6 Common Commercial HVAC Issues

Your building’s HVAC system does more than keep temperatures consistent. It can impact productivity levels, safety, and energy bills – as well as tenant comfort and happiness.

Addressing common problems found in your commercial HVAC system can significantly increase its efficiency and lower your energy bills.

What Is HVAC?

It is the Heating, Ventilating, and Air Conditioning (HVAC) equipment. It performs heating and/or cooling for residential, commercial or industrial buildings.

The HVAC system may provide fresh outdoor air to dilute interior airborne contaminants such as odors from occupants, volatile organic compounds (VOC’s) emitted from interior furnishings, chemicals used for cleaning, etc.

When properly maintained, a productive system can provide a comfortable indoor environment year round.

While most commercial HVAC systems are dependable, they are not indestructible.

We’re going to run through some of the most common issues in commercial HVAC systems.

Typical Issues with Commercial HVAC Systems

1. Poor air quality

Several factors like dirty air filters or a gas leak can affect the air quality of your commercial space. Filters should be changed monthly for regular upkeep.

2. Strange noises

An unusual sound coming from your HVAC is a big indicator to call a professional. It could be that a fan has broken or a piece of ductwork has shaken loose, but you won’t be able to tell until you have an expert look.

3. System capacity

Buildings can often have the wrong size system installed.

If it’s too big for your space, you may run into issues with ineffectiveness. If its too small, it’s likely it will not properly heat or cool your space.

4. Inconsistent airflow

Cracks or leaks in ductwork can lead to one office being freezing while another is boiling hot. This would require a professional approach to solve.

5. Thermostat malfunction

Sometimes the problem isn’t even with your HVAC system, but rather with your actual thermostat.

Your thermostat regulates the timing and amount of hot or cold air your unit should produce. So you can imagine the problems you’d face if your thermostat goes haywire.

6. Leaking refrigerant

Refrigerants are the liquid agents that allow air conditioning to work.

They cool and dehumidify the air. When your system doesn’t have enough refrigerant, it will malfunction and can lead to more serious issues like an overworked condenser.

Now that you have an idea of some common issues, we want to give you a short list of some signs you can keep an eye out for to recognize potential HVAC problems:

• Strange odors and poor air quality
• Unfamiliar sounds
• Uneven heating or cooling throughout building
• Unexpected rise in heating and cooling costs

Failure to follow a maintenance schedule can allow for the smallest of problems to spiral into something more serious — and costly.

Be sure to implement a scheduled maintenance routine to catch problems early and save yourself time, stress and money.

If you’ve noticed any of our HVAC symptoms or you’d like your routine checkup, book an appointment with us today!