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Home Improvement Showdown: Commercial vs. Residential Heating and Cooling

Differences Between Residential and Commercial Heating and Cooling Systems 

In this corner, weighing in at about four tons stands a residential heating and cooling system. Able to cool even the largest family homes, this unit boosts energy-efficient heating and cooling systems, as well as high-pressure switches and scroll compressors. 

In the other corner, easily weighing in at over 10 tons, stands a commercial heating and cooling system. This contender does not mess around. Even in the most unpredictable climates, this unit keeps businesses and retailers both cold and warm. 

While it may seem as though these two units are evenly matched, there are some key differences that set them apart. When deciding whether or not to spring for a commercial unit or residential unit, it helps to have all of the facts on hand. Read on to see which one of these fighters will come out on top. 

At their core, residential and commercial heating and cooling systems do the same thing; they seek to regulate temperature and humidity. However, when it gets down to the nitty-gritty, they are very different. Their size, placement, inner workings, and maintenance are indeed what differentiates them. 

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Commercial HVAC Systems Are Bigger 

As one can imagine, because commercial HVAC systems are meant to regulate the temperatures of large places, they are bigger. Buildings, retailers, and warehouses can reach tens of thousands of square feet in area. Commercial heating and cooling systems need a great deal of power to regulate a building’s interior temperature effectively. Additionally, they are usually placed in a centralized location on top of a building. 

Residential heating and cooling systems, on the other hand, are much smaller. This is because homes, apartments, and trailers are smaller than most businesses. So, they do not need to be as big. Furthermore, they are usually located on the side of a residence, where they can be easily accessed. 

Residential HVAC Systems Are Fairly Simple in Design 

Residential heating and cooling systems are responsible for regulating temperatures inside family homes. This does not require a great deal of complexity, as a family’s needs are usually pretty static. 

Commercial heating and cooling systems are different. Because these systems must regulate the temperature in multiple areas of a building, they are reasonably more complex. For instance, take a department store. Not only does the sales floor need to be cool, but so does the warehouse and the breakroom. These systems generally use multiple thermostats in order to regulate different areas. 

Residential HVAC Systems Require Less Maintenance

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Many HVAC systems are designed with homeowners’ skill sets in mind. This means that with regular maintenance, these systems seldom run into problems. However, there are also some limitations; residential heating and cooling systems cannot be expanded upon. It is very difficult to add modifications or extensions. 

Commercial heating and cooling systems, however, require much more maintenance. Typically, only a qualified specialist can perform repairs as needed. Additionally, these units can be modified and expanded to meet a building’s needs. 

So, who won? The residential heating and cooling system or the commercial heating and cooling system? It all depends on what a homeowner or business owner is looking for. 

About Ed Rike Plumbing, Heating, & Air 

Plumbing, heating, and air; these components must work in perfect harmony for a home or business to thrive. Ed Rike Plumbing, Heating, & Air offers same-day service with guaranteed results. Interested parties can call their team today to learn more. They offer reliable residential and commercial HVAC service in Dayton, OH!