For many businesses, the last 9 months – an unprecedented time of Covid-19 – have been extremely difficult as they’ve had to shut up shop and ask staff to work from home to meet government guidelines. As a consequence many buildings have either completely closed their doors or are operating with a limited number of staff. As a result many businesses/buildings have turned off their air conditioning systems or are operating them on a reduced basis.
However it’s important to note that just because your HVAC system is turned off or is operating on a reduced schedule does NOT mean that air conditioning maintenance is no longer important!
A system which is not in full use for any period of time may suffer from issues and equipment failure when it’s pressed back into service. Air conditioning which hasn’t been used for a matter of months or has been working at reduced capacity can be problematic when it’s turned back on putting the system under stress. You shouldn’t wait until your business reopens or is back to full capacity working before considering the maintenance of your air conditioning system. This is even more important given the time of year and the stress an HVAVC system undergoes as we move into the colder weather where it’s expected to switch from releasing cool air to warm/hot air.
Ideal Time For Planned Preventative Maintenance
It’s vital that you keep on top of your air conditioning maintenance and a period of shutdown or where staff levels are lower than normal, may in fact be an ideal time to carry out planned preventative maintenance (PPM) of your HVAC. A PPM will allow you to assess the need for repairs or upgrades and any work required is less likely to cause disruption.
Synecore’s PPM team can visit during this time and inspect your system to ensure it is working correctly and is fully up to the task of an increased workload once your business is back open and running normally again.
A PPM includes the following:
- A visual inspection of your air conditioning system. A visual inspection can highlight if there are any issues. This should include: the thermostat, all electrical components, supply registers and return vents; condenser and evaporator coils; condensate drain, all lines and coils and exposed ductwork.
- Checking the electrical connections. There are numerous electrical circuits with an AC, all of which must work correctly to keep the air conditioning running smoothly. Over time air conditioning electrical connections can come loose, fray, become damaged or break.
- Checking the control panel, thermostat and sensors. It’s important that the control panel temperature reading matches that of the actual room/building temperature. Any discrepancy between the two may indicate a control panel or temperature sensor fault.
- Changing filters. If filters are not checked, cleaned or replaced regularly, dirt, dust, grime, pollen etc. can build up and the filters can become clogged. Clogged filters will cause the air conditioning to have to work harder to maintain the set room temperature and keep the air clean. Inspecting and changing the filters is one of the easiest tasks in air conditioning maintenance.
- Examining the ductwork. Like the electrical connections HVAC ductwork can become damaged. It’s important to look for gaps in the ductwork or holes and connections that become loose over time. Any gaps, loose fittings or holes that are found should be properly sealed which will improve the efficiency of the system.
- Cleaning the evaporator coils and condensate drain. A build up of dust can clog the evaporator coils. This can lead to reduced heat transfer and air flow and in turn decreased cooling and energy efficiency. If the condensate drain becomes clogged it can lead to an accumulation of water within the system which can cause water damage, the growth of mould, increased humidity levels and poor air quality.
- Checking the refrigerant levels. Air conditioning systems rely on refrigerants. Without the right amount of refrigerant in the system the compressor has to work harder to maintain the temperature. A decrease in refrigerant levels is usually a good indicator that the system is losing refrigerant. Leaks most commonly occur from the evaporator coils, condenser coils and refrigerant lines and are very serious. If you suspect you have a refrigerant leak you must call a professional HVAC and M&E contractor.
- System testing. Once the system has been fully serviced it is tested to ensure all issues have been addressed, if there were any, and the system is working efficiently.
Planned Preventative Maintenance is a wise investment. By regularly checking an HVAC system you can detect and deal with any issues before they become major problems. Leaving small issues to develop into bigger problems can end up in costly, sometimes catastrophic repairs, as one part of the system results in the breakdown of other elements which in turn can end up in downtime of your HVAC system.
In comparison to large repairs, PPM is never as expensive as you think it will be. Synecore’s PPM Service ensures your system not only remains efficient, but we’ll also ensure you remain compliant with FGas and TM44.
Ideal Time To Upgrade Your Air Conditioning System
You may have been thinking about upgrading your HVAC e.g. if you have an old system which is still running on R-22 refrigerant. R-22 is a hydrochloroflurocarbon (HCFC) refrigerant gas, which was commonly used within air conditioning systems, process chillers and industrial refrigeration plant applications prior to 2003 and which due to its harmful effects on the ozone layer has been banned. R-22 air conditioning systems are approaching the end of their lifespan, and due a replacement. If your air conditioning system is still using R-22, a shutdown period could provide the perfect time to upgrade.
Synecore can advise on a suitable replacement HVAC system for your business and premises. Our project managers and engineers can then professionally install and commission your new air conditioning system. As part of the service we will also decommission and dispose of your old system. We offer payment plans on new air conditioning installations, which, when coupled with our Planned Preventative Maintenance scheme, offer very competitive warranty periods on parts and labour.
Synecore
We operate throughout Kent, London and the UK, providing commercial and industrial clients with the very best in air conditioning maintenance. For more information on our air conditioning maintenance services call us on 01795 509509 and speak to one of our friendly and experienced experts to arrange your visit today or contact us via our contact form.
Subscribe to our newsletter!
Contact us
0845 241 4953
sales@synecore.co.uk
Archives
- January 2024
- December 2023
- November 2023
- October 2023
- September 2023
- August 2023
- July 2023
- June 2023
- May 2023
- April 2023
- March 2023
- February 2023
- January 2023
- December 2022
- November 2022
- October 2022
- September 2022
- August 2022
- July 2022
- June 2022
- May 2022
- April 2022
- March 2022
- February 2022
- January 2022
- December 2021
- November 2021
- October 2021
- September 2021
- August 2021
- July 2021
- June 2021
- May 2021
- April 2021
- March 2021
- February 2021
- January 2021
- December 2020
- November 2020
- October 2020
- September 2020
- August 2020
- July 2020
- June 2020
- May 2020
- April 2020
- March 2020
- February 2020
- January 2020
- December 2019
- October 2019
- September 2019
- August 2019
- July 2019
- June 2019
- May 2019
- April 2019
- March 2019
- February 2019
- November 2018
- October 2018
- September 2018
- August 2018
- July 2018
- May 2018
- April 2018
- March 2018
- February 2018
- January 2018
- December 2017
- October 2017
- August 2017
- June 2017
- April 2017
- March 2017
- February 2017
- January 2017
- December 2016
- November 2016
- October 2016
- September 2016
- August 2016
- July 2016
- May 2016
- April 2016
- March 2016
- February 2016
- January 2016
- December 2015
- November 2015
- October 2015
- September 2015
- July 2015
- June 2015
- May 2015
- April 2015
- September 2014
- August 2014
- July 2014
- June 2014
- April 2014
- March 2014
- February 2014
- January 2014
- December 2013
- November 2013
- September 2013
- August 2013
- July 2013
- June 2013
- April 2013
- March 2013
- February 2013
- January 2013
- December 2012
- November 2012
- October 2012
- September 2012
- August 2012
- July 2012
- June 2012
- May 2012
- April 2012
- March 2012
- February 2012
- January 2012
- December 2011
- November 2011
- October 2011
- September 2011
- August 2011
- July 2011
- June 2011
- May 2011
- April 2011
- March 2011
- February 2011
- January 2011
- December 2010
- September 2010
- July 2010
- June 2010
Recent Comments