HVAC systems are heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems that provide environmental comfort while improving air quality. For an office space that houses countless employees during a workday, it can be a daunting task to ensure their safety and comfort remains throughout the course of the day and beyond. A skilled facility manager manages this task with ease when faced with the challenge of guaranteeing a facility is safe, healthy and comfortable when it comes to HVAC systems.
Here are some challenges and solutions concerning HVAC systems:
Energy efficiency is a top priority for deciding a HVAC system. It can be a challenge to understand which system would be right for a specific space. A larger unit would utilize more energy, but the space may not need it. However, a smaller unit may have to work harder and expend more energy if the unit is not big enough for the space. A facility manager’s challenge is to figure out the correct unit for the space it needs to create a comfortable environment. The solution is conducting an energy audit that dictates just how much energy the actual unit is spending and if it is running as efficiently as possible. With the right energy usage, electricity bills are decreased, the environment is better served, and the occupants are comfortable.
Maintenance and upkeep of HVAC units is a challenging task for facility managers. The goal for a facility manager is to maximize and extend the life of the HVAC equipment and reduce operating costs. The solution is to generate a plan that caters to the specific needs of the facility. A facility manager would implement a plan for maintenance teams to periodically check and preserve HVAC equipment and systems to ensure they are running effectively and efficiently. A facility manager is often challenged with upholding the maintenance team to regularly check the HVAC equipment to ensure comfort, so a facility manager’s solution entails a maintenance agreement. A facility manager puts in place a maintenance agreement similar to a schedule to ensure that the facility is well maintained in all of its facility aspects while also getting the most from the equipment day-to-day. Especially in today’s world of technology, HAVC systems benefit from remote access and sensor monitoring which is a great tool at combating the facility manager’s challenge of regulating and supervising HVAC system for optimal use. Remote access for an HVAC system is quick to identify problems which help the facility manager engage the maintenance team to tend to issue prior to becoming a more costly problem that affects the comfort, health, and productivity of office occupants.
Occupant comfort is the main challenge for a facility manager when it comes to HVAC systems. There are a few solutions that combat this issue. Listening to employees and facility occupants is key to figuring out if they are comfortable and satisfied with the indoor air quality. Some might want more temperature regulation while some might want more outdoor air being used, while some might want more filtered indoor air. Listening to employees and people who are in the space five days a week for eight or more hours is essential to know how the HVAC works in relation to the needs of the people benefiting from it. A facility manager can be challenged to regulate the HVAC system to cater to a variety of different needs, but through remote access and monitoring, these issues can be resolved and regulated throughout the day. Paying attention to the outdoor air in relation to the indoor air is another challenge for the facility manager. Outdoor air quality can differ from inside, whether it be better or worse, by providing proper indoor air quality for all, including a superior filtration system, is a solution for a facility manager in ensuring maximum comfort, safety and health for office occupants through thermal regulation and air filtration with the use of HVAC systems.
A facility manager faces a multitude of challenges throughout the course of the workday in helping maintain the comfort, safety, and health of employees with the help of an HVAC system. A skilled facility manager, however, has the solutions ready to go to combat any challenge that might arise.
At HF Planners, LLC we have skilled facility managers with extensive knowledge in HVAC systems to maximize energy efficiency, cost, and comfort for all. Contact us today to see how we can help you with your HVAC system to mitigate the risk of virus and bacteria transmission, thermal comfort and air quality as we look forward to the office of the future.
