If you’re a business owner or are a landlord for a commercial business location, the air system must run smoothly and efficiently year-round. While the past year saw many businesses adhering to social distance regulations, many people are now returning to an office environment.
Likewise, retail stores and public facilities are welcoming people back to commercial properties. More than ever, it’s crucial that air quality and comfort meet public expectations. With that in mind, here are 3 basic commercial HVAC problems, as well as some simple maintenance you can monitor to keep your air conditioner and heating systems in peak shape.
1. Checking Your Air Filters and Vents
Although commercial HVAC systems are responsible for cooling a building on a larger scale than residential properties, the basic operations are the same. With that in mind, you can conduct many routine maintenance practices on your own that are similar to the tasks you’d do at home.
One of the most common commercial HVAC problems is a lack of proper airflow. Regardless of the heating or cooling functions are working, the airflow itself can become a major issue. If that’s the case, you must maintain a schedule for checking your unit’s ductwork and air filters. This regular maintenance isn’t only for comfort purposes. The air filters work to remove dust, dirt, and allergens from the oxygen your tenants and visitors breathe, ensuring the indoor air quality of your commercial building. When those filters go unchecked, clogs can make your HVAC work overtime, drive up your energy bills, and take years off the unit’s lifespan. If you’re having any HVAC problems that don’t necessarily include cold air, your dirty air filters are the most likely root cause.
2. Checking Your Air Balance
Another common problem with any HVAC responsible for cooling off a large commercial space relates to the ventilation system and ductwork. As the cool air travels the vents and ducts, industrial dampers aim the air towards specific key areas. In many cases, your tenants may notice that one room of their office or retail space cools properly, while the air conditioning isn’t even noticeable in another. Although you’ll need the assistance of a professional HVAC technician to make the required adjustments, this issue can be easily solved by realigning the dampers for equal airflow distribution. Luckily, this issue isn’t a serious system failure and is relatively easy to fix.
3. Scheduling Routine Maintenance
As with any air conditioning system, either commercial or industrial, several small issues could arise over time. Even if you’re diligent in following the recommended protocols of commercial air conditioner monitoring, a periodic malfunction, strange noises, or a refrigerant leak are all possible due to the unit’s age. Just as your home’s air conditioner is susceptible to wear and tear, so your building’s HVAC system can succumb to many hours of unending use. The best way to keep the efficiency of your HVAC system at its peak, as well as avoid major problems and costly repairs, is to schedule routine preventative maintenance.
Although there are common HVAC problems that you may be able to solve yourself, if you’re responsible for the health and welfare of your paying occupants, a preventative maintenance program is one of the best guarantees that their trust in you is deserved. If there’s ever an emergency with your commercial HVAC unit, it’s much safer to have a professional technician on-call for swift troubleshooting. This is especially true for commercial units, as any attempts at DIY work will not only void important warranties on the equipment but could lead to even costlier repairs.
