Every well designed  mechanical system begins with a designer who understands not only the needs of the building, but also the needs of its occupants. Heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) systems are different in every building and they play a vital role in creating the right conditions for staff to be productive and for a business to be successful. Careful planning needs to go into the design of HVAC solutions, even for the most typical building, as temperature fluctuations and poor quality air can serve as major distractions.

We believe the best way to guarantee results is to make sure a project is consulted, designed, installed and managed by the same partner.

One of the biggest challenges of a mechanical installation is getting everyone up to speed, particularly when engineers join a project late in its development. That’s why our in-house HVAC design team works alongside our technical consultants, project managers and engineers to design a system that works.

This not only means a better understanding of the project across the board, but it also allows everyone involved to quickly adapt. Sometimes plans need to change once work is underway, and an in-house design team means site engineers can go directly to the designer to overcome problems and keep the project on track.

Finding the balance

Every HVAC design project requires a trade off, which is why it is so important for a designer to understand the building and those who will occupy it. Whether you need a heating, ventilation, air conditioning or energy management system, or an installation that combines more than one element, there are always several aspects to consider, including:

• Budget. All too often, designs fail to properly consider the budget for a project, or to factor in the additional costs that certain choices may incur. Considering the whole fabric of a building is vital to avoiding this mistake.
• Energy saving. Landlords and tenants alike are becoming more aware of their impact on the environment, not to mention the potential cost savings of more energy-conscious approaches. A good designer has a solid grasp of these issues and how to make sure energy is only used when it is needed.
• Type of work. Every building is different, and so is the work done in them. HVAC design must account for the needs of the occupants and how they will change over the course of a day and a year.
• Flexibility. The system should work not just for the first occupants, but be adaptable enough to suit the needs of the fifth and sixth, or you may have to make significant changes sooner than expected.

From cost management to energy efficiency, we make sure the right balance is struck for your building, bottom line and the environment. And because we design in-house we have good working relationships with our suppliers, meaning we get the best equipment for the fairest price.

Validating your designs

Like a house without a strong foundation or a meal prepared with low-quality ingredients, your HVAC systems cannot provide the optimum environment if you don’t start with a good design. 361 Degrees offers validation of existing designs, including checks for compliance with building regulations and best practice guidelines.

With over 30 years’ experience of mechanical services, we’ve seen many designs that are unrealistic, unsustainable or simply unsuitable. Our in-house design service means we can get the approach right from the beginning, rather than value engineering in the installation phase. It also means our customers avoid the costly delays and redesigns that are often inevitable when a designer is too far removed from the project.