Last winter, the Houston area got hit with a record-breaking cold front that not everyone was prepared for. With a typically mild fall season, now is the time for Montgomery property owners to take care of their HVAC systems. Commercial building HVAC systems have a big job to do throughout the year.
During the long summer months, commercial HVAC systems can sustain a lot of wear and tear. What steps should you take in the fall to protect your commercial property and keep tenants and employees happy?
Read on to learn how to prepare your commercial HVAC system for the fall so that it’s ready for potential temperature drops.
Keep Outdoor Units Clear
As the leaves start to fall, some residential HVAC tips apply to your commercial HVAC systems, as well, especially when it comes to keeping outdoor units clear. Leaves, fallen branches, dirt, and grime can start to build up around your outdoor units, which can cause damage and block your view of potential HVAC problems.
To keep your outdoor units clear, add these steps to your regular maintenance routine:
- Rake leaves and remove debris from HVAC unit
- Use a leaf blower for heavy leaf fall
- Use a hose to rinse away dirt and grime
Do not use a pressure washer on your HVAC system. If leaf litter is a persistent problem, consider installing a cover or leaf guard for long-term protection.
Book Professional Inspections
When you’re in charge of a commercial property, it’s important to partner with reliable contractors. Finding the right HVAC contractor makes it easy to stay on top of HVAC maintenance year round, whether you’re taking preventative steps or reacting to an emergency.
Chances are, you kept your AC running throughout the entire summer. You may not have noticed slight changes in efficiency but ongoing use can take a toll on important components like compressors and motors.
A professional HVAC inspection ensures that no stone is left unturned. By addressing any mechanical or electrical issues now, you won’t have to worry about unexpected problems when it’s time to start heating your property.
Adjust Building Systems
The Department of Energy has several tips for increasing commercial energy efficiency while heating and cooling your property. One of them is to set your thermostat at 78 degrees during summertime working hours and 85 degrees after hours. In the fall and winter, those numbers drop to 68 and 60-65, respectively.
Modern commercial buildings rely on automation controls to manage heating and cooling. Now is a good time to adjust your building’s automation system to account for cooling temperatures.
Because Montgomery enjoys mild fall temperatures, you don’t need your HVAC running all day every day. Automation ensures that your HVAC system will only turn on when your indoor temperatures drop below your set temperature. If you don’t have an automation system in place, it’s time to install one.
Look for HVAC Problems
Even after getting your HVAC system serviced for the season, you should still keep an eye out for potential problems. Preventative maintenance can make a huge difference, but emergencies can still occur.
Problems to look for include:
- Inconsistent temperature readings
- Hot or cold spots throughout the property
- Strange sounds or odors
- Rapidly increasing energy bills
Don’t ignore signs that something is wrong with your commercial building heating system. Fall HVAC maintenance can prevent winter emergencies.
Get Vent and Duct Cleaning
The outdoor units aren’t the only thing you need to keep clean. In the summer, your vents and air ducts can get dirty. Airborne pollutants ranging from pollen to dust to mold spores can make their way into your vents and ducts, and it’s important to clear them out before switching to heat.
Clean vents and air ducts can help your HVAC system run more efficiently. When you’re paying high costs to heat your commercial building, efficiency is a necessity. Clean vents and air ducts can also protect indoor air quality which can keep employees happy and healthy.
Once your vents and ducts are clean, make sure to replace all filters. Continue replacing filters at least once every three months.
Repair Your Generator
We’ve learned over the past few years that when serious storms hit in the fall and winter, the Texas grid can become overloaded. This could leave thousands of property owners without power for several days in a row. In a commercial space, that means production delays and profit losses, especially if your property becomes too cold.
When you have a functional backup generator, strains on the power grid become less of a concern. However, if your generator is broken, inefficient, or too small, it may not be strong enough to power your HVAC system along with other necessities.
Now is the time to inspect and repair your backup generator. Talk to your contractors to make sure your current generator is strong enough to meet your current electrical needs.
Make Upgrades
Are you tired of relying on an outdated HVAC system that can’t compare to today’s more efficient models? Have you been making repairs year after year to an aging HVAC unit?
Early fall is a great time to make upgrades to your commercial building HVAC systems. Whether you’re looking for a smart thermostat or a whole new unit, you have the time to make an informed decision for your property.
While it might seem like a major investment upfront, a new HVAC system can reduce energy costs and repair costs while improving the value of your commercial property.
Call Luxury Air for Commercial Building HVAC Systems
Fall is a great season here in Montgomery, TX. Temperatures are mild, leaves are changing and falling, and businesses are making smart maintenance choices to prepare for winter. Use this guide to prepare your commercial building HVAC systems for cooler temperatures here in Montgomery County.
Luxury Air provides high-quality HVAC services to commercial and residential property owners at a fair price. Our goal is to make sure that you’re happy with everything from our customer service to our repairs and installations. Contact us to get started with a free estimate.
