How to Tell Your Office Needs HVAC Maintenance
Are you constantly getting complaints about employees being hot despite the AC being turned on?
If your HVAC unit is causing problems and is not working as well as it usually does, it does not necessarily mean that your AC is broken and that you need to replace it. There are many reasons why your unit is acting up which can get fixed when an AC is not performing the way it should. They can range from simply a clogged filter to an electrical issue. These problems can either be resolved by you or you will need to call a professional. These problems are part of a facility manager’s responsibility. To know more about Facility Management, refer to our Facility Management Handbook.
Filter Clogging:
An issue like filter clogging is the most common reason for an AC not cooling the room as it used to. When the temperature of the AC is at its lowest and best, and you still cannot feel the air reach you, check whether the filter of the AC looks dusty. If it does, clean it out with a wet cloth. With no dust bunnies blocking the air, it should be able to escape the filters and reach you.
Dirty Coils:
The coils of an AC are one of its main components. They are responsible for the cooling and heating of the parts that make the AC. Surely, it only makes sense to keep them clean and well maintained. The positioning of an AC makes it possible for dust and other pollutants to enter the system. When grime and dirt settle on the coils of the AC, they fail to function. The coils could thus be an issue that causes the AC to stop working. Cleaning these coils will easily solve the problem. But keep in mind that some coils can be beyond repair and need to be replaced.
Leaking Ducts:
The ducts in an HVAC unit are manually attached. Sometimes it is possible that the person may have fumbled and attached the ducts wrong. When this happens, it can easily be detected from any dripping water. It occurs at the place where two ducts meet; so touching the spot and feeling water means that the ducts are indeed leaking. The duct can be sealed by you or you will have to call a professional.
Overheating:
Any machine needs a cooling period to work properly. You may wonder why a machine which cools us, needs cooling. But while the unit is cooling the outside, its inside heats up. AC units usually have an automated cooling period, but if someone decides to override it, it can cause overheating problems in the HVAC. It can also occur due to incorrect measurements in AC choices- a smaller unit in a big room can cause it to overwork. Remember to give your units regular breaks, as you give yourself.
Electrical Issues:
When your unit has an electric issue, the circuit breaker that is built in your unit will trip. If this problem is persistent, it is an electric issue related to wiring or the capacitor. These issues cannot be fixed by you and you need to call the professionals for help. Do not use the AC until the problem is fixed or it could cause dangerous circumstances
Corrosion:
Prolonged use of the AC can corrode its insides. The humidity and moisture in a place can affect the coils of the unit, corroding them. The coils are important for the AC to work. To prevent corrosion in a unit’s coils, get them greased with products like epoxies and silanes.
Refrigerant Levels:
Refrigerants exist in all cooling devices. It is the process that expels cool air into the atmosphere while heating up the inside. If this process is hindered because of any reasons, it causes a leak in the refrigerant which lowers the refrigerant levels. Just like duct repair, this too can be repaired by sealing the leak.
An HVAC unit needs to be serviced periodically. Coolant periods are extremely important for any heating device. If these things are kept in mind and followed, your HVAC unit will stay in a good condition. The employees don’t have to be in constant dispute over the AC if the unit is constantly maintained and taken care of. Any leaks or breaker trips should be immediately looked after or the unit is at risk of getting damaged.
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