Commercial HVAC: School HVAC Systems

School HVAC Systems

For twelve-plus years, school-age children spend nearly 40 hours per week in a classroom setting. The safety of children has never been a bigger issue; communities are preparing to shield students from harm in many forms. Northwind is prepared to do our part, making schools a cleaner, healthier, safer place to learn, removing as many obstacles and distractions as possible from the learning environment.

The HVAC System Helps the Learning Environment

The acronym HVAC stands for heating, ventilation, and air conditioning system. Each of these functions plays a vital role in improving indoor spaces; this is especially true in educational facilities. Children are easily distracted from tasks and HVAC systems remove many environmental distractions to enhance the learning experience.

Ventilation

The HVAC system moves an immense amount of air; the entire volume of air in the school is moved every few minutes. This prevents the air from being still and stuffy. When most children would rather be outdoors, fresh air is vitally important.

As air is moved it is also filtered, and this is also vitally important. Young immune systems are constantly being exposed to new allergies and bugs, so air filters remove airborne particles with every heating and cooling cycle. Not only does this improve indoor air quality, but it also removes dust that would land on floors and desks.

Heating and Cooling

We have come a long way from one-room schools with a potbelly stove in the corner; students might have struggled to hear the teacher over the sound of chattering teeth. A study has concluded:

“Temperature can affect comfort and indoor environmental quality. Changing thermostat settings or opening windows to try to control temporary changes in temperature can worsen comfort problems. Classroom temperatures should be maintained between 68 degrees and 75 degrees Fahrenheit during the winter months and between 73 degrees and 79 degrees Fahrenheit during the summer month.”¹

HVAC systems contribute to a better learning environment for both students and teachers.

Difficulties with School HVAC Systems

• Air filters are very efficient, trapping and constantly removing airborne particles. However, as the particles are trapped, the filters become clogged. A clogged filter restricts airflow, and this causes problems with the electrical and mechanical components of HVAC systems. Air filters need to be changed regularly
• Airborne particles move past the air filters and can coat controls and sensors. This inhibits the control functions of these electrical parts and makes the whole system inefficient. Particles also clog small spaces needed for the transfer of heat; this is true with indoor components that function as evaporators and outdoor components that function as condensers.
• All mechanical system experiences wear over time; certainly, this is true for large HVAC systems. Wear creates stress and stress reduces efficiency. Regular maintenance helps by cleaning away dust and dirt, testing components, recognizing stressed parts, and replacing them.

Solutions for School HVAC Systems

• Providing a proper learning environment begins with a great design; this is true for every building system, including HVAC systems. An existing school facility used the best designs and components in HVAC technology available to architects and builders. However, technology changes and improves—something to keep in mind for the future.
• Whether by in-house maintenance personnel or via a service contract with HVAC professionals, air filters must be changed regularly as determined by the manufacturer’s specifications.
• Annual maintenance will boost system efficiency, catch small problems before they grow complicated, and extend the system’s usefulness by several years.
• With a little research, establish the age of your existing system and determine an estimated replacement schedule for the future. This will allow for budgeting and planning (preferable to emergency replacement due to system failure). Plan to begin again with the best technology available.

Need help with your School HVAC Systems?

Northwind Air Conditioning and Heat can help with School HVAC Systems and regularly scheduled Commercial  HVAC maintenance. Contact us and get the answers you need.

¹https://ies.ed.gov/ncee/edlabs/regions/west/Ask/Details/64#:~:text=Classroom%20temperatures%20should%20be%20maintained,Fahrenheit%20during%20the%20summer%20month.%E2%80%9D