Replacement planning · 3 min read
Replacing HVAC while the building stays open
How to plan a replacement around the people still using the building.
Survey first
Survey what is installed: make, model, age, refrigerant, condition and how it really runs. Check whether the use and loads have changed, because a like-for-like swap can repeat an old oversizing.
Check what the new equipment needs: electrical supply, weight and structure, lifting routes, pipe and duct connections, the refrigerant (R-22 pipework usually needs replacing or flushing) and BMS integration.
Then phase the work
Replace in stages using standby capacity, fit isolation valves ahead of the changeover, bring in temporary cooling where no downtime is possible, use nights, weekends or the cooler months, and commission each stage before the next. Order long-lead plant such as chillers and AHUs early.
Our boutique hotel project on the Abu Dhabi Corniche followed this staged approach and stayed open throughout.
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