Thermostats are an essential component of every commercial HVAC system that allows the proper temperature to be set to ensure the comfort of a business’s customers and employees. In addition to maintaining the perfect temperature, new technologies are also available that allow property managers to utilize features, such as programmable settings to reduce energy waste without sacrificing comfort. As you prepare for commercial HVAC installation, use this guide to choose a thermostat that enhances business operations and keeps the air flowing at the ideal temperature.
Assess the Current Heating and Cooling Needs
During the initial consultation with a commercial HVAC technician, ask them to assess your zoning needs. Often, commercial buildings require HVAC systems to be set up to provide different temperatures for specific zones. This is especially common if your commercial building houses several different departments or buildings that have different specifications in place for interior temperatures. Depending upon your building’s zone requirements, you may need multiple thermostats or an upgraded zone control system that allows a member of your staff access to the controls for multiple rooms at one location.
Explore the Benefits of Remote Access
Once they are professionally installed, commercial heating and cooling systems typically fall under the control of the property management crew. This sometimes means that only one or two people have control over the thermostat, which helps to ensure that the building stays at the correct temperature. However, this can also generate the problem of someone needing to turn the HVAC system on or off when the designated person in charge is not at the physical location of the thermostat. For instance, an employee may choose to enter the building during off hours to catch up on work, and they may need the air to be on. With remote access, your facilities management crew can simply turn the HVAC system on for the time that it needs to be running without having to physically visit the location.
Consider Options to Increase Energy-Efficiency
An industrial HVAC service inspection should include a discussion of how your company could utilize new technology to reduce the energy usage. Programmable thermostats allow the system to be set up so that it shuts down or adjusts the temperature during certain times of the day or night to account for a lower demand. For example, you could shut down the system over the weekend or set it to come back on when your seasonal business reopens. Certain commercial buildings also have unique needs that can be programmed into the thermostat. For example, you may need to alter the temperature during times of the day when the building has frequent visitors and a thermostat with motion detectors makes this easier.
The best thermostat for your commercial building will depend on multiple factors, such as the size of the space, temperature preferences and concerns about energy-efficiency. With the new technologies that are in place, you can work with an HVAC technician to find a thermostat that fits the unique needs of your commercial building so that your team can take advantages of new features, such as advance temperature scheduling that enhance how your company operates. Following these tips will ensure you find the best thermostat to fit your specific needs.
