Winter HVAC Maintenance Tips for Commercial Property Managers

Winter HVAC Maintenance Tips for Property Managers

As the crisp (or just slightly less humid) winter days roll into South Florida, it’s is a great opportunity to perform maintenance on your property’s HVAC system while shutdowns are less impactful as it is during the sweltering summer months. Performing routine maintenance and service will extend the life of your equipment and save you from costly emergency repairs and replacements. Here are some important maintenance tips that can have your commercial HVAC system running at peak performance this winter:

Cooling Towers

“No matter what kind of cooling tower system you have one thing is certain—once October rolls around there is much less demand for cooling. This is the time to perform that maintenance you couldn’t do during the summer because the condenser system needed to be kept running. According to The United States, Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s (OSHA) Technical Manual, all cooling towers should be thoroughly disinfected at a minimum of twice per year. It is important to schedule your cooling tower maintenance in advance as most buildings require work to be performed during weekends or holiday’s while building occupants are away.”

Perform Inspections and Current Conditions Reports

Perform regular inspections of your entire HVAC system. If you haven’t done so already, now is the perfect time to contact Advanced Air System to schedule an inspection and begin monitoring the condition of your system so you can make repairs as needed. Regular inspections guarantee you are not faced with any surprises, like parts failing. Inspections typically include heat sources, pressure gauges, and flues.

Preventive Repairs and Maintenance

Studies show that routine maintenance is fundamental to guarantee energy efficiency for your commercial HVAC system. Developing a routine preventative maintenance schedule is the first step in this process. Create a schedule based on hours of operation and conditions under which the units run, and include a service log to provide unit history, troubleshooting, and to track scheduled maintenance. Maintenance should only be performed by qualified service technicians. Signing a maintenance agreement ensures these critical seasonal checkups are done on schedule.

Remove Debris Near Outdoor Equipment

Yard and other debris can quickly build up around or near outdoor HVAC equipment. Floridians know this is especially true after the hurricane season we recently experienced. Branches and leaves should be disposed of immediately, especially for outdoor systems as debris can easily get through the protective screens and cause buildup along with bacteria growth. Cleaning the outdoor HVAC system as well as the area around it will have the system performing at its best throughout the year.

Replace Air Filters

Air filters trap dust, pollen, smoke, dirt, pet dander, and other particles that pass through the air. Clean filters prevent buildup on coils and ensure the building’s occupants enjoy good indoor air quality. Dirty filters, however, can restrict airflow and slow down your entire system. Air filters should be cleaned or replaced at the start of each cooling and heating season, or more often if operating conditions require. A good way to determine how often you should clean or replace your filters is to inspect or measure the airside pressure drop. Make sure to follow the manufacturer recommendation for filter size and type.

Clean Air Vents

Another important component of a winter HVAC maintenance plan is cleaning the air vents. Poor indoor air quality from dirty air vents aggravates allergies for building occupants and can cause illness. When cleaning air vents, make sure any office furnishings like chairs or desks are not blocking the vents.

Calibrate Thermostats

At the beginning of the season, have a professional commercial HVAC technician come out to calibrate all of the thermostats in your commercial property. If thermostats differ too much from one another, the systems will not perform efficiently or worse, simultaneous heating and cooling could occur.

It is important to work closely with your trusted HVAC service provider to identify and fix any potential problems before they become a costly and inconvenient system breakdown.  Regular maintenance can extend the life of your system with less wear and tear on the unit, increase energy efficiency, improve comfort, and prevent repairs. Following these tips can ensure the comfort and happiness of your tenants – helping you keep an eye on expenses while providing a comfortable environment in the winter and all year long.

To learn more about how Advanced Air System can help you optimize your HVAC system’s performance this winter or for a free project quote, contact us today at 954-322-1418.

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