The Importance of Routine Commercial AC Maintenance

For many business organizations, this is prep time for the 2025 budget year. Inevitably, the question of whether HVAC preventative Commercial AC Maintenance needs to be a line item will come up. The budget might be tight, so it might be tempting to forgo maintenance this year—what could happen? Does this sound familiar?

Neglecting Commercial AC Maintenance for one year often ensures the line item will not be added to the budget next year either. The long-term result of neglecting Commercial AC Maintenance can be very harmful to operations and the longevity of the equipment that makes business and commerce possible. The extremes of both hot and cold weather are offset by the HVAC system if it works properly. Commercial HVAC systems are much different than those that service single-family residences:

• Commercial HVAC systems often condition much larger spaces.
• The occupancy for commercial spaces is generally much larger.
• The entry/exit rate is usually much higher, requiring more frequent heating and cooling cycles.
• Some commercial spaces generate significantly more heat, such as commercial kitchens.

An interruption in the HVAC system function will often close a business; at the very least, it will severely reduce foot traffic and productivity.  A lot is riding on any commercial HVAC system. Maintaining this essential system is extremely important.

It Affects Indoor Air Quality

Commercial spaces are occupied by your staff for 40+ hours per week and clients, customers, or guests that you invite for business reasons. This implies that you are taking steps to keep the standards of indoor air quality (IAQ) high enough to make the workspace safe and healthy. Neglecting maintenance can lead to poor IAQ, triggering asthma, allergies, or other breathing problems.

How Commercial AC Maintenance Affects the Energy Bill

Heating and air conditioning are responsible for between 35% and 50% of the total commercial energy bill. The accounting department prefers it when the HVAC portion of the energy bill is closer to 35% than 50%. No other department is willing to cut its budget to pay for the additional energy cost, so the cost of routine maintenance might be much more cost-effective than at first glance.

Maintenance Basics

What is entailed in maintaining HVAC equipment? It really depends upon the size of the facility and the type of equipment in use. It will look something like this:

Routine Maintenance. Every HVAC system should be inspected and cleaned annually. Technicians will complete visual inspections and test various components for stress or loss of function. This will certainly include checking the refrigerant level and checking electrical controls and sensors. This might require accessing air handler closets and rooftop units to ensure the entire system is performing within design parameters.

Seasonal Preparation. A semi-annual visit might be needed for facilities with larger systems or in locations with extreme weather changes. For large systems, the equipment that cools is different from the equipment that heats the same area. There will be some equipment doing double duty shared by both heating and cooling functions, but all the more reason to check on the performance twice.

Air Filter Changes. If this vital maintenance task is not handled in-house, it needs to be completed by a technician quarterly. The air filter collects pollutants during every heating or cooling cycle, but the airborne particles soon cover the filter and reduce the airflow through the air handler. This causes the equipment to work harder, use more energy, and weaken vital equipment due to stress. It also reduces the efficiency of the filter to adequately collect the dust and pollen floating around the facility.

AirPro Houston Can Create a Commercial AC Maintenance Schedule

With our four decades of experience as a Commercial HVAC contractor, AirPro Houston provides you with the skill and expertise to assist with commercial AC maintenance questions.

We have several financing options available with great options. Up to 72-month terms with approved credit. Call us today at  281-880-8805 and let us partner with you for all of your Commercial Air Conditioner System Air Filtration needs.