Business Owners’ Guide to Commercial HVAC Installation Costs

When it’s time to purchase a new HVAC system, it is wise to get a quote from at least three different companies. Be that as it may, understanding the nuts and bolts of each quote can be difficult. Companies will place different services under different sections, which makes it hard to make simple comparisons. Once you get familiar with the basics of an installation quote, you can make an informed decision.

The Breakdown of Commercial HVAC Installation Costs

HVAC installation costs include labor and materials. Even if you compare labor rates and installation tasks separately, companies aren’t consistent about which services they place in each category. For example, some companies’ hourly labor rates are higher, because they include things like insurance, warehouse costs and supervision. Another company might conversely have a lower hourly rate but put insurance and other services under a separate category. The best way to make a proper comparison is to ask for a line-by-line breakdown of the estimate. This can help ensure that you’re comparing the right things.

For all HVAC installations, the four categories of installation tasks are equipment, ductwork and piping, controls and system startup.

Equipment

The cost of equipment varies greatly depending on the type of equipment you decide to purchase. The least expensive equipment isn’t necessary the best, however. Certain systems have more equipment items and are more intricate to install, which raises the initial price, but they often have greater energy efficiency and will save you money in the long term. The brand of the equipment also impacts the price, but sometimes your available space impacts which brand you can purchase. The seller may also recommend a more expensive brand because it is more reliable and is built to last longer.

Piping and Ductwork

Commercial HVAC installation costs also include the piping and ductwork that will run in the walls and ceiling. A water-cooled system will have piping and ductwork that distributes water, while an air-cooled system will distribute refrigerant. Many systems also need ductwork in order to distribute cooled air through the space. Some installations don’t require new or redesigned piping and ductwork, and these installations will subsequently be less expensive.

Controls

The cost for controls can vary depending on whether you have just one local thermostat or many separate locations that all connect to one system. Single-thermostat jobs can also cost more if you want to a smart thermostat for remote connectivity. If you need a large number of connection points, this can also raise the cost.

System Startup

The technicians will need to startup the system once it’s been installed, which is a separate billing point. The cost is dependent upon the number of units and how complex the system is. The technicians will need to test the thermostats, gauges, wells and thermometers.

Once you’ve decided on a quote and your HVAC system has been installed, don’t forget yearly maintenance in order to ensure the longevity of your system.

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