Any and all HVAC systems consist of components that heat, cool, filter, humidify, dehumidify, and distribute the air.
These include air handling units (blowers), outdoor (condenser) coils, indoor coils, various add-ons like air cleaners, media air filters, supply and return air ductwork, etc.
The lifespan, efficiency, and cost-effectiveness of any system hinges on regular and effective maintenance and cleaning.
Without a regular maintenance and cleaning regiment, systems won’t operate like they should.
Regular professional Maintenance and Cleaning will:
- Improve indoor air quality (IAQ) - microbes thrive in moist and dusty environments like dirty evaporator coils and slimy condensate pans. All that is needed for this to occur is the presence of a food source (dirt), moisture (high humidity or water intrusion), lack of light and time. Given the right conditions, the microbial contamination will amplify and be distributed throughout the home or building by way of the HVAC system. This can adversely affect building occupants, possibly resulting in allergy, astma, lower productivity, higher absenteeism, and even litigation. In severe cases.
- Achieve maximum energy efficiency and reduce energy consumption levels - a recent Department of Energy (DOE) study states: "Dirty coils can increase HVAC system energy consumption by 30%." It’s important to remember that a home and building’s Heating and Cooling system accounts for 60 to 70 percent of their total energy use.
- Cleaning the entire HVAC system addresses both of these issues.
Home comfort systems are designed to move and clean air inside of your home. Lack of maintenance rezults in clogged air filters and heat exchangers, reduced efficiency, increased energy consumption, higher energy bills and most important to various health hazards. Vast majority of Heating and Cooling units are out-of-site, completely ignored, until performance has degraded to a point where the unit simply does not work. Regular inspections will bring out possible future problems, while professional maintenance will keep your unit run smoothly and efficiently.
Getting your HVAC equipment Maintained and Cleaned is just as important as changing the oil and air filter in your car!
Here are some car facts:
- Improve your gas mileage by around 3.3 percent by keeping your tires inflated to the proper pressure. Under-inflated tires lower gas mileage by 0.3 percent for every 1 psig drop in pressure of all four tires. Properly inflated tires are also safer and last longer.
- Replacing a clogged air filter improves your car's gas mileage by as much as 10 percent. Your car's air filter keeps impurities from damaging the inside of your engine. Not only will replacing a dirty air filter save gas, it will protect your engine.
Proven fact - proper periodic Maintenance and Cleaning lowers Energy Costs and Extends Equipment Life!
Preventive maintenance is vital to ensuring your HVAC equipment is operating properly. The technician tests the integral components of the unit, such as compressors, fan motors and refrigerant levels and verifies they are in good operating condition. Maintenance includes replacing of air filters and belts. Keeping your equipment in proper running condition saves you approximately 20% on your HVAC electrical operating cost by insuring that units are running at peak efficiency. Regular maintenance also extends equipment life and reduces service issue.
Poor Maintenance = Poor Indoor Air Quality
Poor maintenance, such as failure to change filters or maintain fresh air economizers, blocks air flow and causes CO-2 (carbon dioxide) build up. Average environmental CO-2 levels are 300 – 400 ppm. ASHRAE (American Society of Heating, Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Engineers) recommends indoor levels be maintained below 700 ppm for occupant comfort and productivity. Sleepiness, lethargy and headaches are early symptoms of higher levels of CO-2. The World Health Organization states that improperly maintained HVAC units cause 20 to 30% loss in personnel efficiency, increased sick days and company overall performance. The office population suffers symptoms ranging from itchy eyes and throats, to short-term memory loss. Continual exposure to poor IAQ can cause permanent nervous and respiratory system damage.
Air conditioning systems always condense water on the evaporators. Mold, dust, and bacteria grow and accumulate if equipment is not maintained properly.
Relative Humidity should be maintained between 30 and 60%. RH above 60% promotes indoor microbial growth. Without proper maintenance of the evaporator and drain pan, mold and slime will build up, that can cause sinus and respiratory infections, allergy and asthma problems, or in extreme cases mold spores that create airborne toxins that cause serious health problems like legionnaires disease.
How Often should Equipment be Inspected?
- Air Conditioning and Heating Systems – at least quarterly
- Air Conditioning (cooling only) Systems – at least twice a year
- Boilers – once a year (before the season).
Maintenance
