The HVAC system in your building can do more than keep the temperature regulated. It is a major factor in determining safety, comfort, productivity and your energy bill. In order to keep the unit running smoothly, regular maintenance is required. However, even that cannot guarantee that the system won’t break down once in a while. Let’s take a look at the most common commercial HVAC problems and what causes them.
Common Commercial HVAC Problems
The most common causes of HVAC repairs include:
• Smells or unpurified air
• Uneven heating and cooling, or inconsistent air flow
• Strange or unusual sounds
• Reduced efficiency
• A sudden increase in heating and cooling costs
If you have experienced any of these problems, it might time to call in a professional for repairs. The following are the most common causes of common commercial HVAC problems:
Inadequate maintenance.
If your building does not have a preventative maintenance program, it is only a matter of time before things start falling apart, including the HVAC system. Regular maintenance is the only way to detect small problems as they arise and perform the required repairs before the problem gets too complicated and threaten performance.
Clogged filters.
A clogged airway forces the system to work harder, greatly reducing its life and causing a surge in heating and cooling costs. A regularly planned maintenance schedule helps to monitor the filters to make sure they are working unobstructed. This will help its performance. When the air filter is working properly, your employees and guests will stay shielded from dust, allergens and dangerous pollutants that cause health problems.
Thermostat problems.
In many cases when a glitch appears, people assume the HVAC unit is damaged, but other factors can be responsible, such as the thermostat. The thermostat is responsible for regulating production of cold or hot air. If a problem occurs, the entire system suffers intermittent temperature fluctuations and that can be a great inconvenience.
Leaking refrigerant.
This is the liquid agent that makes air conditioning possible. It is located in the coils of the HVAC unit. It is the job of the refrigerant to cool and dehumidify indoor air. If the unit does not have enough refrigerant, the air produced cannot be cool enough. This can leave the entire building with high temperatures during the hot season and it may cause the condenser to work overtime, increasing power costs.
Wrong air balance.
Heated or cooled air travels to every room in the building through a series of ducts. This air is controlled by dampers. The dampers reduce air flow into one consistent level, allowing more conditioned air to flow into other rooms. If some rooms are getting better air, it may be because the dampers are not properly balanced.
If you know where the problem is, you can maximize system performance; keep costs down and everybody comfortable.