Mechanical design

HVAC and air-conditioning design

Heating, ventilation, cooling and controls developed around comfort, energy, space, noise, access and practical operation.

Service overview

Comfort and performance before equipment selection

MEPX provides consultant-led HVAC design for new buildings, extensions, fit-outs, refurbishment and existing-system upgrades. The work starts with occupancy, comfort, indoor-air-quality and operational requirements before system options are selected.

Heating, ventilation, cooling, heat pumps, air-conditioning and controls are coordinated with the building fabric, electrical capacity, architecture, structure and energy-compliance route so that plant and distribution decisions remain usable through later design stages.

Scope note MEPX provides independent design consultancy. Installer, manufacturer, refrigerant, specialist selection, installation, certification, commissioning and maintenance responsibilities are defined separately for each project.

Project fit

When the service is useful

Typical appointments

New-build HVAC strategy and coordinated mechanical design
Commercial fit-out, extension or change-of-use projects
Refurbishment or replacement of existing heating, ventilation or cooling systems
Heat-pump, low-carbon heating or all-electric system option studies
Overheating, ventilation, comfort, capacity or operating-performance investigations

Information to begin

Plans, sections, elevations, building use and current RIBA stage
Occupancy, operating hours, internal gains and comfort requirements
Fabric, glazing, shading and available energy or compliance information
Existing surveys, plant data, utility capacity and retained-system constraints
Noise limits, external-plant constraints, programme and required deliverables

Technical scope

Outputs and design considerations

Typical deliverables

Design basis, performance criteria and HVAC option appraisal
Heating, cooling and ventilation load calculations
Plant, distribution, ventilation and controls strategy
Coordinated layouts, schematics, schedules and specifications
Design-risk, access, maintenance and specialist-interface information

Design considerations

Thermal comfort, overheating and indoor air quality
Part L, SBEM, controls and whole-building energy performance
Plant space, external equipment, routes and electrical demand
Noise, vibration, condensate, access and maintenance
Refrigerant, fire, specialist-contractor and commissioning interfaces

Common questions

Before commissioning the work

What does an HVAC design consultant do?

An HVAC design consultant develops heating, ventilation, cooling and controls requirements around the building use, comfort criteria, fabric, energy targets and available space. The appointment can include calculations, system options, layouts, schematics, schedules, specifications and design coordination.

How is an HVAC consultant different from an air-conditioning installer?

An independent consultant defines the project requirements and coordinates the design without being tied to a particular manufacturer or installation sale. Specialist contractors remain responsible for their appointed design, selection, installation, certification and commissioning duties.

When should HVAC design begin?

Early input is valuable because heat gains and losses, ventilation rates, plant space, external equipment, risers, ceiling routes, electrical demand, noise and energy compliance all affect the wider building design.

Can MEPX design air-conditioning for refurbishment projects?

Yes. Refurbishment work can include surveys, existing-capacity review, retained-system constraints, load assessment, option appraisal and coordinated replacement or alteration design.

Does every project need comfort cooling or air conditioning?

No. The design should first establish the comfort, ventilation and overheating requirements. Passive measures, natural or mechanical ventilation, mixed-mode operation or local cooling may be more appropriate depending on the building and evidence.

Does MEPX install or maintain HVAC systems?

No. MEPX provides design consultancy, surveys and technical advice. Installation, maintenance, refrigerant handling, specialist selection and commissioning responsibilities are separately defined.

Where is the HVAC consultancy service available?

MEPX is based in Newcastle upon Tyne and can support suitable projects across Tyneside, Northumberland, Sunderland, County Durham, Teesside and the wider North East, as well as UK projects where appropriate.

Project discussion

Define the HVAC requirement before selecting equipment

Share the building use, location, design stage, comfort or ventilation requirement and available drawings. MEPX can identify the calculations, information and specialist interfaces needed to proceed.