A key component of sustainability is a building's HVAC system. We asked MKK Consulting Engineers' Penny Cole, who joined the Greenwood Village-based company this month to lead its sustainable design and building performance analytics services, what state-of-art means in HVAC.

Bisnow: Does cutting-edge HVAC always cost more?

Penny Cole: No, but it does require planning. HVAC shouldn't be a box that's added at the end of a project; it needs to be integrated into the design process from the beginning. If the building is designed well from the beginning, it's possible to achieve much better performance from your system, and more system types can be considered. High-performance systems can be retrofitted into existing buildings, but designing right from the start is always a simpler proposition. 

Bisnow: What happens after installation?

Penny Cole: You'll need to monitor that performance. Green building has gotten bad press for not living up to its promises. The key to bridging the performance gap begins with high-quality commissioning at the start, and continues with ongoing monitoring and adjustment. You can install a cutting-edge system, but if you don't monitor it regularly, it’s unlikely to perform like one.

Bisnow: Besides energy cost reduction, what's the upside to a cutting-edge system?

Penny Cole: A comfortable and healthy environment for the occupants, whether they're tenants or staff. Numerous studies have shown that people are more productive and have fewer sick days in a well-designed building, and staff costs are higher than energy costs. Your cutting-edge HVAC system should provide improved indoor air quality, which makes people more alert and reduces the chance of infection, and improved thermal comfort, which has been shown to improve productivity.