Premium Efficiency Cooling Program
Repair or Replace?
Typically, the more energy efficient a system is, the higher its initial cost. How quickly that cost is recovered depends on many factors, including location, size of building, other energy efficient upgrades such as roofing or insulation, type of building use and others.
Commercial building owners and property managers must consider many factors when evaluating an existing HVAC system for repair or replacement. They include:
- Efficiency
- Maintenance costs
- Operating costs
- Return on investment
- Equipment capacity
- Projected life expectancy
- Serviceability
- Business interruptions caused by repairs or replacement
According to a 2001 report from the Consortium for Energy Efficiency (CEE), replacement of 20-year old equipment with a premium efficiency commercial HVAC unit could reduce energy use by up to 40%! When deciding whether to repair or replace your existing equipment, CEE recommends that you hire a qualified contractor to:
- Examine each HVAC component to assess performance and remaining life;
- Perform cooling load calculations using updated criteria (your loads may have changed due to equipment efficiency improvements or changes in your building's occupancy);
- Evaluate the cooling capacities of the existing units, and calculate the cost of adding capacity versus replacing the unit(s);
- Ensure that the unit is sized correctly for your facility. An oversized unit can have a reduced efficiency by up to 50%;
- Evaluate the blower's capacity to provide ventilation air. Older systems may not accommodate this requirement, which could be required for a retrofit;
- Evaluate configuration and location of the unit(s), and estimate costs if relocation is required;
- Compare the effective efficiency of your equipment with current efficiency standards and code requirements. Often, energy cost savings realized through increased efficiency justifies replacement.