Upfront costs and energy consumption are primary drivers when selecting a commercial HVAC system in new and retrofit projects. A study commissioned by Xylem underscores the importance of evaluating total life cycle cost in the selection process to adequately identify pros and cons of various system types.
To anecdotally compare and contrast HVAC systems according to their 30-year life cycle cost analysis (LCCA), the Xylem study analyzed seven elementary and middle schools located in South Carolina Climate Zone 3A, a humid, warm climate. The cost analysis includes upfront installed cost, replacement cost allocations and ongoing energy and maintenance cost of the following system types: