The Top Ten Common Mistakes
Made by Commercial
HVAC Contractors
When HVAC contractors make mistakes, they can -and usually do- cost the
company, as well as the customer valuable time and money.
In this issue, we discuss common mistakes that impact not only the
performance of the HVAC systems that you install, but the soundness of
your operation and your reputation.
Number 10:
Ignoring opportunities to help customers improve building
efficiency.
As an HVAC contractor, you have access to much, if not all of the inner
workings of the building in which installations are being performed.
Not addressing issues that could be discovered during an install, such
as:
- Poorly or even un-insulated areas.
- Airflow issues (excessive or inadequate).
- Lack of air sealing.
Discovering and informing your customers of such issues, even if you
do not offer services to remedy them, can and will improve the overall
quality of the job.
Number 9:
 Ignoring the ventilation aspect of HVAC.
Many companies simply install a system to heat or cool a building
without giving much consideration at all to the ventilation needs of the
specific job.
Environmental regulations and energy codes for many structures are
resulting in the construction of buildings that are more airtight than
ever, making planning an adequate ventilation system a must.
Number 8:
Failure to keep up with industry standards.
Like any industry, HVAC must change and adapt as new technology,
regulations, and codes change how physical systems are planned and
installed. Zone by zone heating and cooling controls are one example.
Failing to keep up with the latest standards in efficiency and
regulation will surely result in loss of business as customers look to
companies that stay on the cutting edge.
Number 7:
Trying to be the lowest bidder.
More detrimental than most, the cost-cutting involved in providing
the “lowest quote” to attempt to get a job can often undercut your
company in the long run.
Forced cost cutting for the sake of guaranteeing that you get the job
is likely going to lead to making many of the mistakes mentioned in this
list.
Using inexperienced labor, not putting enough time into planning and
calculating, and using sub-standard equipment will lead to poor finished
product and displeased customers.
Number 6:
 Ignoring the science of airflow.
All too often, equipment is installed on “rules of thumb” and
standards that are focused on saving time and money (for the
contractor).
The reality of the situation is, however, that no two buildings are
alike… failure to ensure proper duct placement, register placement, and
duct sizing can result in an inefficient system that in the end is going
to cost your customer more money than it should.
Number 5:
Not doing the math.
Failing to perform proper calculations when it comes to planning an
install is a surefire way to provide sub-par results to your customer.
Companies that continue to perform work the way it was done 30 years
ago are not doing themselves and their customers any favors. As HVAC
technology changes, the need to master the math involved in determining
the appropriate duct and central unit sizing/placement has become
imperative.
Number 4:
Failing to consider the building a system as a whole.
Any HVAC contractor that does not consider the whole building as a
functioning system, in which HVAC equipment is but a single element, is
not doing all that they can to serve the customer.
In-depth analysis of the building as well as thoroughly discussing
the customer’s needs can allow you to consider things such as:
- Increasing airflow to an area where servers or other
heat-generating equipment is going to be installed.
- Ensuring that air intakes are not going to be in an area where
potentially unpleasant odors or potentially dangerous gasses could
occur.
- Planning a system in a way that allows easy modification in the
event of potential changes to the other building systems.
Number 3:
Lacking proper understanding/willingness to ensure combustion
safety.
Let’s face it, burning anything inside a building is inherently
dangerous, especially when Carbon Monoxide is a significant by-product
of the fuel in use. Even a waste paper basket fire can be a problem in a
well-sealed building.
Considering the fact that many newer buildings are significantly more
air-tight than older buildings as we mentioned in Number 9: the design
of ventilation systems must be adapted in order to prevent the
accidental ingress of carbon monoxide into occupied spaces.
Preventing excessive negative pressure in an area of a central
heating unit is an absolute imperative to ensure the safety of people in
the building.
Number 2:
Performing in-house estimating.
Quite often, when a smaller HVAC company offers their own estimating
services, problems can arise in terms of turnover time as well as
quality of work.
Today, estimating is a complex effort involving state-of-the-art
software that is far from simple to master. Hiring a company experienced
in professional HVAC estimating can save your business and your
customers money, adding profit directly to your bottom line.
Number 1:
 Performing in-house duct fabrication.
HVAC contractors have traditionally had their own in-house
fabrication shops to manufacture the ductwork they install. This
practice has worked for contractors in the past to ensure quality,
control production directly, and assure timely delivery.
In the recent years, however, this traditional system has become
problematic for many HVAC contractors.
Reasons for this system becoming problematic include:
- Skilled, qualified labor is becoming increasingly
difficult to find.
- Lack of purchasing power in materials procurement means higher
cost for a small company.
- Maintaining equipment and inventory requires its own
infrastructure.
- When the economy dips, keeping individual in-house shops busy is
a challenge.
- Some contractors have marketed their shops for outsourced
projects, only to find other contractors prefer purchasing
products from a supplier, not the competition!
- Contractors realize their core competency is installation, not
manufacturing.
- In-house manufacturing becomes an inefficient profit sink, a
maze of materials procurement problems, labor problems,
inventory problems, and project management problems.
Let ZEN Be Your HVAC Partner!
Since 1999 ZEN Industries has been
providing our customers with high quality duct fabrication services that
include:
Did you know ZEN offers services in shop and duct drawings as well?
 At ZEN MEP, our team of
experienced, high-tech draftsman take you from design, to fabrication
and installation more efficiently than ever before.
Combining old-school knowledge with state-of-the-art design systems
allows us to:
- Deliver reliable shop drawings up to 50% faster
- Reduce errors to historic lows while meeting the most demanding
specifications
- Deliver accurate data directly to your fabrication facility or
ours
- Assure that each duct section is precision fit to its location,
connections, and support
The goal we’ve achieved is a simple one – superior shop drawings
developed more cost-effectively than ever before. Visit our pages on
Duct Drawings and
Automating HVAC Production
to learn more.
No matter how big or small your project
No matter how demanding the project, ZEN Industries has the experience
and expertise you need. To learn more, Contact ZEN Industries
today!
ZEN Industries provides all or part of your HVAC needs - HVAC ductwork
manufactured according to your schedule, meeting 3rd Edition 2005 SMACNA
standards.
Contact Drew McCaffrey - Sales & Estimating at 877-600-0274.
Success in our business is about service.
The quality of our HVAC duct
work is of the highest caliber and our price competitive with the best
in the industry. Nonetheless, quality and price are default items today
in sheet metal fabrication. They give us access to the playing field.
Service is where ZEN Industries Inc. gains its edge, and service means
people - it's about our experienced personnel and the relationships we
build with each and every customer.
Learn more at
www.zenindustries.com
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