Two factors retailers should consider when fitting heating and cooling systems on their premises
Posted on: 12 July 2023
Here are two factors retailers should consider when fitting heating and cooling systems on their premises.
Whether or not they require an HVAC zoning system
Retailers in this situation should talk to their HVAC contractors about whether or not they need a zoning system. This type of system would allow them to maintain different temperatures in different zones of their premises. This type of heating and cooling system can be costlier to install than a standard system without zoned areas but can be very useful in certain retail spaces.
For example, if a retailer runs a clothes shop, they might want to be able to keep the temperature of the changing rooms higher than the temperature of the shop floor, so that their customers don't get too chilly when they're changing their clothes. Similarly, if a retailer needs to keep products on their shelves whose quality might be affected by warm temperatures (such as chocolates or flowers), they may need the areas near these shelves to be cool but may prefer the other parts of the premises to be warmer, so their customers and staff don't get too cold.
Lastly, if a retailer has a canteen on their premises for their staff, they might want to keep it warmer than the rest of their premises. Employees might be more comfortable in a warmer environment when they're sitting down and having their lunch for an extended period and might prefer a cooler temperature when they're moving around on the shop floor and getting warm as a result of this physical activity.
Whether or not they need to consider the noise level of their new heating and cooling system
Most HVAC systems feature parts such as fans, compressors and ducts that produce noise. Retailers who need a new system might need to consult with their HVAC contractors if they are concerned that the sounds generated by this equipment might bother their customers or affect the shop's ambience by making it harder for people to hear the background music the retailer plays.
In this situation, the HVAC contractor might use some sound-dampening materials when installing the HVAC system. They might, for example, use acoustic enclosures and insulated ducting for the system. Additionally, the contractor might also discuss where certain parts of the system could be placed within the premises, to reduce how much noise the customers can hear it make. They might advise the retailer to have the exterior unit containing the noisy compressor fitted on the back of their premises' exterior, rather than the front, so the customers entering the shop won't be able to hear it.
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