Common HVAC Problems Commercial Buildings Experience During Winter
The winter season is a double-edged sword for HVAC contractors. On the one hand, it is high season when activity is booming. On the other hand, the extraordinarily high volume of repair calls and the volume of orders can be overwhelming – and this is added to other projects such as commercial construction work and contract types.
Managing construction projects or commercial orders is not that easy either. With the number of employees they are responsible for and the number of orders coming in, a contractor needs to create a clean and organized construction schedule.
While having the right HVAC or construction tools helps immensely, the winter season is always a very stressful time for HVAC handymen. But there are things you can do to make things easier. On the one hand, you have to be ready to deal with anything. This means you are informed and knowledgeable about the ins and outs of the craft and how to apply your professional skills.
To help all HVAC professionals this season, here are the most common commercial HVAC issues to expect this winter; Also, some wintering tips to give to your customers.
Common HVAC Problems in Winter
Uneven Heating in the Building
In the colder months it is more important than ever to have constant and even heating throughout the building. However, due to the extreme cold, it is easy to notice when different rooms have different temperatures.
When this happens, it’s usually because the air vents are blocked. The first and easiest thing to do is to check the elements that are blocking airflow in the room, such as Furniture and other decorations.
In other cases, holes and cracks in vents can cause uneven heating of a commercial building. It can be a good idea to insulate air ducts when installing them along exterior walls or unheated areas.
Uneven Heating in the Building
In the colder months it is more important than ever to have constant and even heating throughout the building. However, due to the extreme cold, it is easy to notice when different rooms have different temperatures.
When this happens, it’s usually because the air vents are blocked. The first and easiest thing to do is to check the elements that are blocking airflow in the room, such as Furniture and other decorations.
In other cases, holes and cracks in vents can cause uneven heating of a commercial building. It can be a good idea to insulate air ducts when installing them along exterior walls or unheated areas.
Poor Air Quality
Traditionally, building managers close and seal the building to keep the cold outside from entering and the inside heat from escaping. But when they do, indoor air quality drops because dirt, dust, and — if pets are allowed in the home — dander accumulate and cause allergy symptoms. .
As the name suggests, air filters improve air quality by capturing dirt, dust, and other airborne particles. As a precautionary measure, advise your customers to have the system’s air filters changed once a month. Since this is especially important when pets and smoking are allowed in the building, the ideal time to check and change the filter is every two weeks.
But suppose the air quality continues to deteriorate despite regular filter changes. If so, there could be a problem in the duct system, possibly mold or mildew, or dust and pet dander. With this you need to clean and seal the air ducts of the system to remove all dirt and allergens.
However, if the indoor air quality is still not up to par, the entire system may not be working properly. As the heating system works overtime during the colder months, it is possible for it to break down. The best preventive measure and solution is to encourage your customers to have the unit checked and repaired by an HVAC professional.
Frozen Pipes
An overlap between the plumbing and HVAC systems is pipes that can freeze in temperatures below 32 degrees. This can be the case with water heaters, water heaters and water and steam boilers. When pipes freeze, they can burst and cause serious water damage to the building.
If you come across one or more frozen pipes during an inspection, or receive a call about a suspicious pipe, the first thing to do is turn off the water supply. Then thaw it slowly, perhaps with a thermostat-controlled hair dryer, radiator, or heating tape. If you just find a leak you can fix it, but it’s best to just replace the hose to prevent further damage.
Furnace Blows Cold Air through Ducts
When HVAC systems blow out cold air at the start of the heating season, it’s usually due to an improperly set thermostat. So if you get a call about cold air blowing through the ducts, tell the customer to check their thermostat’s heating settings to see if they’re programmed correctly.
If it is already set to heat and the correct temperatures are entered, the customer may have a problem with the thermostat sensor. If not, the problem may be in the coils or heating elements, a burned out pilot light, faulty ignitions, faulty gas valves, faulty thermocouples, or an overheating system.
Once you’ve performed an inspection, you can properly diagnose the problem and work from there.
Faulty Thermostats
Thermostats are responsible for telling the HVAC system to turn on and off. Thermostats today tell the heater to turn on and increase the amount of warm air. This also means that it stops or reduces heat production when the target or ideal temperature is reached. But when thermostats encounter problems, such as worn/dirty sensors or completely broken sensors, other indoor climate problems can arise.
When it comes to obsolete thermostats in commercial buildings or large residential buildings, your best bet is to replace them and upgrade them to smart thermostats. Building occupants can easily program and control heating output with the newer ones.
The System Suddenly Shuts Down.
HVAC systems in commercial buildings are subject to heavy loads during the winter season due to their longer and more intensive use. This in turn can cause the system to shut down suddenly.
The best way to solve this problem is to prevent it. Building owners and managers should be made aware of the importance of regular preventative maintenance by a professional.
HVAC Winter Tips for Commercial Building
Another way to relieve the stress of the winter season is to reduce the number of HVAC problems by preventing them. One of the best and most effective ways to do this is by providing your customers with tips on how to ensure their commercial systems survive the winter.
"Have a Professional Fully Inspect the System."
Throughout most of our HVAC articles, we’ve consistently emphasized the importance of regular maintenance and inspection by a professional. But it’s especially important for the colder months.
There may have been a few small issues already, but this could cause problems in the winter if not addressed immediately. When a professional HVAC technician like you inspects the system, they can identify and fix those small problems before they become too big to manage.
"Have a Preventive Maintenance Plan."
After checking the system for possible problems, you can work with the customer to create a regular preventive maintenance plan. Repair or replace what needs to be repaired or replaced on your end. Leaking pipes and faulty components. They may also suggest investing in upgrading their equipment to more durable and powerful ones. Not only do new appliances work better in the cold, but advances in technology are helping them conserve energy and save on their monthly bills.
You can then educate your customer on what they can do to maintain their system throughout the winter.
"Calibrate your Thermostats to Save Energy."
HVAC systems are among the largest consumers of electricity, which in turn means higher bills. Although most are digital now, older ones may be out of sync and not as efficient, activating heating and cooling at the same time.
So when temperatures start to drop, encourage your customers to have their thermostats checked by professionals. A professional calibration prevents simultaneous heating and cooling and saves energy costs.
You may also suggest installing a smart programmable one if you haven’t already. With a web and cloud-based system, you can make settings and control the indoor climate remotely.
"Replace All Filters and Clean Heating Ducts."
Because air filters are responsible for capturing and trapping dirt and dust, they should always be kept clean to maintain airflow quality. Otherwise, they should be replaced immediately, ideally once a month. Buildings that allow smoking and pets should check and replace filters every two weeks.
Neglecting to check and change filters will affect air quality and increase system operating costs. This is because compressors and fans are subject to significant wear and tear as they have to fight their way through dirty filters.
"Ensure Economizers are Able to Provide 'Free Cooling'."
HVAC systems for commercial buildings usually have an economizer. This component allows the building to use outside air to cool the building when that air reaches the appropriate temperature and humidity. However, this component of “free cooling” can be adversely affected by extreme environmental influences. So they should be checked before winter.
This is why you need contractor software (especially in winter)
The use of management software is excellent at any time of the year. But it is an advantage in winter. Given the high volume of work and limited human capabilities, management software can make the job easier and help keep things organized.
Carrano Air HVAC Contractor Inc. Schedule HVAC contractor software is cloud-based and fully mobile, meaning you can collaborate with your technicians from anywhere. With the scheduling feature, you can send the right work order and your technicians can be dispatched immediately to take care of customers. The time-in/time-out feature allows you to keep track of them and simplify billing. In addition, important documents can be saved and shared, ensuring efficiency and customer satisfaction.