Commercial

You want a company that respects your business and knows commercial HVAC systems extremely well. Not every HVAC company does installation, service, maintenance, and repair for commercial HVAC systems. Make sure any company that works on your system has deep experience in this area.

You may hear the terms AC and HVAC used interchangeably. HVAC stands for heating ventilation, and air conditioning while AC, of course, only stands for air conditioning. An HVAC system contains a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning unit. The integrated system heats, cools, and ventilates the building.

Purchasing a new building takes a lot of time and effort on your part. This is a big investment for your business, and you want to make sure it pays off. A due diligence report will shed light on any problems with the building’s HVAC system and spotlight any replacements or repairs you may need in the future. This information can help you make a wise decision on purchasing and if you do decide to purchase the building, you can start budgeting for any maintenance and repairs.

Your HVAC system will generally need preventative maintenance each fall and spring to avoid major problems down the line. Investing in this routine care helps to prolong the life of your system and ensure it works optimally. This maintenance keeps your system efficient and reduces costs. It’s best to have an experienced HVAC professional review your system thoroughly to create a customized preventative maintenance plan.

HVAC systems do make up the lion share of your building’s energy costs. To reduce these costs, you need to look at decreasing the amount of cooling and heating your building requires (the heating and cooling load) as well as increasing your system’s energy efficiency.

To reduce the heating and cooling load, you can:

• Switch to more energy efficient electronics and equipment
• Use energy efficient lighting systems that produce less heat
• Improve the building’s ventilation
• Ensure building is well insulated

To increase your system’s energy efficiency, you can:

• Make use of programmable thermostats
• Ensure you have the right sized unit for your building
• Perform regular maintenance on your system
• Replace air filters regularly

A SEER, or seasonal energy efficiency ratio, measures the efficiency of air conditioners. The SEER rating tells you how energy efficient your unit is by measuring how much cooling the unit actually providers per the cost of electricity. A higher SEER rating indicates higher energy efficiency. The United States Department of Energy requires a minimum SEER rating of 14.5 for heat pumps and 16 for air conditioners in the Nashville area.

If you notice the following signs, give us a call so we can take a look at your HVAC system before things get worse:

• Air in building feels hot even with the AC on
• Utility bills are going way up but your usage isn’t
• You’re hearing odd noises from your unit
• The air flowing through your AC vents is weak
• You smell strange odors from your unit
• Heating feels uneven
• You’re noticing more cycling in your unit
• Your building feels unusually humid

Air filters should be changed at least monthly or more often if they are dirty. The air filters trap dust, pollen, and other particles from your air. Once the filters become dirty, they prevent the air from flowing properly and will affect the performance of your system.

Your ductwork’s job is to move the conditioned air inside your building. It’s responsible for getting that heated and cooled air to you. It’s important to keep an eye on your ductwork as any leaks can cause energy loss. HVAC professionals can inspect your ductwork to make sure no leaks are present and can seal duct sections to prevent leaks. You’ll also need to have them cleaned regularly so the dirt, dust, and other particles that have built up in the ducts do not hamper your system’s performance.

A visual inspection by your HVAC professional can determine if cleaning is required. We recommend a visual inspection every two years and as needed if you have noticed a drop in air quality.