A combination of all-electric heat pumps, and, given the heating load for Arizona is relatively light, additional straight cooling units were selected to help condition the building.  

As ACHR NEWS reported, the installation involved 140 tons of refrigeration, with condensing sections on the roof and air handlers between the roof and ceiling.  

The set-up was engineered by International Metal Products, under the trade name “Continental.” When asked by ACHR NEWS whether they favored a central system vs. multiple installations, they stated that after comparing the differences, there comes an economic point at which multiple installations provide considerable savings.  

“These savings are realized by the elimination of costly ductwork, intricate control systems, and the cost of installing labor is reduced considerably,” International Metal Products said. “Termed ‘zoning,’ this type of multiple application has proven very popular on single-story buildings such as bowling alleys, restaurants, factories, and other commercial buildings.” 

They further declared that one of the greatest boons of zoning is that maintenance on one unit has no effect whatsoever on the overall cooling or heating picture of the building, whereas a shutdown, even temporary, of a larger central system results in significant disruption in operations, discomfort, and costs.