The Difference Between Commercial and Residential HVAC Systems

November 2, 2016

There are various types of HVAC systems and they are classified as commercial and residential. Commercial HVAC systems are used in retail stores, hotels, office buildings, and other large buildings. Residential HVAC systems are used in homes and small businesses. Both types of systems perform the same function but there are some key differences between them. Size Commercial HVAC systems are much larger than their residential counterparts due to the fact that they serve larger areas. They are also more complex in terms of thermostats and dampers. For these reasons, commercial systems require much more power to function. Complexity Commercial HVAC systems are more complex as they have to take into account the types of rooms and to be adaptable accordingly. The temperature may vary depending on the number of rooms, the number of people occupying the building, and what it is used for. It is possible that some rooms such as server rooms may have to be maintained at specific temperatures. Location Commercial HVAC systems are normally placed on the roof of a building, while residential systems are typically placed inside the home. The roof is considered the ideal location for commercial HVAC systems because a large system produces noise that causes disruption....

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Does Your St. Louis HVAC System Need to be Repaired or Replaced?

October 24, 2016

At Scott-Lee Heating, we will help you determine if your HVAC system needs repairs or just needs to be replaced. Inefficient HVAC systems can cost your home or business a lot of money, and lead to health and comfort issues. So, it’s important to understand whether your system needs repairs or if it needs to be replaced. At Scott-Lee Heating, we come across some homeowners and business owners who put off HVAC repairs or replacement to save on costs for as long as they can, but by doing so they end up doing more harm than good. By keeping a track of the maintenance needs of an HVAC system, it can reduce the monthly energy costs, keep repair costs low, and improve the home or work environment. Here are 9 steps that can help you determine whether your HVAC system needs repair or replacement. When deciding on whether your HVAC system needs repair or replacement, you should seek help from a competent St. Louis HVAC expert. Find out the essential information about the current system including age and repair history. This will help the HVAC contractor make a better decision about repairs. If the system is older, replacement would be...

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St. Louis HVAC – Is There a Mold Problem in Your Facility?

December 31, 2015

The HVAC system in commercial buildings provide a suitable environment for mold growth. The heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) equipment in a commercial building is more susceptible to mold growth than other equipment. Maintenance and engineering managers can play a major role in preventing mold growth in a commercial building. The Key Problem Areas Molds need water, food, air, and the right temperature to grow. Unfortunately, commercial HVAC systems provide a suitable environment for mold growth. For example, the indoor environment usually provides a variety of food sources, such as cardboard, wooden structures, building furnishings, papers, and fabrics. One way to discourage mold growth is by reducing moisture in the indoor environment. Some managers prefer using chemicals, sprays, and fungicides for mold control. Using fungicides helps to kill mold but does not provide a permanent solution to the problem. Molds residing in the HVAC system may still survive. In most cases, eliminating molds from the HVAC system requires implementing a pre-emptive plan. Maintenance managers need to develop a detailed mold prevention plan and seek professional help when required. Lack of Guidelines There is a lack of standard guidelines on how to prevent or control mold growth in commercial facilities. Most states,...

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Install the Right Size Commercial HVAC System to Save Energy

August 12, 2015

The major part of the construction or renovation budget of a commercial building usually goes into installation and maintenance of HVAC system. Purchasing and installing a heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning system is no small investment. However, a high performance device of the right-size can trim your energy costs remarkably. Buying and Installing a Correct Size HVAC System There is a common misconception that the bigger the system, the more efficient it is. But most commercial heating and cooling devices run at less than half their capacity. This is because most commercial buildings have oversized systems, which is not needed. So, it is important to get the size system required for your building from your contractor. Ideally, a correct-size would be 10 to 15 % bigger than the actual size. This is recommended as a safety measure. There are many factors that are considered to determine the correct size. This will include building’s age, desired use, required ventilation, heat generated in the office space due to lighting system and machinery, and the number of occupants in the facility. If you have plans of extending your building in the future, you should go for a system that can be modified according to the...

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The Best Ways to Optimize the Efficiency of a Commercial HVAC System

June 25, 2015

Would it surprise you know that an average of 30-40% of your electricity bill is being used up by your buildings heating, ventilating and cooling system? That could be startling to a business owner struggling to stay out of the red. Many business owners are wondering how they can reduce that cost without sacrificing a comfortable environment inside of their building. The good news is there are ways, and not only will they save you money, the performance of your HVAC system will be greatly improved! Investments that Result in Savings One of the biggest steps you can take towards cutting your costs will require some investment. Load reduction is when you tighten up a structure to allow the least amount of outside air in, and none of your conditioned or heated air out. Adding insulation is one example of load reduction. For buildings with large, unused space between the top floor and ceiling, it is often a good idea to load as much insulation there as possible. Heat rises, so during the winter, all your comfortable hot air will just make its way out of the roof, taking your profits with it. A major investment, but one that will...

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Revolutionizing Energy Efficiency: The Role of HVAC Systems in Commercial Buildings

April 22, 2015

The overall energy use has come down thanks to the use of more energy-efficient lighting and HVAC systems. In the last 25 years, the energy intensity of buildings has decreased by over 40 percent. During the five year period from 2007 to 2012, the energy demand in commercial buildings has come down by about 6.4 percent, according to a study published in Bloomberg New Energy Finance. According to HVAC experts, the decrease in energy consumption in commercial buildings can largely be attributed to the new, more energy-efficient construction, and use of new technology in old buildings including up gradation of HVAC systems. A surprising fact about today’s energy consumption scenario in commercial establishments is that even though the number of electronic devices being employed has gone up substantially, the overall energy use has come down thanks to the use of more energy-efficient lighting and HVAC systems. However, this does not mean that there is no scope of any further improvement. Building owners and facility managers can still take some measures to improve energy efficiency, and further, bring down utility bills. According to Energy Star, the largest operating expense in any commercial establishment is that of energy use. Apart from the economic impact of energy use, the environmental impact is also huge. Commercial...

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Maintaining a Commercial HVAC System For Maximum Efficiency

January 28, 2014

Building owners and small businesses can save themselves thousands of dollars in costly repairs and energy loss by scheduling regular maintenance calls for their HVAC systems. The energy required to run a building’s heating and cooling units can account for up to 40% of the total for a commercial property. Small businesses blame a lack of available funds for not keeping up with the maintenance, not realizing that they could easily recoup the cost and then some by having a system that is running efficiently.  These systems are not the same as the one you have at home. They are significantly larger and more complicated. It is ill-advised to attempt to try and clean or fix it yourself. The Importance of Regular Maintenance Services The heating and cooling system inside a commercial building is one of the biggest investments that the builder made. What many people fail to realize is that just like with any other piece of machinery, they require maintenance and cleaning to remain running optimally. Since its components are mainly out of sight, many business owners forget their existence until they find their store without heat. To avoid that inconvenience, plus the possible high cost of fixing...

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St. Louis Commercial HVAC Installation

October 10, 2012

Scott-Lee Heating has been servicing commercial customers in the St. Louis Metro area for over 30 years. Scott-Lee Heating Company installed the air conditioners for the build of the Wal-Mart in High Ridge, MO. Check out our video of the helicopter that picked up the air conditioners and placed them on the roof of the building. Contact Scott-Lee Heating at for a free consultation.

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