Is Your Commercial HVAC System In Trouble? Know a Few of the Warning Signs 

Regular Maintenance Can Stop System Breakdowns Before They Begin

In the San Gabriel Valley, commercial Building owners must provide reliable indoor comfort for their building occupants throughout the year. The local weather makes it untenable otherwise, with too-hot summer days and chilly winters. Know the signs of an HVAC system that needs help, before you encounter a subsequent and costly problem.

Listen for Loud or Unusual Noises

HVAC systems make noise, but they don’t generally disturb others. If your HVAC system starts making strange or loud sounds, listen. Mechanical problems are often indicated by bizarre clanks, or pings during system operation. Get an inspection, soon. Your tech will tighten and lubricate connections, replace belts and bearings as needed, and examine everything to find the problem. Remember, failure of one component in your system usually leads to others, in a rapid cascade of expensive issues. Maintenance can often prevent disasters before they occur.

Increased Energy Bills

Sure, energy costs are going up, but if you see a huge difference in your bill from one month to the next, something else may be going on. Sudden cost increases without a correlation to changed occupancy patterns could indicate a problem. Older or poorly maintained HVAC equipment might be to blame. An inspection is necessary before the system fails completely.

Inconsistent Temperatures

While temperature variations can occur throughout your commercial building from occupancy patterns or other issues, you might have a problem if you notice sudden differences between rooms. It could be just a malfunctioning thermostat or perhaps a small ductwork leak. In any case, have a qualified HVAC tech take a look at the system before a “no big deal” leads to an “uh oh” situation.

Rapid Cycling

Your heating and air conditioning typically maintain consistent run times. But if your equipment frequently turns on and off, it could be a problem with your thermostat, low refrigerant levels or even a system sized inappropriately for your commercial building. This isn’t something to ignore, as rapid cycling means your system has to work extra hard to maintain correct temperatures, putting extra stress on all the components.

Smells and Musty Dampness

Water pooling around your HVAC equipment or extra humidity inside the building are an obvious problem. It could be anything from a drainage issue to frozen coils. This needs immediate attention. Along with being a potential health hazard for all your building occupants, any moisture near electrical equipment could also present a safety issue. Get it checked out.

The bottom line? Like regular maintenance on your delivery trucks,  commercial HVAC systems require similar care. Just as you wouldn’t ignore a grinding noise with the brakes, do the same with your heating and cooling equipment. Chances are that a qualified HVAC expert can fix the problem before it escalates. Stay in control of your  indoor comfort with prompt maintenance for best results.

 

Commercial building owners rely on Air-Tro for all their HVAC needs here in the San Gabriel Valley. Call us today at (626)357-3535.