The HVAC system is one of the most important components of a healthy and comfortable indoor environment, irrespective of the weather. Because your HVAC equipment plays a critical role in ensuring enhanced thermal comfort and air quality for building occupants, it’s in your best interest to keep it in good working order.
To protect your HVAC system and keep it in the best shape possible all the time, including during renovation projects and bad weather, here are a few tips on how you can protect it from damage and avoid costly repairs.
Protecting Your HVAC System during Renovation
Before you begin any renovation work, it’s advisable to review your plan with a qualified HVAC technician. This professional will indicate the best precautionary steps you can take in order to protect your HVAC unit during renovation and construction work. Some common measures include, without being limited to:
- Turning off the system to eliminate air circulation and reduce the amount of dust that might be pulled into your unit. Dust and debris accumulation can cause various problems that will eventually affect your system.
- Covering up the supply and return air ducts as well as closing off the registers and vents to avoid retracting dust particles, debris, and contaminants into the system when dusty work is being carried out. However, vents should only be closed when the system is off. Running the system with closed vents will cause insufficient airflow and increased pressure, which can lead to failure.
- Completing specific operations, like sanding surfaces or sawing through wood, outside in order to minimize the amount of dust in the renovated space. If these tasks need to be performed inside, make sure that the contractor uses proper dust control methods to prevent dust buildup.
- Consulting an HVAC technician to determine which registers should remain open if you need to run the system during renovation work. Also, you should check your HVAC filters a few times throughout the project, and replace or clean them as needed. After the project is completed, replace or clean the filters once again. Clogged air filters can result in damage to the compressor and even compressor failure.
It’s also recommended to schedule an appointment with a technician for a post-renovation HVAC inspection. The technician will inspect your ductwork, vents, evaporator and condenser coils just to make sure that everything is in working order.
Protect Your HVAC Unit in Extreme Weather
Regardless of where you live, severe weather can negatively impact your commercial or industrial HVAC unit. But whether it’s a hurricane, strong wind, hail, or a blizzard, there are ways you can prevent costly damage to your equipment. Here are just some of them.
- Remove unsecured objects and cover the outdoor cabinet. Large objects can be picked up by strong winds and cause significant damage to the components included in the outdoor cabinet, such as the compressor and condenser coils. Another good idea would be to install hail guards, which can be left in place year-round. In areas where flooding is a concern, the outdoor unit should be placed in an elevated position.
- Trim vegetation. Heavy rains, strong winds, snow, or ice can cause weak branches to break. Trimming the shrubs and trees nearby will prevent them from falling and damaging your outdoor cabinet.
- Install a surge protector. If the power goes out during severe weather, an electrical surge might occur when the power comes back. To prevent damage to your HVAC system, consider installing a surge protector. A backup generator, which is often installed to keep HVAC units and other appliances running during a power outage, can also protect your HVAC equipment from surges.
HVAC systems should be inspected and serviced twice per year, before the cooling and heating seasons. When maintained regularly by professional technicians, HVAC units are less likely to fail during the months of hard use. Regular maintenance will also keep the warranties on HVAC systems and different components valid.
If you intend to install a new HVAC system or replace your HVAC compressor with a remanufactured or brand new compressor, our friendly and experienced specialists are ready to help. Just give us a call at 972-286-2264 today!
