2017 HVAC and building automation systems study

1. Building structures: More than half of mechanical engineers specify products for office buildings, industrial/manufacturing facilities/warehouses, educational facilities, hospitals/health care facilities, and government buildings/military facilities.
2. Specification involvement: Seventy-three percent of respondents determine requirements/write specifications for HVAC systems, equipment, and controls.
3. Design value: Engineering firms are specifying $2.5 million annually, on average, in HVAC and BAS products for new and existing buildings, with 28% specifying more than $5 million.
4. HVAC challenges: At least half of respondents agree that energy efficiency and an inadequate budget for good design are affecting the future of HVAC systems.
5. BAS challenges: Four out of 10 engineers reported interoperability/complementing systems and inadequate budgets as top challenges when designing BAS.
6. Products specified: HVAC controls, air handlers, and fans/air movement were the top three HVAC equipment types or control systems currently being specified by mechanical engineers.
7. Time spent researching: The average mechanical engineer spends 37% of their billable hours/time at work researching and/or specifying HVAC systems and BAS.

View more information at www.csemag.com/2017HVACBAS. 

6 in 10 engineers usually write open (alternate or substitute) electrical or power system specifications. Source: Consulting-Specifying Engineer 2016 Electrical and Power Study

19%: The average percentage of an engineer’s time that is spent on proposals and business development when working on lighting and/or lighting controls projects. Source: Consulting-Specifying Engineer 2017 Lighting and Lighting Controls Study

¼ of engineering firms specify less than $500,000 in HVAC and BAS products for new and existing buildings. Source: Consulting-Specifying Engineer 2017 HVAC and Building Automation Systems Study