Category: HVAC

Many companies perform installations for heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems. Facility managers looking to replace or upgrade their business’s units must evaluate their options based on a variety of factors. While not all companies perform equally, it is also important to pay a fair price for the job that is being done.

The size of the facility matters because cost grows with square footage and duct length. The type of HVAC equipment that is being installed also plays a role, although more expensive does not always equate to higher installation costs. Ductwork installation can sharply raise the price, as it’s the hardest and most disruptive thing to install.

There is no “standard” price for HVAC installation, but you can usually tell when a contractor is trying to pull a fast one on you. Don’t just take anyone’s word; do some research and price comparison beforehand, and ask for references.

At MaintenX, we believe in honest dealings and fair pricing. That’s why you work with our own technicians rather than a contractor. To learn more about our process and to get a fair quote today for your HVAC installation, feel free to contact us anytime.

It’s an age-old question in the world of facility maintenance: to repair a piece of equipment, or to replace it? It is usually cheaper to repair, but there comes a point of diminishing returns at which replacement becomes the more cost-effective option. For HVAC systems this varies, but there are a few factors that be helpful in assessing the situation.

As a rule of thumb, 12-15 years is the average lifespan of an HVAC system. Most of the time, if the system is under 12 years old, there is no need to replace it, unless you are looking to upgrade. Once you pass the 15 year mark, however, it is time to consider acquiring and installing a new one preemptively.

That being said, it is always a good idea to gather as much information about your current air conditioning system as possible before making a decision. A thorough inspection of the system, especially ductwork, will help you determine its efficiency. If you can pinpoint a part that is dragging it down, repair that part. If it would be too costly, replace the whole system.

Whether you do decide to repair or replace your air conditioning system, we at MaintenX are here to support you. To schedule an assessment of your HVAC system and weigh options with our trained technicians, please contact us today.

Utility costs can be a major drain for any facility, but small businesses in particular feel the pressure of having both a comfortable environment and an affordable energy bill. Thankfully, there are a number of things they can do to help their small business cut down on HVAC energy costs through more efficient equipment and preventative maintenance.

One of the easiest ways to cut down on energy costs is to install systems that run on less power, without sacrificing performance. Look for EnergyStar rated appliances, which show you how much you can save per year. Most energy-efficient equipment is no harder to install, and if you raise your efficiency significantly you may qualify for tax credits.

Additionally, establishing a preventative maintenance plan is an effective way to save on HVAC energy costs without installing anything. Though the system should get a meticulous inspection during the offseason, that doesn’t obviate the need for regularly scheduled maintenance, which decreases the likelihood of breakdowns while keeping the system running optimally. Improperly maintained HVAC wastes electricity and runs less efficiently. As well, consistent maintenance extends the useful life of your equipment and allows you to plan replacements and upgrades when it’s convenient for you, rather than on a contingent basis.

We at MaintenX excel in preventative maintenance plans and system installations for businesses both large and small. To learn more about the services we offer, and how we can help you effect HVAC energy savings, please contact us anytime.

With Florida’s hot summer months upon us, you’ll want to make sure your Heating Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC) unit are prepared to beat the heat. Although some air conditioning maintenance requires a professional, there are plenty of actions you can take to ensure you stay nice and cool this summer. Below are some top tips for your summer air conditioning maintenance.

Preventative Maintenance

Setting up a proper preventative maintenance plan with your facility management company will ensure your air conditioner never stops working. By conducting regularly scheduled preventative maintenance, you’ll be able to stop a breakdown or problem before it occurs.

Change your Air Filter

It’s important to change your company’s air filter once a month, or at least every 90 days. By making this simple change, your air quality will not only improve, but you will prevent your air conditioning system from working overtime to combat all of the dirt and particles collected in your dirty filter.

Clean your coils

Cleaning your condenser coils can also be a simple step to ensuring your air conditioning unit works at its peak performance this summer. Simply spraying on coil cleaner and rinsing off the product with a hose will keep your system working smoothly.

Turn Up the Temperature

During the summer, your air conditioning gets a lot more use. Although it’s important to keep employees and patrons comfortable, you also want to avoid overworking your system. When the building is closed, turn the temperature up by a few degrees. Do not turn the system completely off, as this will require your unit to work in overdrive the following morning.

Avoid Clogs

You want your air conditioning system to be clog-free. To avoid any blockages in your unit, run bleach down your condensate drain once a month. This simple solution will keep your HVAC system working at its best.

Just because there is an increase in temperature doesn’t mean your employees, customers and patrons should suffer. Avoid breakdowns with these proper maintenance tips.  

The summer heat can be brutal on your company’s building or facility. With the summer season upon us, it’s important your facility can withstand the increase in temperature. Here are a few tips to ensure your building doesn’t sweat through summer.

• Service Air Conditioners

As temperatures increase, so does your facility’s need for air conditioning. You’ll definitely want to prevent any Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC) unit breakdowns during the summer months. Be sure to have a licensed professional clean your system to ensure it will withstand the summer months. Also, change your air filters to make sure your unit is working at peak performance levels.

• Check for Air Leaks

After ensuring your air conditioner is in good working order, you’ll want to make sure you are getting the most out of your company’s cool air. Check windows and doors for cracks, dents or damages. These issues will allow cold air to flow out and hot air to flow in. These problems can be fixed with caulk or weather stripping.

• Maintain Landscaping

Although landscaping doesn’t appear harmful, roots from growing trees and shrubs can threaten pipes and paved surfaces in the heat of summer. Keep an eye out for cracks in your pavement that might need to be repaired.  

• Inspect Wood

In addition to heat, summer also typically brings heavy rains. You will want to conduct a thorough check for any wood damage around windows, doors and other framed areas. Summer rainfall can make these damages worse.

• Prevent Humidity

In most climates, summer is packed with ridiculous levels of humidity. Equipping your facility with humidity sensors can prevent mold from growing within your building. This investment can also help to prevent electrical shortages.

The summer heat can greatly impact your building. With these helpful tips, your facility will be more than prepared.

It should be no surprise to a business owner that a Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC) system is essential to maintaining a comfortable environment in a commercial building. Since it is so important to your operations, especially for those doing business in more extreme climates, it is also important to know how long your HVAC equipment will last you. So, what’s the lifespan of a typical commercial HVAC system?

On average, most commercial HVAC systems have a lifespan of 10-15 years. The lifetime of your system will vary depending on the type of equipment you have and how frequently it is used. Some of the other key factors that influence your HVAC equipment are the efficiency of design, how the system was implemented, and the interior climate of the structure, such as dust levels.

However, there are several simple actions you can take to extend the life of your air conditioning unit. And it all starts with proper maintenance of the system, which is crucial to maximizing the lifespan of your equipment. Change your air filters monthly to increase your system’s performance. Another important preventative step is to make sure your drain pan and condenser coils are clean. You should also run a cup of bleach down your condensate drain from time to time to clean it and avoid clogs.

It is important to have skilled technicians working on your HVAC equipment. At MaintenX, we train and dispatch our own team of professional technicians so your HVAC system is in the best hands. To learn more about the services we offer for HVAC equipment installation and maintenance, please call us at 855-751-0075.

A proper Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC) system is an essential component to any company or commercial building. This is especially true with summer in full swing. Any business owner or facility manager know that business operations can’t continue if an HVAC system breaks down. To prevent this from happening to your facility here are some solutions to common air conditioning problems.

Dirty Filters

A dirty filter filled with air contaminants can have a terrible impact on your HVAC system. To ensure your air conditioning unit is functioning at its peak performance, change you air filters every month, or at least every 90 days. This will prevent your air conditioning motor from having to work twice as hard to combat all those contaminants, which can shorten the life of your unit. This is an easy and quick solution to a common air conditioning problem.

Electric control failure

If the fan and compressor controls start to malfunction on your system, this may be a sign the wires in your unit have begun to corrode. This failure is often the result of turning your air conditioning system on and off. To prevent this from happening in the future, don’t turn your system off when the facility is closed for the night. Instead, increase your thermostat by a few degrees to save on your electricity bill.  

Clogged Drains

It is not uncommon for your drain to get clogged with dirt and debris. To prevent this from happening in the future, pour bleach down your condensate drain once a month. This mixture will help break up blockages and clean your system thoroughly.

Dirty A/C Coils

Another important part of maintaining your air conditioning unit is cleaning your A/C coils. When your system’s coils are not properly maintained, you will lower comfort levels in your building and have a hefty electric bill. The dirt buildup on your condenser and evaporator coils can negatively impact the performance end efficiency of your system. In addition to wiping them down yourself, have a professional thoroughly clean your coils during your annual maintenance meeting.

With these helpful tips, you’ll be sure to have a fully functioning air conditioning unit and prevent problems from occurring in the future.

If your system is 10 to 15 years old and has begun to experience some maintenance problems, it may be time to replace your Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC) unit. When looking to replace a system that heats and cools your business, you want to make the right decision. Consider these questions when selecting an HVAC system to best suit your company’s needs.

How Big of a System Do I Need?

You want to ensure you pick an HVAC system that will get the job done effectively in your space. Too small of a unit will not deliver an adequate performance, but too big of a unit will offer poor temperature control with a big price tag. Be sure to ask your contractor the appropriate size system you need in your facility.

Do I Replace All my HVAC Equipment Together?

The answer is yes. When replacing a system entirely, you want to ensure all of the moving parts of your system work together in harmony. Although only replacing a heat pump, piping or furnace appears as a more economical solution, new parts working with old parts can affect performance. It’s also important to replace your indoor unit and outdoor unit together too.

How Do I Maintain My New System?

Scheduling preventative maintenance on your air conditioning system is crucial to maintaining your new unit. Your facility manager will conduct regularly scheduled inspections to stop problems before they happen. Proper preventative maintenance will also include changing air filters, cleaning drain pans, wiping down condenser coils and sealing ductwork. All of these action items will keep your air conditioning unit running at peak performance.

Installing a new air conditioning system is an important task. You want to make sure you get a unit that will be effective and efficient in its intended space. With these questions in mind, you’ll be sure to find an HVAC unit that performs perfectly for your business.   

 

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Managing HVAC Assets in the “Internet of Things” Era

Facility Managers have an arsenal of technology to assist in asset management – from smartphones and tablets to GPS-enabled devices and cloud computing. However, none may be as powerful as the new technology hitting the HVAC market that harnesses the “Internet of Things” (IoT). Read More

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Proactive Maintenance Plans
Lack of regular HVAC maintenance results in possible unit failure, equipment damage, safety concerns and of course, increased run time and cost!

Our service agreements ensure that your equipment is working at maximum efficiency 24/7. Request a quote today!