The two main types of AC systems are commercial and residential and there is a significant difference between their ventilation systems. Knowing these differences can help you make your choice when investing in a new AC. Both will provide a cool environment but there are five key differences between commercial and home ventilation.
Important Differences Between Commercial and Home Ventilation
The first key distinction when comparing between both options is size. The size of any piece of equipment depends on its expected function. A mini fridge is expected to cool a few items and is therefore small in size. Alternatively, fridges used to display products in a grocery shop are much bigger in size because they hold dozens of products.
The same applies to ACs. A commercial AC system is much bigger because it’s expected to cover thousands of square feet. Commercial ACs run all day and are expected to cool the air and keep it suitable for hundreds or thousands of people. Home ventilation systems are only designed to cool your home and provide a nice and suitable temperature for your family and guests. It’s no surprise that commercial ACs require much more space and certain perquisites.
Placement is different between both ventilation systems. The difference in placement is partly due to size, but other factors are involved too. Home ventilation systems are often along the house/building or in the backyard. This placement makes the unit easy to access. Whenever maintenance is scheduled or ordered, technicians can easily access the unit while also being out of sight. Commercial units are most often placed on top of buildings because they require a lot of space. Placing the unit above the building saves space and keeps the noise away.
When it comes to installation, commercial ventilation systems are more complex, as one would expect. Commercial systems are bigger and have more energy needs than home ventilation systems. Home ventilation systems only require minimal ductwork and piping. A commercial system will take more time to install and is expected to be more expensive.
Commercial systems come with more options that add to its complexity. They’re expected to cool entire buildings and vast spaces. These spaces are often divided into rooms, offices, or stores. People working in different offices or stores will require different temperature settings. While home systems can come with multiple settings, it’s usually acceptable for them to only have one setting for the entire home.
Maintenance is important for both systems. The difference is in the ease of maintenance. Some homeowners can maintain their ACs without additional help, or at least perform basic tasks like cleaning them and changing air filters. A commercial system, however, will require professional assistance from HVAC technicians.
We hope that the difference between commercial and home ventilation is now clearer. It shouldn’t be too difficult for you to identify what you need and what will suit your needs the most. Take cost, installation, maintenance, and repairs into consideration before deciding.
