4 Common Yet Preventable Commercial HVAC Repairs

If you own or manage a commercial building, you know the importance of ensuring the comfort of your tenants. Just as important is avoiding unnecessary costs incurred by unnecessary repair work. The good news is, there are many kinds of commercial HVAC repairs that are, indeed, preventable. Local heating and air conditioning company Schmitt takes a look at some of the most common ones:

1. Fixing an unresponsive HVAC system. The most common reason for HVAC service calls is when an HVAC system stops responding to the thermostat. It also happens to be the easiest to fix — simply follow the troubleshooting steps outlined in the HVAC system user guide. Often, the solution is as simple as resetting the thermostat or replacing its battery. Make sure to instruct your building maintenance staff to perform troubleshooting first before setting up a service appointment.

2. Odor removal. Unpleasant smells in the ductwork is usually caused by mold or rotting organic matter like wood or animal parts. Depending on the cause and its extent, eliminating it can be as simple as getting rid of the source — or the entire building may require a full remediation and restoration. To avoid having to do any of them, schedule an annual HVAC inspection that includes the air ducts and make sure that the air filters are replaced regularly. A commercial HVAC system will usually need a new one every month.

3. Fixing dirty and leaky air ducts. Leaky air ducts can affect your HVAC system’s efficiency and its life span, reduce its output, as well as introduce contaminants like dirt, dust and mold into the air. It may also lead to a number of complaints from your tenants. Fortunately, air duct sealing and cleaning can be done as often as every three years, and as long as you schedule this with your HVAC contractor, you’re far less likely to encounter related problems.

4. Fixing leaking refrigerant. A leak in the refrigerant line leaves less of the substance for the HVAC system to work with, resulting in an increased workload and, consequently, increased wear. Repairs involve fixing the leak and recharging the refrigerant back to its correct levels. As the property owner or manager, conducting a monthly inspection of your HVAC systems will let you spot signs of corrosion that may lead to a leak. While not entirely preventing repair work, addressing the earliest signs of a leak can help keep repair costs low and business downtimes short.

Call Schmitt for Your Commercial HVAC Needs

When you need an HVAC company in San Francisco that you can count on, look no further than Schmitt. Learn more about our services by giving us a call at (415) 689-7849, or by filling out our contact form to schedule an appointment.