HVAC System Design for Church

Introduction 

Churches have unique heating, air conditioning, and cooling needs than other commercial installations. This is because they have large spaces with various patterns ranging from small services to packed congregations. Also, the church design may include large windows with large swaths of stained glass, which presents unique challenges as well. More notably, most churches include traditional insulation and venting aids due to their historic nature. 

Whatever the case, churches should have an effective HVAC system design to ensure the comfort of the congregants. At the same time, the HVAC system should ensure quiet operation, reliability, and energy efficiency. However, the unique architectural design of most churches can make it a little difficult to create a comfortable indoor environment. Interestingly, with the right HVAC system design for the church, it’s quite easy to keep these large spaces comfortable and at ideal temperatures. 

In this blog post, we’ll show you various HVAC techniques that will help the air quality of places of worship. First, here are some factors that affect the HVAC system design for church buildings! 

Factors that affect the choice of an MEP design for the church

• Variable occupancy

Despite having large spaces, church buildings house many parishioners and congregants once/ twice a week. But on other days, the structure is only occupied by study groups or smaller gatherings. Besides, the building may be completely unoccupied for several hours of the day during specific time frames. 

• Large spaces 

In essence, the layout of church buildings comprises a spacious gathering space. Also, the design includes high ceilings with a large space overhead. 

• Expansive glass windows 

Another common feature of church designs is that they have large glass windows. For that, the glass gains heat during the summer and loses heat in the winter.

HVAC system design for church buildings in California 

1. Install Separate HEPA Filtration systems 

Installing an air purifier is considered one of the best techniques for improving the air quality of various spaces. Thanks to its ability to filter out different kinds of pollutants. You can use the same method to remove harmful air contaminants in churches as well! However, since a church is a high-occupancy area, consider investing in portable, standalone HEPA (High-Efficiency Particulate Air) filters. As a result, the church will economically and easily create a comfortable indoor environment for the congregants. 

2. Use Bipolar Ionization Technology 

Integrating bipolar ionization into HVAC system for the church is another effective way of eliminating harmful airborne substances. For instance, it deactivates allergens, viruses, mold, and bacteria. In essence, bipolar ionization technology utilizes specialized tubes to get rid of harmful substances. These tubes absorb oxygen molecules from the air, turn them into charged atoms and deactivate any contaminant. 

3. Choose the best type of HVAC system for church

There are various heating and cooling options you can consider when developing an MEP design for the church. Some of the best options include; 

• Radiant heating. This involves the use of water-heated tubing or electric coils to heat church spaces. Such techniques will result in increased energy savings and quiet operation. 
• Mini-split zone cooling systems. Zone cooling allows you to close off spaces that are not in use. At the same time, it allows you to control the indoor climate of certain areas. 
• Programmable thermostats. These types of thermostats maximize energy-saving since they allow weekly and daily schedules. 

4. Consider HVAC Sizing Calculations 

Make sure the sizing calculations of the church’s HVAC system design are performed by a qualified and licensed HVAC engineer. This will help to ensure that the MEP system installed in the church building has the right BTU capacity. 

Also, make sure you adjust the BTU requirements to make the estimate site-specific. For instance, if the service fills the church building to maximum capacity, add 10% to the estimated BTU capacity. Similarly, if there are large windows in the central sanctuary that receive direct sunlight, add 20%. But if those windows can be opened or shaded by trees, add 10%. 

5. Choose a location for the AC unit

When designing an HVAC system for a church building, the air conditioning unit should be placed on the ground. Doing so will eliminate noise concerns, ensure safety and make it easy to maintain. In addition, the location of the AC should be at least 25 ft away from odor and pollution sources. Such pollution sources include kitchen vents or heavy-traffic roads. 

Innodez Design & Engineering HVAC design for Churches 

At Innodez Design & Engineering, we offer the best HVAC services for churches in California. Our HVAC experts will design efficient HVAC systems for your church to make it comfortable for the occupants during various occasions. More importantly, we will ensure that you get the best quality Heating, Ventilation & Air conditioning system possible while reducing energy costs. 

In addition, we get HVAC repairs and installations done quickly, to minimize interruptions to the church schedule. Best of all, once you choose Innodez Design & Engineering, you can rest assured that your project will be undertaken by qualified, certified, and licensed HVAC professionals. 

So, contact us for your church HVAC system installation, maintenance, or upgrades today. We’ll give you an HVAC estimate for the project and help you design a reliable, energy-efficient, and quiet HVAC system for your church!