For many business owners, each month requires a delicate balancing act to ensure that all of the bills are being paid on time and that the company is continuing to turn a profit. Often, utility bills are one of the largest expenses that companies face each month. Similarly, purchasing a new HVAC system is one of the biggest capital expenses that companies can expect to make every decade or so.
If your company’s HVAC system is beginning to show signs of age, you may be wondering whether or not it’s worthwhile to invest in a quality high-efficiency HVAC system. While the price difference may seem substantial, it’s important to understand that the high-efficiency system will likely save your business money in the long run.
While high-efficiency commercial HVAC systems in Eugene, OR do indeed cost more money, they also require less energy to run effectively and may require less maintenance than a traditional commercial HVAC setup. If you’re considering investing in a high-efficiency HVAC system to use at your place of business, be sure to consider the following benefits:
Reduced energy expenses: There are a number of benefits to installing a high-energy efficiency HVAC system, including reduced energy expenses. While it’s true that the system will cost you more money, it will also save you money by reducing your monthly utility bill. Be sure to consult with a qualified HVAC expert to learn more about the savings you can expect to see. Generally, the additional cost difference will be wiped out about halfway into the system’s life cycle.
Going green: Another primary benefit of investing in a high-efficiency HVAC system is that it will allow you to reduce the carbon footprint of your company’s operation. This will allow you and your employees to feel more comfortable about the work that you’re doing. Additionally, your customers can shop at your store with confidence knowing that you make an effort to be energy efficient. Finally, some states and jurisdictions may offer tax credits or rebates in exchange for installing high-efficiency HVAC systems.
Improved property value: Another substantial benefit that you’ll reap by installing a high-efficiency commercial HVAC system in Eugene, OR is the fact that it will substantially improve the value of your property. If your business outgrows its current facilities, you won’t have to worry about losing out on the investment that you’ve made in the latest and greatest HVAC technology. In fact, having a high-efficiency commercial HVAC system installed at your building could substantially increase its attractiveness to potential purchasers.
If you’re looking for a trusted HVAC and cooling company to help you select and install a commercial HVAC system that best suits your business and your space, look no further than American Refrigeration Inc. We’re proud to provide each of our clients with attention to detail and customized service experiences. We offer installation services, maintenance and repairs. To learn more about our options for high-efficiency commercial HVAC systems in Eugene, OR, reach out to one of our friendly, knowledgeable representatives today.
Aside from the cost of the building itself, one of the largest capital expenses that business owners are likely to incur is the purchase of a heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) system. Companies rely on HVAC systems to keep their customers, employees and clients happy and comfortable.
Without a working HVAC system, the work environment can be distracting and uncomfortable for employees, and customers are likely to try and get in and out of your location as quickly as they possibly can. Investing in a quality HVAC system, however, ensures that customers and employees alike are content and satisfied.
Because commercial HVAC systems in Eugene, OR represent such a substantial investment, many business owners want to know precisely how long they’ll last, so that they can budget accordingly moving forward. Of course, there’s no set-in-stone answer as to how long HVAC systems last, because it largely depends on the operating conditions, the amount of maintenance that the business invests in the equipment and a slew of environmental factors.
Generally speaking, an HVAC system that’s well cared for will last between 10 and 15 years. Here are just some of the factors that can affect the longevity of an HVAC system that business owners should consider both before and after purchasing a system for their company:
Maintenance matters: One of the most important things that you can do to extend the life of your HVAC system is invest in routine preventative maintenance. This will help you ensure that your system continues to operate as intended for months and years to come, and will help you reap the best possible return on your investment.
Construction quality: While higher quality HVAC systems do indeed cost more money, they’re almost always worth the extra investment. The construction quality will go a long way toward determining just how long your company’s HVAC system will be up and running.
Local climate: Because HVAC systems work to maintain a consistently comfortable temperature and ambient humidity, the local climate of your business will also determine the system’s longevity, at least to a degree. Damper climates or climates with lots of extreme heat waves and cold snaps could end up damaging your system.
Proper installation: It’s important to have your system installed by a trustworthy professional with extensive knowledge of how to best install commercial HVAC systems in Eugene, OR. Failure to install your system correctly the first time around could end up substantially shortening its lifespan and reduce the amount of time that you can enjoy its heating and cooling powers.
Since 1995, American Refrigeration Inc. has been a trusted source for maintenance and care for commercial HVAC systems in Eugene, OR. We’re proud to provide each of our clients with quality, dependable HVAC and refrigeration services that they can rely on. We possess the skills, expertise and tools necessary to successfully keep commercial cooling and heating systems in prime condition. Reach out to one of our friendly representatives today to learn more about what we can do for you!
In 2010, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) began a phase-out of the use of R-22 refrigerant (also known as Freon) in residential and commercial HVAC applications, as studies demonstrated its use was harmful to the earth’s ozone layer. That phase-out winds down in 2019—as of 2020, Freon will no longer be made or imported in the United States.
This means that if you’re the owner of a commercial building that has an older commercial HVAC system in Eugene, OR, time is running out for you to decide what you’ll do regarding your current systems that run primarily based on Freon. You’re going to need to either get new equipment altogether, or convert your equipment to an alternative refrigerant.
Considering how quickly the sand is falling out of the hourglass, it’s important to be proactive. Questions to consider include:
When should I convert my R-22 system to an alternative refrigerant? The answer to this question heavily depends on the size and age of the system you’re currently running. Calculate how much it would cost to continue to leak test, repair and run your R-22 system versus how much it would cost to convert. The less available R-22 becomes, the more expensive it will be, and prices are expected to skyrocket after production of R-22 ceases altogether in 2019. These are big factors to consider.
When should I replace or retrofit my system? Again, this largely depends on the size and age of your system. An older HVAC system that might need to be replaced in several years anyway is a good candidate to be replaced now rather than trying to convert it a few years before you’d just need to replace it anyway. However, if it’s in good shape and you still intend to get years of use out of it, converting can make a lot of sense.
The new standard refrigerant
There are many different alternatives to R-22 already available, but the standard moving forward is expected to be R-410A, also known as Puron. This substance is a hydrofluorocarbon that does not damage the ozone, and actually provides greater efficiency than Freon. This is the refrigerant manufacturers have been most commonly using since the EPA reports came out in 2010.
Puron is more efficient than Freon because it absorbs and releases heat better, which means the compressor runs cooler and prevents overheating. It also uses synthetic oil for lubrication, which is much more soluble than the types of mineral oil used in Freon applications. These are the primary reasons why manufacturers have embraced it as the new standard in the world of refrigerants. As such, you’ll likely have much better success converting a Freon-based system to a Puron-based system, just due to how prevalent it is becoming in the industry.
For more information about the R-22/Freon phase-out and what you can do to prepare your facility over the next year or two, contact the team at American Refrigeration Inc. to discuss your commercial HVAC in Eugene, OR.
R-22, also known as Freon, has historically been one of the most common refrigerants used in air conditioning units and other cooling applications. However, its use has been steadily getting phased out since 2010 by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) due to some of the negative effects it has been shown to have on the earth’s ozone layer.
Since that time, there has been a massive reduction in how much R-22 is being produced in the United States, leading to a significant increase in the cost of R-22 for homeowners. By 2020, R-22 will no longer be produced or imported in the United States at all, which means homeowners who have older AC units that rely on that coolant will likely need to upgrade to a new unit.
Therefore, if you are still using R-22 as your primary refrigerant for your commercial HVAC in Eugene, OR, it’s time to start preparing for the full phase-out, which is less than two years away.
How do I know if my HVAC system uses R-22?
If you have an older air conditioner or heat pump, there’s a chance it’s reliant on the use of R-22. You can check your unit to make sure of this before you start worrying about paying for a replacement.
First, look at the nameplate on the side of the outdoor unit. It may very well indicate the presence of R-22 with a note that says “Contains HCFC-22” or “Contains R-22.” You can also check the owner’s manual for the equipment if you have it, or contact the company that installed the equipment in your business for you.
If you have the manufacturer’s name and the model number of the equipment, you can also look up the information online to find all the specifications you need, including the type of refrigerant used by the system. If you schedule a tune-up of your HVAC system, you can have your service technician tell you the type of refrigerant the system takes.
What else do I need to know?
Fortunately, if you had your system installed after 2011, there’s nothing to worry about—you’re very likely not affected at all by the R-22 phase-out. Even if your system was installed before then and/or uses R-22 refrigerant, you still don’t need to be concerned unless your system requires some type of repair that would involve adding or removing refrigerant.
Still, the phase-out is important to keep in mind when you consider the costs of making repairs to your system. Knowing that the refrigerant your system uses is obsolete, you might decide it’s more worthwhile to purchase an entirely new system, especially if your system is already on the older side.
Going forward, the most popular choice for refrigerant is expected to be R-410A, a hydrofluorocarbon that does not damage the ozone, and is even more efficient than R-22.
For more information about the phase out and how it could affect you, contact the team at American Refrigeration Inc. about commercial HVAC in Eugene, OR.
One of your many responsibilities as a business owner is to make sure all of your employees and customers are comfortable in your facility. One of the best ways to do this is to make sure your commercial HVAC in Eugene, OR is in solid operating condition at all times.
Here are just a few of the most common commercial HVAC problems that could necessitate some equipment repairs or replacements:
Bad air quality: Air quality can be affected by a wide variety of factors, including dirty air filters and gas leaks. If you have strange odors emanating from your ducts, either of those issues could be the cause, as could melting debris on a heat exchanger, stagnant condensed water or overheating parts. Make sure you change your filters regularly and keep up with system maintenance.
Strange noises: If you notice any odd noises coming out of your HVAC system, it’s probably time to contact a professional. There could be a broken part, or a section of ductwork that has started to rattle loose. The problem may or may not be serious, but you never want to take a chance when you hear these noises pop up out of nowhere!
Inefficient operation: If it seems your HVAC system is no longer operating with the same power or efficiency it once did, you might need to seek out a repair technician. The fix could be as simple as cleaning the condenser coils or evaporator, or you might have some parts that are starting to break down. Whatever the issue, you should never ignore poor HVAC performance.
Drain line clogs: The drain line in your HVAC system transports water and condensation away from the unit. However, it’s common for these lines to become clogged over time with dirt, algae or mineral deposits. When this happens, the water backs up into the drain pan, causing leaks and potential water damage. Make sure to check these drain lines regularly to ensure they haven’t been inhibited in any way.
Poor system capacity: The system installed for your business might be too small or large for the needs of your space. A system that is too large will run inefficiently, and a system that is too small will lead to poor heating or cooling results.
No maintenance: HVAC requires regular service to keep it in shape and operating smoothly. If you have ignored its maintenance and service needs for some time, it’s likely you will have issues that pop up due to this negligence. This problem is easily avoided simply by undergoing routine maintenance inspections.
Fuse issues: If your HVAC unit regularly shuts off unexpectedly, there might be a problem at the circuit breaker. Check to see if you have any blown fuses or flipped breakers, and if the issue keeps happening over and over again, it’s likely there’s another issue causing the shutdowns to occur.
For more information about the most common problems with commercial HVAC in Eugene, OR, contact American Refrigeration Inc. today.
