Sometimes, only the process of elimination can identify commercial HVAC ductwork problems. With this process of elimination, experienced technicians can start fixing those ductwork issues.
What condition is your building’s ductwork in? Ductwork problems could cause maintenance issues in commercial HVAC units you might not even be aware of. Sometimes, only the process of elimination can identify commercial HVAC ductwork problems. With this process of elimination, experienced technicians can start fixing those ductwork issues. They can then find and repair any issues that the wider HVAC system could be experiencing.
Sources of Commercial HVAC Ductwork Problems
Improper Ductwork Size: How large is your current ductwork? If the ductwork is too small, it can cause a myriad of problems. One such problem is when the system runs too hot. All of the excess heat can cause the entire system to wear out. Certain components of the system, such as the exchangers and the sensors, will overheat. Overheating triggers safety shutoffs. While these shutoff measures are built into many systems, they are not infallible. For example, even when the system shuts off due to overheating, it may not cool down right away. Even after it has cooled, the safety shutoffs will return to baseline levels after the system first shuts off. This reset function allows overheating to begin again.
Reduced Airflow Levels: Leaks in the ductwork present even more challenges. If the air isn’t moving properly, a leak might be present. Your employees and other inhabitants of the building might start complaining, as well.
Poor IAQ: Indoor air quality is a critical element of a healthy building environment. Just as you want to be sure enough warm or cold air is being distributed properly, you will want to monitor the state of your building’s IAQ. Leaking ductwork will allow more air to escape and more dirt from outside to enter circulation.
Higher Energy Bills: Another sign of commercial HVAC ductwork problems is the higher energy cost. Energy efficiency is a vital consideration not only for the environment’s benefit but your company’s fiscal health as well. Faulty HVAC systems, particularly faulty ductwork, will waste warm and cold air. This energy waste results in the system as a whole having to work harder. Initial inspections can point to possible problems, and provide potential solutions too.
Some initial signs of ductwork problems include:
- Unstable operation: If you notice that the system continually starts up and shuts down again and again, this is the reason why.
- Strange colors on the heating exchanger: If the heat exchanger looks unusual, the strange colors could be telling you something.
- Temperature limit sensor failure: Does the sensor trigger an alert even before the system is in danger of overheating? Does it continually fail even after being reset?
What to Do Next
Inspecting the HVAC unit after ductwork is repaired or replaced is the first step to ensuring that no other failures can occur. Installing an entirely new commercial HVAC system is also a possibility. Because poorly designed ductwork can cause commercial HVAC units to fail before their expected lifespan expires, you want to be sure to minimize the likelihood of this being the case. Preventative maintenance is the key to keeping your HVAC units running smoothly for years to come.
Crockett Facilities Can Help!
Crockett Facilities Services, Inc. (CFSI) is committed to helping building owners, property managers, engineers, and facility professionals lower their operating expenses through HVAC preventive maintenance. We can develop a cost-effective, customized preventive maintenance plan for your commercial building that will provide you with peace of mind, improved comfort, and energy savings.
To learn more about the importance of HVAC Preventive Maintenance, please contact us at 202.600.2787 or sales@crockett-facilities.com. Our PM contract customers receive priority service with 24/7 emergency service in Maryland, Virginia and Washington, DC.