Importance Of Maintaining Your Commercial HVAC System

If you own a commercial building, you know how important your HVAC system is to your investment. Whether you run your own business in your building or have tenants, it is your responsibility to keep a climate controlled environment which is comfortable for anyone in the building. This can be easier said than done, especially in larger buildings with many different zones to heat and cool throughout the year. To avoid expensive emergency repairs, instead invest in regular maintenance to keep your HVAC system running efficiently all year round. 

Set-Up A Regular HVAC Maintenance Schedule

Commercial HVAC units need regular maintenance to function correctly. It is not a matter of if they will need service, it is only a matter of when. What you don’t want is your system shutting down on days when the temperature fluctuates high or low, which is exactly when your HVAC is under the most stress. To avoid the expense and hassle of breakdowns, you should set-up an ongoing maintenance schedule for your system. 

Many HVAC service companies which install and repair commercial systems also offer maintenance options for their clients. This can include routine inspections and service, to ensure that every aspect of your system is working properly. They can also perform an annual analysis for efficiency, making sure that your cooling and heating costs are as low as possible. 

If you’re not already on a regular maintenance schedule for your HVAC system, call your local commercial HVAC specialist today. Talk to them about maintenance packages designed for commercial buildings, like yours, which can save you money on repairs and energy costs in the long run.

Posted on behalf of:
ClimateSmith, LLC
Marietta, GA
(770) 475-9564

Commercial HVAC Service

Commercial HVAC maintenance is often overlooked in many smaller commercial office buildings without a building engineer.   In many cases the tenant’s lease will shift the responsibility for the maintenance, service and repairs of the HVAC to the tenant.  As a result, routine maintenance is often overlooked and the first time a HVAC contractor is called is when the system stops working! 

All commercial HVAC systems should be checked at least two times a year, depending upon the type of system being used.  Often the smaller office building will utilize a number of packaged roof top units that supply heating and cooling to the space.  The service should include the cleaning or replacement of air filters, inspection of belts, fans and refrigerant levels.  Also a visual inspection of the office space should be done as well to determine if any modifications have been made that impacts the way that the system performs.  Issues identified can be correctly before they become critical.  Depending upon the part of the country that the building is located in and the seasons, often this service can be scheduled before the traditional heating and cooling seasons begin. 

Many HVAC contractors will offer various commercial HVAC service plans to assist building owners and tenants in their maintenance needs.  These plans can vary in scope and price and often can be tailored to the needs of the customer.  In addition to addressing the HVAC maintenance needs of the customer, these plans also help develop a relationship between the owner and tenant of the building and the HVAC contractor.  In many cases having a relationship with a HVAC contractor is beneficial when the A/C stops working on the hottest day of the year!

Replacement of HVAC Systems in Commercial and Industrial Facilities

Although most industrial and commercial facilities will schedule a “shutdown” of the facility for a HVAC system replacement, these replacements are one of the most challenging and stressful tasks any commercial or industrial facilities manager will face.  

Often these commercial HVAC system retrofits involve much more work than just replacing a roof top unit or a chiller.  In many cases the work will involve design work, coordination of various suppliers, permits, selective demolition, structural modifications, new walls, electrical work, welding, piping, the removal and re-installation of architectural elements such as windows and doors. 

In many cases this work is outside of the scope of the mechanical contractor doing the actual replacement.  The coordination of the various trades in many cases falls on the facilities manager, which is not an ideal situation, as they typically do not have the time to devote to the project due to their daily job responsibilities.  A common occurrence in these types of projects is for the completion date to be missed as a result of other trades not performing as required, so the HVAC contractor can complete their work.  Missed completion dates cost industrial and commercial businesses real money if they are not able to be operational as scheduled. 

In some cases the HVAC contractor will be both experienced enough and have the resources available to coordinate the entire project from design to commissioning.  Often these HVAC contractors will specialize in this type of work and have experienced staff to self perform a majority of the work and will only use proven subcontractors.  In addition, they understand how critical it is for the facility to be operational on the day scheduled!

Top Qualities You Should Expect from a Commercial HVAC Service

The principles of building environment design are generally established by the International Organization for Standardization. According to ISO, a reputable HVAC service should maintain design industry standards in air quality control, for safety and comfort, throughout all phases of the system design process.

Typically, HVAC engineers are members of the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating, and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE), and EPA Universal CFC certified.  Alternatively, engineers can be state certified. Most HVAC organizations participate in ASHRAE because it is a global society that aims to benefit from the shared cooperative bank of knowledge and technical expertise of its HVAC members. The most acceptable and recognized standards are based on ASHRAE data. Additionally, HVAC contractors are members of NADCA, whose mission focuses primarily on developing quality companies, who perform a high quality of customer service.  Learning that your potential HVAC contractor is a member of these organizations should bode well in assuring you of their reputable service. 

Granted, all the technical jargon, titles, certifications and licensing requirements become cumbersome and, perhaps, overwhelming. So, begin your quest for a local commercial HVAC service by asking for several customer recommendations from your potential contractor. Can the company show proof of organizational memberships and certifications?  Do that maintain Worker’s Compensation and General Liability business insurance coverage? How does the company rate in compliance with OSHA standards and are safety requirements implemented? It is always a good idea to check with your city and state official to ensure that the contractor is properly licensed to do the work they are planning to perform. Asking these questions will help in your selection of a top commercial HVAC contractor to handle your commercial HVAC system maintence, service and repair, retrofit or new installation project.