Spring is almost here, which means it’s time to schedule a seasonal maintenance checkup for your commercial HVAC in Eugene, OR. But to ensure your heater and air conditioner are ready to perform properly come spring, get a full maintenance package that includes a professional inspection, adjustments, repairs and cleanings. Below is a basic checklist with important spring HVAC maintenance tasks. Some are small tasks you can tackle yourself, while others should be done by a professional.
Why you need commercial HVAC maintenance
Commercial HVAC systems supply heat and cool air to large spaces, so you’ll want yours to work consistently to avoid unnecessary downtime. So, just like you do for your home’s heating and cooling systems, you should perform regular maintenance on your commercial HVAC system every season to ensure your equipment works when you need it to. What are the benefits of professional HVAC maintenance? Let’s take a look:
The HVAC equipment will work more efficiently, reducing the amount of energy it needs by 25 percent or more to keep your indoor commercial space comfortable.
Not only will your HVAC be reliable, but you’ll also experience fewer breakdowns and see a drop in equipment and maintenance costs—as much as 20 percent!
Hands down, HVAC maintenance in the spring means better indoor air quality. Humidity levels are better balanced, and there’s a reduction in the amount of airborne particulates and contaminants.
A spring HVAC maintenance checklist
If you’re ready to get started on maintenance for your commercial HVAC system, here’s a handy checklist you can use to ensure you’re covering your bases:
Change air filters: The job of air filters is to trap and remove unhealthy airborne particulates and contaminants, such as dirt, dust, pollen, mold spores, pet hair and dander and other microscopic particles. With these particles out of the air, your customers and employees will breathe in clean air and enjoy a more comfortable indoor environment. Filters are replaced during scheduled maintenance, but consider checking them between appointments and change them if they’re obviously dirty.
Clean indoor HVAC components: Make sure to clean the indoor components of your cooling system—including blower fans, control panels and evaporator coils. Also, clean and assess moving parts like fans. They may need lubrication to keep them operating smoothly.
Clean around outdoor condenser units: The condenser unit and other vital components are in an outdoor cabinet that needs cleaning from time to time. Along with cleaning, remove any debris that may block vents and reduce airflow through the system. The most common types of debris found around coils and vents include grass, mud, leaves, twigs, garbage and more. Don’t forget to wipe down the cabinet as well.
Check the refrigerant: Your cooling system needs refrigerant to properly capture and release heat. Your commercial HVAC technician will check the refrigerant level in your system and add refrigerant to the manufacturer’s specifications. If there are any leaks, they should be repaired immediately. It’s best not to use the system until all repairs are made.
If your commercial HVAC in Eugene, OR is in need of service or repairs, look no further than the experienced technicians at American Refrigeration Inc. Contact us today to schedule a visit!
Now that the fall has finally arrived, you have probably stopped using your air conditioning system and are now relying on your furnace to keep the climate comfortable inside your business. When you reach for the thermostat dial during chilly weather, it’s important that you can rely on your furnace to begin heating your business.
Unfortunately, commercial systems don’t always behave the way we want them to or the way they should. When your furnace begins blowing cold air instead of heated air, it can be frustrating and create an uncomfortable and potentially unsafe work environment for yourself and your employees. If you are experiencing this issue, there are a few things that you can do to troubleshoot the problem and find the source before calling for commercial HVAC repair in Eugene, OR:
Change your settings: The simplest reason why your furnace might be blowing cold air is an issue with your thermostat settings. If you have your fan set to “on,” your furnace could be blowing out air without actually heating it. By changing the settings and configuring the fan to “auto” mode, it will only run when the furnace is running.
Promote airflow: Your air filter is an important component of your heating system and it helps keep the air in your business clean, but it can cause issues if it is not cared for properly. You should change your air filter on a regular basis whenever it gets dirty or clogged.
Consider necessary repairs: Issues involving your pilot light, gas supply and ducts can all contribute to an ineffective heating system. If you can’t find a straightforward reason why your furnace is blowing cold air, you should call a professional to help you with commercial HVAC repair in Eugene, OR. They will be able to find the source of the problem and administer any necessary repairs.
Ask a professional: A professional HVAC technician will likely be able to accurately diagnose an issue with your system much easier than you can. Getting professional help can save you a significant amount of effort and ensure that your system is operating effectively. It’s important that you keep your system regularly maintained to ensure that it continues to offer function and efficiency. As a business owner, it’s a good idea to have a primary service provider for your furnace and HVAC system.
If you are experiencing issues with your furnace or you simply want to make sure that it is in the best condition possible before winter hits, you can get assistance from American Refrigeration Inc. For decades, we have been providing a number of commercial refrigeration and equipment services to customers in and around Eugene and the Portland area. We can assist you with quality products and services that you can depend on for your commercial equipment needs. You can find out more about our team and our services by taking a look at our website. To schedule an appointment for commercial HVAC repair in Eugene, OR, simply call us today!
If you are a business owner, you are probably used to contending with a variety of different business needs. One such business need is a heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) system to maintain a comfortable climate for your employees and your customers. When you start considering having a new commercial HVAC system installed in your business, one of your primary concerns will likely be the cost of installation. You might think that installing commercial HVAC in Eugene, OR is prohibitively expensive, but it’s important to take all of the relevant factors into account to help you understand exactly what you can expect to pay and how it will affect your business expenses in the long run.
Average system costs
The cost to install a commercial HVAC system will vary based on the size of your space, whether any system components are already in place and the type of system you purchase. On average, an HVAC system will cost between $6,000 and $12,000 for a space without any of the necessary system components already installed. For a central air conditioning system on its own, you can expect to pay anywhere from $3,000 and $5,000, and a central heating furnace is between $2,500 and $7,500.
In order for your system to actually distribute conditioned or heated air through your business, you will also need to have ductwork installed. The cost of ductwork is between $1,000 and $3,000. While this may seem like a pretty significant upfront investment, these systems can last for decades if they are installed properly.
Energy expenses
The percentage of your budget that you can expect to allocate to heating and cooling is far too variable to generalize. Systems vary widely when it comes to efficiency, and your energy needs are entirely dependent on how much space you have to heat or cool, as well as on the type of business you run. A professional technician who specializes in commercial HVAC in Eugene, OR will be able to give you a more accurate idea of what you can expect to pay based on your specific needs and your space. If you currently have an HVAC system that you are considering replacing, it’s a safe bet that a new system will save you money on your monthly energy bill. Newer systems tend to use energy much more efficiently than older ones do.
Learn more about commercial HVAC in Eugene, OR
At American Refrigeration Inc., we understand that HVAC systems can be a significant upfront investment for your business. That’s why we are here to work with you so that you can find quality products that fit your needs and your budget. We have been assisting commercial customers with their refrigeration and HVAC equipment since 1995, and we continue to offer exceptional services to each and every client who we work with. In addition to our regular services, we are also available 24/7 for emergency repairs so that you can get the help that you need at any time of the day or night. To find out more about everything that we do, call us to speak with a member of our outstanding team.
Costs can add up quickly for a business. From overhead expenses to the unexpected, you’re lucky if you can break even each year. But did you know you could save money by investing in regular commercial HVAC maintenance? Just like a car, an HVAC system requires regular care for optimal operation. Having a professional inspect your system annually can improve your system’s efficiency, lead to lower energy costs and reduce the need for commercial HVAC repairs in Eugene, OR.
Here are four ways regular commercial HVAC maintenance could be saving you money:
Increases energy efficiency: Most energy loss in a commercial HVAC system can be attributed to a blocked vent or air filter. Dirt and dust build up on the air filter and in the coils over time, which causes the machine to have to work twice as hard to produce the same or lesser result. The unit then requires much more energy to operate and the need for repairs increases. Luckily, this can easily be avoided by having a professional replace the filters on a regular schedule. Additionally, an HVAC specialist can also clean the unit and check for any other obstructions that could be taking a toll on the overall efficiency.
Less need for repairs: Unfortunately, most people don’t realize their HVAC is experiencing a problem until it breaks down. Luckily, most issues can be spotted early with preventative maintenance. During a maintenance check, a professional HVAC specialist can spot any problematic areas and make the necessary repairs as soon as possible. This way, you’ll be able to avoid steep emergency repair costs. Sure, you’ll pay a bit for the checkup, but it’s better than shelling out thousands of dollars for repairs that could have easily been avoided. It’s an investment that just makes sense when considering costs.
Lower energy costs: Do your monthly utility bills seem higher than usual? Your commercial HVAC could be at fault. An inefficiently operating system requires more energy to function. This can take a huge toll on your monthly bill when combined with regular wear and tear. Having a professional HVAC repair specialist inspect the equipment regularly will help to keep costs manageable.
Reduces equipment cost: Having your commercial HVAC system maintained regularly can extend the life of the equipment. Your maintenance specialist will identify any problems before they get too bad. The equipment will then last longer and the likelihood of any unexpected breakdowns will decrease. Plus, it’s much cheaper to pay for a few smaller repairs over time as opposed to the cost of replacing an entire system.
A regular routine of scheduled inspections, cleaning and maintenance is a simple way to keep the costs of commercial HVAC repairs in Eugene, OR low. Ready to experience the benefits? Then contact the professionals at American Refrigeration, Inc. One of our experienced technicians will ensure your HVAC system is in top shape so you can get the most for your money. Call us today to schedule an appointment!
When the EPA announced that the phase-out of R-22 refrigerant would start in 2010, with completion scheduled for 2020, the time seemed relatively far away. That time has flown by, though, and with the deadline now only three years away, business owners whose commercial HVAC in Eugene, OR is still reliant on R-22 refrigerant will need to start evaluating their options.
The R-22 supply
The use of virgin R-22 refrigerant is now illegal, and the only R-22 that can still be purchased and used is the recovered and recycled refrigerant from retired units. In conjunction with the basic principles of supply and demand, with R-22 becoming more and more scarce, not only will it become harder to find, but the prices will stay high because of the limited supply. This means that business owners will either have to find a drop-in substitute for R-22, or consider moving on to an upgraded system altogether.
Total system replacement
While you may be able to use drop-in R-22 refrigerant replacements and alternatives for a time, the best long-term solution is replacing and updating your HVAC system. In addition to providing enough time to eradicate R-22 production and distribution, a part of the reason the EPA set the dates they did was to allow the many air conditioning units that were still using R-22 refrigerant at the time to age to the point of system replacement. This makes the overall transition not only better for the environment, but more economical for business owners as well.
A full system replacement would include replacing the indoor and outdoor units, all of the ductwork and the system’s wiring. While this might sound daunting initially, this solution will be providing you with the opportunity to install a new system with new equipment that allows you to benefit from improved energy efficiency. This also takes away any worry you might have about what types of refrigerants should be used and what you can and cannot do with your HVAC system, giving you as a business owner much needed peace of mind.
Unit replacement
If a total system replacement is not a financially feasible option for your company, you could alternatively consider replacing just the outdoor condenser and the indoor handling unit, and use the existing wiring and ductwork from your current system. This way, you will still be able to reap the benefits of upgraded energy efficiency, but you will be able to cut the installation costs of an entire system by using some of the major components that you already have.
The R-22 phase-out can certainly be confusing, but with the help of our team at American Refrigeration Inc., we can make sure that your business has what it needs for efficient and operation. We even offer remodels if you need to make changes to your commercial HVAC in Eugene, OR so that you are in compliance with EPA regulations. If you have questions about the phase-out or would like to learn more about the many services we can offer you, give us a call to set up an appointment today.
