Designing your system for Optimum Performance
Existing Buildings New Construction Training

Mechanical Design

The overwhelming majority of heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning (HVAC) systems are not actually designed, but are instead installed using the installer's "best-guess" method. It's no surprise that the average installed efficiency of a residential HVAC system is a mere 60%.

The most common complaints we hear from those living in exising homes are related to comfort, air-quality, and efficiency. Here's the top-ten list:

  • Some rooms are too hot or too cold
  • The utility bills are too high
  • The air flow is noisy at the register
  • The air smells musty
  • Feels drafty in the house
  • The system runs all of the time
  • The system never cools down/heats up the house
  • The air is too humid (summer) and too dry (winter)
  • The air is stuffy
  • The house is always dusty

Avoiding these performance issues is easy when the system is designed properly AND the system is installed according to the design. By deciding upfront on the type of system, size of the system, placement of registers, and the size of each duct, the guesswork is eliminated and the installers have an excellent road-map to guide the installation process.

Starting with proper sizing of the mechanical systems, we carefully design a system that satisfies the heating/cooling needs of the structure, the air-quality needs of the occupants, and the financial needs of the budget. From traditional heat pumps, to furnaces, to geothermal systems, we'll make sure your system is designed properly and the details communicated clearly to the installation contractor.
 
Download our "Guide to Mechanical Design" document.