hvac management

Replace HVAC Equipment?

Aging HVAC equipment runs inefficiently and can break down at the most inopportune time, forcing unbudgeted replacements and expensive repairs. If this sounds familiar, it’s because less than 50% of companies have preventive maintenance (or, PM) programs in place to try and avoid this unexpected downtime. This is why facing the age-old question “repair or replace?” is a common dilemma to which, luckily, there is a useful methodology.

Rooftop units (RTUs) account for roughly 60% of conditioned floor area for commercial buildings in the United States, and consume 4.3 Quads of energy annually. This consumption makes the decision to repair or replace an HVAC management critical to an organization’s bottom line. And not only do unexpected heating and air conditioning breakdowns result in unexpected expenditures, the human element is also pricey: uncomfortable employees and building occupants could lead to less productivity and/or unhappy tenants.

By taking a proactive approach to replace old, underperforming equipment with new, energy efficient HVAC equipment, facility managers can maximize savings and minimize hassles.

Replacing old HVAC systems can also help reduce environmental impact. According to data from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s ENERGY STAR program, heating and cooling systems make up approximately 38% of a building’s energy usage, and companies spend more than $20 billion on energy annually. By replacing air conditioning equipment that has been in operation for 10 years, facilities can save 20-50% on energy and maintenance costs.