The weather can be one fickle beast, and its unpredictability can really do a number on your energy bill. At the center of the issue is your facility’s heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system. HVAC, like many aspects of facilities management, is rarely noticed by tenants and occupants when it’s functioning properly; but once it stops working, everyone notices. With so much at stake, facilities managers need to know how to keep their HVAC systems running smoothly while still controlling associated costs.
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Here are a few tips that you should note in order to help you save on repair costs and decrease the prevalence of system failures. Continue reading as we discuss four things that facility managers must know to cut their HVAC costs.
1. Listen to your gut when you suspect that something is wrong
If you start noticing that your energy bills are becoming increasingly more expensive but you’re not doing anything out of the ordinary with your HVAC unit, it is likely that your system is not running at peak efficiency. When you start to notice this, it is critical that you get your system checked as soon as possible in order to avoid the need for costly repairs.
Another important thing to keep in mind is that strange noises and smells are “strange” for a reason. These strange occurrences should never be ignored—trust your gut.
2. Schedule routine maintenance
Routine tune-ups are the best way to stop your system from breaking or malfunctioning down the line. Just like having your car inspected every few thousand miles, scheduling regular preventative maintenance can allow you to stop problems before they happen and keep your system running as efficiently as possible for as long as possible.
3. Change your air filter regularly
Commercial HVAC systems are much more complicated than residential systems. Due to the complexity and location of their air filters, changing a commercial HVAC filter is not a job that you can handle yourself—you must call in an HVAC contractor to change it (this is usually included in your preventative maintenance contract).
4. Optimize your controls
These days, optimizing your facility with new technology is the best way to make sure that your security, lighting, HVAC system, and more are all working together efficiently. By automating your commercial HVAC unit, you can gain access to new features that allow you to control the temperature of your facility from your phone. With this capability, you can optimize settings to change the temperature during maximum and minimum occupancy, control your building’s temperature from a remote location, turn your systems on and off, and receive alerts all in one location.
Your facility’s commercial HVAC system must be functioning properly at all times in order for your occupants to remain happy. By making sure that your air filter is regularly changed, listening to your gut when you suspect a problem with your system, hiring a trustworthy contractor, and scheduling preventative maintenance, you can keep your occupants satisfied all the while cutting your HVAC costs.
| Star Service, Inc is a progressive HVAC contractor founded in 1953. We are committed to providing excellent service, maintenance, and design-build of air conditioning systems in commercial and industrial facilities. Our disciplined approach and our people make the difference, along with our strong culture of delivering what was promised for a fair price and in a safe manner. |