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The Mechanical Systems Umbrella
In contractor terms, the traditional mechanical systems are heating, ventilation and air conditioning, or HVAC. Sometimes refrigeration is added and the term becomes HVACR. Though HVAC contractors certainly deal with pipe (gas, water, steam), piping is considered a function of plumbing contractors.
In engineering terms, however, the primary mechanical systems are Heating, Piping and Air Conditioning: the HPAC in HPAC ENGINEERING. Ventilation is considered a subset of both heating and air conditioning systems. Because piping systems are complex and need to be designed (engineered), they are included.
Over the past several decades, the term "mechanical system" has grown to include a number of specialties. Today, all of the following fall under the umbrella of mechanical systems:
• Air Conditioning
• Controls and Building Automation Systems
• Energy Efficiency and Utility Contracting
• Fire Protection and Detection
• Heating: Air, Liquid, Steam, Industrial Process
• Humidification/Dehumidification
• HVAC Systems
• Industrial and Commercial Refrigeration
• Mechanical Insulation and Ductwork
• Power Generation
• Pumping/Piping/Plumbing
• Ventilation and Indoor Air Quality (IAQ)
• Water Treatment
Each of these major categories includes many related products, components and technologies. For example, ventilation includes fans, blowers, ducts and much more.
Drill down
MECHANICAL SYSTEMS AS A PERCENT OF TOTAL CONSTRUCTION
More construction,
whether new or expansion/renovation, means a greater need for heating,
piping, air conditioning, and other mechanical-systems components,
equipment, products, services and technology. Though it varies by
building type, as a general rule of thumb, HVAC systems/components
represent about 35% of the total cost of construction. So a
construction market valued at $550 billion represents in excess of $200 billion in mechanical-systems business.
Based on U.S. Census Bureau construction figures, we can calculate how much each of the major buildings segments represents in terms of potential for mechanical systems/components. This is not an exact science, so these numbers represent only rough estimates.
Building End Use 2009 Construction Spending* Potential HVAC Business
Education........................$103.1 billion..............................$ 38 billion Power.............................$ 89.1 billion..............................$ 32 billionManufacturing..................$ 75.3 billion..............................$ 28 billion
Retail..............................$ 57.4 billion..............................$ 20 billion
Office..............................$ 55.5 billion..............................$ 20 billion
Health Care......................$ 47.0 billion..............................$ 18 billion
Total................................$427.4 billion..............................$156 billion
*Source: U.S. Census Bureau
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