[Bldg-sim] Rough cost estimates for air handlers

Matthew Huffman MHuffman at murphymiller.com
Tue Sep 10 21:35:48 PDT 2013


Vikram,

Speaking as a mechanical contractor and former HVAC equipment manufacturer's representative, I can say that without a lot of experience, it can be incredibly risky to use rules of thumb for pricing AHU's.  Cost could easily range from $2/CFM to $10+/CFM based on the capacity, construction details, features, brand, etc.

When in doubt and when you need a quick budget, just reach out to your local product reps.  As Vinay posted, AAON is a quality manufacturer.  Carrier, Trane, McQuay, and others also build good products.  Most engineered product reps will carry multiple brands to cover a wide range of features and price points.  These people will (usually) be more than happy to run a selection and provide a budget price for you.  If you're not familiar with your local reps, check the manufacturer websites or call--they will usually point you to the local sales office.  Or your local ASHRAE chapter might provide a useful directory.

When speaking with the reps, it's best to give them as much detail as possible about what you're looking for.  Early in the design process you might not have every detail, but the sooner you can tell them supply CFM and external static pressure, return CFM and external static pressure (if applicable), cooling source and capacity, heating source and capacity, whether or not there will be energy recovery, type of filtration required, whether it needs to be installed inside or outside, and anything else you can share the better.  Obviously, the more detail you can provide, the better, so they can narrow down the best product that fits and price it with the features needed.

Of course, keep in mind that installation of that equipment is another animal....  For that, you might want to strike up a friendship with a local mechanical contractor.

Good luck!

Matt Huffman, LEED AP
Manager, Energy Services
Murphy & Miller, Inc.
Email mhuffman at murphymiller.com
Cell 312-520-5386



-----Original Message-----
From: Sami, Vikram [mailto:vikram.sami at zgf.com]
Sent: Tue 9/10/2013 11:45 AM
To: bldg-sim at lists.onebuilding.org
Subject: [Bldg-sim] Rough cost estimates for air handlers
 
I'm looking for rough rules of thumb for estimating the cost of an air handler. Is it possible to estimate cost on  a $/cfm basis? How about if you have energy recovery?

Thanks in advance

Vikram Sami
Associate Partner



ZGF ARCHITECTS LLP
T 206.521.3509 E vikram.sami at zgf.com
925 Fourth Avenue, Suite 2400
Seattle, WA 98104



________________________________
The contents of this email and any attachments to it contain confidential and/or legally privileged information from Zimmer Gunsul Frasca Architects LLP or its affiliates. If you are not the intended recipient, or an employee or agent responsible for delivering this message to the intended recipient, be aware that any disclosure, copying, distribution, or use of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited. If you received this transmission in error, please contact the sender and destroy the material in its entirety, whether in electronic or hard copy format.

-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: <http://lists.onebuilding.org/pipermail/bldg-sim-onebuilding.org/attachments/20130910/ea43759d/attachment-0002.htm>


More information about the Bldg-sim mailing list