Commercial HVAC systems are a big investment, and one you should protect not only because of the cost to replace, but also due to second order effects of outage such as operational downtime or product loss. While the expected lifetime of a system is around 15 years, preventative maintenance and smart control can extend that well beyond 20 years. 

Health Checkups: You know what they say: an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. That’s why you should schedule a physical checkup for your system twice every year (before cooling and heating seasons) with a licensed professional. They can clean, inspect and test the system, calling attention to any potential concerns and offering additional maintenance if needed.

Smarter Control: Whether you use a Building Management System or a smart programmable thermostat, getting your HVAC equipment to run only when you need it is a great way to increase the lifespan of your system by reducing runtime. With ENASTAT, you can also receive alerts and notifications in the event of system irregularities. And if you don’t have ENASTAT or other programmable thermostats, you can still manually dial back the thermostat at closing time.

Fresh Filters: It’s recommended you replace your air filters approximately every month (though potentially more frequently, depending on your system’s runtime). This is especially important in spring and summer months when pollen and other airborne allergens are likely to impact the system. Avoiding clogged filters means airflow can continue without restriction, taking the burden off your system while extending its life.

Upgraded Air: New add-ons, such as variable speed fan controls, can increase longevity for your system. However, it may be worth looking into an entirely new system altogether. Check the equipment’s Seasonal Energy Efficiency Rating (SEER) to determine how efficiently the system will operate throughout the year. Newer, more efficient systems not only cost less to operate, they have longer lives. 

Taking these simple steps not only reduces your operating costs, they’ll potentially save significant time and money by warding off system failures. Consult with a licensed technician, or an equipment manufacturer like ENA Solution, whenever you have questions about your system. We’d love to hear from you!