5 Ways to Extend the Life of Your Commercial HVAC System
HVAC units play a crucial role in keeping the indoor environment comfortable in any commercial property. Because they continually work to maintain indoor air quality, they can cost a fortune in energy bills, and that’s not including the cost of repairs and maintenance.
If you want to save money on your overall maintenance, you need to implement a plan of action to extend the life of your HVAC system and ensure it runs smoothly and efficiently. In this blog post, we’ll take a look at five steps you need to incorporate into your maintenance routine to keep your commercial HVAC system running for a long time.
Change filters regularly
Although it is the technician’s responsibility to check your filters during twice-a-year checkups, you should ensure that the filters are replaced on a regular basis. Dirty air filters make your HVAC system work harder to circulate air throughout the space and this can lead to serious complications down the road.
If you notice that the air filters have become seriously clogged and dirty, even if it is earlier than expected, you should replace them as soon as possible.
Check heating components
There are many heating components in your HVAC unit that you will need to inspect because they can pose a serious fire hazard if not installed correctly. The last thing you want is for your HVAC system to catch on fire when you’re trying to extend its life. This can also create a serious health risk for your employees, so you need to be especially careful.
Be sure to check all gas/oil component connections as well as the heat exchanger, burner flue, and gas pressure. If you notice any signs of damage or leaks, call the technician to take care of them before it’s too late.
Upgrade your insulation
It’s no secret that the less your HVAC system works, the longer it can last. Insulation is your best friend when it comes to maintaining the indoor air quality of any space. You should schedule a professional energy audit to assess your overall insulation system and pinpoint weak spots.
If there isn’t enough insulation throughout your commercial space, you should definitely consider adding more insulation in the wall cavities and insulating the basement as well.
Inspect your ductwork
You should inspect your ductwork at least once a year because about 30% of cooled or heated air escapes from your average ductwork, which means air ends up in the crawlspace instead of where it’s actually meant to go.
This makes your HVAC unit work harder and shortens its lifespan. If there is pest droppings, debris, and dust in the ducts, they should be cleaned immediately. Look for holes, holes, and other signs of damage and fix them to save money in the long run.
Use the “Auto” fan setting
Most thermostats usually have two fan settings, one of which is called ‘Auto’. The fan only works when your HVAC unit is actively working to keep your space warm or cool. Using the ‘Auto’ fan setting can help extend the life of your system fan, while the ‘on’ setting will keep your fan running continuously.
There’s no denying that if you take care of your HVAC system, it will take care of you. To get the most out of your commercial HVAC system and ensure it lasts beyond its average lifespan, incorporate these 5 steps into your maintenance routine and see the difference for yourself.