HVAC systems are an ideal place to start reducing carbon emissions and moving toward net-zero-energy operations, according to an article from Building Operating Management on the FacilitiesNet website.
Step one in achieving sustainable HVAC design is organizational buy-in. While facility managers can easily sell lower first costs and operating costs to upper management, sustainable HVAC design requires an integrated approach and a new look at many assumptions held by an organization’s leaders.
Facility managers can help answer the question. Sustainable HVAC designs provide more people-centered designs that ensure happier, more productive, and more comfortable occupants, according to the U.S. General Services Administration.
With proper pre-planning, comprehensive modeling, and a commitment to an integrated process, there doesn’t have to be a cost premium for sustainable HVAC. In fact, the facility manager should save money. Integrated design means lower costs for early shared decisions that are made. However, it does require a disciplined commitment to a more effective front-end.
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