balance. Fortunately, these issues are usually easily addressed through appropriate commercial HVAC maintenance.
Improving Air Balance Throughout Commercial Spaces
Air balancing is a simple but effective way to improve the efficiency of commercial HVAC systems and the quality of the air they distribute. In terms of improving tenant comfort and maintaining the life and performance of heating and cooling equipment, proper air balancing will involve the supply of adequate amounts of air – hot or cold, depending on the unique needs of the client and their office space – to each room.
With simple HVAC systems, the equipment may run the ventilation system but turn it off completely when the building or space is vacant. On the surface, this may seem like an energy-efficient solution to achieving optimal air balance through filtration. However, this may not always be the case. With the implementation of programmable HVAC monitoring systems and equipment, building tenants and their commercial HVAC partners gain more control over temperatures and humidity levels to improve overall air balance and eliminate drafts.
Beyond any suggested equipment implementations, commercial HVAC testing is the most effective way for commercial building and facilities managers to determine the balance of their indoor air. After an overall inspection of the unit and supplementary equipment, a commercial HVAC technician will test the air flow throughout the space to gain an accurate reading for each room. From there, a commercial HVAC preventive maintenance plan can be crafted to address any found issues.
Achieving Optimal Air Flow and Balance Through Commercial HVAC Maintenance by Donnelly Mechanical
Using their expertise and specialized equipment, HVAC technicians perform commercial HVAC air balancing to ensure the system is operating as efficiently as possible. To do this, a number of adjustments may be suggested based on the determined air intake and output data of a given tenant’s space based on air balancing test results. By working with Donnelly, commercial office tenants can achieve more comfortable work environments and higher performing heating and cooling equipment. Learn more by contacting us today!
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