As a building owner or facilities manager, you want the best air conditioning unit for your building. You want something that will work hard at a good price and that will last for a long time. Choosing a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning unit is an important process as it is an investment for at least 10 years. There are several brands to choose from but determining the right one for your building within your budget will take some time and research. So, take your time, do your research, and choose wisely.
Here are some of the most recognized HVAC brands:
- Carrier
- Trane
- Lennox
While all HVAC units do the same thing- remove warm air and circulate the remaining cool air that’s left-each different brand does this at different levels of efficiency. This translates into varying prices among brands throughout the industry. Here’s a quick overview on some brands we feel are great:
Carrier
Carrier is regarded as a top of the line HVAC brand. Carrier uses the best quality material to manufacture their materials under strict quality standards. Even the Sistine Chapel uses Carrier units to preserve their artwork! Of course, there is a higher price tag to compensate for their top-notch quality. If you want something efficient with a longer life span, you’ll be happy with a Carrier unit.
Trane
Trane has a solid reputation in the industry and is often regarded as the “Cadillac of HVAC systems”. New York’s Grand Central Station relies on Trane to provide cool air for them. Trane systems are durable and provide vigorous heating and cooling. They uphold warranties and offer up to 10-year warranties for their parts. While they are on the pricier side, it is worth it due to their durability and efficiency.
Lennox
Lennox is mostly known for their efficiency. They work hard every year to create more efficient units. Lennox takes pride in creating units that will reduce users’ operating costs. Many of their units show case high SEER levels- as high as 23.5. While you will pay more upfront, these high SEER levels on their units can cut your energy costs by 60%. If you want an innovative, reliable, and efficient unit, you’ll be happy with a Lennox system.
While brand is important while deciding on a new heating and cooling system for your building, there are other things to take into account like unit type, distribution, and capacity. Do you need a rooftop unit or a ductless air conditioner? Make sure your vendor calculates your cooling capacity correctly. Also, distribution is key. Your commercial unit’s placement will determine how air gets distributed in your building. A poor design will lead to your system not working properly and will not meet your needs.
Among these things, the most important thing to consider is installation.
It does not matter how much you spend on a high-quality unit if it is not adequately installed. You will not reap the benefits from a poorly installed system. Always hire a professional commercial HVAC contractor to perform your unit installation. There are too many mistakes that can be made that will greatly affect your unit’s performance and lifespan.
Once you decide on which brand to go with, be sure to license your system that way you can take advantage of any warranties offered. Most brands offer a 10+ year warranty on their parts, so make sure you are fully aware of what you are getting along with your commercial unit. It is also important to get into touch with a commercial HVAC contractor about getting your new system on a preventive maintenance plan. If you have your equipment regularly maintained, it’ll keep it running as efficiently and smoothly as possible.
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