Your HVAC system plays a substantial role in how well your Omaha business operates. The more comfortable the interior environment, the more productive your staff can be, and the more likely it is customers stick around longer. When you have an energy-efficiency HVAC system, you can expect it to cost less to operate and you have fewer repair and maintenance concerns. Read on to learn more about four ways you can keep your commercial HVAC system running efficiently for longer.
1. Stay on Top of Maintenance
Maintaining your commercial HVAC system means staying on top of air filter changes and keeping the outdoor condenser unit’s fins in good shape. Dirty air filters stress the system, putting more pressure on the ductwork and the system’s fan. (Your maintenance staff should be able to change the filters when needed.) The added stress causes the system to work overtime and use more energy than necessary.
Keeping the condenser unit fins in good shape helps the system transfer heat out of the building effectively. With condenser units being outside, they get subjected to heavy rain, wind, and hailstorms. They endure more wear and tear than other parts of the system. Combing the fins removes indentations or dents that can impede function.
Other maintenance essentials include checking the refrigerant and differential pressure to rule out problems with refrigerant levels, expansion valves, and possible compressor issues. The best way to handle these maintenance checks regularly is to enter into a service contract with local HVAC contractors like Xtreme Heating & Cooling LLC.
2. Pay Attention to Temperature Settings
Consider lowering the temperature by four degrees in the winter and raising it by four degrees in the summer when no one occupies the building. The only time this strategy doesn’t work is if you have a heat pump system. With heat pump systems, it’s more efficient to set the temperature at a comfortable level and leave it there 24/7.
Install a building automation system (BAS) to control the temperature remotely. As the name implies, you can automate your HVAC system with them. For example, these systems can bring temperatures to more comfortable levels two hours before employees come to work. BAS systems take human error out of the equation and maximize your building’s efficiency and overall savings.
Smart thermostats and BAS systems also help you manage the temperature in unused spaces of your building. If you have a boardroom that doesn’t get used often or unused, empty offices, ask HVAC contractors about setting up a zoning system so these areas of the building don’t use as much energy.
3. Use the Economizer
Economizers examine the conditions outside and use outdoor air to cool your space when appropriate. HVAC professionals refer to economizers as “free cooling.” Not every building’s HVAC system has this mode, but if yours does, use it.
To ensure you get the most out of the economizer mode, make sure the system’s linkages and dampers operate correctly. If they don’t operate correctly, they could make your building feel stuffy and lead to wasted energy and higher energy bills. Schedule an appointment with an HVAC contractor to check these parts of your HVAC system work as intended.
4. Replace Old Equipment
Many commercial HVAC applications, especially rooftop systems, look much different from residential systems. However, just because they’re different doesn’t mean they don’t have things in common. For example, commercial HVAC systems last about as long as residential systems and begin to show their age around the 15-year mark. If your building uses a boiler system, expect it to last 20-25 years.
As HVAC equipment ages, it loses its energy efficiency. If your building’s HVAC system is nearing the end of its lifespan, put an upgrade in the budget. Also, get ready to replace it with an energy-efficient system should it fail.
Get Customized HVAC Solutions for Your Building
At Xtreme Heating & Cooling LLC, we want to help our fellow business owners get the most out of their HVAC systems. Whether it’s helping commercial air conditioning repair, new construction installation, or heating repair, you can count on our A+-rated BBB company to get the job done right the first time. Ask us about our maintenance agreements and how they get you priority service on emergency repairs.
Call Xtreme Heating & Cooling LLC today to learn more about how to keep your Omaha HVAC system running efficiently.
