Category: HVAC

HVAC maintenance is a top priority for most facility managers. It is one of the most important cost-saving services you can schedule and will improve the overall health and indoor air quality standards of your facility. Despite how important this service is, many facility managers don’t know enough about their HVAC system to maintain it properly. 

Below are the most common questions we receive from clients, and what you need to know to improve your HVAC maintenance plan: 

How can I reduce my heating and cooling costs?

This is the most obvious, and most frequently asked question our HVAC technicians receive. Most people expect answers like changing the thermostat setting or turning off the system at night. However, our technicians know that the best thing you can do for your HVAC system is to care for it. Neglecting to perform air duct and vent cleaning, preventative maintenance checks, and outdoor unit maintenance will shorten the service life and cost you due to decreased unit performance. If you want to save, invest in proper HVAC care. 

Should I zone my HVAC system?

Zoning is the process of setting up sectioned HVAC systems that control temperature and humidity for different areas of your facility. This can allow you to customize the heating and cooling for different needs and therefore lower your energy costs for large buildings. However, it is not recommended for smaller offices or buildings where climate control is not a top priority. 

Does the size of my HVAC system matter?

In commercial HVAC maintenance, size matters more than you think. If your system is too small, it will be constantly working to try and heat or cool the facility. This will lead to premature service problems and inefficiencies in system performance. If the system is too big for the building, however, the system will have trouble controlling humidity. A commercial HVAC system needs to be sized properly for your building and adjusted when building remodeling and additions are made. 

MaintenX specializes in HVAC maintenance for commercial facilities across the U.S. To learn more about our services and technicians, contact your local MaintenX team today!

Your HVAC system is one of the most important systems throughout your entire building. It is responsible not only for the comfort of your employees and tenants, but can preserve indoor air quality in businesses that need it the most. In a commercial kitchen, medical facility, or industrial complex, indoor air quality is of the utmost importance for tenant health and long-term safety. 

 

When your HVAC system starts making strange noises, you should immediately contact your MaintenX team. Even a slight issue with its performance can cost you thousands in repairs if not addressed immediately. If you hear any of these noises coming from your ents or outdoor units, give us a call. 

 

Squealing 

A squeal or screeching noise could mean the fan belt needs replacing, or the motor needs lubrication. These repairs are fairly simple and inexpensive, but neglecting to do them can cause permanent damage to your HVAC’s mechanical parts. 

 

Clicking 

A clicking noise on the first cold day of winter may be a good noise – it means your furnace is working after being out of commission for several months. However, if that clicking noise continues (especially if you’re having issues with climate control), it could mean your ignition system is malfunctioning. Call your technician if the clicking noise continues for more than a day to ensure further complications don’t occur. 

 

Thumping

If you can hear a rhythmic slapping or thumping sound within your outdoor unit, there may be something stuck in the motor or fan blades. This can cause significant wear and tear over time, which can lessen your system’s performance ability and cause other repairs down the line. 

 

Rattling or banging 

This noise is another sign that something is loose or broken within the fan components of the system. This sound often signals more extensive repairs, so the sooner you call your HVAC technician, the better. 

 

In most circumstances, an unusual noise coming from your HVAC system should be inspected by an HVAC professional. Even if the repair is minor, it’s better to fix it now rather than wait for disaster. To learn more about HVAC repairs and maintenance for your facility, contact your local MaintenX team today!

MaintenX specializes in commercial HVAC repair, maintenance, and installments across the country. We strive to educate our clients as well as provide service to them, to ensure they make the best decisions for their facility. However, we still see plenty of HVAC mistakes from our clients when working on their preventative maintenance. 

 

Below are three things our HVAC techs wish you wouldn’t do, and what you can do instead to avoid these mistakes:

 

Changing the temperature every day. 

Thermostat wars are common in office buildings. When you have one employee that’s always too hot, and another that’s always too cold, it’s common to have the thermostat change almost daily. However, this overworks your system and causes a higher power bill than what you would have if the temperature was stable. It’s okay to change the temperature according to seasonal changes, but try to maintain a consistent setting throughout the summer and winter to ensure your HVAC system runs properly. 

 

Neglecting your air filters. 

Air filters need to be changed once a month for your HVAC system to run efficiently. If not, your air quality will be affected as well as your HVAC unit itself. The dirt and dust that isn’t trapped will continue to circulate and back up into the system. It will also make your HVAC system work harder to push air through the dirty filter, which in turn raises your power costs. 

 

Assuming bigger is better. 

At MaintenX, we do a lot of HVAC upgrades in older buildings. Oftentimes our clients want to upgrade to a bigger system, thinking that they’ll have better climate control with a larger system. However, a larger system on a building that is small will only make your HVAC system run less efficiently. Focus on the technology and energy efficiency of the system rather than the size when choosing an appropriate upgrade. 

 

MaintenX offers HVAC repair, preventative care, and installations for businesses across the U.S. To learn more about our services or to schedule a repair today, contact your local MaintenX team!

Talking to a maintenance technician can be just like talking to your mechanic. You only understand half of what they say, and you never really know if you’re getting your money’s worth on repairs and services that they say you need. This can lead to quite a bit of frustration, especially when you’re working with several management positions and a tight corporate budget. While it’s typically best to listen to exactly what your technician recommends, it can be difficult to explain why you need expensive repairs if you don’t know the terminology that goes with them. 

 

In order to facilitate HVAC services and better understand your system as a whole, learn about the different terms HVAC technicians use every day. These five are a great start to beginning a dialogue with your HVAC technician that is productive and can speed up your service requests:

 

Load Calculation

Load calculation refers to the calculation of heat gain and loss of a building. This is affected by insulation, sunlight, weather and climate, and building usage among other things. The load calculation is used to properly size your HVAC units and is therefore important for you to understand when upgrading equipment. 

 

Airflow

When your HVAC technician mentions airflow, they’re not talking about how fast your HVAC system can cool or how well it ventilated. They’re referring to the amount of air your system is capable of moving through the ducts, measured in cubic feet per minute. The larger the facility, the more important this measurement is. 

 

EER

Energy Efficiency Ration (EER) is the efficiency calculation used to rate your heat pump and A/C unit. Typically, the EErR is calculated in BTUs and is important when upgrading your system. The higher the rating, the more efficient and therefore cost-saving the system. 

 

Zoning System

Zoning HVAC systems are incredibly beneficial for large-scale building installations. They allow the temperature to be controlled by zones rather than setting one temperature for the entire unit. This can make your system more efficient and practical for buildings that require different temperatures for different operations. 

 

MERV Rating

The Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value (MERV) helps to rate the efficiency of your air filter. This rating is more important in medical facilities, where trapping small microbial and viral particles is of the utmost importance. However, a higher rating can help improve indoor air quality for all types of commercial buildings. 

 

The more you understand your HVAC technician, the better you can plan maintenance now and in the future. To learn more about HVAC maintenance for commercial facilities, visit the MaintenX resource center.

In Florida, where MaintenX is headquartered, most of our businesses experience HVAC problems at least once during their ownership or rental of older buildings. HVAC machines are some of the most weathered components of your facility due to daily use and overexertion in peak summer and winter months. If you operate a commercial kitchen or medical facility where ventilation is also put into overdrive, you can expect to invest more in HVAC maintenance than any other part of your maintenance protocol. 

 

Below are three of the most common HVAC emergencies for businesses, and what you can do to prevent them from happening to you: 

 

Ignition problems

When HVAC maintenance is lacking, ignition problems are incredibly common. They can result from pilot, flame sensor, or burner issues often caused by dirt buildup or wear and tear on the parts. One of the most common symptoms of this is short cycling, but it can lead to a complete HVAC breakdown if you don’t tend to it. The best way to prevent ignition problems is to schedule regular cleaning so your parts are in good shape and your HVAC technician has the ability to catch problems early while they run inspections. 

 

Mechanical wear and tear

Even a well-maintained system will experience wear and tear on belts, bearings, and other components within the vents and furnace. However, these can be exacerbated by overheating, improper airflow, or general lack of care for HVAC parts. While you cannot fully prevent wear and tear on parts, you can ensure parts are changed before they cause problems with regular maintenance checks on your HVAC system. 

 

Thermostat issues

If you ever experience HVAC issues but don’t notice any unusual change in noise or functioning of the units themselves, your thermostat is likely the culprit. If your thermostat is not registering the right temperature, your HVAC system will either run all day or will run shorter cycles because it is reacting to wrong information. You may need to move your thermostat, repair it, or replace it with a smart thermostat to ensure your facility is at a comfortable temperature. 

 

MaintenX can work with you to resolve these problems and many more through preventative care programs for your HVAC system. Our preventative maintenance helps you avoid costly repairs and extend the service life of your machinery, leading to long-term cost savings. To learn more, give your local MaintenX team a call today!

In Tampa, Florida, where MaintenX is headquartered, an HVAC breakdown is considered a critical emergency for most businesses. In the summer temperatures reach the 90s every day, and with 80% humidity, it’s nearly impossible to continue working. Even if your business is operational, your customers will not feel welcome in a place with no A/C. That is why we’ve created this emergency guide to help you in the event of an unexpected HVAC breakdown. 

 

Step 1: Call MaintenX immediately. 

If your HVAC system breaks down, the very first thing you need to do is call for help. Don’t wait several minutes or an hour for your onsite handyman to look at the problem! It’s better to call and not need service than to delay service because you think you can fix the problem quickly. The sooner you call, the sooner you’ll be back in business. 

 

Step 2: Verify your system has power and the breaker isn’t tripped. 

Once you’ve requested professional service, you can begin looking for quick fixes that may help you get the A/C back on quickly. Check the power source and breaker box to see if power has been cut for any reason. If so, you still may want a consult from an electrician or handyman, but at least you can get the A/C back up and running temporarily. 

 

Step 3: Check the thermostat

If you are certain power is not the issue, check to see if the thermostat is the problem. It may be the problem and not your unit, which can easily be remedied by a change of batteries or minor repair by your HVAC technician. 

 

Step 4: Provide fans for onsite employees. 

If the problem cannot be easily diagnosed and resolved, it’s time to take action by provisioning employees with a temporary cooling solution. This can keep everyone onsite at least for a few hours until the problem is resolved.

 

Step 5: Consult with your HVAC technician  

Once your MaintenX technician arrives, they will be able to diagnose the issue and provide either a fix or options for future repairs. In the worst-case scenario, you’ll need a new unit that your MaintenX technician can help you select. Either way, we will ensure your HVAC system is up and running as soon as possible. 

MaintenX specializes in HVAC/R repair for commercial facilities across the U.S. If you have an HVAC emergency, contact us here.

Commercial HVAC systems are put under high stress throughout the year. Unlike the HVAC system in your home, commercial appliances must control areas independently and account for high-volume, high production rooms within your facility. A commercial kitchen, medical facility, or manufacturing site also requires additional ventilation to ensure safe indoor air quality for all guests and employees. Because of this incredible workload, commercial HVAC units need preventative care throughout the year in order to perform well. 

 

One of the most important parts of commercial HVAC maintenance is air duct cleaning. This essential service should be performed on a regular schedule in order to maintain indoor air quality and climate control. Below are just a few of the reasons why air duct cleaning should be a critical and regular part of your maintenance schedule: 

 

Air duct cleaning reduces dust and indoor air contaminant circulation

Air ducts can become homes for dust, dirt, mold, mildew, and other indoor air contaminants if not cleaned regularly. When these begin to circulate through your system, they can cause health problems within your facility and performance issues within the system itself. By cleaning the air ducts, you can keep the air clean and breathable for tenants. 

 

Protect equipment

If air ducts are not cleaned regularly, mold and mildew can begin to spread, which will deteriorate the parts within the system. Cleaning can also help to improve the efficiency of parts and allow your technician to identify needed repairs. 

 

Improve energy-efficiency

An HVAC system that is constantly trying to fight dust and debris will have to work harder than one that is cleaned regularly. This extra work wastes energy even in a newer or energy-efficient unit. If you want to lower your heating and cooling costs, preventative maintenance is essential. 

 

MaintenX specializes in preventative repairs for commercial HVAC and refrigeration systems. We provide cleaning, monitoring, and preventative repairs to ensure your unit reaches the maximum extent of its service life and can perform with lower energy costs throughout the year. To learn more about what MaintenX can do for your commercial HVAC/R system, contact us today!

HVAC maintenance can be a mystery for new facility managers or new tenants in a building. If you’re lucky, your system will only need the occasional cleaning and monthly filter change. However, there are many myths that facility managers are led to believe can cause serious problems within our system. 

 

Don’t believe these HVAC maintenance myths you hear online or from your handyman down the street. MaintenX cares about the quality of preventative care, and we want you to follow the right rules for keeping your HVAC system in check.

 

If your HVAC system is running slow, turn the thermostat lower than you want it to be so it will cool down faster.

This is a common mistake made by both homeowners and commercial facility managers. If your HVAC system cannot cool your building to the temperature you set, it is running inefficiently and needs to be diagnosed for potential issues. 

 

A bigger HVAC system will cool more efficiently. 

Bigger is not better when it comes to your HVAC units. Commercial systems are designed to fit the exact space you’re trying to heat and cool. Going any bigger than what is needed is a waste of time, and may even cause inefficiencies. 

 

Turning off the AC when the office is closed will help you save money. 

While we do recommend changing the temperature for extended closures (such as during holidays or for temporary leave), you don’t need to turn it off completely. Your system will expend more energy changing the temperature dramatically than it would by maintaining a temperature that you can adjust easily. 

 

You should let your HVAC system completely wear out before replacing it. 

This strategy can cost you more on expensive repairs trying to keep a failing system alive. If you replace your HVAC system at the right time, you can save on pricey repairs and upgrade to a more energy-efficient model which will help you recoup the expenses in lower power bills. 

 

You don’t have to schedule preventative care on newer systems.

New systems will run more efficiently and need less care, but problems can arise even with an HVAC unit that was installed within the year. Be diligent about changing filters and scheduling cleanings regardless of the age of the system, so you can keep a high-performance unit working smoothly. 

 

At Maintenx, we pride ourselves in top-notch preventative care for commercial HVAC systems. To learn more about what you can do to better maintain your system, contact us today.

In the summertime, keeping humidity under control is a hassle. In Florida, where MaintenX is headquartered, we struggle with 80% and 90% humidity levels throughout the months of June and July. However, in the wintertime, most of our clients are dealing with the opposite problem. They are struggling to create an ideal humidity level to keep guests and employees comfortable. 

 

Some of this balancing act has to do with your HVAC settings, while the rest is about proper maintenance of your system as a whole. Below are just a few tips you can follow to maintain the proper humidity levels for your facility, regardless of the season: 

 

Clean out air ducts and filters.

If the humidity levels in your building are too high, you may notice condensation near your vents, which will eventually lead to water damage and mildew inside the HVAC system. You don’t want this stuff circulating throughout our building, so be sure to clean your ducts and filters in the summer to prevent lower indoor air quality. 

 

Use humidifiers and dehumidifiers in rooms near entrances. 

If you have a small office, a humidifier or dehumidifier may be large enough to control your entire space. However, even if you operate a large building, you can use these to control the humidity in areas near entrances, where outside air is likely to come in. 

 

Monitor drastic changes in humidity levels. 

You can expect humidity levels to change throughout the season, but be on the lookout for drastic changes, especially increases. This could mean your HVAC system is having issues filtering or cooling air, and you may be in need of a check-up. 

 

Humidity can be a game-changer for controlling the comfort levels and health of your building. For more information, contact your HVAC technician at MaintenX today.