8 Great Tips on the HVAC Assessment Process

The premise for any construction plan is the blue print of the building, the location, and climate factors and most important of all is the life cycle cost assessment (LCCA) of the project. Few pointers are discussed during the planning stage by the builder and the customer to ascertain the viability.

1. Do not use the Payback Method: This method can never be used to calculate the real cash flows given the fact that this does not take into consideration the depreciation of the money value or the financing costs of the project.

2. Document the calculation and analysis: The steps taken to estimate the project cost should be recorded in detail as some of the projected cost is solely made on assumptions.

3. Use the best information resources: The cost of a project is usually broken into cost per square foot .The HVAC assessment should be made with the help of the pricing guides that are available with the retailers are on the net.

4. Collect detailed maintenance data: Post maintenance costs of HVAC should be in place to ascertain the life cycle cost as contingency costs are realistic costs.

5. Ascertain the equipment use with the owner: Each customer’s HVAC needs are different depending on the climate and usage.

6. Be certain about costs: One should be absolutely sure about the costs involved to avoid too many variable costs which can bring lot of uncertainty to the project.

7. Get a sponsor for the LCCA: Instead of the client bearing the entire cost of LCCA, attempts should be made to get the funding from other clients or the builders who can make use of the model.

8. Be prepared: Even a detailed planning and projected costs can go awry when faced with unexpected turn of events. One should be prepared for a change in the plan, duration of the project etc.

Source: bdcnetwork.com/8-dos-and-donts-completing-hvac-life-cycle-cost-assessment