Summer is Sizzling – Your HVAC Units Should Not Be!

The hot, hazy days of summer have arrived. While you may be ready for this weather, are your stores HVAC units ready to stand up to the heat?

Branded Group Director of Operations Andra Bereznay notes that preventative maintenance for commercial HVAC units is typically completed by June, yet it is never too late for system maintenance.

“My most valuable tip of the trade is to advise customers on regular, preventative maintenance, especially in the Mid-West where cottonwood gets impacted into the condenser coil and shuts down the unit.”

When a store’s unit shuts down, customers are advised to first call for urgent service. Temporary cooling is sometimes an option while awaiting repairs, but only retail locations with drop ceilings are able to take advantage of this short-term solution.

“During this time of the year, stores in densely populated areas could receive a full unit replacement the next day, yet retailers in remote areas could expect to wait up to twelve days for a full unit replacement,” Bereznay said.

Avoid the stress of costly and urgent HVAC replacement and repairs as well as decrease energy waste by focusing on maintenance. According to the US Department of Energy, the average commercial building wastes 30% of energy. Let Branded Group help decrease energy waste associated with your commercial HVAC units.

HVAC Help as easy as 1-2-3

1. Schedule preventative maintenance: Be sure that all units receive a spring and fall inspection. Spring inspection should include, but is not limited to, cleaning condenser coils, checking for signs of refrigerant leaks, recording temperature differential across evaporator coils, and checking compressor contactor. In the fall, maintenance should also include checking for gas leaks and, for electric heaters, checking amperage draw on each element.
2. Manage programmable thermostats: Installing and managing programmable thermostats removes the burden of accommodating the temperature needs of a diverse workforce and customer base. Accurately programmed thermostats could also avoid the unit from freezing over and shutting down. Remember, in the summer, the thermostat should not be set below 72 degrees.
3. Engage in asset management: It’s imperative that all stores keep a record of details for all HVAC units. Asset management should include recording when the HVAC units were repaired or replaced, monitoring warranties proactively, and creating a long-term plan to replace aging HVAC units.

If you found these tips helpful and would like more information, be sure to call us today! At Branded Group, we’re readily available to help you #BeBetter.