The average engineering firm specifies about $2.5 million annually for HVAC and building automation/control 
The total annual dollar amount of HVAC and building automation/control products specified by survey respondents’ engineering firms for new and existing buildings. Source: CFE Media/SPX Cooling Technologiesproducts in new and existing buildings. That is one of the major findings of the 2020 HVAC & Building Automation Systems Study conducted by Consulting-Specifying Engineer.
About 70% of the 271 survey participants said they were responsible for determining the requirements/writing the specifications for HVAC systems, equipment and controls when included on projects. In addition, 64% reported that they supervise or consult on projects and 58% research and evaluate the options. Engineers expect to specify more chillers and cooling towers, building automation systems, dedicated outdoor air systems, energy recovery systems and HVAC controls in 2020.
More than 60% of engineers anticipate a near term increase in projects involving building automation systems and HVAC controls. Increased deployment of energy recovery systems, variable refrigerant flow systems and demand-controlled ventilation systems is also predicted.
Product quality is the most important factor to the specification of one HVAC product over another for 97% of the engineers surveyed. Service support, energy efficiency and the manufacturer’s reputation were cited as the most important factor by 92%.
The building types for which respondents specify, design or make product selections are office buildings, hospitals/health care facilities, industrial/manufacturing facilities/warehouses and college/university buildings.
