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Save Money with Commercial HVAC Maintenance
Apr 21, 2019
HVAC PREVENTATIVE MAINTENANCE IS A SMART INVESTMENT
The results are in: studies show that preventative maintenance on your commercial HVAC system is worth the investment. According to the Building Efficiency Initiative, less than 50% of companies surveyed perform preventative or predictive maintenance on their critical HVAC systems. Think of your heating, cooling, and ventilation systems as the circulatory system — the heart, blood, veins, and lungs — of your commercial enterprise. Poor circulation can cost your business money and your employees their health and well-being. You owe it to your business and your employees to treat your system to regular check-ups.
Industry resource, Buildings
magazine, notes that HVAC system maintenance is nothing compared to what you’ll spend in the event of a catastrophic system failure and that by tracking system indicators (as you would if you have established a comprehensive HVAC maintenance plan), you can identify potential emerging problems before they reach a crisis point. “Some aspects of a maintenance plan are simple – change the oil, change the belts, change the filters. But, to keep a system operating at maximum efficiency, you’ll need to expend more elbow grease beyond the basics from time to time. Air-handler coils need to be cleaned periodically to keep heat transfer at maximum amounts. Boilers need to be cleaned annually; even 1/16-inch of soot and ash on heat-exchange surfaces in an oil-firing boiler can reduce efficiency by 10 percent.”
Whole Building Design Guide
reports that “Heating, ventilating, and air-conditioning (HVAC systems) account for 39% of the energy used in commercial buildings in the United States. Consequently, almost any business or government agency has the potential to realize significant savings by improving its control of HVAC operations and improving the efficiency of the system it uses. The use of high-performance HVAC equipment can result in considerable energy, emissions, and cost savings (10%–40%).”
COMMERCIAL HVAC SUSTAINABILITY TIPS THAT SAVE YOUR BUSINESS MONEY
The US Department of Energy
states that the average commercial building wastes a whopping 30% of the energy that it consumes. That’s a lot of money floating in the wind. Keep those dollars in your budget with proper HVAC maintenance.
CHANGE AIR FILTERS REGULARLY
Plan on changing air filters on a quarterly basis. Ideally, filters will be changed monthly during peak heating and cooling seasons. Dirty filters cause commercial HVAC systems to work harder by restricting airflow and may result in a 5-10% energy loss. Dirty air filters also lead to poor air quality and may reduce the productivity of your employees.
INSTALL PROGRAMMABLE THERMOSTATS OR A ZONED HEATING SYSTEM
Programmable thermostats and zone heating systems can save your business hundreds of dollars each year while simultaneously saving the environment.
KEEP YOUR CENTRIFUGAL CHILLERS IN GOOD SHAPE
Enjoy up big savings by removing microbes, ensuring an adequate air flow rate, and achieving optimal refrigerant levels (Building Efficiency Initiative).
PROPERLY SEAL HEATING AND COOLING DUCT
Professional HVAC technicians can reduce energy waste by using foil tape or blown-in sealant to seal your ducts and by wrapping ductwork in insulation.
INVEST IN ROUTINE MAINTENANCE
Qualified technicians will develop a maintenance plan that could include regular filter maintenance, duct cleaning, moving part lubrication, sensor testing, and thermostat installation, calibration, and maintenance.
Think of preventative HVAC maintenance as you would a routine oil change in your car. Just as you wouldn’t risk your engine’s integrity by running on old, dirty oil, you shouldn’t put your costly HVAC systems at risk by neglecting them. Commercial HVAC systems have more than 100 components — and the potential for accompanying performance issues — that can degrade performance (Building Efficiency Initiative) and cost your business money, so contact Evolution Maintenance today! We can keep your HVAC running at peak efficiency. Contact us
today!
EVOLUTION MAINTENANCE COMMERCIAL HVAC BLOG
DECOMMISSIONING YOUR BUSINESS MADE EASY!
WHY IT'S IMPORTANT TO ROUTINELY CLEAN YOUR COMMERCIAL KITCHEN HOOD
Losing heat during the winter can be costly and uncomfortable for your employees. Winter is arriving shortly and the best thing to do is to make sure your building is performing optimally to handle the change in temperature. Owners and property managers have a lot on their plate already, and problems with your heating are issues that can be easily avoided. Having your building inspected is key to stay ahead of the problems winter can bring. Your HVAC system is the integral component of your building, it keeps it cool during the summer and warm during the winter, but most people don’t realize there is a problem until it is too late. Inspect your HVAC equipment and have a preventative maintenance program in place to ensure everything is running smoothly. Having a professional technician inspect every odd and end in your building is the first step. Checking for cracks, leaks, and ensuring everything is sealed and insulated is not only integral to ensure your system is operating correctly, but also can save you money on heating costs. This can be done on a weekly, monthly, or annual basis. Not to be overlooked is your cooling system as well. The best time to repair or replace components in your cooling system is when it is not in use during the winter.
DOES YOUR BUILDING RUN LIKE A SWISS CLOCK, USAIN BOLT, OR A WELL-OILED MACHINE? No? If you feel like you’re working for your building rather than having a building that works for you, then it’s time to take a look at your maintenance services. If your on-site maintenance team can’t keep up or if you feel like you’ve lost track of all the subcontractors who beat a steady path to your door, then it’s time to consider a commercial building maintenance provider that doesn’t rely on an endless stream of subcontractors. A self-performing maintenance company is dedicated to taking care of your facility needs so you can focus on your business, not your building. When a commercial facility maintenance company says they’re “self-performing,” it means that your building is their business. Self-performing commercial facilities maintenance companies are committed to quality, safety, efficiency, and cost control. Not only that, but they have the deep expertise, the equipment, and the know-how to do it all. Commercial building maintenance or commercial facilities maintenance companies are qualified to perform a range of services including HVAC installation, maintenance, and repair; commercial and industrial refrigeration services; commercial plumbing repair, winterization, and water heater replacement; soda fountain, fryer, and commercial kitchen maintenance; electrical outlet installation, high and low voltage diagnosis and repair, lighting installation, and panel board installation and repair; and general maintenance services like painting, debris removal, light carpentry, and more. THE BENEFITS OF A SELF-PERFORMING MAINTENANCE COMPANY Companies that rely on a commercial building maintenance provider can rest easy knowing that qualified professionals are attending to their critical systems. SAVE TIME ON ROUTINE REPAIRS Highly trained technicians who specialize in commercial building systems get the job done right the first time. Unlike on-staff building engineers, who may lack specific certifications, or a facility services provider that relies on subcontractors, commercial maintenance companies send their own qualified technicians for the job. There’s no need to do something twice that can be done right once! And unlike your 40-hour/week employee, a self-performing technician is available around the clock. FIND INNOVATIVE SOLUTIONS TO COMMON (AND NOT-SO-COMMON) FACILITY PROBLEMS When you work with a company that specializes in commercial building maintenance, it’s pretty likely that they’ve “seen it all before.” Take advantage of a technician’s prior experience to expedite repairs and keep your business and your brand up and running. SAVE MONEY WITH COMMERCIAL BUILDING MAINTENANCE PROVIDERS There’s no need to budget for a full-time salary and benefits when you can rely on expert technicians on-demand. A reputable provider will work with you to find the safest and most cost-effective solution to your facility’s problems. COUNT ON QUALITY CONTROL A self-performing technician is responsible for his or her work. Which means they’re going to do their best work all the time, every time. Self-performing companies are pro-active, reliable, and are accountable for their technicians and their work. Highly qualified teams work together to find the best solution for your facility. PUT SAFETY FIRST WITH COMMERCIAL FACILITIES MANAGEMENT Highly qualified and experienced self-performing technicians are very familiar with OSHA regulations ranging from indoor air quality to electrical safety. Your safety is their first concern. FOCUSING ON SERVICE Most companies understand that your building is more than the sum of its mechanical parts. Looks for a commercial building maintenance company that sees beyond the systems and looks to build a rapport with you and your employees.
Thinking about replacing your commercial ice machine? There are plenty of reasons for your commercial ice maker to stop making ice. Believe it or not, the process of freezing water is tougher than it seems. However, before you put in a purchase order in for a new ice machine, it’s worth determining whether or not a repair is in the cards. Is your commercial ice maker ready for the salvage yard or salvageable? TROUBLESHOOTING YOUR COMMERCIAL ICE MACHINE After running the obvious power and water supply checks, consider the following: HOW HOT IS IT IN THERE? If your ice maker is struggling to keep up with the demands of your commercial kitchen, or you suspect that heat is pocketing dangerously around the machine, take a temperature reading. If temperatures are routinely topping 90 degrees, ice machine production can drop dramatically. When ambient temperatures are too high, water temperatures increase accordingly and ice machines work exponentially harder to cool water to acceptable levels for ice making. As an added bonus, cooling your work space sufficiently not only aids in ice production, but it also helps keeps your employees happy and food supplies stable. On the off chance you’re already looking to purchase an ice machine, it’s wise to keep typical working temperatures in mind and to consider purchasing a machine that makes more ice than you think you’ll need. IS THERE ENOUGH BREATHING ROOM FOR YOUR ICE MACHINE? Space is at a premium for most kitchens and commercial retail spaces, however, even ice machines need a little elbow room. Air cooled ice machine heads and under counter ice makers need at least six inches of clearance for optimal airflow and ice making. IS YOUR COMPRESSOR WORKING OVERTIME? If this is the case, it may be time to throw in the towel. The experts at The News have this very common-sense advice for business owners: “If there are major problems with the compressor, metering device, controls, etc., and the machine is old enough that the owner wants to replace it instead of paying for major repairs on an old machine, the descaling procedure might turn out to be a waste of time.” HAVE YOU CLEANED YOUR MACHINE RECENTLY? If you’ve heard the horror stories about dirty ice, then your customers have too. Do yourself a favor and routinely clean your machine and replace the filter. Not only will scale, microscopic mineral deposits, cause your commercial ice machine work less efficiently, it’s one of the most common causes of ice machine failure. Always clean your machine using Federal Food Code standards. Check the machine manufacturer recommendations and clean accordingly. To minimize scale build-up, replace the filter every six months, at minimum. Scale can be safely removed with specially formulated removal products. IS THE CONDENSER CLEAN? If the condenser coils are dusty, oily, or otherwise grimy, warm air cannot be effectively filtered out and away from your machine. Heat, obviously, is the enemy of ice. Dust is easy to wipe away with a damp cloth. Grease is a little tougher and may require a chemical or specially formulated cleaning solution if the situation is particularly dire. IS IT TIME FOR A SERVICE CALL? While managers and business owners can certainly perform basic troubleshooting procedures, ice machines are complicated and sensitive industry-specific equipment. Arens Publications encourages entrepreneurs to “…Have your ice machines serviced annually by a professional. The experts are able to tune-up your equipment and be proactive about fixing any existing issues to make sure that not only is your machine working properly, but also so you don’t face any future breakdowns when least expected.” For commercial ice machine service, maintenance, and installation contact Evolution Maintenance today at (615)-649-0622.
Soda fountain maintenance can be tricky. There’s a lot that can go wrong with soda machines, but there are also plenty of opportunities to troubleshoot your machine before calling in a professional soda fountain repair technician. Here are a few ways to determine whether you can fix your soda fountain dispenser on your own or if you need to call for backup. WHAT CAN GO WRONG WITH A SODA MACHINE? For a process as simple as mixing carbon dioxide, water, and flavored syrup (assuming you have a post-mix machine) and dispensing it into a cup, there’s plenty of room for error and malfunction. Fortunately there are a few things you can try before calling in the professionals? ISSUE #1: FLAT SODA What’s soda without fizz? If your soda is coming out flat, there are a couple of possible culprits: temperature and CO2. After powering the soda dispenser down, start with your carbonator. Make sure that it is securely plugged in and operational. If your carbonator is working, then move on to your CO2 tank and make sure that it still has gas in it and that there are no leaks in the line. If you hear hissing, call for service. Not only are CO2 leaks costly, but in extreme situations, they can lead to suffocation. Finally, you should check your ice tank: well-chilled water and syrup keeps the carbonation inside the beverage, rather than allowing it to escape into the atmosphere. If, after turning the machine back on and allowing some time for cooling, your soda is still flat, call a professional repair technician. ISSUE #2: PUMP WON’T STOP PUMPING First, figure out which pump is the problem by following the supply line to the source. If you’re running a post-mix (BIB or bag-in-box) system, you may need to replace your existing bag-in-box with a new one, using sanitary best practices as detailed below. After removing the empty or malfunctioning bag, use a clean food service towel or gloved hands to push the nipple valve on the end of the bag connector into the flavor bag until the pumping stops. Submerge the connector into your drinkable water source until the system re-pressurizes and the pumping stops. Pressing the nipple valve in can help with this process. At this point, you may also try disconnecting the carbon dioxide line as previously explained. If this still doesn’t work, it’s time to call a professional. ISSUE #3: ONLY SYRUP, NO FIZZY WATER Make sure the water source is on and that water is flowing to the unit. If water is not entering the unit, look for kinks in the hose that may be restricting water flow to the machine. If not, call a pro. ISSUE #4: YOUR SODA IS DISCOLORED OR DIRTY The first thing you’ll want to do is check to make sure that your product has not passed its expiration date. If the product is still “good,” simply run the soda through the unit until the color returns to normal. If, after a few cups, your soda is off-color, you should contact a professional. If your soda has floaties or dark particles, remove the dispensing nozzle and, using sanitary brushes, clean and sanitize the nozzle and valve with an approved sanitizer solution. WE CAN HELP WITH YOUR SODA FOUNTAIN MAINTENANCE If you need to have your soda machine examined by experienced professionals to determine whether or not repair is your best option, the specialists at Evolution Maintenance can help. Contact us today at (615)-649-0622.
Have you ever heard of Freon leaks? Maybe you remember Freon from chemistry class a long time ago? Well let us refresh your memory… Freon isn’t an element, or even a naturally occurring substance. The name “Freon,” which is actually a registered trademark, is used to describe an entire class of a synthetic chemicals that are commonly used in refrigeration products (also called “refrigerants). These products that are variants of Freon are typically stable and nonflammable, but they are also toxic. Some variation of Freon is probably in your refrigeration unit or air conditioning unit right now, so it’s important that you understand the dangers, and how to avoid them! However, since we don’t know exactly which version of Freon we are dealing with, we’re going to keep this article as broad as possible. WHAT ARE THE DANGERS OF FREON LEAKS? First of all, the dangers of exposure to Freon are not life-threatening so long as the exposure is minimal. Prolonged, intense exposure to Freon can have a much more detrimental impact on a person’s health. IN GENERAL, THE DANGERS OF MILD EXPOSURE TO FREON INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING: Irritation of the eyes & ears Irritation of the throat & coughing Nausea & vomiting Headache Frostbite or chemical burns (in the case of direct, physical contact) Dizziness or lightheadedness AND THE DANGERS OF CONCENTRATED OR PROLONGED EXPOSURE TO FREON INCLUDE: Fluid or blood buildup in the lungs Vomiting blood Burning sensation in the esophagus Difficulty breathing Decrease mental capacity Seizures Loss of Consciousness Cardiac Palpitations Death (in extreme circumstances) The demographic that is most vulnerable to the effects of Freon are individuals who suffer from heart problems. In small amounts, the effects of Freon should be relatively benign. However, more concentrated exposure to Freon can lead to severe, high-frequency, and potentially dangerous cardiac palpitations. The direct inhalation of Freon to ‘get high’ has managed to catch on in certain circles. This is particularly risky. There have been fatalities that have occurred as a result of even the first use of Freon as a drug. Inhaling Freon can cut off the oxygen supply to your cells and lungs. HOW TO DETECT + PREVENT FREON LEAKS The 2 places where you are mostly likely to find Freon are your air conditioning unit and your refrigeration unit. We’ll start by listing some warning signs for leaks in your A/C unit. SIGNS THAT YOUR A/C UNIT HAS A FREON LEAK It’s blowing out hot air, especially during daylight hours Frost is building up on your indoor air conditioner coil Condensation is leaving puddles on your floor There are visible holes or cracks in your A/C coil In extreme cases, you might be able to hear the Freon escaping SIGNS THAT YOUR REFRIGERATION UNIT HAS A FREON LEAK It’s no longer cold inside You’re hearing hissing and gurgling sounds There are puddles underneath the refrigeration unit There is evidence of damage in the tubing or condenser The evaporator coils are covered in frost and/or ice If you are noticing any of these symptoms in your air conditioning unit or your refrigeration unit, it’s time to call the professionals. This stuff can be dangerous, so don’t delay! You can make an appointment with us at Evolution Maintenance. We’re here to help!
Facilities management and heating and cooling industry publications and experts from HVACmaintenance.org, EnergySTAR, and the EPA agree on the importance of scheduling regular preventative maintenance for your commercial enterprise’s HVAC systems. HERE ARE A FEW OF THE MOST COMPELLING REASONS FOR SCHEDULING ROUTINE, PREVENTATIVE HVAC MAINTENANCE: HIGHER EFFICIENCY, LOWER ENERGY BILLS Let’s start with one of the most compelling reasons for keeping your HVAC systems in top condition: saving money. If your HVAC systems aren’t running at maximum efficiency, then your unit will work harder to produce the desired temperatures. Furthermore, if your systems are working harder, they’re using more energy—and energy costs money. A reputable HVAC maintenance contractor will provide the following services to ensure your HVAC system is running at peak efficiency: Full mechanical and systems audit Filter replacement Checking the condition of belts and pulleys and replacing as needed Clearing drain lines and pans Checking electrical connections Adjusting fans and blower motors as needed Inspecting ignition and burners Lubricating motors and moving parts Inspection of thermostats and controls Inspection of heat exchangers Cleaning of condensers and evaporator coils Checking air flow FEWER SERVICE CALLS Establishing a preventative maintenance schedule for your heating and cooling systems saves on repair bills, and makes life run a little more smoothly. Routine maintenance can minimize long-term costs and deliver a better ROI for facilities managers and building owners. FEWER EMERGENCY REPAIRS A well-maintained heating and cooling system is much, much less likely to fall victim to sudden failure. And there’s nothing that facility managers dread more than emergency HVAC service calls. A properly tuned unit keeps your employees, clients, and inventory safe while protecting your facility’s budget. LONGER EQUIPMENT LIFE If HVAC systems are regularly cleaned, lubricated, and inspected, and are running smoothly at maximum efficiency, then they’re going to last longer. One small, malfunctioning component can cause strain on the unit, trigger secondary failures, and result in a system shut down. Preventative HVAC maintenance prevents this nasty domino effect, and buys you more time with your existing system. FEWER SICK DAYS An improperly cleaned ventilation system can quickly become a toxic breeding ground for bacteria and mold, which may cause or exacerbate respiratory infections and allergies. While this is a difficult figure to quantify on facilities spreadsheets, productivity is critical to an industry’s bottom line. SAFER EQUIPMENT HVAC systems have the potential to leak toxic carbon monoxide into the air and electrical short circuits present very real fire hazards. Routine system maintenance keeps these deadly possibilities at bay. WARRANTY PROTECTION For newer systems, routine maintenance makes great sense. In many cases, the unit will be under warranty, and the part or component may be fully covered. To ensure the air inside your commercial facility is healthy, and temperatures are comfortable, schedule an HVAC preventative maintenance appointment with Evolution Maintenance today.
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