Four Ways to Optimize Space Used by Mechanical Equipment
The mechanical equipment is an integral part of almost all the MEP engineering projects. It carries out functions such as space heating or cooling, ventilation, refrigeration, humidity control, etc. in the industrial, commercial, and residential sectors.
Mechanical equipment with their ductworks may encompass a notoriously large amount of space; however, implementing the tricks stated below helps one make the installations as compact as possible. Please check them out right now.
- Install Boilers Close to the Roof
The boilers that function after combusting fuels like oil, natural gas, propane, biodiesel, biomass, etc. require a chimney. As the chimney has to cross the distance between the boiler and the roof, the space covered increases.
The experts offering quality yet affordable MEP engineering services said that installing the boilers at the highest location in a building condenses the chimney, which is beneficial because:
- The space freed can be used for other purposes.
- The installation process becomes safe as the flue gases are not released indoors anymore.
- The cost of the chimney also comes down.
Purchasing a heating technology such as an electrical pump or resistance heater is believed to be an alternative to installing boilers on the topmost floor of the building or the attic.
- Use the Same System for Cooling and Heating
The principle on which the modern-day air conditioning units rely is the same for the heat pump equipped with refrigeration. The only difference is that the heat pump operates in a reverse mode – it extracts warmth from the cool outdoors and uses it for heating either water or space. Some heat pumps nowadays consolidated cooling and heating into single machinery.
- Align Floor Systems Vertically
The multi-story buildings usually have the same components on each floor. The mechanical equipment is no exception. For example, all the ACs in tall buildings use a central chiller to cool the water, which is then transferred to the AHU or air handling units that cool the air of each floor quite easily.
The AHUs and other similar units must be aligned vertically as per the floors. This streamlines the distribution of cold water, which runs all across the building through a single pipe. The associated electrical units powering the mechanical equipment become even more compact.
- Install Air Conditioners on Ceilings
The largest piece of an air conditioner is its condenser, which is typically located outside. When the AC is installed on the external wall of a building, the condenser tends to occupy lots of space and is perceived as an obstacle for air circulation.
Condensers release a large amount of heat, and the hot air may not be circulated properly when one building is in close proximity to another. So, instead of walls, try installing ACs on the ceiling. They would not collide with anything and can function in a seamless manner.
According to the experts offering necessary mandates such as Title 24 Los Angeles, optimizing the space utilized by the mechanical equipment offers a wide range of advantages besides comfort. One can successfully alleviate the cost of installation, which in several cases, ends up increasing energy efficiency.
To ensure optimal performance by the mechanical equipment, please seek assistance from contractors and designers. See if they are all qualified, efficient, experienced, and trustworthy.
