Everything You Need to Know About Commercial HVAC Preventative Maintenance

How would you like to prevent spending money on repairing and replacing your building's HVAC unit? Let's face it, fixing HVAC units isn't cheap and neither is replacing them. And you want your main financial focus to be on your business, facility, or school.Don't let your building's HVAC unit clean your pockets. Know what HVAC preventative maintenance needs to be conducted to keep your unit running smoothly. Are you looking forward to saving some cash?We want you to save as well! That's why we've put together this guide all about HVAC preventative maintenance. Continue reading to learn more.

Why You Need HVAC Preventative Maintenance

You might be thinking that the main reason for conducting preventative maintenance on your commercial HVAC unit is to keep it running correctly. It's true that keeping up with its maintenance lessens the number of repairs that it'll need. It'll also help keep it running for a longer amount of time.Both of these benefits lead to a fatter pocket for you. However, what you might not know is that improper maintenance of your commercial HVAC unit might be costing you money as we speak! Even if your unit seems to be running properly and isn't in need of any current repairs, it's spiking your energy bill.That's right, your HVAC unit is responsible for a large portion of your energy bill. And although it doesn't seem to be in need of repairs, not maintaining it properly leads to it working harder and using more energy to do so. Keep your energy bill as low as possible and your bank account as large as possible by following these preventative maintenance tasks.

Types of Preventative Maintenance to Perform

There are several different types of preventative maintenance that you'll want to perform on your commercial HVAC unit. Be sure to check all of these maintenance tasks off your list before completing the job. Here's what you'll need to do.

Program Thermostats

You'll want to program your thermostats at the beginning of each heating and cooling season. Even if you've already set reprogramming schedules, you'll want to ensure that everything is set correctly and that any changes which need to be made are made. A schedule that once worked for you last year might not work for you this year.It's also a good idea to program the thermostats when you've come to a time of year when you're not using the unit as much. You can program them through the automation system within your building, or you can manually program them.

Check and Change the Air Filters

It seems simple enough, but many times people forget to check and change the air filters. And although the air filter doesn't seem like a part of the unit that would cause much trouble, it can when not changed regularly. Check your air filters every 3-4 weeks or once a month to ensure that it's not clogged with dust, dirt, and other debris.For how often you should change the air filter, contact the manufacturer as each has its own guidelines. However, keep in mind that just because your unit's manufacturer says it doesn't need to be changed more than once every six weeks, doesn't mean you leave a dirty and clogged filter in the unit. Change it either when its due date approaches or as needed.A clean air filter helps save energy costs as your unit won't have to work as hard. When it's a season where you're using your HVAC systems more frequently, change the air filter out more frequently as well.

Check All Indoor Parts

Do a rundown of all the indoor parts on the unit and check them carefully. This includes but isn't limited to the duct system, control box, blower assembly, safety controls, and much more. All inside parts of your unit should be checked during the spring and fall.To ensure that everything is checked correctly, you'll want to hire a professional to come in and get the job done right.

Check All Outdoor Parts

The same goes for all of the outdoor parts. This includes but isn't limited to the refrigerant level, the fan motor and blades, the drain pans, and much more. Again, these parts should be checked out and inspected each spring and fall.You'll also want to consider having a professional technician come out to do these regular checks on the outside parts as well. It'll give you peace of mind knowing that he or she knows exactly what to look for. Without proper and professional knowledge of these units, you might miss something that'll cost you money down the road.

Complete System Checks

You'll also want to complete system checks each month or as needed. For example, if you're in a season where you're using your unit more frequently, then you might want to complete a system check more often than once a month. During a system check, ensure that all thermostats are working properly and repair or replace them if needed.Check for clogs and leaks as well. If there's any blockage in the drip pan or if there's a leak, the moisture will cause mold to grow. These are all things that you can check yourself and then call in the professionals if you spot a problem.

HVAC Preventative Maintenance Tips

If you have a commercial HVAC unit in your building, be sure to follow these HVAC preventative maintenance tips. And when there is a problem or you're ready to have a professional do an inspection for you, contact us to handle the job for you!