Most Common Commercial HVAC Concerns

HVAC systems for commercial buildings present their own special challenges. Here are a few of the issues we see most often.

Inconsistent Heating or Cooling

In large commercial buildings with many rooms, we frequently find uneven heating or cooling. One office may be freezing, while a conference room down the hall is eighty degrees. There are a few different problems that can lead to these symptoms. For example, it could be due to leaky ducts that need to be sealed. Or it could be due to dampers that haven’t been properly balanced. Dampers can even get dirty over time and end up stuck in one position. This inconsistent airflow can cost you if it’s not corrected, as employees in areas that aren’t being properly heated or cooled may keep resetting the thermostat, attempting to get comfortable. That can cause some big spikes in your energy bills!

See Also: Understanding How Your Energy is Billed Can Save You Money

Electrical Malfunctions

If the electrical components of your HVAC system overheat, they can blow a fuse, leading to sudden shutdowns. The capacitors in an HVAC are particularly prone to “going bad.” This can cause symptoms such as the HVAC coming on and quickly shutting back off again. It’s important to replace capacitors quickly when they start to go bad. Otherwise, it can cause serious damage to other, more expensive parts of your HVAC.

See Also: Why and How Do HVAC Capacitors Fail?

Poor Air Quality

Problems such as dirty air filters, mold in the ducts or HVAC unit, and debris in the heat exchanger can all lead to indoor air that’s bad-smelling and/or potentially unhealthy. Preventive maintenance including the cleaning of coils and ducts can help to improve air quality. Of course, the first line of defense is regularly replacing the air intake filters. Clean, high-quality filters will help to keep pollen, dust, mold, and other contaminants out of the air and out of your HVAC unit.

See Also: Why Do You Need Indoor Air Quality Products?y

Bad Thermostats

Sometimes what seems like a serious issue with an HVAC unit turns out to simply be a matter of replacing the thermostat. The thermostat controls when your HVAC unit comes on and for how long, so if it’s not working properly, your building won’t be comfortable no matter how good your HVAC system is. In fact, if your HVAC won’t come on, you might want to try changing the batteries in the thermostat before you do anything else.

See Also: Step 3 to a Lower Energy Bill in Summer: Thermostat Settings

Lack of Maintenance

Overall, the biggest issue facing commercial HVAC systems is lack of regular, preventive maintenance. Regularly-scheduled maintenance from an HVAC technician specifically trained in servicing commercial systems is the most effective measure you can take to keep your system running smoothly and efficiently year-round. That can save you money on your energy bills every month, as well as saving you money in the long-run by extending the life of your HVAC system and preventing costly repairs.

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