Commercial HVAC Maintenance: 3 Stages of Your HVAC System

Commercial HVAC System Lifespan: A Guide to Commercial HVAC Maintenance, Repairs, and Replacement

Heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems are very common building components, with typical characteristics, and predictable similarities. Your HVAC system is only distinct because of the importance it plays in the health of your customers and employees, safety, and comfort. An objective look at an HVAC system reveals these similarities. 

Commercial HVAC Maintenance: The First Ten Years

When an HVAC system is installed, it is sized for the space and features of the building it is installed, using a Manual J load calculation. Sizing computations are used for both the heating and cooling functions needed in the regional climate. Manufacturers offer nice warranties that help should there be a manufacturer’s defect.

HVAC systems require maintenance. Many business owners skip this, but thankfully you are keeping your system well-maintained.

• Maintenance includes cleaning important areas that are not generally visible. But keeping the coils clean is vitally important. The air filter will be replaced; we strongly encourage you to change the filter every three months.
• During the maintenance visit, our technician will test refrigerant levels and test sensitive electrical components.
• A technician will test the system’s performance and determine whether the thermostat is functioning properly.

A well-maintained HVAC rarely encounters problems while relatively new.

Commercial HVAC Maintenance: The Second Ten Years

The average HVAC system functions adequately for about 20 years: the air conditioning portion lasts slightly less than the furnace components. Even with regular maintenance, wear begins to develop. In 20 years, most HVAC systems will have between 350,000 and 500,000 five-minute cycles. Age and use take their toll on electrical and mechanical parts; this has less to do with maintenance and more to do with use. In the second decade, expect to see, hear, and feel a few different sensations with an older HVAC system.

• Natural gas flames should be blue. If the furnace flame is yellow, it indicates incomplete combustion and a problem with the burner assembly.
• An aging HVAC system may sound a little different—normal sounds may become louder or new, and unusual sounds may develop. Listen for buzzing, grinding, or clanging sounds.
• The blower motor should be collecting air from the targeted space, conditioning and cleaning it, and recirculating out of the system again. Any smell—burning or musty smells for example—indicates a problem.
• If the HVAC system is not keeping your business at the desired temperature, it indicates a problem is developing.

It is not unusual for repairs to become necessary during this period. Hopefully, the repairs can be identified during regular maintenance visits. A small problem can be caught early before it develops into something bigger.

Commercial HVAC Maintenance: Big Ticket Repairs

Proper maintenance, changing the air filter regularly, and just-in-time repairs can add years to the HVAC system’s usefulness. But eventually, age and wear catch up to the vital parts. When larger components falter or fail, the cost of replacing parts rivals the cost of replacing the system. At this point, a decision needs to be made concerning the replacement of the entire system. Some of those high-cost components include:

• The compressor unit. The outdoor air conditioner component is called the compressor unit, and it has two major parts—the compressor motor and the network of cooling coils. Both the parts and the installation of the parts can be very expensive.
• A byproduct of burning natural gas is water vapor, a catalyst for rust on cast iron and sheet metal. When rust corrodes completely through burner assembly or heat exchanger parts, replacement can approach the cost of furnace replacement.
• Losing the refrigerant gas from an air conditioner or heat pump system used to be a simple process, but now it can be cost-prohibitive. Some refrigerants are no longer available. Some refrigerants are available but no longer being manufactured, so the law of supply and demand makes them increasingly expensive.

When a business owner understands the limitations of the HVAC system, a replacement plan can be implemented to prevent the dreaded emergency HVAC replacement.

The 3 Stages of Your HVAC System’s Life and How HVAC Maintenance Affects Each Stage

Commercial HVAC systems generally last around 20 years, though lifespan can vary depending on maintenance and usage. During the first decade, regular maintenance is key to preventing major issues, while the second decade often sees increasing wear and tear and the need for repairs. Eventually, major component failures make replacement more cost-effective than continued repairs, necessitating a planned approach to avoid emergencies.

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