For homeowners, having their heating and cooling systems checked is a necessary step in ensuring year-round comfort. This is also true of commercial businesses and how to schedule their system’s maintenance plans. Residential HVAC systems typically need to be looked at once a year. However, businesses need to schedule service on a twice-a-year basis for commercial units. Other elements can be checked manually in-between a scheduled service call. Here are some things to consider when scheduling HVAC service for your business.
Proactive Maintenance Items
As a business makes plans to have a professional perform maintenance on your business’s heating and cooling systems, year-round items are done to ensure everything runs normally. One area to start is by monitoring the air filters in your building. Contractors recommend checking them every three to four weeks. This helps make sure they are free from debris that can cause clogs. In addition, contractors suggest replacement every three to six months, depending on the need or instructions from the manufacturer. Keeping up with a company’s air filters can help them operate at peak performance as well as keep energy consumption low. A company’s maintenance staff performs these checks of the air filter.
It’s important to do periodic checks of other parts of an HVAC system. Set programmable thermostats to allow for optimal energy savings. The best settings depend on the building’s needs when programming. Contractors suggest doing this at the start of the heating or cooling season. In addition, programming can occur when temperatures are at a point where a unit isn’t being used frequently. Check thermostats to see if they are working properly, and with proper energy consumption. Finally, make sure that drip pans and drain lines are emptying correctly, as clogs can cause mold, mildew, or other damage.
What Commercial HVAC Maintenance Covers
An HVAC contractor can provide an expert evaluation of your company’s heating and cooling system. Contractors check specific elements of your HVAC system based on the season. For the spring and summer months, a contractor typically focuses on the cooling elements. This includes cleaning the condenser and evaporator coils and checking refrigerant levels to see if it needs recharging. A contractor looks at the fans and blowers to check the motor or each as well as if the air is flowing properly.
During the fall and winter months, contractors check some elements similar to during the summer, such as fans and electrical components. However, they mainly look at an HVAC furnace and related parts. A contractor checks pressure is for a gas furnace to verify that it is running safely and at an efficient rate. Gas and oil connections are also checked for proper installation. This is due to the potential for fire hazards can result if the lines are faulty. In addition, contractors clean pilot lights and burner combustions. Cleaning these elements extends a furnace’s lifespan.
Questions for a Commercial HVAC Contractor
Before signing on with a contractor to handle your company’s HVAC maintenance, it’s reasonable to have some questions. They can be about the overall process, cost, or other topics. A contractor that is qualified to answer these questions gives the business confidence that an inspection or repairs will be done right. Some questions to ask include:
- How long will each maintenance visit take? Typically, contractors do a more thorough level inspection of your heating or cooling system. A contractor’s time to inspect a unit reflects this. This can also help business owners compare vendors to determine which contractor to work with.
- Does warranty cover parts and labor? HVAC providers offer warranties for both labor and parts. This is mainly for cases where new units are needed. You may need to check for details on specific lengths as well as what warranty types are available.
- Are problems with my unit discussed after each visit? A quality contractor will take the time to detail problems with your HVAC system as well as list actions needed for repair.
- Will you keep up with maintenance schedules? Remembering the exact date of a planned maintenance visit usually isn’t a high priority for businesses. Many companies will plan and follow scheduled visits.
Keeping up with maintenance services for your business’s HVAC system can provide comfort throughout the year. In addition, the higher efficiency of a well-maintained unit can lead to notable savings in energy costs. From a commercial standpoint, it’s important to not just have a contractor come in for regular maintenance but to proactively handle routine items to ensure optimum performance.
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