When the commercial HVAC system has a problem, the entire building has a problem and so does the business. A typical system consumes 10 to 30% of the building’s energy. Here are several issues to recognize when using an industrial HVAC system.
Lifespan
The lifespan of a heater or air conditioner is limited as with any other appliance. For an industrial unit, the more that it’s used, the shorter the lifespan. A system that is used every day will last 10 to 20 years. It’s important to know the age of an HVAC system as it will indicate when a replacement is needed.
Noises
It’s common for commercial HVAC units to be heard more than seen. In many buildings, there is a constant droning sound that starts whenever the system turns on. Loud noises could indicate that the system is overexerting itself. However, it’s not always easy for system users to tell if there’s a problem.
Fires and/or Overheating
Overheating occurs often with heaters. Either the wrong heat source is used or the heater is used for too long. Overheating causes the system to work harder than usual and depletes its resources faster.
Overheating is also the first sign of a fire. A fire can sweep through a large building within minutes. Fire causes the most damages with the highest repair costs. A $10,000 repair bill is in contrast to a $500 maintenance bill that would’ve prevented the fire in the beginning.
Lack of Maintenance
Many industrial HVAC systems lack a routine maintenance schedule. This means that the wires, coils, fans and other regularly used parts are not being checked for damages. The average industrial system is designed to work throughout the entire building. Some buildings consist of multiple floors and dozens up to hundreds of rooms.
Not maintaining any type of system, even for a few years, can be fatal. A lack of maintenance leads to its sudden death when the entire system stops working unexpectedly. In a building that relies on continuous heating and cooling to remain effective, this temporary loss may cause thousands of dollars in future revenue losses. The best solution to prevent mechanical disasters is to put a maintenance schedule into place.
Some buildings have HVAC units that run for years in the background, undetected and unnoticed. The owners only bother to touch it when something disastrous happens, like when it breaks down completely. When someone from your work team cannot make the repairs, contact one of our experts – we are here to help. Call us at 408-295-2182 to discuss your options.