There are a variety of options for finding the right commercial HVAC equipment in a dry climate, including heat pumps with auxiliary heat; zoned duct systems; zoned mini-splits; and straight cools, according to an article in Facility Executive.
But when selecting HVAC, a key consideration is finding a system that won’t make the air dryer than it already is. Heat pumps, for instance, will not dry the air like a gas furnace will.
Facility Executive says although a gas furnace can be very efficient, it is not a very good option for dry climates because it will dry the air so much. The same goes for electronic heat strips, which also remove humidity.
Another good option for dry climates is a zoned duct system because they direct airflow where it is needed, allowing different areas to operate at different temperatures. This cuts down on the energy load and doesn’t dry out areas unnecessarily.
For smaller commercial buildings, the Facility Executive article recommends zoned mini-split systems, which are like zoned duct systems in that they allow each area of the building to demand different heating or cooling loads.