HVAC installation for buildings
Survey, installation and commissioning of HVAC systems for commercial and institutional buildings, designed from the outset to be easy to maintain.
Installing or replacing HVAC in a commercial building is a decision that shapes its energy use, comfort and maintenance for many years. This service is for owners, property managers and technical managers facing a new build, a refurbishment or the replacement of a system that no longer performs. At MRS Climatización we design the solution, install it and hand it over ready for straightforward maintenance.
Systems we install
The right solution depends on the building, but we regularly work with:
- Variable refrigerant flow (VRF) systems for buildings with many zones.
- Fan coil installations supplied with chilled and heating water.
- Air-source heat pumps and renewable systems for heating, cooling and hot water.
- Direct-expansion units for specific spaces.
- The associated electrical installation, distribution boards and control systems.
The differences between the first two options are explained on our VRF and fan coil systems page.
From diagnosis to technical proposal
Before proposing equipment, we need to understand the building: orientation, thermal loads, occupancy, operating hours, which zones run at the same time and which do not, acceptable noise levels, space available on the roof or façade, and possible routes for pipework and ductwork. For a replacement, we also assess which parts of the existing installation can be reused. Based on this diagnosis, we prepare a technical proposal that explains the chosen solution and its alternatives, so you can decide with full information. The proposal takes account of the requirements that apply, such as RITE for thermal installations and REBT for the electrical side.
Working in occupied buildings
Many installations take place in buildings that remain in use: offices with staff at their desks, occupied residences or schools mid-term. In these cases the work is organised in phases and zones, working windows are agreed, spaces are protected, and access and other trades are coordinated. Noise, dust and the temporary loss of heating or cooling are the main concerns for occupants, so each phase is planned to keep them to a minimum and to give the building manager advance notice of any interruption. Because we also carry out electrical, water and gas installations, we can handle the supplies and alterations the HVAC system requires within the same project. In student residences, for example, the most disruptive work is usually concentrated in periods of low occupancy.
Reference projects
Our published projects include the replacement of the HVAC system for the whole of the Biblioteca Can Mulà library, a full refurbishment of installations and finishes at Residencia CollBlanc in Barcelona, an office refurbishment in Alta Diagonal, and a complete water, electrical, gas, air-conditioning and heating installation at a house in Santa Cristina d'Aro (Girona). They differ in scale and use but follow the same method: diagnosis, technical proposal, execution and ongoing maintenance.
Designing with maintenance in mind
An installation that is hard to maintain ends up poorly maintained. That is why the design considers access to indoor units in ceiling voids, the position of access panels, condensate drainage, electrical sectioning and the identification of each unit. At handover we document the installed equipment, set points and operating guidelines. Each unit is labelled so it can be added to the digital record on the platform we are introducing, and its history begins on the first day of HVAC maintenance.
What to have ready
- Drawings or sketches of the building and the existing installation.
- How each space is used, occupancy and hours.
- Comfort complaints or known problems with the current system.
- Site constraints: working hours, noise, access and approvals from the owner or the building's community of owners.
- Energy targets or interest in renewable solutions.
With this information, the diagnostic visit is more productive and the technical proposal can reflect the building's real constraints from the outset, rather than being corrected during the works.
Related content
By area
Frequently asked questions
Can you replace the HVAC system without closing the building?
In many cases, yes, by organising the work in phases and zones. It depends on how the system is configured: with central plant, replacing the main unit may require a planned shutdown, whereas terminal units can usually be replaced zone by zone. The technical proposal explains which work affects operations and how to minimise the disruption.
Is an air-source heat pump suitable for an existing building?
It can be, but it depends on the flow temperature the emitters need, the space available for outdoor units, the contracted electrical capacity and the building's insulation. Air-source heat pumps perform best with low-temperature emitters such as fan coils or underfloor heating. This is assessed during diagnosis against other options.
What documentation do I receive when the installation is finished?
A list of installed equipment with its identification, set points and commissioning parameters, operating guidelines and maintenance requirements. This information forms the basis of the maintenance plan and of the inspections required under the rules that apply to thermal installations.
Do you also handle the electrical side?
Yes. We carry out electrical installations, distribution boards and automation, so power supply to the equipment, protective devices and controls can all be delivered within the same project. You do not depend on another contractor to complete commissioning, and coordination on site is simpler.
Do you work outside Barcelona and Sabadell?
Our usual area is Barcelona and its metropolitan area, and Sabadell and the surrounding area. For larger projects we work throughout Catalonia, such as the complete water, electrical, gas, air-conditioning and heating installation we carried out at a house in Santa Cristina d'Aro, in Girona.
Let's assess your installation
Tell us how the building is used, about the current system and any site constraints, so we can scope the technical work.
Request a technical assessment