Category: HVAC

HVAC technicians may seem just like regular people, but if you’ve ever had the air conditioning go out on a hot summer’s day, you know them as heroes. The work of an HVAC technician is difficult, but incredibly rewarding when you see the happy faces of the family or business you serve. If you’re interested in joining this field, there are some aspects of the job you should know beforehand. 

 

Job Duties and Salary of an HVAC Technician

HVAC technicians are responsible for installing, repairing, cleaning, and maintaining the entire HVAC system. This includes any air conditioning or heating component in a facility such as the air ducts, outdoor units, vents, and other features of the system. Some of the tasks you’ll do on the job include: 

 

• Replacing old HVAC systems and installing new ones
• Scheduling and performing maintenance
• Cleaning ducts and outdoor units
• Ensuring buildings meet local HVAC codes
• Communicating with clients

 

HVAC technician work is not easy. Oftentimes you’ll be called to fix broken units in the middle of summer or winter when the systems are most often overworked. This means you’ll be working in cramped spaces either in the biting cold or sweltering heat. However, the salary often compensates for this. HVAC technicians can make anywhere between $50K and $60K at upper levels, and will often receive overtime when specializing in commercial work. 

 

How To Become an HVAC Technician

HVAC technicians typically start their careers with technical school training or an apprenticeship similar to other vocational training. However, this is not necessary to become a certified technician. If you have worked in the family business or have received an entry-level position at a company, you can learn on the job and take your certification tests just like a technical school graduate. To practice with a license, however, you will need to be certified in your state. 

 

HVAC technician work is incredibly rewarding, and MaintenX offers both a competitive salary and numerous on-the-job benefits. We value our technicians and make sure they always have a reason to come to work tomorrow. If you’re interested in starting your career with MaintenX contact us today or visit our careers page for more information. 

For the most part, we take our air conditioning and ventilation for granted. There are few places in the Western world that don’t have access to air conditioning and ventilation, and we are able to spend up to 90% of our time in America indoors. However, we don’t always look at the potential danger of our indoor air. 

 

In the U.S. the top concerns for air quality actually happen indoors, rather than the outdoor air pollution that we can see from industrial sites. The EPA lists these indoor air contaminants as top health concerns in both residential and commercial facilities: 

 

• Dust particles 
• Bacteria and viruses
• Combustion products
• Excess moisture leading to mold and mildew
• Radon
• Pesticides
• Volatile organic compounds (VOCs)

 

These contaminants can hurt our immune systems or cause a host of short- and long-term diseases that are hard to recover from. Respiratory issues such as COPD and asthma can also be exacerbated by these contaminants, or even be caused by them after prolonged exposure. For the safety and wellbeing of your staff, you should follow these steps to improve your commercial facility’s indoor air quality: 

 

Unblock air vents.

Air vents can be blocked by furniture, appliances, or other structures near the vent. This can cause problems with circulation, causing contaminants to stay in the system for longer. By removing any potential barriers to airflow, you can create better indoor air quality. 

 

Ensure proper ventilation with combustion products.

Appliances such as your furnace, water heater, and commercial stoves should be outfitted with advanced ventilation to remove any potential dangers in your facility. These appliances need to be on a tight maintenance schedule in order to ensure safety and health for your tenants. Talk to MaintenX about your preventative maintenance options for these products. 

 

Watch out for water intrusion.

Your HVAC system is a prime location for condensation and coolant leaks if you are not diligent in its maintenance. These leaks can cause mold and mildew to grow, which will eventually be circulated through the air. In order to prevent this danger. Schedule regular preventative maintenance on your unit. 

 

Reduce harmful chemical use.

Industrial and manufacturing facilities often use harsh cleaning chemicals or substances in their production, but you can limit the exposure of your employees to improve their workplace health. By limiting exposure to these substances and not using them when necessary, you can improve your indoor air quality. Exposure to VOCs is especially critical, so check with manufacturers before using certain cleaning products, upholstery, and pesticides. 

 

MaintenX cares about the health and wellness of your facility’s staff. That is why we place extra emphasis on clean working environments and HVAC maintenance to ensure you’re not circulating these contaminants in your air. To learn more about our preventative care services, contact us today!

High school graduates have not had an easy time over the past year. With COVID-19 taking away their graduations and much of the experience of their first year of college, it may not be clear to some what their next steps should be. Some are hesitating to go to college amidst the pandemic, which is causing them to look at other alternatives to a traditional college education. 

 

At MaintenX, we believe there is more than one way to find success in one’s career. We highly encourage young students to look into technical fields as well as college education. While trade schools have lost popularity in recent years, there are many benefits to a trade school education for students of all kinds. The cost savings, job opportunities, and on-the-job training are just a few reasons why we believe that young HVAC technicians have a very bright future ahead. 

 

There is no doubt that a college degree will serve any college student who desires one. However, it is not the only option for bright young professionals who want ambitious careers. Many students are weighing their options more carefully since the cost of education has steadily increased and student loans are getting many into financial trouble. 

 

On average, an HVAC technician earns around $49,000 per year in the United States. The average income for someone with a bachelor’s degree is slightly higher, at around $60,000. However, the price to pay for bigger earnings is worth considering: 

 

• The average cost for vocational education in the U.S. is $33,000
• The average cost for a Bachelor’s degree is $127,000

 

While these numbers take into account all types of vocational training and all types of degrees from both private and public schools, it is not uncommon for a college education to cost two to four times as much as a vocational school. With an expected income increase of only $10,000 to 15,000, it’s no wonder why students are looking to trade schools for affordable educational opportunities. 

 

HVAC technician and installer jobs are expected to grow in the upcoming years, offering less competition in the job market than oversaturated fields that require Bachelor’s degrees. In addition, HVAC professionals enjoy many job benefits that those who work in an office or desk jobs do not enjoy: 

• An active lifestyle

• Job security – HVAC technical work can rarely be outsourced
• Variety of opportunity – You can start as a technician and develop into an HVAC engineer, small business owner, or specialist in solar or another alternative energy. 
• Growth opportunities are available for those who study modern HVAC technologies

 

If you are interested in starting or expanding your HVAC technician career, contact MaintenX or visit our job opportunities page. We are happy to help you gain a footing in the field of commercial maintenance and ensure your career flourishes!

At MaintenX, we often consider air balancing one of the most important steps to achieving optimal HVAC performance. While facility managers assume that temperature control or cost savings are top priority, by achieving proper balance, you can keep a comfortable facility at a lower cost. But, what exactly is air balancing, and how do you achieve it? 

 

What Is Air Balance?

Air balancing is the process of ensuring that the right amount of heated or cooled air is delivered to each room in a facility. For your HVAC technician, this involves testing the air quality room by room and adjusting the system as needed. They measure the temperature, output, and energy used and adjust accordingly to ensure your HVAC system is equally performing across all measures. 

 

How To Achieve Air Balance

There are many different ways to achieve air balance depending on the size, capacity, and needs of your building. Below are some simple changes you can make to reduce the demand on your HVAC system and achieve a better balance: 

• Change air filters. Old and dirty air filters can cause problems with indoor air quality, temperature, and so much more. If one area of your facility is struggling with balancing issues, check the filters before calling your HVAC technician. This simple maintenance step can save a lot of time and trouble. 

• Cover windows. While you may love sunshine while working in the office, overexposure to sunlight can cause your facility to heat up faster. Window treatments can help keep your facility cooler in the summer. Even if you only close them while the facility is unoccupied, you can cut back on high cooling costs with this simple fix. 

• Look for air leaks and airflow restrictions Cracks in the doors and windows can allow conditioned air to escape outside, or allow air from outside to creep in. Prevent this by calling your MaintenX technician to caulk or seal any cracks in your facility floor space. On the other hand, you could be preventing air from flowing within the facility by blocking air vents. If furniture or appliances are placed close to a vent, it may be causing air balance issues. You can avoid this alternate issue by keeping vents clear of restrictions whenever possible. 

• Try a 2 degree offset for multi-storied buildings. It’s common knowledge that hot air rises and cold air sinks, but many of us never think about how this impacts our facilities. If you think your upper floors are warmer or the HVAC system is working harder, consider changing the thermostat to accommodate. 

• Check your thermostat. You typically look to the thermostat to solve comfort issues in a facility. However, if your thermostat isn’t reading correctly, you could be misdiagnosing HVAC issues. The thermostat may not be reading correctly if there is an electronic device close to it, as these can emit a great amount of heat. Ask your HVAC technician during their next inspection if you might be experiencing thermostat issues leading to air imbalance. 

 

These small adjustments will make a big difference in your HVAC performance and air quality. To learn more about this process, contact your local MaintenX team today!

As the summer approaches, it’s time to start thinking about your cooling bills. In Tampa, Florida, where MaintenX is headquartered, we see most of our HVAC repair business come in from May to August. This is not the time when facilities want to have a broken A/C, but far too often they wait on repairs until their system is overworked. 

 

Below are some tips to help keep your facility cool and your energy bills low during the summer months: 

 

Keep up with HVAC maintenance

The worst thing you can do as a facility manager is neglecting your HVAC maintenance during the summer. Your system will be working overtime to combat the brutal summer temperatures, and this can lead to breakdowns if your HVAC system is not performing well. By neglecting HVAC repairs in the spring, you’re setting your facility up for breakdowns in the summertime. Contact your MaintenX professional at the first sign of issues to prevent major repairs. 

 

Maintain airflow

Fans can help make your facility feel cooler than it is. It is also better for tenants’ health if there is plenty of airflow within the facility. By switching the HVAC system to fan-only once it reaches the optimal temperature, you’ll help your tenants feel cool and breathe better air. 

 

Close blinds during the day.

Sunshine helps to promote productivity in the workplace, but it also heats up your facility faster. By closing the blinds in areas where employees aren’t working or where they don’t mind a lack of sunshine, you can keep a cooler facility. 

 

Replace air filters

It’s easy to forget to replace your air filters every month, but this can cause serious problems with your HVAC system. Not only will you be circulating dust and debris through your facility, but you’ll lose efficiency that helps keep your space cool. Set a reminder to replace your air filters every month and you’ll see a noticeable difference in your HVAC performance. 

 

These are just a few steps that MaintenX facilities take to reduce energy bills. To learn more about how we help our clients stay cool during the summer, contact us today!

HVAC and furnace maintenance is an ongoing project for facility managers. These two systems are responsible for the comfort, air quality, and in some cases the safety of your facility. It is essential that you keep a close eye on their performance, especially as the summertime approaches. This guide will help you not only prevent unwanted repair problems but extend the service life of your HVAC system through careful routine maintenance. 

 

HVAC and furnace systems can last 10 to 15 years or more with proper maintenance. The longevity of commercial units depends solely on how well the facility operator cares for them, as well as the competence of the maintenance staff. If you want to get the most out of your HVAC and furnace, follow this comprehensive maintenance checklist: 

 

When to Call A Professional

Typically, the HVAC system and furnace will only need occasional air filter replacements and cleanings, which can be scheduled based on the manufacturer’s recommendations. However, if you notice any of these changes to your units, it may be time to schedule a maintenance consultation: 

 

• Your system is underperforming and can’t keep up with temperature demands (it is never cold enough or warm enough inside no matter how long the unit runs).
• You notice airflow in one or more rooms that are not consistent with the rest of the facility
• You can smell or hear something out of the ordinary coming from your unit
•  The HVAC or furnace is short cycling

 

Cleaning and Inspecting Your HVAC System

An HVAC inspection, whether routine or due to one of the symptoms listed above, should include a comprehensive check of all major parts of the unit. Both indoor and outdoor components should be inspected to ensure your system is running at peak performance: 

 

• Inspect and clean air ducts as needed
• Clean evaporator coils and condensate drain
• Replace air filters as needed to provide better airflow
• Trim around ground outdoor units to prevent debris from impeding airflow
• Check electrical system to ensure there are no loose connections to the HVAC system

 

Cleaning and Inspecting Your Furnace

Your furnace should also be inspected routinely to ensure that there are no safety hazards. Summer is the perfect time to schedule a maintenance call because repairs won’t be emergent and you can budget for them accordingly. Your technician should: 

 

• Inspect heating components, ignition, exhaust, and burners
• Lubricate any motors and bearings that could cause friction with other parts
• Replace the filter for better airflow
• Perform a safety check to ensure the system can safely operate in winter

 

Check Your Thermostat

Your HVAC and furnace system can not operate efficiently if your thermostat is out of date. Issues with the thermostat can cause discomfort in your facility and shoot your energy bill up significantly. Ask your technician the following questions to make sure your thermostat is smart and energy-efficient:

 

• Is your thermostat reading correctly?
• Is it adjusting to changing temperatures? 
• Can it control temperature room by room? 

 

Should I Repair or Replace?

Not all units are worth the investment to repair. If your HVAC or furnace is outdated, not sized correctly, or is too costly to repair, you may want to talk to your MaintenX technician about replacement. By upgrading to an energy-efficient unit, you can save your facility hundreds or even thousands of dollars in energy costs. 

 

MaintenX cares about the health and safety of your facility. To learn more about HVAC and furnace repairs, contact us today!

Most of the work we do at MaintenX is preventative. Luckily, the programs we implement with customers are effective in reducing reactive maintenance and improving overall facility performance. However, we still specialize in emergency maintenance despite the effectiveness of our preventative care. Why? Because when a maintenance emergency hits, you want the very best technicians available. 

 

Below are the 4 most common HVAC emergencies we experience, and tips for how to identify and respond to them quickly: 

 

Clogged drain lines

The evaporator coil in an HVAC system creates condensation, which must be drained in order for the unit to function. Typically water drains easily as it builds up, but sometimes clogs can develop. When this happens, the water has nowhere to go and will back up into the system or into the walls. This can cause serious water damage to your HVAC unit and the surrounding area where it is installed. If you notice any signs of water damage, you’ll need to MaintenX immediately. If water damage is left unchecked, you could be looking at replacement costs rather than repairs. 

 

Electrical issues

Electrical issues with your HVAC units can cause the entire system to shut down. In many cases, this can render an entire commercial facility inoperable, especially those that require constant ventilation. Electrical issues, though inconvenient, are usually a simple fix. This issue is easy to identify, and a call to your MaintenX electrician is all that’s needed. 

 

Blocked air ducts

Ventilation is just as important as temperature control in your facility. While you may not notice it as readily, it is essential to the health of your facility and it’s tenants. If the air ducts become clogged with dust or debris, you may notice an uneven distribution of hot or cold air. You will also notice that your HVAC system is running continuously. If this happens, ask your MaintenX HVAC technician to come out the next day to clean the air ducts and run further diagnostics. 

 

Gas leak

The most serious HVAC emergency you could experience is a gas leak. They can be caused by a crack in the gas line, and if left unnoticed can cause explosions. Don’t take this risk lightly — it is not as uncommon as facility managers may believe. You will likely notice the smell of rotten eggs in your facility, which is a signal that you should contact your HVAC technician immediately. 

 

These HVAC emergencies are worrisome, but MaintenX is always here to help. Our professional HVAC technicians are trained for emergency repairs and will be able to quickly diagnose the problem. If you are ever concerned about your HVAC performance, call us!

Keeping clean pipes is priority number one when it comes to commercial plumbing. Clogged pipes can lead to slow draining pipe damage, and even line breaks if you don’t address the issue immediately. However, you have several options when it comes time to clean the pipes. While snakes are the most common tool for professional pipe cleaning, another option is gaining in popularity among commercial maintenance teams: hydro jetting. 

 

Hydro jetting is a process by which pressurized water is forced through the facility’s pipes, clearing out any unwanted debris in the system. It is powerful enough to remove everyday clogs as well as roots in the ground that traditional snakes cannot get through. However, hydro jetting is not the perfect solution for all systems. Below are some of the pros and cons of each method to help you determine which is right for your facility: 

 

Should you choose hydro jetting? 

Hydro jetting is an advanced technology that is able to remove more clogs than traditional snaking methods. It is an environmentally friendly and safe option, as no chemicals are required to break up the debris. However, it is not suitable for all facility plumbing systems. Because of the force of the water, it can be dangerous for older systems that may not be able to withstand the pressure. Your MaintenX plumber will have to run a camera down the pipe system first to see if your plumbing can handle hydro jetting. 

 

Should you use a plumbing snake?

Snaking is the simplest form of pipe cleaning available. This method is safer for older systems and can be a less expensive service if the clog is relatively small. While snaking is preferable for older pipes or smaller jobs, it does not work well with major blockages. If you have an older system with a tree root or serious blockage, you may have to use drain cleaning chemicals first, or replace part of the piping to ensure no further damage is created. 

 

At MaintenX, we offer both hydro jetting and snaking services for commercial facilities. We will first use a camera to inspect the pipes to see how big the blockage is and if the pipes are in good condition for hydro jetting. If they are, we use the hydro jetting system to safely and quickly remove the clog. If the pipes are older, we will first try snaking to remove the blockage or loosen it to allow some water to pass. If this does not work, we may offer chemical solutions or further plumbing repairs to fix the issue. 

 

MaintenX is here to help you with any plumbing problem at your facility. Call us today to schedule a consultation!

As the weather warms, your maintenance team should put HVAC repairs at the top of their priority list. Summer is the number one time for emergency HVAC repairs and maintenance, and our schedules become very busy by mid-May. If you want to protect your facility from a debilitating HVAC emergency, you’ll want to get ahead with some simple maintenance tips. 

 

Below are the different maintenance routines you should follow in different areas of your commercial facility. If you schedule these repairs throughout the summer, your facility is much less likely to experience downtime due to maintenance work. 

 

Office or common space

In the office or workspaces, you’ll want to start by caulking around the windows and doors where air leaks can occur. This will help to keep warm air out and cold air in wherever your tenants and employees spend the most time. You should also clean the air vent to ensure proper ventilation. A high-functioning ventilation system will help keep your staff healthy and cool throughout the summer. 

 

Bathrooms

HVAC units near the bathroom have more issues with humidity and ventilation than other areas of the facility. Make sure to clean the exhaust fans in these units before summer to make sure they run at peak performance. 

 

Commercial kitchen

Your kitchen’s ventilation system is its most important element, so make sure to ask for a consultation to eliminate any issues before the summer season. You can also help your kitchen’s HVAC system out by cleaning all equipment and reducing harmful cleaning chemicals wherever possible. These chemicals can circulate through your HVAC system and reduce indoor air quality. By switching to gentler cleaning products, you can maintain a healthier building overall. 

 

Basement

Most commercial facility basements are used for storage, but that doesn’t mean their HVAC systems aren’t just as important. Reduce moisture in your basement during the summer to keep storage areas free of mold and mildew. If your furnace is located in the basement, schedule cleanings for the filters, blower, and motor before the summer months. 

 

Outdoor HVAC units

Last but not least, you’ll want to clean your outdoor units of dirt, grass, and debris to ensure they run at peak efficiency throughout the summer. This is especially important if you have ground units instead of a rooftop HVAC system. After any landscaping service, take some time to clean, assess, and repair your outdoor units if necessary. 

 

Following these steps, your HVAC system will be in peak condition before the summer months hit. If you have questions about HVAC maintenance or repair, contact your local MaintenX today!