Seasonal Shutdowns: The Importance of HVAC Seasonal Maintenance

HVAC seasonal maintenance helps you prepare your HVAC system for the annual seasonal shutdown. Learn more.
Your HVAC system keeps your business running. During the winter, the heat keeps your employees and customers comfortable and motivated. During the summer, circulated cold air keeps everyone cool. But if you want this system to keep working efficiently without spending a ton of money, it’s important to practice HVAC seasonal maintenance.

What Is HVAC Seasonal Maintenance?

HVAC seasonal maintenance is a set of strategies designed to keep your HVAC system clean, intact, and running effectively on a regular basis. As the name implies, this type of preventative maintenance is typically performed during seasonal changes; it’s an easy way to make sure you perform this important maintenance on an annual basis, and it helps you take advantage of seasons like fall and spring when you’re less reliant on the power of your HVAC system.
There are several individual tasks and steps to take during HVAC maintenance which we’ll discuss in the next section. But first, why should you practice HVAC seasonal maintenance in the first place?

Key Benefits of HVAC Seasonal Maintenance

Performing thorough HVAC seasonal maintenance is essential for keeping your HVAC system running to the best of its ability. Here are a few ways that tuning up your HVAC unit can help your business.

Lower Energy Bills

HVAC systems that are properly maintained and clean tend to run more efficiently. Air conditioning systems can circulate more cold air throughout the environment and heaters can heat more evenly. As a result, the HVAC system will need to run less often, ultimately reducing your energy bills.

More Energy-Efficient Heating and Cooling

Your HVAC system exists to maintain a comfortable climate for everyone in your establishment; if your ducts are clogged with dust, if there’s a leak in your system, or if your condenser unit just isn’t working properly, you’re not going to be able to achieve this. Your HVAC system will run, working hard to try and reach a comfortable temperature, but it may take hours for it to make a difference.

Longer Equipment Lifespans

Some people practice HVAC maintenance because they know it’s going to increase the lifespan of their equipment. Air conditioners and heaters, like all complex machines, have a finite lifespan; internal moving parts and components that can degrade mean that, eventually, your HVAC system will blow its last bit of air. However, you can make your equipment last longer and save money at the same time by making sure your units remain clean and functionally operational.

Fewer Repairs

HVAC repairs can be expensive, especially if you need to correct massive issues that have been left unattended for years. Conducting seasonal maintenance isn’t just about cleaning and maintaining the system; it’s also about identifying existing issues and prospective future issues. Because of this, you’ll have a chance to repair these small issues cheaply and efficiently so they don’t hurt you later.

Fewer Catastrophic Outages

Nobody wants to deal with anHVAC emergency. If your air conditioner goes out during a heat wave, or if you lose heat in the middle of a snowstorm, everyone is going to be upset—and you might even introduce a health and safety risk. While some of these catastrophic outages are unpreventable, the majority of them can be easily prevented by practicing routine maintenance.

Improved Air Quality

Because cleaning is a major component of seasonal HVAC maintenance, most people who practice it experience improved air quality. Changing the filters, cleaning the ducts, and removing other instances of dirt and debris can ensure the air being circulated inside your building is as clean as possible.

Peace of Mind

Some people prioritize HVAC maintenance because it provides them peace of mind. They know they’re doing everything possible to keep their HVAC system online and operational, saving money in the process.

Understanding the importance of HVAC seasonal maintenance is essential for keeping your HVAC units online, and so is knowing the standards for indoor air quality in commercial buildings. Explore our blog to learn more.

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AC Shutdown and Fall HVAC Maintenance

Oftentimes, business owners shut down the AC for a prolonged period of time. This often starts in the fall, since there’s rarely any need for air conditioning in the winter. This reduces the strain on your air conditioning unit and gives you a chance to practice routine maintenance.
These are some of the most important steps you’ll need to take to do it:

Initial Shutdown

The initial shutdown is the easiest part. You usually just have to flip a switch to make sure all components of your HVAC system are appropriately shut down.

HVAC Cooling Tower Inspection

Cooling towers are frequently used in oil refineries, power stations, and commercial buildings. It’s important to inspect these towers for any points of damage and clean them so they function properly.

Condenser Unit Inspection

Similarly, if you have a condenser unit as part of your conditioning system, it’s important to give it a thorough inspection. This is your opportunity to look for any damaged components or anything that needs to be cleaned or replaced.

Panel AC Unit Inspection

If you have a panel AC unit, you’ll need to employ a different system for cleaning and checking it—but this round of cleaning and maintenance is still very important.

Ductwork Inspection

Depending on who you hire for your HVAC system maintenance, they may inspect your ducts. Over time, the ducks running throughout your building can accumulate dirt, dust, and debris. This forces your HVAC system to work harder since there are major obstructions blocking the flow of air. Ideally, you’ll be able to keep your ducts as clean as possible as consistently as possible.

Thorough Cleaning

It’s hard to overstate just how important it is to keep a clean system. Cleaner HVAC systems are able to function more efficiently, reducing costs and producing a much more comfortable environment. They’re also less likely to suffer from wear and tear, maximizing the lifespan of your system.

Lubrication

Certain components need to be lubricated so they can move freely without friction. Otherwise, you’ll set yourself up for an expensive replacement in the future.

Filter Replacement

Replacing the filters of your HVAC system is a simple task, but it’s one that many people unfortunately neglect.

Other Replacements and Repairs

This is also an opportunity to look for any problem areas that might require further maintenance or full replacement. It’s better to fix these issues proactively, rather than reactively.

Professional HVAC Seasonal Maintenance

If you need to practice HVAC seasonal maintenance in your business, it’s best to hire a professional. The seasoned experts in this field will be able to quickly clean, maintain, and diagnose any issues associated with your system. They can also do the job with expertise and authority, so you can feel confident that the job has been done correctly and thoroughly.
Are you looking for a partner who can help you with seasonal HVAC maintenance? Or are you getting ready to shut down your AC unit for the winter? Contact Frazier Service today for a free quote!