By Trevillian Highter
Stricter environmental regulations and the increasing costs of electricity are causing many businesses to realize the need for energy efficient buildings. Environmental damage by HVAC systems can be caused by inefficient use of energy resulting in the depletion of non-renewable energy resources. Green engineering makes eco-friendly industrial advancements possible in commercial HVAC technology to increase energy efficiency while using less energy.
Green engineering is the framework for an environmentally friendly business, from the design of commercial or industrial facility buildings to the output of products. It can include minimizing the impact of your operations on the environment and reducing your dependence on energy. One of the largest efforts in green engineering is reducing heating and cooling needs.
Eco-friendly Industrial Advancements for HVAC Contractors
New improvements will enter the industrial HVAC commercial contracting industry marketplace as 2019 begins a new period of green innovations for commercial HVAC contractors. Three green trends to watch in the HVAC commercial contracting industry for 2019 include evolving EPA regulations, automation and smart controls in commercial buildings, and green building.
Occasionally, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) establishes new environmentally friendly HVAC regulations. For HVAC contractors, the EPA provides regulations for coolant leak repairs, such as new leak inspection and verification test requirements that will affect technicians in 2019. Owners and property managers should remain current on the EPA’s regulations, such as how to properly maintain, service, and repair their commercial HVAC system.
Commercial Automation and Controls
Smarter and more efficient automation and controls in commercial buildings are on the rise as a result of better incentives to reduce peak time electricity usage and more affordable Internet of Things (IoT) technologies. Automation reduces daily energy consumption to improve energy efficiency. In a 2019 HVAC industry conference, it is stated that sensors and monitoring capabilities and controls continue to be important in building management.
Commercial automation involves sensors, connected controls and equipment that work together to regulate a building’s HVAC system based on monitored data, such as temperature, humidity, and time of day.
Improved automation will play an increased role in air quality monitoring while connected sensors and controls can extend air quality monitoring. For example, smart sensors can automatically introduce fresh air through the ventilation system.
Green Building
Green building is a HVAC trend that will continue to grow in 2019 and businesses are making efforts to meet new efficiency standards. The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) defines green building as considering environmental factors like energy and water use, indoor environmental quality, and materials during the planning, design, construction and daily operations of buildings.
An HVAC system can account for up to 70% of a typical building’s energy consumption. Green building designing an energy efficient system that exceeds the most recent energy codes and standards can greatly reduce the building’s energy consumption.
Although green building has been around for a while, at the present day, Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design (LEED) is instrumental in regulating the HVAC industry through certification, including commercial HVAC systems installed in green buildings. An eco-friendly HVAC contractor can guide the process of achieving LEED certification for a building. Further, equipment installed in LEED-certified buildings must have the ENERGY STAR label for maximum energy efficiency.
Industrial Advancements For HVAC Contractors: Staying Competitive
In the HVAC contracting industry, it is necessary to stay updated on the current developments including green technology. Commercial HVAC contractors can inform owners and facility managers of options to make business operations more sustainable and eco-friendlier while maintaining profitability and improving the company’s image by caring for the environment.
HVAC contractors can help clients be more productive and efficient by ensuring they have the best system for their facility and offering a plan to implement green technology and processes that protect the environment while reducing clients overhead.
Sources:
- http://www.coacair.com/construction-solutions/green-building.php
- https://www.refrigerationschool.com/blog/hvacr/green-hvac-trends-to-watch-in-2019/
- https://cdn2.hubspot.net/hubfs/2004318/Top-10-Green-Engineering-Trends-1.pdf
- https://www.achrnews.com/articles/140624-hvac-trends-greener-smarter-better
- https://www.refrigerationschool.com/blog/hvacr/green-hvac-trends-to-watch-in-2019/
- https://www.assemblymag.com/articles/94879-five-hvacr-industry-trends-to-see-at-ahr-2019
- https://www.epa.gov/sites/production/files/2016-09/documents/608_fact_sheet_technicians_0.pdf
- http://www.polarisengr.com/engineering/how-engineering-makes-sustainable-green-operations-possible/
