Through adopting sustainable HVAC and mechanical ventilation systems, commercial buildings can qualify for and improve on a variety of environmental ratings that bring with them a range of benefits. A commercial air conditioning system that is fitted out with environmentally friendly features will help your building gain certifications such as Green Star and NABERS which boost the overall reputation and profitability of the site.
At Air-rite Solutions, we provide a full range of commercial air conditioning services for businesses in Brisbane and South East Queensland. If you are looking to improve the green building design in your commercial space, then read on to discover the key role that HVAC plays in accomplishing this goal.
The Importance of HVAC in Green Building Design
Achieving sustainable design in commercial buildings is something that more and more facility managers are striving for. If you are undecided about the importance and benefits of green building design, then let’s explore why taking this direction will bring about ongoing positive change for your building and all the businesses operating within it.
Energy Efficiency
Sustainable design for HVAC in Brisbane has shown to improve the overall efficiency of those systems – reducing their overall operating costs. Newer, greener technologies such as smart thermostats, variable refrigerant flow, and energy-efficient heat pumps all contribute to a more efficient system. Given that HVAC systems can account for 40-60 percent of a commercial building’s energy output, reducing these costs through adopting sustainable technologies is only going to benefit your energy bills moving forward.
Reducing the Impact on the Environment
As the HVAC industry continues to embrace sustainability and innovation, your decision to adopt greener technologies will reduce your building’s carbon footprint. Here are some of the ways in which new HVAC technologies are reducing their impact on the environment:
- The refrigerant R32 has been widely adopted across Australia, which has a much lower global warming potential than the previously used R410A.
- Smart thermostats program the usage of HVAC systems to align with the busier times in a commercial building.
- Energy recovery ventilators (ERVs) are a more sustainable and effective form of ventilation that is becoming increasingly popular in Australia.
Each of these technologies make for a greener HVAC system and have positive effects on the overall carbon footprint of your building.
Ongoing Benefits
Commercial buildings that commit to sustainability and have higher Green Star and NABERS ratings have been shown to have higher marketability, lower maintenance costs, improved health and wellbeing for occupants, and even more benefits. Both business owners and employees are more likely to choose buildings with green initiatives when plotting out the next step in their career paths – demonstrating an ongoing profitability for choosing this direction.
Types of Certification
While there are multiple environmental certifications that commercial buildings can apply for, the two main ones in Australia are Green Star and NABERS. Let’s take a look at how HVAC impacts these ratings.
Green Star
Green Star is a rating tool from the Green Building Council of Australia that evaluates how sustainable a building’s fitout and design are. Rated from one to six – with six being demonstrated as a highly efficient fitout – having an environmentally friendly HVAC system is one way to improve your building’s Green Star rating.
NABERS
In contrast to Green Star – which focuses on the design and fitout of a facility – NABERS (National Australian Built Environment Rating System) measures the operational energy output of a building. It is also graded on a six-point scale and a sustainably designed HVAC system will go a long way towards improving your NABERS rating.
Contact Air-rite Solutions
If you are looking for an experienced provider of sustainable HVAC services to help your building achieve and improve green certifications, contact the team at Air-rite Solutions today.
