Here at Balance Construction Consulting, our primary service is third party HVAC design. Historically, HVAC design for single family and townhomes has been done by the installer, with equipment and ductwork sized based on rules of thumb, and ventilation as an afterthought, if considered at all. But times have changed, and this approach is no longer adequate.
Those rules of thumb were imprecise to begin with, but as buildings are being built and insulated to higher standards, they have become wildly inaccurate. Codes are becoming stricter, buildings are becoming less tolerant of poor HVAC design, and clients’ comfort expectations are only rising. High quality HVAC design delivers many benefits for today’s homes, and working with us is the best solution available for many projects.
Good heating and cooling design begins with a model to determine the energy requirements of the structure based on its specific location, orientation, insulation, geometry, and other factors. With that information in hand, we can select appropriately sized equipment to serve those loads. Once we have selected the right equipment, we can correctly size any ductwork to make sure that the correct amount of conditioned air reaches the right spaces. At the same time, we can design ventilation systems that account for the specifics of the home and the needs of the occupants.
So, one clear benefit of proper HVAC design is a system that delivers the right performance for the context. But there are several others. We are all familiar with the unsightly impact that HVAC systems can have on the architectural vision for homes. When the HVAC design process doesn’t start until the HVAC contractor arrives on site, poorly placed mini-split heads or awkward soffits in inconvenient locations are common. On the other hand, engaging with an HVAC designer during the design development phase, even before submitting for a building permit, allows the HVAC designer to work with the architectural and structural design team to elegantly integrate the HVAC design into the architectural design so that both are maximized.
Architectural and structural impacts are not the only issues caused by poor HVAC planning. The newest Washington State Energy Code requires builders to describe their HVAC systems at a reasonable level of detail when they submit for permits, and some trap themselves by committing to install systems they do not understand well. This can slow both the inspection and approval process, and negatively impact the project budget if you have not planned for the right combination of HVAC equipment. All of this is doubly true for projects that are pursuing additional regulatory approvals, such as Passive House, Built Green, or Energy Star, each of which come with their own particular HVAC regulations.
While a conscientious HVAC contractor can offer many of these advantages, few are currently capable of doing so. However, there are several advantages that are particular to third party HVAC design. When working with design-build contractors, it can be hard to compare bids because they assume different system layouts, equipment specifications, and so on. In contrast, you can take a third-party design and shop it to a variety of installers, and be sure that you are making an apples-to-apples comparison amongst their bids.
Finally, having a complete set of written plans, drawings, and equipment specifications gives the general contractor a lot of tools to audit the work of the installer, which can help prevent a lot of issues later in the project. Additionally, if any disagreements or questions arise during the bid or installation process, a third party designer can provide a neutral perspective to help sort out any issues that might negatively impact the performance of the system down the road.
Builders, architects, and contractors can no longer afford to treat HVAC design as an afterthought. The costs of doing so are high and rising. Working with a third party HVAC designer from early in your design process will make the entire process easier and more effective. Contact us today to schedule a consultation!
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