Education


Learn more about the things you should know or would like to know about HVAC systems and maintenance. Have a specific question in mind? Let us know!

Commercial Geothermal Heat Pumps – What Are the Benefits?

Commercial Geothermal Heat Pumps - What Are the Benefits?

We have gone into what geothermal systems are before. But, to recap, these systems work similarly to other HVAC structures except geothermal utilizes the ground rather than air. What we haven’t discussed is how geothermal heat pumps (GHP) work in large buildings. Since incorporating green technology is getting more popular so are commercial geothermal heat pumps. Not only are they eco-friendly they also offer low operating costs. So, for this article, let’s talk about the three main benefits of incorporating GHPs into your building.

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5 Important Things to Know About Air Handlers

5 Important Things to Know About Air Handlers

Air handlers work with an air conditioning unit and/or heat pump to circulate air. They help make the system more energy-efficient and generally come in a large rooftop unit. Although, there are different areas in which you may find an air handling unit. It contains a blower, filter racks, cooling or heating elements, dampers, and sound attenuators. Air handlers also connect to the building’s ductwork ventilation system. There are a lot of misconceptions and basic information you need to know about an air handler. Here are the top five important things to know.

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Innovative Technologies in Commercial HVAC

Innovative Technologies in Commercial HVAC

There are a lot of technologies we have discussed before. We specifically talked about many trends this year in HVAC technology. Many of these articles focused on indoor air quality, specific systems like chilled beams, and even net-zero buildings. However, there is a lot on the topic we still haven’t covered. When it comes to HVAC there is a lot of innovative technologies. So, for this article, we will be focusing on topics and systems we haven’t covered before.

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How Chilled Beam Technology is Growing in the U.S.

How Chilled Beam Technology is Growing in the U.S.

In 2015, chilled beam technology was projected to grow nearly double by 2020. Now projections are showing the U.S. will contribute around 28% in chilled beam system demands by 2026. This is largely due to energy efficiency regulations in North America. Currently building energy consumption is about 40% of the total energy consumption in the U.S. As a push toward lower carbon emissions continues to grow, it stands to reason so will technologies that reduce energy consumption. Chilled beams offer major benefits in energy efficiency.

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Indoor Environmental Quality (IEQ) – What You Need to Know

Indoor Environmental Quality (IEQ) - What You Need to Know

When talking about the health and wellbeing of employees or customers within a building, you are referencing the IEQ. IEQ, or Indoor Environmental Quality, includes air quality, lighting, thermal conditions, and ergonomics. Specifically, the effects they have on any occupants of a building. When building or designing a space, it is important to consider IEQ. Proper IEQ strategies protect people’s health, improve quality of life, reduce stress, and prevent potential injuries.

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Important HVAC Systems to Check Before Reopening

Important HVAC Systems to Check Before Reopening

As we move into summer, more and more businesses are reopening. This is happening across the country. For this article, we are paying particular focus on Maryland, and Washington D.C. However, as more states are looking to reopen, this applies to any commercial business. As COVID-19 restrictions are lifted, people will be returning to work and customers to businesses. So, before you do that, what are the important HVAC systems to check before reopening?

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How to Make Your Home Office Energy Efficient

How to Make Your Home Office Energy Efficient

When The Severn Group first started, we were experts in residential HVAC services. As we grew, we saw the need for better HVAC for large facilities, from hospitals to office buildings  – and everything in between. While residential and commercial HVAC is very different, the basics of HVAC remain the same. One of the fundamental aspects of HVAC systems is making sure they are energy efficient. Business owners and homeowners alike don’t want to spend more than they need on heating and cooling their space. And now, with a large part of the workforce working from home, we wanted to speak to homeowners on how you can make your home office energy efficient. Well, not just your home office, but also general tips to make sure your whole house is working the way it should.

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Easy Ways to Improve Indoor Air Quality

Easy Ways to Improve Indoor Air Quality

Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) is a frequently overlooked factor in employee health and well-being. And, unfortunately, poor air quality is seldom recognized until people begin showing obvious health-related symptoms. As such, determining the cause of harmful air quality is difficult because there may be a host of problems occurring. Thankfully, a certified HVAC professional can help you improve indoor air quality in your building before it’s too late. 

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What You Need to Know About Water-Cooled Chillers

What You Need to Know About Water-Cooled Chillers

Chillers use up about 20% of the total power generated in the country. What’s more, they can increase up to 30% additional energy usage of a building due to operational inefficiencies. This costs companies and building facilities billions yearly. Today, commercial buildings install efficient HVAC systems with an aim to improve a building’s sustainability and performance. Which brings us to water-cooled chillers, an essential HVAC component for a wide variety of commercial facilities. Continue on to learn more about water-cooled chillers, and find out if it’s the right choice for your facility. 

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What is Better: Heat Pump or Air Conditioner?

What is Better: Heat Pump or Air Conditioner?

When choosing an HVAC system for your business or facility, you have plenty of options. If you’re deciding between a heat pump or an air conditioner, there are a few things to consider. Both use compressed refrigerants to collect heat from your indoor space and transfer it outside. However, which system is more beneficial to your specific building? To find out, it’s important to know the difference between the two.

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