There are few systems that are more integral to the comfort and safety of your commercial property than your HVAC system. From keeping the space temperate to providing air filtration, your HVAC is indispensable. However, many people don’t know what goes into maintaining their HVAC system or how to take care of preventive maintenance.
Though there are some basic tasks related to HVAC upkeep that your building staff will be able to handle, you should always have a professional perform maintenance on your unit on a regular basis. Read on if you want to learn some tips and tricks for getting your commercial HVAC system ready for maintenance.
How can you prepare your commercial HVAC system for maintenance?
You might be wondering if you need to prep your commercial HVAC system for maintenance. While you should leave the technical fixes to the professionals, there are some steps you can take to help avoid the need for more than preventive maintenance. Visually inspect the system to look for any warning signs that could indicate a problem, like loud noises, rust, or disconnected pipes, and communicate these issues to the technician working on the system.
You should also have your building staff check the drainage lines and clean them. Water that isn’t funneled out effectively can cause structural damage. You can avoid a mess and additional risk for employees by ensuring that your collection pan isn’t overflowing. Make sure you recalibrate your system bi-annually, as thermostat settings can meaningfully affect both employee comfort and your utility bills.
Anyone new to HVAC maintenance should be aware that an HVAC unit should be inspected by a technician at least once annually. The air filter will also need to be regularly changed. Experts recommend at least once every 90 days, though you can always change it earlier than that if you notice signs of a dirty filter. Preventive maintenance is necessary if you want to keep your system operating at peak efficiency and extend its life span.
Why is air quality so important?
There are a number of reasons why you should make it a priority to maintain good air quality indoors, but one of the primary reasons is because breathing in polluted air can have a significant impact on your health. Poor air quality has been connected to lung and heart problems, including coronary artery disease, emphysema, respiratory infections, stroke, and cancer. Experts also say it can be even more dangerous for pregnant women and has been associated with increasing the risk of birth defects.
It can also worsen other conditions like asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), cardiovascular disease, and diabetes. The WHO says air pollution is one of the largest environmental health risks in the world. It has killed millions and continues to do so.
Ventilation is also an important part of any comprehensive strategy to reduce the risks posed by COVID-19. The CDC recommends improving ventilation and air filtration in all commercial settings, as well as other measures like social distancing and wearing masks when interacting with those who are not members of your household.
Given the impact it can have on your health and safety, it’s essential to keep your commercial HVAC system in good working order. A breakdown can be costly and impact profitability, depending on how long it’s out of service. You should always keep your system clean and take care of basic upkeep, but you also need to make sure it’s professionally inspected at least once per year. If you notice any red flags or your utility bills start to creep up, have a technician come and service your unit right away before the problem gets worse and more expensive to repair.