Your HVAC system is a critical part of the day-to-day operations of your business. It is not only responsible for keeping your employees and customers comfortable while visiting or working in your building, but it also ensures they are always breathing clean and healthy air.
Making your customers and employees feel at ease at your facility is crucial to the success of your business. As a result, the effectiveness of your system bears a great deal of responsibility. However, as the HVAC system ages, it can become less reliable and encounter problems.
In this article, we’ll review some of the most common HVAC issues in commercial buildings and provide helpful tips to help you deal with these issues if they occur and prevent them from occurring at all.
Continue reading below to learn more about keeping your commercial heating and cooling system in the best condition possible and discover why Design Mechanical is the number one choice for commercial HVAC construction services in Kansas City.
3 of the Most Common Commercial HVAC Problems
Commercial heating and cooling systems are designed to deliver consistent and dependable performance and high-quality air for employees in all business settings and environments. However, because these systems are subjected to significant workloads and daily wear and tear, it’s almost inevitable for your HVAC systems to encounter occasional problems.
As a result, knowing what issues to look for is crucial to ensuring your systems continue to perform at peak efficiency. Let’s look at some of the most common problems you could experience with your system.
Clogged or Dirty Air Filters
The air filters in your HVAC system are responsible for removing dust, pollen, and other undesired particles from the air. However, as a result, air filters eventually get dirty and become clogged due to contaminant buildup and must be replaced as part of regular maintenance.
Clogged, worn, or dirty filters can cause your HVAC unit to work harder, increasing energy expenses and shortening the lifespan of your heating and cooling system. Fortunately, frequent inspections and filter replacements ensure your HVAC system performs optimally and will improve your building’s air quality by removing dust, allergens, and other common air pollutants.
The easiest way to avoid this problem is to check and replace the air filters regularly, preferably once every three months, depending on how much your building uses your HVAC system. Additionally, limiting or prohibiting outside factors, such as allowing pets or smoking in the building, can help prevent your air filters from becoming dirty too quickly.
Malfunctioning or Unresponsive Thermostat
When problems with your HVAC system emerge, it’s easy to think the issue is with the system itself or internal components. However, in some cases, if your HVAC system is malfunctioning or isn’t working correctly, the problem is equally as likely to be with your thermostat.
The thermostat of your HVAC system controls the amount of hot or cold air produced by your unit and the timing in which it’s pushed throughout the rest of the building. When the thermostat fails, you are likely to experience intermittent temperature variations or unresponsiveness from your HVAC system, affecting the comfort of your employees and visitors.
Most modern thermostats are battery-powered, which will eventually run out of power. Fortunately, checking the thermostat’s screen can indicate whether it needs new batteries. If the screen is blank, it may be time to replace the batteries. In some instances, if replacing the batteries doesn’t fix the issue, the thermostat may need to be replaced.
Additionally, a tripped circuit breaker may also cause your HVAC system to malfunction, but resetting your breaker should cause your unit to reboot. However, if breaker problems become more common, it could be a sign of more significant issues with your electrical systems.
Heating or Cooling Failure
HVAC systems require a liquid chemical ingredient called refrigerant that allows your air conditioner to produce cool air, dehumidify, and remove hot air from the surrounding environment. Without sufficient refrigerant levels, the equipment will not cool properly. In some cases, the systems’ evaporator coils can freeze over, forming a thick layer of frost that interferes with the equipment’s capacity to function correctly.
If your air conditioning is running, but your commercial building isn’t cooling down, the issue could be as simple as a low refrigerant level in your HVAC unit. However, it could also be caused by a refrigerant leak that could result in more significant issues.
One of the best ways to solve this issue is by contacting your local HVAC repair and maintenance specialist to perform a system inspection. In many instances, a refrigerant recharge or refill is sufficient to restore the system’s ability to function. However, be sure to act quickly because the lack of refrigerant can cause your HVAC system to work overtime, resulting in more costly and extensive problems.
Avoid Common Commercial HVAC Problems with the Help of Design Mechanical
Although commercial HVAC systems can withstand significant use, unexpected breakdowns and problems are common occurrences. As a result, understanding where issues may arise allows you to take proactive measures to ensure it is in good operating order and avert severe problems before they occur. Fortunately, many of the most common HVAC system issues discussed above can be avoided with preventive maintenance.
At Design Mechanical, we know how important it is to keep your business as comfortable and welcoming as possible for your valuable customers and dedicated employees.
For over 20 years, commercial businesses in Kansas City and the surrounding areas have relied on our professional staff to provide a wide range of high-quality HVAC services. With a team of over 100 qualified HVAC technicians on call 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, you can be confident that we’ll take care of your business.
If your commercial HVAC system isn’t working correctly and you believe it may be time for a professional inspection, contact Design Mechanical today to schedule a free consultation and learn more about how our specialists can handle all of your HVAC repair and maintenance needs.