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5 Key Differences Between Commercial and Residential HVAC

Commercial HVAC systems are designed to work for the needs of large businesses, schools, and other large buildings. These requirements often differ from the needs of residential homeowners, which is why commercial and residential HVAC differ in various ways.

1. Requirements

The requirements for commercial systems can be much more demanding than those for homes. Commercial units must sometimes meet emission standards that residential units never need to worry about. They may also have additional features, such as a dedicated drainage system to handle the amount of moisture produced by large HVAC units.

2. Installation

Commercial HVAC installations also require specialized knowledge not required by typical residential installs. Commercial installations must be performed by a licensed professional with experience in commercial heating and cooling systems. These professionals also have access to powerful tools, such as computer-aided design (CAD) programs to help them plan their installation.

3. Maintenance

Commercial HVAC systems are often more complex than their residential counterparts, making it harder for them to operate for extended periods without maintenance. Commercial units often require several technicians to service. Residential units only need occasional maintenance, with HVAC specialists visiting only once or twice per year.

4. Capacity

Commercial systems must be able to cool and heat a large building, sometimes containing as many as 100 workers or more. These large buildings require giant heating and cooling systems to stabilize the inside temperature without wasting energy. Residential heating and cooling systems rarely need this much capacity.

5. Power

Commercial HVAC systems often require more electricity than similar residential units. The higher demand can sometimes cause problems, such as when the electrical grid does not have enough capacity to support the system’s needs.

Call the Experts

If you reside in Burbank, CA, or the surrounding areas, consider giving us a call at Certified Service for exceptional services and products. We offer both commercial and residential HVAC solutions. We are heating and cooling system experts that perform HVAC installation, repair, and maintenance.