As the temperatures continue to rise and the days become longer, it is hard to forget that summer is just around the corner. For those in the South, summer heat is no joke. In Texas, for example, it is not out of the ordinary to see multiple days in a row that reach over 100 degrees once summer is in full swing. During these three digit days should not be the first time your attention turns to your commercial HVAC unit. There are many things you can do now to prepare your commercial system for summer.
1. Air filters: Maintaining your commercial HVAC air filters is an important part of keeping your system running efficiently and effectively. Regularly replacing or cleaning your air filters can help reduce energy costs, improve indoor air quality, and extend the life of your system. To ensure that your air filters are properly maintained, you should check them regularly and replace or clean them as needed. Depending on your system, you may need to replace or clean your air filters every 1 to 3 months. Additionally, it is important to inspect your air filters for any visible dirt, dust, or other debris that may be blocking the airflow.
2. Ductwork: Proper maintenance of your HVAC ductwork is essential to the efficiency of your system and the comfort of your building occupants. Regularly scheduled maintenance is important to ensure that the system is running optimally and that any potential problems are identified and addressed before they become more serious. We recommend having a professional inspect and clean your HVAC ductwork at least every two years. This inspection should include a thorough visual inspection as well as a measurement of airflow, temperature, and pressure to ensure that the system is working correctly. Additionally, we suggest checking the ductwork for any signs of leakage or damage, and replacing any damaged or worn out components.
3. Thermostat: Anyone who has shared an office or work building with others is familiar with thermostat wars. There is often a continual adjustment to suit the comfort levels of who happens to be in the building at the time. To maintain your thermostat, you should make sure it is regularly calibrated so that the temperature readings are accurate. You should also clean the unit and the area around it to prevent dirt and debris from affecting its performance. Finally, it is a good idea to check the batteries regularly and replace them if needed.
4. Consider the age of your unit: If you are working with an older unit, you want to check it’s vital components to ensure they are not suffering the natural affects of aging before it heats up. Determine if you need to retrofit or replace any of your equipment. A certified HVAC technician will be able to find leaks and worn parts that could use replacement before the strain of hot weather. It is no secret that all HVAC units become less efficient over time, but this is especially true for larger commercial facilities in high traffic areas. Cleaning or replacing parts can do wonders in preventing system failures during the warmer months.
5. Preventive and Routine Maintenance: Most of our tips boil down to ensuring routine and preventative maintenance. While it may feel like a lot of work in the short term it could save you thousands of dollars in parts and labor down the line and prevent you from having to close down your business due to a broken system. Preventive maintenance can help catch issues while they are small, simple, and cheap to fix. We suggest setting up a maintenance calendar that reminds you to check routine things like thermostats and filters each month, and work with your local HVAC technician to set a schedule to test and inspect larger and more complicated components such as ductwork and coils, and to measure your airflow and system efficiency on a regular basis.
If your maintenance reveals a need to replace a commercial HVAC coil, Re-Coil Solutions is here for you. We are happy to work with you to ensure that you find the perfect coil for your unit with a flawless fit. Custom coils are our specialty and we provide a variety of different coatings. That means that we will work with you to ensure that the coil you pick is getting the most out of your unit. You don’t have to sweat the summer months.
