17/12/2020
A heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system in a commercial building is responsible for consuming more than 40 percent of the total energy usage. Maintaining it at peak running efficiency is one of the important steps in energy management. Good system maintenance is more than just controlling energy usage. Today’s buildings depend on HVAC systems for reasons other than the obvious one of keeping people comfortable. For example, most telecommunication systems need specific environmental conditions to operate properly. Thermal and humidity conditions that fall outside this range can cause a malfunction and lead to system failure. Sometimes, proper maintenance could be the deciding factor between keeping a business running and getting it shut down.
Here are five ways in which you can ensure that your heating and cooling system functions properly round the year.
1. Schedule Your HVAC Maintenance
The HVAC industry recommends that heating and cooling systems be serviced twice a year, preferably in spring and fall. These two seasons mark the transition from using air conditioning to heating and vice versa. It would be a wise idea to service or upgrade your cooling system during the winter season, so as to be prepared for the hot season. Since HVAC systems are needed the most in severe hot or cold weather, pre-season maintenance can prevent them from failing, and also keep you from raking up a huge energy bill. Routine pre-season maintenance services include cleaning the units, lubricating all moving parts and making recommendations for system upgradation or repairs, if any.
2. Preventive Maintenance
Regular HVAC preventive maintenance is the best way to ensure trouble-free operation and maintain peak performance. It goes a long way in preserving your system and reducing additional expenses. It also helps you maintain a high indoor air quality (IAQ). Preventive maintenance can include anything from a simple visual inspection annually to proactive replacement of components based on run time, regardless of whether they have failed or not. Keep a maintenance log detailing the areas that have been giving you problems, and schedule your maintenance services accordingly.
3. Replacement Option
Consider replacing an aging system if your HVAC repair costs are weighing heavily on your building management budget. Besides major faults, regular repair costs can add up and within a year or two you may have spent as much on repairs as you would have on a partial system overhaul. Energy Star can guide you in improving your heating and cooling system systematically and progressively with step-by-step modifications, allowing you to add new components to your existing system to make it more efficient.
4. HVAC Coil Cleaning
Cleaning both condenser and evaporator coils is an extremely important part of maintaining your HVAC system. Generally, condensers are placed on building rooftops and are exposed to grease from exhaust fans, cottonwood, and all kinds of physical pollutants. When dirt collects on condenser coils, it disrupts the functioning of certain mechanical parts of the HVAC equipment and can lead to system failure in the long run. Regular cleaning of the rooftop unit will prevent the accumulation of dirt which is a risk to system breakdown. This simple step can prevent the degradation of your system and save as much as 30 percent of your annual maintenance costs.
5. Scheduled Filter Replacement
In order to maintain your HVAC system in good condition, consider changing air filters on a regular basis, as recommended by the manufacturer. Changing filters during the spring months will significantly benefit your heating and cooling system. Since the function of filters is to absorb dust and other minute particles passing through the air, the outdoor air quality has a direct bearing upon their economic life. A high-quality filter can help you save on maintenance and replacement costs in the long run, and also provide a better indoor air quality. Remember not to ignore any signs of trouble shown by your commercial equipment. If your system struggles to maintain the temperatures or incurs expensive running costs, consult an HVAC service engineer immediately. Your heating and cooling system may need the maintenance and repair that only a professional can provide. All Climate Solutions has a highly experienced team of heating and cooling experts who have been trained in all aspects of ducted heating, air conditioning and cooling. We have a clear understanding of how each heating or cooling solution will perform best given the design of your home, and for the hardware we install we only deal with brands that we trust. Feel free to fill up our website contact form or call us at (03) 9561 0220 if you have any queries.
