ENVIRONMENTAL

CONTROL
SYSTEMS-II

HVAC SYSTEMS IN
RESIDENTIAL & COMMERCIAL
BUILDINGS
WHAT IS RESIDENTIAL AND
COMMERCIAL HVAC ?
 RESIDENTIAL HVAC deals with the heating
and cooling systems of homes and small
businesses etc.

 COMMERCIAL HVAC works with the heating

and cooling systems of corporate and industrial
buildings etc.
WHAT IS RESIDENTIAL AND
COMMERCIAL HVAC ?
 While both residential and commercial HVAC
systems serve the same purpose of heating,
ventilating and cooling, they vary drastically in
terms of mechanism and parts.

 This is because addressing the need for comfort in

a home varies drastically when compared to a
work space.
 DIFFERENCE BETWEEN RESIDENTIAL
AND COMMERCIAL HVAC SYSTEMS

 Following are some major differences between

residential and commercial HVAC units:
1. Size
2. Placement
3. Complexity
4. Drainage
5. Mechanism
6. Equipment
7. Maintenance Cost
 SIZE
 A residential HVAC unit is much smaller as
compared to a commercial HVAC system as it
needs to cool or heat a much larger space.

 Commercial systems are also different in terms of

components like thermostats, condenser fan,
compressor, evaporator, blower and, dampers.

 As both the systems are required to serve the needs

of different areas, the amount of power they
consume to function also varies dramatically.
 PLACEMENT
 Since a residential HVAC system is relatively
smaller, the HVAC unit is usually placed in the
backyard or right outside the building.

 However, a commercial HVAC unit is usually

placed on the roof because most commercial
buildings don’t have a backyard.

 Also, putting it on the roof can reduce noise

pollution created by the system inside the building
and easy maintenance.
 COMPLEXITY
 Apart from the size, residential and commercial HVAC
systems also vary in structure.

 Commercial systems need to be more adaptable depending

on the type of building where they are being installed, the
number of occupants and the use of the building.

 The end-use of the structure and the things that are being
manufactured or sold in the building.

 These are the major reasons commercial systems feature a

complicated mechanism as compared to residential units
that require less power to alleviate exhaust.
 DRAINAGE
 Every component of an commercial HVAC system
is larger than that of a residential unit including the
drainage system.

 As residential HVAC units serve a much smaller

area, the entire system drains in a single pan that is
placed outside the house.

 A commercial HVAC system consists of multiple

pipes and pans for the draining purpose to ensure
complete evaporation and to eliminate the possibility
of overflowing.
 MECHANISM
 The mechanism of HVAC systems refer to the manufacturing
and installation processes.

 The manufacturing and installation of a commercial HVAC

system are Modular whereas a residential unit is
manufactured as a Standalone system.

 Since commercial HVAC systems are modular, all the parts

are housed together and it allows for easy maintenance and
upgrade.

 In a residential HVAC unit, all the parts are split between the
indoors and the outdoors and it cannot be modified or
expanded easily.
 EQUIPMENT
 Equipment refers to the components of the HVAC
system.

 The differences in equipment are usually due to their

sizes.

 Smaller residential units are using different equipment

compared to commercial units.

 Moreover, commercial systems are more customized

to fit the specific environmental requirement of the
target facility.
 MAINTENANCE COST
 The maintenance cost of commercial HVAC systems
is more than a standalone residential unit for various
reasons such as complexity of components, the size
of the system and the difference in mechanism.

 For a commercial unit, you need highly experienced

and skilled technicians to ensure a perfect
installation, efficient maintenance and energy
efficiency.

 However, the maintenance of residential HVAC

systems can be easier and is needed less frequently.
 ISSUES RELATED SMALL
BUILDING’S HVAC SYSTEMS

 Poor comfort
 High energy consumption & cost
 Unhealthy IAQ
 Equipment & building durability
 Combustion safety